SECURITY ISSUESINWEST ASIA FOCUS, NUCLEAR,MISSILES &OTHER V WEST ASIA SYLLOGE ON 0 1
olume 1 NUCLEAR AND ARMS CONTROL CENTRE J u n e - 1 5 J |Issue12 u n e
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IRAN The Iranian navy said in a statement that one of the Kharg’s systems caught fire off Iran nuclear chief sends letter to IAEA the southern Iranian port city of Jask, Tehran Times, 1st June, 2021 according to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency. The ship was en route to Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Atomic international waters for a “training naval Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), has operation” when the fire started in the sent a letter to the chief of the UN nuclear engine room around 11 a.m. local time. watchdog informing him that a February deal between Iran and the International Civilian and military emergency responders Atomic Energy Agency has expired but spent more than 20 hours trying to Iran decided to continue to store data extinguish the blaze before the vessel sank, related to monitoring activities. The letter the navy said. was announced after the Agency released a “Despite 20 hours of all-out efforts by Civil quarterly report on Iran in which it accused and Naval Military Rescue Teams, the Iran of failing to explain traces of uranium rescue operation of the Kharg training found at several allegedly undeclared sites. support vessel was ineffective due to the “Dr. Salehi's letter to @rafaelmgrossi: spread of fire in different parts,” Iran’s Fars Whereas the Technical Understanding was news agency quoted a navy spokesperson expired on May 24, Iran decided not to as saying. extend it, meanwhile we decided to continue recording for one month aimed at https://www.al- providing another opportunity to conclude monitor.com/originals/2021/06/iran-navys- bilateral tech negotiations with the largest-ship-sinks-after-fire-gulf- Agency,” Gharibabadi, Iran’s permanent oman#ixzz6y7TTOhB3 representative to the UN offices in Vienna Iran’s Top Negotiator: Delegations to said on Twitter, adding, “On safeguards, Return to Capitals over Vienna Talks Iran has so far done its utmost efforts to Differences cooperate with the Agency substantively and provide the necessary clarifications and Fars News Agency, 2nd June, 2021 responses. We welcome the Agency’s readiness for engaging in a proactive and Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister and top focused effort to resolve the issues without negotiator Seyed Abbas Araqchi underlined any delay.” the need for the G4+1 (China, Russia, Britain and France plus Germany) and https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/46159 Iranian delegations to return to their 6/Iran-nuclear-chief-sends-letter-to-IAEA countries for more consultations on how to deal with the differences in the talks in Iran navy's largest ship sinks after fire in Vienna. “Today we are in a situation that Gulf of Oman we should have a new conclusion of the Al-Monitor, 2nd June, 2021 negotiations that have taken place so far. All delegations concluded that visits should The Iranian navy's biggest ship sank on be made to the capitals for further Wednesday after catching fire in the Gulf of consultations and further decision-making Oman, state news outlets reported. on differences,” Araqchi said in Vienna on Wednesday.
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https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/1400031 in Tajikistan since March, and the visit that 2000675/Iran’s-Tp-Negiar-Delegains- Mohammad Javad Zarif paid to the country Rern-Capials-ver-Vienna-Talks (Tajikistan) after my visit, today the result of these efforts led to the signing of a Pentagon issues warning over Iran cooperation document between the two warship reportedly headed to Venezuela countries," Rahmani Fazli said after signing Al-Monitor, 3rd June, 2021 the security pact. The Biden administration has issued a stern https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/1400031 warning to Tehran following a news report 3000319/Iran-Tajikisan-Sign-Secriy- that an Iranian navy vessel may be headed Agreemen to Venezuela to deliver military hardware. Iran says refinery fire contained, rules “The delivery of such weapons would be a out sabotage provocative act and a threat to our partners in this hemisphere,” read a statement issued Al-Monitor, 3rd June, 2021 by the Pentagon on Wednesday night. “As Only hours into a massive fire that ravaged such, we would reserve the right to take the Tondguyan Oil Refinery south of the appropriate measures — in concert with our capital Tehran, one Iranian official after partners — to deter the delivery or transit of another dismissed speculation that it was an such weapons.” The admonishment, act of sabotage. The refinery's public perhaps the strongest directed at Iran to date relations chief told the Iranian press that by the Biden administration, came in based on a review of surveillance camera response to a report by USNI footage, the sabotage theory was News revealing satellite imagery that "absolutely ruled out." A prosecutor showed the Iranian navy’s floating sea base, announced that the incident was not being the Makran, carrying at least seven fast- treated as sabotage, but an investigation had attack boats onboard. been launched into the possible causes. https://www.al- Based on their initial estimates, officials monitor.com/originals/2021/06/pentagon- were expecting the fire to be out in 12 issues-warning-over-iran-warship- hours. Yet by mid-day June 3, plumes of reportedly-headed- smoke were still being seen outside the venezuela#ixzz6y7iT8i00 refinery as the fire had hit a large reservoir of 20,000 barrels of oil. Iran, Tajikistan Sign Security Agreement https://www.al- monitor.com/originals/2021/06/iran-says- Fars News Agency, 3rd June 2021 refinery-fire-contained-rules-out- Iran and Tajikistan inked a Memorandum sabotage#ixzz6y7fdlqoa of Understanding (MoU) to further increase Pakistan says fencing of border with Iran bilateral relations and cooperation in the to be completed by end of this year security field. Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli praised the MoU, Islamic Republic News Agency, 4th June, saying that agreements can expand bilateral 2021 relations in various fields. "With the Pakistani Interior Minister says fencing negotiations that I had with Mr. Rahimzoda work on joint border with the Islamic
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Republic of Iran is in full swing and would aggressive act that could further exacerbate be completed by the end of 2021. Sheikh tensions between the countries. Rasheed Ahmad in a video message on https://www.timesofisrael.com/two- Friday before traveling to the zero point of iranian-warships-round-tip-of-africa-for- the border with Afghanistan in North and first-time-sparking-us-concern/ South Waziristan says the government is determined to make the borders safe and Blinken: Iran's nuclear 'breakout time' a secure. He added so far, 44 percent fencing matter of weeks if violations continue work on border with Iran has been Al-Monitor, 7th June, 2021 completed while the whole border would be fenced by the end of 2021. The Pakistani Iran’s so-called breakout time could drop to interior minister said the government of “a matter of weeks” if the country continues Prime Minister Imran Khan is committed to to violate its terms of the landmark nuclear strengthen border security by using deal, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken electronic technology for effective border said on Monday. management. During a House Foreign Affairs https://en.irna.ir/news/84354842/Pakistan- Committee hearing, Blinken said it remains says-fencing-of-border-with-Iran-to-be- to be seen whether the Iranians are “willing completed-by and prepared” to resume compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal known as the Joint Two Iranian warships round tip of Comprehensive Plan of Action (JPOCA). Africa for first time, sparking US The original signatories to the deal have concern been meeting in Vienna to reach an agreement on a revived nuclear deal, but Times of Israel, 5th June, 2021 Tehran and Washington are at odds over The US is tracking two Iranian Navy ships which of them will make the first move. In that have rounded the southern tip of Africa the meantime, Iran’s program is "galloping and are headed to the Atlantic Ocean, the forward,” Blinken said, referencing Iran’s farthest west that Iranian navy ships have increased uranium enrichment and recent gone, according to multiple reports Friday. use of advanced centrifuges. According to reports in CNN, Politico and https://www.al- Fox News, US officials have been monitor.com/originals/2021/06/blinken- following the movements of the Makran irans-nuclear-breakout-time-matter-weeks- and the Sahand for the past two weeks with if-violations-continue#ixzz6y7styyil some concern, and believe they may be IAEA board meeting convenes; Iran, headed for Venezuela in South America. JCPOA on agenda The two regimes are allies. It is not clear what cargo the ships are carrying, though Islamic Republic News Agency, 7th June, one of them has been photographed with 2021 seven small attack boats on its desk, of the kind that has often harassed US Navy boats IAEA Board of Governors began its in the Persian Gulf. Some officials believe quarterly meeting today, with Iran and the they may be looking to deliver weapons to nuclear deal on agenda. The Board meeting Caracas. Washington would likely view an is held on the condition that the UN nuclear Iranian move into the Atlantic as an watchdog has raised some claims on what it has called undeclared nuclear activities by
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Iran. Iran and the IAEA reached an advising him to avoid politicizing the agreement in March, based on which Iranian nuclear program. Ambassador Tehran would suspend the legislation to Kazem Gharibabadi said Rafael Grossi’s halt implementing Additional Protocol. assessment that a lack of progress in They also agreed that Iran keeps cameras in cooperation between Iran and the IAEA nuclear sites alive but avoids submitting the seriously affects the Agency’s ability to recordings until the US sanctions on Iran make sure that Iran’s nuclear program is are removed. The agreement expired last exclusively peaceful was not credible. week, but the Iranian side gave another one- https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/46176 month opportunity to let the talks in Vienna 8/Tehran-rejects-Grossi-s-assessment-on- move forward until an agreement is Iran-IAEA-cooperation reached. Iran's Top Negotiator: 500 US Sanctions https://en.irna.ir/news/84357223/IAEA- Still Remain after 5 Round of Talks board-meeting-convenes-Iran-JCPOA-on- agenda Fars News Agency, 10th June, 2021 Iranian Engineers Overhaul Giant Iran's top negotiator and Deputy Foreign Electro Motors at Bushehr N. Power Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi said the US Plant is still adamant to remove 500 sanctions after 5 rounds of talks between Tehran and Fars News Agency, 8th June, 2021 the Group 4+1 (China, Russia, Britain and Iranian engineers at Jemco company France plus Germany) in Vienna. "At the succeeded in overhauling the giant electro end of the fifth round of talks, the deputy motors at the country’s first nuclear power foreign minister announced that out of plant in Bushehr. “Two years ago, we were 1,500 nuclear sanctions against Iranian able to overhaul the electric motors of bodies and individuals, 1,000 sanctions had Be’sat power plant in Tehran and they were been lifted and 500 sanctions are satisfied with the results. And this year, the remaining. In addition, primary and issue of overhauling Bushehr nuclear secondary sanctions still remain in place," power plant’s electro motors was put Ebrahim Azizi, a member of the Iranian forward,” CEO of Jemco company parliament Foreign Policy Committee said. Mohammad Rostami told FNA on Tuesday. https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/1400032 https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/1400031 0000248/Iran's-Tp-Negiar-500-US- 8000264/Iranian-Engineers-Overhal-Gian- Sancins-Sill-Remain-afer-5-Rnd-f-Talks Elecr-Mrs-a-Bshehr-N-Pwer-Plan Iran’s Naval Fleet Dispatched to Atlantic Tehran rejects Grossi’s assessment on Ocean for First Time Iran-IAEA cooperation Fars News Agency, 11th June, 2021 Tehran Times, 8th June, 2021 Iranian naval fleet, comprising Sahand Iran’s ambassador to the International destroyer and Makran ship, left Iran for the Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has Atlantic Ocean for the first time without responded to the assessment of IAEA chief mooring in other countries' ports, Deputy Rafael Grossi about the quality of Army Commander for Coordination Rear cooperation between Iran and the UN body, Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said. “We
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consider presence in international waters as in Vienna. Earlier, Iran's top nuclear the inalienable right of the Navy of the negotiator Abbas Araghchi said that much Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran and legal, technical and political discussion is we will continue this path with authority,” necessary and talks will be continued. The he went on to say. "The 77th strategic naval talks will continue whenever needed, he fleet of the Navy, comprising of Sahand added. The signatories to the nuclear destroyer and Makran ship, is present in the agreement resumed this round of talks on Atlantic Ocean for the first time to Saturday in a bid to discuss the lifting of US demonstrate the capabilities of Iran in the sanctions on Iran and Washington's maritime arena," the commander noted. potential return to the JCPOA. The sixth round of talks is chaired by Enrique Mora, https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/1400032 the coordinator of the nuclear deal talks in 1000100/Iran’s-Naval-Flee-Dispached- Vienna. Alanic-Ocean-fr-Firs-Time https://en.irna.ir/news/84364921/Iran-s- Putin denies Russia will provide Iran intensive-talks-underway-in-Vienna advanced satellite system Iran enriching uranium to 63%, says Tehran Times, 12th June, 2021 Rouhani Russian leader Vladimir Putin refuted on Tehran Times, 14th June, 2021 Friday a U.S. media report that Moscow is preparing to transfer to Iran an advanced President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday satellite system that will substantially boost that Iran has mastered a level of knowledge its surveillance capabilities. "We have plans that it is enriching uranium up to 63%, and for cooperation with Iran, including that it can enrich uranium at any percentage military and technical cooperation," Putin it desires. Rouhani made the remarks while told NBC News. "It's all fake news. At the speaking at an inauguration ceremony very least, I'm not familiar with this type of unveiling the Defense Ministry plans. The thing... It's all gibberish and garbage." In a president reiterated Tehran’s long held report on Thursday, the Washington Post, position that Iran’s nuclear program is citing current and former U.S. and West purely for civilian purposes, saying Asian officials, claimed the satellite system production of nuclear weapons is delivery might take place within months unacceptable. "In the issue of defense in our and is the product of several trips to Russia country, we neither need weapons of mass by Iranian officials. destruction, nor we seek to acquire this weapon, nor do we consider it permissible; https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/46189 this is an explicit fatwa of the Supreme 6/Putin-denies-Russia-will-provide-Iran- Leader.” Rouhani said Iran is developing advanced-satellite-system new technologies for domestic use. The Iran's intensive talks underway in International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna announced on May 13 that based on the samples taken from the Natanz nuclear site, Islamic Republic News Agency, 13th June, Iran has enriched uranium up to 63%. 2021 https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/46199 Iranian delegation's intensive talks are still 9/Iran-enriching-uranium-to-63-says- underway at deputy foreign ministers level Rouhani
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Iran Launches New Destroyer, quantity of operations against military Minesweeper Warship targets, and they have increased capability and weapons. He added that according to Fars News Agency, 14th June, 2021 the Washington Post, the militias have A new Iran-made destroyer, Dena, and a UAVs with high-precision strike minesweeper warship, Shaheen, joined the capabilities, and these were used in an country’s naval fleet in the Southern attack on the Ayn Al Asad air base. Khazali territorial waters in Bandar Abbas on elaborated that the Americans were Monday. Iranian President Hassan "astounded" by the fact that these UAVs Rouhani, Army Commander Major General were able to bypass the Patriot defense Abdolrahim Mousavi, Navy Commander systems. Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi and https://www.memri.org/tv/iraqi-militia- Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir leader-qais-khazali-americans-pay-price- Hatami participated in the ceremony to continued-military-presence launch the two giant vessels. Erdogan threatens to strike refugee “It is a very good day as the country's camp inside Iraq defense industry has made and prepared a large destroyer for operation with its own Al-Monitor, 2nd June, 2021 hands in a period of 8 years. This destroyer Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is ready to carry out its missions," President has threatened to strike a refugee settlement Rouhani said, addressing the ceremony via in Iraqi Kurdistan on the grounds that it is a video conferencing. breeding ground for rebels of the outlawed https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/1400032 Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). In a live 4000240/Iran-Lanches-New-Desryer- interview on the state-run TRT news Minesweeper-Warship channel, Erdogan said that if the United Nations did not “clean it up, we will do it as IRAQ a UN member.” Erdogan claimed that Iraqi Militia Leader Qais Khazali: The Makhmour, which lies 180 kilometers (112 Americans Will Have To Pay A Heavy miles) south of the Turkish border, posed as Price For Their Continued Military grave a threat as Qandil, a mountain range Presence In Iraq, We Have Decided To straddling the Iraq-Iran border where top Increase Quality, Quantity Of PKK commanders are based. “How long Operations are we supposed to be patient?” he asked. The warnings came as Turkish troops MEMRI TV, 1st June, 2021 continue a large-scale offensive against the Iraqi militia leader Qais Khazali, the PKK along a mountainous strip of territory Secretary-General of Asai'b Ahl Al-Haq along Iraq’s border with Turkey. The aim is said that the Americans will discover that to disrupt the PKK’s access from Qandil to the price they have to pay for their mobile bases dotting the length of the continued military presence in Iraq is very Turkish-Iraqi border all the way to heavy. He made these remarks in an northeast Syria where the PKK’s Syrian interview that aired on Al-Ahd TV (Iraq) on franchise runs an autonomous June 1, 2021. Khazali said that the militias administration under the protection of the have decided to increase the quality and United States.
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https://www.al- under attack from unmanned aircraft in Iraq monitor.com/originals/2021/06/erdogan- in recent months, a problem that has raised threatens-strike-refugee-camp-inside- significant concern for US military iraq#ixzz6y8AJ8gKx officials. PM : Iraq managed to cut size of US https://www.al- forces by 60% monitor.com/originals/2021/06/us-air- defenses-shoot-down-drones-near-iraq-air- Islamic Republic News Agency, 4th June, base#ixzz6y8EtdjJM 2021 Iraq calls on Turkey to withdraw its Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi troops elaborated on the process of US forces expulsion from Iraq, saying: "we were able Middle East Monitor, 7th June, 2021 to reduce the size of American forces in The Iraqi Presidency yesterday called on Iraq to more than 60%." Regarding the Turkey to withdraw its troops from Iraq and strategic dialogue, during this year we have condemned Ankara's bombing of entered three stages of dialogue, and in the Makhmour refugee camp in the north of the second stage we were able to obtain an country which led to killing three people on explicit admission from the American Saturday. "We stress on the need to prevent president Trump that the Americans will the violation of Iraqi sovereignty, and the pull out of Iraq, and before reaching the withdrawal of Turkish forces present in the third stage we were able to reduce the size regions of [Kurdistan] and Mosul, which is of American forces in Iraq to more than a violation of the principle of good 60%., Al-Kadhimi told IRNA. neighbourliness, and a violation of https://en.irna.ir/news/84355068/PM-Iraq- international norms and covenants," the managed-to-cut-size-of-US-forces-by-60 Iraqi presidency said in a statement, adding that "the recent attack on Makhmour camp US air defenses shoot down drones near is a dangerous escalation that endangers the Iraq air base lives of citizens, including refugees, and is Al-Monitor, 7th June, 2021 inconsistent with international and humanitarian law." US air defense systems shot down two drones near Ayn al-Asad air base shortly https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/2021 after midnight on Sunday, Iraq’s military 0607-iraq-calls-on-turkey-to-withdraw-its- said. The encroachment, knocked down by troops/ US counter-rocket, artillery and mortar Iraq plans nuclear power plants to tackle systems (C-RAM), is the latest targeting the electricity shortage base that houses Western military contractors and has been home to US Aljazeera, 8th June, 2021 Reaper drones used largely in operations Iraq is working on a plan to build nuclear against the Islamic State (IS). No group has reactors as the electricity-starved petrostate claimed credit for the incident, which seeks to end the widespread blackouts that follows a previous drone attack on Ayn al- have sparked social unrest. Iraq seeks to Asad on May 8. US and international build eight reactors capable of producing coalition sites have increasingly come about 11 gigawatts, said Kamal Hussain
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Latif, chairman of the Iraqi Radioactive KRG puts PKK on notice for killing of Sources Regulatory Authority. It would peshmerga forces seek funding from prospective partners for Al-Monitor, 15th June, 2021 the $40 billion plan and pay back the costs over 20 years, he said, adding that the In response to the killing of its members at authority had discussed cooperation with the hands of the Kurdistan Workers Party Russian and South Korean officials. “We (PKK), the Ministry of Peshmerga in the have several forecasts that show that Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) without nuclear power by 2030, we will be said in a statement it is always the people in big trouble,” Latif said in an interview at who pay the price. The KRG accused the his office in Baghdad. PKK of causing multiple losses to the region due to such operations. The ministry https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2021/ stressed it will allow neither Kurdistan nor 6/8/iraq-plans-nuclear-power-plants-to- its people to fall prey to the tackle-electricity-shortage PKK’s erroneous policy. The Biden Rockets hit near US troops, contractors administration condemned the PKK attack in Iraq on the peshmerga forces and described it as “brutal” at a time when the Iraqi Aljazeera, 10th June, 2021 government vowed a just punishment is in Multiple rockets have targeted two Iraqi store for whoever sheds Iraqi blood. military bases hosting US-led coalition https://www.al- troops and foreign contractors but nobody monitor.com/originals/2021/06/krg-puts- was hurt in the attacks. Iraq’s joint pkk-notice-killing-peshmerga- operations command said in a statement on forces#ixzz6y8FaM2B8 Thursday one attack near a military base next to Baghdad’s airport was spearheaded ISRAEL by three explosives-laden drones, and one of the UAVs was intercepted and destroyed. Suspected balloon-borne bombs from Three rockets also hit Balad airbase, north Gaza land in south for first time in of the capital, on Wednesday without months causing any casualties or damage, a military Times of Israel, 4th May, 2021 statement said. The base houses foreign military contractors. Attacks on Iraqi bases, Two balloons carrying suspected explosive especially those hosting US troops and devices that were apparently launched from contractors, have increased since the the Gaza Strip landed in southern Israel on US assassination of Iranian General Monday, local authorities said in the first Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad in January such attacks in months. According to the 2020. Sha’ar Hanegev regional council, the suspected bombs were found in agricultural https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/1 fields in the community of Kfar Aza, east of 0/rockets-hit-near-us-troops-contractors- Gaza City. Residents of the area reported in-iraqi-army-bases seeing additional balloons overhead throughout the afternoon. It was not immediately clear where they landed.
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Police sappers were called to remove the Though the explicit goal of the exercise is suspected explosives from Kfar Aza. to improve the overall capabilities of the F- 35 jet, which entered military service in late https://www.timesofisrael.com/suspected- 2016, a senior Israeli Air Force officer balloon-borne-bombs-from-gaza-land-in- acknowledged that in part, this drill — south-for-first-time-in-months/ dubbed Falcon Strike 2021 — was meant to Hamas threatens to renew fighting if prepare Israeli pilots for using the fighter Qatari funds don’t enter Gaza next week aircraft against Iranian forces. The exercise will be held from June 6 to June 17, but will Times of Israel, 4th June, 2021 kick off in earnest on Monday. If Israel does not allow the passage of https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-first- Qatari funds to the Gaza Strip, Hamas will israeli-f-35s-train-in-italy-with-iran-in- escalate the situation on the border with their-sights/ Israel, sources in the terror group told Lebanese media on Friday. Israel reported to strike several sites across Syria With Israel’s approval, Qatar has in recent years distributed hundreds of millions of Times of Israel, 9th June, 2021 dollars in cash to enable Gaza’s Hamas An Israeli airstrike caused damage to sites rulers to pay for fuel for the Strip’s power in southern and central Syria late Tuesday, plant, pay civil servants, and provide aid to Damascus said, the first attack attributed to tens of thousands of impoverished families. Israel in over a month. According to Syrian Hamas sources told the Lebanese Al state news agency Sana, air defense systems Akhbar newspaper that the organization managed to shoot down some Israeli would wait until the end of next week for missiles which were fired from the the money to enter, “and if this does not direction of Lebanon after 11:30 p.m. It said happen it will take an important decision some missiles were shot down and others regarding the mutual ceasefire” that took caused damage, citing a military source. effect two weeks ago, after 11 days of “Our air defense array confronted the fighting with Israel. aggression’s missiles and shot down some https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas- of them, and there were material losses threatens-to-renew-fighting-if-qatari- only,” the source was quoted saying. The funds-dont-enter-gaza-next-week/ Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, reported In first, Israeli F-35s train in Italy — “violent explosions felt in Damascus and with Iran in their sights around the city, followed by Israeli strikes Times of Israel, 6th June, 2021 on military positions” of the Syrian army. Six Israeli F-35 stealth fighters landed in https://www.timesofisrael.com/syria- Italy last week to take part in a two-week claims-israeli-airstrikes-on-sites-in-south- air exercise in Italy with its air force, center-of-country/ alongside those of the United States and United Kingdom, in the largest and farthest drill that the aircraft have taken part in to date, the military said Sunday.
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11 fighters said killed in alleged Israeli LEBANON strikes in Syria Hizbullah, IRGC Coordinated With Times of Israel, 9th June, 2021 Hamas During Latest Fighting; Qods Force Commander Qaani, Hamas Field At least 11 people were reportedly killed Officers Came To The Joint Operations overnight Wednesday in Israeli airstrikes in Room In Beirut Syria. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights — a pro-Syrian MEMRI TV, 3rd June, 2021 opposition organization of uncertain Lebanese journalist and Hizbullah funding based in the UK — the government mouthpiece Ibrahim Al-Amine, editor-in- troops and militiamen were killed in Homs chief of the pro-Hizbullah Al-Akhbar Province in central Syria. The monitor’s newspaper, said that the Palestinian director, Rami Abdul Rahman, told AFP factions in Gaza closely coordinated and that “at least seven army soldiers and four maintained a joint operations room with National Defence Forces militiamen were Hizbullah and the IRGC during their recent killed” in the strikes shortly before round of fighting with Israel. He made these midnight, adding that all of the dead were remarks in an interview that aired on Al- Syrian. Manar TV (Hizbullah-Lebanon) on May https://www.timesofisrael.com/8-fighters- 28, 2021. Al-Amine went on to say that said-killed-in-alleged-israeli-strikes-in- Hizbullah provided Hamas with syria/ surveillance services, transported senior Hamas officials from Gaza to Lebanon, and JORDAN transported supplies to Gaza during the Israeli forces hold manoeuvres in Jordan fighting. He further said that IRGC Qods Valley Force commander General Qaani visited Beirut twice during the same period. Middle East Monitor, 14th June, 2021 https://www.memri.org/reports/hizbullah- Israeli occupation forces have launched a mouthpiece-ibrahim-al-amine-hizbullah- military exercise around Tayaseer, a village irgc-coordinated-hamas-during-latest near the West Bank city of Tubas in the northern Jordan Valley, Wafa news agency UNIFIL Head Tackles Recent Incidents has reported. According to the head of in Talks with Lebanese, Israeli Officers Tayaseer Village Council, Wajeeh Dabk, Naharnet, 3rd June, 2021 large numbers of Israeli tanks and other military vehicles have been deployed UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force around the village for the manoeuvres. Commander Major General Stefano Del Villagers were not warned about this in Col on Thursday chaired a special Tripartite advance, he insisted. meeting – held in a modified format due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions – with https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/2021 senior officers from the Lebanese Army the 0614-israeli-forces-hold-manoeuvres-in- Israeli army at a U.N. position in Ras al- jordan-valley/ Naqoura. Discussions focused on the situation along the Blue Line, air and ground violations, as well as other issues
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within the scope of UNIFIL’s mandate Israel Combs Security Fence with under U.N. Security Council Resolution Lebanon Overnight 1701 and other relevant resolutions, a Naharnet, 7th June, 2021 UNIFIL statement said. In view of several events along and across the Blue Line Israel said its troops carried out a wide between 13 and 25 May “in violation of combing operation overnight on the border Resolution 1701,” Del Col stressed the with Lebanon, Israeli spokesman importance of preventing the recurrence of AvichayAdraee said in a tweet Monday. such incidents. Del Col was referring to protests on the Lebanese side of the border Adraee said Israeli forces carried out with Israel and attempted rocket attacks “extensive combing work” after “detecting from Lebanon that accompanied that latest traces of two suspects in the area close to war between Israel and the Gaza-based the security fence” with Lebanon. However Palestinian factions. he ruled out any act of “sabotage.” Adraee stated that "Israeli troops and police http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/28185 continue their search” operation and that 5-unifil-head-tackles-recent-incidents-in- “residents in neighboring (Israeli) towns talks-with-lebanese-israeli-officers have returned to normal life.” The Blue Line marks Israel’s withdrawal from south Report: Missile, Bomb Attack Ruled Out Lebanon in May 2000 after 22 years of in Port Blast Probe occupation. Naharnet, 5th June, 2021 http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/28190 The investigations into the August 2020 2-israel-combs-security-fence-with- mega-explosion at Beirut port are making lebanon-overnight progress and the indictment will be issued Ministry of Defense inks two mine action within a few months, informed sources agreements with UNDP, Dutch embassy said. “The probe has reached new evidence,” the sources told al-Akhbar National News Agency (Lebanon), 7th June, newspaper in remarks published Saturday. 2021 “Investigative judge Tarek al-Bitar has Lebanon’s Ministry of National Defense on received the report of the French Monday inked two mine action agreements investigators, who ruled out the theory that with the United Nations Development the Beirut port was targeted by a missile or Program (UNDP), and the Dutch Embassy an explosive device that caused the blast,” in Lebanon. The agreement with the UNDP the sources added. The sources also addresses the humanitarian and revealed that there is “serious and accurate development impacts of mines, cluster evidence” as to how the explosion munitions, and explosive remnants of war, happened. as well as empowers the Lebanese Mine Action Center (LMAC). http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/28188 1-report-missile-bomb-attack-ruled-out-in- http://nna-leb.gov.lb/en/show- port-blast-probe news/128485/Ministry-of-Defense-inks- two-mine-action-agreements-with-UNDP-
Dutch-embassy
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Iran Cleric who Founded Hizbullah, those forming the government feel the Survived Book Bomb, Dies people’s pain,” Nasrallah added. Naharnet, 7th June, 2021 http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/28194 9-nasrallah-urges-no-despair-on-govt- Ali Akbar Mohtashamipour, a Shiite cleric threatens-to-bring-iranian-fuel-ships-to- who as Iran's ambassador to Syria helped beirut-port found Hizbullah and lost his right hand to a book bombing reportedly carried out by Israel Stages Attacks on Syria over Israel, died Monday of the coronavirus. He Lebanon was 74. A close ally of Iran's late Supreme Naharnet, 9th June, 2021 Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Mohtashamipour in the 1970s formed Syrian state media reported late Tuesday an alliances with Muslim militant groups Israeli aerial attack near the Syrian capital across the Mideast. After the Islamic of Damascus and in the central province of Revolution, he helped found the Homs, prompting a response from national paramilitary Revolutionary Guard in Iran air defenses. The Syrian state news agency and as ambassador to Syria brought the said the Israeli attacks came over Lebanon. force into the region to help form Lebanon's National News Agency reported Hizbullah. that Israeli warplanes were heard hovering at a low altitude late on Tuesday over the http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/28191 Keserwan district. The target of the 3-iran-cleric-who-founded-hizbullah- reported Israeli attacks were not survived-book-bomb-dies immediately clear. The attacks are the first Nasrallah Urges No 'Despair' on Govt., reported since the re-election of Syrian Threatens to Bring Iranian Fuel Ships to President Bashar Assad for a fourth seven- Beirut Port year term. Naharnet, 8th June, 2021 http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/28195 6-israel-stages-attacks-on-syria-over- Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah lebanon on Tuesday said the cabinet formation initiative led by Speaker Nabih Berri should OMAN have no deadline as he threatened to “bring Oman's RAF participates in joint Iranian fuel ships to Beirut port” if the exercise with Saudi Arabia Lebanese state does not resolve the fuel shortage crisis. “We are against early Times of Oman, 10th June, 2021 parliamentary polls, because it would be a waste of time and it would deviate people’s A statement issued online by Oman News attention from their concerns. Instead of Agency (ONA) said, "The Royal Air Force talking about early polls, let them form a of Oman is participating in the joint government,” Nasrallah said, in a televised exercise (Tuwaiq 2), which is being address marking the anniversary of implemented at Prince Sultan Air Base in Hizbullah’s al-Manar TV. “We are with Saudi Arabia, with the participation of a continuing the government formation number of armed forces from brotherly efforts and there should be no despair. Let countries, and with the aim of strengthening existing cooperation between countries, gaining and exchanging experiences among
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the participants in the field of tactical days monitoring movements within the projection." position and reciting Quran, and that when they spotted a bus full of soldiers they fired https://timesofoman.com/article/102493- a Kornet missile. According to IDF sources, omans-raf-participates-in-joint-exercise- the bus in question was empty and there with-saudi-arabia were no Israeli casualties in the incident. Royal Air Force of Oman starts air Members of the anti-tank unit also told Al- exercise activities Jazeera that they were responsible for
th another Kornet attack against an IDF Times of Oman, 13 June, 2021 vehicle in Netiv HaAsara, in which an IDF The air exercise activities (Al Hazm) of the soldier was killed and others wounded. The Royal Air Force of Oman were launched on unit members said that now they have Sunday, June 13, 2021. qualified shooters, and that "occupation forces" must take them into serious A statement issued online by Oman News consideration. They added that IDF soldiers Agency said: “The activities of the air now hide in trenches and forests, in fear of exercise (Al Hazm) of the Royal Air Force Hamas' anti-tank units. of Oman were launched Sunday morning, with the support of the paratroopers of the https://www.memri.org/reports/al-jazeera- Sultan of Oman in the Royal Army of report-hamas-al-qassam-brigades-anti- Oman and the Royal Navy of Oman, and tank-unit-claims-unit-prepared-israeli with the participation of members of the Tunnels Suffered Only Limited Damage, Sultan's Special Force.” Are Operational And Constitute A https://timesofoman.com/article/102611- Strategic Weapon For Future War With royal-air-force-of-oman-starts-air- Israel exercise-activities-1 MEMRI TV, 5th June, 2021 PALESTINE Al-Jazeera Network (Qatar) aired a report Al-Jazeera Report On Hamas Al- on Hamas’s complex of underground Qassam Brigades' Anti-Tank Unit combat tunnels on June 5, 2021. According Claims Unit Is Prepared For An Israeli to the report, only limited damage was done Ground Invasion, Shows Kornet Missile to the tunnel complex, and whatever Simulator damage was sustained has been repaired. Jihad, a member of the Al-Qassam Brigades rd MEMRI TV, 3 June, 2021 said that the tunnels are used for Al-Jazeera Network (Qatar) aired a report communication and to store ammunition, on Hamas' anti-tank unit on May 31, 2021. and rocket launchpads. Al-Jazeera's Al-Jazeera's reporter met with an Al- correspondent said that the tunnels were Qas'am Brigades anti-tank unit inside a used in Hamas operations to abduct IDF Hamas military tunnel. Unit members soldiers and that Hamas considers the showed the Al-Jazeera correspondent the tunnels a "strategic weapon" to be used in spot where they launched an attack on an future wars with Israel. IDF armored bus in the Zikim military base https://www.memri.org/tv/jazeera-report- on May 20, 2020. A member of the unit said hamas-tunnels-gaza-limited-damage- that he and another "mujahid" spent five operational-strategic-weapon-war-israel
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QATAR offer but it is for authorities in Qatar to decide if they are comfortable with NATO Al Jazeera cyberattacked ahead of show using their territory as a training ground," a on Palestinian 'resistance' second source based in Washington Al-Monitor, 10th June, 2021 reportedly said. Reuters did not specify which site was requested, if any. The Al Jazeera said it was hit by a series of United States maintains more than 10,000 cyberattacks this week, many of which troops at the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar. came ahead of a program about Israeli soldiers captured by Hamas. The Qatari https://www.al- outlet was the target of several hacking monitor.com/originals/2021/06/nato-looks- attempts aimed at “accessing, disrupting, qatar-base-train-afghan- and controlling” some of its platforms. The forces#ixzz6yA6dn0PW cyberattacks occurred between June 5 and SAUDI ARABIA 8 and were thwarted, Al Jazeera Media Network said in a Wednesday statement. Royal Saudi Naval Forces, US Marines Many of the cyberattacks occurred on conclude joint exercise maneuvers Sunday ahead of a screening of Al Jazeera Saudi Gazette, 3rd June, 2021 Arabic’s documentary series "What is Hidden is Greater.” The episode, called “In The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) and the Grip of the Resistance,” was on Gaza- the US Marines have concluded a mixed based Palestinian groups' armed conflict military exercise (exchange of shooting with Israel. Specifically, it was about Israeli experts) at King Faisal Naval Base in soldiers in Hamas captivity and included an Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) interview with Hamas military reported on Wednesday. “This exercise leader Marwan Issa. comes within the framework of enhancing joint military cooperation, exchanging https://www.al- experiences between the two naval forces, monitor.com/originals/2021/06/al-jazeera- and developing their capabilities in the field cyberattacked-ahead-show-palestinian- of maritime security operations in the resistance#ixzz6yA7PDzdS region,” the SPA added. NATO looks to Qatar for base to train https://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/60 Afghan forces 7349/SAUDI-ARABIA/Royal-Saudi- Al-Monitor, 15th June, 2021 Naval-Forces-US-Marines-conclude-joint- exercise-maneuvers Officials under NATO’s authority are seeking Qatar’s permission to use a military US Defense Secretary, Saudi Crown base to train Afghan special forces Prince discuss regional security, Yemen following the US and NATO withdrawal war from Afghanistan, Reuters reported. "We Alarabiya, 3rd Jube, 2021 are holding talks to earmark a base in Qatar to create an exclusive training ground for US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke senior members of the Afghan forces," a with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin senior Western security official in Salman on Wednesday and emphasized US Kabul told Reuters. "We have made an commitment to helping Saudi Arabia
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defend its territory and people, the Iran-backed Houthis fire missile into Pentagon said. Austin and Prince Marib, killing 17 including 5-year-old Mohammed discussed regional security, girl particularly efforts to end the war in Alarabiya, 5th June, 2021 Yemen, and “ongoing bilateral efforts to improve Saudi Arabia’s defenses,” Iran-backed Houthis fired a ballistic missile Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a Saturday on a government-held city, killing statement. at least 17 people, including a 5-year-old girl, an official said. The missile hit a gas https://english.alarabiya.net/News/gulf/202 station in the Rawdha neighborhood in 1/06/03/US-Defense-Secretary-Saudi- Marib, according to Ali al-Ghulisi, the Crown-Prince-discuss-regional-security- Marib governor’s press secretary. He said Yemen-war dozens of people were wounded in the Saudi, Greek air forces conclude 2-week attack. There was no immediate comment joint drills in Tabuk from the Houthis. Meanwhile, Omani officials, accompanied by senior Houthi Saudi Gazette, 3rd June, 2021 figures, arrived Saturday in Sanaa to try to The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) and the convince the Houthi militia who control the Hellenic Air Force completed joint capital to accept a ceasefire, Houthi sources exercises at the King Faisal Air Base in said. Tabuk on Thursday, the Saudi Press https://english.alarabiya.net/News/gulf/202 Agency reported. The two-week-long 1/06/05/Yemen-official-says-Iran-backed- exercises called Falcon Eye 2 saw the Houthis-fire-missile-killing-14 participation of fighter jets and crews from the Saudi air force and its Greek Saudi hosts joint air drills with other counterpart. The joint air drills aimed to Arab states strengthen bilateral collaboration between Middle East Monitor, 7th June, 2021 Greece and Saudi Arabia, as well as maximize military training and improve Saudi Arabia is hosting a joint air exercise participants’ combat capabilities and with several Arab states at the Prince Sultan interoperability. Saudi F-15C and Greek F- Air Base, according to an announcement 16 fighter jets participating in the exercise yesterday by the Ministry of Defence. The completed successful intense sorties, which two-week exercise named Tuwaiq 2 included tactical counter operations, both launched in the central governorate of Al- offensive and defensive, air support Kharj "aims to ensure the highest levels of operations, and air maneuvers. readiness, and achieve operation compatibility and integration", the ministry https://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/60 stated. Among the countries participating 7375/SAUDI-ARABIA/Saudi-Greek-air- are the UAE, Oman, Jordan, and Egypt, forces-conclude-2-week-joint-drillsin- while Kuwait and Bahrain are taking part as Tabuk observers.
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Saudi, US ground forces launch joint SYRIA military exercise Russian Defense Ministry observes 39 Saudi Gazette, 9th June, 2021 attacks by terrorist organizations in the de-escalation zone of Idleb The Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF) and the US Army Ground Forces (AGF) have Syrian Arab News Agency, 5th June, 2021 launched a joint exercise in the The Russian Ministry of Defense northwestern region of the Kingdom, the announced that terrorist organizations Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday. deployed in the de-escalation zone of Idleb The exercise dubbed “Falcon Claws 4” carried out 39 attacks during the past 24 aims to strengthen military relations hours. Deputy commander of the Russian between the two countries, unify military Coordination Center in Hmeimim said that concepts through joint action between the 39 attacks were observed by territories forces of the two sides. It also aims to where Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists are facilitate the exchange of information and deployed, including 21 attacks in Idleb, 10 military experiences, improve in Latakia, 4 in Hama and 4 in Aleppo. compatibility between military equipment and doctrines, raise the level of readiness The terrorist organizations deployed in the and ability to work with friendly forces, and de-escalation zone of Idleb and a number of prepare to face any external threats. areas in its countryside carried out tens of attacks in recent weeks in areas in the https://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/60 countryside of Idleb, Aleppo, Hama and 7559/SAUDI-ARABIA/Saudi-US-ground- Lattakia. forces-launch-joint-military-exercise http://www.sana.sy/en/?p=236509 Saudi air defense intercepts Houthi drone attack on Khamis Mushait SDF digs tunnels in northeast Syria in case of Turkish offensive Arab news, 14th June, 2021 Al-Monitor, 5th June, 2021 The Arab coalition said Monday that the Saudi Arabian air defense has intercepted The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and destroyed an explosive-laden drone (SDF) have continued to dig trenches and launched by the terrorist Houthis militia tunnels in the areas under its control in towards Khamis Mushait, Al Arabiya TV northeastern Syria for more than three years reported. The latest attack comes after a now, aiming to connect its military posts drone hit a school in the Asir region on located along the demarcation lines with the Sunday, damaging the building but causing areas held by the Turkish-backed no casualties. The targeting of Khamis opposition. The digging comes amid Mushait once again drew widespread concerns over a military operation by the condemnation from Gulf states, other opposition. The tunnel network stretches countries and humanitarian organizations. from al-Darbasiyah to al-Malikiyah (Derek). A Kurdish military source who https://www.arabnews.com/node/1876351/ declined to be named told Al-Monitor, “The saudi-arabia tunnels are 3 meters [10 feet] deep, with rooms built of reinforced concrete structure every kilometer [0.6 miles].
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https://www.al- space, the news agency added. It did not monitor.com/originals/2021/06/sdf-digs- mention any reports of casualties or damage tunnels-northeast-syria-case-turkish- but the Syrian Observatory for Human offensive#ixzz6yAz9t9D6 Rights (SOHR) told AFP news agency at least 11 pro-government fighters were Turkish-backed Syrian armed groups killed in the attacks that took place late on unify forces Tuesday. “At least seven army soldiers and Al-Monitor, 8th June, 2021 four National Defence Forces militiamen were killed,” SOHR chief Rami Abdul The areas controlled by the Turkish-backed Rahman said. The Britain-based war Free Syrian Army (FSA) in the countryside monitor said the attacks targeted air force of Aleppo in northwest Syria have recently positions near the village of Khirbet al-Tin witnessed the merger of a number on the outskirts of Homs, as well as an arms of factions under new names. depot belonging to the Lebanese Hezbollah Most recently, on May 30, three military movement. factions of the Syrian National https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/9/ Army (SNA) affiliated with the FSA in the israeli-strikes-kill-eight-fighters-in-syria- countryside of Aleppo announced their says-monitor merger under the name of the First Division. The factions that merged are Russian Defense Ministry observes 38 the Ninth Division’s Brigade 143, Brigade attacks by al- Nusra terrorists in de- 111(Northern Brigade) and Brigade 112. escalation zone of Idleb A statement issued by these factions read, Syrian Arab News Agency, 12th June, 2021 “In the framework of this restructuring operation within the ranks of the SNA and Russian Defense Ministry announced on following the approval of the FSA’s First Saturday that terrorists of Jabhat Nusra, Legion and chief of staff, we announce our deployed in de-escalation zone in Idleb, complete integration under the name of the carried out 38 attacks during the past First Division operating within the ranks of Deputy commander of the Russian the First Legion.” Coordination Center, Rear Admiral Vadim https://www.al- Kulit, said that during the past 24 hours, the monitor.com/originals/2021/06/turkish- center recorded 38 attacks by terrorists of backed-syrian-armed-groups-unify- Jabhat al-Nusra, including 17 in Idleb forces#ixzz6yAzSBuHQ province , 8 in Lattakia, 4 in Aleppo, and 9 in Hama. He added that the monitoring Syria says Israeli air attacks targeted devices observed that attacks coming from Damascus positions of terrorist organizations Aljazeera, 9th June, 2021 deployed in surroundings of Idleb. Israeli air attacks struck central Syria late http://www.sana.sy/en/?p=237505 on Tuesday, with state news agency SANA reporting “explosions in Damascus” before adding that its air defences had been activated against the “Israeli aggression”.
Israeli planes arrived from Lebanese air
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TURKEY PKK commanders are based. “How long are we supposed to be patient?” he asked. NATO exercise Steadfast Defender 2021 wraps https://www.al- monitor.com/originals/2021/06/erdogan- Daily Sabah, 1st June, 2021 threatens-strike-refugee-camp-inside- NATO’s Steadfast Defender 2021 exercise iraq#ixzz6yB6TmCso with the participation of its 12 members, Turkey, Azerbaijan launch military including Turkey, came to an end in dialogue in Baku Romania on Tuesday. The military drill was held "to ensure that our forces are trained, Daily Sabah, 3rd June, 2021 able to operate together and ready to Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry announced respond to any threat from any direction." Thursday that the 13th meeting of the The Ministry of National Defense also Azerbaijan-Turkey High-Level Military released a statement later in the day, Dialogue kicked off in Azerbaijan's capital underlining Turkey’s contributions to Baku. The two delegations are headed by NATO. “It was emphasized during the Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Defense video conference that Turkey continues its Lt. Gen. Kerim Veliyev and Deputy Chief fight against terrorist groups such as Daesh, of Turkish General Staff Gen. Selcuk PKK/YPG,” the statement said. The Bayraktaroğlu, the ministry said. The statement also said that Turkey will take meeting's agenda is focused on bilateral charge of NATO's "Very High Readiness cooperation in security, military, military- Joint Task Force (VJTF)” for the year 2021. technical, military-medical, military- https://www.dailysabah.com/business/defe educational, defense industry, and other nse/nato-exercise-steadfast-defender-2021- fields. wraps https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplo Erdogan threatens to strike refugee macy/turkey-azerbaijan-launch-military- camp inside Iraq dialogue-in-baku Al-Monitor, 2nd June, 2021 Ties with Russia not an alternative to US or NATO, Ankara says Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to strike a refugee settlement Daily Sabah, 4th June, 2021 in Iraqi Kurdistan on the grounds that it is a The S-400 issue is over for Turkey, said the breeding ground for rebels of the outlawed head of the Turkish Parliament's Foreign Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). In a live Affairs Committee, Akif Çağatay Kılıç, on interview on the state-run TRT news Friday while underlining that the country's channel, Erdogan said that if the United relations with Russia are not an alternative Nations did not “clean it up, we will do it as to its ties with the United States or NATO. a UN member.” Erdogan claimed that The S-400 matter is expected to be one of Makhmour, which lies 180 kilometers (112 the topics that will be discussed miles) south of the Turkish border, posed as during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan grave a threat as Qandil, a mountain range and U.S. President Joe Biden's meeting this straddling the Iraq-Iran border where top month. Addressing reporters in the capital Ankara, Kılıç commented on the issue and
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said that the purchase of the defense system "We have ongoing discussions with did not violate NATO rules. "The issue of Turkish leaders about their plans to provide S-400 is done for us. We took this step and security for the airport. Obviously, this is a this does not mean that we do not fulfill our decision that President (Recep Tayyip) responsibilities for NATO," he said noting Erdoğan should make and we respect that, that Turkey has clearly explained its stance but of course, we had some preliminary on the issue a number of times. discussions, and as we have said in general terms before, security at the airport will be https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplo important not only for the United States but macy/ties-with-russia-not-an-alternative- also for other nations to maintain their to-us-or-nato-ankara-says diplomatic presence in Kabul," he said. Column In Mouthpiece For Turkey's https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplo AKP Commemorates Late Jihadi Leader macy/turkey-us-in-midst-of-kabul-airport- And Ideologue Abdullah 'Azzam security-talks-pentagon MEMI TV, 7th June, 2021 Anti-Turkey Statements In Iran – Part Turkish writer Taha Kılınç, in the Yeni IV: Iranian Regime Mouthpiece Şafak daily, a mouthpiece of Turkish 'Kayhan' To Turkish President President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's ruling Erdoğan: Do Not Enter The War In AKP, wrote a June 2, 2021 column, titled Yemen Alongside Saudi Arabia "The Story Of Abdullah Azzam, A MEMRI TV, 14th June, 2021 Palestinian Icon," commemorating the life of jihadi leader and ideologue Abdullah Twice in recent months, the Iranian regime 'Azzam. Kılınç conluded: "It's difficult to mouthpiece Kayhan, which is close to predict where Azzam would have been ideological circles, published articles dragged to and where he would stand had warning Turkish President Recep Tayyip he lived today. However, what he Erdoğan not to interfere in the war in accomplished during his short lifespan of Yemen in support of Saudi Arabia. In a 48 years has left its mark on history, and March 17, 2021 article, Kayhan wrote, imprinted him on the agenda of today." referring to missiles fired by the pro-Iran Shi'ite Houthi rebels in Yemen into Saudi https://www.memri.org/reports/column- Arabia, that if Turkey did so, "there is not a mouthpiece-turkeys-akp-commemorates- shadow of a doubt that the catastrophe late-jihadi-leader-and-ideologue-abdullah- caused by the long-range missiles of Ansar azzam Allah [i.e. the Houthis] will happen to Turkey, US in midst of Kabul airport Turkey as well." It added that Erdoğan must security talks: Pentagon "take into account [that there will be] a clash" with Iran's "powerful resistance Daily Sabah, 10th June, 2021 axis." Pentagon chief spokesperson John Kirby https://www.memri.org/reports/anti- Wednesday said that Turkey and the United turkey-statements-iran-–-part-iv-iranian- States held preliminary talks on the security regime-mouthpiece-kayhan-turkish- of Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International president Airport after the withdrawal of American and other NATO forces from Afghanistan.
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17 Daesh/ISIS terror suspects nabbed in https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/6/ Turkey houthi-missile-kills-at-least-17-in-yemens- marib-government Anadolu Agency, 15th June, 2021 Yemen’s Houthis claim drone attack on At least 17 suspects were nabbed in an anti- Saudi airport terror operation against Daesh/ISIS in Turkey, a security source said Tuesday. Al-Monitor, 14th June, 2021 Prosecutors in the southeastern Diyarbakir The Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed a province launched an investigation into the drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abha suspects with links to the terror group, said airport on Monday that the Saudi-led the source on condition of anonymity due to military coalition battling the Iran-aligned restrictions on speaking to the media. As rebels has not confirmed. “The Air Force part of the probe, an operation was started has fired a counterattack on Abha simultaneously in four provinces -- International Airport with [a] Qasef-2k Diyarbakir, Bursa, Mugla, and Malatya -- to drone, targeting an important military site,” nab 19 suspects after warrants were issued said Houthi military spokesperson Yahya for them. Saree, adding, “The designated target has https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/17-daesh- been hit with high precision.” “This isis-terror-suspects-nabbed-in- targeting comes within the framework of turkey/2274228 legitimate response to the aggression's escalation and an all-out siege on the YEMEN Yemeni people,” Saree said. ‘Houthi missile attack’ kills at least 17 in https://www.al- Yemen’s Marib monitor.com/originals/2021/06/yemens- Aljazeera, 6th June, 2021 houthis-claim-drone-attack-saudi- airport#ixzz6yB9Y6gSR At least 17 people, including a five-year-old girl, have been killed after a ballistic missile Hamas Awards Shield Of Honor To targeted the Yemeni city of Marib in an Representative Of Houthi Movement, attack the government blamed on the Sparks Rage In Saudi Arabia Houthi rebels. The missile hit a petrol MEMI TV, 15th June, 2021 station in the Rawdha neighbourhood, said Ali al-Ghulisi, the provincial governor’s On June 6, 2021, Hamas' representative in press secretary. Information Minister Yemen, Mo'az Abu Shamala, met with Moammar al-Eryani said the attack on Muhammad 'Ali Al-Houthi, a member of Sunday wounded at least five others and all the Houthi Supreme Political Council. At casualties were civilians. He said the attack the meeting, attended also by two other amounted to a war crime. The Houthis said members of the Hamas office in Yemen – they had only struck a military camp. office head 'Omar Al-Subakhi and political Senior Houthi official, Mohammed Ali al- affairs director 'Abdallah Hadi – Abu Houthi, said the group welcomed an Shamala presented Al-Houthi with a shield independent investigation into civilian of honor on behalf of Hamas, in casualties. appreciation for the Houthi's support of the Palestinian cause. Abu Shamala also
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conveyed greetings from Hamas political bureau head Isma'il Haniya to the Houthis and their leader, 'Abd Al-Malik Al-Houthi, and expressed the Hamas movement's gratitude "for the efforts, initiatives, and activities announced by the Houthis in support of the Palestinian people and the Palestinian cause." https://www.memri.org/reports/hamas- awards-shield-honor-representative- houthi-movement-sparks-rage-saudi-arabia
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