Assad using drones from Iran, Russia against Syrian rebels

Assad using drones from Iran, Russia against Syrian rebels

Special to WorldTribune.com NICOSIA — The Syrian military and its allies have been using unmanned aerial vehicles in the war against Sunni rebels. Rebel sources said Syria as well as Hizbullah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were using UAVs in the latest offensive against Sunni militias. They said the tactical UAVs were produced in […]

Key commander, 30 other Hizbullah fighters killed in Syria battle with Sunni rebels

Key commander, 30 other Hizbullah fighters killed in Syria battle with Sunni rebels

Special to WorldTribune.com NICOSIA — A senior Hizbullah commander has been killed in heavy fighting in Syria. Arab diplomatic sources said the Hizbullah commander was leading units in the battle for the strategic Syrian town of Qusair on May 19. The sources identified the commander as Fadi Al Jazar, one of at least 30 Hizbullah […]

Israeli air strike targets Iran weapons at Damascus airport

Israeli air strike targets Iran weapons at Damascus airport

Special to WorldTribune.com NICOSIA — The Israel Air Force has conducted another attack on a shipment of advanced missiles to Syria. Western diplomatic sources said Israel sent nearly a dozen F-15 and F-16 fighter-jets to destroy Iranian-origin missiles that arrived in Damascus. The sources said the attack took place on May 3 when warplanes fired […]

Israel bombs Hamas drone-making sites in Gaza

Israel bombs Hamas drone-making sites in Gaza

Special to WorldTribune.com TEL AVIV — Israel has targeted Hamas’ new unmanned aerial vehicle sector in the Gaza Strip. Israeli military sources said the Air Force has been bombing underground facilities believed to contain UAV production. They said Hamas and the Iranian-sponsored Islamic Jihad were involved in the procurement and production of tactical UAVs. “They […]

Israeli intel: Iran has deployed 50,000 troops in Syria

Israeli intel: Iran has deployed 50,000 troops in Syria

Special to WorldTribune.com TEL AVIV — Israel’s intelligence community has determined that Iran deployed 50,000 troops in Syria. Israeli military intelligence commander Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi said Iran has taken over much of the Syrian campaign against Sunni rebels. Kochavi said Iran deployed Hizbullah and Shi’ite fighters in Iraq to protect the regime of President […]

Ten years after start of Iraq War: Geopolitical shifts have favored Iran, China

Ten years after start of Iraq War: Geopolitical shifts have favored Iran, China

Special to WorldTribune.com By Brian M Downing The ten years since the outset of the Second Gulf War have provided time to assess the geopolitical consequences it has brought, though a fuller judgment will come only after many more years. Putting aside the justifications and criticisms from the war period, we might look at how […]

Arab League calls on Gulf states to act, not just condemn Iran

Arab League calls on Gulf states to act, not just condemn Iran

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — The Arab League has been urged to act against Iran, accused of undermining regional security. Arab League interior ministers heard briefings of Iranian efforts to destabilize such members as Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Several of the ministers appealed to the GCC to act against Teheran, particularly amid the […]

Syrian rebels fighting Iran-backed Hizbullah for control of ‘Damascus-Homs axis’

Syrian rebels fighting Iran-backed Hizbullah for control of ‘Damascus-Homs axis’

Special to WorldTribune.com NICOSIA — Sunni rebels have been targeting fighters from the Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah in the civil war in Syria. Sunni rebels said at least 12 Hizbullah fighters were killed near the Syrian city of Homs in mid-February. The rebels said the clashes took place between Hizbullah units loyal to the regime of President […]

Iran reports general killed by Israeli strike enroute from Syria to Lebanon

Iran reports general killed by Israeli strike enroute from Syria to Lebanon

Special to WorldTribune.com NICOSIA — The Iranian regime said a senior commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was killed as he traveled from Syria to Lebanon. The IRGC commander was identified as Gen. Hassan Shateri, reported to have died on Feb. 12. “Commander Hassan Shateri was martyred en route from Damascus to Beirut at […]

Report: Iran expanding SIGINT listening posts throughout Mideast

Report: Iran expanding SIGINT listening posts throughout Mideast

Special to WorldTribune.com Geostrategy-Direct.com WASHINGTON — The Defense Department said that Iran was establishing signals intelligence stations in several parts of the Middle East, including the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The Pentagon’s counter-terrorist support office said the stations were established by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps together with Teheran’s leading ally, Syria. “Two Iranian-Syrian […]