Special to WorldTribune.com GAZA CITY — The Iranian-sponsored Islamic Jihad has reported a sharp growth in membership and weapons in 2011. Jihad said it has trained more than 8,000 fighters for a war with Israel. The Iranian-sponsored militia was also said to have amassed some 5,000 missiles and rockets, which included the largest long-range arsenal […]
Special to WorldTribune.com TEL AVIV — The Israeli military has reported a sharp increase in unmanned aerial vehicle operations. Officials said the Israel Air Force has increased its UAV operations by more than 50 percent. They said the increase took place over the last five years, with persistent surveillance in both the Gaza Strip and […]
Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Algeria and Morocco have signed their first intelligence accord. The two North African neighbors have signed an agreement to exchange intelligence on insurgency financing. The accord would commit the financial intelligence units of both countries to also exchange information on suspected money laundering and orgnaized crime. Officials said the agreement […]
Special to WorldTribune.com LONDON — Israel has sent additional forces to its borders with Lebanon and Syria. The Saudi-owned Al Hayat daily, quoting Israeli security sources, said the deployment was meant to counter any attack from its northern neighbors amid increasing international pressure on Iran, Syria and Hizbullah. “Israel has decided to deploy three armored […]
Special to WorldTribune.com RAMALLAH — Israel’s intelligence community has determined that former Hamas operatives were forming independent insurgency cells in the West Bank. The Israel Security Agency has captured two cells determined to have been formed by former Hamas agents for operations against Israeli soldiers and civilians in the West Bank. ISA said the cells […]
Special to WorldTribune.com BAGHDAD — Iraq is still seeking to retain a U.S. military presence in 2012. President Jalal Talabani said that the Iraqi military wanted U.S. aid after the American troop withdrawal at the end of 2011. Talabani, in a statement believed to have been cleared by the government of Prime Minister Nouri Al […]
Special to WorldTribune.com AMMAN — Jordan, in what was expected to hamper reconciliation, has blocked an official visit by Hamas. The Hashemite kingdom has prevented a visit by Hamas political bureau chief Khaled Masha’al. Jordanian sources said the General Intelligence agency recommended against allowing Masha’al to enter amid rising Islamic unrest. “There are official sides […]
Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Egypt has reported another explosion at the Arab Gas Pipeline. Officials said the pipeline, which supplies Israel and Jordan with natural gas, was bombed on Nov. 25. They said the attack took place at the facility 60 kilometers west of the northern Sinai Peninsula provincial capital of El Arish. The […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. military plans to retain a presence in 10 bases in Iraq in 2012. The Defense Department and Joint Chiefs of Staff have approved a plan in which U.S. military trainers would operate out of 10 bases in Iraq after the American troop pullout at the end of 2011. […]
Special to WorldTribune.com TEL AVIV — The Israeli military has begun training to prevent the abduction of soldiers. Officials said the Military Police has drafted measures that would be introduced in training soldiers from all three services. They said soldiers would be instructed on how to prevent abductions by such groups as Hamas, Hizbullah, Islamic […]