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17 July 2013
The Iraqi Foreign Minister, Hoshyar Zebari was reported stating on Monday that Iraq needed the help of the international community to stop Iranian weapons transfers to the Assad government in Syria that violate UN Security Council resolutions banning weapons imports and exports to and from Iran.
Zebari condemned the use of Iraqi airspace by Iran to conduct the weapons transfers, but emphasized that the Iraqi military could do nothing to stop them and called on the international community to enforce the relevant Security Council resolutions. In 2012, the Iraqi Prime minister, under US pressure, closed the air corridor used by Iran for arms transfers but the flights were renewed shortly, the Jerusalem Post reports.
Source: Reuters | Iraq foreign minister says can't stop Iran arms flights to Syria
Source: The Jerusalem Post | Iraq says Iran weapons flights to Syria cannot be stopped without West's help
17 July 2013
In an interview with CBS television, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his policy of keeping dangerous arms from reaching Hezbollah in Lebanon. While refusing to confirm or deny reported Israeli involvement in the attack on a Syrian missile depot on July 5, Netanyahu said Israel would stand by its policy of preventing the transfer of dangerous weapons to Hezbollah and other terrorist groups.
Israel has repeatedly maintained it would take action to prevent “game-changing weapons”, including advanced guided missiles, from reaching hostile militant groups. Following an Israeli airstrike on Damascus in May, President Assad vowed to retaliate if Israel struck Syrian territory again, but has not commented on the July attack.
Source: ABC News | Israeli Leader Vows to Keep Weapons From Hezbollah
17 July 2013
The Sunday Times reported that Israeli submarines are responsible for the attack on the missile depot in Latakia, Syria on 5 July. US officials were reported saying that the attack was an Israeli airstrike.
The alleged naval strike was reportedly coordinated with Pentagon that has expressed concerns over the Russian anti-ship missiles in Syria that could pose a threat to Israel’s naval forces and be used against Western ships transporting supplies to the opposition. Neither Israel nor the US has commented on the attack. Nonetheless, Prime Minister Netanyahu was reportedly insisting on Sunday that he would not allow the transfer of dangerous weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Source: The Sunday Times | Israelis strike at Syrian missiles
Source: The New York Times | Israel Airstrike Targeted Advanced Missiles That Russia Sold to Syria, U.S. Says
Source: RT | Israeli submarine responsible for July attack on Syrian arms depot - report
15 July 2013
The SHARES Project closely follows and collects news items that are linked to the topic of shared responsibility. This is our News Items Overview of 16 June -15 July 2013, consisting of a summary of recent news relating to shared responsibility. (more…)
15 July 2013
According to UNHCR, Australia’s off-shore asylum processing centre on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea does not meet international standards. Harsh living conditions, a restricted legal regime, slow processing and restrictions on the freedom of movement amounting to open-ended and arbitrary detention were cited by the UN refugee agency as continued and worrying shortcomings.
The report released in Canberra on Friday also notes positive developments including progress towards the establishment of a legal framework for processing, but according to a UNHCR spokesperson, the existing conditions still do not meet international standards nor the terms of the bilateral agreement between Australia and Papua New Guinea concerning the processing of asylum-seekers.
Source: UN News Centre | Despite progress, UN finds faults with Australia's off-shore asylum processing centre