CEP Mentions
Focus Online: Escalation As A Strategy: A Ground War Is Brewing Between Hezbollah And Israel
“Tensions in the Middle East are reaching a new high. Terrorism specialist Hans-Jakob Schindler analyses the possible effects of the Israeli counterattacks on Lebanon and outlines scenarios for the future. What is Iran doing? Who needs to intervene urgently now?”
FDD's Long War Journal: Analysis: The Houthis Have Challenged The Rules-Based International System And Must Be Defeated
“The Houthis have long been a worry to anyone concerned with the well-being of the Yemeni people, the stability of the Arabian Peninsula, and security in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb. But the prominent role they have taken upon themselves since October 7 in the Axis of Resistance has taken these concerns to a new level. Of the extremist and terrorist groups that take their lead from Iran, the Houthis are one of the more independent-minded. They are capable of refusing to do Iran’s bidding when it conflicts with their interests. Nevertheless, they have become increasingly enthusiastic co-belligerents with Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and the Iraqi Shia militias, and the evidence shows that the Iranians are fully witting partners in this aggression.”
Syria
Reuters: Over 30,000 Crossed Into Syria From Lebanon In Past Days, Says Un
“Well over 30,000 people, mainly Syrians, have crossed into Syria from Lebanon in the past 72 hours, the UN refugee agency said on Friday, amid an escalating conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah that has killed hundreds of people in Lebanon. About 80% of those crossings are Syrians, and about 20% are Lebanese, said the UNHCR representative in Syria, Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, adding that about half are children and adolescents and that men are making the crossing in smaller numbers than women. "They are crossing from a country at war to one that has faced a crisis conflict for 13 years," an extremely difficult choice, he told a news conference. "We will have to see over the next few days how many more do so," added the representative.”
Iran
The Washington Post: Hezbollah Is Pounded By Israel, But Key Ally Iran Is Reluctant To Intervene
“Israeli airstrikes are dealing withering blows to Hezbollah, one of Iran’s most important allies and a key defensive buffer for the Islamic Republic. But Tehran has been reluctant to intervene on behalf of the militant group, choosing instead to pursue engagement with the West. In the 11 months since Hezbollah escalated its attacks on Israel — a show of support for Hamas in Gaza — the group has suffered the heaviest losses of its four-decade history. Its leadership has been decimated, its munitions destroyed, and its communications compromised by attacks last week that turned pagers and radios into bombs. But while Iran has offered rhetorical support, it has not joined the fight. Hezbollah “is completely able to defend itself and to defend Lebanon and Lebanese people,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said this week at the United Nations.”
Afghanistan
Associated Press: Taliban Who Banned Women From Public Spaces Say No One Faces Discrimination In Afghanistan
“The Taliban said Thursday it was absurd to accuse them of gender discrimination and other human rights violations, as four countries vow to hold Afghanistan’s rulers accountable under international law for their treatment of women and girls. Australia, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands are set to start legal proceedings against the Taliban for violating a U.N. convention on women, to which Afghanistan is a party. The countries launched the initiative on Wednesday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, which is taking place in New York until Monday. Despite promising more moderate rule after they seized power in 2021, the Taliban have barred women and girls from education beyond sixth grade, many public spaces and most jobs. In August, the Vice and Virtue Ministry issued laws banning women’s bare faces and prohibiting them from raising their voices in public.”
Pakistan
Associated Press: Pakistani Security Forces Say They Killed 8 Militants In A Raid In The Restive Northwest
“Pakistani security forces killed eight militants in an overnight raid in a former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban in the volatile northwestern region that borders Afghanistan, the military said Thursday. Troops also seized weapons and ammunition from the insurgents’ hideout after an intense shootout in North Waziristan, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, it said. The military provided no details about the slain militants, including their affiliation. Such operations often target the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP. North Waziristan was a base for the TTP and other militant groups until many were killed or forced out in multiple operations by security forces. The TTP is a separate group but a close ally of the Afghan Taliban, who seized power in neighboring Afghanistan in 2021. The Taliban takeover next door has emboldened the Pakistani Taliban who have stepped up attacks on Pakistani forces.”
Lebanon
Associated Press: Israel-Hamas War Latest: With Nearly 700 Killed In A Week, Lebanon Fears Gaza-Level Violence
“Nearly 700 people have been killed in Lebanon this week, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. Israel has dramatically escalated strikes, saying it is targeting Hezbollah’s military capacities and senior Hezbollah commanders. Top Israeli officials have threatened to repeat the destruction of Gaza in Lebanon if the Hezbollah fire continues, raising fears that Israel’s actions in Gaza since Oct. 7 would be repeated in Lebanon. The International Organization for Migration estimated Thursday that more than 200,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon since Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel in support of Hamas after it stormed into Israel, sparking the Israel-Hamas war. Lebanon says a total of 1,540 people have been killed within its borders in that time. The United States, France and other allies jointly called for a 21-day cease-fire.”
Middle East
Reuters: Saudi Arabia Forms Global Alliance To Push For Israeli-Palestinian Two-State Solution
“Saudi Arabia has formed a global alliance to push for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the country's foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, said on Thursday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York. The alliance includes a number of Arab and Muslim countries and European partners, the Saudi state news agency reported, without specifying which countries had committed to join. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on X the first meetings would be in Riyadh and Brussels. After the eruption of the Gaza war last October between Israel and the militant Palestinian group Hamas that rules Gaza, Saudi Arabia put on ice U.S.-backed plans for the kingdom to normalize ties with Israel, two sources familiar with Riyadh's thinking said earlier this year.”
Africa
Associated Press: Military Juntas In 3 West African Nations Investigate A French Journalist Over Jihadi Analysis
“Prosecutors in military junta-ruled Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso launched investigations on Wednesday against the French journalist and researcher Wassim Nasr into what they called his “apology of terrorism” and “complicity” in alleged terrorist acts, in the latest action against the Western media. In a message to The Associated Press, he condemned the move as intimidation and an attack on journalism. Nasr, who works for the French broadcaster France 24, gave a detailed analysis of a rare, deadly jihadi attack in Mali’s capital Bamako on Sep. 17. The prosecutors accused him of having been in contact with the attackers and that they communicated their location, objectives and death toll in real time with him. Nasr also made comments that “amount to blatant acts of publicity and support of the terrorists,” Manzo Hadiza, the deputy prosecutor of Niger, alleged during a press conference Wednesday.”
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