Archiv: West Asia War / 1-04-2024 Israeli airstrike on Iranian embassy in Syria / 14-04-2024 Iranian airstrike on Israel / Lebanon Invasion / Syria Invasion / Yemen War / Iran War (scenario)


08.02.2025 - 08:44 [ CNN ]

State Department announces $7 billion arms sale to Israel, circumventing review process

The State Department on Friday announced a $7 billion arms sale to Israel, circumventing the congressional review process, according to Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The announcement, which includes thousands of Hellfire missiles and bombs, comes days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met President Donald Trump and other top administration officials in Washington, DC.

04.02.2025 - 17:34 [ Rudaw.net ]

President Barzani, anti-ISIS coalition commander discuss ISIS ‘dangers’

When ISIS seized swathes of Iraqi land in 2014, Peshmerga played a key role in driving the extremist group out of the areas disputed between Erbil and Baghdad, especially Kirkuk. The US-led global coalition provided Peshmerga and Iraqi forces with military assistance to defeat ISIS territorially, which was completed in 2017.

Barzani and Leahy also discussed the latest developments in Syria and their impact on neighboring countries.

04.02.2025 - 17:24 [ Associated Press ]

Regime change in Syria has Iraqi factions backtracking on push for US withdrawal

(January 31, 2025)

The U.S. and Iraq announced an agreement last year to wind down the military mission in Iraq of an American-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group by September 2025, with U.S. forces departing some bases where they have stationed troops during a two-decade-long military presence in the country. (…)

But the fall of Assad in a lightning offensive led by Sunni Islamist rebels in December led some to reassess that stance, including members of the Coordination Framework, a coalition of mainly Shiite, Iran-allied political parties that brought current Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani to power in late 2022.

03.02.2025 - 03:02 [ New York Times ]

Netanyahu Arrives in Washington at Critical Juncture for Mideast

Mr. Netanyahu is expected to be the first foreign leader to meet with Mr. Trump since his inauguration last month. The Israeli leader is expected to hold formative discussions with the Trump administration about several crucial regional issues.

01.02.2025 - 19:32 [ Common Dreams ]

Biden‘s Enduring Legacy: Awful. No Worse

If ever there was a searing, sanctimonious self-immolation in presidential politics, this was it and the costs are incalculable. The damage will reverberate for decades and might never be recovered.

It will be all but impossible for the Democratic Party to accept responsibility for the catastrophe it has inflicted on America, through its head, Joe Biden, and the complicity of all of the party’s upper echelon. It will, thus, ensure that nothing will change. We desperately need a new party that reflects the interest and needs of the American people, and not those of the party’s corporate owners. Change cannot come too soon.

29.01.2025 - 22:53 [ Daniel Neun / Radio Utopie ]

Syrien-Krieg: Ist Russland ein Lakai der N.A.T.O.? Will es noch ein Blutbad in Asien?

(December 13, 2012)

Die neuesten Äußerungen von Sergej Lawrows Stellvertreter, Mikhail Bogdanov, sind ein weiteres, unleugbares Anzeichen dafür, dass die derzeitige Regierung in Moskau, wenn nicht sogar Russlands Präsident Wladimir Putin, bei der laufenden Invasion und Zerschlagung Syriens durch Proxy-Armeen einfallender Militärmächte – namentlich der Türkei, Frankreich, U.S.A., Großbritannien, sowie diverser asiatischer Kirchenstaaten und Monarchien – aktiv oder passiv kollaboriert.

29.01.2025 - 22:40 [ ABC News ]

Russian government delegation makes first official visit to Syria since Assad‘s fall

Following Assad’s downfall, Russia relocated its troops and assets from all over Syria to its main hub at the Hmeimim air base near Latakia. There has been no indication that Moscow was preparing to evacuate the Hmeimim base or the naval facility in Tartus altogether.

28.01.2025 - 13:00 [ LBCI Lebanon ]

Israeli drone drops bomb near Lebanese army and civilians in Yaroun, south Lebanon

The official National News Agency said Tuesday that an Israeli drone dropped a bomb near a gathering of Lebanese army personnel and citizens in the town of Yaroun.

28.01.2025 - 12:55 [ BreakingtheNews.net ]

Israel tells southern Lebanon civilians to await return clearance

This warning comes after South Lebanon residents, accompanied by the army, attempted to return to their villages on Monday, following Israeli fire that killed over 20 people. The ceasefire, extended until February 18, allows Israel more time to withdraw, as confirmed by the White House and Lebanon‘s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

27.01.2025 - 19:10 [ LBCI Lebanon ]

Israel maintains occupation in eastern sector of South Lebanon: Civilians and Lebanese Army clash with Israeli forces

In towns like Bani Haiyyan, Markaba, and the region of Borj El Mlouk heading towards Kfarkela, which remains under Israeli occupation, residents defied military checkpoints and moved towards their towns. The Israeli forces responded by opening fire on the civilians and Lebanese Army positions.

27.01.2025 - 19:06 [ New York Times ]

Israeli Forces Again Open Fire as Lebanese Try to Return Home, Lebanese Officials Say

(Jan. 27, 2025Updated 12:07 p.m. ET)

Israeli forces opened fire toward residents of southern Lebanon for a second consecutive day on Monday as people pressed on with attempts to return to their homes along the border, a day after at least two dozen people were killed and scores injured in Israeli attacks, Lebanese officials said.

The Israeli fire on Sunday was the deadliest bout of violence in Lebanon since the war between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia, ended with a truce in November. In the renewed violence on Monday, at least two people were killed and 17 others injured, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.

27.01.2025 - 19:02 [ White House ]

White House Statement on Agreement Extension Between Lebanon and Israel

(January 26, 2025)

The arrangement between Lebanon and Israel, monitored by the United States, will continue to be in effect until February 18, 2025.

The Government of Lebanon, the Government of Israel, and the Government of the United States will also begin negotiations for the return of Lebanese prisoners captured after October 7, 2023.

26.01.2025 - 15:15 [ LBCI Lebanon ]

Toll from Israeli attacks rises to 15 in South Lebanon: Health Ministry

A citizen was killed in the town of Odaisseh, while a man and a young woman lost their lives in Meiss El Jabal, and another citizen was killed in Markaba.

These latest casualties bring the total number of fatalities to 15 so far, according to the ministry‘s statement.

26.01.2025 - 15:07 [ LBCI Lebanon ]

Israeli gunfire kills Lebanese soldier, injures another in southern Lebanon

The Lebanese Army announced that one of its soldiers was killed and another wounded in separate incidents of gunfire by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.

In a statement, the army reported that the fatal shooting occurred on the Marwahin-Dhayra road in the Tyre District, while the injury took place in the town of Meiss El Jabal, Marjaayoun District.

25.01.2025 - 18:32 [ Guardian ]

Israel is a rogue nation. It should be removed from the United Nations

(October 15, 2024)

One rogue nation cannot declare war on the UN itself and continue to get away with it

25.01.2025 - 13:55 [ LBCI Lebanon ]

Lebanese army stresses adherence to directives, vows readiness for full deployment in border zones

The army is also implementing an operational plan to enhance its deployment south of the Litani River, as mandated by the cabinet, starting from the first day the ceasefire agreement took effect.

This is being executed in successive and specific phases in coordination with the five-nation committee overseeing the agreement‘s implementation and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

„Delays in some phases have occurred due to Israeli procrastination in withdrawing, complicating the army‘s deployment mission. Nonetheless, the army remains ready to complete its deployment as soon as the Israeli army withdraws,“ the statement said.

25.01.2025 - 13:51 [ Jerusalem Post ]

Israel procrastinating in northern border withdrawal, Lebanese army claims

Lebanon‘s army accused Israel of procrastinating in withdrawing troops from south Lebanon as required under a ceasefire that ended the war with Hezbollah, a day after Israel said its forces would remain beyond a Sunday deadline for their departure.

25.01.2025 - 06:54 [ LBCI Lebanon ]

Staying beyond deadline: Israel insists on delaying withdrawal from Lebanon, citing Hezbollah threats

Israel submitted a list of strategic areas it intends to retain control over, particularly those overlooking northern Israeli towns, without specifying a timeline for the extended presence.

Meanwhile, Israeli officials are debating the creation of a buffer zone along the border, with no clear timeframe for its establishment.

25.01.2025 - 06:46 [ CNN ]

Israel says it won’t withdraw from Lebanon by Sunday deadline

“The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) withdrawal is conditional upon the Lebanese army deploying in southern Lebanon,” the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement. “Since the ceasefire agreement has not yet been fully enforced by Lebanon, the gradual withdrawal process will continue, in full coordination with the United States.”

23.01.2025 - 23:24 [ Times of Israel ]

Trump administration unwilling to grant extension for IDF withdrawal from Lebanon, wants it done by Sunday — report

The Trump administration expects the IDF to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by Sunday, per the terms of the ceasefire agreement with the Hezbollah terror group, Army Radio reports.

The position of the new administration under US President Donald Trump, Army Radio says, differs from that of the Biden administration, which was said to be considering granting Israel an additional 30 days beyond the 60-day withdrawal period stipulated in the truce agreement

23.01.2025 - 23:17 [ allIsrael.com ]

US Envoy Witkoff says Saudi-Israeli normalization would bring end of regional war

Witkoff addressed the possibility of Arab nations like Saudi Arabia joining an alliance with Israel: “Normalization is an amazing opportunity for the region. It’s basically the beginning of the end of war.”

He noted that other countries like Qatar could join the Abraham Accords if the Saudis lead the way. “First, we needed the hopeful moment, and I’d like to think that we’ve achieved that, and we’ll build on that. Then on top of that, we needed to show people that we could stop the violence and that we could have conversation and dialogue.”

23.01.2025 - 23:09 [ Fox News ]

Trump envoy says Gaza ceasefire could pave way for Mideast normalization deal: ‚Inflection point‘

(January 22, 2025)

„I think this is an inflection point,“ Witkoff said on „America‘s Newsroom,“ Wednesday.

„I think you could get everybody on board in that region. I think there‘s a new sense of leadership over there. Qatar was enormously helpful in this. Sheikh Mohammed, plenty of his communication skills with Hamas were indispensable here, so I think the UAE is already a part of it. Egypt was very helpful to us in these endeavors.“

„I think we have the opportunity to get everybody bought in to a better future for the region – more opportunity, more hope,“ he added.

23.01.2025 - 00:39 [ LBCI Lebanon ]

Israel intensifies military actions in South Lebanon amid growing withdrawal debate

Israel‘s military has intensified its operations in southern Lebanon as it claims to have found large quantities of Hezbollah weapons in the Shebaa Farms area.

This comes as Israel reaffirms its decision not to withdraw from Lebanon on January 26, marking the end of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.

20.01.2025 - 14:54 [ Antiwar.com ]

Massive Israeli Destruction Continues in Southern Lebanon as Ceasefire Enters Final Week

It is now just one week from the end of the 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Under the terms of that deal, Israel must fully withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon by January 26.

Israel has completely withdrawn from just two towns in the first 53 days of the ceasefire. With at least 60 towns and villages still to go, it is unlikely Tel Aviv will meet the deadline, despite US assurances that it “guarantees” Israel will do so.

18.01.2025 - 18:08 [ Yahoo ]

Israeli military intercepts rocket from Yemen ahead of Gaza ceasefire

The Israeli military on Saturday said it intercepted a rocket from Yemen, one day before a ceasefire with the Palestinian militant group Hamas is set to take effect.

Residents rushed to shelters as alerts sounded in Tel Aviv and other parts of Israel.

There were no initial reports of casualties or damage.

Yemen‘s Houthi militia, a Hamas ally, has so far not claimed the attack.

18.01.2025 - 18:04 [ Newsweek ]

Iraq and Yemen Militias to Suspend Attacks on Israel Over Gaza Ceasefire

(January 15, 2025)

Mohammed Abdul Salam, spokesperson for Yemen‘s Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthi movement, declared the group‘s „battle reaching its conclusion with the declaration of a ceasefire in Gaza.“

18.01.2025 - 15:26 [ Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator for Vermont ]

NEWS: With Gaza Ceasefire Near, Sanders Statement on What U.S. Must Learn from Its Role in the Horrific Tragedy

(January 17, 2025)

Finally, as Americans, we must grapple with our role in this dark chapter. The United States allowed this mass atrocity to continue by providing an endless supply of weapons to Netanyahu and failing to exert meaningful leverage. This blanket military support took place in clear violation of U.S. and international law. This must not happen again. Future political leaders should learn from this terrible lesson and restore respect for our own laws and moral principles.

18.01.2025 - 12:32 [ Middle East Eye ]

HTS raids and forced disappearances fuel fear in Syria’s Alawi heartlands

MEE is not aware of any evidence linking Assad’s departure to a deal with Israel. However, there have been reports suggesting that the former president shared sensitive military information with Israel in exchange for a guarantee of safe passage out of Syria.

Since the government collapsed, Israel has conducted hundreds of strikes on Syrian military positions nationwide and launched a ground invasion, capturing the entire buffer zone along the occupied Golan Heights and beyond.

The government, Hussem said, had the means to resist but chose not to, opting instead to flee and leave their officers to fend for themselves.

14.01.2025 - 00:02 [ Tehran Times ]

Yemen launches missile attack on Israel‘s Tel Aviv

„We carried out a military operation targeting a vital target of the Israeli enemy in Tel Aviv, using a hypersonic ballistic missile,“ Yemeni spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a statement aired by al-Masirah TV.

„The operation achieved its goal successfully,“ he said, adding that his group also carried out an attack using four drones and targeted „vital targets“ in Tel Aviv.

13.01.2025 - 11:49 [ Antiwar.com ]

CIA Director Reiterates There’s No Evidence Iran Has Decided To Build a Nuclear Bomb

(January 12, 2025)

The hype about Iran’s nuclear program is focused on the enrichment of some uranium at 60% purity, which is still below the 90% needed for weapons-grade. Iran took the step to enrich at 60% in response to an Israeli covert attack on its Natanz nuclear facility in 2021.

Iran is also a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, unlike Israel, which never signed the NPT and has a covert nuclear stockpile that’s not officially acknowledged by the US.

13.01.2025 - 11:47 [ NPR.org ]

Transcript: NPR‘s full conversation with CIA Director William Burns

(January 10, 2025)

Kelly: Iran, which had a pretty lousy 2024, weakened internally, mounting pressures externally. We interviewed Jake Sullivan, the national security, the national security adviser at the White House the other day. He told me the big question on his mind is, given the losses Iran has sustained, will it make it more likely, more likely that Iran tries to go for a nuclear weapon? Director Burns, will it?

Burns: It‘s something we watch very intently, because you‘re right, Iran has it‘s strategic position has suffered considerably over the course of the last six or seven months. You know, two failed efforts to launch significant ballistic missile strikes against Israel, the collapse of its leading proxy, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the severe degradation of Hamas in Gaza, and then the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. All of that, I think, strategically puts the Iranian regime in a much weaker position. And so Jake Sullivan was right to express the concern that, you know, the Iranian regime could decide in the face of that weakness that it needs to restore its deterrence as it sees it and, you know, reverse the decision made at the end of 2003 to suspend their weaponization program. We do not see any sign today that any such decision has been made, but we obviously watch it intently.

13.01.2025 - 11:37 [ Dimsumdaily Hong Kong ]

Israeli airstrikes target Baalbek region in Lebanon, violating ceasefire agreement

In addition to the Baalbek strikes, Israeli aircraft executed six intense airstrikes across various locations in southern Lebanon, as reported by NNA.

The ceasefire, facilitated by the United States and France, was intended to conclude nearly 14 months of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

13.01.2025 - 11:05 [ UnderstandingWar.org ]

Iran Update, January 12, 2025

The Artesh exercises tested the manned and unmanned aircraft as well as the following air defense systems, according to Iranian state media:[3]

– Rad missile. An Iranian-made, short-range, anti-tank missile designed for T-72 tanks, fired from a 125 millimeters (mm) caliber barrel, and with a target distance of four kilometers (km).[4]
– Majid missile. An Iranian-made, short-range, shoulder-fired, electro-optical-guided missile with a maximum target range of 15 km.[5]
– Talash missile. An Iranian-made, long-range, mobile surface-to-air air defense missile system, capable of hitting all altitude targets with a a maximum range of 200km.[6]
– Misagh-3 missile. An Iranian-made, short-range, shoulder-fired system with a laser fuse and a maximum range of five km and flight altitude of 3,500 meters (m).[7]
– Khordad-15 system. An Iranian-made, long-range air defense system with a detection range of 85 km and target range of 45 km.[8]
– Shahid Jalilvand radar system. An Iranian-made, medium-range, phased array radar system able to detect small flying targets with low cross-sections in three dimensions and a 24-hour operational continuity.[9]
– Samavat radar-controlled artillery system. A short-range Iranian version of the Swiss low-altitude Skyguard radar system with a range of 4 km and uses an anti-aircraft 35mm Oerlikon caliber barrel gun.[10]
– Seraj radar-controlled air defense artillery system. Iranian-made artillery system with a 35mm caliber barrel gun, radar, and a new optical system.[11]

13.01.2025 - 11:04 [ Jacobin ]

Is Iran Next?

(January 10, 2025)

Israeli military sources claim that its strikes inside Iran (precipitated by an Iranian missile assault on Israel) dismantled much of its air defense systems. These security officials note that this was a key mission: to eliminate Iran’s air defenses in preparation for a future all-out assault on its nuclear program. The sources estimate it will take a year or more for Iran to repair the current damage and restore its capabilities.

13.01.2025 - 10:57 [ Reason.com ]

Is Biden Teeing Up an Iran War for Trump?

(January 3, 2025)

President Joe Biden has less than a month in office, but that might be enough time to leave a very big mess on President-elect Donald Trump‘s desk. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan presented Biden with plans to bomb Iranian nuclear sites before the end of his term „in a meeting several weeks ago,“ Axios reported on Thursday. A source told Axios that Biden‘s inner circle believes that he has both „an imperative and an opportunity to strike“ now.

11.01.2025 - 10:43 [ Wikipedia ]

United States support for Saudi Arabian–led operations in Yemen

During the presidency of Barack Obama, the United States began providing Saudi Arabia with critical support to „sustain“ the Saudi Arabian–led intervention in the Yemeni Civil War,[1] later expanded during the presidency of Donald Trump.[2] This support included logistical and intelligence aid. Trump vetoed a bipartisan bill in 2019 aimed at stopping U.S. support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. In 2021, Joe Biden vowed to halt U.S. support for the war, though U.S. arms sales to the coalition have continued.[3][4]

From 2015 to 2019, Saudi Arabia was reportedly the largest importer of U.S. arms.[2]

11.01.2025 - 09:05 [ theCradle.co ]

Over 20 warplanes bomb Yemen in three-way attack by Israel, US, UK

Eleven air raids hit the Yemeni capital Sanaa, including the vicinity of Al-Sabeen Square, where around one million people were taking part in a weekly pro-Palestine march.

The Harf Sufyan District was hit by 12 airstrikes in the Amran Governorate of northern Yemen, while six hit the Hodeidah port west of the country. One strike also targeted the Ras Issa port north of Hodeidah.

The main power station in Haziz, south of Sanaa, was struck as well.

11.01.2025 - 08:48 [ LBCI Lebanon ]

Israeli airstrike on Tayr Debba kills five, injures four, health ministry reports

An Israeli airstrike on the southern Lebanese town of Tayr Debba has resulted in five fatalities and four injuries, according to the Ministry of Public Health‘s Emergency Operations Center.

11.01.2025 - 08:45 [ Al Jazeera ]

LIVE: Israeli air strikes hit Yemen, Lebanon as more than 20 killed in Gaza

Israel’s military said it attacked sites in Yemen controlled by Houthi fighters, including a power station near the capital Sanaa, and the ports of Hodeidah and Ras Isa.

Several people have been killed in an Israeli air strike in Lebanon’s south with Israel’s military saying later that it was still “committed to the understanding of the ceasefire” with Lebanon.

10.01.2025 - 10:25 [ Antiwar.com ]

US, Israel Cheer as Lebanon Elects Joseph Aoun as President

Aoun’s election happened only after former Interior Minister Suleiman Frangieh, the main alternative candidate, withdrew and endorsed Aoun.

Electing a president requires a two-thirds majority of parliament, which was met after Frangieh’s endorsement gave Aoun the support of Hezbollah and Amal Movements. Many media reports see Aoun’s election as a sign of Hezbollah’s weakness, despite most Hezbollah MPs supporting him.

10.01.2025 - 10:20 [ Middle East Eye ]

Who is Joseph Aoun, Lebanon‘s army chief turned president?

Securing 99 of the Lebanese parliament’s 128 votes, Aoun garnered widespread support across Lebanon’s political spectrum, despite initial reservations from Hezbollah and its allies.

While political statements from Aoun are rare, he recently emerged as the US and Saudi Arabia’s favoured candidate for the Lebanese presidency.

The local and international push gathered momentum following Israel’s two-month offensive in Lebanon last year, which killed over 4,000 people and displaced over a million.

08.01.2025 - 11:20 [ israel-alma.org ]

Joseph Aoun – Will He be The Next President of Lebanon?

After the explosion at the port of Beirut in 2020, countries friendly to Lebanon diverted their aid to the military, claiming that they only rely on the army to distribute it. Therefore, all the aid, estimated at tens of millions of dollars, was directed directly to the army and was at Aoun’s disposal and under his direct management. It appears that the military establishment has effectively managed the funds and has never experienced a shortage due to corruption.

08.01.2025 - 11:00 [ Wikipedia ]

Israeli invasion of Lebanon (2024–present): Casualties

Since mid-September 2024, Israeli strikes on Lebanon have killed at least 2,267 people and injured 11,022 more, according to a CNN tally.[393] While in Mid-November 2024 Lebanon Ministry of Public Health reported 3,583 killed, including 231 children.[397] UNICEF confirmed that more than 200 children has been killed.[368] The Lebanese Health Ministry has reported that most Lebanese killed by Israel are civilians.[59][92][398]

08.01.2025 - 10:40 [ Nachrichtenagentur Radio Utopie ]

Archiv: Lebanese military has neither air defense nor airforce / factual authorization for Israel airstrikes / worldwide news blackout or silence

(archive entries)

08.01.2025 - 10:31 [ Middle East Eye ]

US dangles Saudi Arabia‘s cash to push candidate for Lebanon‘s presidency

The US has told Lebanese officials that Saudi Arabia is prepared to deploy hundreds of millions of dollars to reconstruct their war-torn country if Lebanese army commander Joseph Aoun is elected president, one senior Arab official and one former senior US official told Middle East Eye.

08.01.2025 - 09:48 [ Middle East Eye ]

Assad‘s former aide says deposed Syrian president was ‚tricked‘ by Putin

“But what happened was that the Iranians told Bashar al-Assad, ‘we did not receive any signals to proceed with moving Iranian aircraft to the Hmeimim base [or to] fly through Iraqi airspace to land at the base,’” Saqr told Mazeej.

“The question was relayed to Moscow, but no answer came.”

When asked whether this was a “trick by Putin”, Saqr said there was “no other explanation”.

Saqr said the Iranians told Assad they sent a plane regardless through Iraq, but were warned by the US that the aircraft would be shot down if it continued.

07.01.2025 - 19:49 [ allisrael.com ]

Nagel Commission warns Israel of possible war with Turkey, even as it calls for confronting Iran

The „Committee for the Evaluation of the Defense Establishment Budget and the Balance of Power“ is led by former National Security Council head Yaakov Nagel, and is often referred to in Hebrew media as the Nagel Commission or Nagel Committee.

The commission was established in 2023 before the outbreak of the war, to create recommendations for the defense ministry regarding the possible areas of conflict facing Israel in the years ahead.

07.01.2025 - 19:47 [ NewArab.com ]

Israel must prepare for war with Turkey, gov committee warns

The Nagel Committee issued a report on Monday detailing the defence budget and security strategy, where they raised concerns over Turkey’s aspirations and possible future tensions with Israel, according to Israeli media.

The committee said these tensions could escalate into conflict and highlighted the risk of Syrian factions aligning with Turkey and creating further threats to Israel‘s „security“.

07.01.2025 - 19:34 [ MintPressNews.com ]

Peace with Israel Tops the Agenda for Syria’s New Leaders

(January 3. 2025)

Although the majority of high-ranking officials in the HTS-led administration refrain from making categorical claims about Israel, they constantly stress that Iran and Hezbollah, not Israel, are Syria’s main enemies.
(…)
Ayman Al-Asimi, a senior member of the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) and former spokesperson for the Syrian opposition delegations during the Astana talks, made headlines with his remarks to BBC Arabic. He stated unequivocally that Syria’s only opponent is Iran.

07.01.2025 - 19:23 [ MintPressNews.com ]

From ‘Terrorist’ to ‘Freedom Fighter’: How the West Rebranded Al-Qaeda’s Jolani as Syria’s ‘Woke’ New Leader

(December 12, 2024)

In 2003, he went to Iraq to fight against American forces. After three years of war, he was captured by the U.S. military and spent over five years in prison, including a stint at the notorious Abu Ghraib torture center.

While in Iraq, Jolani fought with ISIS and was even a deputy to its founder. Immediately upon release in 2011, ISIS sent him to Syria with a rumored $1 billion to found the Syrian wing of al-Qaeda and participate in the armed protest movement against Assad that arose out of the Arab Spring.

07.01.2025 - 17:46 [ Libertarianinstitute.org ]

Top Trump Official Claims Iran Is the Problem in the Middle East, Vows Crackdown on Pro-Palestinian Protesters

In an interview with Mark Levin, Waltz explained the “philosophy” of the incoming administration for the Middle East. “The problems in the Middle East by and large originate from Tehran, not from Tel Aviv. We’re going to stand by and support our greatest ally in the Middle East,” he said. “We’re aligned from a national security, intelligence and values standpoint.”

Waltz described this policy as instituting a “complete philosophical, wholesale national security shift.”

07.01.2025 - 17:26 [ Common Dreams ]

‚Morally Bankrupt‘ Biden Blasted for $8 Billion More in Arms to Israel Amid Gaza Genocide

Human rights advocates in the United States and around the world on Monday condemned outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden for continuing to fuel Israel‘s genocidal assault on the Gaza Strip with a pending $8 billion weapons package.

Since Axoisrevealed late Friday that his administration had notified Congress of the deal, Biden has faced a fresh flood of outrage, with critics calling the president „morally bankrupt“ and his decision to keep arming Israel „willful madness.“

05.01.2025 - 13:35 [ Common Dreams ]

Biden Greenlights ‚Racist‘ and ‚Sociopathic‘ $8B Arms Sale to Israel

The administration of US President Joe Biden announced on Saturday an arms sale to Israel valued at $8 billion, just ahead of President-elect Donald Trump‘s return to the White House.

Biden has repeatedly rejected calls to suspend military backing for Israel because of the number of civilians killed during the war in Gaza. Israel has killed more than 45,000 people in Gaza, primarily women and children.

05.01.2025 - 13:16 [ Antiwar.com ]

Israel Launches Major Airstrikes Against North Syria

Israel may have backed that regime change, but it’s not stopping them from attacking Syria every chance they get. (…)

Israel used the regime change as a pretext to seize substantial land in the demilitarized zone between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and the rest of Syria. Since then they’ve moved deeper into Syria, and Wednesday they reached the al-Mantara Dam in Quneitra Province.

The dam is the largest in southern Syria, and gives them effective control over the six major sources of fresh water in southern Syria. They have also recently taken the al-Wahda Dam along the Yarmouk River Basin.

05.01.2025 - 12:49 [ Ynetnews.com ]

UNIFIL’s collapse: Tragic incidents and strategic failures

(January 4, 2025)

However, despite its $551 million budget and a contingent of over 10,000 personnel, UNIFIL has now become symbolic of the United Nations’ broader peacekeeping failures.

This is because, instead of curbing instability as it was tasked, UNIFIL’s presence has inadvertently facilitated Hezbollah’s military buildup, making southern Lebanon a launching pad for attacks on Israel and a stronghold of Iranian influence. As the war unfolds, it is becoming even clearer that UNIFIL’s mission has failed, and its continued presence serves no constructive purpose.

05.01.2025 - 12:10 [ Middle East Eye ]

Unifil accuses Israel of violating Lebanese sovereignty, tearing down border marker

The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, known as Unifil, accused the Israeli military on Saturday f destroying a blue barrel marking the border between Israel and Lebanon, as well as a Lebanese army observation tower.

“This morning peacekeepers observed an IDF bulldozer destroying a blue barrel marking the line of withdrawal between Lebanon and Israel in Labbouneh, as well as an observation tower belonging to the Lebanese Armed Forces immediately beside a UNIFIL position there,” Unifil said.

05.01.2025 - 12:00 [ United Nations ]

UN continues to call for timely Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon

(December 3, 2025)

Operations by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) north of the UN-monitored Blue Line in southern Lebanon have continued, according to the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, UNIFIL.

This includes movements further north reported in Sector East, while a redeployment by the Lebanese Armed Forces was conducted this week in Shama, in Sector West.

Both Israel and Lebanon have recommitted to full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said during the daily media briefing from New York on Friday.

04.01.2025 - 13:59 [ Axios ]

Scoop: Biden notifies Congress of $8 billion arms sale to Israel

„The President has made clear Israel has a right to defend its citizens, consistent with international law and international humanitarian law, and to deter aggression from Iran and its proxy organizations. We will continue to provide the capabilities necessary for Israel‘s defense,“ a U.S. official said.

04.01.2025 - 13:51 [ Middle East Eye ]

Live: Israel kills dozens of Palestinians since dawn

Meanwhile, the US is preparing an $8bn arms package for Israel, including heavy bombs

01.01.2025 - 18:16 [ Antiwar.com ]

Foreign Jihadists Appointed to Senior Positions in New Syrian Military

Syrian sources told Reuters that the foreign fighters appointed to the military include Uyghurs, a Jordanian, a Turk, and an Albanian. “This is a small token of recognition for the sacrifices Islamist jihadists gave to our struggle for freedom from Assad’s oppression,” an HTS source told the media outlet.
(…)
HTS is still designated by the US as a foreign terrorist organization, but the Biden administration has celebrated its takeover of Syria. The US has also made clear it’s willing to work with the new government and its de facto leader, Abu Mohammad al-Julani, who has been going by his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa.

31.12.2024 - 14:32 [ Middle East Eye ]

Israel’s attacks on Syria threaten regional stability and will ultimately backfire

The military operation’s scale and focus raise pressing questions about Israel’s intentions and its long-term impact on Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Analysts have drawn comparisons to the chaos seen in Iraq after the US-led invasion and Libya’s fragmented post-Gaddafi reality.

Israel’s occupation of additional Syrian territories near the Golan Heights compounds this uncertainty.

31.12.2024 - 13:45 [ Le Monde ]

Syria: France claims strikes on IS positions

France has belonged to the Inherent Resolve international coalition against IS since 2014, for Iraq, and 2015 for Syria. French troops involved in the operations are based in the region, including in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

31.12.2024 - 13:39 [ Protothema.gr ]

France announced that it carried out missile strikes against Islamic State positions in Syria

“On Sunday, French Air Force forces carried out targeted strikes against Islamic State positions on Syrian territory,” Lecorni wrote on the social media platform X.

The French airstrikes followed a similar US military strike in Syria, which the US said claimed the lives of two Islamic State members.

29.12.2024 - 18:15 [ Middle East Eye ]

Israeli strike near Damascus kills 10

At least 10 people were killed by an Israeli drone strike on the Syrian town of Adra, located northeast of Damascus, on Sunday, Al Jazeera is reporting, citing military sources.

28.12.2024 - 17:16 [ United Nations ]

‘I saw the blood on the tarmac’: top UN official in Yemen recounts aftermath of Israel airstrike on civilian airport

What was most frightening about that air strike wasn‘t the effect on us, it was that it began as a civilian airliner from Yemenia Airways, carrying hundreds of Yemenis, was about to land. In fact, the plane was taxiing when the air traffic control was destroyed.

Fortunately, that plane was able to land safely, and the passengers were able to disembark but it could have been far, far worse.

The airport is civilian infrastructure. It is where all the international humanitarian aid workers who work in the north of the country enter and leave, so if the airport is disabled it will paralyze humanitarian operations.

It‘s also the airport by which thousands of Yemenis who are unable to get advanced healthcare in the country leave for health facilities in Jordan, Cairo or Mumbai. So, it is an absolute vital humanitarian location. It is essential that all parties to the conflict scrupulously observe international humanitarian law.”

28.12.2024 - 14:04 [ Associated Press ]

Israeli airstrikes hit a Yemen airport as a jet with hundreds onboard was landing, UN official says

Immediately after the airstrikes, Harneis said, U.N. security officials moved the delegation out of the VIP building and into five armored cars where they waited for approximately 40 minutes to ascertain what happened and help the injured crew member.

He was taken to a hospital in Sanaa and underwent four hours of surgery while the rest of the delegation spent the night in a U.N. compound, Harneis said. The U.N. plane with Tedros and the U.N. team, including the injured crew member, was able to depart for Jordan on Friday afternoon – without an operating control tower.

The United Nations said the injured crew member was taken to a hospital in Jordan, and Tedros was heading back to Geneva, where WHO is based,

28.12.2024 - 14:01 [ World Health Organization ]

Statement by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General on the attack on the Sana‘a airport, Yemen

(December 26, 2024)

As we were about to board our flight from Sana’a, about three hours ago (around 5 pm local time), the airport came under aerial bombardment. One of our plane’s crew members was injured. At least two people were reported killed at the airport.

The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge — just a few meters from where we were — and the runway were damaged. We will need to wait for the damage to the airport to be repaired before we can leave.

26.12.2024 - 18:15 [ United Nations ]

WHO chief unharmed following during Israeli airstrike at Yemen airport

Tedros was in Yemen to negotiation the release of UN staffers who have been held hostage by the Houthi movement for several months, and assess the health and humanitarian situation in the country.

With the mission concluded, explained the WHO chief, he and his team were about to board their flight out of the country, when the airport came under attack. As well as two reported deaths, a member of his plane’s crew was injured.

The air traffic control tower and the departure lounge were both damaged. Tedros and his team were just metres away but are unharmed.

26.12.2024 - 12:22 [ Antiwar.com ]

Pentagon Admits It’s Been Lying About the Number of Troops in Both Iraq and Syria

The Pentagon said on Monday that the US has more troops deployed in Iraq than it has been disclosing, an admission that comes after it revealed there are significantly more US troops in Syria than the US has said.

25.12.2024 - 17:00 [ Vatikan ]

„URBI ET ORBI“ MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS CHRISTMAS 2024

May the sound of arms be silenced in war-torn Ukraine! May there be the boldness needed to open the door to negotiation and to gestures of dialogue and encounter, in order to achieve a just and lasting peace.

May the sound of arms be silenced in the Middle East! In contemplating the Crib of Bethlehem, I think of the Christian communities in Palestine and in Israel, particularly the dear community in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is extremely grave. May there be a ceasefire, may the hostages be released and aid be given to the people worn out by hunger and by war. I express my closeness to the Christian community in Lebanon, especially in the south, and to that of Syria, at this most delicate time. May the doors of dialogue and peace be flung open throughout the region, devastated by conflict. Here I also think of the Libyan people and encourage them to seek solutions that enable national reconciliation.

23.12.2024 - 08:33 [ Zeit.de ]

Nach dem Anschlag in Magdeburg: Faeser fordert schnellen Beschluss von Sicherheitsgesetzen

Konkret sprach sie über ein neues Bundespolizeigesetz und die Einführung der biometrischen Überwachung. „All diese Gesetzentwürfe von uns könnten sofort beschlossen werden, wenn Union und FDP sich dem nicht verweigern“, kritisierte sie. Konkret sprach sie über ein neues Bundespolizeigesetz und die Einführung der biometrischen Überwachung. „All diese Gesetzentwürfe von uns könnten sofort beschlossen werden, wenn Union und FDP sich dem nicht verweigern“, kritisierte sie.

22.12.2024 - 07:24 [ Antiwar.com ]

Report: US Had Foreknowledge of HTS Offensive To Topple Assad and Prepared Other Rebel Group To Join

(December 19, 2024)

“They did not tell us how it would happen,” Bashar al-Mashadani, an RCA commander, told The Telegraph. “We were just told: ‘Everything is about to change. This is your moment. Either Assad will fall, or you will fall.’ But they did not say when or where, they just told us to be ready.”

In October, the US brought several other Sunni Muslim militias under the command of the RCA, swelling the force from 800 fighters to about 3,000. All of the fighters are armed by the US, and the US pays their salaries of $400 per month.

22.12.2024 - 05:36 [ Telegraph.co.uk ]

US ‘prepared Syrian rebel group to help topple Bashar al-Assad’

(December 18, 2024)

RCA fighters who captured the Russian-controlled Syrian air base on the outskirts of the town last week said they had been told to prepare for Assad’s possible fall in early November, nearly three weeks before the offensive began.

Until one month earlier, Capt Mashadani had been second-in-command of the Abu Khatab brigade. This small unit of 150 men was created by US Special Forces and trained by their British counterparts in Jordan until 2016, to hunt down Isis fighters near Deir ez-Zor, a city in eastern Syria.

22.12.2024 - 04:27 [ Anadolu ]

Occupying Israeli forces open fire on Syrians protesting seizure of 2 villages in Daraa province

(December 20, 2024)

The Israeli army claimed that soldiers opened fire in accordance with open-fire procedures, shooting one protester in the leg.

Israel‘s recent actions include extending its control in the occupied Golan Heights and advancing to within 25 kilometers of the capital, Damascus.

22.12.2024 - 04:23 [ Antiwar.com ]

US Official Has ‘Good, Productive’ Meeting with al-Qaeda-Linked Julani in Damascus

Julani fought for al-Qaeda in Iraq against American soldiers during the Iraq War. He then founded al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, the al-Nusra Front. In recent years, he has attempted to soften his image by giving friendly interviews to Western journalists, often appearing in a suit and with a trimmed beard to obscure his jihadist ideology.

Leaf said of Julani after the meeting, who is also going by Ahmad al-Sharaa, “I heard him on his priorities, which are very much rooted in getting Syria on the road to economic recovery.”

“We’ve been hearing this for some time, some very pragmatic and moderate statements on various issues, from women’s rights to protection to equal rights for all communities,” she added. “It was a good first meeting. We will judge by deeds, not just by words.”

22.12.2024 - 03:25 [ Times of Israel ]

Report: German Xmas market attacker is Saudi anti-Islamist who shared pro-Israel content

Regional premier says suspect is doctor, 50, who lived in Germany since 2006, showed support for far-right AfD;

22.12.2024 - 03:12 [ Zeit.de ]

Holger Münch: BKA-Chef bestätigt „unspezifischen“ Hinweis aus Saudi-Arabien

Holger Münch, Präsident des Bundeskriminalamts (BKA), besichtigt vor Beginn der Herbsttagung des BKA mit dem Schwerpunkt künstliche Intelligenz den Veranstaltungssaal. (…)

Der Chef des Bundeskriminalamts (BKA), Holger Münch, hat bestätigt, dass das BKA im November 2023 einen Hinweis aus Saudi-Arabien zu dem mutmaßlichen Attentäter des Magdeburger Weihnachtsmarktes bekommen habe. Im heute-journal des ZDF sagte er, „hier ist auch ein Verfahren eingeleitet worden.

21.12.2024 - 07:14 [ TKP.at ]

Gaza-Deal zwischen Saudis und Netanjahu?

„Als Gegenleistung für ihre Unterstützung und ihr Geld, so sagte mir der Israeli, würden die Vereinigten Staaten der saudischen Führung ein erweitertes Verteidigungsabkommen anbieten, das Saudi-Arabien in ihren nuklearen Schutzschirm einbeziehen würde – für den Fall, dass der Iran, Israels letzter verbliebener Feind, in den Besitz einer Atombombe gelangen sollte. “
(…)
„Der Israeli sagte mir, dass das saudische Paket einen zusätzlichen Anreiz enthält: Die Saudis würden wegschauen, wenn die Israelis Bombenangriffe durchführen, einschließlich der Bombardierung militärischer Ziele im zerrissenen Syrien, und würden Israel Zugang zu einem Flugplatz innerhalb der saudischen Grenzen gewähren. Auf diese Weise könnten israelische Bomben, die zumeist von den Vereinigten Staaten geliefert werden, innerhalb von Minuten, nicht Stunden, auf wichtige iranische Ziele abgefeuert werden.“

21.12.2024 - 01:56 [ New York Times ]

Israel Found the Hamas Money Machine Years Ago. Nobody Turned It Off.

(December 16, 2023)

Israeli leaders believed that Hamas was more interested in governing than fighting. By the time the agents discovered the ledgers in 2018, the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was encouraging the government of Qatar to deliver millions of dollars to the Gaza Strip. He gambled that the money would buy stability and peace.

Mr. Levy recalled briefing Mr. Netanyahu personally in 2015 about the Hamas portfolio.

21.12.2024 - 00:37 [ Seymour Hersh ]

THE NEW CEASEFIRE EQUATION: Saudi Arabia’s entry into talks between Israel and Hamas may change Gaza’s future

In return for its support and money, the Israeli told me, the Saudi leadership would be offered an expanded defense treaty by the United States that would include Saudi Arabia in its nuclear umbrella—its zone of protection—in case Iran, Israel’s last standing enemy, were to acquire a nuclear bomb.
(…)
There is an added inducement in the Saudi package, the Israeli told me: the Saudis would look the other way as the Israelis conduct bombing raids, including bombing of military targets inside fractured Syria, and would give Israel access to an airfield within Saudi borders. This would bring Israeli bombs, most supplied by the United States, within minutes, and not hours, of key Iranian targets.

21.12.2024 - 00:12 [ Middle East Eye ]

Israel, Saudi Arabia closer to normalisation deal: Report

(December 18, 2024)

Israel and Saudi Arabia have reached a breakthrough in talks around normalising relations, Haaretz reported on Tuesday, adding that the normalisation could be related to an elusive ceasefire deal that would bring about an end to Israel‘s war on Gaza.

Sources familiar with the negotiations told Haaretz that rather than Israel agreeing to Saudi Arabia‘s demand for the recognition of a Palestinian state, the two sides agreed that Israel would give a vague commitment on a „path towards Palestinian statehood“.

20.12.2024 - 20:18 [ Holger Münch, Präsident des Bundeskriminalamts / Spiegel.de ]

Diese Gefahren sind in Deutschland real

20.12.2024, 10.30 Uhr

Der Präsident des Bundeskriminalamts warnt: Internationale Krisen und Konflikte verschärfen die Lage im Inland. Deutschland braucht eine Zeitenwende der inneren Sicherheit.

20.12.2024 - 19:47 [ New York Times ]

Senior U.S. Diplomats Arrive in Syria to Meet With Governing Militias

The State Department said early Friday that three senior American diplomats had arrived in Damascus, the capital of Syria, to meet with leaders of the militias that have seized control of the country, and to look for signs of the journalist Austin Tice and other missing U.S. citizens.

20.12.2024 - 13:10 [ Fox News ]

Pentagon says the number of US troops in Syria is much higher than previously reported

After learning of the fluctuation in number of troops, Fox News’ Pentagon correspondent Jennifer Griffin pressed Ryder about the correction to the number of troops and timing.

„This is more than double the number of troops that we’ve been told for quite some time. So, are we talking about this has been going on for months? For Years?“ Griffin asked. „Is this something that just happened this summer? We need a time frame.“

„Yeah, I think it would probably be fair to say at a minimum, months,“ Ryder said. „I’ll go back and look. But it’s…yeah, it’s been going on for a while.“

19.12.2024 - 15:15 [ Nachdenkseiten ]

Der Umsturz in Syrien, seine Hintergründe und möglichen Auswirkungen

Und was Israel angeht – auf kurze Sicht profitiert es wohl davon. Israel hat die Situation dazu genutzt, mehr Land zu besetzen, angeblich Waffenlager zerstört. Aber ich kann mir nicht vorstellen, dass ein islamischer Staat auf längere Sicht gut für Israel ist.

Vor einem guten Jahr hat sich in der israelischen Führung ein riesiger Wandel vollzogen. Ein wichtiges Ziel dieser neuen Strömung: Es darf keinen Palästinenserstaat geben. Man will einen durch und durch jüdischen Staat. Israels Bevölkerung ist zerrissen, was diese Themen angeht, fast am Rande eines Bürgerkrieges. Netanjahu ist autoritärer denn je, er hat alles persönlich unter Kontrolle.

Und es hat sich noch etwas drastisch verändert: Die Israelis in den 70er- und 80er-Jahren waren säkulare Europäer, diese Menschen an der Regierung heute sind alttestamentarisch. Sie sind nicht der Logik und der Ratio zugänglich, sondern sie fühlen sich ihrer quasi biblischen Vision verpflichtet. Da ist magisches Denken am Werk.
(…)
Für mich ist das eine Art geopolitisches Schneeballsystem. Netanjahu setzt alles daran, die Kämpfe am Laufen zu halten – würde man innehalten und das Ganze hinterfragen, würde das System kollabieren wie bei einem Schneeballsystem.

18.12.2024 - 03:03 [ Antiwar.com ]

US Launches More Airstrikes in Syria, Claims 12 ISIS Fighters Killed

Since Assad’s downfall, the US, Turkey, and Israel have all been bombing Syria. On December 8, the day Assad fled, the US launched heavy airstrikes in Syria, saying it hit 75 ISIS-related targets.

US officials justify the strikes by saying they don’t want ISIS to reconstitute itself following the regime change. But on the other hand, the US has supported the HTS takeover even though the group is designated by the US as a terrorist organization and has a similar ideology to ISIS.

The US has also made clear it has no intention of withdrawing the approximately 900 troops that it has occupying eastern Syria.

17.12.2024 - 22:16 [ Middle East Eye ]

Germany joins US, UK in making diplomatic contact with Syria‘s HTS

Germany plans talks with representatives of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Damascus on Tuesday, the foreign ministry said, joining the United States and Britain in establishing contact with the group after it led the overthrow of Syria‘s Bashar al-Assad.

17.12.2024 - 22:11 [ Middle East Eye ]

Israeli tanks cross into Syrian territory, beyond 1974 disengagement line

Israeli armoured vehicles on Tuesday entered the vicinity of Saida al-Golan, a village south of the Quneitra governorate, according to local media reports.

The area is beyond the disengagement line between Israel and Syria that was agreed in 1974.

17.12.2024 - 07:11 [ Shafaq.com ]

US-UK airstrikes resume on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen

The group did not reveal the target of the airstrike or the extent of the damage.

This attack follows an airstrike by US-UK fighter jets on the Yemeni group in the Al-Tuhayta district, south of the coastal city of Al-Hudaydah, near the Red Sea.

On Tuesday, Ansarallah announced that it had targeted American ships and destroyers in the Gulf of Djibouti and the Gulf of Aden.

16.12.2024 - 12:46 [ CBS News ]

After Assad‘s ouster in Syria, U.N. envoy calls for end to sanctions

The U.N. envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, told reporters in Damascus that setting Syria back on track after the past few tumultuous weeks will be helped by a speedy relief of sanctions.

„We can hopefully see a quick end to the sanctions so that we can see really a rallying around building of Syria,“ he said.

16.12.2024 - 12:20 [ Devdiscourse.com ]

EU‘s Diplomatic Shift: Direct Talks with Syria

In a significant development, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced that the bloc‘s top diplomat for Syria will head to Damascus on Monday to initiate contact with the new Syrian government.

16.12.2024 - 12:17 [ Middle East Eye ]

Lammy: UK had ‚diplomatic contact‘ with HTS

„Using all the channels that we have available, and those are diplomatic and, of course, intelligence-led channels, we seek to deal with HTS where we have to.“

On Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States has had direct contact with HTS.

16.12.2024 - 11:55 [ theNightly.com.au ]

Massive strike in Syria registers on Richter scale as Israel targets military sites in coastal Tartus region

“Earlier today, an Israeli fighter jet carried out an airstrike on radars in Deir Ezzor Military Airport,” it said.

“Moreover, an anonymous explosion took place at the only bridge on Euphrates River that connects between the city and Hatla Village, which is one of the seven villages in SDF-held areas.”

16.12.2024 - 11:42 [ Pravda.com.ua ]

Israel attacks military facilities in Syria‘s Tartus, where Russian base is located – videos

Israeli military aircraft carried out a series of powerful airstrikes on military targets in the Syrian port city of Tartus, home to an important Russian naval base and ship repair facility, on the night of 15-16 December.

16.12.2024 - 11:29 [ Washington Post ]

Israel approves plan to expand settlements on occupied Golan Heights

“Strengthening the Golan is strengthening the State of Israel, and it is especially important at this time. We will continue to hold onto it, cause it to blossom, and settle in it,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.

Since Islamist rebels overthrew the decades-long Assad family regime on Dec. 8, Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes across Syria and carried out a land incursion that stretches past the occupied Golan Heights into a previously demilitarized buffer zone.

15.12.2024 - 09:55 [ Times of Israel ]

Report: Russia draws down forces in Syria, removes S-300 system that troubled Israel

(Ooctober 20, 2022)

Though it has on several occasions harshly criticized Russia’s actions in Ukraine, Jerusalem has so far avoided providing direct military aid to Kyiv — neither offensive arms nor advanced defensive technology — in an attempt to avoid sparking a crisis with Moscow.
/,,,)
An encrypted phone connection was installed in 2017 between a Russian air base in western Syria and the Israeli Air Force command center in Tel Aviv.

The S-300 system was moved to Syria is 2018. Control of the batteries was never handed over to Syrian government.
(…)
Russia still maintains its more advanced S-400 air defense system in Syria, but the missiles are reportedly tasked only with defending Russian assets.

15.12.2024 - 09:38 [ Antiwar.com ]

Report: Israel Sees Opportunity To Bomb Iran After Downfall of Assad

Israeli officials now say they have total air superiority over Syria due to the lack of air defenses, which could make it easier to launch airstrikes on Iran. Israeli warplanes used to have to avoid air defenses when bombing Syria, but now Israeli officials say they’re able to fly over Damascus without having to worry about getting shot down by Russian-made air defenses.