6 January 2014

United States Aids Iraq with Arms to Fight Al-Qaeda-backed insurgency

The United States has sent dozens of Hellfire missiles and low-tech surveillance drones to Iraq to help government forces combat an violence by an Al-Qaeda-backed insurgency that is gaining territory in both western Iraq and Syria. The assistance was requested by the Iraqi prime minister, Nuri Kamal al-Maliki. The New York Times reports that American intelligence and counterterrorism officials say they have effectively mapped the locations and origins of the Al-Qaeda network in Iraq and are sharing this information with the Iraqis.

The Iraqi military has a very limited ability to locate and quickly strike Al-Qaeda militants. The combination of American-supplied Hellfire air-to-ground missiles, tactical drones and intelligence, supplied by the United States, is intended to augment that limited Iraqi ability.

Source: The New York Times | U.S. Sends Arms to Aid Iraq Fight With Extremists

7 May 2013

Israel strikes targets in Syria

On Friday 3 May, and Sunday 5 May, the Israeli air force has carried out two strikes in Syria. While Israel has refused to comment on the strikes, an Israeli official has pointed out that both strikes were directed against shipments of Fateh-110 missiles (Iranian made missiles) that were allegedly shipped to Hezbollah in Lebanon. The strikes have prompted strong reactions both from Syria and from Iran. Syria in particular, alleged that the Israeli attacks amount to a declaration of war.

Source: The Guardian | Syria accuses Israel of declaring war after further air strikes
Source: AP The Big Story | Israeli airstrikes on Syria prompt threats, anger
Source: The New York Times | Syria Blames Israel for Fiery Attack in Damascus
Source: The New York Times | Airstrikes Tied to Israel May Be Message to Iranians