Special to WorldTribune.com NICOSIA — Al Qaida is targeting Shi’ite communities in Syria. Al Qaida’s Nusra Front for the Defense of Levant has been attacking Shi’ite towns in northern Syria. On Jan. 8, Nusra opened an offensive against Nubul and Zahra, which prompted a vigorous defense by Shi’ite residents in the Aleppo province. “The attack […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States could slow down approval of weapons sales to the Middle East due to tensions between the Obama administration and Congress. Officials said new legislation passed by Congress would require the administration of President Barack Obama to explain how U.S. arms sales would change the balance of power […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Congress has approved a significant increase in U.S. support for Israel’s Iron Dome missile and rocket defense system. On Dec. 2, a conference committee of the House and Senate agreed on the terms of the defense budget for fiscal 2015. Under the agreement, Congress would allocate $350 million for Iron […]
Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — The United Arab Emirates has banned scores of insurgency groups, many of them affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood or Hizbullah. The exception was the Palestinian movement Hamas, deemed a branch of the Egyptian-based Brotherhood. The UAE also banned a leading Islamist lobbyist in the United States. The lobbyist was […]
Special to WorldTribune.com LONDON — Saudi Arabia has decided to launch a $3 billion military aid program to Lebanon. Saudi sources said the Gulf Cooperation Council kingdom would sign an agreement to procure up to $3 billion in weapons and military equipment for Lebanon. The Saudi sources said the Beirut government pledged to maintain strict […]
Special to WorldTribune.com TEL AVIV — Israel’s military has warned that Iron Dome would be ineffective in any war against Hizbullah. Officials said the Israel Air Force would be unable to stop massive missile and rocket salvos by the Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah. They said Iron Dome, which intercepted hundreds of Palestinian rockets during the 50-day war […]
Special to WorldTribune.com TEL AVIV — Israel and Hizbullah have come to blows along the Lebanese border. On Oct. 7, two Israel Army soldiers were injured in a bomb planted in the Shebaa Plateau. The military blamed Hizbullah as well as the Lebanese government for entering Israeli-controlled territory. “The Lebanese government and Hizbullah are directly […]
Special to WorldTribune.com TEL AVIV — Hizbullah has been using the Lebanese Army to threaten Israel. Military sources said Hizbullah was sending Lebanese soldiers to the Israeli border in an effort to stage a provocation. The sources said Hizbullah was also deploying plainclothes and uniformed fighters to test Israel’s defenses. “They are trying to escalate […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has approved the transfer of military helicopters for Lebanon. The administration of President Barack Obama has informed Congress that Washington would deliver U.S.-origin utility helicopters for the Lebanese military. Under the Lebanese request, the United States would supply 18 Huey-2 helicopters as well as training and spare […]
Special to WorldTribune.com NICOSIA — The Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah has launched an unmanned aerial vehicle strike in Syria. Iran said several armed UAVs targeted Al Qaida’s Nusra Front for the Defense of the Levant along the Syrian border with Lebanon. The UAV strike is said to have killed or injured Nusra fighters around the northeastern border […]