Middle East Watch
The Taliban-led Afghanis launched assaults on numerous Pakistani military posts, killing between 58, according to the Taliban, and 23, according the Pakistanis, and injuring hundreds of others. So far, the conflict has not led to full-out declarations of war, though skirmishes have continued so far.
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif said the people of Pakistan were “indebted to the ultimate sacrifice of these heroes who laid down their lives while defending the territorial integrity of Pakistan against the cowardly and treacherous aggression of the Taliban regime and Indian sponsored terrorist proxies operating from inside Afghan soil.”
Once Allies, Pakistan And Afghan Taliban Lurch Toward Full-Blown Conflict
from www.rferl.org
A full-blown conflict between Afghanistan’s Taliban and neighboring Pakistan seemed unthinkable when the hard-line Islamist group, a longtime ally of Islamabad, seized power in 2021 as international troops withdrew and the government they supported collapsed.
But fears have heightened of an all-out war after the deadliest-ever clashes involving Taliban fighters and Pakistani troops over the weekend.
“This confrontation is hugely significant and could have long-term consequences for the countries,” said Sami Yousafzai, an Afghan political commentator.
Fierce fighting erupted between Taliban fighters and Pakistani security forces on October 11-12, leaving dozens dead and key border crossings closed.
The border clashes occurred just days after Pakistan carried out unprecedented drone strikes in the center of Kabul as well as air strikes in the country’s east.
Violent clashes break out in Syria – media (VIDEOS) — RT World News– www.rt.com
Source Link
Excerpt:Kurdish and Syrian government forces have been exchanging gunfire in Aleppo, according to media
Violent clashes erupted between Kurdish fighters, including the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and the government forces in Aleppo on Monday night, according to several media outlets.
The North Press Agency reported that at least 7 people were killed and dozens injured in exchanges of gunfire. Some people in various Aleppo neighborhoods rallied against the government, according to the outlet.
Al Arabiya reported, citing the Syrian Defense Ministry, that the government “was moving as part of its redeployment plan.”
“We are committed to our agreement with the [SDF] and have no intention to carry out any military operations,” the quote reads.
The SDF claimed that the clashes were a direct result “of provocations by factions of the interim government and their attempts to advance with tanks.”
In April, the Syrian government and local council of Aleppo’s Kurdish neighborhoods signed an agreement placing the latter under Damascus’s authority while preserving a level of autonomy for Kurdish institutions.
Obama Judge Tosses Victims’ Case In Order to Protect UNRWA’s Terror Ties To Hamas Atrocities– gellerreport.com
Source Link
Excerpt:
Obama Judge Analisa Torres has dismissed a high-profile lawsuit accusing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) of aiding and abetting Hamas’s October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel.=
Victims of the Octover 7th massacre Victims have testified that they were attacked by UNWRA employees and held captive in UNWRA buildings.
Hamas Hostages Were Held in UNRWA Compounds
Filed in New York by about 100 Israeli plaintiffs—including survivors, victims’ families, and a former hostage—the case sought more than $1 billion in damages, alleging UNRWA bolstered Hamas’s terror infrastructure through indirect funding and logistical support.
UNWRA is Hamas’s international diplomatic arm.
Syria holds its first parliamentary election since ousting of Bashar al-Assad– www.euronews.com
Source Link
Excerpt:
Syria held its first parliamentary election on Sunday, nearly a year after a surprise rebellion toppled longtime President Bashar al-Assad in December.
Security forces were deployed around polling stations nationwide. Electoral college members entered polling booths to fill our their ballots, which were then placed in a sealed box until they were pulled out and counted in front of candidates, journalists and observers from the Syrian bar association.
The election however did not feature a direct vote by Syrian citizens.
The new People’s Assembly features 210 seats, 40 less than under al-Assad. Members of the new assembly will also serve two-and-a-half year terms.
Incumbent President Ahmed al-Sharaa will appoint 70 members to the assembly, the remaining 140 will be voted on by subcommittees, overseen by 11-person Supreme Committees, who were appointed by al-Sharaa.
Officials say this election was not a direct vote as they lacked “reliable census data” after millions of people were displaced by 14-years of brutal civil war.
Damascus shuts ‘vital arteries’ linking Rojava to Syrian interior: Sources – rudaw.net
Source Link
Excerpt:
Damascus shuts ‘vital arteries’ linking Rojava to Syrian interior: Sources rudaw.net
Netanyahu Says ‘No Palestinian State’ After Three Countries Announce Formal Recognition – Haaretz
Source Link
Excerpt:
As far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said that the recognition of a Palestinian state by the U.K., Canada and Australia requires ‘immediate application of sovereignty over the West Bank,’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the move is a ‘huge reward to terrorism’
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said that no Palestinian state will be established and vowed to expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank, following a formal recognition of a Palestinian state by the U.K., Canada and Australia on Sunday.
US again vetoes UN Security Council Gaza ceasefire call– www.channelnewsasia.com
Source Link
Excerpt:
UNITED NATIONS: The United States on Thursday (Sep 18) again wielded its veto and thwarted a UN Security Council call for a ceasefire in Gaza, shielding its ally Israel from meaningful diplomatic pressure.
The 14 other members of the Council backed the resolution, initiated in August in response to the UN’s official declaration of famine.
The vote came as Israeli tanks and jets pounded Gaza City, the target of a major new ground offensive, forcing Palestinians to flee south.
The resolution text seen by AFP had demanded “an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties” as well as the immediate and unconditional release of hostages.
The US has repeatedly rejected that approach multiple times, most recently in June when it used its veto to back Israel.
This was the sixth time the US had cast a veto in the Security Council over the nearly two-year war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas.
“Let this resolution send a clear message, a message that the Security Council is not turning its back on starving civilians, on the hostages and the demand for a ceasefire,” Denmark’s UN ambassador Christina Lassen said ahead of the vote.
“A generation risks being lost not only to war – but to hunger and despair. Meanwhile, Israel has expanded its military operation in Gaza City, further deepening the suffering of civilians as a result.
“It is this catastrophic situation, this humanitarian and human failure that has compelled us to act today.”