Latest news with #Katyusha
Wall Street Journal
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
Russia and North Korea Turn Their War Alliance Into a Propaganda Tool
At a training site in Russia, the five North Korean soldiers had grins on their faces and guns in their hands. Then they began singing a cappella, belting out a Soviet-era song called 'Katyusha' about a young woman bidding farewell to soldiers—in translated Korean-language lyrics. The scene is part of a new wave of propaganda that both North Korea and Russia are producing to exalt their partnership, which has deepened as Pyongyang has sent about 15,000 soldiers to support Russia's war in Ukraine since last year. The footage featured prominently on a popular Russian news show that also showed video of North Koreans firing shotguns, running through trenches and tossing hand grenades.
Asharq Al-Awsat
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Syrian Defense Ministry Begins Reshaping Military Affairs in Daraa
The Syrian Ministry of Defense has begun reorganizing military affairs in the southern province of Daraa, days after the Eighth Brigade — a former opposition group integrated into the army — surrendered its weapons to government forces. The move comes as part of Damascus's efforts to tighten its grip over southern Syria, particularly in areas previously outside its full control. Separately, the Interior Ministry said it had seized a large cache of weapons and ammunition hidden inside a vehicle and arrested the driver as he attempted to smuggle the arms into the neighboring province of Sweida. Daraa police said late on Sunday they discovered another stockpile of weapons concealed under piles of hay in a truck in the eastern town of al-Sahwah. Authorities seized a significant weapons cache, including Katyusha artillery shells, anti-tank Malutka missiles, heavy machine guns, and ammunition, in a smuggling attempt from Damascus to Sweida. The haul was intercepted by security forces, with images released by the General Security Directorate showing the captured items. The vehicle, which was stopped by security patrols, was reportedly en route from the Syrian capital, Damascus, to Sweida when the arms were discovered. Authorities transported the confiscated weapons to the security center in the town of Izraa for further investigation. Reports from Daraa have varied, with some claiming the shipment was intended for the group of Ahmad al-'Awda, leader of the Eighth Brigade, based in Busra al-Sham in southern Daraa. Others suggest the weapons were meant for his affiliates and were to be sent later to Sweida. There are also concerns that some members of the Eighth Brigade, who had previously retained their weapons after the group's dissolution announcement, may use the arms to stir unrest in the region. The Syrian Ministry of Defense began accepting recruitment applications on Monday from residents of the eastern Daraa countryside. The registration process is taking place at one of the ministry's offices west of Busra al-Sham. Local sources in Daraa reported that the recruitment campaign will extend to other villages and towns in both central and western Daraa in the coming days. A training course for new recruits is expected to begin within two weeks. The recruitment drive follows a meeting held on Sunday in Busra al-Sham, which included Col. Binyan al-Hariri, commander of the 40th Division, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Defense and former leaders from the area. The meeting aimed to organize military affairs and register both new and former personnel into the Ministry of Defense. According to local reports, the upcoming training will include new recruits from Busra al-Sham and its surrounding areas.
Saudi Gazette
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia backs Jordan's efforts to thwart security threats and destabilization plots
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has commended Jordan for the successful actions taken by its security forces to foil a series of plots aimed at undermining national stability and inciting chaos. In a statement on Wednesday, the Kingdom reiterated its full support for the measures undertaken by the Jordanian government and affirmed its solidarity with Jordan in confronting any threats to its security and stability. The remarks came following an announcement by Jordan's General Intelligence Directorate that it had arrested 16 individuals involved in coordinated plots targeting national security. According to the agency, the conspiracies — monitored since 2021 — sought to create chaos and cause material destruction within the kingdom. Authorities seized explosives, firearms, a concealed Katyusha rocket ready for use, and blueprints for drone construction. Investigations also revealed organized recruitment and training efforts to establish operational networks both inside and outside spokesman Mohammad Al-Momani detailed that the 16 suspects were linked to four key cases, including smuggling high-grade explosives and building rockets using foreign materials.A network of fortified warehouses was uncovered in Zarqa and Amman, some featuring reinforced concrete structures and hidden suspects were detained for conducting illegal training courses and recruiting suspects are reportedly connected to a dissolved, unlicensed political group, though officials have not disclosed its cases have been referred to Jordan's State Security Court for legal proceedings.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arrests in Jordan over rocket and drone plots
Jordan's security services say they have arrested 16 people suspected of plotting attacks inside the country involving rockets and drones. The General Intelligence Department said the suspects had been under surveillance since 2021 and their plans were aimed at "targeting national security, sowing chaos and sabotage". They involved possession of explosives and automatic weapons, the manufacture of rockets, the concealment of one rocket ready to be launched, a project to manufacture drones, and the training of individuals both in Jordan and abroad, it alleged. State media cited the government's spokesman as saying the suspects were members of the Muslim Brotherhood, which denied any involvement. Communications Minister Mohammed al-Momani told reporters that the 16 suspects were divided into four cells with separate assignments, according to Petra news agency: The first cell, which had three main members who were arrested in 2023, transported and stored explosives, including TNT, C4 and Semtex, as well as automatic weapons smuggled from abroad, he said. A fourth member of the cell allegedly worked to conceal a Katyusha rocket equipped with a detonator in the south-western Marj al-Hamam neighbourhood of the capital, Amman. Momani said the rockets had a range of between three and five kilometres, which indicated that the suspects planned to target locations in Jordan The second three-member cell, which was arrested in February, had begun manufacturing short-range rockets and storing them in warehouses in Amman and the city of Zarqa, just to the north-east, he said, adding that they had received training and funding from abroad External parties were also allegedly supporting the third, four-member cell involved in the drone manufacturing project Momani said the fourth cell, with five members, had worked to recruit operatives to undergo illegal security training courses. All 16 suspects have been referred to the State Security Court on charges of violating the Anti-Terrorism law. Later, state-run Jordan Television broadcast what it said were confessions of eight of the suspects, six of whom said they were members of the Muslim Brotherhood, according to Petra. A statement from the Brotherhood rejected what it called the "unjust accusations" made by Momani and insisted it had no links to, or knowledge of, the plots. The Islamist group – whose political arm, the Islamic Action Front, is the largest opposition group in parliament - also stressed that it "adhered to the national line" and "remained committed to its peaceful approach". Jordanian officials have previously accused the Brotherhood of instigating pro-Hamas protests with the aim of destabilising the kingdom, which borders Israel and several Arab states. More than half of Jordan's population is estimated to be of Palestinian origin, since the start of the Gaza war in 2023. Several suspects were also cited as saying that they had travelled to Lebanon to meet and undergo training with the person overseeing the plots. Lebanon's Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, told his Jordanian counterpart Jafar Hassan that it was ready to co-operate in tackling potential threats to their countries, Petra reported. Three Israelis shot dead at West Bank-Jordan crossing Israel arrests Jordan MP for alleged gun-smuggling Jordanian police die in shootout with suspect
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arrests in Jordan over rocket and drone plots
Jordan's security services say they have arrested 16 people suspected of plotting attacks inside the country involving rockets and drones. The General Intelligence Department said the suspects had been under surveillance since 2021 and their plans were aimed at "targeting national security, sowing chaos and sabotage". They involved possession of explosives and automatic weapons, the manufacture of rockets, the concealment of one rocket ready to be launched, a project to manufacture drones, and the training of individuals both in Jordan and abroad, it alleged. State media cited the government's spokesman as saying the suspects were members of the Muslim Brotherhood, which denied any involvement. Communications Minister Mohammed al-Momani told reporters that the 16 suspects were divided into four cells with separate assignments, according to Petra news agency: The first cell, which had three main members who were arrested in 2023, transported and stored explosives, including TNT, C4 and Semtex, as well as automatic weapons smuggled from abroad, he said. A fourth member of the cell allegedly worked to conceal a Katyusha rocket equipped with a detonator in the south-western Marj al-Hamam neighbourhood of the capital, Amman. Momani said the rockets had a range of between three and five kilometres, which indicated that the suspects planned to target locations in Jordan The second three-member cell, which was arrested in February, had begun manufacturing short-range rockets and storing them in warehouses in Amman and the city of Zarqa, just to the north-east, he said, adding that they had received training and funding from abroad External parties were also allegedly supporting the third, four-member cell involved in the drone manufacturing project Momani said the fourth cell, with five members, had worked to recruit operatives to undergo illegal security training courses. All 16 suspects have been referred to the State Security Court on charges of violating the Anti-Terrorism law. Later, state-run Jordan Television broadcast what it said were confessions of eight of the suspects, six of whom said they were members of the Muslim Brotherhood, according to Petra. A statement from the Brotherhood rejected what it called the "unjust accusations" made by Momani and insisted it had no links to, or knowledge of, the plots. The Islamist group – whose political arm, the Islamic Action Front, is the largest opposition group in parliament - also stressed that it "adhered to the national line" and "remained committed to its peaceful approach". Jordanian officials have previously accused the Brotherhood of instigating pro-Hamas protests with the aim of destabilising the kingdom, which borders Israel and several Arab states. More than half of Jordan's population is estimated to be of Palestinian origin, since the start of the Gaza war in 2023. Several suspects were also cited as saying that they had travelled to Lebanon to meet and undergo training with the person overseeing the plots. Lebanon's Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, told his Jordanian counterpart Jafar Hassan that it was ready to co-operate in tackling potential threats to their countries, Petra reported. Three Israelis shot dead at West Bank-Jordan crossing Israel arrests Jordan MP for alleged gun-smuggling Jordanian police die in shootout with suspect
