Tag: conflict

Kyiv says eastern front ‘deteriorated’ as Russia claims village

KYIV, Ukraine, April 13, 2024 (AFP) – Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrsky said Saturday the situation on the eastern front had worsened significantly as Russia claimed the capture of a village near the occupied industrial town of Avdiivka. “The situation on the eastern front has deteriorated significantly in recent days,” said Syrsky, who took over as commander-in-chief in February after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fired his popular predecessor, Valery Zaluzhny. Zelensky said in his evening address […]

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Iran and Israel: From allies to deadly enemies

By Jean-Philppe PARIS, April 13, 2024 (AFP) – Israel and Iran have moved from once being firm allies to sworn enemies. Here is a recap of their volatile relationship over the past half century. – Special relationship – Israel, following its creation in 1948, had close ties with Iran, which becomes the second Muslim country to recognise the Jewish state after Turkey. They become allies under the shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. At the time, Iran […]

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Yemen rebels launch drones at Israel in coordination with Iran: security agency

DUBAI, April 13, 2024 (AFP) – Yemen’s Huthi rebels launched multiple drones at Israel in coordination with Iran, security firm Ambrey said late Saturday, adding that the projectiles were likely timed to reach Israel simultaneously. “Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVS) were reportedly launched by the Huthis toward Israel. The UAVs were launched in coordination with Iran,” the company said. “Israeli ports are assessed to be potential targets”, it added, and warned of “collateral damage” to shipping.

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Iran launches direct strikes on Israel, opening wider conflict

By Jay Deshmukh with Laurie Churchman JERUSALEM, April 14, 2024 (AFP) – Iran launched more than 200 drones and missiles at Israel in an unprecedented attack late Saturday, the Israeli army announced, in a major escalation of the long-running covert war between the regional foes. Iran’s proxies and allies also carried out coordinated attacks on Israeli positions as sirens sounded in many places and AFP correspondents heard blasts in the skies above Jerusalem early Sunday. […]

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Iran Guards confirm attack under way against Israel: state media

TEHRAN, April 13, 2024 (AFP) – Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed early Sunday that a drone and missile attack was under way against Israel in retaliation for a deadly April 1 drone strike on its Damascus consulate. “In response to the numerous crimes committed by the Zionist regime, including the attack on the consular section… the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired dozens of missiles and drones at specific targets inside the occupied territories (Israel),” state television […]

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Germany to send additional Patriot system to Ukraine

FRANKFURT, Germany, April 13, 2024 (AFP) – Germany will send an additional Patriot air defence system to Ukraine to bolster its hard-pressed military and help it fend off increased Russian aerial attacks, Berlin said Saturday. “Russian terror against Ukrainian cities and the country’s infrastructure is causing immeasurable suffering,” said German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, announcing the move. “It is jeopardising people’s energy supply and destroying the operational readiness of the Ukrainian armed forces.” It will […]

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Missing Israeli teen found ‘murdered’ in West Bank: Netanyahu

JERUSALEM, April 13, 2024 (AFP) – A missing Israeli teenager was found dead in the occupied West Bank on Saturday, in what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a “heinous murder”. The disappearance of 14-year-old Benjamin Achimeir on Friday sparked a huge manhunt and attacks on Palestinian villages. “The heinous murder of the boy… is a serious crime,” Netanyahu said in a statement. Israeli forces “are in an intensive pursuit after the heinous murderers and all […]

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US troops head to region as fears grow of Gaza war’s spread

Troop reinforcements from Israel’s ally the United States headed to the region on Saturday, with fears of wider war growing more than six months into Israel’s battle against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. After pulling forces from the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis one week ago, Israel’s military said Saturday it was continuing to operate against militants in central Gaza. In central Gaza’s main city of Deir al-Balah, fire burned in the rubble […]

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Ukraine starts building first US-design nuclear reactors

NETISHYN, Ukraine, April 13, 2024 (AFP) – Ukraine has started constructing two US-designed reactors at a nuclear power plant in the west of the country following devastating Russian attacks on its energy network. Workers at Khmelnytskyi nuclear power station on Thursday poured a symbolic cubic metre of concrete for the reactors, which will use US technology and fuel, as Ukrainian and US flags fluttered. The project is aimed at increasing Ukraine’s energy security and reducing […]

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Iran Guards seize vessel ‘related’ to Israel in Gulf: state media

TEHRAN, April 13, 2024 (AFP) – Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on Saturday seized a container ship “related to the Zionist regime (Israel) in the Gulf,” state media reported, as tensions soar in the region. “A container ship named ‘MCS Aries’ was seized by the Sepah (Guards) Navy Special Forces by carrying out a heliborne operation,” IRNA state news agency reported. It added that the operation took place “near the Strait of Hormuz”, a waterway vital to […]

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Lufthansa stops using Iran airspace and keeps halt on Tehran flights

FRANKFURT, Germany, April 12, 2024 (AFP) – German airline Lufthansa said Friday its planes would no longer use Iranian airspace as it extended a suspension on flights to and from Tehran amid soaring Middle East tensions. “Due to the current situation, Lufthansa is suspending its flights to and from Tehran up to and including Thursday, 18 April,” a company spokesperson said Friday. “The airline is also no longer using Iranian airspace.” Its subsidiary Austrian Airlines […]

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Defense minister says Israel ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with US on Iran

JERUSALEM, April 12, 2024 (AFP) – Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Friday that Israel and the United States were “shoulder to shoulder” in facing the threat from Iran, after talks with US Central Command chief Michael Kurilla. “Our enemies think that they can pull apart Israel and the United States, but the opposite is true — they are bringing us together and strengthening our ties”, Gallant said, after the two discussed Iran’s threats of retaliation […]

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