Archive for January, 2020
Iraqi police arrest ISIS religious official in eastern Mosul
Tuesday, January 21, 2020 Comments Off on Iraqi police arrest ISIS religious official in eastern MosulIraqi security forces on Thursday announced the arrest of a senior religious Islamic State official in eastern Mosul.
U.S. restarts counter-ISIS operations paused after Soleimani killing
Tuesday, January 21, 2020 Comments Off on U.S. restarts counter-ISIS operations paused after Soleimani killingAmerican troops in Iraq had focused on force protection rather than offensive operations after the senior Iranian general was killed in a drone strike.
Reading Sun Tzu in Tehran
Monday, January 20, 2020 Comments Off on Reading Sun Tzu in TehranIran is not done. General Hajizadeh, Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force, said in a briefing yesterday that the strike “was the starting point of a great operation”. He also underlined that “the strikes were not meant to cause fatalities: We intended [rather] to deliver a blow to the enemy’s military machine”. And the Pentagon […]
Damen and Blohm + Voss selected for construction German MKS180 frigates
Monday, January 20, 2020 Comments Off on Damen and Blohm + Voss selected for construction German MKS180 frigatesThe German government has announced its intention to select Damen as the main contractor, together with partners Blohm + Voss and Thales, for supplying at least four Multi-Purpose Combat Ship MKS 180 frigates to the German Navy. The Dutch naval shipbuilder is extremely proud of, and satisfied with, the result of the evaluation process announced […]
Putin Calls For Systemic Change. The ‘System’ Quickly Responds
Monday, January 20, 2020 Comments Off on Putin Calls For Systemic Change. The ‘System’ Quickly RespondsPresident Vladimir Putin called for “serious changes to the political system” during his state-of-the-nation address on January 15, and the “system” didn’t take long to respond.
Russian Prime Minister Resigns as Putin Hints at Constitutional Reforms
Monday, January 20, 2020 Comments Off on Russian Prime Minister Resigns as Putin Hints at Constitutional ReformsPresident Vladimir Putin promoted a little known Cabinet figure to head Russia’s government Wednesday – capping an extraordinary day in Kremlin politics that saw Putin propose major constitutional amendments and accept the resignation of the government of his longtime prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev.
US, UK, Australia, Canada & Germany Reject Iraqi Parliament’s Quit Iraq Demand
Monday, January 20, 2020 Comments Off on US, UK, Australia, Canada & Germany Reject Iraqi Parliament’s Quit Iraq DemandFollowing the US assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and Shiite Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis at Baghdad International Airport, the Iraqi PM, the Iraqi Parliament Speaker and the Iraqi Parliament have demanded that the US Alliance forces leave Iraq. The US, UK, Australia, Canada and Germany have rejected the Iraqi Parliament’s Quit Iraq […]
Russia – A Groundbreaking Powershift?
Monday, January 20, 2020 Comments Off on Russia – A Groundbreaking Powershift?In groundbreaking news President Putin announced today, 15 January, in his annual address to the Nation, major changes in his government. First, he announced that Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and his entire cabinet resigned and will eventually be replaced by a new PM and a new cabinet. A timeline was not given. In the meantime, […]
Trump Broke The Law In Freezing Ukraine Funds, Watchdog Report Concludes
Monday, January 20, 2020 Comments Off on Trump Broke The Law In Freezing Ukraine Funds, Watchdog Report ConcludesA federal watchdog concluded that President Trump broke the law when he froze assistance funds for Ukraine last year, according to a report unveiled on Thursday.
Africa’s Sahel seeks new ways to fight terrorism
Monday, January 13, 2020 Comments Off on Africa’s Sahel seeks new ways to fight terrorismHeads of state from West Africa and France will gather in the French town of Pau to find new strategies against jihadists in the Sahel. But resistance to the presence of French troops in the African region is growing.
Four Turkish soldiers killed in northeast Syria bomb attack: ministry
Monday, January 13, 2020 Comments Off on Four Turkish soldiers killed in northeast Syria bomb attack: ministryFour Turkish soldiers were killed in a car bomb attack in northeast Syria on Wednesday, the Turkish Defense Ministry said in a statement overnight.
Iraqi forces seize dozens of explosives, destroy 2 ISIS caves in Kirkuk
Monday, January 13, 2020 Comments Off on Iraqi forces seize dozens of explosives, destroy 2 ISIS caves in KirkukIraqi security forces announced on Thursday that they had seized dozens of explosive devices and destroyed two caves and Islamic State sites northwest of the disputed Kirkuk province.
Airstrikes kill 8 Iran-backed militants near Syria-Iraq border, monitor says
Monday, January 13, 2020 Comments Off on Airstrikes kill 8 Iran-backed militants near Syria-Iraq border, monitor saysAirstrikes in eastern Syria killed eight fighters of the Iran-backed Iraqi militia in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilization Forces overnight, a war monitor said Friday.
Canadian Delegation Heading to Iran over Plane Crash
Friday, January 10, 2020 Comments Off on Canadian Delegation Heading to Iran over Plane CrashIranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi says a 10-member Canadian delegation is coming to Iran in order to deal with the Canadian victims of the Wednesday crash.
Iranian Gov’t Issues Statement on Ukrainian Plane Crash
Friday, January 10, 2020 Comments Off on Iranian Gov’t Issues Statement on Ukrainian Plane CrashA Boeing 737 plane carrying 180 passengers and crew, mostly Iranians, crashed shortly after takeoff from Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran early Wednesday, leaving no survivors.
Anti-ISIS Coalition Countries Relocate Troops from Iraq after Iran Tensions
Friday, January 10, 2020 Comments Off on Anti-ISIS Coalition Countries Relocate Troops from Iraq after Iran TensionsSeveral member states of the anti-ISIS coalition announced Tuesday that they would be relocating their troops from Iraq following tensions with Iran over Washington’s killing last week of top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani.
Iran Fires on U.S. Forces at 2 Bases in Iraq, Calling It ‘Fierce Revenge’
Friday, January 10, 2020 Comments Off on Iran Fires on U.S. Forces at 2 Bases in Iraq, Calling It ‘Fierce Revenge’Iraqi officials say the Iranian strikes, involving at least a dozen ballistic missiles, caused no American or Iraqi casualties. President Trump issued an upbeat appraisal.
The History of Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zinki: Interview
Friday, January 10, 2020 Comments Off on The History of Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zinki: InterviewHarakat Nour al-Din al-Zinki was a Syrian rebel group based in west Aleppo countryside that was first formed towards the end of 2011. It was finally dissolved last year after being routed by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (of which Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zinki had once been a part). With the defeat of the group, Hay’at Tahrir […]
What Happens Next with the Tensions Between Iran and the United States?
Friday, January 10, 2020 Comments Off on What Happens Next with the Tensions Between Iran and the United States?Iran responded to the death of IRGC-QF Major General Qassim Soleimani by launching nearly two dozen ballistic missiles at Iraqi bases where American troops are stationed.
Iran-US attack in Iraq: Guterres pledges ‘active engagement’ in further de-escalation efforts
Friday, January 10, 2020 Comments Off on Iran-US attack in Iraq: Guterres pledges ‘active engagement’ in further de-escalation effortsIn the wake of an Iranian ballistic missile attack on air bases which house US forces in Iraq, the UN Secretary-General said on Wednesday that he would “continue his active engagement” to de-escalate tensions and avert full-scale war.
Zarif: Iran informed Iraqi govt. of missile attack on US bases
Friday, January 10, 2020 Comments Off on Zarif: Iran informed Iraqi govt. of missile attack on US basesIranian Foreign Minister says Iran informed the Iraqi government of its retaliatory attack on US bases, reaffirming Tehran’s respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Arab country.
Saudi Arabia Sought Dialogue With Iran. Then The U.S.-Iranian Conflict Escalated
Friday, January 10, 2020 Comments Off on Saudi Arabia Sought Dialogue With Iran. Then The U.S.-Iranian Conflict EscalatedThe U.S. killing of senior Iranian military commander Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani left many of America’s allies in the Middle East confused and nervous. That includes Saudi Arabia, the top regional rival of Iran.
Iran Hits US Bases in Iraq in Retaliation Attacks after US Killing of Soleimani
Wednesday, January 8, 2020 Comments Off on Iran Hits US Bases in Iraq in Retaliation Attacks after US Killing of SoleimaniIran on Wednesday targeted two US airbases in Iraq, including the US airbase of Ain al-Assad in Anbar province in western Iraq.
Iran Expresses Regret over Tehran-Kiev Plane Crash
Wednesday, January 8, 2020 Comments Off on Iran Expresses Regret over Tehran-Kiev Plane CrashIranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi has expressed deep regret over the crash of a Ukrainian airline’s passenger plane in Tehran, which killed a number of Iranian citizens and foreign nationals, especially Ukrainians.
Iran, Turkey Discuss IRGC Missile Attacks on US Base
Wednesday, January 8, 2020 Comments Off on Iran, Turkey Discuss IRGC Missile Attacks on US BaseIranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had a phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu on Wednesday.
Esper: U.S. Continues to Deploy, Reposition Troops in Middle East
Wednesday, January 8, 2020 Comments Off on Esper: U.S. Continues to Deploy, Reposition Troops in Middle EastThe United States continues to deploy and reposition troops throughout the region of Iraq and Iran to bolster U.S. security and force protection and to be prepared for any contingency, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper said.
Libya Rebels Say They Seized Key Coastal City
Wednesday, January 8, 2020 Comments Off on Libya Rebels Say They Seized Key Coastal CityRebel forces in Libya say they have taken control of Sirte following what media reports describe as a rapid advance on the strategic coastal city.
Turkey Starts Military Deployment in Libya as International Pressure Rises
Wednesday, January 8, 2020 Comments Off on Turkey Starts Military Deployment in Libya as International Pressure RisesTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared Monday that Turkish forces would do their duty in Libya after being deployed to support the country’s besieged Government of National Accord.
The Assassination of Qassem Soleimani Institutionalizes Anti-American Sentiment in Iran
Tuesday, January 7, 2020 Comments Off on The Assassination of Qassem Soleimani Institutionalizes Anti-American Sentiment in IranThe Trump administration’s strategic miscalculation in assassinating Iranian General Qassem Soleimani has institutionalized anti-American sentiment in Iran’s domestic politics and among the Iranian public. This has given Iran’s government the upper hand in confronting U.S. strategic goals in the greater Middle East region, consequently challenging America’s global position.
Hezbollah Brigades official reportedly calls volunteers for suicide bombings
Tuesday, January 7, 2020 Comments Off on Hezbollah Brigades official reportedly calls volunteers for suicide bombingsAbu Ali al Askari, the security official for Iraq’s Hezbollah Brigades (or Kata’ib Hezbollah, KH), purportedly released a statement earlier today calling for volunteers for suicide bombings against US forces in Iraq.
Muqtada al Sadr reactivates Mahdi Army, Promised Day Brigade
Tuesday, January 7, 2020 Comments Off on Muqtada al Sadr reactivates Mahdi Army, Promised Day BrigadeIn the wake of the U.S. airstrike that killed Iranian Qods Force commander Qassem Soleimani and important militia leader Abu Mahdi al Muhandis, radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al Sadr has reactivated two of his longstanding militia forces in Iraq.
Palestinians in Syria: Another Year of Death and Misery
Tuesday, January 7, 2020 Comments Off on Palestinians in Syria: Another Year of Death and MiseryThe world, including the United Nations, Europe and other international human rights and “pro-Palestinian” organizations, have not moved to help the Palestinians of Syria in the past nine years — so, why should this year be any different?
Turkish Military Contingent Deploys to Libya – Erdogan
Tuesday, January 7, 2020 Comments Off on Turkish Military Contingent Deploys to Libya – ErdoganThe Libyan National Army (LNA) commander, Khalifa Haftar, announced a “decisive battle” for Tripoli. His opponents, the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), responded by asking Turkey to provide military support, prompting Haftar to declare a general mobilization of his forces to resist what he describes as a foreign invasion.
A Region on Edge: Mideast Officials Scramble to Anticipate Iranian Retaliation
Tuesday, January 7, 2020 Comments Off on A Region on Edge: Mideast Officials Scramble to Anticipate Iranian RetaliationNo one knows where Iran may strike to avenge the killing Friday of its top general in a U.S. drone strike, but few believe Tehran won’t retaliate, and it has plenty of possible targets to pick proxies in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen to carry out reprisals, warn analysts.
Trump Threatens Iranian Cultural Sites
Tuesday, January 7, 2020 Comments Off on Trump Threatens Iranian Cultural SitesU.S President Donald Trump is threatening to hit Iranian cultural sites if Iran retaliates for last week’s assassination of its top general Qassem Soleimani.