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IRAN tweeted on Friday, "We had extensive talks about economic relations." MP reveals Iran’s next step: Launching metal uranium factory "We discussed Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Palestine, Persian Gulf, Tehran Times, 16th May, 2021 Afghanistan and other regional and global In an interview with the Young Journalists issues as well." Club news agency on Sunday, Abolfazl https://en.irna.ir/news/84330569/Iran-FM- Amouei, spokesman for the parliament's in-Italy-on-2nd-leg-of-his-European-tour National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, revealed that the next big step Saudi Arabia, Iran moving towards de- of Iran’s master plan is to develop its escalation peaceful nuclear activities. Stating that the Islamic Republic News Agency, 16th May, parliamentary law on Strategic Action for 2021 Lifting Sanctions has changed the approach of Western countries in putting pressure on After five years of disputes between Saudi Iran, he said that Iran’s next big step has Arabia and Iran, both countries have started been drawn within the framework of the de-escalating relationship step-by-step, and law, and it is to launch a metal uranium the recent change of attitudes from the two factory in Isfahan. “During our recent visit sides is promising that bilateral and to the Isfahan nuclear industry complex, we regional issues can be resolved. Riyadh and observed the process of construction and Tehran severed ties in 2016, when then-US operation of this plant. Effective steps have President Donald Trump entered the White been taken, which is in its final stages, and House and certain regional issues such as we hope that the metal uranium plant will war on Yemen and disagreements on open in due course,” the MP said. Syria and Lebanon escalated tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Saudi https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/46096 Crown Prince Muhammed bin Salman 9/MP-reveals-Iran-s-next-step-Launching- expressed hope that good relationship will metal-uranium-factory be established between the two Iran FM in Italy on 2nd leg of his neighbouring states, stipulating that the two European tour countries enjoy common interests to improve ties and regional situation. Islamic Republic News Agency, 16th May, 2021 The remarks have been welcomed by Iranian officials, including Saeed Rome is the second leg of foreign minister's Khatibzadeh, Foreign Ministry spokesman, European tour which started from Madrid, who underlined that Riyadh and Tehran can Spain, on May 13. In Rome, Zarif is to hold leave behind disagreements and enter a new talks with officials of Italy and Vatican chapter of interaction in order to bolster City. Talks are planned to focus on regional peace and security. expansion of bilateral cooperation as well as issues of mutual interests in international https://en.irna.ir/news/84330802/Saudi- arenas. About his Madrid visit, Zarif Arabia-Iran-moving-towards-de-escalation

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Khatibzadeh: We need to give Vienna undertook to supply the Army with 1,000 talks time drones in a short time. Tehran Times, 17th May, 2021 https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/46100 6/Defense-Ministry-plans-to-provide- Speaking at his weekly press briefing on 1000-new-drones-to-Army Monday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said that the Vienna talks are No discussion like "preliminary ongoing and many empty brackets have agreement" in Vienna talks: Iran been filled. “It seems that we should give Islamic Republic News Agency, 17th May, an opportunity (to talks),” Saeed 2021 Khatibzadeh said. He noted that Iran does not allow these talks to protract, as it does Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed not want an agreement to be reached that is Khatibzadeh said on Monday that no topic not within the framework of the called "preliminary agreement" was raised establishment's policies and instructions in Vienna talks to revive the JCPOA, as a issued by Tehran. considerable part of the remaining issues were finalized in tripartite groups with The spokesman referred to Seyyed Abbas some of them left for political decisions. In Araghchi, the head of the Iranian his weekly press conference, Khatibzadeh negotiating team’s meeting with the said that the Joint Commission of the European delegations in Vienna on Sunday, JCPOA would reconvene this week if saying that it was decided to help the deemed necessary, adding that there was working groups in the next few days. nothing called preliminary agreement. https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/46101 “No agreement would be there until 3/Khatibzadeh-We-need-to-give-Vienna- conditions are met,” he underlined. talks-time https://en.irna.ir/news/84332146/No- Defense Ministry plans to provide 1000 discussion-like-preliminary-agreement-in- new drones to Army Vienna-talks-Iran Tehran Times, 17th May, 2021 Spokesman: No IAEA Access to Iranian The Iranian Defense Ministry plans to N. Sites beyond Safeguards Agreement supply the Army with 1,000 unmanned Fars News Agency, 17th May, 2021 aerial vehicles UAVs, commonly called drones, in the near future. The plan to Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed provide the army with drones was signed in Khatibzadeh said that the International a “strategic agreement” between the Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors Defense Ministry and Army on Monday, have no access to Iran’s nuclear Tasnim reported. installations beyond the safeguards agreement based on the parliament’s law of The agreement is intended to promote the strategic action to remove sanctions. “The drone power and the equipment carried by parliament’s law is binding, and what is the unmanned military aircraft. Under agreed between Iran and the IAEA is within phase one of the agreement, the ministry the same framework. The parliament law

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bans the Agency’s access beyond the Iranian Army holds cyber defense drill safeguards agreement and its Tehran Times, 18th May, 2021 implementation started three months ago and now the Agency has no access beyond Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, Deputy the safeguards agreement and we agreed Chief of the Army for Coordination Affairs, that the footages should be recorded and not stated that the drill, dubbed Fath-1 given to them. We can clear the tapes at the (Conquest-1), was intended at end of three months or extend the strengthening the Army's cyber defense agreement based on an internal decision capabilities and testing cyber threat made by lawmakers,” Khatibzadeh told response methods. According to the reporters in a press conference in Tehran on commander, the cyber drill included Monday. numerous techniques devised by the young personnel. He added, "We have a lot of https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/1400022 strong points in the drill and strive to 7000373/Spkesman-N-IAEA-Access- improve them." The rear admiral Iranian-N-Sies-beynd-Safegards- announced that in cyber war drills that the Agreemen Army will hold soon efforts will be made to Iran's advances in aircraft engine close the loopholes. “With the war highlighted by top general exercises we will stage soon, God willing, we will lessen and eliminate the Tehran Times, 18th May, 2021 weaknesses in dealing with cyber threats,” Iranian scientists have made significant he explained. progress in designing and manufacturing https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/46106 engines used in various aircraft and 9/Iranian-Army-holds-cyber-defense-drill missiles, according to Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, Chief of Vienna talks to end in victory of Iranian Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces. During a nation: President visit to a factory producing homegrown Islamic Republic News Agency, 19th May, “Owj” turbojet engines, General Bagheri 2021 said Iran is now among a select group of countries in the world with the knowledge Speaking in a cabinet meeting, President to manufacture engines for aerial vehicles Rouhani criticized some internal political that are at the cutting-edge of technology. groups for opposing ongoing talks among Iran has fully matured in designing and Iran and other participants of the Joint manufacturing advanced aerial engines due Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), to the efforts of its experts and scientists, he informally known as the Iran nuclear deal, added, noting that thousands of aircraft, saying that their opposition contradicted drones, and missiles in Iran have been their positions on supporting the livelihood equipped with homegrown engines. of Iranian people. Rouhani said that regardless of internal oppositions, his https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/46106 administration concluded any negotiations 8/Iran-s-advances-in-aircraft-engine- it had with foreign countries with victory highlighted-by-top-general for Iranians. “I promise the nation that

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Vienna talks will end in victory for Iranian he said that after two weeks of negotiations, nation. We have already taken great steps delegations will return home for today,” he maintained. consultations. https://en.irna.ir/news/84334888/Vienna- https://en.irna.ir/news/84335458/JCPOA- talks-to-end-in-victory-of-Iranian-nation- Joint-Commission-meeting-kicks-off-in- President Vienna Iran Navy 76th fleet departs for high seas Iran Dismantles 3 Spy Networks Islamic Republic News Agency, 19th May, Fars News Agency, 20th May, 2021 2021 Director-general of the intelligence Iranian Navy 76th fleet, consisting of the ministry's office in West Azerbaijan Alborz destroyer and the Khark helicopter province said on Wednesday that the carrier, departed Bandar Abbas on security and intelligence forces in the Wednesday for international waters so as to Northwestern province identified and carry out their missions. Deputy dismantled three espionage networks in the Commander of first Imamat Zone of Iran's past 58 days which sought to deal a blow to Army Nay second rear Admiral Amir Jalil the Islamic Republic and create insecurity Moghaddam said at the see-off ceremony of and instability inside the country. He added the 76th naval fleet on Wednesday that that also during the past 58 days, the three despite all sanctions and shortages, Iran is terrorist teams affiliated with the ISIL and today present in international waters with Wahabbism, that had entered the country to power ans has turned threats into carry out acts of sabotage, were identified opportunities. and arrested by the Iranian security forces. He also noted that lots of equipment and https://en.irna.ir/news/84334770/Iran- documents were seized from the terrorist Navy-76th-fleet-departs-for-high-seas and espionage teams. JCPOA Joint Commission meeting kicks https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/1400023 off in Vienna 0000520/Iran-Dismanles-3-Spy-Newrks Islamic Republic News Agency, 19th May, IRGC Seizes Weapons Cargo in Western 2021 Iran The joint JCPOA meeting began minutes Fars News Agency, 21st May, 2021 ago with the presence of representatives of Iran and the P4+1 at the Grand Hotel in The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Vienna. Earlier, Iranian Deputy Foreign (IRGC) seized a consignment of weapons Minister for Political Affairs Abbas in Iran's Western province of Ilam. Araghchi referred to reducing disputes in Commander the IRGC's Amir al-Mo'menin Vienna talks and said participants are Base in Ilam province Brigadier General returning to their respective capitals to get Jamal Shakarami told FNA on Wednesday consultations to resolve the remaining key that a shipment of weapons was seized in issues. Elaborating on the latest the Western parts of the country. “In developments with regard to Vienna talks, cooperation and intelligence operations of

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the IRGC intelligence organization of Amir Iran: IAEA No More Entitled to Access al-Mo'menin (AS) base of Ilam province AEOI Cameras and the IRGC security base of Hazrat Fars News Agency, 23rd May, 2021 Abolfazl Al-Abbas (AS) in Khuzestan province, a consignment of smuggled arms, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad including 10 Kalashnikov rifles, were Baqer Qalibaf said that the International discovered and seized from outlaws and Atomic Energy Agency has no right any smugglers while crossing the bordering more to get access to the footage recorded area of Dehloran in Ilam province,” he said. by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) cameras that was to be kept for https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/1400022 three months after a recent parliament 9000749/IRGC-Seizes-Weapns-Carg-in- approval to be transferred to the IAEA in Wesern-Iran case the US removes the sanctions as a New Drone, Missile, Radar Systems result of the talks underway in Vienna. Unveiled by IRGC "The IAEA has no right to access the Fars News Agency, 21st May, 2021 camera footages and information of the AEOI due to the expiration of the deadline," The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Qalibaf said in an open session of the unveiled three strategic products, including Parliament on Sunday, adding, "We are a super heavy drone, an air defense missile determined that the ‘Law on Strategic system and a radar system. “Gaza" drone, Action to Lift Sanctions and Protect the “9th of Dey” surface-to-air missile system Interests of the Iranian Nation’ be and "Qods" radar system were the implemented at the specific time and in three strategic products unveiled by IRGC accordance with the ratification, and the on Friday during a ceremony attended by Leader has repeatedly emphasized this IRGC Commander Major General Hossein issue." Salami and IRGC Aerospace Force Commander Brigadier General Amir Ali https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/1400030 Hajizadeh. The wide-body drone (Gaza) is 2000270/Iran-IAEA-N-Mre-Eniled- a new defense achievement made by the Access-AEOI-Cameras experts in IRGC that can carry out President: Iran to Continue Vienna various surveillance, combat, Negotiations until Final Agreement reconnaissance missions with a flight duration of 35 hours. “This drone is capable Fars News Agency, 23rd May, 2021 of carrying 13 bombs in a range of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on over 2,000 kilometers in combat missions, Sunday that the country’s negotiators will as well as carrying 500 kilograms of various continue talks with the Group 4+1 (China, reconnaissance and signal equipment,” Russia, Britain and France plus Germany) General Hajizadeh said. until reaching an agreement, adding that the https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/1400023 US sanctions have not been able to stop 1000336/New-Drne-Missile-Radar- Iran’s progress in different economic and Sysems-Unveiled-by-IRGC industrial fields. “Production growth figures in various industrial sectors of the

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country are the best evidence of the President Rouhani terms Iran-China fruitlessness of the US policy of maximum relations as strategic pressure and this has forced them to admit Islamic Republic News Agency, 24th May, the failure of these policies, and given the 2021 recent talks in Vienna, they have explicitly declared their preparedness to lift sanctions Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on in accordance with the nuclear deal,” Monday described the relations between President Rouhani said, addressing the Iran and China as strategic. In a telephone 227th meeting of the Government's conversation with his Chinese counterpart Economic Coordination Headquarters in Xi Jinping, President Rouhani welcomed Tehran on Sunday. “We will continue inking Iran-China Cooperation Program. negotiations (in Vienna) until a final He expressed hope that the bilateral and agreement is attained,” he added. regional relations will be further enhanced https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/1400030 in all areas. Expressing Iran's readiness to boost joint economic cooperation with 2000531/Presiden-Iran-Cnine-Vienna- China in the West Asia region, he urged Negiains-nil-Final-Agreemen bolstering the relations between the two Security Forces Dismantle 3 Terrorist countries, particularly in economic and Teams in Southeastern, Northwestern trade fields, including increasing Iran's oil Iran and non-oil exports to China. He also called for speeding up the presence of Chinese rd Fars News Agency, 23 May, 2021 companies in Iran in areas of interest. Iranian security forces smashed 3 terrorist https://en.irna.ir/news/84341748/President teams in the Southeastern province of -Rouhani-terms-Iran-China-relations-as- Sistan and Balouchestan and the strategic Northwestern province of West Azerbaijan, arresting the terrorists who had killed an Iran Continues Uranium Enrichment at adolescent in March. Last March, a blind 5, 20, 60 Percent Purity Levels terrorist explosion near Kouzeh square in Fars News Agency, 25th May, 2021 Saravan city in Sistan and Balouchestan province resulted in the martyrdom of a 16- “The %5, 20% and 60% enrichments still year-old teenager and wounding of several continue and the quantity of our stored %20 enriched uranium is now over 90 innocent passers-by, according to a report kilograms,” Head of the Atomic Energy by the intelligence ministry on Sunday. Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Members of the team which carried out the Salehi Salehi said, adding that the 90- attack were affiliated to Jeish al-Adl kilogram uranium was achieved in four terrorist group, who had received military months. “The quantity of Iran’s 60% training in a foreign country and committed enriched uranium is over 2.5 kilograms and the crime under the command of the our stored 5% uranium weighs more than terrorist group. five tons,” he noted. https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/1400030 https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/1400030 2000680/Secriy-Frces-Dismanle-3-Terrris- 4000216/Iran-Cnines-Uranim-Enrichmen- Teams-in-Sheasern-Nrhwesern-Iran a-5-20-60-Percen-Priy-Levels

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Iranian Army Overhauls F-5 Bomber form of controlled two-way electronic warfare. Fars News Agency, 25th May, 2021 Last week, Iran’s Army held cyber defense “With the efforts of young, talented and exercises codenamed ‘Fath 1’ to enhance committed specialists and experts of martyr their power in confrontation against attacks Habibi Zaham base in Mashhad, an F-5 in the cyber space. fighter-bomber aircraft was overhauled in 10,000 man-hours of work, relying on https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/1400030 domestic power and indigenous know-how, 4000495/Army-Sars-“Sky-Shield-400- and joined the air fleet of the Islamic Drills-in-Cenral-Iran Republic of Iran,” Commander of the base There are important issues yet to be General Hamid Mostafavi said on Tuesday. solved: Araghchi “Today, the know-how to overhaul different types of aircraft, train pilots and Islamic Republic News Agency, 25th May, supply the needed parts and weapons has 2021 become indigenized in the Army Air Force and we are not dependent on foreign Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas countries at all," General Mostafavi said. Araghchi said on Tuesday that some significant and serious issues are still https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/1400030 remaining that need to be solved during 4000308/Iranian-Army-Overhals-F-5- talks over reviving a 2015 Iran nuclear deal Bmber – known as JCPOA. Araghchi made the remarks upon arrival in Vienna prior to a Army Starts “Sky Shield 1400" Drills in Joint JCPOA Commission meeting. Central Iran Araghchi, who heads the Iranian delegation Fars News Agency, 25th May, 2021 in the talks, said the previous four rounds of negotiations have made good progress. He Iran’s Army started the joint wargames expressed hope that Iran and the G4+1 will “Sky Shield 1400” on Tuesday with the reach a final solution during this round of presence of the electronic warfare strategic talks in the Austrian capital. units of the Army's four forces in the general zone of Isfahan stretching over a https://en.irna.ir/news/84343015/There- wide area of the country. Sky Shield 1400 are-important-issues-yet-to-be-solved- drills are the most practical joint drills in the Araghchi field of electronic warfare of Iran’s Army in IRGC dismantles terrorist group in NW recent years as Rapid Reaction Units and Iran Electronic Warfare Systems of the Army Ground, Air Defense and Naval Forces Islamic Republic News Agency, 30th May, have participated. The exercise will be 2021 conducted in a wide area of the country by implementing offensive and defensive The Ground Force of the Islamic tactics in the field of electronic warfare; and Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has will use achievements and capabilities in dismantled a terrorist group in northwestern this sensitive and strategic area. The Iranian Iran, said a statement released by the public Army will also fulfill the specified missions relations department of the base. Forces of in various fields of signal information in the Hamzeh Seyyed of-Shohada Base battled

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last night (Saturday) with a team of statement received by the Iraqi News miscreants and anti-revolutionaries who Agency (INA), that "according to accurate were attempting to enter the country from intelligence information from the Counter- the Piranshahr border, according to the Terrorism Service, Iraqi F16 planes statement. Two members of the terrorist carried out a series of air strikes southeast team were killed and some weapons and of Mosul." The cell added, "The strikes ammunition were seized from them. targeted tunnels that were used by ISIS terrorist elements' in their operations https://en.irna.ir/news/84349102/IRGC- against the security forces." dismantles-terrorist-group-in-NW-Iran https://ina.iq/eng/11903-iraqi-aviation- Iran, E3, China, Russia confer on strikes-on-isis-tunnels-in-nineveh.html JCPOA in Vienna CTS begins a specific operation south of Islamic Republic News Agency, 31st May, Mosul 2021 Iraqi News Agency, 17th May, 2021 Iran's negotiating delegation in two separating meetings with Russia, China, The spokesman for the Commander-in- EU, and E3 on Monday examined the latest Chief, Major General Yahya Rasul, Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action aka announced today, Monday, that the anti- JCPOA revival talks. The two separate terrorist forces have launched a qualitative meetings are held on the sidelines of a new operation in the Hammam Al-Alil area, round of talks between Iran and the G4+1 – southeast of the city of Mosul, while noting Britain, France, Russia, China, and that the operation led to the killing of 8 ISIS Germany – to explore ways for reviving the terrorist elements and the discovery of multinational accord. During the meeting, weapons and charges. In a statement the Iranian delegation outlined its views on received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the draft texts and the remaining issues for Rasul said, "According to the directive of the Chinese and Russian sides. While the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed offering some comments and explanations, Forces, and through careful follow-up and the Chinese and Russian delegations urge monitoring of the remnants of ISIS terrorist their full support for Iran's stances. gangs, the units of the Counter-Terrorism Service began a qualitative operation in the https://en.irna.ir/news/84350472/Iran-E3- Hammam Al-Alil area, southeast of the city China-Russia-confer-on-JCPOA-in- of Mosul." Vienna https://ina.iq/eng/11913-cts-begins-a- IRAQ specific-operation-south-of-mosul.html Iraqi aviation strikes on ISIS tunnels in PDC: The security agreement between Nineveh Baghdad and Erbil is awaiting implementation Iraqi News Agency, 16th May, 2021 Iraqi News Agency, 18th May, 2021 The Security Media Cell announced that Iraqi warplanes had directed strikes on ISIS Committee reporter Nasser Harki told the tunnels in Nineveh. The cell stated, in a Iraqi News Agency (INA): "Several

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meetings were held between Baghdad and PDC: Initial understandings with France Erbil regarding the formation of joint to import aircraft and radars military points in the areas experiencing a Iraqi News Agency, 21st May, 2021 security vacuum within the disputed areas, in order to control security in those areas The head of the committee, Deputy and prevent any security breaches." He Muhammad Ridha Al Haidar, told the Iraqi added that "there is a meeting held several News Agency (INA): “Iraq has advanced F- days ago, and it was agreed upon the 16 planes, but they are few in number locations and locations of these military compared to the operations carried out points on the ground," noting that "the against the remnants of ISIS terrorist agreement is awaiting implementation by gangs,” indicating that “Iraq is currently the central government, and it must heading to France, in agreement with The implement the agreement to prevent new French Consul in Baghdad, who will be violations that lead to the loss of citizens' strengthened by an expected visit from the lives and martyrs." From the Peshmerga, Chair of the French Security and Defense the PMF, or the army of all kinds. " Committee to Iraq next Sunday, and this https://ina.iq/eng/11925-pdc-the-security- issue will be raised and there are agreement-between-baghdad-and-erbil-is- preliminary written understandings that awaiting-implementation.html include importing French aircraft while strengthening the radars of the Air Defense Security forces receive an international Command and enhancing their coalition equipment capabilities." Iraqi News Agency, 18th May, 2021 https://ina.iq/eng/11975-pdc-initial- In a statement received by the Iraqi News understandings-with-france-to-import- Agency (INA), the International Coalition aircraft-and-radars.html said, "At Ain Al-Asad base, Al-Jazeera Turkish warplanes bomb the Jumanki Operations Command, the Iraqi security district in Dohuk forces delivered ammunition and weapons estimated at $ 1,407,938 from the coalition Iraqi News Agency, 21st May, 2021 forces (Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve). He added, "This The director of Jumanki district, Al-Nad equipment to support Iraq in its mission to Amir, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA), defeat ISIS and is part of the Training and that "Turkish aircraft continued from 12:30 Equipping Fund to Combat ISIS program in the afternoon until one and five minutes that has been implemented since 2014 and by bombing the villages of Atouch and is funded through the Ministry of Defense Bebadi, which are five kilometers from the budget allocated to Operation Inherent center of Jumanki district." Amir Resolve." Overseeing its implementation, emphasized that "the bombing did not result Operation Inherent Resolve, to support the in loss of life, but there are material damage Iraqi government in the battle against ISIS. and fires in the farmers' farms," indicating that "the residents of the villages were https://ina.iq/eng/11941-security-forces- displaced from it due to the constant receive-an-international-coalition- bombing, but they go to it for agricultural equipment.html

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work." He added, "Because of the presence that the use of drones as an alternative to of PKK elements within the borders of Katyusha rockets would escalate security these areas and villages, the Turkish planes tensions in Iraq. bombed continuously, which caused https://www.al- constant terror and fear among the civilians monitor.com/originals/2021/05/iraqi- of the area." For his part, the head of the armed-factions-using-drones-against-us- Foreign Relations Committee in the led-coalition#ixzz6wVl5eOA7 Parliament of the Kurdistan Region, Rebwar Babaki, told the Iraqi News ISRAEL Agency (INA), that "the Turkish bombing Hamas again threatens to strike Tel Aviv is old and has continued since 1992 and after Israel kills Islamic Jihad until now due to the illegal presence of commander PKK elements in Iraq and the region." Al-Monitor, 17th May, 2021 https://ina.iq/eng/11979-turkish- warplanes-bomb-the-jumanki-district-in- The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas dohuk.html threatened again on Monday to target the Israeli city of Tel Aviv with rockets after Iraqi armed factions using drones Israel’s military killed the top military against US-led coalition commander of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Al-Monitor, 27th May, 2021 (PIJ). More than 150 rockets have been launched toward Tel Aviv since fighting An unmanned aerial surveillance system between Palestinian factions and Israel (UAS, or small drone) struck on May 8 broke out last Monday. Meanwhile, the Iraq’s Ain al-Asad Air Base in the western Gaza Strip continues to be hit by Israeli part of the country where US and other bombardment. Israel’s military killed top coalition forces are stationed, without PIJ commander Hussam Abu Harbeed in an causing injuries. Speaking to Al-Monitor, a airstrike coordinated with Israel’s Shin Bet security source at the air base said the attack intelligence service in the northern Gaza actually involved two drones. One was Strip earlier today. downed; it is unknown what happened to the second drone. While fingers of Rockets landed in southern Israeli towns of accusation were pointed at the armed Ashdod, Beersheba, Ashkelon and Kiryat factions opposing the presence of US troops Malachi in response to his killing, in Iraq, no faction has yet claimed according to Israeli reports. Three people responsibility for the attack. The armed were injured when a house in Ashdod was factions have already conducted similar struck. attacks in the past. In fact, armed https://www.al- militias claimed responsibility for attacks monitor.com/originals/2021/05/hamas- on Saudi Arabia in January and for an again-threatens-strike-tel-aviv-after-israel- attack on Erbil International Airport in the kills-islamic-jihad- Kurdistan Region of Iraq in April. Fadel commander#ixzz6wVtb1enh Abu Ragheef, a security analyst close to the Iraqi intelligence services, told Al-Monitor

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Gaza violence sparks debate over other terrorist elements, and ongoing conditioning US military aid to Israel diplomatic efforts by regional governments and the United States,” according to a Al-Monitor, 18th May, 2021 White House readout of the call. “The The mounting death toll from President conveyed to the Prime Minister Israel's campaign of airstrikes against that he expected a significant de-escalation militants in Gaza has thrust US military today on the path to a cease-fire,” the assistance to the Jewish state into the readout said. spotlight, as a small but vocal group of https://www.al- Democrats call for conditions to be placed monitor.com/originals/2021/05/us-expects- on the several billions of dollars the United significant-de-escalation-today-biden-tells- States provides Israel with each year. netanyahu#ixzz6wVuhdn00 “American taxpayer money is being used to Israel announces unconditional ceasefire commit human rights violations,” tweeted with Hamas, ending Gaza combat Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.). “Congress must condition the aid we send to Israel and Jerusalem Post, 21st May, 2021 end it altogether if those conditions are not The Israeli security cabinet voted to accept followed.” "We cannot remain silent when a ceasefire late Thursday as the Israeli our government sends $3.8 billion of South and Gaza remain inflamed. The military aid to Israel that is used to security cabinet unanimously agreed to a demolish Palestinian homes, imprison "mutual and unconditional" cessation of Palestinian children and displace hostilities, according to a statement from Palestinian families,” Rep. Ayanna the Prime Minister's Office. A barrage of Pressley (D-Mass.) said on the House floor. rockets fired from Gaza into southern Israel “A budget is a reflection of our values." and reported IDF strikes on targets in the https://www.al- Gaza Strip continued leading up to the monitor.com/originals/2021/05/gaza- ceasefire, however skies have remained violence-sparks-debate-over-conditioning- quiet since the ceasefire began at 2 a.m. on us-military-aid-israel#ixzz6wVu8rP8t Friday morning. US expects 'significant de-escalation Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi today,' Biden tells Netanyahu thanked US President Joe Biden for his role in the success of the Egyptian brokered Al-Monitor, 19th May, 2021 ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Prime President Joe Biden told Prime Minister Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did however Benjamin Netanyahu that he expected inform the IDF to prepare for a scenario in “significant de-escalation" on Wednesday which Hamas did not respond to Egypt's — the same day the Israeli leader told ceasefire offer. diplomats there was “no timeframe” for https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/no- ending the fighting with Hamas. Netanyahu rocket-sirens-since-1-am-as-israel-hamas- and Biden “had a detailed discussion on the ceasefire-said-to-be-close-668607 state of events in Gaza, Israel’s progress in degrading the capabilities of Hamas and

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A ‘new level of force’: Netanyahu warns Jerusalem. Addressing reporters, Blinken against further Hamas attacks said that he had been sent by President Joe Biden to “demonstrate the commitment of Al-Monitor, 21st May, 2021 the United States to Israel's security and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu start to work toward greater security and pledged Friday that Israel would respond reduce tensions in the West Bank and with “a new level of force" to future rocket Jerusalem” as well as to discuss the attacks from the Palestinian militant group reconstruction of Gaza following the recent Hamas. “If Hamas thinks we will tolerate a conflict. “The United States fully supports drizzle of rockets, it is wrong,” Netanyahu Israel’s right to defend against attack,” he said during a press conference with top asserted. defense officials in Tel Aviv. “We will https://www.haaretz.com/israel- respond with a whole new level of force to news/.premium-blinken-reconfirms-israeli- every instance of aggression against the right-to-self-defense-stresses-gaza- Gaza-envelope communities or anywhere reconstruction-1.9841390 else in Israel,” he warned. Speaking hours after the Egyptian-brokered, US-backed Police to Arab affairs committee: 8,000 cease-fire took effect Friday, Netanyahu to 10,000 weapons in sector claimed victory in the bloodiest conflict the Jerusalem Post, 27th May, 2021 region has witnessed since the 50-day war in 2014, which left more than 2,200 people Some 2,000 to 3,000 police officers would dead — a majority of them result in the tipping point against crime in Palestinians. Israel says more than 4,300 the Arab sector said Israel Police rockets were fired by Hamas and the representative Commander Yigal Ezra. Islamic Jihad group during the week and a Ezra went on to say that there are an half of hostilities, most of them intercepted estimated 8,000 to 10,000 weapons in the by the Iron Dome missile defense system. sector, despite the fact that "many talk about tens of thousands of weapons in the https://www.al- Arab sector." Ezra said that reserve officers monitor.com/originals/2021/05/new-level- called up enabled police to take actions force-netanyahu-warns-against-further- based on intelligence they gathered and hamas-attacks#ixzz6wVwuLLJT make arrests. Police actions were focused Blinken Reaffirms Israeli Right to Self- on weapons offenses, violence defense, Stresses Gaza Reconstruction and vandalism, said Ezra, who expressed his hope that police would continue to be Haaretz, 25th May, 2021 able to make use of larger forces. U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/arab- reiterated Washington’s commitment to affairs-committee-provocative-use-of- Israeli security during remarks delivered police-force-at-al-aqsa-mosque-sheikh- alongside Prime Minister Benjamin jarrah-669367 Netanyahu on Tuesday morning in

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Egypt Invites Hamas, Palestinians, Israel settlement between the parties and make for Further Talks, Intel Official Says sure that aid money doesn't fall in Hamas hands. Haaretz, 27th May, 2021 https://www.ynetnews.com/article/B19nyh Egypt has invited Israel, Hamas and the 3Fd Palestinian Authority for separate talks that aim at consolidating the cease-fire that Israel's FM Tells Egyptian Counterpart ended an 11-day war between Israel and the Gaza Aid Tied to Return of Israelis Held Gaza Strip’s militant Hamas rulers, an by Hamas Egyptian intelligence official said Haaretz, 29th May, 2021 Thursday. The talks would also focus on accelerating the reconstruction process in Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi met with Gaza. “We are seeking a long-term truce, his Egyptian counterpart in Cairo on that would enable further discussions and Sunday, in the first such meeting since possibly direct talks,” said the official, who 2008, amid efforts to secure a long-term had close knowledge of the proceedings cease-fire in Gaza and organize a future that had led to the ceasefire and who spoke summit with the participation of Palestinian on condition of anonymity because he officials. wasn't allowed to brief reporters. In his meeting with Egyptian Foreign https://www.haaretz.com/israel- Minister Sameh Shoukry, Ashkenazi said news/egypt-invites-hamas-palestinians- they discussed ways to ensure stability in israel-for-further-talks-intel-official-says- Gaza, bilateral relations and "the duty to 1.9851749 block any attempt to harm regional stability by terror organization and radical bodies Report: Israel to condition rebuilding of like Iran and its proxies." Gaza on progress in prisoner issue https://www.haaretz.com/israel- Ynet News, 27th May, 2021 news/.premium-israeli-foreign-minister-to- Israel has conditioned the rebuilding of the discuss-gaza-reconstruction-in-cairo-visit- Gaza Strip on promoting the issue of 1.9855749 bringing back its citizens held by the Hamas Public Security Ministry drafts plan to terrorist group, Lebanese newspaper Al- handle possible future unrest Akhbar reported Thursday morning. The Gaza terrorist outfit holds the bodies of Jerusalem Post, 30th May, 2021 fallen IDF soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Public Security Minister Amir Ohana is Shaul, who were killed in action, and working to develop a new plan of action to civilians Avera Mengistu and Hisham a- tackle violence between Jews and Arabs in Sayed. According to the report, Israel will Israel's mixed cities, N12reported. The also demand to hold talks through two program includes enlisting about 5,000 new separate mediation channels. Aiming to police officers over the course of three play key role in mediation of talks, Egypt years, with 300 to be enlisted immediately said to seek establishing a designated to assist in local authorities. Five Border directorate that would supervise a future Police reserve units will also be placed in

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mixed towns to assist the police as well. Israel and Hamas. The session aired on The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) will Palestine TV on May 17, 2021. During the also be involved, and will search for session, Jordanian MP Safaa Momani suspects on social media platforms. called for an annulment of all agreements with Israel, "because the Jews are the https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/public- slayers of prophets, who have betrayed all security-ministry-drafts-plan-to-handle- the pacts and contracts." Jordanian MP possible-future-unrest-669578 Firas Al-Qudah said that the "Zionist JORDAN enemies" should be targeted in every corner of the world. Jordanian MP Saleh Al- JP: Ceasefire between Israel, Hamas Armouti commended Hamas and its may be within reach - Egypt, Jordan rockets, and said: "Power to Hamas is Ammon News, 17th May, 2021 power to the Jordanian state." Jordanian MP Suleiman Abu Yahya said that Allah Jordanian King Abdullah and Egyptian cursed the Jews in the Quran, and that the President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi have both Jews fear the Palestinians more than they tried to promote a ceasefire between Israel fear Allah. He added that the Jews are and Hamas, as operation “Guardian of the cowards and that their soldiers wear Walls” enters its eighth day, Jerusalem Post diapers. Jordanian MP Salamah Al-Bluwi reported. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah said that the criminal Zionist sons of apes al-Sisi said on Monday that a ceasefire and pigs are carrying out war crimes against between Israel and Hamas might be within the Palestinians. reach. Egypt is going to great lengths to reach a ceasefire between the Israelis and https://www.memri.org/tv/jordan- Palestinians - and hope still exists that a parliament-session-discuss-israel-hamas- collective action could end the conflict," he fighting-annul-agreements-salute-rockets- said in an interview to the Al Arabiya news target-zionists-cowards-wear-diapers-apes- outlet. Al-Sisi's comments echoed those of pigs Jordan's King Abdullah, who said on Joint Statement of the leaders of France, Sunday that his kingdom was involved in Egypt and Jordan intensive diplomacy to halt what he characterized as Israeli military escalation Ammon News, 19th May, 2021 in the worst Israeli-Palestinian violence in years, according to Jerusalem Post. The President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, the President of the https://en.ammonnews.net/article/49428 Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El- Jordanian Parliament Session On Israel- Sissi, and the King of the Hashemite Hamas Fighting: MPs Call To Annul Kingdom of Jordan, Abdallah II, held a Accords, Agreements With Israel, meeting today, French Ministry of Foreign Target Zionists All Over The World, Affairs reported. The President of the Praise Hamas Rockets French Republic, the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the President of the th MEMRI TV, 17 May, 2021 Arab Republic of Egypt called on the The Jordanian parliament held a special parties to immediately agree on a ceasefire. session to discuss recent fighting between They also decided to work with

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international partners to reach such a cease- KUWAIT fire including through the UN Security Kuwaiti Islamic Scholar Tareq Al- Council, according to the French Ministry Suwaidan Blasts 'Defeatist' Arab of Foreign Affairs. The three leaders Countries On Al-Jazeera: 'Shut Up And emphasized the urgency of addressing the Let The Mujahideen Do Their Work'; root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian The Muslims Will Conquer Rome, conflict by resuming effective negotiations Dominate The World Again to achieve a just and lasting peace. MEMRI TV, 18th May, 2021 https://en.ammonnews.net/article/49488 Kuwaiti Islamic scholar Tareq Al- Jordan picks up regional diplomacy Suwaidan criticized "defeatist countries" following Blinken, Bin Zayed visits that recognized "their enemy" Israel. He Al-Monitor, 28th May, 2021 said: "Shut up and let the mujahideen do their work." He made his remarks during an US Secretary of State Antony Blinken interview that aired on Al-Jazeera Network referred to Jordan as a key partner and (Qatar) on May 12, 2021. Al-Suwaidan friend in his recent visit to Amman, yet the continued to say that the defeatist countries Hashemite kingdom is facing a new sent their condolences to Israel following geopolitical reality making it’s diplomatic the Meron stampede, but not to the "martyrs role in Mideast peace more challenging. of Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades." He also Jordan has been stepping up its regional said that if Arabs are not capable of diplomacy in last 48 hours after receiving confronting Israel now, they must not both US Secretary of State Antony Blinken surrender, but pass the banner on to the next and Abu Dhabi’s de facto ruler, Crown generation that might invent a nuclear Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed, in Amman. bomb. Al-Suwaidan quoted a hadith, The meetings follow the ceasefire according to which the Muslims would announced last week to end the exchange conquer Rome and Constantinople, adding: between Israel and Hamas, and Blinken’s "The Muslims will dominate the world once earlier stops in Jerusalem, Ramallah and again." Cairo this this week. There were however carefully picked words of denunciation and https://www.memri.org/reports/kuwaiti- warnings from King Abdullah II islamic-scholar-tareq-al-suwaidan-blasts- and Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi defeatist-arab-countries-al-jazeera-shut throughout the crisis about Israel’s assault Interior Minister, Pakistani counterpart on the Al-Aqsa Mosque and its efforts to discuss cooperation evict residents of the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem. Kuwait Times, 31st May, 2021 https://www.al- Kuwait’s Minister of Interior Sheikh monitor.com/originals/2021/05/jordan- Thamer Ali Sabah Al-Sabah and his picks-regional-diplomacy-following- Pakistani counterpart Sheikh Rashid blinken-bin-zayed-visits#ixzz6wWLdTFzd Ahmad on Sunday discussed some topics of

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common concern, and mechanisms of visas, as well as visas sponsored by coordination and cooperation in all spouses. There are around 94,000 domains relating to security. The talks Pakistanis in Kuwait, down from a peak of focused on sharing information and as many as 150,000 in 2009. expertise between the two ministries, and a https://news.kuwaittimes.net/website/kuwa number of regional and international issues, it-resumes-visa-issuance-for-pakistanis- the ministry’s security media and public after-11-years/ relations department said in a statement. The Kuwaiti minister lauded the depth of LEBANON relations between the two countries and Hamas Official Says No Need for their nations, stressing the importance of 'Rockets from South Lebanon' such meetings in sharing views in several security issues that concern the two sides, it Naharnet, 16th May, 2021 added. The Pakistani minister accompanied A senior Hamas official has said that the by a high-level delegation arrived in Palestinian movement is not encouraging Kuwait earlier in the day on a two-day anyone to fire rockets at Israel from south official visit. Lebanon. “The resistance in Gaza has https://news.kuwaittimes.net/website/interi rockets that can reach entire Palestine and or-minister-pakistani-counterpart-discuss- we don’t need the firing of rockets from cooperation/ south Lebanon,” the official, Ali Barakeh, said in a TV interview. “We call on Kuwait resumes visa issuance for everyone to stand by us but we are not Pakistanis after 11 years asking anyone to open fronts and subject Kuwait Times, 31st May, 2021 their countries to danger,” the Palestinian official added. He also noted that Kuwait will resume issuing work and “coordination with Hizbullah is excellent” family visas for Pakistani nationals after an and that there are “meetings, consultations 11-year (unofficial) suspension, Pakistani and cooperation” between the two Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad movements. Barakeh's remarks come after told reporters at a press conference three rockets were fired from south yesterday. “I am glad to announce today Lebanon at northern Israel. that after 11 years, Kuwait is opening family and business visas for Pakistani http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/28154 nationals. Kuwait has also approved visas 5-hamas-official-says-no-need-for-rockets- for oilfield workers, doctors and teachers, from-south-lebanon apart from visas to be issued for the Israel shells Lebanon after failed construction, IT and technical sectors,” he launches toward Israeli territory said. For more than a decade, Kuwait has unofficially banned nationals from The Daily Star, 17th May, 2021 Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Six rockets were fired from Lebanon Yemen from entering the country over towards northern Israel on Monday but fell security and political concerns. The short of crossing the border, the Israeli blacklist includes trade, tourist and visit military said. It said that in response,

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artillery was fired at "the sources of the caused public uproar, and Wehbe was launches" in Lebanon. A Lebanese security forced to announce his resignation from the source said shells were heard being fired position of Minister of Foreign Affairs. from south Lebanon and efforts were being https://www.memri.org/tv/lebanon-fm- made to identify the location. The source charbel-wehbe-causes-outrage-saudis- said about 22 shells were fired by Israeli bedouins-gulf-states-financing-isis- artillery on Lebanese territory. The hizbullah-weapons-insurance Lebanese shelling caused Israeli air raid sirens to blare near the kibbutz of Misgav Army Finds Unlaunched Rocket, Am, along Israel's northern border with Launchpads of 6 Others Lebanon. Naharnet, 18th May, 2021 http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebano The Lebanese Army on Tuesday n-News/2021/May-18/520203-rockets- announced finding an unlaunched rocket fired-towards-israel-from-lebanon-fall- and six empty rocket launchpads in the short.ashx outskirts of the southern town of al- Lebanese Minister Of Foreign Affairs Hibbariyeh, hours after the six rockets fell Charbel Wehbe Causes Outrage By inside Lebanon after being fired toward Referring To Saudis As 'Bedouins,' Israel. The unlaunched rocket was Accusing Gulf States Of Financing ISIS; destroyed in its place in a controlled Adds: Hizbullah's Weapons Are detonation. The army also said that several Lebanon's Insurance Policy Against A towns in the al-Hibbariyeh and Kfarshouba Gaza Scenario areas were hit by artillery shells fired by Israel in the wake of the botched rocket MEMRI TV, 17th May, 2021 attack. Charbel Wehbe, Lebanese Minister of http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/28158 Foreign Affairs, defended the honor of 6-army-finds-unlaunched-rocket- Lebanese President Michel Aoun and launchpads-of-6-others senior politician Gebran Bassil to a Saudi guest on an Al-Hurra TV (U.S.) talk show Germany Bans Three Groups Close to that aired on May 17, 2021. He spoke in Hizbullah response to Salman Al-Ansari, president of Naharnet, 19th May, 2021 the Saudi-American Public Affairs Committee, in a segment of the show that The German government said Wednesday was edited from the online version. Wehbe it is banning three groups close to asked the host of the show: "Am I supposed Hizbullah, the Lebanese movement that to be insulted by one of those Bedouins?" opposes Israel, against the backdrop of the He then accused the Gulf states of financing current military escalation in the Middle ISIS and bringing it into Iraq and Syria. East. Interior Minister Horst Seehofer "has Wehbe then said that Hizbullah's weapons banned three groups that are financing the are an "insurance policy" against a possible terrorist organisation Hizbullah," his Gaza scenario, in which Lebanon is spokesman wrote in a tweet. attacked by Israel. The interview has since

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"Whoever supports terror will not be safe in 2021 following a first-of-its-kind Germany... They will find no refuge in our conference between senior State country." The interior ministry said that Department and Defense Department searches were currently under way in a officials and the commander number of different regional states in of Lebanon's armed forces, Gen. Joseph Germany. Aoun. The two sides agreed to increase US defense cooperation with Lebanon's armed http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/28160 forces and to “develop a five-year plan to 3-germany-bans-three-groups-close-to- develop the army's capabilities,” the hizbullah Lebanese armed forces said in a statement. Grenades, Unrest as Tensions Linked to The United States has already agreed to Syrian Vote Spread to Tripoli provide Lebanon’s navy with three Protector-class patrol boats by 2022 to Naharnet, 21st May, 2021 enhance its counter-smuggling and other The northern city of Tripoli witnessed maritime security abilities. several security incidents on Thursday https://www.al- evening in connection with the Lebanese- monitor.com/originals/2021/05/us- Syrian unrest that rocked several Lebanese pledges-additional-support-lebanons- regions during the day. As assailants in the army-amid-financial- city torched the Kataeb Party’s office and a collapse#ixzz6wWUqLKh3 clinic affiliated with the Lebanese Forces with Molotov cocktails, an Energa-type, Senior Hizbullah Official: The rifle-fired grenade was launched in the area Smuggling Of Rockets Into Palestine between al-Qobbeh and Bab al-Tabbaneh, Continues At Full Force wounding two people. The army MEMRI TV, 28th May, 2021 meanwhile imposed a security cordon around the LF’s office in the city to prevent Naim Qassem, Hizbullah deputy secretary- any attacks. Earlier in the day, young men general, in an interview to the Al-Nour, had blocked the al-Nour Square roundabout Hizbullah-owned radio station in Beirut in protest at convoys by Syrians who discussed the relationship that pertained support President Bashar al-Assad, calling between his organization and the for the deportation of any Syrian who voted Palestinian factions during the fighting, and for him at the Syrian embassy. the support that his organization gave, and will continue to grant, to the factions. He http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/28164 asserts that "the smuggling of the rockets 0-grenades-unrest-as-tensions-linked-to- into Palestine continues at full force." He syrian-vote-spread-to-tripoli also says that Palestinian operatives have US pledges additional support for undergone instruction and training by Lebanon’s army amid financial collapse members of the "axis of resistance" in order to develop their capability to produce Al-Monitor, 22nd May, 2021 weapons. Qassem explains that his The US on Friday announced an additional organization was responsible for "most" of the demonstrations and protests that took $15 million in aid to Lebanon’s military for place on the Lebanon-Israel border during

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the last round of fighting, and that the Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Lebanese citizen who was killed by IDF fire Abdulrahman Al Thani met with his during the protests was a member of Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Hizbullah. Cairo on Tuesday. The two discussed improving bilateral ties. More https://www.memri.org/reports/senior- specifically, they talked about the Nile hizbullah-official-smuggling-rockets- River dam dispute between Egypt and palestine-continues-full-force Ethiopia. Thani also thanked Shoukry for QATAR Egypt’s help in brokering the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, according Amir meets head of Hamas Political to the official Qatar News Agency. Qatar's Bureau foreign minister will remain in Cairo for Gulf Times, 23rd May, 2021 two days and will meet with other Egyptian officials. They plan to discuss the situation His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin in post-civil war Libya and the Palestinian Hamad al-Thani met at his Amiri Diwan territories following the recent conflict with office yesterday morning with Head of the Israel, the Egyptian state-owned Al-Ahram Political Bureau of the Palestinian Islamic news outlet said. Resistance Movement (Hamas) Dr Ismail Haniyeh. His Highness the Amir affirmed https://www.al- Qatar's continued support for the brotherly monitor.com/originals/2021/05/qatari- Palestinian people and their just cause and foreign-minister-visits- the importance of the unity of Palestinian egypt#ixzz6wWkP1vzb ranks in order to obtain their legitimate national rights, foremost among which is Deputy Prime Minister receives phone their right to establish their independent call from the US Secretary of State state on the 1967 borders with East Gulf Times, 27th May, 2021 Jerusalem as its capital in accordance with the two-state solution, international HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman legitimacy decisions and the Arab Peace Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Initiative, and in a way that enhances Minister of Foreign Affairs, received a security and stability in the region and the phone call Anthony Blinken, Minister of world. Talks during the meeting also dealt Foreign Affairs of the United States of with the latest developments in Palestine America. During the call, they reviewed the and efforts to rebuild Gaza. latest developments in Palestine. The US https://www.gulf- Secretary of State thanked Qatar for its times.com/story/692127/Amir-meets-head- great efforts in achieving a ceasefire of-Hamas-Political-Bureau between the Palestine and the Israel, stressing the importance of mobilizing Qatari foreign minister visits Egypt international support for the humanitarian Al-Monitor, 25th May, 2021 and development efforts in Gaza. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Qatar’s top diplomat visited Egypt on Affairs, during the call, thanked the United Tuesday in a further sign that relations are States of America for its support to the improving between the two states.

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Palestinian people, stressing the importance organizations; it thereby not only causes of humanitarian support and encouraging bloodshed among Palestinians but also countries to contribute to the reconstruction undermines the Arab solidarity with the of Gaza, adding that Qatar will be at the Palestinian cause. The Saudi criticism is not forefront of supporting the brotherly confined to Hamas, but also extends to the Palestinian people. Palestinian Authority (PA), headed by President Mahmoud 'Abbas. The writers https://www.gulf- accuse the PA and 'Abbas of mishandling times.com/story/692472/Deputy-Prime- the Palestinian cause and pursuing personal Minister-receives-phone-call-from-the- interests at the expense of the Palestinians. US-Secretary-of-State https://www.memri.org/reports/amid- SAUDI ARABIA present-round-fighting-israel-saudis- Amid Present Round Of Fighting With criticize-hamas-palestinian-authority- Israel, Saudis Criticize Hamas, palestinians Palestinian Authority: Palestinians Are Saudi foreign minister ‘hopeful’ over Paying With Their Lives For Hamas' exploratory talks with Iran Loyalty To Iran; Palestinian Leadership In West Bank, Gaza, Responsible For Alarabiya, 19th May, 2021 Bloodshed Saudi Arabia foreign minister says MEMRI TV, 19th May, 2021 Kingdom is “hopeful” after exploratory talks with Iran, in a rare comment on During the present round of fighting delicate discussions whose details have between Israel and Hamas, there was a shift been closely guarded. The official-level in the Saudi media's coverage of the meetings aim to restore relations severed conflict. While at first the Saudi media five years ago between the Sunni Muslim focused on the issue of Jerusalem and the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Shia Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, Islamic Republic of Iran. “We have while largely ignoring the events in Gaza initiated some exploratory talks. They are at and refraining from criticism of Hamas, in a very early stage but we are hopeful,” the recent days it began publishing articles Prince Faisal bin Farhan said in Paris on harshly critical of Hamas and of the other Tuesday, where he is participating in two armed organizations in Gaza. The articles international summits. The talks with Iran, claim that Hamas used the issues of facilitated by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Jerusalem and Sheikh Jarrah to spark the al-Kadhemi, had remained secret until the present confrontation with Israel, and that Financial Times reported that a first the destruction in Gaza and the hundreds of meeting had been held in Baghdad on April Palestinians killed and wounded are the 9. result of Hamas's loyalty to the Iranian agenda. https://english.alarabiya.net/News/gulf/202 1/05/19/Saudi-foreign-minister-hopeful- Hamas, they say, is exploiting the over-exploratory-talks-with-Iran Palestinian cause to further the interests of Iran, Turkey and the political Islam

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Saudi FM Prince Faisal says ball is in MWL welcomes Gaza ceasefire, says Houthis’ court for Yemen ceasefire violence will never be answer Alarabiya, 19th May, 2021 Saudi Gazette, 21st May, 2021 Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince The Muslim World League (MWL) has Faisal bin Farhan said Wednesday that the welcomed the announcement of an Kingdom’s peace initiative to end the war unconditional ceasefire to end the recent in Yemen was currently stalled because of hostilities in Gaza, Jerusalem, and the Iran-backed Houthis. “There is no elsewhere. The MWL urges immediate stability without addressing the concerns of efforts to address the long-standing the countries in the region about Iran’s grievances of the Palestinian people. The behavior, the issue of Iran’s ballistic MWL, which is headquartered in the holy missiles and interventions must be city of Makkah and represents the interests addressed; the ball is now in the Houthis’ of the world's 1.8 billion Muslims, believes court,” Prince Faisal told Al Arabiya during that preserving the sanctity of life for an interview. innocent men, women and children must be paramount. The MWL concurrently https://english.alarabiya.net/News/gulf/202 demands that authorities preserve the 1/05/19/Saudi-FM-says-ball-is-in-Houthis- sanctity of Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem court-for-Yemen-ceasefire and elsewhere, and avert any evictions or Arab Coalition destroys armed Houthi other provocative actions against the drone targeting Jazan Palestinians that would only risk reigniting the crisis. Saudi Gazette, 20th May, 2021 https://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/60 The Arab Coalition on Thursday 6875/SAUDI-ARABIA/MWL-welcomes- intercepted and destroyed an explosive- Gaza-ceasefire-says-violence-will-never- laden drone launched by the Iranian-backed be-answer Houthi militia toward the Saudi city of Jazan, a statement from the coalition said. Expertise refined during the concluded In the statement, the Coalition to Support Saudi-US military exercise Legitimacy in Yemen said that the Houthi Saudi Gazette, 22nd May, 2021 militia continues to try to target civilians, adding: “It is taking operational measures A joint military exercise between the Royal to protect civilians and civilian facilities Saudi Air Force (RSAF) and the United from terrorist attacks." A week ago, the States Air Force (USAF) concluded Arab Coalition said it intercepted and recently, Saudi Press Agency reported on destroyed as many as 8 armed drones and 3 Saturday. Maneuvers carried out during ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi exercise Desert Mirage 3 aimed to refine militia targeting Saudi Arabia. expertise, and raise the level of joint combat readiness. It aims to deepen the bonds of https://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/60 cooperation between Saudi and American 6823/SAUDI-ARABIA/Arab-Coalition- forces in order to reach the deterrent force destroys-armed-Houthi-drone-targeting- required for any possible attack threatening Jazan

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the security and safety of the region. The https://english.alarabiya.net/News/gulf/202 exercise also highlighted air capabilities, 1/05/26/Russia-and-Saudi-Arabia-prepare- operational integration, and strengthening for-joint-manned-space-mission the concept of air command and control. SYRIA https://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/60 Little-known groups target Turkish 6898/SAUDI-ARABIA/Expertise-refined- military presence in Syria during-the-concluded-Saudi-US-military- exercise Al-Monitor, 20th May, 2021 Arab Coalition foils Houthi attack using A group that goes by the name of Ansar explosive-laden boat in Red Sea Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Brigade has claimed responsibility for an attack against Turkish Saudi Gazette, 24th May, 2021 forces as they crossed the Bab al- The Arab Coalition said it has foiled an Hawa/Idlib road near the village of attack launched by the Houthi militia using Kafraya, east of Idlib city in northwest a booby-trapped boat in the southern Red Syria. This attack is the second one for Sea. In a statement on Monday, the which Ansar Abi Bakr Al-Siddiq Brigade spokesman of the Coalition to Support claimed responsibility in the past two Legitimacy in Yemen said that Iranian- months. On March 15, it claimed backed militia continues to threaten responsibility for an explosion that targeted shipping lines and global trade. The militia a fuel tanker near a Turkish military is using the Stockholm Agreement as an convoy close to Idlib. umbrella to launch hostile attacks from The little-known group had also claimed Hodeidah, the spokesman added. attacks targeting the Turkish army in Idlib Russia and Saudi Arabia prepare for in August and September 2020. Another joint manned space mission previously unknown group calling itself the Khattab al-Shishani Brigades also Alarabiya, 26th May, 2021 says it has targeted Turkish soldiers in Idlib Russia is training cosmonauts from Saudi several times since July 2020. Arabia as both countries are preparing for a https://www.al- joint manned space mission, Russian monitor.com/originals/2021/05/little- Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak known-groups-target-turkish-military- was quoted as saying in a government presence-syria#ixzz6wWwTD3B2 statement on Tuesday. "Speaking of the two countries' work on the joint use of outer Russian MoD: Al-Nusra terrorists space, Alexander Novak said the work preparing to stage new chemical under way was promising, in particular on provocations in Idleb the training of cosmonauts and the Syrian Arab News Agency, 24th May, 2021 development of a joint manned space mission," the government said after an The Russian Defense Ministry has online meeting of the intergovernmental announced that Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists commission of Russia and Saudi Arabia. are preparing to stage a new false flag

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chemical attack against the civilians in reveals-deployment-nuclear-capable- Idleb western countryside to accuse the bombers-syria-airbase#ixzz6wWwvhai9 Syrian Arab Army of it. “On the eve of the Islamic State escalates operations against presidential elections in Syria, terrorists are Syrian forces during Ramadan planning to stage false flag chemical attack against the local population to accuse the Al-Monitor, 25th May, 2021 Syrian government forces of it,” Deputy The Syrian Observatory for Human commander of the Russian Coordination Rights (SOHR) said in a recent report that a Center in Hmeimim, Rear Admiral, military convoy affiliated with the Syrian Alexander Karpov said in a press statement government and allied Iranian militias were on Sunday. Karpov added that according to ambushed by the Islamic State (IS) on May the information, al-Nusra terrorists, in 18 in the south of al-Mateyah village in the coordination with the “White Helmets” Maskanah desert, east of Aleppo. terrorists, moved today “6” containers According to SOHR sources, five four- containing toxic chlorine to the Jisr al- wheel-drive vehicles of the government’s Shaghour area, in preparation for the 25th Division and Iranian militias were fabrication of the alleged attack. attacked while passing through the area. http://www.sana.sy/en/?p=234228 Clashes ensued between IS members and government-affiliated forces, which led to Russia reveals deployment of nuclear- the killing of eight people, including a capable bombers to Syria airbase commander of the Iranian militias. Between Al-Monitor, 25th May, 2021 March 24, 2019, and May 18, the UK-based war monitor documented the killing of Russia has based nuclear-capable bomber 1,430 government forces and Syrian and aircraft on the Mediterranean for the first foreign fighters loyal to them, including time, the Defense Ministry in Moscow said two Russians at least. Tuesday. Three Tupolev Tu-22M3 long- range bombers were sent to Russia’s https://www.al- Hmeimim Air Base in western Syria monitor.com/originals/2021/05/islamic- after improvements were made to state-escalates-operations-against-syrian- runways at the site. The aircraft will forces-during-ramadan#ixzz6wWxYzLnQ participate in training exercises over the US warns allies of sanctions for those eastern Mediterranean before returning to who engage with Syria’s Assad regime Russia, the ministry said. If confirmed, the deployment would demonstrate an Alarabiya, 26th May, 2021 extension of Russia’s aircraft-based nuclear Syria held presidential elections on strike range well into the Middle East and Wednesday, despite the United States and Mediterranean region. Moscow has flown Europe saying they would not recognize the Tu-22s in combat missions in Syria before, outcome, which is widely expected to see but they were not based in the country. Bashar al-Assad re-elected. And as Assad

continues to cement his grip on power in the https://www.al- war-torn country, a senior State Department monitor.com/originals/2021/05/russia- official warned against normalizing ties

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with the Syrian president. Several Arab Tayyip Erdogan to participate in a states have re-established diplomatic peacekeeping contingent to the conflict ties with Damascus, and reports suggest zone. In a phone conversation Erdogan that more countries could follow suit. Iran asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to and Russia have invested fighters and back the proposal at the UN, given the money to prop up Bashar al-Assad, who has countries shared position on the Jerusalem been in power for 21 years. crisis. Erdogan explained to Putin that UN Security Council involvement in the https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle- situation was crucial and that the east/2021/05/26/US-warns-allies-of- organization "should demonstrate a tough sanctions-for-those-who-engage-with- and decisive position to compel Israel to Syria-s-Assad-regime stop attacking" the Gaza Strip. Erdogan TURKEY noted that one of the main mandates of the peacekeeping force was to protect the Turkey's 1st indigenous utility helicopter Palestinians"[2] Erdogan was effectively Gokbey to go full-scale testing dangling before Putin the prize of greater Anadolu Agency, 21st May, 2021 Russian influence in the region and supplanting the US as the main The Turkish Aerospace Industry (TAI) peacemaker. The proposal did not entice announced on Friday that the first Putin and press commentary was generally indigenous multirole utility helicopter, skeptical and claimed that Erdogan Gokbey, will undertake full-scale static basically wanted to yoke Russia to a testing (FSST), which enables original mission that would enhance Erdogan's products to test critical parts before position. performing flight activities. https://www.memri.org/reports/russia- The Gokbey is the country's first reacts-coolly-erdogans-proposal-establish- indigenous new generation multirole joint-middle-east-peacekeeping-force helicopter, a twin-engine, six-ton class helicopter designed in response to a Turkish Armed Forces conduct joint growing market demand. military drill with 5 allies https://www.aa.com.tr/en/science- Daily Sabah, 24th May, 2021 technology/turkeys-1st-indigenous-utility- "The International Anatolian Phoneix-2021 helicopter-gokbey-to-go-full-scale-testing- Drill," with the participation of military /2250334 elements of the United States, Azerbaijan, Russia Reacts Coolly To Erdogan's Qatar, Slovakia and the Turkish Republic of Proposal To Establish Joint Middle East Northern Cyprus (TRNC), aims to improve Peacekeeping Force education, cooperation and coordination between the countries' personnel rescue MEMRI TV, 21st May, 2021 teams. The drill will be conducted until The one opportunity for a more active June 4. Russian role came when Russia was invited The Turkish Air Forces' F-16 jets, E-7T by her frenemy, Turkish President Recep planes, ANKA-S drones, Casa CN-235

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planes will be used in the drill as well as the Hamas: Maritime demarcation with Turkish Land Forces' AS-532 and T-129 Turkey to bear positive outcomes helicopters, a Gendarmerie Command S-70 Daily Sabah, 25th May, 2021 helicopter and a Special Forces Command S-70 helicopter. Among other task forces Bilateral talks for maritime demarcation participating in the event, a Turkish Naval between Turkey and Palestine in the Forces' SAT mission task force will be in Eastern Mediterranean will bear positive attendance. outcomes, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh stated on Monday, underlining that “any https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplo step the Palestinian state will take together macy/turkish-armed-forces-conduct-joint- with Turkey, will be to the advantage of military-drill-with-5-allies both countries.” Speaking during an Poland buys 24 Turkish drones in first interview with Habertürk news channel, for NATO and EU Haniyeh said: “Turkey’s rights in the Eastern Mediterranean can of course not be Daily Sabah, 24th May, 2021 opened to discussion. All policies Poland's purchase of Turkish armed prioritizing Turkey’s own interests and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) marks the security are its right. At the same time, first time a NATO or European Union when we consider that the Palestinian state member state acquired drones from Turkey, is also a country with a shore on the Eastern President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Mediterranean, it has the same rights.” Monday. The deal will be a boost for the https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplo Turkish defense sector, which Erdoğan has macy/hamas-maritime-demarcation-with- said should meet the country's own military turkey-to-bear-positive-outcomes hardware requirements and export to allies abroad. Biden's nominee pledges to 'eliminate' Turkey from F-35 program The sale was announced during a state visit to Ankara by Poland's President Andrzej Daily Sabah, 26th May, 2021 Duda, who will head to Istanbul on Tuesday U.S. President Joe Biden’s Air Force to visit the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate secretary nominee pledged to halt the and Polonezköy, a village established by manufacturing of F-35 components in Polish emigres fleeing retribution after the Turkey, which continues to be one of the 1830 uprising. Poland will buy 24 stumbling blocks in bilateral ties between Bayraktar TB2 drones from the private the two countries. “Under the current Baykar company, which has also exported situation with Turkey, I think we should not the TB2 model be making F-35 parts in Turkey,” Frank to Ukraine, Qatar and Azerbaijan. Kendall told the Senate Committee on https://www.dailysabah.com/business/defe Armed Services Tuesday. In response to a nse/poland-buys-24-turkish-drones-in- question about if he would do everything to first-for-nato-and-eu ensure that the manufacturing of the

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aforementioned components was halted in a Tuesday. Al-Gharawi was killed in the timely manner, Kendall said, “Yes, I will.” Serwah front, west of Marib, where he had joined the Houthis from Sanaa on April 21, https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplo macy/bidens-nominee-pledges-to- according to the source. Mustafa al- eliminate-turkey-from-f-35-program Gharawi, a member of Hezbollah’s military team working with the Iran-backed Houthi Guided missile from Turkey's armed militia, was killed by an airstrike on unmanned surface vessel hits target Monday, the source added. The Yemeni Anadolu Agency, 28th May, 2021 army had on Monday announced the downing of two drones launched by the Turkey's T129 ATAK helicopter has been Iran-backed Houthis, one of which targeted upgraded with the identification friend or a popular market in Marib. Several civilians foe (IFF) system developed by Turkish were killed as a result, the army said. defense giant Aselsan, according to information gathered by Anadolu Agency. https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle- east/2021/05/25/Hezbollah-military- Aselsan’s IFF Mod 5/S transponder has expert-killed-in-raid-in-Marib-Yemeni- been integrated into the T129 ATAK army-source helicopter and all tests have been successfully completed. All ATAK helicopters to be delivered from now on will come with the upgrade.

The transponder is already being used in a number of helicopters, airplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, and ships, with NATO armies also transitioning to the IFF Mod 5/S. IFF is a radar-based secure identification system that detects and tells the difference between friendly and enemy elements. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkeys- atak-chopper-upgraded-with-aselsans- recognition-system/2257132

YEMEN

Hezbollah military expert killed in raid in Marib: Yemeni army source

Alarabiya, 25th May, 2021

A military expert from Lebanon’s Hezbollah was killed in a raid by Arab Coalition forces in Yemen’s Marib, a Yemeni army source told Al Arabiya on

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