Latest news with #Ayyash
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
15-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Operation Sindoor 2.0: Time for India to cut the snake's head
After dealing a major military blow to Pakistan, the Modi government should eliminate the heads of terrorist organisations like LeT and JeM read more (File) Operation Sindoor displayed on the screen during a press briefing by the Indian armed forces, in New Delhi, Sunday, May 11, 2025. PTI 'If someone comes to kill you, rise up and kill him first.' — The Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Sanhedrin, Portion 72, Verse 1 Mehola Junction bombing (the first suicide bombing by Hamas, 2 killed), Afula Bus bombing (8 killed), Hadera central station bombing (5 killed), Tel Aviv bus bombing (22 killed), Egged bus bombing (9 killed), Ramat Gan bus bombing (7 killed) and the Jerusalem bus bombing (26 killed) The mastermind of these bombings was Yahya Ayyash, the leader of the West Bank's Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Israel was desperate to get Hamas's chief bombmaker, also called 'The Engineer' for advancing the technique of suicide bombing. In 1996, Shin Bet (Shabak), Israel's internal spy agency, discovered that Ayyash was staying at is childhood friend Osama Hamad's house at Beit Lahiya, Gaza Strip. Hamad's uncle, Kamal Hamad, was a Shin Bet informant. Shin Bet plotted Ayyash's elimination. Kamal had lent a cell phone to Osama a few months ago. On January 4, Kamal asked for the phone. When he returned it to Kamal, he asked him to always keep it on. Shin Bet had bugged the phone and placed 15 gm of RDX inside it. The phone was being monitored by an overhead Israeli plane that relayed information to a command post. On January 5, Ayyash received a call on the phone from his father around 9 am. Osama answered it and passed it to Ayyash. The plane picked up their conversation, relayed it to the command post and the phone exploded, decapitating Ayyash. Hamas suicide bombings didn't stop but reduced gradually with almost zero casualties, The last was in Tel Aviv in August 2024. Israel also eliminated Hamas's senior leadership. Salah Shehade (2002), Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, Abdel-Aziz Al-Rantissi and Adnan al-Ghoul (2004), Nizar Rayyan (2009), (2012), Raed al-Attar (2014), Ayman Nofal (2023) and Saleh al-Arouri, Marwan Issa, Mohammed Deif, Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar (2024). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Since Hamas's formation (1987), Israel has fought the group 15 times, including wars in 2008, 2012, 2014, 2021 and 2023. In 2024, Israel realised its mistake of letting Hamas exist for 38 years and decided to eliminate it. Though Hamas still controls Gaza, it has been severely weakened due to the massive loss of members and senior leadership. Like Israel, India has also been a victim of terrorism. It has been 35 years and the Pakistani Army and ISI continue to sponsor terrorism and bleed India. We had the Mumbai blasts (1993), Parliament attack (2001), Mumbai attacks (2008), Uri (2016), Pulwama (2019) and Pahalgam (2025). In the last three major terrorist attacks, India responded forcefully—the Uri surgical strike, Operation Bandar and Operation Sindoor. India's latest retaliation has been unimaginable and devastating. India has warned Pakistan that any terrorist attack will be an act of war. In his address to the nation on Monday, Modi said that Operation Sindoor hasn't ended and is 'the new normal'. 'This is a new normal. India will strike at the heart of terror decisively if our citizens are attacked.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Will military retaliation and warning deter Pakistan from planning terrorist attacks in J&K? While Operation Sindoor was on, seven terrorists aided by Pakistan Rangers tried to enter J&K via the Samba sector on the intervening night of May 8 and 9 but were shot dead by the BSF. A day after Modi's warning to Pakistan, three terrorists were killed in an encounter with the Rashtriya Rifles and paramilitary forces in Shopian on Tuesday. Pakistan is a terrorist state and the biggest sponsor of terrorism—and J&K is the bread and butter of the Army and ISI. On the other hand, J&K is an integral part of India and non-negotiable. As Modi rightly said that India will talk to Pakistan only about terrorism and returning POK. However, Pakistan will never stop claiming J&K. Otherwise, what will it sell to its public? Islamabad needs to keep the issue alive to justify sponsoring terrorism and stake a claim to the Union Territory. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Modi government's stance is correct—a military strike after a major terrorist attack. Unlike the UPA and UPA 2, the BJP government has the will and determination to end Pakistan's bloodlust in J&K. More than 100 terrorists were killed in Operation Sindoor, including high-value targets like Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf and Mudasir Ahmed, involved in 1999 IC-814 hijacking and the 2019 Pulwama blast. However, radicalised and disgruntled youths are cannon fodder for the Pakistani Army and ISI. Even a 100 or 200 foot soldiers or a few mid-level commanders eliminated by India will be replaced by men willing to die in the name of Jihad—and the bloody cycle will continue. In his book Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel's Targeted Assassinations, Ronen Bergman, an Israeli investigative journalist and author who won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in international reporting for covering the Gaza War, explains why Israel started assassinating terrorist leaders and other adversaries. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Israel's reliance on assassination as a military tool did not happen by chance, but rather stems from the revolutionary and activist roots of the Zionist movement, from the trauma of the Holocaust, and from the sense among Israel's leaders and citizens that the country and its people are perpetually in danger of annihilation and that, as in the Holocaust, no one will come to their aid when that happens.' The book's title, inspired by the Talmud statement, 'If someone comes to kill you, rise up and kill him first', mentions the targeted killings of Hamas, Hezbollah and PLO leaders, including Ayyash, by Mossad, Shin Bet and the IDF. The assassinations, dating back to Israel's pre-statehood, mention unique ways employed by the spy agencies in Iran, Syria, Egypt and Germany: 'Poisoned toothpaste that takes a month to end its target's life, armed drones, exploding mobile phones, spare tires with remote-controlled bombs…' In fact, Bergman writes that Israeli PMs Menachem Begin, Yitzak Shamir, Ehud Barak, Ehud Barak and Ariel Sharon were assassins. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The book's message is clear: evil can't be fought by containing it but by eliminating it. 'The lessons that the new Jews of Palestine learned from the Holocaust were that the Jewish people would always be under the threat of destruction, that others could not be relied upon to protect the Jews, and that the only way to do so was to have an independent state,' Bergman further writes. 'A people living with this sense of perpetual danger of annihilation is going to take any and all measures, however extreme, to obtain security…' Similarly, no country will come to India's aid either in future terrorist attacks or a war with Pakistan or even isolate Islamabad diplomatically or financially. India has to fight its battle. Russia's closest partner is China, a steadfast Pakistani ally that promised to support it in upholding its 'sovereignty and territorial integrity' thrice—twice before Operation Sindoor and a third time after the ceasefire. India faces the dangerous alliance of Pakistan and China in a war. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India can never trust the US, which turned a blind eye to Zia-ul-Haq sending terrorists to J&K under Operation Tupac as it needed Pakistan to counter the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. That was the start of the bloody cycle in J&K. The American hypocrisy continued until Osama bin Laden was found and eliminated in Abbottabad in 2011. Despite the shocking revelation, the US has never backed India against Pakistan. The latest US hypocrisy was allowing the IMF to disburse a $1 billion loan to Pakistan on May 9. Modi is right. Operation Sindoor hasn't ended. India's only option is to target the top leadership of Pakistan-based terrorist organisations, especially Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar and Syed Salahuddin. A ruthless enemy has to be tackled ruthlessly without qualms. India can't afford another Balakot or Pahalgam. Operation Sindoor, unlike the Uri surgical strike and Operation Bandar, was unique. For the first time, nine terror camps used by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) to attack India were destroyed with Storm Shadow and Hammer smart bombs in Pakistan and PoK, including the headquarters of LeT and JeM in Muridke and Bahawalpur, respectively. The operations showed that India knows the exact location of terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoK. India has dealt the first blow to Pakistan. The second blow must cut the snake's head—target the terror chiefs. After every major terrorist attack since the BJP government came to power, Pakistan suspects an Indian military retaliation. Subsequently, the chiefs of terrorist outfits either go underground or ensconce themselves in Army or ISI safehouses. Now, is the time to take out the terror chiefs and their deputies. India has proved that it can hit Pakistan at the time and place of its choice. The momentum shouldn't be lost. The movements of the terror chiefs should be monitored 24/7 using artificial intelligence, big data analytics, satellite imagery, or drones. Once the target's movements are analysed and a pattern is established, it should be eliminated using Indian assets. Moreover, Saeed and Azhar are globally designated terrorists though the US hasn't acted against either of them despite their presence in Pakistan. Their terrorist organisations have caused maximum harm to India. The US will not object to their elimination. Besides, America has no right to object as it has assassinated several terrorists on foreign soil, including bin Laden in Pakistan and Ayman al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan. Pakistani terrorist organisations have done targeted killings in J&K. Pahalgam was the bloodiest example of targeted killings in which the victims were asked about their religion and then only Hindus were shot dead. What prevents India from doing targeted killings of terrorist chiefs? It will be a long battle. Eliminated leaders will be replaced and attacks will continue. However, efforts to root out evil are more logical and sensible than letting the cancer grow. Some analysts feel that targeted killings don't deter terrorists as they increase attacks with a vengeance. However, not eliminating the chiefs of terror outfits doesn't guarantee that attacks will reduce. According to , 'Research draws varying conclusions. Some analyses show that terrorist organisations may be able to replace their losses as al Qaeda did with Ayman al-Zawahiri.' However, 'leadership is a precious commodity, which high-value targeting degrades… As a strategic tool, high-value targeting does not simply eliminate terrorist leaders but sends them deeper underground, impedes their ability to communicate and degrades their ability to function. Obviously, it adversely affects morale.' Bin Laden's killing 'cost al Qaeda its most charismatic and effective communicator'. Targeted killings should also take out a leader's second-in-command. For example, the US didn't stop with bin Laden. 'While al Qaeda's terrorist capacity has declined, the loss of bin Laden was just one factor. Many of its most effective operational planners and commanders also have been eliminated; either captured or killed before or since bin Laden's death,' according to RAND. According to Daniel L Byman, an American political scientist whose research focuses on terrorism, counterterrorism and West Asia, the killing of terrorist chiefs like bin Laden removes charismatic and pragmatic leaders difficult to replace. He also highlights how eliminating an organisation's second line of command makes it 'possible to exhaust the terrorist group's bench'. Targeted killings can steadily destroy 'a terrorist group's leadership and, over time, leave it with fewer impressive leaders and fewer skilled personnel', he adds. Patrick B Johnston, the author of Does Decapitation Work? Assessing the Effectiveness of Leadership Targeting in Counterinsurgency Campaigns (2012), believes that targeted killings are much more effective than previously believed. '…leadership decapitation has historically tended to disrupt militant operations and degrade their capabilities, ultimately weakening militant organisations and shortening their lifespans'. Joshua Foust, a former senior intelligence analyst for the US, makes another important point. Targeted killings carry other benefits as well: they require far less commitment of troops and materiel, which limits risk and cost.' Before 9/11, the US didn't allow targeted killings. In February 1976, then-President Gerald R Ford signed an executive order banning political assassination. Executive Order 11905 stated: No employee of the United States Government shall engage in, or conspire to engage in, political assassination.' However, things changed after 9/11. The US carried out 50 targeted killings under President George W Bush and more than 350 under President Barack Obama. India will never have a better chance to eliminate the top leadership of Pakistan-based terror organisations than now. It's the best time for the Modi government to build on the momentum and eliminate these terror masterminds. The writer is a freelance journalist with more than two decades of experience and comments primarily on foreign affairs. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
Al Etihad
04-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Expo Centre Sharjah, WTC Kentucky discuss enhancing cooperation
4 May 2025 22:37 SHARJAH (WAM)CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah and member of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA)'s Conferences and Exhibitions Advisory Council, Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, affirmed Expo Sharjah's commitment to strengthening ties with various world trade stressed that strategic collaboration is key to reinforcing Sharjah's position as a global destination for exhibitions and conferences, noting that experience-sharing drives service quality and the adoption of globally recognised sustainable practices in the exhibition remarks were made during a meeting held at Expo Centre Sharjah between Al Midfa and Omar Ayyash, President and CEO of World Trade Centre (WTC) Kentucky and Member of WTCA North America Regional Advisory Council. The two sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation and strategic partnership to support the growth and development of the exhibitions sector and empower it to play a vital role in promoting global Midfa noted that Expo Centre Sharjah holds deep expertise in organising and managing international exhibitions and major events. He stated that the centre remains focused on advancing its leadership, further developing its teams' capabilities in international trade, and reinforcing its connections with exhibition platforms in key markets like the United States, within the World Trade centres Association Midfa added that the collaboration with WTC Kentucky provides an opportunity to exchange knowledge and expertise in event management best practices, promote global trade, and enhance the exhibition sector's role in attracting investments and boosting business his part, Ayyash expressed his satisfaction with the fruitful meeting, pointing out the vast potential for collaboration between WTC Kentucky and Expo Center Sharjah. He praised Expo Sharjah's successes and achievements, which have positioned the Centre as a benchmark in the management of major exhibitions and international events.'This success fosters cooperation and joint efforts to provide an exceptional platform for Kentucky-based companies to access markets in the Middle East and the UAE, which serve as a strategic gateway to the region's markets,' Ayyash the meeting, both sides discussed current global trends in the trade and exhibition industries, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for companies in the evolving business also discussed the role of World Trade Centres in empowering businesses by facilitating trade and investment opportunities, supporting participation in exhibitions hosted by both parties, and advancing companies in areas like technology and artificial two sides agreed to maintain ongoing communication and establish collaborative initiatives that benefit the business communities in both Sharjah and Kentucky. They emphasised the importance of strengthening the role of WTCA network as an effective platform for international trade and knowledge exchange, in support of shared economic interests.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
La Pecora Nera, an Italian deli with two metro Detroit locations, to open in Birmingham
An Italian deli noted for its signature sandwiches is opening a third location in early March. La Pecora Nera, which already operates in Detroit and Farmington, is heading to downtown Birmingham. On the La Pecora Nera menu will be its traditional Italian sandwiches and other sandwiches, plus salads, gelato, and coffee. La Pecora Nera translates to 'the black sheep" in Italian. Its website describes the place as 'where tradition meets culinary delight.' In Birmingham, La Pecora will take up about a 1,000-square-foot space at 135 Pierce St., the former home of Planthropie. 'It's right in downtown Birmingham, which we love,' said David Ayyash, one of the owners of the La Pecora Nera. 'It's a great community to be a part of.' Ayyash said they are excited to branch out. Their focus is on sourcing high-quality ingredients and products, he said. Become an insider: Subscribe to our Eat Drink Freep newsletter! 'Our sandwiches use the highest quality Italian meats and fresh vegetables,' Ayyash said. 'All our dressings are made in-house.' On the menu, La Pecora Nera features more than a dozen sandwiches with ingredients such as genoa salami, mortadella, and prosciutto. There are also breakfast sandwiches, and a trio of salad offerings. They also offer catering. In 2017, the first La Pecora Nera opened on Washington Boulevard in downtown Detroit. In 2023, a location in downtown Farmington opened. Ayyash is also an owner of the recently opened Chaos Burger in downtown Detroit. On Clifford Street around the corner from La Pecora Nera location on Washington Boulevard, Chaos Burger is known for its smash burgers. Chaos Burger is mainly carryout, though there is some seating. Its smashburgers feature a custom blend of beef sourced from Fairway Packing Co. in Fraser. You can order burgers as a single, double, or triple as a classic, Chaos burger with Chaos sauce, or a deluxe version. More: HopCat to open first Downriver location in Southgate Also on the menu are Chaos fries, described on its menu as ultra-thin fries topped with prime beef, whole milk American cheese, house-pickled honey jalapenos, sweet Vidalia onion, and chaos sauce. There are also French fries tossed in its house seasoning. Chaos is also known for its house-made honey pickled jalapeños. Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@ Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: La Pecora Nera set to open third location in Birmingham
