English LCCC Newsbulletin For
Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For April 29/2025
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
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Bible Quotations For today
Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy
yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am
holy."
First Letter of Peter 01/10-16:"Concerning this salvation, the prophets who
prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry,
inquiring about the person or time that the Spirit of Christ within them
indicated, when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ
and the subsequent glory. It was revealed to them that they were serving not
themselves but you, in regard to the things that have now been announced to you
through those who brought you good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven
things into which angels long to look! Therefore prepare your minds for action;
discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will
bring you when he is revealed. Like obedient children, do not be conformed to
the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. Instead, as he who called you is
holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, ‘You shall be
holy, for I am holy.
Titles For The
Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on April 28-29/2025
Text & Video: The Vile and Lewd Attack by Hezbollah's Thuggish Street
Mobs and Their Mouthpieces to Terrorize and Silence Director Youssef El Khoury/Elias
Bejjani/April 28, 2025
Text and Video: The Anniversary of the Syrian Army's Withdrawal from Lebanon Is
Marked by Defeat and Disappointment/Elias Bejjani/April 26/2025
Hezbollah leader calls on government to work harder to end Israel's attacks on
Lebanon
Hezbollah’s Naim Qassem Sets Three Priorities for Lebanon’s Stability
LAF Foils Sea Smuggling Attempt and Arrests 8 Suspects
Aoun Stresses Need for Israeli Withdrawal to Boost Border Security
Salam: Municipal Elections, First Step Towards Decentralization
Mount Lebanon municipal elections: Preparations finalized with extensive
security and technical measures
Army Retirees Threaten to Escalate Pressure for Better Pension
Israel army says hit more than 50 ‘terror targets’ in Lebanon in past month
Army Retirees Threaten to Escalate Pressure for Better Pension
Salam: Municipal Elections, First Step Towards Decentralization
Jeffers to meet Lebanese leaders in Beirut on Wednesday
Aoun stresses decision to monopolize arms already taken
Berri says Dahieh strike aimed at obstructing US-Iran talks
After Beirut’s southern suburbs strike, Israel weighs new strategy to contain
Hezbollah threat
Army Commander visits Seventh Infantry Brigade headquarters in Marjayoun, South
Lebanon
LAF Foils Sea Smuggling Attempt and Arrests 8 Suspects
Lebanon’s Finance Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Depositors’ Funds to Be Recovered
in Three Phases
Analysis: Disarming Hezbollah, Palestinian factions -– Lebanon's chance to
reclaim sovereignty/Dalal Saoud/United Press International/April 28, 2025
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published
on April 28-29/2025
US lost seven multi-million-dollar drones in Yemen area since March
Houthi rebels say alleged US airstrike that hit Yemen prison holding African
migrants kills
US sanctions target deliveries of oil and gas to Houthis
Gaza ceasefire talks in Cairo near ‘significant breakthrough,’ two security
sources say
Israel's Shin Bet chief announces resignation, to step down June 15, Israeli
media reports
Israeli strikes on Gaza kill at least 27 Palestinians
Palestinian envoy tells UN court Israel is killing Gaza civilians. Israel says
it’s being persecuted
Israel's UNRWA ban, humanitarian obligations under scrutiny in Hague hearings
Gaza ceasefire talks in Cairo witnessing 'significant breakthrough,' two
security sources say
Iran accuses Israel's Netanyahu of 'dictating' US policy in nuclear talks
Iran Port Explosion Caused by ‘Negligence’, Says Interior Minister
Death toll in Iran port explosion rises to at least 46 killed, with over 1,000
injured
Iranian leaders call for answers after port explosion
UN nuclear watchdog team in Iran for technical talks
Syria FM says wants to ‘strengthen relations’ with China
Syrian Presidency: SDF Call for Federalism Threatens the Country’s Unity, Safety
ISIS Kills Five Kurdish Fighters in Eastern Syria
India signs $7.4 billion deal to buy 26 Rafale fighter jets
Titles For
The Latest English LCCC analysis &
editorials from miscellaneous sourceson
on April 28-29/2025
With China and the US at intense economic odds, nations are being forced to
choose sides/Didi Tang And Zeke Miller/AP/April 28, 2025
Between censorship and chaos: Syrian artists wary of new regime/Nabih Bulos/Los
Angeles Times/April 28, 2025
There are signs Trump could be ready to retreat on tariffs/Faisal Islam -
Economics editor/BBC/April 28, 2025
Palestinian Leaders Play Musical Chairs To Dupe Western Donors/Khaled Abu Toameh/Gatestone
Institute/April 28, 2025
Why ‘Muhammad Never Existed’ Is the Weakest Polemic Against Islam: Part
1/Raymond Ibrahim/The Stream/April 28/2025
African Firewall/Amb. Alberto M. Fernandez/Africa-MEMRI Daily Brief No.
757/April 28/2025
Geopolitical Variations and Political Challenges/Dr. Charles Elias Chartouni/This
Is Beirut/Aptil 28/2025
Opinion - Trump has convinced himself that his delusions are reality/Harlan
Ullman, opinion contributor/The Hill/April 28, 2025
Iran... Pragmatism after the ‘Flood’/Ghassan Charbel/Asharq Al Awsat/April 28,
2025
The Latest English LCCC
Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published
on April 28-29/2025
The Vile and Lewd Attack by Hezbollah's Thuggish Street Mobs and Their
Mouthpieces to Terrorize and Silence Director Youssef El Khoury
Elias Bejjani/April 28, 2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/04/142815/
"Or am I trying to please people? If I were still
trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ". (Galatians
01/01-24)
There is no doubt that President Aoun’s tenure, is expected to properly see that
the Lebanese judiciary is not biased and execute its role with fairness in
accordance to the laws, and is thus put to the test — either to confront the
terrorist Hezbollah’s filthy judicial and media assaults targeting patriotic
citizens who speak the truth, or to turn a blind eye and succumb.
The judiciary’s true stance will be judged by the way it handles the satanic and
fabricated schemes aimed at intimidating and silencing director Youssef El
Khoury and at crushing the will of sovereign and honorable voices.
Will the judiciary, in its so-called new form, possess the courage and integrity
to confront and end the depravity and shamelessness of Hezbollah's Trojins and
hired gung propagandists?
In this context, we condemn the injustice and the dirty, street-level slander to
which the writer and director Youssef Youssef Yaacoub El Khoury is being
subjected, and we repeat what the Lord Jesus Christ said to the scribes and
Pharisees who demanded that he silence the shouts of the believers as he entered
Jerusalem: "If these keep silent, the stones will cry out." (Luke19/40)
Text and Video: The Anniversary of the Syrian
Army's Withdrawal from Lebanon Is Marked by Defeat and Disappointment
Elias Bejjani/April 26/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/04/129186/
April 26, 2005, is not merely a date to remember—it marks the end of a long and
painful chapter that began in 1976, when the Syrian army entered Lebanon and
began suppressing the free will of the Lebanese people.
Today, the Lebanese commemorate the withdrawal of the Assad regime’s brutal army
from their homeland—a retreat marked by humiliation, defeat, and disgrace. This
historic exit was the result of persistent, peaceful, and honorable pressure by
the Lebanese people of the Cedar Revolution, backed by international and
regional support. However, the vacuum left by the Syrian occupation was swiftly
filled by the Iranian army’s proxy—Hezbollah, a terrorist, sectarian militia
that now occupies Lebanon, strips it of its sovereignty, and suppresses its free
citizens and their independent leaders.
The key difference between these two brutal occupations lies in their form: the
Syrian Ba’athist occupation was carried out by a foreign force supported by
traitorous Lebanese factions. That regime has now collapsed, its
atrocities—including those against its own people—fully exposed. In contrast,
the Iranian occupation continues through Hezbollah—an armed gang composed of our
own people from the Shiites community, who have been misled and manipulated.
Their decisions, allegiance, funding, arms, culture, and ideological direction
are entirely dictated by Iran’s clerical regime. Since 1982, this regime has
worked tirelessly to dismantle the Lebanese state and replace it with a
theocracy governed by the concept of Wilayat al-Faqih (Guardianship of the
Islamic Jurist).
Despite countless international, Arab, and regional resolutions—and despite
almost daily, devastating Israeli strikes—Hezbollah remains in a state of
arrogant denial. It refuses to acknowledge the defeat reflected in the ceasefire
agreement and continues its threats and provocations. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s new
leadership—its president and cabinet—remain hesitant and submissive, appeasing
Hezbollah instead of taking a firm stand to set a clear timeline for disarmament
or to impose it by force. Hezbollah’s weapons are not pointed at Israel—they are
aimed at the Lebanese people.
Therefore, the Iranian occupation, executed through the treacherous, criminal,
jihadist, and Persian-backed Hezbollah, is far more dangerous than the previous
Syrian Assad occupation. Hezbollah was crushed in its confrontation with Israel,
and the myth of its so-called resistance has been shattered. For this reason,
every patriotic Lebanese citizen who believes in a Lebanon of peace,
coexistence, and sovereign purpose must rise against this occupation. They must
reject and expose every official, politician, or religious leader who enables
its survival.
Ultimately, evil can never triumph over good. Lebanon represents goodness, while
the Iranian jihadist occupation embodies evil. And because of that truth,
Lebanon will prevail—no matter how long the struggle takes. All occupying forces
will eventually suffer defeat, disgrace, and destruction.
Yet even more dangerous to Lebanon's identity, culture, and future than foreign
occupations are the shameful, narcissistic behaviors of many current and former
Lebanese politicians, clerics, and officials. Their hatred and envy resemble
that of Lucifer—the fallen angel cast out of heaven for defying the greatness of
God. These figures have similarly fallen, betraying Lebanon for personal gain
and power.
Yes, the Syrian army withdrew on April 26, 2005. But its domestic mercenaries
remain—especially Hezbollah, along with the toxic remnants of radical leftist
groups, Arab nationalists tainted by Nasserism, and frauds who continue to
deceive the public with empty slogans of resistance and liberation. These
forces, blinded by primitive instincts, hatred, and ignorance, are the true
enemies of Lebanon. They cloak themselves in hypocrisy and lies, peddling
slogans about “resistance,” “defiance,” and “throwing Jews into the sea,” all
while functioning as Trojan horses undermining Lebanon from within. With malice,
corruption, and violence, they actively sabotage efforts to restore sovereignty
and freedom—resorting to assassinations, invasions, terrorism, and mafia-like
intimidation.
Lebanon, with its divine message, ancient civilization, and sacred identity, has
endured for over 7,000 years. It is a flame that burns the hands of those who
try to destroy it. And in time, it will always rise up to crush those who insult
its dignity, freedom, and people.
On this solemn and truly national day, let us bow our heads in prayer for the
souls of our martyrs, for the return of our heroic, honorable refugees living in
exile in Israel, and for those still forcibly disappeared in the Assad regime’s
criminal prisons.
In the end, sacred Lebanon will endure—despite hardship and suffering—because
angels guard it, and because the Virgin Mother intercedes lovingly on its
behalf. Just as the Syrian occupation fell, so too will the Iranian one—whether
sooner or later, by God’s will.
Hezbollah leader calls on government to work harder to end
Israel's attacks on Lebanon
Bassem Mroue, The Associated Press/April 28, 2025
BEIRUT— The leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah group called on the government Monday
to work harder to end Israel’s attacks in the country a day after an Israeli
airstrike hit a suburb of Beirut. Naim Kassem said in a televised speech that
Hezbollah implemented the ceasefire deal that ended the 14-month
Israel-Hezbollah war in late November. But despite that, Israel is continuing
with near-daily airstrikes. Kassem’s comments came as the Israeli military said
it carried out more than 50 strikes in Lebanon this month saying they came after
Hezbollah violated the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. On Sunday, Israeli warplanes
struck Beirut’s southern suburbs after issuing a warning about an hour earlier,
marking the third Israeli strike on the area since a ceasefire took effect in
late November. The Israeli military said it struck a precision-guided missiles
facility. “The resistance complied 100% with the (ceasefire) deal and I tell
state officials that it's your duty to guarantee protection,” Kassem said,
adding that Lebanese officials should contact sponsors of the ceasefire so that
they pressure Israel to cease its attacks.
“Put pressure on America and make it understand that Lebanon cannot rise if the
aggression doesn’t stop,” Kassem said, pointing to Lebanese officials. He added
that the U.S. has interests in Lebanon and “stability achieves these interests.”
Kassem said the priority should be for an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, an
end to Israeli strikes in the country and the release of Lebanese held in Israel
since the war that ended on Nov. 27. Hezbollah began launching rockets, drones
and missiles into Israel the day after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern
Israel by its Hamas allies ignited the Israel-Hamas war. Palestinian militants
killed about 1,200 people in Israel and abducted 251 others during the 2023
attack. The Israel-Hezbollah conflict exploded into all-out war last September
when Israel carried out waves of airstrikes and killed most of the militant
group’s senior leaders. The fighting killed over 4,000 people. The Lebanese
government said earlier this month that 190 people have been killed and 485
injured in Lebanon by Israeli strikes since the ceasefire took effect.
Hezbollah’s Naim Qassem Sets Three Priorities for Lebanon’s
Stability
This is Beirut/April 28, 2025
In a televised speech broadcast by Al-Manar on Monday, Hezbollah Secretary
General Naim Qassem outlined three major priorities he said were essential for
Lebanon’s stability, recovery and development as the country prepares for
upcoming municipal elections.
Qassem emphasized that the first priority is ending Israeli aggression. He
called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory and the
release of Lebanese hostages held by Israel. According to Qassem, Israel has
committed more than 3,000 violations of the ceasefire agreement, while Hezbollah
has “fully respected” the terms.Criticizing the Lebanese government's response,
Qassem said the state bears the responsibility of exerting stronger pressure on
international actors—namely the United States, France and the United Nations—to
halt Israeli actions. He described the pressure applied so far as “soft and
limited.” Referring to Sunday’s Israeli strike on the southern suburbs of
Beirut, Qassem labeled it a “political aggression” aimed at forcing new dynamics
in Lebanon. The second priority he outlined is the reconstruction of the
country. Qassem accused the Lebanese government of failing to deliver on its
promises, stressing that rebuilding infrastructure and restoring livelihoods are
essential for national recovery. Qassem said the third priority is building a
strong and functional state. He underlined that a stable Lebanon must rest on
its foundational institutions, adding, “Lebanon will remain strong through its
resistance, its army and its people, and we will not give up our
strength.”Addressing the upcoming municipal and mukhtar elections, Qassem
stressed that participation must be motivated by public service, not political
investment or personal gain. He emphasized the need to contribute to reforming
municipal management, to make their experience a leading one and to present a
model that satisfies citizens. Qassem also stressed that candidates for
municipal councils must be competent, publicly accepted and committed to serving
the common good. He urged citizens to turn out in large numbers on election day,
stating that anyone who wants to develop their town must shoulder the
responsibility through active participation.
LAF Foils Sea Smuggling Attempt and Arrests 8 Suspects
This is Beirut/April 28, 2025
A Lebanese Army (LAF) navy patrol successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle 27
Syrians illegally across the sea, off the coast of Arida (northern Lebanon), the
Army’s Directorate of Orientation announced on Monday. The statement also
detailed a series of coordinated raids carried out by army units, supported by
the Intelligence Directorate, targeting the homes of wanted individuals. During
these operations, six suspects were arrested. In Baalbeck, the army detained
A.A.H., K.H., and A.K.H. in the towns of Adous and Majdaloun, where they were
found in possession of weapons and ammunition. Meanwhile, in Khaldeh, Mount
Lebanon, M.Gh., A.Gh., and Y.Gh. were arrested after opening fire; they too were
found carrying weapons and ammunition. Separately, at the Wadi al-Turkman
checkpoint in Hermel, LAF personnel arrested Lebanese citizen M.S. and Syrian
national Y.S. During the operation, a firearm, a quantity of ammunition, and a
stash of narcotics were seized. The army confirmed that all confiscated items
were handed over to the relevant authorities, and investigations have begun
under the supervision of the competent judiciary.
Aoun Stresses Need for Israeli Withdrawal to Boost Border Security
This is Beirut/April 28, 2025
President Joseph Aoun underscored the urgent need for Israeli forces to withdraw
from five strategic points in southern Lebanon to facilitate the full deployment
of the Lebanese Army (LAF) along the border. “This withdrawal is essential to
enable the state to assume full responsibility for border security,” Aoun
stated. Following the expiration of the ceasefire deadline on February 18,
Israeli forces remained stationed on five key hills, citing the need to secure
their border and prevent Hezbollah from rearming. In a meeting on Monday with a
visiting delegation from the French Senate, Aoun addressed the situation and
reaffirmed that the Lebanese Army, already active along the northeastern border,
is effectively carrying out its duties, notably in counterterrorism operations,
anti-smuggling efforts and maintaining internal security.
Aoun emphasized the state’s exclusive authority over armed forces. He declared,
“This decision has been taken, and there is no question of managing the
situation by resorting to warlike language.”On reforms, the President
highlighted that the measures underway are driven by internal necessity rather
than external pressures. “We have begun to implement these reforms, and we will
see them through,” he asserted, stressing that fighting corruption remains
central to restoring public order and improving services for citizens.
Regarding Lebanese-Syrian relations, Aoun announced the establishment of joint
Lebanese-Syrian committees tasked with addressing unresolved issues, including
the demarcation of land and maritime borders and the situation of displaced
Syrians in Lebanon. Looking ahead to the municipal elections scheduled for May,
he confirmed they would be held on time. He also emphasized the state’s role in
ensuring the security and administrative integrity of the elections,
guaranteeing the Lebanese people’s freedom to choose their local
representatives. “What we are striving for in all our endeavors is to rebuild
the state and restore confidence in it, both nationally and internationally,” he
concluded.
Salam: Municipal Elections, First Step Towards
Decentralization
This is Beirut/April 28, 2025
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reaffirmed on Monday that municipal elections will be
held as scheduled, calling the vote a “democratic constitutional entitlement”
and a promise the government is determined to fulfill. Speaking from the
Ministry of Interior during the launch of the central operations room dedicated
to overseeing the elections, Salam confirmed the ministry’s full readiness to
manage the electoral process. The operations room will officially begin its work
on Tuesday, coordinating with various security and administrative bodies to
ensure the elections run smoothly. Salam described the upcoming elections as “a
first step towards activating expanded administrative decentralization,” a goal
he pledged to pursue in the ministerial policy statement. He also promised that
following the vote, the government would move forward with studying various
projects, including advancing decentralization efforts that remain incomplete
since the Taif Accord in 1989. Calling for greater civic participation, Salam
urged Lebanon’s youth to run as candidates and to vote, stressing that “new
blood” is essential to renew the country’s political life. Minister of Interior
Ahmad al-Hajjar echoed the Prime Minister’s assurances, affirming the ministry’s
readiness to conduct the elections on time. He emphasized that Lebanon’s
democratic processes would not be dictated by external pressures, and that the
elections would proceed according to the country’s sovereign national agenda.
Mount Lebanon municipal elections: Preparations finalized with
extensive security and technical measures
LBCI/April 28, 2025
One week before the municipal and local elections in Mount Lebanon, authorities
are bracing for potential technical or security issues at polling stations. To
ensure smooth operations, multiple support centers have been set up to assist
voters, polling staff, and election officials. At the Interior Ministry, two
dedicated units are ready: a call center and an operations room, both accessible
through the hotline 1766. The call center will be staffed by Internal Security
Forces (ISF) personnel and UNDP-trained employees, who are equipped to address
issues like delays in delivering ballot boxes, problems with voters'
identification documents, or disruptions in electricity and communications at
voting centers. If a technical issue cannot be resolved at the call center, it
will be escalated to the ministry's operations room, which includes
representatives from security agencies, judges delegated by the Justice
Ministry, senior officials, and ministry employees. In case of security
incidents, such as disputes or disturbances, matters will be transferred to the
ISF's operations room for appropriate response.
The Interior Ministry's operations room, located in the hall named after the
late General Wissam al-Hassan, was inaugurated Monday by the Interior Minister
alongside Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. It is connected to a centralized dashboard
that links with the ISF's operations center, which monitors the security
situation and coordinates units across the country. On election day, the General
Director of Internal Security will oversee operations alongside senior officers
to ensure the proper distribution of ballot boxes, the orderly start of the
voting process, and immediate response to any security breaches. More than 8,000
security personnel will be deployed under a detailed plan to safeguard the
electoral process. The Interior Ministry will continuously update voter turnout
rates electronically on the shared dashboard. Although preparations are
advanced, vote counting will proceed manually as in previous elections. Results
will be transmitted from the heads of polling centers to the Mount Lebanon
governorate through district centers before being sent to the Interior Ministry
and published on the dashboard. Meanwhile, the Mount Lebanon governorate and
district centers are finalizing their own plans to manage complaints and issues
on election day, with details to be announced once preparations are complete.
Army Retirees Threaten to Escalate Pressure for Better
Pension
This is Beirut/April 28, 2025
Amid growing frustration over deteriorating living conditions, the Military
Retirees Movement announced a shift to a new phase of confrontation, warning of
wide-ranging protests if the government fails to meet their demands. “After
exhausting all means of dialogue and peaceful expression, and facing deafening
silence and humiliating disregard for our rightful demands, we announce today a
new stage of struggle,” the movement said in a statement on Monday. The retirees
called on their members to take “decisive action” if the government does not
immediately approve an urgent financial assistance package of LBP 20 million
during its next session, along with a comprehensive review of their pension
conditions. “We have been patient for a long time and have endured the
unbearable, but our patience has run out,” the statement warned, accusing
successive governments of disregarding their sacrifices and abandoning military
families to hunger and destitution. From now on, the retirees said, their
protests will no longer be symbolic, warning of widespread sit-ins across cities
and villages until their demands are fully met.
“We are no longer asking, we are reclaiming our stolen rights,” the statement
declared, stressing that if the authorities resort to the language of force,
they are prepared to respond with determination and strength. They also
threatened to escalate their actions during the upcoming municipal elections and
warned of possible road blockages, institutional paralysis and even civil
disobedience if their grievances are not addressed. “Let every official know
that continued disregard of our rights will push us toward options that will not
be in anyone’s interest,” the statement concluded. They called for national
solidarity in support of their demands, stressing that “together, we will snatch
our rights.” “Let everyone prepare for days of anger that will only end with the
rightful victory.”
Israel army says hit more than 50 ‘terror targets’ in Lebanon in
past month
AFP/April 28, 2025
JERUSALEM: Israel’s military said Monday that it had struck more than 50 “terror
targets” across Lebanon over the past month, despite a November ceasefire that
ended a war between it and Hezbollah militants. On Sunday, Israel struck south
Beirut for the third time since the fragile November 27 ceasefire went into
effect, prompting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to call on its guarantors
France and the United States to force a halt. “Over the past month, the IDF
(military) has struck more than 50 terror targets across Lebanon. These strikes
were carried out following violations of the ceasefire and understandings
between Israel and Lebanon, which posed a threat to the State of Israel and its
citizens,” the military said in a statement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu’s office said Sunday’s strike targeted a building used by Hezbollah to
store “precision-guided missiles,” and vowed to stop the Iran-backed militant
group from using Beirut’s southern suburbs as a “safe haven.”Hezbollah leader
Naim Qassem said in a speech Monday that the attack “lacks any justification,”
going on to call it “a political attack aimed at changing the rules by force.”
Israel has continued to carry out regular strikes in Lebanon despite the truce,
which sought to halt more than a year of hostilities with Hezbollah that
culminated in a heavy Israeli bombing campaign and ground incursion.
Under the deal, Hezbollah was to pull its fighters north of Lebanon’s Litani
River, some 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the Israeli border, and dismantle any
remaining military infrastructure to its south. Israel was to withdraw all its
forces from south Lebanon, but troops remain in five positions that it deems
“strategic.”
Army Retirees Threaten to Escalate Pressure for Better Pension
This is Beirut/April 28, 2025
Amid growing frustration over deteriorating living conditions, the Military
Retirees Movement announced a shift to a new phase of confrontation, warning of
wide-ranging protests if the government fails to meet their demands. “After
exhausting all means of dialogue and peaceful expression, and facing deafening
silence and humiliating disregard for our rightful demands, we announce today a
new stage of struggle,” the movement said in a statement on Monday. The retirees
called on their members to take “decisive action” if the government does not
immediately approve an urgent financial assistance package of LBP 20 million
during its next session, along with a comprehensive review of their pension
conditions. “We have been patient for a long time and have endured the
unbearable, but our patience has run out,” the statement warned, accusing
successive governments of disregarding their sacrifices and abandoning military
families to hunger and destitution. From now on, the retirees said, their
protests will no longer be symbolic, warning of widespread sit-ins across cities
and villages until their demands are fully met.
“We are no longer asking, we are reclaiming our stolen rights,” the statement
declared, stressing that if the authorities resort to the language of force,
they are prepared to respond with determination and strength. They also
threatened to escalate their actions during the upcoming municipal elections and
warned of possible road blockages, institutional paralysis and even civil
disobedience if their grievances are not addressed. “Let every official know
that continued disregard of our rights will push us toward options that will not
be in anyone’s interest,” the statement concluded. They called for national
solidarity in support of their demands, stressing that “together, we will snatch
our rights.” “Let everyone prepare for days of anger that will only end with the
rightful victory.”
Salam: Municipal Elections, First Step Towards Decentralization
This is Beirut/April 28, 2025
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reaffirmed on Monday that municipal elections will be
held as scheduled, calling the vote a “democratic constitutional entitlement”
and a promise the government is determined to fulfill. Speaking from the
Ministry of Interior during the launch of the central operations room dedicated
to overseeing the elections, Salam confirmed the ministry’s full readiness to
manage the electoral process. The operations room will officially begin its work
on Tuesday, coordinating with various security and administrative bodies to
ensure the elections run smoothly. Salam described the upcoming elections as “a
first step towards activating expanded administrative decentralization,” a goal
he pledged to pursue in the ministerial policy statement. He also promised that
following the vote, the government would move forward with studying various
projects, including advancing decentralization efforts that remain incomplete
since the Taif Accord in 1989. Calling for greater civic participation, Salam
urged Lebanon’s youth to run as candidates and to vote, stressing that “new
blood” is essential to renew the country’s political life. Minister of Interior
Ahmad al-Hajjar echoed the Prime Minister’s assurances, affirming the ministry’s
readiness to conduct the elections on time. He emphasized that Lebanon’s
democratic processes would not be dictated by external pressures, and that the
elections would proceed according to the country’s sovereign national agenda.
Jeffers to meet Lebanese leaders in Beirut on Wednesday
Naharnet/April 28, 2025
The head of the U.S.-led ceasefire monitoring committee, U.S. general Jasper
Jeffers, will return Wednesday to Lebanon to meet with President Joseph Aoun,
Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Asharq al-Awsat newspaper
said.
“His presence after a long absence might be aimed at accompanying the ongoing
negotiations between Washington and Tehran and exploring the outcome of
communication between President Aoun and Hezbollah’s leadership as to limiting
arms to the hands of the state,” the daily said. A Western diplomatic source
meanwhile told the newspaper that “the U.S. general is currently seeking to pass
time” and that “his visit to Beirut comes in parallel with the continuation of
the U.S.-Iranian negotiations.”The source also warned Hezbollah’s leadership
against thinking that any U.S.-Iranian agreement would be an opportunity to
restore the group’s pre-October 7 status.
Aoun stresses decision to monopolize arms already taken
Naharnet/April 28, 2025
Limiting weapons to the hand of the Lebanese state is “a decision that has been
taken and it is unacceptable to return to the rhetoric of war,” President Joseph
Aoun reiterated on Monday. “Israeli withdrawal from the five hills represents a
necessity to continue the deployment of the army to the border, so that the
state alone becomes in charge of border security,” Aoun added, in a meeting in
Baabda with a delegation from the French senate. “The Lebanese Army is deployed
on the northeastern border and it is fully performing its duties. It is also in
charge of combating terrorism, preventing smuggling operations and preserving
domestic security,” the president said. He added that joint Lebanese-Syrian
committees will be formed to address the pending issues, including the
demarcation of the land and sea borders and the situations of the displaced
Syrians present in Lebanon. “We have started to make the necessary reforms,
which will be completed because they are a Lebanese need before being a foreign
demand,” Aoun went on to say. “Focusing on combating corruption is an essential
part of reforms, with the aim of serving the citizen and enhancing public
order,” the president added. “What we’re seeking in all what we are doing is to
build the state and restore confidence in it, domestically and externally,” Aoun
said, while reassuring that the municipal elections will take place on time.
Berri says Dahieh strike aimed at obstructing US-Iran talks
Naharnet/April 28, 2025
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri told his visitors that Israel’s airstrike on
Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday was aimed at “obstructing the Iranian-U.S.
negotiations.”“The aggression that it carried out had no military value, seeing
as the targeted site is a civilian site,” Berri added. Israel “wants to drag
Lebanon into a new war through establishing new rules of engagement that will
not be permanent,” the Speaker went on to say.
After Beirut’s southern suburbs strike, Israel weighs new
strategy to contain Hezbollah threat
LBCI/April 28, 2025
The Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday has heightened fears
in Israel of a potential Hezbollah retaliation, according to Israeli
assessments. Military officials warned against downplaying the reactions that
followed the operation, which coincided with the Israeli army reinforcing its
deployment along the border and in nearby towns while stepping up surveillance
of Lebanon under the pretext of preventing Hezbollah from strengthening its
military capabilities.In a cabinet evaluation session held after Sunday’s
operation, decision-makers praised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s threats
against Hezbollah and his statements about ensuring the return of northern
residents to their towns. Meanwhile, some sources claimed that Iran
continues its efforts to support and reorganize Hezbollah. Northern residents,
for their part, resumed protests against the army and government
decision-makers, while security and political officials argued that Israel must
revise its strategy to solidify its status as the regional power capable of
managing multiple fronts according to its own policy. In light of renewed calls
to prioritize the northern front, a policy paper was presented to
decision-makers proposing several steps. The paper emphasized the need to
urge Washington to accelerate the full deployment of the Lebanese Army in
southern Lebanon as a necessary step before Israel withdraws from the five
strategic points it has occupied. It also called for ensuring Israel’s continued
freedom of action against what Israeli officials described as "existing and
evolving threats." Additionally, the paper recommended securing a permanent
border demarcation as part of a comprehensive agreement between Beirut and Tel
Aviv, which would include the disarmament of Hezbollah in exchange for Israeli
concessions related to disputed border areas. Former National Security Council
member Orna Mizrahi noted that the Lebanese government’s limited ability to meet
all of these demands requires Israel to pursue these goals gradually and in full
coordination with the United States.
Army Commander visits Seventh Infantry Brigade headquarters in
Marjayoun, South Lebanon
LBCI/April 28, 2025
Army Commander General Rodolph Haykal visited the Seventh Infantry Brigade
headquarters at François El-Hajj Barracks in Marjayoun, where he met with
officers and soldiers. He praised their efforts as a message to both Lebanese
citizens and the international community, affirming that they demonstrate
Lebanon's unity and commitment to its sovereignty through their missions across
the country. The army's role is vital and essential for the nation's continuity,
and nothing will deter us from fulfilling our duty," Haykal told the troops. He
also inspected an advanced border monitoring post belonging to the brigade in
the Khiam area, reviewing the operational deployment of units working
continuously to implement international resolutions amid ongoing violations and
repeated Israeli attacks, including the most recent strike near Beirut. In Blat,
Marjayoun, Haykal extended his condolences to the family of First Sergeant
Jawdat Noura, who was killed on April 20, 2025, following a munitions explosion
in the Braikeh area of Nabatieh. He commended Noura's dedication and ultimate
sacrifice in the line of duty.
LAF Foils Sea Smuggling Attempt and Arrests 8 Suspects
This is Beirut/April 28, 2025
A Lebanese Army (LAF) navy patrol successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle 27
Syrians illegally across the sea, off the coast of Arida (northern Lebanon), the
Army’s Directorate of Orientation announced on Monday. The statement also
detailed a series of coordinated raids carried out by army units, supported by
the Intelligence Directorate, targeting the homes of wanted individuals. During
these operations, six suspects were arrested. In Baalbeck, the army detained
A.A.H., K.H., and A.K.H. in the towns of Adous and Majdaloun, where they were
found in possession of weapons and ammunition. Meanwhile, in Khaldeh, Mount
Lebanon, M.Gh., A.Gh., and Y.Gh. were arrested after opening fire; they too were
found carrying weapons and ammunition. Separately, at the Wadi al-Turkman
checkpoint in Hermel, LAF personnel arrested Lebanese citizen M.S. and Syrian
national Y.S. During the operation, a firearm, a quantity of ammunition, and a
stash of narcotics were seized. The army confirmed that all confiscated items
were handed over to the relevant authorities, and investigations have begun
under the supervision of the competent judiciary.
Lebanon’s Finance Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Depositors’ Funds
to Be Recovered in Three Phases
Washington: Ali Barada/Asharq Al Awsat/April 28, 2025
Yassin Jaber, Lebanon’s Finance Minister and head of the Lebanese delegation to
the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, said that the recovery of
depositors’ funds in Lebanese banks will take place in three consecutive phases.
Acknowledging US pressure to shut down the Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association
affiliated with Hezbollah, Jaber emphasized the need for a defensive policy
aimed at disarming militias. He also spoke of Lebanon’s “natural” return to the
“Arab embrace,” describing relations with Arab states — particularly Saudi
Arabia — as “excellent. In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Jaber described
his meetings on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank gatherings as “generally
positive,” stressing the importance of the visit in helping to bridge the trust
gap that had widened over the years between Lebanon and the international
community, as well as with its Arab allies. He noted that the meetings with IMF
representatives included the presentation of “essential reforms” approved by the
Lebanese government, emphasizing that these reforms were not being implemented
to appease external parties but were necessary steps for the benefit of Lebanon
itself and its people.
The minister explained that reforms in sectors like electricity are aimed at
providing better services to Lebanese citizens, enabling them to pay lower bills
and receive uninterrupted electricity supply, rather than relying on costly
private generators.
Jaber considered the recent parliamentary vote to amend banking secrecy laws —
passed by a majority of 87 votes — a clear vote of confidence in the
government’s reform efforts. He also mentioned a new draft law for restructuring
the banking sector, which has been referred to the parliamentary Finance
Committee for expedited review before being presented to the general assembly.
Regarding the recovery of depositors’ funds, Jaber stressed that Lebanon’s
current priorities are broad and simultaneous, encompassing agreements with the
IMF and World Bank, addressing the issue of unpaid sovereign debt, banking
sector reform, and returning funds to depositors. He revealed that Lebanon’s new
Central Bank Governor, Karim Saeed, is preparing a comprehensive plan to
restructure banks and return depositors’ funds. “No banking system worldwide can
return all depositors’ money at once. Recovery will occur in phases, beginning
with middle-income depositors — those with balances of $100,000 or less — who
represent 84 percent of all depositors,” Jaber said, adding that larger deposits
will be addressed subsequently, with amounts up to $500,000 or even $1 million,
before moving to higher brackets. Although the plan will be presented in full,
the payouts will be made gradually over time, he noted. The Lebanese minister
underlined the critical need for a functioning banking sector that is adequately
capitalized and compliant with international standards. He explained that if
certain banks fail to meet these requirements, they may be merged, either
individually or through the consolidation of two or three banks to achieve
stability. Jaber also warned that Lebanon’s inclusion on the Financial Action
Task Force (FATF) gray list resulted from the country’s reliance on cash
transactions, and that restoring trust in the banking sector and reducing
cash-based activity are essential for Lebanon’s removal from the list.
In addressing the US call to shut down Al-Qard Al-Hassan, Jaber said the matter
falls within the jurisdiction of the Central Bank Governor and not the Finance
Ministry, noting that the authorities will observe developments closely.
Touching on Lebanon’s gold reserves, he said: “These assets bolster confidence
in the Central Bank’s holdings and its future credibility.”He lamented past
policy errors under former Governor Riad Salameh, which, he said, will now be
avoided. He also categorically ruled out any move to liquidate the gold
reserves, explaining that such a decision is not within the authority of the
Central Bank Governor, the finance minister, or even the government. “Any move
to sell gold would require a parliamentary decision, and at present, this issue
is not under discussion,” the minister told Asharq Al-Awsat.
On the sensitive issue of Hezbollah’s arms, Jaber explained that the Lebanese
Army is deployed in the South and is rigorously implementing United Nations
Resolution 1701. He emphasized the importance of empowering the army with
sufficient resources and proper organization to fulfill its duties.“President
Joseph Aoun, who handles this file with deep understanding gained from his years
as an army commander, is managing the matter wisely,” he said. While there
remains pressure, logistical and manpower challenges continue to hinder full
deployment, with efforts underway to recruit thousands of additional troops,
according to the minister. Jaber noted that all political parties, including
Hezbollah, have expressed respect for the army and a willingness to cooperate
with it. He stressed that the President remains committed to developing a
national defense strategy and will soon convene dialogue sessions to move this
process forward, urging patience and time for these initiatives to materialize.
Turning to Lebanon’s relations with Saudi Arabia and the broader Arab world,
Jaber stated: “It is natural for Lebanon to belong within the Arab fold,” citing
the historic ties and the presence of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese
expatriates in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Iraq. He described the
current relationships as “extremely positive,” saying: “Our hand is extended,
and we are making every effort to maintain the best possible relations with our
Arab brothers.”
He further praised Arab countries as Lebanon’s “big brothers,” expressing
gratitude for their continued concern and support for Lebanon’s stability and
prosperity. Jaber emphasized that no other country could have withstood the
sequence of crises Lebanon has faced — including the 2019 financial collapse,
the 2020 Beirut port explosion, the COVID-19 pandemic, a prolonged presidential
vacuum, a paralyzed government, a suspended Parliament, and over a year of
conflict. The minister reminded Arab nations that Lebanon continues to host two
million Syrian refugees, drawing a comparison by suggesting that if the United
States hosted 120 million Mexicans for two years, it too would be overwhelmed.
He concluded by calling on Lebanon’s Arab and international allies to stand by
the country as it strives to implement genuine, structural reforms across all
sectors.
Analysis: Disarming Hezbollah, Palestinian factions -–
Lebanon's chance to reclaim sovereignty
Dalal Saoud/United Press International/April 28, 2025
BEIRUT, Lebanon...Lebanon, shattered by five decades of lawlessness, military
occupation and the dominance of armed non-state actors, now has a chance to
reclaim its long-lost sovereignty -- if it can overcome the final hurdles:
disarming Hezbollah and the Palestinian armed factions. However, the country's
new leaders must walk a tightrope to accomplish a long-awaited mission -- one
that seemed inconceivable just months ago. The once-powerful Hezbollah has been
significantly weakened by Israel, which has assassinated many of its top leaders
and military commanders, destroyed much of its arsenal, and forced the group to
retreat from the embattled southern region during a recent destructive war. Its
patron, Iran, also has seen a sharp decline in influence, losing much of its
strength, its "axis of resistance" and its dominant regional role.
The Palestinian armed factions, including Hamas, are in no better position. The
Gaza war has left them in disarray, with the Strip reduced to rubble and barely
livable -- pushing the issue of armed struggle against Israel back to the
forefront, but under drastically changed conditions. Their military presence in
Lebanon was called into question years ago, but now, more than ever, following
Hezbollah's weakening and Israel's massive destruction of south Lebanon and
other areas, it can no longer be justified or tolerated.
The dramatic regional shifts and mounting international pressure have made it
clear that the time has come for these groups to relinquish their weapons,
whether voluntarily or by force. Yet, despite Israel's continued use of
overwhelming military power against Hezbollah and Hamas, it has failed to
eliminate either. Hezbollah remains well-armed and retains significant military
capabilities, while Hamas continues to fight in Gaza and still holds the
remaining Israeli captives. But both are stuck with limited options. Aware of
the challenges and risks of forcing the disarmament of Hezbollah, Lebanese
President Joseph Aoun, the country's former Army commander, opted for engaging
the militant group in a one-to-one dialogue. Aoun has remained firm since he was
elected to the country's top post in January on his pledge to disarm all
militias and impose the state monopoly on weapons.
However, stripping Hezbollah of its arms by force is "out of question" for the
president because it could lead to "a civil war, confrontation between the Army
and the group or among the Lebanese," according to a Lebanese official source.
Hezbollah's positions and military facilities south of the Litani River in south
Lebanon already are being taken by the Lebanese Army and its weapons confiscated
in line with the Nov. 27 cease-fire agreement that was brokered by the United
States and France to end the war with Israel. "Instructions to the Lebanese army
are clear and Hezbollah is responding. There will be no weapons except those of
the army," the source told UPI. "That's final." In some cases, residents in the
south have tipped off the Army about Hezbollah's well-concealed positions.
Recently, soldiers discovered a Hezbollah-operated hospital hidden inside a
mountain. However, the issue of Hezbollah's bases north of the Litani River,
where it reportedly stockpiles its long-range missiles, is more complicated.
While the cease-fire agreement stipulates that Hezbollah must be fully disarmed,
the Iran-backed group has argued that the provision applies only to south
Lebanon.
Recently, Hezbollah has begun signaling a willingness to discuss its weapons on
the condition that Israel halts its attacks and withdraws from five strategic
hilltop positions it retained after pulling out of south Lebanon following the
extension of the cease-fire deadline to Feb. 18. Hezbollah's weapons outside the
south Litani area "need a very quiet diplomacy," said the Lebanese official
source, noting that Aoun-Hezbollah dialogue hasn't started yet, and the current
efforts were limited to indirect contacts between the two sides.
"We are still in a preliminary phase, with no action plan or mechanism yet in
place," he said, noting that the main obstacle is Israel's continued occupation
of the five positions, which also prevents the Army's full deployment, and its
reluctance to also discuss 13 disputed border points."To be honest, how can you
expect to talk to Hezbollah about disarmament while Israel continues to bombard
villages, strike its positions and assassinate its field commanders on a daily
basis?" the source said, asking whether Israel was not bowing to U.S. pressure
to withdraw or whether Washington's pressures are very limited. He denied that
the United States has set a deadline for Lebanon to fully disarm Hezbollah, but
added, "That does not mean they will wait for us forever."
Riad Kahwaji, who heads the Dubai-based Institute for Near East and Gulf
Military Analysis, said Aoun does have a strong argument about the risks
associated with the forced disarmament of Hezbollah. "It could potentially lead
to a civil war due to the religious factional composition of the country, as
well as the armed forces," Kahwaji told UPI, noting that Hezbollah does enjoy
wide support among a good portion of the Shiite community in Lebanon and is
still regarded as very well armed despite its losses during the war with Israel.
"The Lebanese Army can engage them [Hezbollah fighters] and could probably
succeed in disarming them, but this would be at a potential heavy cost. ...
There will be certainly heavy bloodshed," Kahwaji told UPI. The risk of
Hezbollah retaining its weapons or retaliating against Israel's ongoing attacks
could very likely provide Israel with a pretext to resume the war -- a scenario
Hezbollah may not be able to withstand and one its popular base is unlikely to
tolerate. According to Kahwaji, the group's strategy of playing for time, in the
hope that developments in Syria might reopen its supply routes from Iran and
allow it to rebuild, is "illusional at this stage."
But what should be done with Hezbollah if and when it is disarmed?
One proposal, suggested by Aoun, is to integrate its fighters individually into
the Lebanese Army -- much like former militias were absorbed after Lebanon's
1975-1990 civil war -- rather than incorporating them as a distinct unit, as
Iraq did with its Popular Mobilization Units. However, many military experts
warn that this approach carries significant risks and could prove highly
destabilizing. Kahwaji explained that while Hezbollah may desire its fighters to
be absorbed into the armed forces, the group most likely would want to maintain
cohesion and preserve its independent leadership. "Integrating a group that
serves a religious ideology, takes orders from its own commanders and ultimately
answers to Iran into a secular institution sensitive to the country's religious
and sectarian composition will be extremely difficult and highly dangerous," he
said. Such a move would complicate Lebanon's normalization with Syria's new
leadership that was born out of Sunni Islamic groups and most likely would be
rejected by the United States., western powers and Arab Gulf countries that
provide aid to the war-ravaged country. Is it the end of the anti-Israel armed
struggle? Would it be possible without a just solution to the Palestinian issue?
Hilal Khashan, a professor of political science at the American University of
Beirut, argued that Hezbollah will realize that it is "outside the Middle East
military equation," especially since the United States and Iran "appear readying
themselves for a historic agreement." "Hezbollah is no longer in a position to
challenge Israel. It has become a sitting duck that does not answer Israeli
daily air raids and assassinations," Khashan told UPI. The Lebanon-based
Palestinian armed factions, he said, also have no choice but to lay down their
arms and allow the Lebanese authorities to assume full control over 12 refugee
camps in various Lebanese regions. "Armed struggle is a thing of the past. If
Hamas cannot hold its ground in Gaza, we should not expect it to hold on in
Lebanon," he added. The Lebanese Army has begun gradually taking control of
Palestinian positions outside the 12 overcrowded refugee camps, a move described
by observers as "small but important steps" in Lebanon's efforts to regain its
sovereignty and authority.
The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News
published
on April 28-29/2025
US lost seven multi-million-dollar drones in Yemen area since March
AFP/April 29, 2025
WASHINGTON: The United States has lost seven multi-million-dollar MQ-9 Reaper
drones in the Yemen area since March 15, a US official said Monday, as the Navy
announced a costly warplane fell off an aircraft carrier into the Red Sea.
Washington launched the latest round of its air campaign against Yemen’s Houthis
in mid-March, and MQ-9s can be used for both reconnaissance — a key aspect of US
efforts to identify and target weaponry the rebels are using to attack shipping
in the region — as well as strikes. “There have been seven MQ-9s that have gone
down since March 15,” the US official said on condition of anonymity, without
specifying what caused the loss of the drones, which cost around $30 million
apiece. The US Navy meanwhile announced the loss of another piece of expensive
military equipment: an F/A-18E warplane that fell off the USS Harry S. Truman
aircraft carrier in an accident that injured one sailor. A tractor that was
towing the F/A-18E — a type of aircraft that cost more than $67 million in 2021
— also slipped off the ship into the sea. “The F/A-18E was actively under tow in
the hangar bay when the move crew lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft and
tow tractor were lost overboard,” the Navy said in a statement. The carrier and
its other planes remain in action and the incident is under investigation, the
Navy added. No details of recovery work were released. It is the second F/A-18
operating off the Truman to be lost in less than six months, after another was
mistakenly shot down by the USS Gettysburg guided missile cruiser late last year
in incident that both pilots survived. The Truman is one of two US aircraft
carriers operating in the Middle East, where US forces have been striking the
Houthis on a near-daily basis since March 15. The military’s Central Command
said Sunday that US forces have struck more than 800 targets and killed hundreds
of Houthi fighters, including members of the group’s leadership, as part of the
operation. The Iran-backed Houthis began targeting shipping in late 2023,
claiming solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which has been
devastated by a military campaign launched by Israel after a shock Hamas attack
in October of that year. Houthi attacks have prevented ships from passing
through the Suez Canal — a vital route that normally carries about 12 percent of
the world’s shipping traffic — forcing many companies into a costly detour
around the tip of southern Africa. The United States first began conducting
strikes against the Houthis under the Biden administration, and President Donald
Trump has vowed that military action against the rebels will continue until they
are no longer a threat to shipping.
Houthi rebels say alleged US airstrike that hit Yemen
prison holding African migrants kills
Jon Gambrell, The Associated Press/April 28, 2025
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Monday alleged a U.S.
airstrike hit a prison holding African migrants, killing at least 68 people and
wounding 47 others. The U.S. military had no immediate comment. The strike in
Yemen's Saada governorate, a stronghold for the Houthis, is the latest incident
in the country's decadelong war to kill African migrants from Ethiopia and other
nations who risk crossing the nation for a chance to work in neighboring Saudi
Arabia. It also likely will renew questions from activists about the American
campaign, known as “Operation Rough Rider,” which has been targeting the rebels
as the Trump administration negotiates with their main benefactor, Iran, over
Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program. The U.S. military's Central Command,
in a statement early Monday before news of the alleged strike broke, sought to
defend its policy of offering no specific details of its extensive airstrike
campaign. The strikes have drawn controversy in America over Defense Secretary
Pete Hegseth's use of the unclassified Signal messaging app to post sensitive
details about the attacks. “To preserve operational security, we have
intentionally limited disclosing details of our ongoing or future operations,”
Central Command said. “We are very deliberate in our operational approach, but
will not reveal specifics about what we’ve done or what we will do.”It did not
immediately respond to questions from The Associated Press about the alleged
strike in Saada.
Graphic footage shows aftermath of explosion
Graphic footage aired by the Houthis' al-Masirah satellite news channel showed
what appeared to be dead bodies and others wounded at the site. The Houthi-run
Interior Ministry said some 115 migrants had been detained at the site. The
rebels' Civil Defense organization said at least 68 people had been killed and
47 others wounded in the attack. Footage from the site analyzed by the AP
suggested some kind of explosion took place there, with its cement walls
seemingly peppered by debris fragments and the wounds suffered by those there. A
woman's voice, soft in the footage, can be heard repeating the start of a prayer
in Arabic: “In the name of God.” An occasional gunshot rang out as medics sought
to help those wounded.
African migrants caught in middle of Yemen's war
Ethiopians and other African migrants for years have landed in Yemen, braving
the war-torn nation to try and reach Saudi Arabia for work. The Houthi rebels
allegedly make tens of thousands of dollars a week smuggling migrants over the
border. Migrants from Ethiopia have found themselves detained, abused and even
killed in Saudi Arabia and Yemen during the war. An Oct. 3, 2022, letter to the
kingdom from the U.N. said its investigators “received concerning allegations of
cross-border artillery shelling and small arms fire allegedly by Saudi security
forces, causing the deaths of up to 430 and injuring 650 migrants.”
Saudi Arabia has denied killing migrants.
Monday's alleged strike recalled a similar strike by a Saudi-led coalition
battling the Houthis back in 2022 on the same compound, which caused a collapse
killing 66 detainees and wounding 113 others, a United Nations report later
said. The Houthis shot dead 16 detainees who fled after the strike and wounded
another 50, the U.N. said. The Saudi-led coalition sought to justify the strike
by saying the Houthis built and launched drones there, but the U.N. said it was
known to be a detention facility. “The coalition should have avoided any attack
on that facility,” the U.N. report added. That 2022 attack was one of the
deadliest single attacks in the yearslong war between the coalition and the
Houthi rebels and came after the Houthis struck inside the UAE twice with
missiles and drones, killing three in a strike near Abu Dhabi's international
airport.
US military says over 800 strikes conducted in campaign so far
Meanwhile, U.S. airstrikes overnight targeting Yemen's capital killed at least
eight people, the Houthis said. The American military acknowledged carrying out
over 800 individual strikes in their monthlong campaign. The overnight statement
from Central Command also said “Operation Rough Rider” had “killed hundreds of
Houthi fighters and numerous Houthi leaders,” including those associated with
its missile and drone program. It did not identify any of those officials. “Iran
undoubtedly continues to provide support to the Houthis,” the statement said.
“The Houthis can only continue to attack our forces with the backing of the
Iranian regime.”"We will continue to ratchet up the pressure until the objective
is met, which remains the restoration of freedom of navigation and American
deterrence in the region," it added. The U.S. is targeting the Houthis because
of the group’s attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, a crucial global trade route,
and on Israel. The Houthis are also the last militant group in Iran’s
self-described “Axis of Resistance” that is capable of regularly attacking
Israel.
US discusses deadly port strike
The U.S. is conducting strikes on Yemen from its two aircraft carriers in the
region — the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea and the USS Carl Vinson in the
Arabian Sea.
On April 18, an American strike on the Ras Isa fuel port killed at least 74
people and wounded 171 others in the deadliest-known attack of the American
campaign. Central Command on Monday offered an explanation for why it hit the
port. “U.S. strikes destroyed the ability of Ras Isa Port to accept fuel, which
will begin to impact Houthi ability to not only conduct operations, but also to
generate millions of dollars in revenue for their terror activities,” it said.
Meanwhile, the Houthis have increasingly sought to control the flow of
information from the territory they hold to the outside world. It issued a
notice Sunday that all those holding Starlink satellite internet receivers
should “quickly hand over” the devices to authorities. “A field campaign will be
implemented in coordination with the security authorities to arrest anyone who
sells, trades, uses, operates, installs or possesses these prohibited
terminals,” the Houthis warned. Starlink terminals have been crucial for Ukraine
in fighting Russia’s full-scale invasion and receivers also have been smuggled
into Iran amid unrest there.
US sanctions target deliveries of oil and gas to Houthis
Reuters/Mon, April 28, 2025
WASHINGTON - The U.S. imposed sanctions on Monday on three vessels and their
owners for delivering oil and gas products to Yemen's Houthis, as Washington
piled pressure on the Iran-backed rebels over their attacks on Red Sea shipping.
The sanctions targeted Marshall Islands-registered Zaas Shipping & Trading Co
and Great Success Shipping Co, and Mauritius-registered Bagsak Shipping Co and
the cargo vessels they used to deliver oil and gas products to the Houthi-controlled
port of Ras Isa, the U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement. "Today’s
action underscores our commitment to disrupt the Houthis’ efforts to fund their
dangerous and destabilizing attacks in the region," Deputy Secretary of the
Treasury Michael Faulkender said. The sanctions came hours after Houthi-controlled
television said a U.S. airstrike killed 68 people at a detention center for
African migrants in Yemen. In March, the U.S. designated the Houthis as a
"Foreign Terrorist Organization," accusing the group of threatening the security
of American civilians and personnel in the Middle East as well as partners in
the region and global maritime trade. The attacks on ships, which the Houthis
say are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, have disrupted global commerce,
stoked fears of inflation and deepened concern about the fallout from the
Israel-Hamas war. The group has controlled the most populous parts of Yemen,
including the capital Sanaa, since it ousted the government in 2014. "The United
States is committed to disrupting the Houthis’ illicit revenue generation,
financial facilitators, and suppliers as part of our whole-of-government
approach to eliminating threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea," State
Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement.
Gaza ceasefire talks in Cairo near ‘significant breakthrough,’
two security sources say
Reuters/April 29, 2025
CAIRO: Negotiations held in Cairo to reach a ceasefire in Gaza were on the verge
of a "significant breakthrough," two Egyptian security sources told Reuters on
Monday.There was no immediate comment from Israel and Hamas. Axios reporter
Barak Ravid said in a brief post on X that an Israeli official denied the
reported breakthrough, without giving further details. The Egyptian sources said
there was a consensus on a long-term ceasefire in the besieged enclave, yet some
sticking points remain, including Hamas arms. Hamas repeatedly said it was not
willing to lay down its arms, a key demand by Israel. Earlier, Egyptian
state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV reported that Egyptian intelligence chief
General Hassan Mahmoud Rashad was set to meet an Israeli delegation headed by
strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer on Monday in Cairo. The sources said the
ongoing talks included Egyptian and Israeli delegations. Mediators Egypt and
Qatar did not report developments on the latest talks. Qatar Prime Minister
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Sunday that a recent meeting in
Doha on efforts to reach a ceasefire made some progress, but noted there was no
agreement yet on how to end the war. He said the militant group is willing to
return all remaining Israeli hostages if Israel ends the war in Gaza. But Israel
wants Hamas to release the remaining hostages without offering a clear vision on
ending the war, he added. The media adviser for the Hamas leadership, Taher Al-Nono,
told Reuters on Saturday that the group was open to a years-long truce with
Israel in Gaza, adding that the group hoped to build support among mediators for
its offer. Speaking at a conference in Jerusalem on Monday night, before Reuters
reported that there had been progress in the talks, Dermer said the government
remained committed to dismantling Hamas' military capability, ending its rule in
Gaza, ensuring that the enclave never again poses a threat to Israel and
returning the hostages. Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza on March 18 after a
January ceasefire collapsed, saying it would keep up pressure on Hamas until it
frees the remaining hostages still held in the enclave. Up to 24 of them are
believed to be still alive. The Gaza war started after Hamas' October 7, 2023,
attack which killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken to
Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel's offensive on the
enclave killed more than 52,000, according to local Palestinian health
officials.
Israel's Shin Bet chief announces resignation, to step down June
15, Israeli media reports
Reuters/April 28, 2025
The head of Israel's domestic intelligence service, Ronen Bar, has announced his
resignation and will step down on June 15, Israeli media reported late on
Monday, six weeks after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tried to oust the
security chief.
The Shin Bet, which handles counter-terrorism investigations, has been at the
centre of a growing political battle pitting Netanyahu's right-wing coalition
government against an array of critics ranging from members of the security
establishment to families of hostages in Gaza. Netanyahu said on March 16 that
he had long ago lost confidence in Bar and that trust in the head of the
domestic security service, whose roles include counter-terrorism and security
for government officials, was especially crucial at a time of war.
The Supreme Court later temporarily froze the government's bid to sack Bar, who
claimed that Netanyahu wanted to fire him after he refused to fulfill requests
that included spying on Israeli protesters and disrupting the leader's
corruption trial. Netanyahu, in response to the accusations, accused Bar of
lying.
Israeli strikes on Gaza kill at least 27 Palestinians
Wafaa Shurafa And Samy Magdy/AP/April 28, 2025
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip overnight into
Monday killed at least 27 Palestinians, according to local health officials.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Israel has carried out
daily strikes on Gaza since ending its ceasefire with Hamas last month. It has
cut off the territory's 2 million Palestinians from all imports, including food
and medicine, since the beginning of March in what it says is an attempt to
pressure the militant group to release hostages. The daily bombardment and
widespread hunger is taking a heavy toll on Gaza's most vulnerable residents,
including pregnant women and children. The United Nations' highest court began
holding hearings on Monday into Israel's obligation to facilitate humanitarian
aid to the territories it occupies. Israel says the International Court of
Justice is biased against it. It says enough aid entered during the ceasefire to
sustain the population and accuses Hamas of siphoning it off. Humanitarian
workers say supplies are running desperately low, with most people eating one
meal or less a day. They say the U.N. closely monitors aid distribution and deny
any significant diversion.
Strikes hit three homes
An airstrike hit a home in Beit Lahiya, killing 10 people, including a
Palestinian prisoner, Abdel-Fattah Abu Mahadi, who had been released as part of
the ceasefire. His wife, two of their children and a grandchild were also
killed, according to the Indonesian Hospital, which received the bodies. Another
strike hit a home in Gaza City, killing seven people, including two women,
according to the Gaza Health Ministry's emergency service. Two other people were
wounded. Late Sunday, a strike hit a home in the southern city of Khan Younis,
killing at least 10 people, including five siblings as young as 4 years old,
according to the Health Ministry. Two other children were killed along with
their parents, according to Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies. Israel
says it makes every effort to avoid harming civilians and blames Hamas for their
deaths because the militants operate in densely populated areas. Palestinians
say nowhere in blockaded Gaza is safe.
No end in sight to the 18-month-old war
The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023,
killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Hamas is still
holding 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, after most of the rest
were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Israel's retaliatory
offensive has killed over 52,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children,
according to the Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were
fighters or civilians. Israel's bombardment and ground operations have destroyed
vast areas of Gaza and left most of its population homeless. The Health Ministry
says 2,151 people, including 732 children, have been killed since Israel
shattered the truce on March 18. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has
vowed to continue the offensive until all the hostages are returned and Hamas is
either destroyed or agrees to disarm and leave the territory. He says Israel
will then implement U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to resettle much of
Gaza's population in other countries through what the Israeli leader refers to
as "voluntary emigration."Palestinians say the plan would amount to forcible
expulsion from their homeland after Israel's offensive left much of Gaza
uninhabitable. Human rights experts say it would likely violate international
law. Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages in return for
more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal
from Gaza, as called for in the ceasefire that Israel ended.
Palestinian envoy tells UN court Israel is killing Gaza
civilians. Israel says it’s being persecuted
Molly Quell And Mike Corder/AP/April 28, 2025
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A Palestinian diplomat told the United Nations’ top
court on Monday that Israel is killing and displacing civilians and targeting
aid workers in Gaza, in a case that Israel criticized as part of its "systematic
persecution and delegitimization.” Israel denies deliberately targeting
civilians and aid staff as part of its war with Hamas and did not attend the
hearing at the International Court of Justice.In The Hague, Palestinian
Ambassador to the Netherlands Ammar Hijazi accused Israel of breaching
international law in the occupied territories.
“Israel is starving, killing and displacing Palestinians while also targeting
and blocking humanitarian organizations trying to save their lives,” he told the
court. The hearings are focussed on a request last year from the U.N. General
Assembly, which asked the court to weigh in on Israel’s legal responsibilities
after the country blocked the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees from
operating on its territory. Lawyer Paul Reichler, representing the Palestinians,
told judges that one of the Geneva Conventions “not only lays down that the
occupying power must agree to relief schemes on behalf of the population, but
insists that it must facilitate them by all the means at its disposal.” U.N.
Undersecretary-General for Legal Affairs Elinor Hammarskjöld said earlier that
"measures taken by the occupying power to ensure its security must be exercised
in a manner that would not deny impartial humanitarian organizations such as the
United Nations the ability to carry out relief schemes.”Hearings opened as the
humanitarian aid system in Gaza is nearing collapse. Israel has blocked the
entry of food, fuel, medicine and other humanitarian supplies since March 2. It
renewed its bombardment on March 18, breaking a ceasefire, and seized large
parts of the territory, saying it aims to push Hamas to release more hostages.
Despite the stepped-up Israeli pressure, ceasefire efforts remain deadlocked.
The World Food Program said last week its food stocks in the Gaza Strip have run
out, ending a main source of sustenance for hundreds of thousands of
Palestinians as many families are struggling to feed their children.
What will happen in the court?
The United Nations was the first to address the court on Monday, followed by
Palestinian representatives. In total, 40 states and four international
organizations are scheduled to participate. Israel ally the United States is
scheduled to speak on Wednesday.
The court will likely take months to rule. Experts say the decision, though not
legally binding, could profoundly impact international jurisprudence,
international aid to Israel and public opinion. “Advisory opinions provide
clarity,” Juliette McIntyre, an expert on international law at the University of
South Australia, told The Associated Press. Governments rely on them in
international negotiations and the outcome could be used to pressure Israel into
easing restrictions on aid. Whether any ruling will have an effect on Israel,
however, is unclear. Israel has long accused the United Nations of being
unfairly biased against it and has ignored a 2004 advisory ruling by the ICJ
that found its West Bank separation barrier illegal. While Israel was not in
court, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar hit back at the case. “I accuse UNRWA, I
accuse the U.N., I accuse the secretary-general and I accuse all those that
weaponized international law and its institutions in order to deprive the most
attacked country in the world, Israel, of its most basic right to defend
itself,” he told a news conference in Jerusalem. He said the court hearing was
part of a “systematic persecution and delegitimization” of his country. On
Tuesday, South Africa, a staunch critic of Israel, will present its arguments.
In hearings last year in a separate case at the court, the country accused
Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza — a charge Israel
denies. Those proceedings are still underway.
Israel's troubled relations with UNRWA
Israel’s ban on the agency, known as UNRWA, which provides aid to Gaza, came
into effect in January. The organization has faced increased criticism from
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right allies, who claim the group
is deeply infiltrated by Hamas. UNRWA rejects that claim. On Monday, Amir
Weissbrod, a Foreign Ministry official, accused UNRWA of failing to act before
the war against evidence that Hamas had used its facilities, including by
digging tunnels underneath them. The official said UNRWA employed 1,400
Palestinians with militant ties. Israel says some of those employees also took
part in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attacks and Weissbrod said at least three of those
employees still worked for the U.N. The presentation included videos, documents
and pictures of the alleged employees.
The Oct. 7, 2023, attack in southern Israel killed about 1,200 people and set
off the war in Gaza. UNRWA said it fired nine staffers after an internal U.N.
investigation concluded that they could have been involved, although the
evidence was not authenticated and corroborated. The Israeli ban doesn't apply
directly to Gaza. But it controls all entry to the territory, and its ban on
UNRWA from operating inside Israel greatly limits the agency's ability to
function. Israeli officials say they are looking for alternative ways to deliver
aid to Gaza that would cut out the United Nations.UNRWA was established by the
U.N. General Assembly in 1949 to provide relief for Palestinians who fled or
were expelled from their homes in what is now Israel during the war surrounding
Israel's creation the previous year until there is a political solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The agency has been providing aid and services —
including health and education — to some 2.5 million Palestinians in Gaza, the
occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem, as well as 3 million more in Syria,
Jordan and Lebanon. Israel’s air and ground war has killed over 51,000
Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry,
which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. Israel
says it has killed around 20,000 militants, without providing evidence.
Israel's UNRWA ban, humanitarian obligations under scrutiny in
Hague hearings
GUY DAVIES and JORDANA MILLER/ABC News/April 28, 2025
Malnutrition in Gaza worsens as Israeli blockade of aid continuesScroll back up
to restore default view.
Israel’s humanitarian aid obligations in Gaza and its ban on UNRWA, the United
Nations agency that provides civil and medical services to Palestinian refugees,
are under examination in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as a week of
hearings began on Monday. Forty countries and four international organizations
are set to participate in the oral proceedings, the court has said. The weeklong
hearing comes after the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) voted to request an
advisory opinion from the ICJ concerning “the obligations of Israel in relation
to the presence and activities of the United Nations, other international
organizations and third States.” The United States, Israel’s close international
ally, was one of 12 countries to vote against the request. The court will
evaluate the legality of Israel’s decision to ban UNRWA, the U.N.’s Relief and
Works’ Agency, the dedicated U.N. body to support Palestinian refugees in East
Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. It will then issue an advisory opinion, which
has been requested by the UNGA, and which will be legally nonbinding. The ICJ’s
ruling will not be legally binding, however, but could add to mounting pressure
on Israel to reopen the Gaza crossings for aid deliveries. Israel’s parliament,
the Knesset, voted to ban UNRWA from operating in Gaza and the West Bank in
October 2024. Israel’s government has long accused UNRWA of turning a blind eye
to employees who support or belong to Hamas, the militant organization that led
a terror attack on Israel in October 2023. UNRWA denies those claims. The ban
came into effect at the end of January 2025. UNRWA is the main distributor of
aid within Gaza. Israel has long maintained that humanitarian aid has been
looted by Hamas. Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, says the ban on
aid into Gaza is designed to pressure Hamas to release 59 hostages, including
one American who is presumed to be alive. UNRWA Commissioner General Phillipe
Lazzarini issued a statement saying he “welcome[d]” the ICJ hearing and that the
agency worked in Palestinian territories to “address overwhelming needs.” Those
needs have become more acute since Israel blocked the flow of all goods into
Gaza on March 2, international aid organizations said. The World Food Programme
said on April 24 that its warehouses had run out of flour in Gaza, and warned
the “situation inside the Gaza Strip has once again reached a breaking point.”
“#Gaza: children are starving,” Lazzarini posted on X over the weekend. “The
Government of Israel continues to block the entry of food + other basics. A
manmade & politically motivated starvation. Nearly two months of siege. Calls to
bring in supplies are going unheeded.”Israel has submitted a written defense to
the court, but it declined to send a legal representative to The Hague court
proceedings. Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, said that Israel would not
be attending the court in person, describing the proceedings as a “circus.”“The
goal is to deprive Israel of its most basic right to defend itself,” he said at
a press conference that coincided with the start of the ICJ hearings. “It is not
Israel that should be on trial. It is the U.N. and UNRWA. The U.N. has become a
rotten, anti-Israel, and antisemitic body.”Ammar Hijazi, the Palestinian
ambassador to the Netherlands, accused Israel of breaching international law on
the first day of the oral hearings on Monday. “Israel is starving, killing and
displacing Palestinians while also targeting and blocking humanitarian
organizations trying to save their lives,” he said.
This week’s hearings mark the latest legal pressure placed on Israel since the
war in Gaza began after the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack. Last July the ICJ
issued an advisory opinion ruling Israel’s occupation of the West Bank to be
illegal under international law, and a case brought by South Africa accusing
Israel of genocide is still ongoing. Israel has rejected the ruling and the
allegation of genocide. Over 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 taken
hostage into Gaza in the Hamas-led assault on Israel of Oct. 7. More than 52,000
people have been killed in Gaza have been killed during Israel’s retaliatory
military campaign response, with more than 2,000 killed since the latest
ceasefire broke down on March 18, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
Israel's UNRWA ban, humanitarian obligations under scrutiny in Hague hearings
originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Gaza ceasefire talks in Cairo witnessing 'significant
breakthrough,' two security sources say
Reuters/April 28, 2025
CAIRO (Reuters) -Negotiations held in Cairo to reach a ceasefire in Gaza were
witnessing a "significant breakthrough," two Egyptian security sources told
Reuters on Monday. The sources said there was a consensus on a long-term
ceasefire in the besieged enclave, yet some sticking points remain, including
Hamas arms. Hamas repeatedly said it was not willing to lay down its arms, a key
demand for Israel. Earlier, Egyptian state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV reported
Egyptian intelligence chief General Hassan Mahmoud Rashad is set to meet an
Israeli delegation headed by strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer on Monday in
Cairo. The sources said the ongoing talks included Egyptian and Israeli
delegations. There was no immediate comment from Israel and Hamas. Mediators
Egypt and Qatar did not report developments on the latest talks.
Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Sunday
that a recent meeting in Doha in efforts to reach a ceasefire made some
progress, but noted there was no agreement on how to end the war yet. He said
the militant group is willing to return all remaining Israeli hostages if Israel
ends the war in Gaza. But Israel wants Hamas to release the remaining hostages
without offering a clear vision on ending the war, he added. Israel resumed its
offensive in Gaza on March 18 after a January ceasefire collapsed, saying it
would keep up pressure on Hamas until it frees the remaining hostages still held
in the enclave. Up to 24 of them are believed to still be alive. The Gaza war
started after Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack which killed 1,200 people and saw
251 hostages taken to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel's
offensive on the enclave killed more than 52,000 according to local Palestinian
health officials.
Iran accuses Israel's Netanyahu of 'dictating' US policy in
nuclear talks
Agence France Presse/April 28, 2025
Iran accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday of trying to
dictate U.S. policy in negotiations, after he called for the complete
dismantling of Tehran's nuclear program and for the inclusion of its ballistic
missile capabilities in any deal. "What is striking... is how brazenly Netanyahu
is now dictating what President Trump can and cannot do in his diplomacy with
Iran," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X. On Sunday, Netanyahu
said any real Iran-U.S. deal would be one "which removes Iran's capacity to
enrich uranium for nuclear weapons" and "bring in the prevention of ballistic
missiles". The remarks came a day after Iranian and U.S. delegations met in Oman
for a third round of high-level talks on Tehran's nuclear program, with both
sides reporting progress. U.S. President Donald Trump sent a letter in March to
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urging talks and warning of
possible military action if Iran refused. Since he returned to office in
January, Trump revived his "maximum pressure" sanctions campaign, mirroring his
approach during his first term when he withdrew from a 2015 landmark nuclear
deal with Iran. The talks began on April 12, with Tehran insisting they should
be solely focused on the nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions. Iran's
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has said the country's military capabilities
were off-limits in the discussions. Tehran's regional influence and its missile
capabilities, long criticized by Western governments, were among its "red lines"
in the talks, the official IRNA news agency had reported. Tehran supports the
"axis of resistance", a network of militant groups opposed to Israel, including
Yemen's Houthi rebels, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Shiite
armed groups in Iraq. "Israel's fantasy that it can dictate what Iran may or may
not do is so detached from reality that it hardly merits a response," Araghchi
said on Monday. He noted that Iran was able to thwart "any attempt by malicious
external actors to sabotage its foreign policy or dictate its course.""We can
only hope our U.S. counterparts are equally steadfast," he added. Western
countries including the United States have long accused Iran of seeking to
acquire nuclear weapons -- an allegation Tehran has consistently denied,
insisting that its program is for peaceful civilian purposes.
Iran Port Explosion Caused by ‘Negligence’, Says Interior
Minister
Asharq Al Awsat/April 28, 2025
Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni said Monday that a deadly explosion at
the country's largest commercial port two days ago was caused by "negligence"
and failure to comply with safety measures. "Some culprits have been identified
and summoned ... There were shortcomings, including incompliance with safety
precautions and negligence in terms of passive defense," Momeni told state TV,
adding that the materials should have been dispersed. Satellite images analyzed
by The Associated Press on Monday showed the devastation of the explosion that
rocked the Shahid Rajaei port near Bandar Abbas as the death toll rose to 70
people with over 1,000 injured. The photos from Planet Labs PBC came as local
news reports from the site raised more questions about the cause of the blast.
The port reportedly took in a chemical component needed for solid fuel for
ballistic missiles — something denied by authorities though they've not
explained the source of the power that caused such destruction. The blast
Saturday disintegrated a building next to the blast site, which appeared to be
in a row where other containers once stood, the satellite photos showed. It also
shredded the majority of another building just to the west. The force of the
blast also could be seen, with what appeared to be two craters measuring some 50
meters (165 feet) across. Other containers nearby appeared smashed and distended
by the explosion and the intense fire that followed. The fire still burned at
the site Monday, some two days after the initial explosion that happened just as
Iran began a third round of negotiations with the United States over its rapidly
advancing nuclear program.
Authorities still haven't offered an explanation for the explosion. Private
security firm Ambrey says the port received missile fuel chemical in March. It
was part of a shipment of ammonium perchlorate from China by two vessels to
Iran, first reported in January by the Financial Times. The chemical used to
make solid propellant for rockets was going to be used to replenish Iran’s
missile stocks, which had been depleted by its direct attacks on Israel during
the war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The Iranian military denied receiving the chemical shipment. Social media
footage of the explosion saw reddish-hued smoke rising from the fire just before
the detonation. That suggests a chemical compound being involved in the blast,
like in the 2020 Beirut port explosion. Late Sunday, Iran's semiofficial ILNA
news agency quoted Saeed Jafari, the CEO of marine services company working at
the port, as saying there were false statements about the cargo that detonated,
which he called “very dangerous.”“The incident happened following a false
statement about the dangerous goods and delivering it without documents and
tags,” Jafari said. Another report by the semiofficial ISNA news agency claimed
the cargo that caused the blast was not reported to customs authorities as well.
Only high-level authorities in Iran, such as its paramilitary Revolutionary
Guard, could circumvent normal procedures at the port.
Death toll in Iran port explosion rises to at least 46
killed, with over 1,000 injured
The Canadian Press/AP/April 28, 2025
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The death toll from a huge explosion that rocked
one of Iran's main ports rose Monday to 46 people killed, authorities said.
Iranian state television offered the toll from the blast at Shahid Rajaei port
near Bandar Abbas, citing local officials. A fire still burned at the site, some
two days after the initial explosion Saturday, just as Iran began a third round
of negotiations with the United States over its rapidly advancing nuclear
program. Over 1,000 people suffered injuries in the blast. Authorities still
haven't offered an explanation for the explosion.
Iranian leaders call for answers after port explosion
Jon Gambrell, Associated Press/April 28, 2025
Iran’s president and supreme leader have told officials they must find out why
an explosion rocked one of the Islamic Republic’s main ports, killing 40 people.
Saturday’s blast at the Shahid Rajaei port outside of Bandar Abbas, in southern
Iran’s Hormozgan province, injured about 1,000 others. President Masoud
Pezeshkia visited those injured in a huge explosion that rocked one of the
Islamic Republic’s main ports, a facility purportedly linked to an earlier
delivery of a chemical ingredient used to make missile propellant. “We have to
find out why it happened,” Mr Pezeshkian said during a meeting with officials
aired by Iranian state television. Iran’s Supreme Leader, the 86-year-old
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, separately offered his condolences over the blast — and
left open the possibility that sabotage caused the explosion. “It is the duty of
security officials and judicial authorities to conduct a thorough investigation
to detect if there’s been any negligence or deliberate acts that have caused
this and to follow this up according to regulations,” a statement in his name
said. “All officials must know it’s their duty to prevent bitter, damaging
events.”While Iran’s military sought to deny the delivery of ammonium
perchlorate from China, new videos emerged showing an apocalyptic scene at the
still-smouldering port. Authorities described the fire as being under control,
saying emergency workers hoped that it would be fully extinguished later Sunday.
Overnight, helicopters and heavy cargo aircraft flew repeated sorties over the
burning port, dumping seawater on the site. Satellite pictures taken Sunday by
Planet Labs PBC and analysed by The Associated Press showed a huge plume of
black smoke still over the site. Provincial Governor Mohammad Ashouri gave the
latest death toll, Iranian state TV reported, and declared three days of
mourning. Pir Hossein Kolivand, head of Iran’s Red Crescent society, said that
only 190 of about 1,000 injured remained in hospital on Sunday, according to a
statement carried by an Iranian government website. Private security firm Ambrey
says the port received the missile fuel chemical in March. It was part of a
shipment of ammonium perchlorate from China by two vessels to Iran, first
reported in January by the Financial Times. The chemical used to make solid
propellant for rockets was going to be used to replenish Iran’s missile stocks,
which had been depleted by its direct attacks on Israel during the war with
Hamas in the Gaza Strip. In a first reaction on Sunday, Iranian defence ministry
spokesman Reza Talaeinik denied missile fuel had been imported through the port.
“No sort of imported and exporting consignment for fuel or military application
was (or) is in the site of the port,” he told state television by telephone.
UN nuclear watchdog team in Iran for technical talks
Reuters/April 28, 2025
DUBAI - A technical team from the International Atomic Energy Agency has arrived
in Iran for talks with nuclear experts, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on
Monday, as a follow up to the U.N. nuclear watchdog chief's visit to Tehran
earlier this month.
"The delegation arrived in Iran and will hold technical talks with Iranian
experts today, including on safeguards," Esmaeil Baghaei said during a weekly
press conference. Last week, Iran and the United States held a third round of
nuclear talks in Oman, where technical-level negotiations were also held.
Following the conclusion of these talks, Iran's foreign minister said IAEA
experts might join the next round of Iran-U.S. nuclear talks due on Saturday.
Visiting Tehran on April 17, IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi said his agency could help
achieve a positive outcome in the negotiations. In 2018, Trump withdrew the U.S.
from a 2015 nuclear pact between Iran and major world powers, leading Iran to
subsequently surpass that deal's uranium enrichment limits and limit the IAEA's
oversight. In February, the IAEA released a report saying the current situation
is "of serious concern" as Tehran is enriching uranium to up to 60% purity, near
weapons grade. Tehran has long denied seeking nuclear weapons.
Syria FM says wants to ‘strengthen relations’ with China
AFP/April 28, 2025
DAMASCUS: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani expressed on Monday his
government’s willingness to build a “strategic partnership” with China, a key
backer of ousted ruler Bashar Assad. A foreign ministry statement said that
Shaibani met with the Chinese ambassador to the United Nations, Fu Cong, at UN
headquarters in New York, where he had been representing Syria at a session of
the Security Council. In the meeting with Beijing’s envoy, Shaibani said Syria’s
new government was seeking to “strengthen relations with China” and that the two
countries “will work together to build a long-term strategic partnership in the
near future,” according to the statement. This was not the first high-level
meeting between the two governments since Islamist-led forces toppled Assad in
December, capping years of civil war. In late February, interim President Ahmed
Al-Sharaa met with the Chinese ambassador to Damascus
Syrian Presidency: SDF Call for Federalism Threatens the
Country’s Unity, Safety
Damascus: Asharq Al Awsat/April 28, 2025
Syria's leaders said on Sunday that Kurdish demands for the country to adopt a
decentralized system of government in a post-Assad political order posed a
threat to national unity. "We clearly reject any attempt to impose a partition
or create separatist cantons under the terms of federalism or self-autonomy
without a national consensus," Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's office said in
a statement. "The unity of Syrian territory and its people is a red line," the
statement said. Rival Syrian Kurdish parties, including the dominant faction in
the Kurdish-run northeast, agreed at a meeting in Syria's Kurdish-controlled
city of Qamishli on Saturday on a common political vision for Syria's Kurdish
minority. A communique at the end of the conference, which was attended by US
officials, demanded that a future Syrian constitution should enshrine respect
for Kurdish national rights in Syria after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad. "A
joint Kurdish political vision has been formulated that expresses a collective
will and its project for a just solution to the Kurdish issue in Syria as a
decentralized democratic state," the pan-Kurdish statement said.
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), backed by the US, last month
signed a deal with Damascus on merging Kurdish-led governing bodies and security
forces with the central government. The Syrian presidency's statement also said
recent statements by SDF leaders advocating a federal solution went clearly
against that deal. The agreement with the SDF could be a "constructive step
forward if it was implemented with national spirit, away from narrow agendas,"
it continued. It warned against obstructing state institutions in regions held
by the SDF and against imposing a monopoly on resources. "The SDF leadership
cannot take unilateral decisions in northeastern Syria. There can be no
stability and no future without real partnership," it declared. During the
14-year civil war, Kurdish-led groups took control of roughly a quarter of
Syrian territory, where most of the country's oil wealth is found along with
fertile arable land that produces a major proportion of the country's wheat.
Kurdish officials have objected to the way Syria's new rulers are shaping the
transition from Assad's rule, saying they are failing to respect Syria's
diversity despite promises of inclusivity. The presidency statement stressed
that "Kurdish rights are being protected under the one state, without the need
for foreign intervention or hegemony." It called on the SDF to commit to the
agreement reached in March and to prioritize national interests.
ISIS Kills Five Kurdish Fighters in Eastern Syria
Asharq Al Awsat/April 28, 2025
The ISIS militant group said on Monday it killed five Kurdish fighters in an
attack in eastern Syria's Deir Ezzor, according to the group's news agency. The
spokesperson for Syria's Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces Farhad Shami
confirmed to Reuters that five members were killed in the attack which he
described as "one of deadliest" against the group in a while. Deir Ezzor city
was captured by the ISIS group in 2014, but the Syrian army retook it in 2017.
Former ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a so-called “caliphate” over a
quarter of Syria and Iraq in 2014 before he was killed in a raid by US special
forces in northwest Syria in 2019 as the group collapsed. It has been recently
trying to stage a comeback in the Middle East, the West and Asia.
India signs $7.4 billion deal to buy 26 Rafale fighter jets
Shivam Patel and Surbhi Misra/Reuters/April 28, 2025
-India signed a deal with France on Monday to buy 26 Rafale fighter aircraft
worth 630 billion rupees ($7.4 billion) for its navy, the Indian defence
ministry said in a statement. India will buy 22 single-seater and four twin-seater
fighters, made by France's Dassault Aviation, the ministry said, in a deal that
would boost the Asian country's defence ties with its second-largest arms
supplier. "The delivery of these aircraft would be completed by 2030, with the
crew undergoing training in France and India," the ministry said, adding that
the deal is expected to generate thousands of jobs and revenue for a large
number of businesses. The purchase was approved earlier this month by India's
security cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Reuters reported.The
Indian Air Force currently operates 36 Rafale fighters, while the navy's
aircraft fleet mainly comprises Russian MiG-29 jets. India is seeking to
modernise its military, reduce dependence on Russian-origin equipment, and boost
domestic weapons production to supply forces deployed along two contentious
borders with Pakistan and China. The Indian navy has flagged China's growing
presence in the Indian Ocean over the past decade, with Beijing operating
dual-purpose vessels in the region and maintaining a military base in Djibouti
since 2017. It also marks another step in India's long-standing reliance on
French military hardware, including Mirage 2000 jets bought in the 1980s and
Scorpene-class submarines ordered in 2005.
($1 = 84.9950 Indian rupees)
The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous
sources
on April 28-29/2025
With China and the US at intense economic odds,
nations are being forced to choose sides
Didi Tang And Zeke Miller/AP/April 28, 2025
WASHINGTON — One went to the United States. The other went to China. It was a
sign of the times.While the Swiss president was in Washington last week to lobby
U.S. officials over President Donald Trump's threatened 31% tariff on Swiss
goods, the Swiss foreign minister was in Beijing, expressing his nation's
willingness to strengthen cooperation with China and upgrade a free trade
agreement. As Trump's trade war locks the world’s two largest economies on a
collision course, America's unnerved allies and partners are cozying up with
China to hedge their bets. It comes as Trump's trade push upends a decade of
American foreign policy — including his own from his first term — toward
rallying the rest of the world to join the United States against China. And it
threatens to hand Beijing more leverage in any eventual dialogue with the U.S.
administration. With Trump saying that countries are “kissing my ass” to
negotiate trade deals on his terms or risk stiff import taxes, Beijing is
reaching out to countries far and near. It portrays itself as a stabilizing
force and a predictable trading partner, both to cushion the impact from Trump's
tariffs and to forge stronger trade ties outside of the U.S. market. “America
and China are now locked in a fierce contest for global supremacy,” Singaporean
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in an April 16 speech. “Both powers claim they
do not wish to force countries to choose sides. But in reality, each seeks to
draw others closer into their respective orbits.”
The tariffs on Chinese goods are off the charts
Trump has paused some of his steepest tariffs on most American partners for 90
days after global financial markets melted down. But he has raised tariffs on
Chinese goods to 145%, drawing rebukes from Beijing, which has vowed to "fight
to the end.” U.S. companies are warning of higher prices, meaning Trump could
face both higher inflation and empty store shelves. The magnitude of the taxes
are already dramatically affecting American imports, with the shipping
containers set to arrive at the Port of Los Angeles down nearly 36% over the
past two weeks, according to Port Optimizer, which tracks vessels. It's lending
urgency for both the U.S. and China to bolster support from alternate partners.
While Trump administration officials suggest the president could ease the duty
rates on Chinese goods at his discretion, there has been no indication he's yet
looking for a reduction. That, after all, could suggest his protectionist
policies were hurting the American economy.
“They want to make a deal obviously," Trump told reporters Sunday, saying the
U.S. had gone “cold turkey” on trade from China. “Right now, they’re not doing
business with us.” The White House has framed any negotiations as being between
the U.S. president and Chinese President Xi Jinping, but neither leader seems
willing to make the initial outreach without some kind of concession. The two
countries can't even agree publicly whether they are holding talks. Earlier this
month, Xi — on his first foreign trip this year — visited Vietnam, Malaysia and
Cambodia, resulting in mutual pledges for closer economic and trade ties. In
Vietnam, which faces the 46% tariff from the U.S., Beijing and Hanoi agreed to
strengthen industrial and supply chain cooperation. In Malaysia and Cambodia, Xi
secured similar agreements. Cambodia is faced with a 49% tariff from the U.S.,
and Malaysia 24%. Then there's Japan: Despite its long-standing enmity towards
the nation that once colonized parts of it, the Chinese government has reached
out to Tokyo and urged a coordinated response, according to Kyodo News.
China is digging in
China is ready to use the stick, too. A South Korean newspaper has reported that
China is demanding South Korean businesses not to ship goods containing China's
rare earth minerals to U.S. defense companies or face likely sanctions. Earlier
this month, Beijing warned that no country should reach a deal with the U.S. at
China's expense and vowed to take countermeasures in a “resolute and reciprocal
manner” should such a situation arise. Hal Brands, a senior fellow at the
American Enterprise Institute in Washington, said China will “try to exploit
Trump's abrasive behavior to make inroads with U.S. allies and countries in the
Global South.” Some scholars say Beijing is already gaining. “People lost the
confidence, or even trust, for the United States, particularly for Donald Trump
in the U.S. Not for China,” said Li Cheng, professor of political science at the
University of Hong Kong. “So in that regard, China gains in the geopolitical
landscape.”In the latest Ipsos poll, for the first time, more people globally
now say China has a positive impact on the world than the United States. The
pollster cited the broad backlash to Trump's tariffs.
Countries have to choose, but it's difficult
China is the world’s largest exporter and the U.S. the largest importer. Total
trade for China reached a record 43.85 trillion yuan (US$6 trillion) in 2024,
and the country is the biggest trading partner for most of the world, including
the European Union, Japan, South Korea and the grouping of the 10 Southeast
Asian countries known as ASEAN. The U.S. is the biggest destination for China’s
exports, though China is only the third-largest trading partner with the U.S.,
behind Mexico and Canada. Total trade for the U.S. last year was US$5.4 billion,
with a record deficit of $1.2 trillion. For ASEAN countries, trade with the U.S.
totaled $477 billion in 2024, including $352 billion worth of goods sold to the
U.S. But China does more business with ASEAN. Countries caught between the U.S.
and China are in “an impossible situation” because they need to stay
economically connected both to China, "a source of a lot of their input and
imports” and to the powerhouse U.S. market, said Matthew Goodman, director of
the Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies at the Council on Foreign
Relations. “They cannot choose one or the other, because they need both,”
Goodman said. In Europe, China is preparing to lift sanctions to revive a trade
deal, according to the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post. Chinese state
media have been calling on European leaders to join China in safeguarding the
multilateralism. Back in Beijing, Xi has been receiving foreign leaders. On
Thursday, he told Kenya's president that China’s market has always kept its door
open to high-quality products from Kenya and that China encourages more capable
Chinese enterprises to invest and start businesses in Kenya, according to the
official Xinhua News Agency. On Wednesday, Xi met Azerbaijan's president. Xi
criticized the trade war as undermining the rights and interests of all
countries.
Beijing sounds resolute
On Friday, when Xi presided over a key economic meeting, Beijing’s leadership
struck a positive tone but acknowledged “increasing impact from external shocks”
and “urged preparing for worst-case scenarios with sufficient planning,”
according to Xinhua.
Wang Yiwei, a senior fellow at Beijing's Center for China and Globalization,
said China, after dealing with Trump's first term, is prepared for his latest
tariff approach. “China is prepared for the worst,” Wang said, “and it is no
longer living in the fantasy of globalization.”Victor Gao, vice president of the
Center for China and Globalization, said Beijing is prepared for decoupling.
“What will be the end? It's a complete halt, meaning no more U.S exports to
China, no more China exports to the United States,” he said.
And, despite high costs to China's economy, China will survive, Gao said. “For a
country especially like China with a history of 5,000 years, what kind of people
have we not seen? Whatever invaders, robbers, and barbarians,” Gao said. “But at
the end, they all leave. They all disappear, all get defeated."
Between censorship and chaos: Syrian artists wary of new
regime
Nabih Bulos/Los Angeles Times/April 28, 2025
It was the last day of principal photography, and the day-time shots would begin
in a brisk but brilliantly sunny morning in Kasheesh, a tiny village ensconced
in the forested mountains of northwest Syria. Though the cast and crew of the
television series "Al-Batal," or "The Hero," were happy to be wrapping up, there
was a tinge of anxiety.For months, the drama happening elsewhere in the country
had imposed itself on set: First the rapid-fire disintegration of the ruling
regime in December; then, in March, a spate of sectarian massacres in villages
just a few dozen miles away from Kasheesh.
“Maybe we’ll get a third cataclysm before we’re done … a dragon or something
descending on us here,” joked Haima Ismail, a veteran Syrian actor, drawing a
few cautious chuckles from crew members before her face turned serious.
“I don’t know where we’re heading. It’s like you’re falling and can’t find the
ground.”That was a common feeling among many artists in the country these days.
Though few are sorry to see the downfall of former President Bashar Assad, they
fear the Islamist-led authorities now in charge may prove to be just as
restrictive in what they allow on screen. “Before, the difficulties we faced
were about the choices in the script, how truthful you could be about what was
going on here,” said Nour Al-Ali, one of the series’ top-billed Syrian
actresses. “Now I’m afraid we’re going to face censorship in a different way.”
A lot of people don't know this, but Syria is a powerhouse maker of serialized
television. Well before streaming gained popularity, viewers would gorge on
Syrian miniseries — from glamorous telenovelas to historical dramas. Cranked out
by the dozen, the shows turned their stars into household names across the Arab
world.
The country’s 14-year civil war ravaged the industry, but during Assad’s reign,
many of those series became a particularly potent propaganda tool. A
state-backed production company financed shows emphasizing fealty to the ruler
and demonizing Assad’s adversaries as jihad-crazed chaos agents. Scripts for
private productions were subject to suffocating controls. Celebrity actors and
showrunners who strayed from the rah-rah government line, or who broached
third-rail topics such as Assad’s security forces' culpability in atrocities,
found themselves attacked, blacklisted or even forced into exile.
That "Al-Batal" made it to production at all was a function of director Al-Layth
Hajjo’s ability to deftly navigate those red lines. The story focuses on two
figures, a school principal and a thug. When war comes to their village, the
principal is paralyzed saving a displaced child, while the thug takes advantage
of the bedlam to gain influence, assisting villagers by providing goods through
smuggling and standing up militias to protect their homes. The series, according
to Hajjo, explores the difference between those who are truly heroes, and those
who pretend to be so as a result of war.
Ensconced among monitors and other studio equipment in the bedroom of a house
for an interior shot, Hajjo, an athletic-looking 53-year-old in a gray polo
shirt and red-rimmed glasses, spoke of frequent clashes with the Assad-era
censor while writing the script.
“He obsessed over silly details, like if the accent of the policeman hinted at
his sect, or that we had a cockroach crawling over the picture of an army
soldier," Hajjo said. Such distractions helped Hajjo subtly slip things past
censors. "You put them in a situation where they just don’t pay attention to the
important issues you’re saying,” Hajjo added, laughing as he spoke. “He kept
telling me, ‘There’s something in this text. I don’t know what it is, but I
don’t trust your intentions.’"It took a month of cajoling, but the script
finally passed. Still, a few weeks after shooting began, Hajjo submitted the
first 10 episodes to the censorship board, and the deputy minister, who
represented the security agencies, vowed the series would be suspended.
Director Al-Layth Hajjo changed the last scene of "Al-Batal" to reflect the
collapse of Bashar Assad's 54-year-old dynasty. Here actors hold Syria's new
flag, which replaced a red band with a green one. Nabih Bulos / Los Angeles
TimesActors perform in the last scene of the "Al-Batal" series. Filming had been
interrupted by the fall of Assad and unrest in Syria. Indeed, it was later
suspended, but not in the way the deputy minister would have liked. In December,
a rebel coalition led by the Islamist faction Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham began its
assault on Assad’s forces. In a moment of art imitating life, the "Al-Batal"
crew was filming a scene where villagers salute the Syrian flag during a nearby
barrage, even as the rebels advanced on Damascus.
“We’re standing there shooting people singing the national anthem with
explosions in the background, and we’re getting word that Hama city is falling,”
Hajjo said. When the opposition reached the outskirts of the city of Homs, Hajjo,
fearing the main road to Damascus would be cut, pulled the plug. On Dec. 7,
hours before Assad’s escape to Russia, he loaded the cast and crew in buses, and
led the way to the capital. Once there, he managed to get Farah Bseiso, a
Palestinian-Jordanian actor, and his Polish director of photography, Zbigniew
Rybczynski, out of the country. For the first few weeks, Hajjo, like most
Syrians stunned by the lightning-fast implosion of Assad’s 54-year-old dynasty,
stayed home. But the situation appeared calm, and with Ramadan coming, he
decided to approach the new authorities to restart filming. “'Al-Batal' was a
cause for me. And I considered what happened to be a golden opportunity to
finish what I wanted to say in the series — without censorship,” Hajjo said. He
talked to anyone in the fledgling government he could find, but all appeared
perplexed why he was reaching out to them in the first place.
“They kept asking ‘So? Go film. What does it have to do with us? Why do you need
us?’” Hajjo said. He finally convinced officials to give him the necessary
permits.
Director Al-Layth Hajjo, left, and actor Haima Ismail prepare for a scene in
"Al-Batal."Director Al-Layth Hajjo, left, and actor Haima Ismail, center,
prepare for the last day of principal photography for "Al-Batal." Some of
the cast and crew couldn’t return, but most did, including Al-Ali, who had fled
to Dubai a few days after the regime’s collapse.
Initially, the actor, who had spent much of the war in Syria, thought that it
was time now for her to watch events unfolding in her country "from the
outside." But when Hajjo called, she felt she had to return. “I wanted to be a
part of the show because it spoke in a humanitarian way about the war, where so
many were killed even though it had nothing to do with them,” she said.
Twenty-five days after Assad's ouster, the production was back on. Then came the
massacres. In early March, Assad loyalists launched a series of attacks on the
new government’s security forces. Government forces and thousands of fighters —
including from Sunni jihadist factions — beat back the loyalists but also hunted
down Alawites, who share Assad's religion and were seen by many Syrians as
complicit in his policies. More than 1,000 civilians were tortured and executed,
rights groups say.
Al-Ali was at her family's home in Jableh, a coastal city that saw some of the
worst massacres. She livestreamed a selfie-video, where she appears teary-eyed
and terrified as pro-government gunmen roam the streets below, asking if someone
is Sunni or Alawite before shooting those who answer the latter.
When things calmed down Al-Ali returned to Kasheesh to finish filming. But the
optimism she and others felt during the first heady months after Assad’s fall
was shattered; the violence seemed a harbinger of a new dictatorship dominated
not by Assad's ideology but by Sunni religious fervor.
The government’s recent moves have done little to change that perception.
Critics point out that the newly appointed Cabinet is dominated by Islamists,
with some ministers espousing a hard-line interpretation of Sharia law. The
culture minister, meanwhile, already managed to draw criticism for dismissive
views on non-Arab Syrian minorities and their languages. Sulaf Fawakherji, a
Syrian actor known for her pro-Assad views, was recently removed from the
actors' syndicate for denying the former government's crimes.
“Look, in our theater we have Shakespeare, things from American and Russian
everyday life, scenes that require a certain kind of dress, or a kiss, or
depicting sexual harassment — I don’t know if all this will become forbidden,”
said Bashar Sheikh Saleh, a 25-year-old acting student at the state-backed
Higher Institute for Dramatic Arts, who was acting in "Al-Batal" as part of his
graduation project. Yet so far, authorities have mostly hewed to the if-it-ain't-broke
approach. Officials at the institute in Damascus are still unclear what will
happen to their funding, but those interviewed said they received encouraging
signs from the government. Elsewhere, cultural performances continue, with
hitherto banned books appearing in the stalls of sidewalk bookstores. Films that
were once surreptitiously passed around via bootleg videos are getting their
first theatrical run in the country.
But Hajjo worries this will change.
“Their priority today is how to convey themselves positively to the street. They
think actors and shows can do that,” he said. “My fear is that, after a while,
when they consolidate control, they won’t need us anymore."The sun was setting,
and the cast assembled for the final crowd scene. It was the one part of the
show that had undergone substantial rewrites, Hajjo said, to account for the
regime's collapse, which was why some crowd members carried Syria's new flag, a
tricolor with bands of green, white and black, the green replacing red. Al-Ali
got into position. Once filming was done, she would go to Dubai once more. “I’m
going to leave,” she said, her tone subdued, before she quickly added: “Not
forever. When things are stable, I’ll return.” She fell silent for a beat, her
eyes downcast.“But you know, I used to say this before: Throughout the war, I
said I would leave for good,” she said. “And I always returned.”Sign up for
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There are signs Trump could be ready to retreat on tariffs
Faisal Islam - Economics editor/BBC/April 28, 2025
Over the past week I have crossed a radically changing North America, from
Arizona to Washington DC in the US and then on to Saskatchewan in Canada,
witnessing clear evidence of the consequences of historic change in the way the
world economy is run. Huge uncertainty means nobody really knows where it is
headed. The walk from the White House Rose Garden to the HQ of the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) takes just 9 minutes. In the past few days, in this very
short stroll, two very different worlds collided with each other. The former is
the place where at the start of this month, with an extraordinary chart and
questionable equation, President Trump took on the world with his so-called
"reciprocal tariffs". The latter is the place where just three weeks on from
that, after rowback, market tumult, and confusion, the finance ministers of the
entire world gathered to try to pick up the pieces, even as they were still
rebounding off the ground.At the IMF meetings that included gatherings of G7 and
G20 members, something unique happened. The US representatives faced not open
hostility, but exasperation, bewilderment and deep concern, from almost the
entire rest of the world, for having sent the global economy back towards a
crisis, just as it had finally emerged from four years of pandemic, war and
energy shocks. The concern was most acutely expressed by the East Asian
countries, who had in early April been classed as "looters and pillagers" of
American jobs because of the fact that these economies, many of them key allies
of the US, export more goods to the US than the other way around. The talk of
the G7 was the quiet determined fury of the Japanese, who were said to feel
betrayed by the US turn on trade, and whose confusion over what US trade
negotiators actually wanted recently sparked a sell off of US government bonds.
The finance minister Katsunobu Kato told the roundtable the US tariffs were
"highly disappointing", hurting growth and destabilising markets. I was reminded
of the time at the IMF in 2022 when developing country finance ministers asked
me if everything was OK in Britain during the mini budget crisis of Liz Truss'
government. Then the UK was the source of fragility, trading like an emerging
market, when its normal role was solving crises in those markets.
The bugle of retreat
In the face of febrile bond markets, this week the faint sound of the bugle of
retreat on the US trade war got louder. A forest of olive branches seemed to be
on offer from the US to get the Chinese to come back to the table to negotiate,
from respect for their economic achievements to the offer of a deal to do a
"beautiful rebalancing" of the world economy. It was a far cry from the claims
of "looting and pillaging". Yet a much hoped for meeting between US Treasury
Secretary Scott Bessent and his Chinese counterpart did not materialise. Most of
the rest of the world leaving their meetings with Bessent are reporting back an
assumption that the US is edging away from what it cannot acknowledge was
overreach. And there is a widespread view that there is no need for countries to
retaliate, when the CEOs of Walmart and Target are telling the President
privately that there will be empty shelves from early May.
The collapse in container traffic from China to the port of Los Angeles - the
main artery of the world economy for the first quarter of the 21st century - is
the one to watch. The IMF's boffins say they can start to see the impact from
space as satellites track fewer, increasingly empty ships leaving China's ports.
Of course this will be denied by the US.
West Wing farce
It is true that there was far more relative calm at the end of the IMF Meetings
compared to the beginning. Why? Because the US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
has seized control of the tariff agenda and has almost single-handedly calmed
markets and the rest of the world.
Financial diplomats put down the Bessent ascendancy and the critical 90 day
pause in the so-called "reciprocal" tariffs to some farcical West Wing antics.
The story goes Bessent was able to get the ear of Trump regarding the bond
market damage from his tariffs, only after a separate White House economic
adviser managed to use the bait of a fake meeting to lure away the hardline
tariff hawk and author of the infamous reciprocal tariff equation Pete Navarro
from patrolling the Oval Office. Wall Street bosses are thought to have
suggested that only by firing Navarro, can some semblance of normality return.
Insiders suggest that Trump will never get rid of his trade adviser, as he
served time in jail after the January 6 riots in support of the President. At
best this sounds like the future of the world economy and all our livelihoods
played out like a real time Hilary Mantel novel about the court of Trump. At
worst it is leading to financiers and Governments starting to think the
unthinkable about how much further the US or the rest of the world might go and
currently, the uncertainty about everything is more concerning than the direct
impact of the tariffs.
A nightmarish scenario
And that uncertainty is prompting some fairly wild theories about what might
come next.
At times of acute global financial stress, "swap lines" between central banks
exist to preserve financial stability, making sure there is a constant supply of
US dollars. But now some of the world's central banks have started to game out
what might happen if the US chose to use its dollar "swap lines" to the rest of
the world as a form of diplomatic leverage or even a weapon. Is it inconceivable
that the US might deny them or veto the Federal Reserve handing them out? One
just has to assume it is inconceivable, because in many instances there is no
way to mitigate it. But the nightmarish scenario for the world financial system,
however unlikely, is now not wholly implausible. A little less unlikely perhaps
is the idea that those countries with a trade surplus with the US could help
fund the US with an effective tax on their holdings of US government debt. Some
of these ideas have been floated in speeches and papers by US government
advisers. In this atmosphere, worrying but incorrect ideas can start to infect
confidence. For example, there was a "whodunnit" about significant selling of US
Government debt just after the original tariff reveal.
Some speculated it was China. But Tokyo currently happens to be the biggest
overall creditor to the US. Was this Japanese selling that helped make the case
to Trump for the tariff pause, an almost deliberate diplomatic tactic? Two very
well connected officials suggested this scenario to me, which shows the
febrility right now, even though it seems implausible.
No one crawling
While Bessent commanded the weekend airwaves in the US having assumed control of
this process, it was still quite something to see him sending the message that
"Investors need to know that the U.S. government bond market is the safest and
soundest in the world". If you have to say it…
Another significant finance minister told me of his global counterparts that "no
one was crawling to the Americans" given the unbeatable effectiveness of the US
having to negotiate with its own bond market. Amid the uncertainty, no one seems
to know if the "baseline" universal tariff of 10% is even negotiable. President
Trump's message that tariff revenue could be sufficient to "completely
eliminate" income taxes for "many people" would rather suggest that it will
stay. "It depends on who you talk to on which day of week… I've heard three
different positions articulated on the baseline, one by the White House, one by
the Commerce Dept, and one by a US Trade representative," said one senior G7
official. "Do you know what the final outcome will be? Whatever the president
wants at that moment, shaped by industrial, market and political issues," I was
told.
Consistent UK diplomacy
This is of particular interest to the UK, because the baseline bites the UK
hard. Alongside big tariffs on cars which are our biggest goods export and
likely further ones on pharmaceuticals, our second most important export, the US
hit to the UK appears inexplicable when by the White House's own creative
definition of "trade cheating" - running a goods surplus - the US is actually
slightly "cheating" the UK. I put this point to the Chancellor several times
over two interviews in Washington. She diplomatically rejected that suggestion.
But eventually right at the end of our last interview, strolling around the
famous reflecting pool in between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington
Monument, she volunteered something rather telling of the changing world. "I
understand why there's so much focus on our trading relationship with the US but
actually our trading relationship with Europe is arguably even more important,
because they're our nearest neighbours and trading partners," she told me. It
caused a bit of a fuss back home, but it was not an off the cuff gaffe. That's
because concessions to the US on food standards are off limits for domestic
political reasons. This appears to have been accepted by the Americans after
consistent UK diplomacy, as the focus remains on a technology prosperity deal.
It seems pretty clear now that the UK is going to push ahead with a "high
ambition high alignment" deal with the European Union. And word had got out here
among finance ministers.
A very senior international official used the example of the UK-EU rapprochement
as an example of the rest of the world coordinating and "doing its homework" as
a response to US unreliability. "Brexit was a bitter divorce, but now I see you
are dating again," I was told privately. There was also some relief that the US
remained engaged with the World Bank and IMF. The Project 2025 plan that was
published in April 2023 by the think tank The Heritage Foundation in
anticipation of a second Trump presidency envisaged the US leaving those
international organisations, and the Governor of the Bank of England recently
expressed his concerns to me. Bessent used the meetings to confirm US commitment
to the Bank and the Fund, albeit with a return to their core functions and away
from considerations of social issues and the environment. The Europeans counted
that as a win.
A grand battle?
But a bigger canvas remains. Will the US use this trade war in order to try to
corral the rest of the world on to its side in a grand battle with China? It
seems astonishing to have annoyed allies so significantly and fundamentally if
this was the strategic point of all this. A test case here is Spain, which faces
20% tariffs as an EU member state.He appeared rather unmoved by all this,
telling me at the Semafor World Economy Summit in DC: "There's a huge trade
deficit with China, and we need to correct that by opening up to China, by also
attracting Chinese investment, of course, within an overall economic security
umbrella. And that can only be done by engaging and actually talking to the
Chinese authorities". Spain has secured notable Chinese electric vehicle factory
investment and technology transfer. The US doesn't like it. But if the US wanted
to persuade the Spanish and EU of its reliable long term allyship against China,
it is difficult to see the strategy in the past month's tariff accusations and
chaos.Whoever wins in Canada's election will bring that G7 economy firmly back
into this globally transformative debate. Could the newly elected Canadian PM
start a full fat negotiation with the UK too? And then he will chair the G7
Summit in Canada in June as President Trump's 90 day deadline expires. It is
presumed Donald Trump will travel to Alberta, to the country he claims should be
part of his own.
There is a path to trade peace, calm and deescalation. But it could get much
worse too. This is a critical few weeks for the world economy.
Palestinian Leaders Play Musical Chairs To Dupe Western
Donors
Khaled Abu Toameh/Gatestone Institute/April 28, 2025
The appointment of al-Sheikh needs to be seen in the context of Abbas's effort
to dupe the international community into believing that he is serious about
reforming the PA and sharing power. Abbas's main goal is to rid himself of the
image of an autocrat and present himself as a reformist and democrat, so that
Western donors will continue to pour money on him – foolishly with no
conditions. [T]hose who think that al-Sheikh would be different from Abbas are
clueless. Al-Sheikh, a veteran member of Abbas's ruling Fatah faction, is an
exact replica of his boss. Abbas and he share the same positions on almost every
issue related to Israel. Both have always used harsh rhetoric to condemn and
vilify Israel, especially in the international arena.
Al-Sheikh may not represent the old guard in the Palestinian leadership, but his
statements and positions reflect those of Abbas and the old guard. The
Palestinians need real reforms that will end the corruption in PA institutions
and remove corrupt and incompetent officials. The last thing they need is a new
game of musical chairs designed to deceive both the Palestinians and the
international community.
The appointment of Hussein al-Sheikh as Vice President of the Palestinian
Authority (PA) needs to be seen in the context of PA President Mahmoud Abbas's
effort to dupe the international community into believing that he is serious
about reforming the PA and sharing power. Abbas's main goal is to rid himself of
the image of an autocrat and present himself as a reformist and democrat, so
that Western donors will continue to pour money on him. On April 26, a group of
unelected Palestinian Authority (PA) officials approved the appointment of
Hussein al-Sheikh as "Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee of the
Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Vice President of the [non-existent]
State of Palestine."PA President Mahmoud Abbas, who also serves as chairman of
the PLO Executive Committee, had nominated the 64-year-old al-Sheikh for this
position in accordance with a decision by the Palestinian Central Council, a
body dominated by Abbas loyalists, to create the position of "Deputy Chairman of
the PLO Executive Committee and Vice President of the State of Palestine."
The 16-member PLO Executive Committee, which approved the nomination, is also
dominated by Abbas loyalists, including al-Sheikh, who was appointed a few years
ago by the now 89-year-old Abbas as its secretary general.
The appointment officially elevated al-Sheikh to the position of Number 2 in the
PA leadership. Until then, al-Sheikh was viewed by Palestinians as Abbas's
unofficial Vice President. The appointment of al-Sheikh, therefore, did not
surprise many Palestinians. At the end of the day, Abbas picked one of his
closest confidants to the senior job and his loyalists, without hesitation,
rubber-stamped the nomination.
The appointment of al-Sheikh reportedly came as a result of pressure from the
international community on Abbas to reform the Palestinian Authority. According
to Reuters, "reform of the PA has been a priority for the US and Gulf monarchies
hoping the body can play a central role in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict." The news agency said that the appointment is "a step widely seen as
needed to assuage international doubts over Palestinian leadership. Widespread
corruption, lack of progress towards an independent [Palestinian] state and
increasing Israeli military [counterterrorism] incursions in the West Bank have
undermined the PA's popularity among many Palestinians."
It is hard to see how the appointment of an official by Abbas and a small group
of his loyalists constitutes a step toward reforming the PA. Does Abbas, who has
been running the PA as an autocrat, intend to share power with his newly elected
vice president? Think again. When the Palestinian Central Council decided on
April 24 to approve the creation of the position of "Deputy Chairman of the PLO
Executive Committee and Vice President of the State of Palestine," it made it
clear that Abbas "may assign him duties, relieve him of his position, and accept
his resignation." Al-Sheikh, in other words, will be completely dependent on his
boss if he wishes to stay in his new job. If Abbas feels that his new deputy is
not loyal enough, he can get rid of him any time he wishes. This means that
al-Sheikh, like many senior Palestinian officials, will serve as another puppet
in the hands of Abbas.
The assumption that the appointment of al-Sheikh would boost the popularity of
Abbas and the PA is also dismally off-base. Several public opinion polls
published over the past few years show that an overwhelming majority of the
Palestinians want Abbas to resign. Abbas is now in the 20th year of his four
year-term in office. He was elected to office in the Palestinian Authority's
last presidential election, in 2005.
The last PA parliamentary election was held in 2006, when the Iran-backed Hamas
terrorist group won a majority of seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council.
Hamas then took over the Gaza Strip, threw some members of Abbas's Fatah party
to their deaths from the top floors of high buildings, forcibly ousted the rest
of the PA, and proceeded to rule Gaza ever since. Since then, the Palestinians
have not been able to hold new elections due to the dispute between Fatah and
Hamas. The polls also show that most Palestinians consider the PA to be
extremely corrupt.
In addition, the assumption that Israeli military operations against Palestinian
armed groups in the West Bank undermine the PA's credibility among many
Palestinians is also embarrassingly wrong. Polls conducted by Palestinian
research groups have revealed that many Palestinians lost faith in the PA not
because of the Israeli military operations, but because of rampant financial and
administrative corruption in PA institutions. In 2021, the Palestinian Coalition
for Integrity and Accountability concluded that the PA's criminal corruption
include nepotism, misappropriation of public funds, abuse of power, bribery,
money-laundering and abuse of influence.
The appointment of al-Sheikh needs to be seen in the context of Abbas's effort
to dupe the international community into believing that he is serious about
reforming the PA and sharing power. Abbas's main goal is to rid himself of the
image of an autocrat and present himself as a reformist and democrat, so that
Western donors will continue to pour money on him – foolishly with no
conditions. If anyone thinks that at the age of 89 Abbas is going to share power
with anyone, they are deluding themselves.
Over the past two decades, Abbas has systematically cracked down on many of his
political rivals and opponents. He has also displayed complete intolerance
towards any form of criticism, by firing or imprisoning anyone who dares to
speak out against him.
Finally, those who think that al-Sheikh would be different from Abbas are
clueless. Al-Sheikh, a veteran member of Abbas's ruling Fatah faction, is an
exact replica of his boss. Abbas and he share the same positions on almost every
issue related to Israel. Both have always used harsh rhetoric to condemn and
vilify Israel, especially in the international arena. Al-Sheikh may not
represent the old guard in the Palestinian leadership, but his statements and
positions reflect those of Abbas and the old guard. The Palestinians need real
reforms that will end the corruption in PA institutions and remove corrupt and
incompetent officials. The last thing they need is a new game of musical chairs
designed to deceive both the Palestinians and the international community.
**Khaled Abu Toameh is an award-winning journalist based in Jerusalem.
**Follow Khaled Abu Toameh on X (formerly Twitter)
© 2025 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do
not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No
part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied
or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.
Why ‘Muhammad Never Existed’ Is the Weakest Polemic
Against Islam: Part 1
Raymond Ibrahim/The Stream/April 28/2025
https://stream.org/why-muhammad-never-existed-is-the-weakest-polemic-against-islam-part-1/
Breaking news: Muhammad never existed — and once Muslims come to grips with
this, as they’re obviously destined to, Islam will die out! It’s just a matter
of time now.
If you’re not aware, there are people who are actually making this argument in
some form right now. So I’d like to address it because it is by far one of the
weakest arguments against Islam, and is destined to continue having zero impact
on the Muslim world.
Claims against the historicity of Muhammad began well over a century ago.
Origin Stories
I, personally, was first introduced to skeptical views of Islam’s origins in the
1990s, when I read Hagarism: The Making of the Islamic World (1977) by Patricia
Crone and Michael Cook. While they did not outright discount Muhammad’s
existence, they cast many doubts on Islam’s traditional narrative.
Since then, an array of authors and activists have picked up and amplified this
theme, leading to the grand conclusion that Muhammad never existed, but was
rather fabricated to give the Arab empire that conquered much of North Africa
and the Middle East in the seventh century a hagiographical founding story.
The person spearheading the argument against Muhammad’s existence is Dr. Jay
Smith (at least, according to the emails I’ve been receiving lately). They often
go like this: “We like what you’ve been saying about Islamic history, but you
need to stop talking about Muhammad as if he really existed. Please see the
works of Dr. Jay Smith.”
From my first brush with it as a student in the 1990s, I’ve never been much
interested in this “Muhammad never existed” argument (we’ll get into why later),
but I’ve decided to address it for two important and related reasons: First, to
shed light on why it is so weak and, if anything, serves only as a distraction;
and, second, to shed light on the subtle inner workings of history —
essentially, why humans believe what they believe about the past. This is
fascinating and possibly instructive.
Let me start by laying out my personal beliefs concerning Muhammad — whether he
existed or not.
The Bloody ‘Prophet’
I believe the bare-bone facts of his biography: Sometime in the early seventh
century, a man claiming to be a prophet arose in Arabia, and became dominant
through warfare.
Why do I believe this? Because we have several remarkably early references to
his existence, all written by non-Muslims.
The most important of these, the Doctrina Jacobi, documents a dialogue that took
place on July 13, 634 — just two years after Muhammad’s death.
Justus, one of the participants in this dialogue, says that his brother,
Abraham, “wrote to me saying that a deceiving prophet appeared amidst the
Saracens.” Justus then says that Abraham, who was living near Arabia, referred
the matter to an old Jewish scribe:
“What do you tell me, lord and teacher, concerning the prophet who has appeared
among the Saracens?” Abraham asks the elderly gentleman. “And the scribe told
me, with much groaning, ‘He is deceiving. For do prophets come with swords and
chariot? Verily, these events of today are works of confusion.”
Afterward, Abraham decided to investigate the matter personally:
“So I, Abraham, inquired and heard from those who had met him that there was no
truth to be found in the so-called prophet, only the shedding of men’s blood. He
says also that he has the keys of paradise, which is incredible.”
Note the bare-bone facts here confirm exactly what we know about Muhammad: a
man, claiming to be a prophet, and promising paradise to his followers, had
arisen in Arabia — though many people doubted he was sent by God, seeing how his
modus operandi consisted of violence and bloodshed. And these observations were
made a mere two years following Muhammad’s death in 632.
I don’t know about you, but this is amazingly early testimony. But wait, there’s
more!
Reliable Sources
Muhammad is first mentioned by name in a Syriac fragment, also written around
634; only scattered phrases are intelligible: “many villages [in Homs] were
ravaged by the killing [of the followers] of Muhammad and many people were slain
and [taken] prisoner from Galilee to Beth,” and “some ten thousand” other
Christians were slaughtered in “the vicinity of Damascus.”
Writing around 640, Thomas the Presbyter, a Syriac Christian, also confirms that
“there was a battle [probably Ajnadayn] between the Romans and the Arabs of
Muhammad in Palestine twelve miles east of Gaza. The Romans fled. … Some 4,000
poor villagers of Palestine were killed there … The Arabs ravaged the whole
region”; they even “climbed the mountain of Mardin and killed many monks there
in the monasteries of Qedar and Bnata.”
The Coptic bishop John of Nikiû, who was likely alive during the Muslim conquest
of Egypt (641), refers to Islam as “the detestable doctrine of the beast, that
is, Muhammad.”
Again, these are all very early and definitive references to Muhammad, dating
from between two and eight years after his death. That is amazingly early by the
standards of history. I’m not sure — but would be very curious to learn — how
the naysayers who claim Muhammad never existed get past such ironclad
references.
By way of comparison, keep in mind that we don’t have anything written as early
as between two and eight years of Christ’s lifetime, yet historians agree that
he existed. The earliest non-Christian references to Christ were written many
decades following his crucifixion: Josephus (60 years), Pliny the Younger (79
years), and Tacitus (83 years).
Again, I find it amazing that whereas Christians rightfully cite Josephus,
Pliny, and Tacitus as early proof of Christ’s existence, the non-Muslim
references to Muhammad — which, objectively speaking, are even more compelling,
since they were written much closer to their subject’s lifetime — are dismissed
as irrelevant by those who would make him a figment of our imagination.
Internal Strife
There’s another very important reason I believe a Muhammad existed: How else
does one understand the Sunni/Shia divide?
Think about it: If Muhammad is a fabrication meant to give credibility and a
hagiographical veneer to the Arab conquerors of the Middle East and North Africa
(namely, the Umayyads), how does one understand the Sunni/Shia conflict, which
revolves entirely around not just the existence of a prophet named Muhammad, but
his very DNA?
Following Muhammad’s death in 632, two contending Muslim groups emerged: Sunnis,
who believe that any qualified candidate is eligible to becoming Muhammad’s
successor (or caliph); and Shias, who believe that only blood descendants of
Muhammad could be his successors, particularly through his daughter Fatima and
his first cousin Ali (namely Muhammad’s grandsons Hassan and Hussein and their
progeny). Since the year 680, Sunnis and Shia have been killing each other over
this point.
Now if there was no Muhammad, then there was no Fatima; and if there was no
Fatima, there was no Hassan and no Hussein. So who are the Shias (the minority
Muslim faction), and what is their gripe? What event gave rise to them? Did the
Umayyad conspirators who concocted Muhammad also compel their own descendants to
start butchering each other — and if so, to what end?
For all these reasons, as far as I’m concerned, the bare bone facts of
Muhammad’s biography are amply proven by the standards of history, not to
mention common sense.
However, I do not necessarily believe the many details contained in the vast
corpus of Islam’s scriptures about the doings and teachings of its prophet. I
have no idea whether they are true or false, and can only judge their
plausibility on an individual basis.
Unflattering Accounts
That said, it’s worth mentioning that the hadith actually do help verify the
existence of Muhammad, though indirectly.
For those who do not know, the hadith are vast collections of what Muhammad
reportedly said or did, as passed down orally. Because they were finally written
down 120 to 250 years after Muhammad’s death, the people now raising questions
about his existence dismiss them as being too late and therefore obvious
forgeries.
Ironically, much of what the hadith do contain is very unflattering to Muhammad.
If they are meant to help fabricate a heroic-like and noble prophet to validate
the Arab empire, shouldn’t they only contain information designed to put
Muhammad in the best of lights? Instead, they contain many oddities (to put it
mildly) that have for centuries challenged Muslims’ faith. Many of them, till
this very day, cite them as cause for their apostasy from Islam.
For example, there’s one “canonical” hadith (meaning its authenticity has been
determined by the ulema) in which here Muhammad recommends that women
“breastfeed” strange men as a way of making them “family” members; that means
the women no longer need cover themselves around them. The sira also records
Muhammad ordering the brutal assassination of old men and women for simply
mocking him, and “marrying” the wives of men he had killed.
Such accounts have a ring of truth to them. Accurate accounts of historical
figures will at least occasionally show some of their warts, and what we know
about Muhammad from the earliest sources — a propensity for war, vengeance, and
sexual licentiousness — further confirm the unflattering accounts contained in
the sira and hadith.
Check back later for the conclusion of this two-part series, in which I evaluate
the counterarguments against Muhammad’s existence.
African Firewall
Amb. Alberto M. Fernandez/Africa-MEMRI Daily Brief No. 757/April 28/2025
In terms of sheer carnage, the bloodiest war going on right now would be
Ukraine. In terms of media coverage, the most minutely covered and obsessed by
Western elites would be Gaza. But a case can be made that the broadest war going
on today is in the shadows, between the desert and the sown, ranging thousands
of miles, across a dozen countries, from Western Africa to the Indian Ocean
coast of East Africa. This is the war being waged by Jihadist groups, ethnic
militias, and bandits, all Muslim but often drawn from specific tribes and
ethnicities, against others – against African governments and their foreign
allies, rival ethnic groups, and African Christians and animists.[1]
The scope of this war of imperial conquest, which is often seen as a series of
separate regional or national conflicts, is massive.[2] If you were to draw a
line from Bamako in Mali through the Democratic Republic of Congo to Cabo
Delgado in Mozambique, the distance is close to 4,000 miles (6,500 kilometers).
And even though the conflicts in Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon,
Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mozambique are all
different in their local political, economic, ethnic, and military
characteristics, there are some very general similarities. There is the struggle
between pastoralists and farmers, between Muslims (not all of them Jihadists)
and Christians, between different ethnicities, between those with economic power
and those with political power, fighting over scarce resources.
Although Westerners tend to focus on things like the French being replaced by
the Russians or the rising role of China, or great power competition, or
resource extraction, or climate change, an essential part of this grand conflict
is ancient, rooted in realities on the ground going back to the time of the
Islamic conquest of North Africa in the eighth century. Western intervention –
when it happens – tends to be clumsy and expensive, and often clothed in the
specious language of humanitarianism.
We seem to see two patterns – either a heavy-handed presence (think the
Americans in Somalia in 1993 or various French interventions) or a washing of
hands in frustration that these conflicts seem intractable and unimportant to
Western interests. Western governments are alarmed by the growth of Russia's
ramshackle informal empire in Africa[3] but seem still stuck in the old paradigm
of the old liberal world order – imposing Western cultural and political values
on Africa, and talking down to Africans. When Africans reject this, Westerners
tend to throw up their hands and are tempted to walk away.
In 2025, the new Trump Administration has looked at the world with fresh eyes,
an overdue change. Africa should be no exception to prioritizing America First
interests. There is a role for the United States to play in Africa that should
neither be the extreme poles of liberal nation building nor ignoring the region.
An American role of some sort is important because it is entirely possible that
in the near future, in countries and regions in Africa, Jihadists and/or chaos
may triumph.[4] The terrorist leaders are hard and deadly men. Some, like Tuareg
warlord Iyad Ag Ghali, are brilliant and ruthless survivors with dreams of
empire.
Regimes in countries like Burkina Faso and Mali are increasingly fragile and
their incipient fall into either Jihadism triumphant or chaos is not in
America's interest.[5] Burkina Faso's worst terrorist attack was only last year,
with over 600 civilians slaughtered.[6] Jihadists are seeking to move further
south. The deadliest attack ever in Christian-majority Benin – a country south
of Burkina Faso and Niger – by Al-Qaeda's Sahel branch (JNIM) – took place only
last week.[7]
What does this mean? This means that it is in the interest of the U.S., and of
the West in general, for someone to win who can impose a certain type of order
in these conflict-ridden states. It does not matter – should not matter to the
US – if Russian-aligned African states propped up by Wagner or if some other
player propped up by some other foreign power "win" against insurgents and can
impose order.
Whether victory comes through Russian help or that of France or Turkey or the
UAE is immaterial as long as a type of order can be maintained.[8] There are
some more complicated situations. I think of Sudan, where both sides are similar
(but not the same): Neither is anti-West and both have foreign support. But in
all the other situations in Africa, where the state confronts Jihadists, we
should want that state to win, even if they are allied with Moscow.
At the same time, Africa (especially Russia in Africa) should actually motivate
us to think of American force projection in different ways.[9] American reform
in the Defense and State Department (including the elimination of USAID) under
Trump should lead to the development of a different type of expeditionary
diplomacy – lighter, cheaper, more embedded, and agile. A security and
diplomatic policy that is less Cadillac Escalade and more Ford pickup truck,
less endless Global War on Terror and more working with others or through
proxies to get inexpensive quick-fix solutions.
It is probably too much to expect that, for example, the U.S. would actively
work with Russia to help Mali against its insurgents. But we do need to break
away from the old ways of African foreign policy all-too-often heavily guided by
the U.S. advocacy and humanitarian community. One positive early development in
the Trump Administration is diminishing if not completely eliminating the
existing, left-leaning NGO-industrial complex that functioned as a force
multiplier for liberal interventionism. The challenge is going to be to replace
that old system by something that is actually important to us. In Africa what is
ultimately most useful to us is killing Jihadists, making sure they do not
control large ungoverned spaces, and doing a better job in successfully
competing for valuable resources.
*Alberto M. Fernandez is Vice President of MEMRI.
[1] See MEMRI JTTM report ISIS In Africa (Chad, Cameroon, Niger, Democratic
Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Mozambique): Targeting Christians – Killing,
Beheading, Murdering Priests And Nuns, Burning Churches, Health Clinics, And
Homes – As The World Is Largely Silent, June 16, 2023.
[2] Ctc.westpoint.edu/aqims-imperial-playbook-understanding-al-qaida-in-the-islamic-maghrebs-expansion-into-west-africa,
April 29, 2022.
[3] Lediplomate.media/2025/03/russie-afrique/olivierdauzon/monde/afrique, March
13, 2025.
[4] Igberetvnews.com/1482366/nigeria-police-unabated-terror-fulani-herdsmen-case-culpability-inevitability-nigerias-disintegration/#forward,
April 2025.
[5] Studies.aljazeera.net/en/analyses/sahels-shifting-sands-how-security-landscape-redrawing-regional-alliances,
March 27, 2025.
[6] Lefigaro.fr/international/une-attaque-lache-et-barbare-des-djihadistes-commettent-un-effroyable-massacre-au-burkina-faso-20240829,
April 29, 2024.
[7] Apnews.com/article/benin-attack-soldiers-militants-405bf0d7954310c508ecc5dc7ef95c33,
April 24, 2025.
[8] See MEMRI Daily Brief No. 600, Turkey's Syrian Mercenaries Come To The Sahel
In Africa, May 17, 2024.
[9] Zinebriboua.com/p/the-russian-art-of-unwar, March 21, 2025.
Geopolitical Variations and Political Challenges
Dr. Charles Elias Chartouni/This Is Beirut/Aptil 28/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/04/142826/
The past week was replete with events that cannot be overlooked if we are to
address critical conflicts around the world: the death of Pope Francis and its
reverberations ; the evolutions of the Ukraine war ; the ultimate scope of the
US-Iranian negotiations; the shifting facades of Turkey’s Islamic
authoritarianism; and the normalization scenarios in Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria.
The unifying thread tying these events together is their incidence on the
international scene.
The funerals of Pope Francis have amply demonstrated the powerful presence of
the Catholic Church on the world stage and its critical role in peace advocacy
and negotiated conflict resolution ; its moral authority and ability to project
itself as a major actor in the contemporary debates about fundamental human
rights, ecological issues, international justice, integrated development, and
interreligious dialogue… The attendance of the funerals of Pope Francis by
worldwide political and religious dignitaries and the unanimous presence of the
Western world's political and religious leaders testify to its federating and
central role in weaving the intellectual narrative of Western democracies and
their normative consensuses. The French journal Le Monde titles its issue “The
funerals of Pope Francis transform Rome into the center of the world,” while Il
Messaggero replicates “Rome, the center of the world.”
The ministry of Pope Francis was quite compelling, featuring the healing and
inspiring mandates of the Gospel in a tormented world and the significant
contributions of contemporary Catholicism in promoting peace and justice through
active advocacy and ministries. The big challenge of the forthcoming conclave is
to measure up to the achievements of the contemporary papacy and to pursue the
transformative dynamics of the Vatican II council.
The very inspiring picture, which conveyed the duo between Presidents Trump and
Zelensky, showcases the efficacy of the Holy See’s diplomacy, the symbolism of
St. Peter’s Basilica as a venue for peace and reconciliation, and the federating
role of the papacy in the search for peace at a time when international events
plead to the contrary. This moment of grief reflects the continuing ministry of
peace and reconciliation pursued by Pope Francis and his predecessors. In
counterpart, it highlights the cultural divides between the Western democracies
and their totalitarian nemeses. Their absence mirrors the normative differences
and their strategic repercussions. Whatever might be the political and
ideological differences within the Western political realm, political and civil
actors are, by and large, bound by a common civility.
The circumlocutions of the US-Iranian negotiations are not accidental ; they
reflect the cultural divides and the strategic differences between the
protagonists. Aside from the tactical and technical aspects of the negotiations,
the normative discrepancies lie at the roots of this conflict. The US is on the
search for a comprehensive solution that puts an end to the conflict dynamics
and their destructiveness. The Islamic regime in Tehran is hell-bent on saving
its future, safeguarding its totalitarian controls over a rebellious civil
society, and restoring its unraveling imperial domain.
In its attempt at narrowing the scope of negotiations to the single issue of
setting the thresholds of uranium enrichment and its monitoring mechanisms, the
Iranian regime tries to forestall two mortal issues : the liberalization of the
Iranian civil society as the functional equivalent of international
normalization and the destruction of its imperial nodes throughout the Middle
East. One wonders whether the reproduction of erstwhile failed scenarios is
worth considering when this whole totalitarian dystopia is imploding.
The same reservations apply to the Turkish strategic ambivalence bent on
consolidating the Islamic autocracy and the neo-Ottoman imperial policy. The
faked accusations of corruption and the arbitrary detention of the Turkish
opposition leader and the imperial inroads in Syria are quite symptomatic of the
totalitarian and imperial proclivities. One wonders whether Western democracies
can turn a blind eye to these evolutions without endangering their security and
compromising the future of Turkish oppositions that are quite vocal about their
liberal orientations and pro-Western alignments. Political reservation is
becoming irrelevant, risky, and hardly defensible.
The perpetuation of this state of equivocation is detrimental to the
liberalization of Turkey and to the stabilization of Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria.
Lebanon’s normalization is hobbled by Hezbollah and the determination of the
Iranian regime to reinstate its imperial dominion in the Near East and,
alternatively, by the rising Turkish imperial inroads. The Gaza war features the
tragedy of the instrumentalization of the Palestinian question by Muslim and
Arab power politics and the inability of the alternating Palestinian leaderships
to engage Israel through renewed diplomatic mediations. Otherwise, the ongoing
political transformations in Syria are challenged by the international jihadists
from within, the Turkish power projections, the Israeli containment policy, and
the return of chaos attempted by Iran’s proxies. Unfortunately, none of these
political environments is permeable to democratic conflict resolution, the
abidingness of human rights, and the pertinence of constitutional governance.
Political challenges overlap with cultural challenges.
Opinion - Trump has convinced himself that his delusions
are reality
Harlan Ullman, opinion contributor/The Hill/April 28, 2025
After meetings in London with some of the usual and unusual suspects, one
subject dominated the conversations. Unsurprisingly, the subject was President
Trump, and the recurring questions were about whether conditions in America are
that bad and if and when we will recover. A talk I gave at the Pilgrim’s
Society, a United Kingdom-U.S. group dedicated to fostering the best relations
on both sides of the Atlantic, was illustrative of these fears and concerns. The
subject of the talk was a forthcoming book I am writing with General David
Richards titled “Arc of Despair: Strategic Delusions in a Dangerous and
AI-Driven World.” Despite the book sounding an alarm about the dire state of
strategic thinking in the West, the audience wanted to know about Trump and what
the hell was going on in America. My answers may have surprised them, most of
whom thought the worst about Trump.
I began by observing that I had met Trump three times: twice in late 2016 after
the election, when I was asked to provide advice on foreign and defense policy
matters, and once in the early 1990s at a dinner. The chairman of a mutual fund
board, of which I was a director, and his wife had been invited to dinner with
Trump at Trump Tower. I was brought along to fill an otherwise empty chair.
The chairman’s wife, Sara, headed or co-headed a number of high-powered New York
social clubs, such as the Pilgrims Society, which Trump hoped to join. When
Trump made his intentions known, Sara looked at him directly and pleasantly
asked, “Donald, how many floors does Trump Tower have?” Trump immediately fired
back, “68!” Sara responded: “No, Donald, there are only 58!” Trump tried to
explain how he had been able to add the additional 10 to the floor count. It did
not make a dent. In saying goodbye, Sara said, “When you get the floors right, I
would be delighted to talk about the memberships.”Six months or so passed until
Trump called Sara to follow up. Her immediate response was, “Donald, how many
floors does Trump Tower have?” End of discussion. Trump Tower in New York is an
exceptional structure. Given that, why did Trump knowingly inflate the number of
floors? This, then, is a central flaw in Trump’s character. He seeks to go a
bridge too far. And to that end, he probably has convinced himself that the lies
or fabrications he invents are true, to the point of being delusional.
Fast forward to Trump’s first 100 days as president. By any metric, they have
been unprecedented. Trump, in some ways, is a revolutionary like Lenin or Mao
who intends to shape events according to his will and vision. Thus far, where
has Trump not made an impact? In the U.S., his intent is to transform American
society politically, socially, economically and intellectually. But, as with the
number of floors in Trump Tower, Trump is unable or unwilling to allow reality
to intervene. Consider his biggest initiatives: fixing the border and stopping
illegal immigration, which he has done. Imposing tariffs to alter the global
trading system and make America even richer, and empowering the Department of
Government Efficiency to reform government and make trillions of dollars by
cutting waste, fraud and abuse.
He also aims to destroy all vestiges of diversity, equity and inclusion,
diminish the power of the elite by attacking Ivy League and other top-ranked
universities and many of the upper-crust law firms in the process and embark on
a series of concurrent negotiations over Gaza, Ukraine and Iran’s nuclear
programs. He has placed the negotiations in the hands of Steve Witkoff, a New
York City property developer with no prior experience in foreign affairs.
The fundamental flaw is that Trump operates on instincts that can be delusional
by ignoring basic facts.
Under the proper circumstances, some of his initiatives are very sound, such as
controlling the border, fixing the government and seeking better trade deals.
Yet, there is no coherent or integrated strategy to implement his dictums. And
when confronted as he was over the number of floors in Trump Tower, he created
his own universe. How will this end? My view is that character flaws and
delusions are not a good match. But will anyone or anything intervene before all
this becomes a bridge too far? Probably not.
**Harlan Ullman, Ph.D., is UPI’s Arnaud deBorchgrave Distinguished Columnist, a
senior advisor at Washington, D.C.’s Atlantic Council, the chairman of two
private companies and the principal author of the doctrine of shock and awe. He
and David Richards are authors of the forthcoming book, “The Arc of Failure: Can
Decisive Strategic Thinking Transform a Dangerous World.”
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Iran... Pragmatism after the ‘Flood’
Ghassan Charbel/Asharq Al Awsat/April 28, 2025
Iranian commentators appear to be relaxed about the prospects of the ongoing
negotiations with the United States. Some have implied that a honeymoon period
is possible with the “Great Satan” if its intentions are sincere. They speak of
a mutual need. Iran needs an agreement that would end the cycles of sanctions
and accusations, while the American administration needs an achievement of the
size of an agreement over Iran’s nuclear deal. They say that Washington has
something to offer Tehran and vice versa. They say that the world today is going
through a period of reconciliations, not one of heated rhetoric that stokes
tensions. Some observers have even said that Donald Trump’s administration may
pose an opportunity for Iran because it wants to enter Iranian markets and
exploit investment opportunities there. Asked about their views, Iranian
citizens say that now is not the time of costly confrontations, but cooperation
and respect of interests. The participants of the American-Iranian dialogue do
not hesitate in saying that the talks are beneficial and constructive and that
they have taken preliminary steps that can be built upon.
The talks between Washington and Tehran should have taken place amid tensions
and should have been teetering on the edge of the abyss. After all, the master
of the White House is Donald Trump. He is the man who tore up the previous
nuclear agreement that Iran had won under Barak Obama’s term. He is the same man
who ordered the killing of General Qassem Soleimani near Baghdad airport. He is
also the same man who just weeks ago told Iran to choose between a new deal or a
possible US-backed Israeli strike. Iran does not normally succumb to such
rhetoric, but it did this time.
The observer has the right to wonder why Iran suddenly adopted a realistic
approach. Is it seeking a truce because Trump really does follow through with
his threats? Does it sense that the man who took a decision as significant as
the killing of Soleimani would not think twice about giving Benjamin Netanyahu
the green light to destroy the Iranian nuclear facilities with inevitable
American help to complete the mission?
Has Tehran derived the lessons it should have from the series of wars that
erupted after the Al-Aqsa Flood Operation? It could not save Hamas. It could not
save Hezbollah. The scenes of Houthi positions coming under American fire speak
for themselves. Has Tehran realized the extent of the loss that was Syria being
taken out of the Resistance Axis after Bashar al-Assad was ousted from power? We
mustn’t forget about Iraq that wants to steer clear of any possible conflict.
Tehran had evidently taken a decision years ago to avoid becoming embroiled in
any direct confrontation with the US. I heard this myself from Iranian officials
several years ago. I asked the people I met in Tehran a simple question about
whether they believe a war would erupt with the US given the constant tensions
between them. The answers may have been phrased differently, but they were all
the same: “You are asking about a war that will never happen.” Some did not
hesitate in saying that Iran is skilled at living on the brink of war without
ever being dragged into one. I asked them to elaborate on this conviction given
that war is not really in the cards, and they told me to ignore the heated
rhetoric. Iran knows that the American military is a mighty force that is
capable of destroying any target in the world. It has no interest in colliding
with a force that can take us back several decades, they told me. The American
jets can inflict massive damage on our factories, air force and everything we
have achieved since the revolution.
With these explanations came assertions: We will never surrender to American
might. We hold the cards that can exert pressure, and we know how to use them.
Moreover, American knows how important Iran is and that it is impossible to
replicate the Iraqi experience - toppling the regime through a ground invasion -
on its territory. This does not mean that we approve of the American policy in
the region, whether in Palestine or beyond. We are in a confrontation with the
US, but this confrontation is taking place in the region, not inside Iran. The
region will not remain an open field where America can hunt down whoever it
wants against the will of the people of the region. We have allies in several
places and can bank on the proxies and wars of attrition by proxy.
The decision to avert a direct military confrontation with the US was present
during the most difficult circumstances the region has endured. It was there
when Iran was leading a major coup against the American presence in the Middle
East. The suicide operations that had taken place in Beirut were aimed at
undermining the American and western presence in Lebanon. Soleimani himself was
in charge of depleting the American military presence in Iraq and facilitating
the infiltration of “jihadists” into Iraq. The Iranian coup was an obvious
success when Syria became a solid member of the Axis of Resistance. Soleimani
paved a road from Tehran to Beirut passing through Iraq and Syria.
But this is now in the past. Beirut and Damascus have changed. The Houthis are
taking shelter in tunnels in a war without end. The Axis was broken by Israeli
barbarism, American support and technological superiority.
Has Iran acknowledged that the era of coups that changed the balances of power
in the region, as well as four of its maps, is over? There is no doubt that the
Iran that headed towards the current negotiations with the US is taking part
with fewer cards. Hamas itself has proposed a five-year truce and abandoned its
desire to keep running Gaza. Hezbollah has limited options. It cannot go back to
war now that Syria is under President Ahmed al-Sharaa's rule. It is also widely
known that the majority of the Lebanese people oppose a return to war and
support limiting the possession of weapons in their country to the state.