Military-Backed Forces in Burma Beat Two Youth Pastors, Sources Say
Burmese army-backed militia beat two youth pastors in northern Burma (Myanmar) last week, detaining one of them overnight at the force’s base, sources said.
Military
Over 150 rockets launched into Israel, woman seriously injured
Rocket barrages by the Hamas terror group continued throughout the night. The military said over 150 rockets and mortar shells were launched at Israeli communities since Wednesday evening.
Yemen: US allies strike deals with al-Qaida in war on rebels
A military coalition led by Saudi Arabia and backed by the United States has cut secret deals with al-Qaida fighters, paying some to leave key cities and towns the militants had seized across Yemen and letting others retreat with weapons, equipment and wads of looted cash, an investigation by The Associated Press has found. Hundreds more were recruited to join the coalition itself.
Zimbabwe’s hopeful election gives way to deadly violence
Zimbabwe’s hopes to move past the long, damaging reign of ousted President Robert Mugabe hung in the balance Wednesday amid expanding violent protests and charges of ballot fraud over the results of the first post-Mugabe presidential election Monday.
US Senate passes huge defense bill including $550 million for Israel
The US Senate easily passed a $716.3 billion defense authorization bill Wednesday that includes funding for Israel to defend itself against Hezbollah and Hamas, as well as ramping up military spending and bolstering America’s posture against Russia while avoiding policy changes that would have antagonized US President Donald Trump.
Rival Koreas’ generals end talks with no agreement
Rare general-level talks between the two Koreas ended with no agreement Tuesday, but the top delegates said they had a meaningful discussion on easing their countries’ decades-long military standoff.
Turkish court rejects U.S. pastor’s appeal
A Turkish court rejected an appeal on Tuesday for an American pastor to be released from house arrest during his trial on terrorism charges, his lawyer said, in a case that has raised the threat of U.S. sanctions against Ankara.
IDF’s massive May attack in Syria combined artillery and jets
The IDF released on Tuesday a video clip showing parts of Israel’s May attacks on more than 50 Iranian targets in Syria in what was the widest military operation launched by the IDF in the war-torn country since 1974.
Two Koreas hold military talks as U.S. detects activity at North Korea missile factory
North and South Korea held military talks on Tuesday amid rising tensions after the United States detected renewed activity at a North Korean missile factory.
Turkey’s Erdogan defiant in face of US sanctions threat over pastor
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan struck a defiant tone on Sunday in response to US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose sanctions on Turkey if it didn’t release American pastor Andrew Brunson, who has been held in Turkish detention for the past two years.
Gaza will turn ‘deep red’ if Israel is attacked, defense minister warns
According to the Israeli military, some 7,000 Palestinians took part in border demonstrations. Troops opened fire to ward off rioters who threw rocks and firebombs and rolled burning tires at the security fence in attempts to sabotage it.
Iranian general warns Trump that ‘nation of martyrdom’ is waiting for him
A top Iranian general said his forces were ready if US President Donald Trump followed through on his warning that Iran would ‘suffer consequences’ if Tehran threatened the United States.
Israel making ‘great strides’ to Gaza operation, minister says
Israel is making ‘great strides’ toward a broad military operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Minister of Public Security and Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan asserted Thursday, following an escalation of violence with Gaza overnight.
Hamas puts forces on alert, threatens revenge after IDF kills three fighters
Hamas’s military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, announced Thursday morning that its forces were going on high alert, deploying at the highest readiness level in expectation of a possible full-blown war with Israel.
IDF shoots down Syrian fighter jet that entered Israeli airspace
The Israeli Air Force shot down a Syrian fighter jet that traveled two kilometers into Israeli airspace on Tuesday afternoon, the military said. Syrian state-run media confirmed the jet was shot down but said it was inside its own airspace.
Twin Wildfires Near Athens, Greece Kill 20, Gut Vacation Resorts
Gale-fanned wildfires raged through holiday resorts near Greece’s capital, killing at least 20 people by early Tuesday and injuring more than 104, including 11 in serious condition, in the deadliest blaze to hit the country in more than a decade.
In operational debut, David’s Sling defense system fires at missiles launched in Syria
Israel’s David’s Sling air defense system made its operational debut Monday, when an interceptor missile was launched as a precaution against ballistic missiles fired within neighboring Syria, the military said.
US group: North Korea dismantling key launch site facilities
A U.S. research group says North Korea has started dismantling key facilities at its main satellite launch site in what appears to be a step toward fulfilling a commitment made by leader Kim Jong Un at his summit with President Donald Trump in June.
Israeli jets said to strike Iranian-run missile production facility in Syria
Israeli jets reportedly carried out a strike Sunday on a missile production facility in northwest Syria that observers say was supervised by Iranians. In the past, the site was allegedly used to produce and store chemical weapons.
Iran-backed Yemen rebels expose limits of U.S. strategy
Iran-backed militant control over key areas of Yemen, despite a blistering assault by U.S.-backed Saudi and Emirati military forces, has sent a difficult message to Washington: Arab powers armed with American weaponry and targeting intelligence isn’t going to be enough to crush Tehran’s armed proxies around the Middle East.