3 oct 2019
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has lashed out at the Israeli regime for launching occasional airstrikes on the Syrian territory, noting that such strikes only lead to further escalation of tensions in the region.
Lavrov made the remarks in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, which was published on Thursday.
“Regarding arbitrary Israeli airstrikes on the Syrian territory, we have never concealed a negative attitude towards such actions that further destabilize the situation and could lead to an escalation,” Russia’s top diplomat said.
Israel launches airstrikes on the Syrian territory from time to time. Such aggressive moves are usually viewed as attempts to prop up terrorist groups suffering defeats at the hands of Syrian government forces.
Since 2016, the election of US President Donald Trump and his pro-Israeli decisions, including recognition of the “Israeli sovereignty” over the occupied Syrian territory of Golan Heights, have seemingly emboldened Tel Aviv to launch new aggression on the Arab country.
Elsewhere in his Thursday remarks, Lavrov commented on the potential of a confrontation between Iran and Israel in Syria, emphasizing that Syria should not become an arena for implementing external agendas.
“Syria should not become a platform for implementing plans or settling scores. The main task of all concerned forces must be to help restore peace to Syrian territory,” he added.
The Russian Foreign Ministry announced in early June that Moscow takes serious issue with Israeli military aggression against Syria.
The ministry said in a statement that Russia was concerned about the aerial attacks launched by the occupying regime against Syria, adding that it believes the assaults could pose a threat to regional stability.
Last month, the Russian aviation publication Avia.Pro reported that the country’s combat aircraft took off from Russia’s Hmeimim air base in Syria’s western coastal province of Latakia, “which resulted in the disruption of the Israeli attacks on the Syrian capital and its surroundings.”
According to the report, the Russian military also provided the Syrian armed forces with information about the Israeli drone that was preparing to strike the southeastern suburbs of Damascus.
Lavrov made the remarks in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, which was published on Thursday.
“Regarding arbitrary Israeli airstrikes on the Syrian territory, we have never concealed a negative attitude towards such actions that further destabilize the situation and could lead to an escalation,” Russia’s top diplomat said.
Israel launches airstrikes on the Syrian territory from time to time. Such aggressive moves are usually viewed as attempts to prop up terrorist groups suffering defeats at the hands of Syrian government forces.
Since 2016, the election of US President Donald Trump and his pro-Israeli decisions, including recognition of the “Israeli sovereignty” over the occupied Syrian territory of Golan Heights, have seemingly emboldened Tel Aviv to launch new aggression on the Arab country.
Elsewhere in his Thursday remarks, Lavrov commented on the potential of a confrontation between Iran and Israel in Syria, emphasizing that Syria should not become an arena for implementing external agendas.
“Syria should not become a platform for implementing plans or settling scores. The main task of all concerned forces must be to help restore peace to Syrian territory,” he added.
The Russian Foreign Ministry announced in early June that Moscow takes serious issue with Israeli military aggression against Syria.
The ministry said in a statement that Russia was concerned about the aerial attacks launched by the occupying regime against Syria, adding that it believes the assaults could pose a threat to regional stability.
Last month, the Russian aviation publication Avia.Pro reported that the country’s combat aircraft took off from Russia’s Hmeimim air base in Syria’s western coastal province of Latakia, “which resulted in the disruption of the Israeli attacks on the Syrian capital and its surroundings.”
According to the report, the Russian military also provided the Syrian armed forces with information about the Israeli drone that was preparing to strike the southeastern suburbs of Damascus.
2 oct 2019
Al-Marsad – Arab Human Rights Centre in Golan Heights (“Al-Marsad”) has submitted its response to Energix Renewable Energies’ (“Energix”) 18 June 2019 legal complaint in Nazareth Magistrate’s Court.
Al-Marsad’s reply categorically denies Energix’s claims that Al-Marsad, working with “anti-Zionist” activists, violated Israel’s Anti-Defamation Act of 1965 and Anti-Boycott Act of 2011.
The response requests that the lawsuit be dismissed as it is a groundless attempt to “throw sand in the eyes of the court” through politically charged accusations aimed at stopping constitutionally protected human rights work.
Al-Marsad’s submission shows that Energix’s allegations are intended to eliminate Al-Marsad, the only human rights organization in the occupied Syrian Golan, due to its activities contesting Energix’s actions in the region.
In Al-Marsad’s response, lawyer Auni Banna asserts that Energix’s claims lack merit because Al-Marsad’s activities were based in truth, properly sourced, undertaken with professional care and due diligence, and addressed issues of public concern.
The reply highlights how Energix is using politically inflammatory anti-boycott language to attack legitimate human rights work. In fact, the Supreme Court of Israel deemed the provision of the Anti-Boycott Law Energix hinges its complaint on unconstitutional four years ago.
Al-Marsad’s submission asks the court to dismiss Energix’s complaint as a malicious “SLAPP” (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) case aimed at pressuring Al-Marsad through economic force.
This is evidenced by Energix, one of the largest renewable energy companies in Israel, demanding compensation in excess of Al-Marsad’s annual budget for unsubstantiated damages related to its claims.
It is also evidenced by Energix’s filing of five additional lawsuits against other prominent Golani activists. Energix is trying to exploit the judiciary by seeking arbitrary financial awards to stop human rights defenders from exercising their constitutionally protected freedom of expression.
This is in line with a smear campaign that has sought to defame anyone who publicly contests Energix’s actions. This smear campaign, which, due to consistency in messaging between it and Energix’s lawsuit, seems to be initiated by Energix, has the stated goal of eliminating Al-Marsad.
Energix’s complaint and its possible involvement in a smear campaign followed the publication of an Al-Marsad report and Al-Marsad facilitated public meetings aimed at informing native Syrians about Energix’s energy project in the occupied Golan.
Al-Marsad’s report, meetings, and comprehensive joint objections filed with the Israeli government show that the project will have devastating impacts on the occupied Golan.
Experts have concluded that the project: (1) may cause grave health problems in the Syrian communities; (2) will seriously restrict Syrians’ arable land by almost a quarter; (3) will severely limit the urban expansion of three Syrian villages, exacerbating the current housing crisis; (4) will endanger wildlife; and (5) will distort and alter the occupied Golan’s landscape, negatively impacting the tourism industry and destroying strong cultural traditions tied to the land.
Al-Marsad condemns Energix’s attempts to intimidate and silence those who oppose it. Al-Marsad will continue to facilitate public programs aimed at assisting the Syrian community in exercising its basic right to reject Energix’s project and will exhaust all available avenues for legal relief.
Al-Marsad, fighting for its very existence, will not be silenced.
Al-Marsad’s reply categorically denies Energix’s claims that Al-Marsad, working with “anti-Zionist” activists, violated Israel’s Anti-Defamation Act of 1965 and Anti-Boycott Act of 2011.
The response requests that the lawsuit be dismissed as it is a groundless attempt to “throw sand in the eyes of the court” through politically charged accusations aimed at stopping constitutionally protected human rights work.
Al-Marsad’s submission shows that Energix’s allegations are intended to eliminate Al-Marsad, the only human rights organization in the occupied Syrian Golan, due to its activities contesting Energix’s actions in the region.
In Al-Marsad’s response, lawyer Auni Banna asserts that Energix’s claims lack merit because Al-Marsad’s activities were based in truth, properly sourced, undertaken with professional care and due diligence, and addressed issues of public concern.
The reply highlights how Energix is using politically inflammatory anti-boycott language to attack legitimate human rights work. In fact, the Supreme Court of Israel deemed the provision of the Anti-Boycott Law Energix hinges its complaint on unconstitutional four years ago.
Al-Marsad’s submission asks the court to dismiss Energix’s complaint as a malicious “SLAPP” (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) case aimed at pressuring Al-Marsad through economic force.
This is evidenced by Energix, one of the largest renewable energy companies in Israel, demanding compensation in excess of Al-Marsad’s annual budget for unsubstantiated damages related to its claims.
It is also evidenced by Energix’s filing of five additional lawsuits against other prominent Golani activists. Energix is trying to exploit the judiciary by seeking arbitrary financial awards to stop human rights defenders from exercising their constitutionally protected freedom of expression.
This is in line with a smear campaign that has sought to defame anyone who publicly contests Energix’s actions. This smear campaign, which, due to consistency in messaging between it and Energix’s lawsuit, seems to be initiated by Energix, has the stated goal of eliminating Al-Marsad.
Energix’s complaint and its possible involvement in a smear campaign followed the publication of an Al-Marsad report and Al-Marsad facilitated public meetings aimed at informing native Syrians about Energix’s energy project in the occupied Golan.
Al-Marsad’s report, meetings, and comprehensive joint objections filed with the Israeli government show that the project will have devastating impacts on the occupied Golan.
Experts have concluded that the project: (1) may cause grave health problems in the Syrian communities; (2) will seriously restrict Syrians’ arable land by almost a quarter; (3) will severely limit the urban expansion of three Syrian villages, exacerbating the current housing crisis; (4) will endanger wildlife; and (5) will distort and alter the occupied Golan’s landscape, negatively impacting the tourism industry and destroying strong cultural traditions tied to the land.
Al-Marsad condemns Energix’s attempts to intimidate and silence those who oppose it. Al-Marsad will continue to facilitate public programs aimed at assisting the Syrian community in exercising its basic right to reject Energix’s project and will exhaust all available avenues for legal relief.
Al-Marsad, fighting for its very existence, will not be silenced.
9 sept 2019
Israel has claimed a drone attack on Iraqi forces and members of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah near Syria's border with Iraq.
The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said the attack took place in the early hours of Monday, when unnamed aircraft opened fire on alleged gatherings of Lebanese and Iraqi fighters in the Syrian city of Boukamal, east of Dayr al-Zawr province.
Syrian sources, including the state-run al-Ikhbariyah Syria television, confirmed that the attack had indeed targeted Iraqi and Lebanese forces.
Hours later, the Israeli military took responsibility, claiming that it had carried out the drone attack against forces allegedly attempting to fire rockets into Israel overnight.
The London-based SOHR, which is linked to foreign-backed militants in Syria, claimed that at least 18 people were killed in the attack.
The drone strike comes amid the Israeli regime's renewed campaign of aggression against several countries in the region -- including Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.
The regime on August 24 targeted Hezbollah structures in the Syrian capital of Damascus, killing two members of the Lebanese movement. It also attempted to attack Beirut the next day but lost two drones over the Lebanese capital.
Hezbollah vowed swift retaliation back then, a promise that it took only days to fulfill.
On September 1, Hezbollah fighters targeted an Israeli military vehicle and several military bases along Lebanon's border with the occupied territories.
Hezbollah also announced early Monday that it had shot down another intruding Israeli drone.
Israel has on several occasions also targeted Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), or Hashd al-Sha'abi.
The PMU, after purging Iraqi lands from Daesh and other foreign-backed militants, has been working with Syria to secure border areas between the two countries.
The attack on Monday came amid reports that Syrian and Iraqi officials are working to reopen a key border crossing that connects Boukamal to Iraq's al-Qaim as they continue to forge greater relations.
On Sunday, Iraq called for the return of Syria to the Arab League as the group opened its 152nd session in Cairo, Egypt.
The Arab League froze Syria's seat in 2011, at the onset of what would become a years-long war against foreign-backed militancy.
However, more Arab countries have called for normalization of ties with Syria and the government of President Bashar al-Assad, who has been able to push militants out of most of his country thanks to help from Russia, Iran and Hezbollah.
The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said the attack took place in the early hours of Monday, when unnamed aircraft opened fire on alleged gatherings of Lebanese and Iraqi fighters in the Syrian city of Boukamal, east of Dayr al-Zawr province.
Syrian sources, including the state-run al-Ikhbariyah Syria television, confirmed that the attack had indeed targeted Iraqi and Lebanese forces.
Hours later, the Israeli military took responsibility, claiming that it had carried out the drone attack against forces allegedly attempting to fire rockets into Israel overnight.
The London-based SOHR, which is linked to foreign-backed militants in Syria, claimed that at least 18 people were killed in the attack.
The drone strike comes amid the Israeli regime's renewed campaign of aggression against several countries in the region -- including Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.
The regime on August 24 targeted Hezbollah structures in the Syrian capital of Damascus, killing two members of the Lebanese movement. It also attempted to attack Beirut the next day but lost two drones over the Lebanese capital.
Hezbollah vowed swift retaliation back then, a promise that it took only days to fulfill.
On September 1, Hezbollah fighters targeted an Israeli military vehicle and several military bases along Lebanon's border with the occupied territories.
Hezbollah also announced early Monday that it had shot down another intruding Israeli drone.
Israel has on several occasions also targeted Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), or Hashd al-Sha'abi.
The PMU, after purging Iraqi lands from Daesh and other foreign-backed militants, has been working with Syria to secure border areas between the two countries.
The attack on Monday came amid reports that Syrian and Iraqi officials are working to reopen a key border crossing that connects Boukamal to Iraq's al-Qaim as they continue to forge greater relations.
On Sunday, Iraq called for the return of Syria to the Arab League as the group opened its 152nd session in Cairo, Egypt.
The Arab League froze Syria's seat in 2011, at the onset of what would become a years-long war against foreign-backed militancy.
However, more Arab countries have called for normalization of ties with Syria and the government of President Bashar al-Assad, who has been able to push militants out of most of his country thanks to help from Russia, Iran and Hezbollah.
2 sept 2019
Damage caused to a Hezbollah media center in Beirut , left, purportedly by an Israeli drone, right
Unnamed official says Israel's focus is now on preventing Iranian precision missiles reaching Lebanon and Syria, casts doubt on American willingness to 'buy what Rouhani selling'
A senior Israeli security source says that the defense establishment system has shifted its strategic focus to averting the threat of precise missiles that Iran is trying to introduce into Syria and Lebanon.
"In recent days, we have attacked on several fronts. We also carried out simultaneous attacks in Syria and other arenas," the senior official said on Monday.
"There was also a certain development in Lebanon, which according to foreign publications was attributed to Israel. There was a need to take action in several arenas within a 24-hour window, and we planned accordingly."
According to the same source, Israel acted "as precisely in as many arenas as we planned, including in that possible enemy reactions. We are prepared for war but do not need it, as the event we carried out in Lebanon proved."
The source also touched on the apparently imminent rapprochement between the U.S. and Iran and the plans to hold talks on the issue of Iranian nuclear ambitions.
"We have an ongoing relationship with the Americans, and I think they have no illusions about (Iranian President Hassan) Rouhani," the source said.
"I don't see them buying what he is selling, nor (Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad) Zarif. Will they talk? Perhaps. I believe the talks will take place in a different way from the previous talks, which is what I am hearing from everyone at all levels."
Strategic change
Israel has redefined its priorities regarding the threats it currently faces. The Iranian nuclear threat is still one of the top priorities of the defense establishment, and in third place is the Iranian attempt to entrench itself in the region, in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen.
The senior security source said in a conversation with military reporters that "in light of developments and situation assessments, it was decided three months ago that the precision missile project would be given high priority because of the immediate danger it poses. The military echelons were informed of this decision."
He added: "We cannot afford to be surrounded by thousands of precision missiles that could land and harm the State of Israel."
The senior official noted that in the past six months, the issue has been discussed by the cabinet with the upper echelons of the defense establishment, and the ensuing guidelines were passed on to various officials and the IDF.
"Our three targets have one address - Iran," the source said.
"The address for two of the three threats is the same - the commander of the Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guard, Qasem Suleimani," the source said, but declined to answer a question on how Israel would deal with Suleimani.
In recent months, the defense establishment has been making efforts in the diplomatic and defense spheres to prevent the threats coming from Tehran.
"We operate in all spheres – on the diplomatic, security, counterterrorism and intelligence levels," the official said.
"What you see in practice is just the tip of the iceberg. There are ma y activities, most of which are connected to the IDF and the Mossad (external security service), for dealing with these issues.
"We work with a combination of determination and responsibility from a complete strategic perspective. It is the political level that determines which threats the State of Israel faces, and the military accepts missions according to priority."
Nasrallah asked for a ceasefire
The security source also touched on the IDF strikes in southern Lebanon on Sunday after Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles across the border, saying that three countries - France, Egypt and the United States – asking Israel to bring an end the incident.
Hezbollah leader Hassan "Nasrallah via (Lebanese PM Saad) Hariri appealed to other countries that then asked Israel to end the incident. This has to be said because the man in the shelter is continuing to give speeches, and he obviously just wanted to come out of this with some respect.
"From my perspective, it does not bother me as long as Israel advances its objectives. Even Hariri understands that his country is under threat if Nasrallah continues to operate from Lebanese territory. We are exploring our options and will make decisions based on developments. We are dealing with all arenas and achieving our goals."
The official noted that the Russians had not intervened in recent events in Lebanon, and received updates throughout the incident.
"I had a conversation with French President (Emmanuel) Macron, and told him that inviting Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif to the (G7) conference in France on the day Iran conducts simultaneous attacks against us – and where he was embraced - highlights the absurdity of the European attitude toward Iran," the source said.
Regarding the relationship and coordination between Israel and the U.S. after an attack in Iraq attributed by foreign outlets to Israel, the source said: Israel is in constant contact with Americans, almost on a daily basis."
There are talks with Secretary of State (Mike) Pompeo on the diplomatic and security levels all the time. We are coordinating with them both on the diplomatic and military levels."
Unnamed official says Israel's focus is now on preventing Iranian precision missiles reaching Lebanon and Syria, casts doubt on American willingness to 'buy what Rouhani selling'
A senior Israeli security source says that the defense establishment system has shifted its strategic focus to averting the threat of precise missiles that Iran is trying to introduce into Syria and Lebanon.
"In recent days, we have attacked on several fronts. We also carried out simultaneous attacks in Syria and other arenas," the senior official said on Monday.
"There was also a certain development in Lebanon, which according to foreign publications was attributed to Israel. There was a need to take action in several arenas within a 24-hour window, and we planned accordingly."
According to the same source, Israel acted "as precisely in as many arenas as we planned, including in that possible enemy reactions. We are prepared for war but do not need it, as the event we carried out in Lebanon proved."
The source also touched on the apparently imminent rapprochement between the U.S. and Iran and the plans to hold talks on the issue of Iranian nuclear ambitions.
"We have an ongoing relationship with the Americans, and I think they have no illusions about (Iranian President Hassan) Rouhani," the source said.
"I don't see them buying what he is selling, nor (Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad) Zarif. Will they talk? Perhaps. I believe the talks will take place in a different way from the previous talks, which is what I am hearing from everyone at all levels."
Strategic change
Israel has redefined its priorities regarding the threats it currently faces. The Iranian nuclear threat is still one of the top priorities of the defense establishment, and in third place is the Iranian attempt to entrench itself in the region, in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen.
The senior security source said in a conversation with military reporters that "in light of developments and situation assessments, it was decided three months ago that the precision missile project would be given high priority because of the immediate danger it poses. The military echelons were informed of this decision."
He added: "We cannot afford to be surrounded by thousands of precision missiles that could land and harm the State of Israel."
The senior official noted that in the past six months, the issue has been discussed by the cabinet with the upper echelons of the defense establishment, and the ensuing guidelines were passed on to various officials and the IDF.
"Our three targets have one address - Iran," the source said.
"The address for two of the three threats is the same - the commander of the Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guard, Qasem Suleimani," the source said, but declined to answer a question on how Israel would deal with Suleimani.
In recent months, the defense establishment has been making efforts in the diplomatic and defense spheres to prevent the threats coming from Tehran.
"We operate in all spheres – on the diplomatic, security, counterterrorism and intelligence levels," the official said.
"What you see in practice is just the tip of the iceberg. There are ma y activities, most of which are connected to the IDF and the Mossad (external security service), for dealing with these issues.
"We work with a combination of determination and responsibility from a complete strategic perspective. It is the political level that determines which threats the State of Israel faces, and the military accepts missions according to priority."
Nasrallah asked for a ceasefire
The security source also touched on the IDF strikes in southern Lebanon on Sunday after Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles across the border, saying that three countries - France, Egypt and the United States – asking Israel to bring an end the incident.
Hezbollah leader Hassan "Nasrallah via (Lebanese PM Saad) Hariri appealed to other countries that then asked Israel to end the incident. This has to be said because the man in the shelter is continuing to give speeches, and he obviously just wanted to come out of this with some respect.
"From my perspective, it does not bother me as long as Israel advances its objectives. Even Hariri understands that his country is under threat if Nasrallah continues to operate from Lebanese territory. We are exploring our options and will make decisions based on developments. We are dealing with all arenas and achieving our goals."
The official noted that the Russians had not intervened in recent events in Lebanon, and received updates throughout the incident.
"I had a conversation with French President (Emmanuel) Macron, and told him that inviting Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif to the (G7) conference in France on the day Iran conducts simultaneous attacks against us – and where he was embraced - highlights the absurdity of the European attitude toward Iran," the source said.
Regarding the relationship and coordination between Israel and the U.S. after an attack in Iraq attributed by foreign outlets to Israel, the source said: Israel is in constant contact with Americans, almost on a daily basis."
There are talks with Secretary of State (Mike) Pompeo on the diplomatic and security levels all the time. We are coordinating with them both on the diplomatic and military levels."
29 aug 2019
Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed
Iraq has lashed out at Bahrain for backing recent Israeli attacks on Arab countries, defending sacrifices made by a pro-government military force to counter terrorists.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said it “rejects and condemns” Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifah’s Tweet about the Zionist enemy’s targeting of Arab territories and Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) or Hashd al-Sha’abi, an effective force in the Baghdad government’s anti-Daesh fight.
It also stressed that the PMU has stood by Iraqi armed forces “to defend our holy land and made great sacrifices to liberate the cities of Iraq, and to defeat Daesh terrorist gangs.”
The Israeli regime is widely known to be behind a wave of air raids on positions of Iraq’s Hashd al-Sha’abi in recent weeks. Reports say those air raids had the support of the Saudi regime and were launched from the areas controlled by US-backed Kurdish militants in the northern parts of neighboring Syria.
In the latest such attack on the weekend, Israeli drones struck a PMU convoy near the Iraqi town of al-Qa’im close to the Syrian border, killing a commander and severely wounding a fighter.
This came a day after Israel carried out strikes near the Syrian capital, Damascus, claiming that the air raids were “able to thwart an Iranian attempt ... to conduct an attack on Israeli targets ... using killer drones.”
Syria, however, said that its air defenses had managed to detect hostile targets approaching from the occupied Golan Heights towards Damascus and destroyed most of the Israeli rockets before they could reach their destinations.
Just hours later in early Sunday, two explosives-laden Israeli drones violated Lebanese airspace on a bombing mission and crashed in the stronghold the Hezbollah resistance movement in the south of the Lebanese capital, Beirut. One of the drones blew up near the ground, causing some damage to Hezbollah’s media office.
The top Bahraini diplomat took to Twitter on Monday to express his support for the Israeli attacks, labeling them an act of “self-defense.”
“Iran is the one who has declared a war on us, with its [Islamic] Revolution Guards Corps, its Lebanese party, its Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq, its Houthi arm in Yemen and others,” Khalifah claimed. “So one who strikes and destroys the piles of their ammunition is not to blame. That is self-defense.”
The controversial comments were the latest public show of support for Tel Aviv from Manama, which has been trying to normalize ties with the oppressive regime, in what has been viewed by Palestine and its supporters as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause against Israel’s occupation.
Back in June, Khalifah took the lid off Bahrain’s longtime secret dealings with Israel by openly saying that Manama wants “peace” and “better” relations with the occupying entity.
Iran has been providing military advisory assistance to Syria, strengthening the hand of its national army on the battlefield against the terrorists, who have the support of the US, Israel and their allies, including Persian Gulf Arab regimes.
The Syrian military has also the support of Russia and Lebanon’s Hezbollah resistance movement in its counter-terrorism operations.
Tehran offered similar assistance to Iraq and set the stage for the neighboring nation to win its three-year-long campaign against Daesh, the world’s most notorious terror outfit, in late 2017.
Bahrain — a vassal state of Saudi Arabia — is party to a Riyadh-led coalition waging a bloody military campaign against Yemen with the aim of reinstalling a Saudi-friendly puppet regime.
Manama and its allies claim Iran provides arms to the Houthi Ansarullah movement, which both runs Yemen and defends its nation, a claim Tehran has repeatedly rejected.
Iraq has lashed out at Bahrain for backing recent Israeli attacks on Arab countries, defending sacrifices made by a pro-government military force to counter terrorists.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said it “rejects and condemns” Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifah’s Tweet about the Zionist enemy’s targeting of Arab territories and Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) or Hashd al-Sha’abi, an effective force in the Baghdad government’s anti-Daesh fight.
It also stressed that the PMU has stood by Iraqi armed forces “to defend our holy land and made great sacrifices to liberate the cities of Iraq, and to defeat Daesh terrorist gangs.”
The Israeli regime is widely known to be behind a wave of air raids on positions of Iraq’s Hashd al-Sha’abi in recent weeks. Reports say those air raids had the support of the Saudi regime and were launched from the areas controlled by US-backed Kurdish militants in the northern parts of neighboring Syria.
In the latest such attack on the weekend, Israeli drones struck a PMU convoy near the Iraqi town of al-Qa’im close to the Syrian border, killing a commander and severely wounding a fighter.
This came a day after Israel carried out strikes near the Syrian capital, Damascus, claiming that the air raids were “able to thwart an Iranian attempt ... to conduct an attack on Israeli targets ... using killer drones.”
Syria, however, said that its air defenses had managed to detect hostile targets approaching from the occupied Golan Heights towards Damascus and destroyed most of the Israeli rockets before they could reach their destinations.
Just hours later in early Sunday, two explosives-laden Israeli drones violated Lebanese airspace on a bombing mission and crashed in the stronghold the Hezbollah resistance movement in the south of the Lebanese capital, Beirut. One of the drones blew up near the ground, causing some damage to Hezbollah’s media office.
The top Bahraini diplomat took to Twitter on Monday to express his support for the Israeli attacks, labeling them an act of “self-defense.”
“Iran is the one who has declared a war on us, with its [Islamic] Revolution Guards Corps, its Lebanese party, its Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq, its Houthi arm in Yemen and others,” Khalifah claimed. “So one who strikes and destroys the piles of their ammunition is not to blame. That is self-defense.”
The controversial comments were the latest public show of support for Tel Aviv from Manama, which has been trying to normalize ties with the oppressive regime, in what has been viewed by Palestine and its supporters as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause against Israel’s occupation.
Back in June, Khalifah took the lid off Bahrain’s longtime secret dealings with Israel by openly saying that Manama wants “peace” and “better” relations with the occupying entity.
Iran has been providing military advisory assistance to Syria, strengthening the hand of its national army on the battlefield against the terrorists, who have the support of the US, Israel and their allies, including Persian Gulf Arab regimes.
The Syrian military has also the support of Russia and Lebanon’s Hezbollah resistance movement in its counter-terrorism operations.
Tehran offered similar assistance to Iraq and set the stage for the neighboring nation to win its three-year-long campaign against Daesh, the world’s most notorious terror outfit, in late 2017.
Bahrain — a vassal state of Saudi Arabia — is party to a Riyadh-led coalition waging a bloody military campaign against Yemen with the aim of reinstalling a Saudi-friendly puppet regime.
Manama and its allies claim Iran provides arms to the Houthi Ansarullah movement, which both runs Yemen and defends its nation, a claim Tehran has repeatedly rejected.