Middle East on fire

I was thinking the other day it would be nice if someone kept up with all this. It's gotten to the point it is overwhelming. It's all so tragic. I wish they could all just go to the polls, or begin impeachment processes.

As in your thread title, it's burning and burning. When will it ever calm down? Or, is that thought too optimistic?

Just out on the wires, not too long ago

Minutes.....ago



"Jordanian security official says motorcade of King Abdullah II attacked, king unharmed" - AP

Originally posted by freetree64

Just out on the wires, not too long ago

Minutes.....ago



"Jordanian security official says motorcade of King Abdullah II attacked, king unharmed" - AP

Yeah apparently it's bull.

This on the other hand is not :
After 5 months of political infighting, Lebanon finally have a government

OK Vitch.....

Is it "Real" or "Memorex"????

If it is, it could very well up the ante, along with the China situation as well.....





www2.timesdispatch.com...

Syria :

A senior Turkish official said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has less than a week to start implementing long-promised political reforms demanded by Syrian protestors before foreign intervention begins.

Oh boy. Only big talk?

Russia to veto Syria resolution - Medvedev

Assad speech: we will teach them (Turkey) a lesson

Syrian President Calls Unrest 'A Conspiracy'

Syria’s Assad refuses to reform under “chaos”

Britain: Syria's Assad must reform or step aside

EU preparing to expand Syria sanctions

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman says Iran is playing a part in the Syrian situation

Well yeah, they are sending Syria money and soldiers.

Protesters take to streets in Damascus and coastal city of Latakia denouncing President Assad's speech

Syria president insists he is loved as he condemns foreign conspiracy behind protests

13:58 The Syrian refugees on the Turkish borders held a protest against President Bashar al-Assad’s speech.

14:00 Protestors took to the streets in the city of Darayya to demonstrate against the regime as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was delivering a speech

14:32 Syrian State TV: Mass grave uncovered in town of Jisr al-Shughur

Syrian activists: Assad's speech starts protests

14:28 Security forces raided Aleppo’s university dorms and arrested tens of people

14:30 Security forces are shooting at protestors in the Homs area of Khalidiya

14:32 In Homs thousands of people are rallying and calling for bringing down the regime.

Syrian TV: Bodies of police members uncovered in Jisr al-Shughur

15:12 Syria’s opposition said the ‘revolt’ must go on after President Bashar al-Assad’s Monday speech

EU to issue statement calling for ‘immediate’ end of Syrian violence

EU ministers demand action over Syria

Syrian army tightens grip in areas near Turkey (Reuters)

Israel :
Israel launches major home front defence drill

Israel on Sunday launched a major five-day home front defence exercise intended to prepare its population and emergency services to respond to massive missile attacks, the Israeli military said.

Named "Turning Point 5," the exercise involves testing nationwide siren systems and the cellular network, distributing emergency kits, improving coordination and practising evacuation and shelter procedures.

Cabinet votes to curtail Barak's power to veto West Bank settlement construction (Haaretz)

Barak, the only sane one just got screwed.

Afghanistan :
US ambassador hits back after Karzai criticisms

The US ambassador to Afghanistan hit back at President Hamid Karzai's repeated criticisms of foreign forces Sunday in a rare public acknowledgement of tensions underpinning US-Afghan relations.

Karl Eikenberry said some comments by Afghan leaders had been "hurtful and inappropriate", adding that when his country is "called occupiers and worse, our pride is offended and we begin to lose our inspiration to carry on".

Libya :
Toddlers among 9 dead as NATO admits Tripoli raid
Toddlers were just ``freedomized``..

Libya government troops kill four rebel fighters near Misrata (Reuters)

Gates warns U.S. Congress not to cut off Libya funds (Reuters)

Egypt :

Egypt PM says he prefers a delay in parliamentary vote (AP)

Egypt appoints new foreign minister to replace incoming Arab League chief (Reuters)

Palestine :

Senior Hamas leader: Armed resistance most effective way to fight Israel (AP)

Dominican Republic president announces support for an 'independent' Palestinian state (DPA)

Abbas says Palestinian leadership agrees to renewing talks with Israel (Israel Radio)

Peres: Israel-Palestinian peace deal is 'very urgent' (CNN)

Iraq :

Iran dissidents call for protection after attack in Iraq (Reuters)

Report: Hezbollah officials receive indictments in Hariri murder probe

UN-backed tribunal arrives in Beirut to issue four arrest warrants for Hezbollah officials, fifth arrest warrant due to be issued for non-Lebanese citizen.

The UN-backed tribunal probing the 2005 murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has submitted an indictment to Lebanon's prosecutor general, Al -Jazeera and Al Arabiya television reported Thursday.

Representatives of the International Court of Justice in The Hague arrived in Beirut to serve the indictments, which according to Al Arabiya, include four arrest warrants against Hezbollah officials.

Two of the arrest warrants are for a commander of Hezbollah special operations, and for a senior Hezbollah leader. The identity of the other two people is still unknown.

This could very well set things off.

LBC: Mustapha Badreddine, Salim Ayyache and Hassan Issa are among those indicted by STL

OTV: Salim Ayyache, who was reportedly indicted by the STL, is head of Hezbollah’s Execution Unit

OTV: Abdel Majid Ghamlouche is the fourth person indicted by the STL

Hezbollah says its not concerned, but fear remains in Lebanon

News reports: The arrest warrants include four names but the number of suspects is more. The suspects are from Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian nationalities.

Lebanon, according to experts, now has 30 days to serve out the arrest warrants. If the suspects are not arrested within that period, the STL will then make public the indictment and summon the suspects to appear before the court.

Uh oh.

U.S. recognizes Muslim Brotherhood

The U.S. has decided to formally resume contact with Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood group - which does not recognize Israel – in a move that could further alienate some Jewish voters already skeptical of President Barack Obama, it was reported.

One senior U.S. official said the Brotherhood’s rise in political prominence after the forced departure of former President Hosni Mubarak earlier this year makes the American contact necessary.

Ah.... Israel's government is gonna cry cry cry... Boohoo.

Morocco :

Thousands rally in Morocco over reform plan (Reuters)

UAE :

Rights groups call on UAE to release 5 pro-democracy activists (AP)

Egypt :

Egypt PM accepts resignation of Foreign Minister Mohammed El-Orabi (Reuters)

Egypt prime minister reshuffles cabinet in attempt to quell protests (DPA)

Ridiculous.

Mubarak says he isn’t responsible for protester deaths (AP)

Yeah right. Trash.

Libya :

Tripoli rocked by series of NATO airstrikes (AP)

Gadhafi: Libya will never surrender in face of assaults by rebels, NATO (AP)

Australia joins international recognition of Libya rebels (DPA)

Heavy clashes in west Libya as rebels try to reach capital Tripoli (Reuters)

Ten rebel fighters killed in east Libya town Brega (AP)

Italy FM: International delegation in Istanbul recognizes Libya opposition leadership (Reuters)

U.K. sends more warplanes to Libya

Britain is sending four more Tornado warplanes over Libya to support NATO military operations as an international contact group explores ways of ending the stalemate pitting the U.N.-backed armed rebels against loyalist forces of Moammar Gadhafi.

Israel :

Germany to provide Israel with sixth nuclear submarine (Ch. 10)

Qassam rocket lands in open area in Ashkelon region (Army Radio)

Lieberman slams Netanyahu for refusing to probe funding sources of leftist NGOs (Haaretz)

He called them ``terrorists organizations``... Lieberman is such a POS...

Qassam rocket strikes open area in Eshkol region (Haaretz)

Israel police prepare for large-scale protests in Jerusalem ultra-Orthodox neighborhood (Army Radio)

IAF attacks Gaza in largest airstrike since last peak 10 months ago (Haaretz)

Close to 2,000 protesters begin Palestinian-Israeli anti-settlement march in Jerusalem (Haaretz)

Afghanistan :

Top adviser to Afghan President Hamid Karzai shot dead in his Kabul home (DPA)

UN sanctions panel delists 14 ex-Taliban figures in bid to induce Afghanistan peace deal (Reuters)

Blast hits mosque during funeral service for Karzai's half-brother (AP)

Jordan :

Jordan detains 4 policemen for assualting protesters during pro-democracy demonstration (AP)

+1

Jordan police use force to disperse pro-reform protests in Amman (DPA)

First US troops leave Afghanistan as drawdown begins

The first American soldiers of about 10,000 due to leave Afghanistan this year have flown home, military officials said Friday, kicking off a gradual drawdown due to be completed in 2014.

Syria :

Syrian forces mass near town where soldiers defected (AP)

Report: Qatar closes embassy in Syria, pulls out ambassador (Reuters)

Syrian opposition announces nationwide general strike (Israel Radio)

Syrian forces enter town near Lebanon border, detain hundreds (AP)

Syrian forces kill 32, opposition cancels meeting (Reuters)

Report: Syria stepping up missile transfer to Hezbollah (Ch. 10)

UN Security Council discusses Syria's nuclear program (DPA)

Syria security forces fire live ammunition at protesters in Damascus (Reuters)

Turkey :

Turkey charges 14 suspected al-Qaida militants with planning attack on U.S. Embassy in Ankara (AP)

U.S. condemns killing of 13 Turkish soldiers in clash with PKK (Haaretz)

Palestine :

EU’s Ashton: Restarting peace talks more important that UN recognition of Palestinian state (AP)

That's your opinion.

Palestinians: 7 wounded by IAF airstrike in northern Gaza Strip (Ch. 10)

IDF officials: IDF condemns Hamas for not taking steps to stop shooting from Gaza (Haaretz)

Bahrain :

Bahrain main Shi’ite opposition pulls out of dialogue with government (Reuters)

Report: Bahraini woman dies during anti-government protest (AP)

Yemen :

Yemeni protesters organize a shadow government (AP)

Nice...

Yemen army launches offensive on militants to retake southern city (Reuters)

7 killed, 30 wounded after Yemeni government troops attack southern city of Taiz (DPA)

Lebanon :
Hezbollah warns Israel over gas fields

"The Israeli enemy cannot drill a single meter in these waters to search for gas and oil if the zone is disputed,” said Mohammed Raad, head of the Hezbollah parliamentary bloc, AFP reported on Sunday.

Raad added that the Lebanese government, where Hezbollah holds the majority, will restore the sovereignty of their waters in their entirety.

If they follow on those threats, war it will be.

Iran :
Iran to send fleet to Atlantic Ocean

The commander noted that Iran's Navy will send its fleet to the Atlantic after “final ratification.”

He further explained that the Iranian warships will be equipped with Nour long-range anti-ship cruise missiles.

Report: Iranians seize Kurdish bases in Iraq

Iran's official news agency says Revolutionary Guard forces have taken control of three bases of an Iranian Kurdish opposition group in neighboring Iraq.

IRNA quoted Colonel Delavar Ranjbarzadeh, a local Guard commander, as saying on Monday that many members of the Iranian Kurdish opposition group PEJAK have been killed in fierce clashes on the border over the past two days.

Iran agrees to investigate 1994 bombing of Buenos Aires Jewish community center (DPA)

Report: Iran promises Pakistan transfer of natural gas through end of 2012 (DPA)

Iran sees trade booming despite sanctions

Iran expects to garner non-oil trade worth more than $45 billion during its current calendar year despite a plethora of international sanctions led by the United States, the United Nations and the European Union.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said non-oil exports during the calendar year ending March 20, 2012, would exceed $45 billion -- against $30 billion in the previous year -- and would consist of gas condensates, mineral fuels, chemical products, plastics and fertilizers as well as traditional commodities of fruit and nuts, Press TV reported.

Iraq :
Iraq bombs kill 8, dozens wounded

Violence in Baghdad and southern Iraq killed eight Iraqis, including six Shiite Muslim pilgrims, and an American soldier on Friday, security officials said.

Suicide bomber explodes next to Egyptian army station; reports of wounded (Haaretz)

At least 6 wounded in Palestinian rocket attacks on south Israel (Haaretz)

israel police using water cannons in jerusalem against young palestinians protesting banned from friday prayers

Al Jazeera team being harrassed and prevented from filming whats happening in jerusalem

Number of injured in rocket strikes into Israel rises to 10

IAF strikes 4 targets in Gaza

IDF on public radio: "All options are open, including a pin-point [ground] operation"

Hundreds of Egyptian protesters have gathered outside the Israeli Embassy in Cairo, demanding the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador from the country.

12 rockets launched at israel so far today

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that the targeted killing of the Popular Resistance Committee heads was only the beginning of Israel's response to the attacks in South Israel Thursday that left eight Israelis dead and over twenty wounded

"Killing the leaders of the terrorist organization responsible for yesterday's attacks was just our initial response," Netanyahu said during the visit.

Another rocket hits South Israel, no damage

Israeli airforce hits three separate rocket teams in Gaza

Mortar shells fired into Israel bringing total to around 20 projectiles today

Al Aqsa Brigades declare full state of emergency in preparation for major Israeli attack

Hezbollah praise those responsible for the terror attacks on Israel yesterday, calling them brave heroes

A PRC commander has just been reported killed by Israeli forces in a targeted hit whilst riding a motorcycle in the Northern Gaza Strip

Hamas : major reprisals against Israel if strikes continue during the night

Israeli F-16s bombing Rafah

2 more rockets land in Israel, no damage

Hamas orders it's military wing Ezzidine Al Qassam to respond to Israeli attacks, calls off 'truce' with Israel.

Explosion in a cafe in Netanya, Israel, 4 dead

Hamas are now telling press agencies that they have returned to a state of war with Israel

New airstrike in east of #Rafah southern #Gaza strip

Israeli Army Radio confess: We killed Egyptian soldiers by Error

Yeah great move there.

'Egyptian Spring' leaders: 'We won't hesitate attacking

Abbas requests an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Israeli raid on Gaza

In the past 24 hours in GAZA 15 people were killed and 43 wounded including 10 children, 9 women and 4 elderly

I can see live on TV that Egyptian army is protecting now the israeli embassy

Hamas Prime Minister in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, spoke with UN officials, Egyptian officials and with the Arab League secretary general in an effort to end the escalation in the Gaza Strip.

Clashes between Protesters and Security forces outside Israeli Embassy in Cairo

Numerous reports of "huge explosions" now rocking central Gaza as Israeli airstrikes continue

Israeli tanks shell the city of Kha Yonis, southern Gaza Strip

The Police Cuts Electricity All Around The Israeli Embassy To Calm Down The Protesters

1000+ protesters there.

The head of Israel's National Security Council (NSC) urges military action by the regime in the Sinai Peninsula, following growing tensions with Egypt.

Yeah that's gonna end well.

A group of Egyptian hackers just hacked one of the Israeli army's websites and left them a message "This is not Mubarak's Egypt, anymore."

Artillery shelling in eastern Gaza City.

Rocket fired from Gaza to south Israel.

Reported tank shelling in Eastern and Western Gaza.

Arab league to hold emergency meeting regarding #Gaza

2 loud explosions have rocked central Gaza in the past 10 minutes. Ambulances now on their way to the scene.

Update :

Egyptian sources report that Cairo is planning to inject substantial military strength into the Sinai Peninsula in the coming hours, forcing Israel's army to confront the Egyptian army on its southwestern border for the first time in three decades.

This is big... usually they have to ask Israel if they can do so... will they ask Israel this time or do it unilaterally?

7 mortars explode in settlements around Gaza (Haaretz)

Huge explosion hits Gaza right now, reports of it coming from the sea

5 Syrian Tank shells explodes on turkish side of the border

Can you say uh oh?

Ceasefire between Hamas-Israel goes in effect at 9PM Israel time... hopefully it lasts and there's no Israeli invasion of Gaza.

And intelligence report that that there's a risk of terrorist attack in Jerusalem. All cars are being searched... the terror alert level has been raised.

Egypt says Israel apology of troop deaths is insufficient - CNN International

9pm has come and gone...

Still rockets being fired into Israel.

Still little to no media coverage.


Regards, Skellon.

Originally posted by Vitchilo
Ceasefire between Hamas-Israel goes in effect at 9PM Israel time... hopefully it lasts and there's no Israeli invasion of Gaza.

And intelligence report that that there's a risk of terrorist attack in Jerusalem. All cars are being searched... the terror alert level has been raised.

Egypt says Israel apology of troop deaths is insufficient - CNN International

I doubt a cease fire would stop Israeli plans for an attack...

reply to post by backinblack


The continuation of rocket launching by Palestinianson Israeli cities, shows how senseless and pointless your post is. If what you are trying to show is the ethics superiority of Islam as a whole and the Palestinians in particular, you're doing a very poor Job.

Originally posted by gravitational
reply to post by backinblack

 

The continuation of rocket launching by Palestinianson Israeli cities, shows how senseless and pointless your post is. If what you are trying to show is the ethics superiority of Islam as a whole and the Palestinians in particular, you're doing a very poor Job.

Oh I guess you think the Palestinians should just sit back and be bombed by Israeli jets,tanks and ships without retaliating??

Israel ATTACKED Gaza with zero proof any Palestinians were involved in the Egyptian border attacks..

Why don't YOU explain that ?????

reply to post by gravitational


Think for a second why the palestinians would do anything to upset the upcoming vote at the UN,they wouldnt but it would benefit Israelis

Well latest news...

# 12:23
Israel and Hamas agree to Gaza cease-fire, say mediators (Reuters)

+100000000000

Since both agree, I hope it holds, but the PRC said they would not stop till they have payback for the assassination of their leaders.

reply to post by backinblack


Another senseless circular evasive arguments as usual.
Yesterday Hamas agreed to a cease-fire, yet the Palestinians continued with launching rockets on Israeli civilians.

(Q) So who the bloody hell is in control of Gaza?
(A) Oh, I forget, Hamas is controlled by Mossad.

(Q) What was the purpose of last week attack on Israeli civilians?
(A) Ahhh. It was a false flag of course.

(Q) For what reason?
(A) The genocide of the poor Palestinians obviously and to weaken the current Israeli protests on living costs.

(Q) So who attacked the Israelis last week?
(A) Come on, surely not Palestinians. Just because they attacked Jewish people since the beginning of the 19th century, doesn't mean a thing.

(Q) So who launched the attack darn it ?
(A) Hmmm, don't know, must be aliens.

reply to post by gravitational

(Q) So who attacked the Israelis last week?

The list of people that don't like Israel seems to be growing daily so how the heck would I know

reply to post by gravitational


And "as usual" you dodge the issue of Israel attacking first...