Latest news with #Operational-AqsaFlood
Saba Yemen
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Sheikh Naim Qassem: Both enemies, friends must know Hezbollah battlefield group
Beirut – Saba: Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem stressed that Hezbollah does not remain silent in the face of injustice, and that both enemies and friends must know that the party is a battlefield group. In an interview with al-Mayadeen TV, Qassem said that the support battle the party is waging is a natural result of al-Aqsa Flood operation, emphasizing that its goal was to alleviate the suffering of Gaza and push the Israeli occupation toward a solution. Sheikh Qassem explained that news of al-Aqsa Flood operation reached His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah only half an hour after it began, adding that Sayyed Nasrallah has always reiterated that the party does not want a war in Lebanon, and that the support decision was taken unanimously within the Shura Council, as is customary for the party's fundamental decisions. Sheikh Qassem said: "If we had waged a comprehensive war, there would have been destruction and devastation, American intervention, and a further escalation of the situation, without achieving the desired goals." He emphasized that two months after the start of the battle, we informed our brothers in Hamas movement that they were convinced that the support we had provided was sufficient and fulfilling the desired purpose, especially after the extent of the occupation's encroachment and the open American support for it became clear. Regarding Operation al-Aqsa Flood, Sheikh Qassem said that his information confirms that Iran had no prior knowledge of it, nor that any part of Hamas leadership abroad was aware of it. Regarding the issue of explosive devices, Sheikh Qassem explained that the pager incident resulted from a loophole in the procurement process, which was later revealed to have been exposed to Israel. He explained that the purchase of the explosive pagers had taken place within the last year or year and a half. He continued, "When the investigation is complete, I will speak frankly to the public about the level of human infiltration," noting that the human labor was limited, and there is no evidence of a widespread human infiltration or of infiltration of figures or leaders within the party. Sheikh Qassem pointed out that the party has regained its footing despite the great sacrifices that simultaneously provided momentum. He emphasized that the party triumphed by preserving internal harmony in Lebanon and by preventing the Israeli occupation from inciting any internal strife. He emphasized, "Practically speaking, we cannot remain patient indefinitely, and there are limits in the end." He explained that he is not in a position to determine the mechanisms or timing. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
Scoop
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
The Israeli Assault Against Iran… Playing With Fire
The Israeli assault launched against Iran shortly before dawn on Friday, 13/6/2025, targeted three levels: First: The military command-and-control system, including senior army and Revolutionary Guard leadership; Second: The core infrastructure of Iran's nuclear program—particularly nuclear stations and reactors, as well as missile and drone launch bases; Third: The qualitative level, represented by senior nuclear scientists involved in Iran's nuclear project. This multi-phase assault—carried out in five waves at the time of writing—sought to deliver a severe preemptive strike against the nuclear program, disrupt command and control systems, and disable key elements of Iran's deterrent capability. With the confirmed assassination of Iran's Chief of Staff, the head of the Revolutionary Guard, several top-tier military and Guard commanders, along with a number of nuclear scientists, and with direct damage inflicted on the targeted nuclear reactors, Israel began celebrating its achievement, even as anticipation mounted over Iran's potential response. This article, written just hours after the attack, offers only a preliminary reading of the assault. Netanyahu, who named this assault Operation Rising Lion, described it as a pivotal moment in Israel's conflict history and a necessary measure to confront the 'existential' threat posed by Iran's nuclear program and to secure Israel's safety. He obtained unanimous approval from the security cabinet for the attack. Israeli sources justified the offensive by stating that intelligence had recently detected an acceleration in Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons capabilities, claiming Iran was nearing the 'point of no return.' Reports by international inspectors also indicated that Iran possesses enough material to produce 9 nuclear bombs, an assertion Netanyahu emphasized in his speech. The Israeli aggression aligns with Netanyahu's long-term security vision, which extends beyond merely restoring Israel's deterrence image lost on 7/10/2023. It aims to expand Israel's security dominance across the surrounding strategic environment in a blatant, violent and unapologetic manner. Netanyahu outlined this vision publicly on the first anniversary of Operation al-Aqsa Flood (7/10/2024), under the pretext of safeguarding Israel's security and the future of Israeli generations. This same policy is now being pursued in Lebanon and Syria.
Al Binaa
25-02-2025
- Business
- Al Binaa
The Turkish Opportunist and the Double Dilemma
• In the largest and longest wars Europe and Asia have witnessed, before Operation al-Aqsa Flood, the Syrian war and the war in Ukraine, Turkish President Recep Erdogan acted as an opportunist, exploiting his country's geographic proximity, population size, economic weight, and military capabilities. These are all elements of geopolitical power that he studied under his former advisor and later deputy-turned-rival, Ahmet Davutoglu, the architect of Turkey's 'zero problems with neighbours' policy, which ultimately led to 'zero friends'. • With its latest strikes in Syria, Turkey has burned its bridges of goodwill with both Iran and Russia, despite mutual efforts to prevent a slide into outright hostility. Erdogan seized the opportunity presented by his two allies' preoccupations – Russia bogged down in Ukraine, and Iran engaged in the al-Aqsa Flood war, while tightening his grip on a Syria weakened by U.S. sanctions and Israeli airstrikes. • Yet, before Ankara could solidify its new foothold in Syria, Erdogan made another strategic move: welcoming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This was a direct response to signs of a U.S.-Russian understanding on ending the war in Ukraine, which threatens the future of Ukraine's leadership and possibly its very existence as an independent state. U.S. President Donald Trump even predicted that Ukraine would eventually become part of Russia. Erdogan's maneuver aligned with European frustration over Washington's unilateral approach. • However, Turkey's gambit in Syria faces a major challenge as Israel, with explicit American backing, insists on security privileges that threaten Syria's unity and territorial integrity, violating its sovereignty. In exchange for de-escalation, Israel, openly supported by the U.S., is demanding Syria cedes the Golan Heights, a move that may later become a prerequisite for lifting American sanctions. Without U.S. sanctions relief, any European efforts to ease restrictions, particularly in the financial sector, would be rendered ineffective. Meanwhile, Turkey, having successfully sidestepped its obligation to offer meaningful support for Gaza during the Al-Aqsa Flood war, settling instead for rhetorical stances, now faces a new challenge. With its presence in Syria effectively giving it a direct border with Palestine, Turkey is confronted with obligations that are not imposed on Iran, which no longer has any ally positioned along a direct front with the occupation, including Hezbollah. The latter has adhered to transferring responsibility for ending the occupation in South Lebanon to the Lebanese state while ceding security control south of the Litani River. Thus, what once seemed like an opportunity for Turkey is now turning into a challenge. • Similarly, Erdogan's Ukrainian gambit has also backfired. Turkey was blindsided by Europe's shift toward a U.S.-Russia settlement, leaving Ankara out in the cold. After investing heavily in both mediation efforts and supplying Ukraine with drones, Erdogan finds himself with nothing to show for it, his country leaves the feast empty-handed. Once again, what appeared to be a golden opportunity has turned into a fresh challenge. • The question now facing Turkey is whether Erdogan can once again conjure a new opportunity to escape this predicament after losing the trust of many who repeatedly bolstered his rule?
