Middle East Experience

Israel has told US officials that it was behind the assassination of Iranian Colonel Sayad Khodae, according to an intelligence official briefed on the communications.Khodaei was killed on Sunday by two motorcyclists who fired five bullets at him near his house, according to Iranian media reports.According to the intelligence official who spoke on condition of anonymity to the New York Times, the Israelis informed Washington that the aim of the operation was to warn Tehran to suspend the activity of Unit 840, a secret group within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’-Quds Force(IRGC-QF).For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.​​​​​​​“Unit 840 is tasked with abductions and assassinations of foreigners around the world, including Israeli civilians and officials, according to Israeli government, military and intelligence officials,” the NYT reported, adding that Iran has never acknowledged the existence of Unit 840.In the aftermath of the assassination, Iran vowed to avenge the murder, with Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami saying Tehran will harshly respond to threats.“Iran’s response to any threat or action will be harsh. But we will determine when and how it will be and in what circumstances. We will definitely take revenge on our enemies,” Salami said on Tuesday.Also on Tuesday, Majid Mir-Ahmadi, a member of Iran’s National Security Council, blamed Israel for the assassination, adding that the culprits will regret their deeds.“The assassination of [Khodaei] was unquestionably carried out by the Zionist regime, and the culprits must brace themselves for a heavy slap in the face from Iran,” he said, according to state news agency IRNA.Iran called on the UN to condemn the “cowardly” killing of Khodaei.Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Majid Takht Ravanchi, urged the UN in a letter to denounce the assassination on the basis of “its responsibilities to genuinely fight terrorism and in a non-discriminatory manner,” IRNA reported on Thursday.Describing him as a “martyr,” Ravanchi said Khodaei who was “cowardly” murdered was a member of the country’s armed forces who significantly contributed to combating terrorism and ISIS in the region.Meanwhile, Israeli media reports said Israeli officials were surprised by the leak, with The Times of Israel saying Israeli officials were “infuriated.”MK Ram Ben Barak, who heads the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, denied the NYT’s report, noting that such leaks “mainly harm trust,” and voiced hope that the US investigates the leak to figure out why it happened.“As far as I know, we did not inform anyone or take responsibility, and that is for the best,” Ben Barak said.Read more:Death toll from Iran tower block collapse rises to 18US seizes Iranian oil cargo near Greek island: SourcesOne dead in ‘industrial accident’ near Iran military complex: State media
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Israel informed US officials it killed Iranian colonel: Report

A Russian court confirmed the dismissal of 115 national guardsmen who challenged their sacking after refusing to take part in Moscow's military operation in Ukraine. The case appears to be the first official confirmation of soldiers refusing to join Russia's military campaign in Ukraine that was launched on February 24. A military court in Russia's southern Kabardino-Balkaria republic said Thursday it examined the “necessary documents” and questioned officials of the National Guard, a domestic security force separate from the Russian army.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.It concluded that the defendants “arbitrarily refused to perform an official assignment” and turned down their appeal.The hearing was held behind closed doors to avoid revealing “military secrets”, the court added. Citing the court's press service, the Interfax news agency reported on Thursday that the servicemen refused to carry out an assignment related to Moscow's “special operation” in Ukraine.Read more:Moscow pours cold water on Italian peace plan for UkraineRussian shelling kills at least four in Ukraine’s Kharkiv: GovernorPutin says West won’t succeed in cutting Russia off
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Russia confirms sacking 100 servicemen for refusing to fight in Ukraine

In total, 3,000 first-degree relatives of Ethiopian immigrants will be reunited with their families.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Ethiopian aliyah renews with 180 new immigrants to arrive next week

Turkish officials said the ISIS leader was captured following lengthy police surveillance and intel gathering of a house where he was staying in Istanbul.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Turkey officials claim new ISIS leader detained in Istanbul raid

Russian forces are making “incremental gains” inside Ukraine, a senior US defense official said Thursday, refusing to label the war as a stalemate.“We’re still not using stalemate as a way to characterize this,” the Pentagon official told reporters.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The Russian invasion of Ukraine entered its 92nd day on Thursday. Russia has so far been unsuccessful in overthrowing the government in Kyiv and its forces were pushed away from the capital in the early days of the war.And while Ukrainian troops put up what the Pentagon has said is a “stiff resistance,” Russia continues to hammer away at parts of the Donbas. “It [the fight in the Donbas] could go on for quite a while.”Speaking on condition of anonymity, the senior defense official also pointed out that Ukrainians were also making “incremental progress up around Kharkiv.”The official said Ukrainian forces were also launching counterattacks and recapturing lands the Russians had claimed over the last 90 days.Heavy lossesThe defense official said the Pentagon had indications that the Russians have lost at least 1,000 tanks, 36 fixed-wing aircraft and over 50 helicopters. “We believe the Russians have suffered a not insignificant amount of attrition.”The official also cited a recent decision by the Russian military to allow men over the age of 50 to join. Previously the age-limit was 40 years old. “So we continue to see them try to find ways to replenish and resource themselves from a manpower perspective,” they said.Read more: US says diplomats not ready for talks with Russian counterparts over Ukraine war
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Pentagon says Russia making ‘incremental gains’ inside Ukraine

An overabundance of food sources led to sedentary communities and monumental special buildings may have created cohesiveness.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Oldest Neolithic settlements in Turkey redefine domestication, society

The flag march, scheduled for Sunday, marks the Old City’s capture by Israel in a 1967 war, an annual event that is resented by Palestinians..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Israeli court upholds ban on Jewish prayer at Al Aqsa compound

Iran has been subjected to multiple setbacks caused by Israel: Arrests, assassinations and leaked secrets.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Why did US leak Jerusalem’s role in Iran officer death again? - analysis

As Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, spoke in Congress today about the use of Pegasus spyware by Spain’s intelligence services (the CNI), to spy on political figures, Amnesty International have called on authorities to urgently review the regulations to limit covert surveillance of communications. They have also published ten recommendations aimed at finding out the ..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Spain: Pegasus spyware scandal reveals risk of intelligence services acting with total impunity

Analysts fear inability to agree on key milestones will lead to a protracted paralysis in Lebanon, with disastrous consequences..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: In Lebanon, reform movement faces tough road ahead