Main US base in Syria on full alert in case of possible attack by Iran, Syrian security source says
June 23 (Reuters) - The main remaining base in northeast Syria hosting U.S. troops is on full alert and mobilized for possible attacks by Iran or Iran-aligned groups, a Syrian security source told Reuters on Monday.
The base is known as Qasrak and is one of two bases in the northeast Hasakah province where U.S. troops are based.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times
18 minutes ago
- Times
Iran-Israel ceasefire: IDF claims truce breached as missiles launched
Following the apparent breach of the ceasefire, sirens are expected to sound in northern Israel in the coming minutes, the Times of Israel reports, with ballistic missiles said to have been fired from Iran Missiles have been launched from Iran after a US-brokered ceasefire with Israel began, according to Israel's military 'A short while ago, the IDF [Israel Defence Forces] identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel,' a statement from the IDF read. 'Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat.' 'Upon receiving an alert, the public is instructed to enter a protected space and remain there until further notice.' 'Leaving the protected space is only permitted following an explicit directive. Continue to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command.' Families of hostages held in Gaza called for an end to the war there and bring back those in Hamas captivity following the ceasefire with Iran. 'The ceasefire agreement must expand to include Gaza; we call on the government to engage in urgent negotiations that will bring home all the hostages and end the war. Those who can achieve a ceasefire with Iran can also end the war in Gaza,' a statement from the hostage family forum, an umbrella group of those seeking a ceasefire, read on Monday morning. 'After 12 days and nights during which the people of Israel couldn't sleep because of Iran, we can finally go back to not sleeping because of the hostages,' they added. The 56 Israeli and foreign nationals hostages, 20 of whom are believed to still be alive, have been held in captivity by Hamas and other Gazan militants since October 7, 2023,. The death toll from a missile strike that hit residential buildings in southern Israel early this morning has risen to five. Another 20 people were injured in the strike, according to Israeli authorities. The attack on the city of Beersheba took place before a ceasefire took hold. It marks the highest death toll from one Iranian missile in the course of the war. A video posted on social media has shown a group of evacuees appearing to land in the UK on an RAF evacuation flight from Israel while singing Israel's national anthem, followed by a rendition of God Save the King. The video was posted by Max Radford, a British delegate of the World Zionist Congress and co-founder of Ballistra group, a technology business with ties in Israel. In the Instagram post, Radford thanked the RAF for its 'amazing' support. Oil has fallen sharply after President Trump announced a 'complete and total ceasefire' between Israel and Iran. Brent crude has fallen to $68.76 a barrel, having topped $79 a barrel in recent days on fears that the Iran would close the Strait of Hormuz, through which around a fifth of total global oil supplies and fifth of global exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) pass. • Business live: Oil price drops after Trump announces ceasefire Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's main international hub, will reportedly resume full operations later this morning. The number of rescue flights departing from the airport is also expected to increase dramatically in the coming hours, according to Israeli broadcaster Channel 12. Earlier this morning, it was announced Ben Gurion would allow the first outgoing flights to depart since Israel's conflict with Iran began on June 13. Iranian nuclear scientist Mohammad Reza Seddiqi Sabir was killed by an Israeli attack early this morning, Iranian media has reported. The attack took place before a US-brokered truce began, according to Nornews. The Israeli strike was said to have targeted Sabir's apartment, with his 17-year-old son also being killed. The US imposed sanctions on the scientist in May, alleging he was involved in the development of nuclear weapons. Israel has claimed to have 'removed a dual immediate existential threat' posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, the prime minister's office said in a series of statements posted on social media. Writing on X, it said Israel had achieved a 'tremendous success', with Binyamin Netanyahu's office adding: 'The IDF [Israel Defence Forces] has achieved complete air control over Tehran's skies, inflicted severe damage on the military leadership, and destroyed dozens of central Iranian government targets. 'In the past 24 hours, the IDF has also severely struck government targets in the heart of Tehran, eliminating hundreds of Basij operatives — the terrorist regime's suppression mechanism — and eliminating another senior nuclear scientist. Israel thanks President Trump and the United States for their support in defence and their participation in eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat.' Israel has agreed to Trump's ceasefire proposal with Iran, the Israeli prime minister's office has confirmed. Binyamin Netanyahu's office said it would respond 'forcefully' to any violations, adding that he would deliver a statement later today. 'In light of the achievement of the objectives of the operation, and in full co-ordination with President Trump, Israel has agreed to the president's proposal for a bilateral ceasefire,' a statement read. • Trump announces Israel-Iran ceasefire after attacks on US bases President Trump is expected to fly to the Hague later today for a planned Nato summit. While the conference had been expected to focus on how alliance members are heeding Trump's calls to increase defence spending to five per cent of GDP, the conflict in the Middle East will almost certainly loom large. If a ceasefire appears to hold throughout the day, Trump is likely to take credit for mediating peace between Iran and Israel, arguably his biggest foreign policy achievement yet. However, with Israel yet to confirm the truce, the US leader may be unable to perform his victory lap. Concerns that Trump would talk down Nato during the summit — and discuss withdrawing US troops from Europe while abandoning support to Ukraine — have eased somewhat. President Zelensky has now been invited to a dinner with Nato leaders after fears Ukraine would be blocked from participating in the conference altogether. In the past few hours, Israeli warplanes struck and destroyed missile launchers in western Iran 'ready to be fired at Israeli territory', the military said in a statement. It appeared to refer to a strike before the ceasefire — which has now officially come into effect, according to the US president. Israel has not confirmed the ceasefire. The missile strike that hit residential buildings in Beersheba before the ceasefire took hold has killed four people. It is the highest death toll from one Iranian missile in the course of the war. Paramedics said that three people— a woman aged about 40, a man about 40 and a man about 20 were pronounced dead at the scene — with another body recovered later. Dvir Ben Ze'ev, an MDA paramedic at the site in southern Israel, said: 'We saw significant destruction to several buildings on the street where the rocket fell. At the entrance to one of the buildings, an unconscious man was lying down, and after further searches, two more casualties — a man and a woman — were found unconscious.' President Trump has said that his promised ceasefire is now in effect after waves of strikes overnight, which have killed at least four. 'THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!', Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. Israeli emergency services said three people were killed and two left wounded in an overnight Iranian missile strike in southern Israel. Magen David Adom said in a statement on X on Tuesday morning: 'Following the missile impact site in southern Israel: So far, MDA teams have pronounced the deaths of three people, two people with moderate injuries have been evacuated to hospital and approximately six people with mild injuries are being treated at the scene.' Iran's state media said a fifth wave of missiles was headed towards Israel around the time a ceasefire announced by the United States was due to begin. 'The fifth wave of this morning's missile attack from Iran is on its way to the occupied territories,' Irib posted on Telegram just before 4am BST. Israel's military has said waves of missiles were launched by Iran. Israel's national ambulance service said three people were killed in Beersheba — the first reported deaths in Israel since Trump announced the ceasefire. Unidentified drones struck radar systems at two military bases in Iraq early on Tuesday. No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks. The first attack hit a radar system at the Taji base, north of Baghdad — where US troops were hosted until 2020 — a security source told AFP. A drone also targeted the radar system at the Imam Ali airbase in Dhi Qar province in southern Iraq, the source said Another drone fell in the Radwaniya district, ten kilometres west of Baghdad international airport, the source added, where US troops are deployed as part of an anti-jihadist coalition. The attacks caused material damage but no casualties were reported, Lieutenant General Walid al-Tamimi told the official Iraqi News Agency. As the minutes ticked down to 7am Israel time and a possible ceasefire, Israelis in bomb shelters were unsure on the exact timings of the deal announced by President Trump — or whether it would actually happen. After four consecutive missile barrages that sent residents of Tel Aviv rushing to and from shelters, it was unclear if the salvos were a final blast from Tehran or the start of a new round of escalation. Reports that three people had been killed by an Iranian missile in Beersheba, a city in southern Israel, raised fears that an Israeli response would trigger more Iranian attacks. 'I'm tired and slightly disillusioned now because I don't know if this is really the end or not,' said one woman, moments before another all-clear. President Trump announced a 'complete and total ceasefire' between Israel and Iran after 12 days of hostilities, including a symbolic Iranian reprisal strike on a US base in Qatar on Monday. He posted a message on his Truth Social site hailing an end to the war, as Israel continued its attacks on Iran. 'Congratulations to everyone!' he wrote, 'in approximately six hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!' Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian foreign minister, signalled early on Tuesday morning that Tehran was prepared to halt its missile attacks at 4am local time (1.30am UK). However, three consecutive air raid warnings sounded in Tel Aviv a few hours later. 'The military operations of our powerful armed forces to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute, at 4am,' Araghchi wrote on social media. 'As of now, there is NO 'agreement' on ceasefire or cessation of military operations. However, provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4am Tehran time, we have no intention to continue our response afterwards,' he added. In a hotel bomb shelter in Tel Aviv, Australian holidaymakers caught up in Israel's war with Iran were doubtful that a ceasefire would hold. After taking a group photo, one of the them said that she suspected Iran had no intention of sticking to any deal. 'I thought the Iranians might give us the night off after hitting Qatar,' said another as booms were was heard in the city. A missile fired from Iran hit a building in Beersheba, a southern desert city in Israel, destroying a building and killing three people. Initial reports said that people may be buried under the rubble, with others critically injured in the strike at 5.40am local time. Paramedics at the scene were treating three people in critical condition and those who were wounded. Beersheba has been badly hit in the war, with a missile striking the largest hospital in the area last week. Another alarm was sounded after dawn as more missiles were fired. Israelis made their way down to shelters at 5am local time on Tuesday morning, with two consecutive warnings to hunker down. The Israeli military said they identified a launch from Iran towards Israel and sirens blared in central Israel. Booms were heard overhead in the central city of Tel Aviv. As news of a potential ceasefire spread, many people spent the minutes underground checking the news and discussing what the day might hold. When asked if there was going to be a ceasefire, some said that it would only happen if Israel had achieved what they set out to do. A hotel worker said he wasn't sure what would happen next and whether or not there was a ceasefire. 'Uncle Donald doesn't know what to think about it,' said Tom Rogers, 65. [Trump] may think he's qualified to run a war, but he's got General Korilla who knows what he's doing. It will be OK.'
The Independent
27 minutes ago
- The Independent
UK welcomes news of ceasefire in Israel and Iran's 12-day conflict
The UK has welcomed news of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, as both sides announced they had agreed to stop fighting. Israel's government confirmed on Tuesday morning it had agreed to the ceasefire plan, proposed by US President Donald Trump. Mr Trump first claimed an agreement had been reached overnight, but both Israel and Iran were initially silent. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his nation had agreed to the bilateral ceasefire in co-ordination with Tehran. It followed a final onslaught of missiles targeting Israel early on Tuesday, which killed at least four people. Israel in turn launched a blitz of airstrikes targeting sites across Iran before dawn. Mr Netanyahu reasoned to his security cabinet that Israel had achieved all its goals in its 12-day war against Iran, including removing the threat of its nuclear programme. 'Israel will respond forcefully to any violation of the ceasefire,' the Israeli prime minister warned. Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi had earlier posted on social media site X there was 'NO 'agreement' on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations'. But he said Iran had 'no intention' of continuing attacks if Israel stopped its 'illegal aggression against the Iranian people' by 4am Tehran time (2am BST), around a quarter of an hour before his post. Pat McFadden said it was 'good news, if the ceasefire holds'. He also told the BBC: 'I welcome the Israeli statement. It's obviously a fragile situation in the Middle East. 'A number of people have been killed overnight in missile strikes, but I think the whole world will hope that the ceasefire will hold and that Iran will come forward with a credible plan that shows that it will not pursue the development of a nuclear weapon.' Sir Keir Starmer will arrive at the Nato summit in the Netherlands on Tuesday amid news of the ceasefire. Despite news of the end to hostilities, the summit is likely to be dominated by the situation in the Middle East, as leaders deal with the aftermath of the conflict. The UK started evacuating Britons from Israel on Monday, with the first group of 63 flown back via Cyprus. Downing Street said 'around 1,000' people had requested a seat on an evacuation flight – a quarter of the 4,000 who had registered their presence in Israel or Palestine with the Foreign Office. Writing on his social media site Truth Social, Mr Trump announced that Israel and Iran had agreed a 'complete and total ceasefire' to be brought in over 24 hours, saying the two countries had approached him 'almost simultaneously'. He said the ceasefire would be phased in, giving the two countries six hours to have 'wound down and completed their in progress, final missions'. 'The World, and the Middle East, are the real WINNERS!' he posted later. 'They have so much to gain, and yet, so much to lose if they stray from the road of RIGHTEOUSNESS & TRUTH.'
Daily Mail
35 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Iran BEFORE the 1979 revolution: Photos show the extent of women's freedom under the Shah - but life was not all rosy
They are photographs that show just how much has changed in less than 50 years. Women wearing short skirts and figure-hugging dresses; families shopping in department stores; skiers enjoying themselves on the slopes. This was the lighter side of life in Iran before the 1979 revolution ushered in the repressive regime that is now threatening all-out war with America after the US bombing of its nuclear facilities. Under the rule of King Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was an ally of Britain and the US, the hijab was even banned because it was argued it suppressed women. In the 1960s and 1970s, many women in Iran joined the work force and mixed freely with men. At the time, actresses who were later banned from performing posed up in short skirts for magazines, while locals were photographed skiing and wearing swimsuits and Miss Iran contestants enjoyed paddle-boat outings. Other images from magazines show all-girl pop bands, an actress posing with her director husband, and advertisements showcasing Western fashion. Also seen are families enjoying themselves on skiing trips in the mountains around Tehran. Among the women pictured is Iranian actress Forouzan. She started out doing voice-overs but eventually moved on screen. She co-starred in some of the highest-grossing Persian films of the era. When the revolution hit in 1979, like many Iranian actresses, Forouzan was banned from playing roles in films and grew more and more isolated until her death in 2016. Other images show director Ali Hatami and his wife, Zari Khoshkam. He continued to make films and TV series' after the revolution, and his daughter, Leila Hatami, is a famous actress in Iran. The women's rights movement in Iran blossomed after Reza Shah Pahlavi became king. As well as banning the hijab, Pahlavi granted women the right to vote. The Family Protection Act gave women greater rights such as allowing divorce and banning marriage under the age of 15. Singer and actress Nooshfarin, pictured left, was one of many Iranian artists to be exiled from the country following the 1979 revolution. She started her career as an actress before moving into singing. Upon her exile in the 1970s, she moved to Southern California to continue her career. Pictured right, a woman in shorts poses up for a magazine in 1970 Skiers pictured on a chair lift at a resort in Iran in the 1970s Under the Shah, Iranians enjoyed the luxury of new colleges, universities and libraries. Secondary schools were free for all and financial support was extended to university students. The Shah also pushed the country to adopt Western-oriented secular modernization, allowing some degree of cultural freedom. However, there was also widespread censorship in the country and the Shah repressed political dissent. The crackdown on communists and Islamists also led to many being imprisoned and tortured. With his liberalising reforms and harsh treatment of his political opponents, the Shah made an enemy of traditionalists in the country. These factors, along with the Shah being perceived as a puppet of the USA and economic uncertainty, culminated in the monarchy being overthrown in 1979. The Shah, who was suffering from cancer, fled the country and the hardline Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned from exile. Pictured above is Persian actress Forouzan in 1974 (left) and 1975 (right). She started out as a voice-over actress but eventually moved on screen and co-starred in some of the highest-grossing Persian films of the era Actress Forouzan is seen above left. Iranian singer Mahasti (right) moved to the UK in 1978 ahead of the revolution and eventually migrated to California to continue her singing career The Daily Mail's front page after the 1979 revolution proclaimed 'Victory for the prophet' - a reference to Khomeini's takeover Ayatollah Khomeini, who had been living in exile in France, then returned and announced the creation of an Islamic republic. The women's rights movement quickly regressed. Wearing the hijab was enforced, many of the rights they had been granted were withdrawn and the female minister of education in Iran, Farokhroo Parsa, was executed by firing squad. Under Khomeini's rule, Amnesty International estimated that the number of executions carried out in Iran was more than in the rest of the world combined. One woman who was caught wearing lipstick in the northern city of Tabriz was said to have been flogged 101 times in the city's busiest area. In the days that followed the revolution, students who backed Khomeini stormed the US Embassy in Tehran and took 66 of its staff hostage for 444 days. Popular anger against the US was rooted in the 1953 CIA-engineered coup that toppled Iran's elected prime minister and cemented the power of the Shah. After Khomeini's death in 1989, there was no let-up in the repression of Western lifestyles.
