Archive for the ‘Middle Orient’ Category
PA: Abbas rival won’t be allowed to run in Palestinian election
Monday, January 18, 2021 Comments Off on PA: Abbas rival won’t be allowed to run in Palestinian electionDivisions and bickering in Fatah were one of the reasons why the ruling faction lost the parliamentary election to Hamas in 2006. Deposed Fatah operative Mohammed Dahlan will not be allowed to run in the upcoming Palestinian presidential election, because he is a convicted criminal, two senior Palestinian officials said on Saturday.
US support for Israeli airstrikes in Syria has been important recently
Monday, January 18, 2021 Comments Off on US support for Israeli airstrikes in Syria has been important recentlyJames Jeffrey sees Israel’s campaign against Iran as part of a multi-pillar US strategy in the region that worked between 2018 and 2020. In a recent article in Foreign Affairs, the former American envoy on Syrian policy notes that “US-supported Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in the country further limited the [Syrian] regime’s military options.” […]
Massive Iran missile drill is message to US, Gulf and Israel
Monday, January 18, 2021 Comments Off on Massive Iran missile drill is message to US, Gulf and IsraelFootage from Iran shows the missiles and precision strikes. A massive Iranian missile drill showcasing long range missiles, drones and other weapons is taking place this weekend and serves as a message to Gulf countries, the US and Israel.
Turkey Establishes Checkpoint Overlooking Damascus-Aleppo Highway
Monday, January 18, 2021 Comments Off on Turkey Establishes Checkpoint Overlooking Damascus-Aleppo HighwayTurkish forces plan to establish an observation post 200 meters from the Damascus-Aleppo international road on the northwestern outskirts of Saraqeb city, reliable sources said Friday, a few days after Iranian forces and their proxy militias redeployed in areas that were hit by a series of airstrikes in eastern Syria this week.
Moscow Speeds up Training of Syrian Regime Forces
Monday, January 18, 2021 Comments Off on Moscow Speeds up Training of Syrian Regime ForcesRussian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Turkish Ambassador Mehmet Samsar discussed Friday the situation in Syria and Libya, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Aleppo | Turkish-backed factions and “Manbij Military Council Forces” trade fire on frontlines in western Manbij
Monday, January 18, 2021 Comments Off on Aleppo | Turkish-backed factions and “Manbij Military Council Forces” trade fire on frontlines in western ManbijAleppo Province – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: SOHR sources have reported clashes, on Friday evening, between Turkish-backed factions and “Manbij Military Council Forces” on the frontlines of Al-Bughaz in the western countryside of Manbij, north-east of Aleppo. the clashes coincided with exchange of bombardment between the tow parties, but no casualties have been reported.
Syrian desert | Over 65 Russian airstrikes hit ISIS positions in 24 hours
Monday, January 18, 2021 Comments Off on Syrian desert | Over 65 Russian airstrikes hit ISIS positions in 24 hoursSyrian Observatory activists have documented a spike in the number of Russian airstrikes on the Syrian desert in the past 24 hours, as the Russian fighter jets executed 65 airstrikes targeting ISIS positions in Alepp-Hama-Al-Raqqah triangle and other positions in the desert, amid reports of casualties.
U.S. Aligns Key Partners Against Shared Threats in the Middle East
Monday, January 18, 2021 Comments Off on U.S. Aligns Key Partners Against Shared Threats in the Middle EastIn a sign of the changing political environment in the Middle East, the United States military will move Israel from the U.S. European Command’s area of responsibility to that of the U.S. Central Command, DOD officials announced today.
U.S. Completes Troop-Level Drawdown in Afghanistan, Iraq
Monday, January 18, 2021 Comments Off on U.S. Completes Troop-Level Drawdown in Afghanistan, IraqTroop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan have dropped, acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller announced today. There are now 2,500 U.S. service members in Iraq and 2,500 in Afghanistan. It is the lowest number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan since operations started there in 2001.
Will Israel lose its freedom to operate against Iran?
Monday, January 18, 2021 Comments Off on Will Israel lose its freedom to operate against Iran?Israel needs to prepare for this new reality where its ability to combat Iranian forces and proxy groups is concerned. Speculation about the extent to which the incoming American administration will appease Iran has been rampant. But US President-elect Joe Biden’s picks for relevant top positions don’t seem to leave much room for conjecture.
Israel, Iran fight for influence over Biden administration
Monday, January 18, 2021 Comments Off on Israel, Iran fight for influence over Biden administrationCafé Milano, the upscale Italian restaurant in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, was the scene of an important dinner on Monday night: Mossad chief Yossi Cohen sat down to eat with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and the two were spotted by journalists.
Aden attack investigation fuels regional concerns about Iranian missiles
Monday, January 18, 2021 Comments Off on Aden attack investigation fuels regional concerns about Iranian missilesThe Yemeni interior minister said the Houthi militias, helped by Iranian and Lebanese experts, were behind the strikes that targeted Aden airport on December 30. The results of investigations by the Yemeni government about the Aden airport attack underline the danger posed by missiles Iran has supplied to the Houthis, which have seriously threatened energy […]
Lebanon Wants an End to Iranian Occupation
Monday, January 18, 2021 Comments Off on Lebanon Wants an End to Iranian OccupationThe Lebanese are worried that their country will meet the fate endured by Iraq, Syria and Yemen, where the Iranians and their militia proxies are playing a major role in the civil wars currently plaguing these countries. The Lebanese are demanding an end to Iranian occupation of their country; they are clearly hoping that the […]
US House reintroduces bill to sanction global backers of Hamas, Islamic Jihad
Monday, January 18, 2021 Comments Off on US House reintroduces bill to sanction global backers of Hamas, Islamic JihadPalestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act passed House unanimously in 2019 but stalled in Senate Bipartisan American legislation directing the US president to sanction international individuals and agencies tied to the Gaza-based Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror groups was re-introduced in the House on Thursday.
Saudi FM Faisal bin Farhan arrives in Moscow for official visit
Monday, January 18, 2021 Comments Off on Saudi FM Faisal bin Farhan arrives in Moscow for official visitSaudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Moscow on Thursday to discuss bilateral relations with his Russian counterpart, according to the Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry.
Iran’s Quds Force denies deaths in Israeli airstrikes in Syria
Monday, January 18, 2021 Comments Off on Iran’s Quds Force denies deaths in Israeli airstrikes in SyriaThe Afghan Fatemiyoun also denied members were hit, but said Syrian army personnel were killed. A deputy commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) denied that any deaths had resulted from a string of airstrikes believed to have been carried out by Israel in Syria earlier this week.
Israel turns its back on French-Egyptian Mideast initiative
Monday, January 18, 2021 Comments Off on Israel turns its back on French-Egyptian Mideast initiativeForeign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi rejected the invitation for meeting French, German, Egyptian and Jordanian foreign ministers in Cairo, citing the nationwide lockdown in Israel as an excuse.
Iran’s shows off ballistic missiles, drones in drill amid US tensions
Monday, January 18, 2021 Comments Off on Iran’s shows off ballistic missiles, drones in drill amid US tensionsThe military exercise in Iran’s central desert comes as the Trump administration makes a final push to punish Tehran. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Friday fired a “barrage” of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles and launched new bomb-carrying drones in a military drill held in the country’s central desert of Iran, state media reported.
ISIS increases attacks in Raqqa as Turkish-backed forces shell Ain al-Issa
Sunday, January 17, 2021 Comments Off on ISIS increases attacks in Raqqa as Turkish-backed forces shell Ain al-IssaOne expert noted that the Russia and Syrian regime attempts to push the SDF to withdraw from the Ain al-Issa area and shelling by Turkish-backed rebels is “giving ISIS cells greater ability to conduct attacks deep behind the SDF lines.”
Drug trade major source of funding for PKK’s activities in Iraq, Turkmen leader says
Sunday, January 17, 2021 Comments Off on Drug trade major source of funding for PKK’s activities in Iraq, Turkmen leader saysDrug trafficking is a major source of revenue for the PKK terrorist group to carry out its activities in Iraq, the head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front Ershad Salihi said Monday. According to Iraqi sources, the PKK has accelerated illegal drug trafficking activities across the country to fund its terrorist network.
Former Al-Qaeda spokesman living in £1m house in London: Report
Sunday, January 17, 2021 Comments Off on Former Al-Qaeda spokesman living in £1m house in London: ReportA former spokesman for Al-Qaeda who worked closely with the group’s late leader Osama bin Laden is now living freely in London after being released early from a US jail due to the high COVID-19 risk posed by his weight and asthma, Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper reported on Monday.
Almost Two Years After Defeat, ISIS Resurfaces in Syria’s Badia
Sunday, January 17, 2021 Comments Off on Almost Two Years After Defeat, ISIS Resurfaces in Syria’s BadiaFor weeks, ISIS has managed to escalate its attacks against Syrian regime forces and their allies in the Syrian Badia, largely suggesting that the terror group has succeeded in reorganizing its ranks in the vast desert region.
Daesh attack kills 8 regime loyalists in east Syria
Sunday, January 17, 2021 Comments Off on Daesh attack kills 8 regime loyalists in east SyriaDaesh terrorists killed at least eight regime loyalists in eastern Syria on Monday, the latest in a series of deadly extremist attacks, a Britain-based war monitor reported.
Al-Bakir Tribe Dignitaries Martyred in Deir ez-Zor
Sunday, January 17, 2021 Comments Off on Al-Bakir Tribe Dignitaries Martyred in Deir ez-ZorA member of the al-Bakir Tribe has been gunned down in Deir ez-Zor, in the latest of a number of killings that has targeted tribal figures writes SANA. One of the dignitaries of al-Bakir Tribe was martyred after he was shot in the al-Ezbeh area in Deir ez-Zor’s northern countryside, which is under the control […]
Israel, Slovakia to sign extensive defense export agreement
Sunday, January 17, 2021 Comments Off on Israel, Slovakia to sign extensive defense export agreementThe Israeli radar systems will be interoperable with NATO defense mechanisms. Israel will deliver 17 radar systems produced by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), to the Slovak Ministry of Defense in an agreement that amounts to approximately €150 million, the Defense Ministry said on Thursday.The ministry said in a statement that the Slovak government approved the […]
The US targets Iran’s key henchman ‘Abu Fadak’ in Iraq
Sunday, January 17, 2021 Comments Off on The US targets Iran’s key henchman ‘Abu Fadak’ in IraqOn Wednesday, Abu Fadak al-Mohammadawi was listed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. Abu Fadak has a habit of avoiding the cameras. But he was thrust into the limelight after the US used a drone to kill Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in January last year.
Reports say Iran has expanded ‘kamikaze drone’ base in Yemen
Sunday, January 17, 2021 Comments Off on Reports say Iran has expanded ‘kamikaze drone’ base in YemenTehran is very openly bragging about its UAV capabilities and regularly lists its arsenal. Iran has sent drones to Yemen, enabling the creation of a base for so-called “suicide drones” or what are known as loitering munitions, according to Newsweek. The report claims that “Shahed-136” drones are now based in Al-Jawf. These are supposedly “advanced […]
By targeting a Russian base in Raqqa, Hurras al-Din sends a multifaceted message
Sunday, January 17, 2021 Comments Off on By targeting a Russian base in Raqqa, Hurras al-Din sends a multifaceted messageIn a precedent, a car bomb on Thursday targeted the Russian military base in the village of Tal al-Samen, in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)-controlled territory in eastern Raqqa province. More notable, however, was claiming responsibility for the operation by Hurras al-Din (Guardians of Religion) organization that is based in Idlib province in northwest Syria.
Israeli raids in Syria kill 16: monitor
Sunday, January 17, 2021 Comments Off on Israeli raids in Syria kill 16: monitorIsraeli night raids targeting arms depots and military positions in eastern Syria killed at least five soldiers and 11 allied fighters, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Wednesday. The Israeli air force carried out more than 18 strikes against multiple targets in an area stretching from the eastern town of Deir Ezzor to the […]
Is Al-Qaeda affiliate expanding attacks beyond Syrian town of Idlib?
Sunday, January 17, 2021 Comments Off on Is Al-Qaeda affiliate expanding attacks beyond Syrian town of Idlib?Hurras al-Din, affiliated with al-Qaeda in Syria, claimed responsibility for an attack against a Russian base in northern Raqqa and pledged to expand operations outside its areas of deployment in Idlib.
ISIS Wives at Syria’s Al-Hol-Camp Complain about Struggles of Living in ‘Isolated State’
Sunday, January 17, 2021 Comments Off on ISIS Wives at Syria’s Al-Hol-Camp Complain about Struggles of Living in ‘Isolated State’With their husbands having been dealt a blowing defeat by the US-led International Coalition and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), dozens of ISIS wives now face the challenges of living in Syrian refugee camps.
Israeli Raids in Syria Kill 16 Soldiers, Pro-Iran Fighters: Monitor
Sunday, January 17, 2021 Comments Off on Israeli Raids in Syria Kill 16 Soldiers, Pro-Iran Fighters: MonitorAt least five Syrian soldiers and 11 allied fighters were killed in Israeli air raids in eastern Syria, according to a Britain-based war monitor writes Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. Israeli night raids targeting arms depots and military positions in eastern Syria killed at least five soldiers and 11 allied fighters, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said […]
Treasury Targets Billion Dollar Foundations Controlled by Iran’s Supreme Leader
Sunday, January 17, 2021 Comments Off on Treasury Targets Billion Dollar Foundations Controlled by Iran’s Supreme LeaderWashington – The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action today against two organizations, along with their leaders and subsidiaries, controlled by the Supreme Leader of Iran, the Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order (EIKO), and Astan Quds Razavi (AQR). While purportedly charitable organizations (bonyads), EIKO and AQR control large […]
Largest-ever Iranian military vessel set to join Navy soon
Sunday, January 17, 2021 Comments Off on Largest-ever Iranian military vessel set to join Navy soonThe Iranian Navy is set to receive the country’s largest-ever military vessel, an indigenously-manufactured helicopter carrier outfitted to take on momentous logistical responsibilities in support of the defense force’s maritime missions.
Intel: Former US ambassador to UAE to join McGurk on National Security Council
Sunday, January 17, 2021 Comments Off on Intel: Former US ambassador to UAE to join McGurk on National Security CouncilBarbara Leaf is set to join other Obama-era officials with established Middle East policy credentials. Barbara Leaf, the former US ambassador to the United Arab Emirates during the Barack Obama administration, is expected to be named to President-elect Joe Biden’s National Security Council, Vox reported.