Latest news with #MinistryofDefense


Jordan News
12 minutes ago
- Politics
- Jordan News
Israeli Airstrikes Target Syrian Forces and Tribal Militants in Sweida - Jordan News
Israeli fighter jets launched airstrikes early Wednesday targeting the vicinity of Al-Thaala village and several other locations in the Sweida countryside, according to Syrian sources and eyewitnesses. اضافة اعلان Syrian outlet Sham TV reported via Facebook that: 'Israeli occupation aircraft conducted strikes around Al-Thaala and a number of villages in western Sweida, targeting gatherings of forces affiliated with the Ministry of Defense and tribal militants.' The channel noted that the Israeli jets also struck areas near the town of Rimat Hazem, hitting military groupings and Bedouin tribal fighters. Activists and witnesses reported intense activity of Israeli helicopters flying over southern Syria during the attacks. Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated that Israeli drones carried out airstrikes targeting gatherings and vehicles belonging to Bedouin fighters and pro-defense ministry forces. According to the Observatory's statement, the strikes occurred while these forces were carrying out demolitions of buildings near Al-Thaala in western Sweida. These developments come amid unprecedented security tensions in Sweida province, marked by hit-and-run clashes and confrontations between Druze fighters and tribal armed groups, accompanied by the presence of warplanes and drones in the skies.


Saba Yemen
an hour ago
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Russia Targets Transport Infrastructure, Robotic Systems Warehouse in Ukraine
Moscow - Saba: The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Wednesday that its forces' strikes over the past 24 hours hit transport infrastructure facilities used by the Ukrainian army and a robotic systems warehouse. According to the Russia Today website, this was stated in the Russian Ministry of Defense's daily report, which added that temporary deployment points of Ukrainian army formations and foreign mercenaries were also targeted in 156 regions. According to the report, the total daily losses of the Ukrainian army on various fronts reached approximately 1,310 soldiers. Ukraine lost: More than 190 soldiers in the area of responsibility of the "North" Group of Forces in Sumy and Kharkiv. More than 245 soldiers in the area of responsibility of the "West" Group of Forces in Kharkiv and Donetsk. Approximately 200 soldiers in the area of responsibility of the "South" Group of Forces in Donetsk. Approximately 410 soldiers are in the "Centre" forces' area of responsibility in Donetsk. More than 210 soldiers are in the "East" forces' area of responsibility in Donetsk and Dnepropetrovsk. Approximately 55 soldiers are in the "Dnepr" forces' area of responsibility in Zaporozhye and Kherson. Russian air defenses shot down two guided aerial bombs and 133 enemy drones. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print


The Diplomat
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Diplomat
Indonesia Signs Contract With Türkiye to Buy 48 KAAN Fighter Jets
The acquisition of the Turkish fighter marks an extension of Jakarta's promiscuous approach to the modernization of its ageing fighter fleet. Indonesia has signed a contract to buy 48 KAAN fighter jets from Türkiye in a bid to upgrade its ageing air force, Indonesia's Ministry of Defense announced yesterday. In a statement, Ministry spokesperson Frega Wenas Inkriwang said that the two nations 'signed an implementation contract' on July 26, on the sidelines of the International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul, Reuters reported. The KAAN fighter, which has been developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), is Türkiye's first domestically produced combat aircraft. It completed its first flight in February last year, and production is expected to begin in earnest in 2028. Indonesia is the first export customer for the new fifth-generation jet. The 10-year delivery timeline will see KAAN fighters assembled and integrated with engines manufactured in Türkiye, while new production and maintenance facilities will be established in Indonesia. This will support technology sharing and the development of Indonesia's defense industrial base. Indonesia's state-owned aerospace company PT Dirgantara Indonesia and land systems manufacturer PT Republik Armorindo Defense will participate in the program alongside TAI. 'This signature is not merely an export milestone – it marks the beginning of a new era in engineering, production, and technology sharing,' Türkiye's Secretariat of Defense Industries (SSB) said in a statement quoted by Aviation Week. The KAAN deal, which has been valued by one publication at around $10 billion, marks an extension of Jakarta's promiscuous approach to the modernization of the Indonesian Air Force, which currently includes a mix of ageing U.S.-made F-16 and Russian Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30 jets. The Indonesian Air Force has considered various options for refreshing its fighter fleet over the past decade, reflecting both the complexity of its operational needs and its desire to avoid a heavy reliance on any one defense partner. It is already waiting on an $8.1 billion order for 42 new Rafale jet fighters from the French defense manufacturer Dassault, the first of which are expected for delivery early next year. Since then, Jakarta has mooted a possible purchase of China's J-10 fighter jets, following the impressive performance of Pakistan's J-10s in its military clashes with India in May. It has also considered a purchase of U.S.-made F-15EX Eagle II fighters. Why Indonesia would opt for a largely unproven jet remains unclear, but Türkiye's agreement to support technology transfers in Indonesian state-owned enterprises is clearly an attractive draw for Jakarta, which has for years sought to develop its own defense industrial base. As a technologically competent middle power, Türkiye also likely appeals insofar as it allows Indonesia to avoid an unhealthy dependence on major powers such as China, Russia, and the United States. The fighter jet procurement is not the only new defense agreement between the two nations. According to one report, last week's defense expo also saw Indonesia sign an MoU with Türkiye's TAIS Shipyard to purchase two Milgem Istif-class frigates, which follows the integration of Turkish weapons and combat systems aboard Indonesia's future Merah Putih-class frigates. At last week's defense expo, the Turkish defense firm Roketsan also signed a technology transfer agreement with Indonesia covering its Cakir cruise missile system.


CairoScene
a day ago
- Health
- CairoScene
Jamaican Conjoined Twins Reach Riyadh for Possible Separation Surgery
The entire medical journey - including transport, evaluation, and the potential surgical procedure - is being funded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Conjoined twins Azaria and Azora Elson, aged approximately 20 months, arrived in Riyadh from Jamaica aboard a medical evacuation aircraft operated by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defense. The twins were admitted to King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital at King Abdulaziz Medical City under the Ministry of National Guard for evaluation. Their arrival is part of a humanitarian programme initiated by royal directives from King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The twins will undergo a series of diagnostic tests over the coming weeks to determine the feasibility of a complex separation surgery, which is expected to take place within two months. The entire medical journey - including transport, evaluation, and the potential surgical procedure - is being funded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre and the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme, which has treated and separated dozens of conjoined twins from around the world.


Kuwait News Agency
a day ago
- Politics
- Kuwait News Agency
Cambodia, Thailand hold ceasefire talks amid mutual accusations of violations
KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (KUNA) - The Cambodian and Thai armed forces held coordination meetings on Tuesday to implement the ceasefire agreement signed in Malaysia a day earlier, following four days of deadly border clashes that left dozens dead and displaced 300,000 people. Cambodian Ministry of Defense spokesperson Maly Socheata said in a press conference, reported by the Khmer Times, that commanders from Cambodia and Thailand to activate the ceasefire, halt troop reinforcements, exchange information, and immediately notify senior leadership of any developments on the ground. Socheata noted that additional meetings between regional commanders are being arranged and stressed that Cambodia is fully committed to honoring the joint ceasefire declaration brokered in Malaysia under the mediation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. She added that the next phase would involve forming a joint monitoring mechanism under Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship, potentially including foreign military attaches, to rebuild trust and stabilize the border. The Royal Thai Army accused Cambodia of violating the ceasefire, claiming that Cambodian forces launched attacks inside Thai territory after the truce took effect at midnight. Thai Army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvari said Thailand reserves its legitimate right to respond and defend itself. Cambodia denied the allegations, insisting its forces had fully adhered to the agreement, Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet both said the border situation had largely calmed, with both sides exercising restraint. The ceasefire reached on Monday in Putrajaya with Malaysian mediation, US coordination, and Chinese participation, follows the heaviest cross-border fighting in years. Tensions escalated after Thailand withdrew its ambassador from Phnom Penh and expelled Cambodia's envoy over landmine explosions that injured Thai soldiers-an incident Bangkok blamed on newly planted mines, which Cambodia denied. The two countries have a long-standing border dispute over the Preah Vihear Temple and surrounding territory, the International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the temple belongs to Cambodia, but Thailand continues to claim adjacent areas. While the border saw frequent clashes from 2008 to 2011, recent mutual troop movements have reignited the standoff, prompting regional and international calls for dialogue and restraint. The next General Border Committee meeting is scheduled for August 4, 2025, to enhance communication between the prime ministers and defense and foreign ministers of both countries. (end)