Author: yreape

According to a report, the u.s. secretary of state is making his fifth trip to the middle east since the hamas attacks of October 7. Reportedly, his visit comes after the u.s. said it carried out more missile strikes against houthi missiles in Yemen. According to the report, the military said it had struck a land attack cruise missile and four anti ship missiles that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.

Reportedly, in response to the drone attack in Jordan that killed three american servicemen the u.s. said they are planning more strikes on Iran linked targets, though Islamic resistance in Iraq have claimed responsibility.

According to a report, israelis who dealt with the bodies of hostages said there was no doubt some had been sexually assaulted. Reportedly, a senior israeli police officer said her force has clear evidence that rape and other forms of sexual violence had been committed. According to the report, Shari Mendes, who was an architect called up as a reservist and helped identify female bodies brought to the Shura army base said many bodies arrived with bloody shredded underwear and many arrived with no clothing. Reportedly, some bodies had been decapitated or limbs cut off, and several female soldiers were shot in the vagina or the breast.

According to the report, Simcha Greiniman, a volunteer described finding a woman with nails and different objects in her body, saying it was clear that some of the victims seen had been sexually attacked. Reportedly, Ms Mendes and Mr Greiniman’s testimony is in line with evidence that has been collected from forensic investigations, witnesses and first responders.

According to a report, the islamic resistance in Iraq said it was responsible for a drone attack on a base in Jordan that killed three u.s. servicemen. Reportedly, an official said that the drone arrived at the same time as a returning u.s. drone and as a result, elements of the defence system were turned off. According to the report, the soldiers were in their sleeping quarters at the time.

According to a report, Russia’s war in Ukraine instigated Finland and Sweden to abandon long held security policies and apply to join nato in May 2022. Reportedly, Finland joined in April 2023 but Turkey and Hungary did not ratify Sweden’s bid.

According to the report, Turkey has accused Sweden of supporting kurdish seperatists, leading to a long delay in ratifying, which they did this week. Reportedly, the u.s. have now approved the sale to Turkey of 40 f-16 fighter applied for in 2021. According to the report, Hungary have not given a reason why they have not ratified Sweden’s entry.

According to a report, a tanker with links to the uk was on fire for several hours after being struck by a missile fired by houthis on Friday evening. Reportedly, the group said it targeted the Marlin Luanda in response to u.s. and uk aggression. According to the report the vessel was attacked 60 nautical miles south east of Aden, and french, indian and u.s. naval ships provided assistance.

Reportedly, the operator of the Marlin Luanda is Oceanix services Ltd, a uk registered company, though the ship sailed under the flag of the Marshall islands. According to the report, an update on Saturday confirmed that the fire had been put out and all the crew were safe. Reportedly, the uk government said attacks on ships in the Red Sea are completely unacceptable and Britain reserves the right to respond appropriately. According to a report, the u.s. said it destroyed a houthi anti ship missile in Yemen that was ready to launch at at 3.45 local time on Saturday.

According to a report, a russian plane carrying 65 ukrainian prisoners exploded in the southern Belgorod region, bordering Ukraine. Reportedly, another nine people were on the plane including six crew. According to the report, Ukraine’s general staff said the plans was transporting missiles for Russia’s S-300 air defense systems. Reportedly, video footage showed the plane going down followed by an explosion.

According to the report, some ukrainian media suggested the plane may have been targeted by ukrainian forces but those reports were deleted. Reportedly, the chairman of Russia’s parliamentary defence committee said there was a second plane though that plane changed its course, there can now be no more talk of any other prisoner exchanges.

According to a report, the uk prime minister told the british parliament that the latest u.s. uk strikes on houthis in Yemen were self defence. Reportedly, the u.s. and uk hit eight targets following twelve attacks on ships in the Red Sea in ten days. According to the report, the uk prime minister said the attacks are unrelated to the war in Gaza.

Houthis are often described as iranian backed because they are shia muslims. Reportedly, they aim to control all of Yemen and have a conflict of interests with Saudi Arabia, Israel and the west. According to a report, the eu are considering a naval presence in the Red Sea, seperate to the u.s.’s operation prosperity guardian but it may take weeks to finalise.

According to reports, Nikki Haley is Mr Trump’s only remaining challenger for the leader of the republican party. Reportedly, Ms Haley, former governor of South Carolina was the u.s. ambassador to the u.n. in the administration of Donald Trump from January 2017 to December 2018. According to the report, she is the first indian american to serve in a presidential cabinet.

Reportedly, defining aspects of Ms Haley’s term was her advocacy of Israel, her defence of the Trump administration’s 2018 withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, her withdrawal of the u.s. from the u.n. human rights council, reversed by the Biden administration and her defence of the u.s. withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement (reversed by the Biden administration). Presidential elections are scheduled for November.

According to a report, an unspecified number of u.s. personnel have been undergoing evaluation for traumatic brain injuries in an attack on the Al Asad air base which hosts u.s. troops. Reportedly, the u.s. military’s central command said the airbase was targeted with ballistic missiles and rockets on Saturday evening. According to the report, atleast one Iraqi service member was injured in the attack.

Reportedly, the strike was claimed by a group called islamic resistance in Iraq. According to the report, the group emerged in late 2023 and is comprised of several armed groups operating in Iraq, it has claimed other attacks on u.s. forces in recent weeks and the Al Asad airbase has been attacked repeatedly in recent years. Reportedly, the u.s. military said most of the missiles were intercepted.

According to a report, israeli forces have continued to push into southern Gaza, saying they are searching for top hamas officials they believe are hiding in Khan Younis, Gaza’s second biggest city. Reportedly, the israeli defence force said they had raided a tunnel in Khan Younis that had been used to hold hostages, though they were not there when it was discovered. According to the report, the focus of fighting is now in southern Gaza, though palestinian fighters advanced around the northern town of Jabalia as the idf were moving their tanks and infantry southwards.