Sunday, October 29, 2023

RESCUE MISSION British SAS troops on standby in Cyprus to rescue hostages and Brits stranded in Gaza

Exclusive report at The Sun - thesun.co.uk
By Jerome Starkey
Dated Fri 27 Oct 2023; Updated: 1:05, Sat 28 Oct 2023 - here is a full copy:

RESCUE MISSION SAS troops on standby in Cyprus to rescue hostages and Brits stranded in Gaza

Officials also fear the war could spread, trapping more Brits in Egypt’s Sinai peninsular and Lebanon.


SAS troops are now in Cyprus on standby for hostage rescue missions in Gaza.

The elite soldiers are also braced to free UK citizens trapped by the bloodbath.

SAS troops are now in Cyprus on standby for hostage rescue missions in Gaza Credit: BBC

200 Brits are stranded in Gaza after Israel and Egypt sealed the strip’s borders Credit: 2023 Anadolu


Some 200 Brits are stranded in Gaza after Israel and Egypt sealed the strip’s borders and five are held there by Hamas terrorists.


Britain’s military bases in Cyprus offer a strategic presence in the eastern Med.


And the SAS sabre squadron has been joined on the island by a 100-strong crisis command team.


Their primary focus is the Gaza Strip but officials fear the war could spread, trapping more Brits in Egypt’s Sinai peninsular and Lebanon.


The SAS in Cyprus have the Special Forces Support Group with them and a fleet of their modified helicopters.


A similar joint force scrambled to Cyprus ahead of the Khartoum Airlift that rescued some 2,000 from war-torn Sudan in spring.


A source told The Sun: “The UK has permanent bases in Cyprus.


"You would expect us to make use of them when there is a crisis in the region like this.”


Defence and Border Force staff have also been deployed to Egypt in the hope that Cairo relaxes its chokehold on Gaza’s Rafah border crossing.


The MoD refused to comment on details of Special Forces operations.


Meanwhile, the Israeli army’s most elite fighting force Sayeret Matkal is likely to spearhead any hostage rescue in Gaza.


The shadowy unit, who wear maroon berets, are modelled on the SAS and have the same “Who Dares Wins” motto.


Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is a former team leader in the crack military group, as was his brother.


Yonatan Netanyahu was killed in the famous air hijack hostages rescue involving Sayeret Matkal commandoes at Entebbe, Uganda, in 1976.


View original: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/24552018/sas-troops-standby-cyprus-rescue-gaza-hostages-brits/


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Iran parliament delegations visit Russia, Iraq, Lebanon

Report from Tehran Times - tehrantimes.com
Dated Sunday, 29 October 2023, 22:22 - here is a copy in full:

Parliamentary team visits Russia

TEHRAN - A delegation comprising of three members of the Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee visited Russia on Sunday.


The purpose behind the trip is the ongoing developments in the Gaza Strip.


The delegation includes Vahid Jalalzadeh, Sara Falahi (the deputy chief of the committee), and Shahriar Heydari. 


The delegation is scheduled to hold meetings with Russian officials. 


Similar delegations had also visited Iraq and Lebanon in recent days. 


Various teams from the parliamentary committee had previously paid visits to Russia to deliver the message of Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.


View original: https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/490741/Parliamentary-team-visits-Russia


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Niger’s FM visits Iran’s president to enhance collaboration and fortify amicable relations

Report from Tehran Times - tehrantimes.com
Dated Wednesday, 25 October 2023, 22:20 - here is a copy in full:

Support of Israel insinuates Western racism and colonialism, Raisi says

TEHRAN- Iran’s president condemned Western backing for the Zionist regime’s atrocities in Gaza as the essence of racism and colonialism.


In a meeting with Niger’s Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare in Tehran on Wednesday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi emphasized the Western countries’ hegemonic tactics throughout modern history.


Sangare, on his part, praised Iran’s advancements in a number of fields. He mentioned that his goal in coming to Tehran was to enhance collaboration with Iran and fortify Niger’s amicable relations.


View original:

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/490580/Support-of-Israel-insinuates-Western-racism-and-colonialism


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Iran congratulates Turkey on its centenary

Report from Big News Network - bignewsnetwork.com
Dated Sunday, 29 October 2023, 10:13 - here is a copy in full:

Iran Congratulates Turkey on Its Centenary

TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The president of Iran hoped for stronger relations with Turkey as the neighboring state is marking the 100th anniversary of its Republic Day.


- Politics news -


In a message to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi congratulated Turkey on the 100th anniversary of foundation of the modern republic.


He also expressed hope for the expansion of political, economic and cultural relations between the two Muslim neighbors.


"I am confident that cooperation and consultation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Turkey will have valuable blessings and benefits for the two nations and for the peace, stability and welfare of the regional and world countries," Raisi added.


The Turkish Republic, founded from the ruins of the Ottoman Empire by the national independence hero Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, turned 100 on October 29.


Erdogan will be front and center of day-long events that both honor the republic's founder and play up the achievement of AK party that has been running Turkey since 2002.


View original: https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/274014484/iran-congratulates-turkey-on-its-centenary


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Sudan resumes diplomatic relations with Iran

Report from Al Taghyeer - altaghyeer.info/en/
Dated 3 weeks ago (circa 09 Oct 2023) - here is a full copy:

Sudan resumes diplomatic relations with Iran

The Sudan’s coup Foreign Ministry announced on Monday resumption of diplomatic ties with Iran, pledged to boost bilateral relations in all spheres.


Khartoum: Altaghyeer


Foreign Ministry of the Sudan’s coup authorities announced resumption of diplomatic relations, severed seven years ago, with the Islamic Republic of Iran.


Khartoum cut ties with Tehran in January 2016 during the regime of the deposed president Omer Al Bashir following attack on the Saudi Arabian embassy in Tehran by Iranian protesters. Bashir regime was at that time a close ally of the Saudi Kingdom.


The Ministry said Khartoum and Tehran decided to resume their diplomatic relations for the interest of the two countries.


The Ministry said the two sides agreed to take required measures to reopen embassies in the two countries soon.


Observers have expected that a number of Arab countries would follow suit Saudi Arabia who resumed diplomatic relations with Iran in March.


View original: https://www.altaghyeer.info/en/2023/10/10/sudan-resumes-diplomatic-relations-with-iran/


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Saturday, October 28, 2023

Israel says ground operations expanding as it intensifies Gaza bombing. Gaza can't be contacted

Communications go down in Gaza, leaving residents uncontactable. Hamas says clashes are taking place in northern areas. (Photo/caption from BBC)

Summary

  • Israel says its ground forces are "expanding operations" targeting Hamas in Gaza
  • Huge explosions were seen in the territory, with Israeli warplanes carrying out heavy strikes
  • Hamas says clashes have taken place in northern Gaza - reports say some Israeli troops and tanks have entered
  • Earlier, an Israel Defense Forces spokesman told Gaza City residents to move south for their safety
  • Communication networks went down around the same time, meaning residents in Gaza can't be contacted
  • The UN General Assembly called for an immediate humanitarian truce, with 120 states voting for a resolution put forward by Jordan
  • Israel has been bombing Gaza since the 7 October Hamas attacks that killed 1,400 people and saw 229 people kidnapped as hostages
  • The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says 7,000 people have been killed since Israel's retaliatory bombing began

Source: BBC News Live Reporting Sat, 28 Oct 2023 00:50 BST. Read latest:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67246761


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Friday, October 27, 2023

UN General Assembly adopts Gaza resolution calling for immediate and sustained ‘humanitarian truce’

THE United Nations General Assembly on Friday (27 Oct) adopted a resolution calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in Gaza. It also demands “continuous, sufficient and unhindered” provision of lifesaving supplies and services for civilians trapped inside the enclave, as news reports suggest Israel has expanded ground operations and intensified its bombing campaign. Read more: https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/10/1142847

UN Photo/Evan Schneider Members of the United Nations General Assembly vote on a resolution at the resumed 10th Emergency Special Session meeting on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

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Friday, October 20, 2023

Civil Front to Stop the War and Restore Democracy in Sudan concludes Addis meetings, contacts SLM-AW

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: The following report, written in Arabic, was sent to me today by a Sudanese man living and working in England, UK. As he is keen to see peace in Sudan I have used Google translate to document the report here in English. A report by Sudan Tribune, also copied here below, explains who is behind the 'Civil Front'. It is heartening to see former Prime Minister Hamdok's name cited in the Sudan Tribune's report. 
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Report from Al Taghyeer -  altaghyeer.info/en/
Dated 20 September 2023 - here is a full copy (using Google translate):

Civil Front concludes Addis meetings and takes steps to stop war in Sudan


The components of the Civil Front to Stop the War and Restore Democracy in Sudan agreed on the importance of strengthening the efforts of all forces calling for stopping the war and restoring democracy, and the need to coordinate between them as soon as possible.


Khartoum: Change


The Civil Front to Stop the War and Restore Democracy in Sudan concluded meetings of the Coordination and Communication Authority held on September 17 and 18 in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, and issued a final statement on the deliberations and decisions.


According to the statement issued on Tuesday, the meeting stressed the need to redouble efforts to confront the plans of the remnants of the former regime calling for the continuation of the war, and discussed the importance of strengthening the efforts of all forces calling for stopping the war and restoring democracy and the need to coordinate between them as soon as possible.


He announced the formation of a committee to communicate with all democratic civil forces to accelerate these efforts, and the meeting adhered to the political vision of the components of the Civil Front.


"Change" publishes the text of the final statement:

Civil Front to Stop the War and Restore Democracy

Final communiqué of the meetings of the Coordination and Communication Authority


The meetings of the Coordination and Liaison Committee of the Civil Front to Stop the War and Restore Democracy, which lasted for two days (September 17 and 18), concluded in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, these meetings discussed the poor humanitarian situation caused by the war, and the political efforts exerted to work to stop it by building the broadest civil front of democratic forces opposed to it.


At the outset, the Civil Front paid tribute to those who lost their lives in this war, and expressed its full solidarity with the injured, displaced and refugee victims.


It declared its full condemnation of the gross violations of human rights, which varied between killings, occupation of homes and hospitals, looting of property, arrests, kidnappings, rape and many heinous crimes committed by the Rapid Support Forces, as well as all violations of killing, aerial bombardment of civilians and arbitrary arrests by the armed forces, and called for a transparent investigation and accountability for all those involved.


The participants stressed the need to redouble efforts to confront the plans of the remnants of the former regime who call for the continuation of this war, use it to demonize the revolution and liquidate its forces, and spread hate speech and ethnic and regional division.


They also discussed the importance of strengthening the efforts made by all civil forces calling for stopping the war and restoring democracy, and stressed the need for coordination between them as soon as possible, and a committee was formed from all categories of the front to communicate with all civil democratic forces to accelerate these efforts and reach the widest civil front that works to end the war, and rebuild the state on the basis of the principles, values and goals of the glorious December revolution.


The meeting adhered to the political vision of the components of the Civil Front, which was contained in the founding statement of the Front on the twenty-seventh of last April, and work to develop it with the rest of the civil democratic forces in response to the new reality produced by the fifteenth of April war and its repercussions.


They agreed to establish a national mechanism for reparations and compensation, including the relevant authorities, to account for all the damage caused by the war, and stressed that any political solution to end it must not fall under the principle of fair and equitable compensation for all those who have been harmed and harmed by this damned war.


They also appreciated the efforts of humanitarian aid workers from local, regional and international institutions and organizations, especially the emergency rooms in Khartoum State and all cities and regions of Sudan, who work in very complex conditions, stressing the need to ensure the delivery of aid to those who deserve it.


In conclusion, it was agreed to activate the organizational, media and humanitarian work to achieve the goals of the interim and future front.

Coordination and Communication Authority

19 September 2023

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia


View original: https://www.altaghyeer.info/ar/2023/09/19/الجبهة-المدنية-تختتم-اجتماعات-أديس/

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Related report


From Sudan Tribune.com

Dated Thursday, 13 October 2023 - here is a full copy:


Sudanese anti-war civilian forces reach out to Darfur holdout group


Image: FFC leaders meet Ugandan president on July 3, 2023


October 13, 2023 (ADDIS ABABA) – A prominent leader of the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) revealed that the Civil Front to Stop the War and Restore Democracy forces have been in contact with the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid Nur (SLM-AW) to join this collective effort.


Since July of this year, political forces, civil society groups, and some armed movements that are parties to the Juba peace agreement have been engaged in discussions to establish a broad civil coalition. The purpose of this coalition is to exert pressure on the warring factions to cease hostilities and revive the path toward democratic transition.


Nur al-Din Babikir, a member of the FFC leadership and spokesman for the Sudanese Congress Party, told Sudan Tribune that there is coordination between the Front, the SLM-AW, the initiatives led by former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok and former Sudanese ambassador to the United States Nur al-Din Satti. He added that the purpose of these consultations is to convene a founding conference for the Civil Front.


Babikir stated that the conference’s agenda is centred on halting the conflict by forming a coalition capable of compelling both sides involved in the conflict to cease hostilities. Subsequently, this would pave the way for a political process to restore the civilian-led democratic transition through an agreed project.


He further confirmed that the FFC also consults with IGAD, neighbouring countries, and other regional actors to unify their initiatives. He stressed that these efforts have made some progress towards achieving a ceasefire despite the lack of commitment from both parties.


Also, he announced that the United States and Saudi Arabia are holding consultations to resume the Jeddah process to end the war in the near future, starting with the cessation of hostilities, the establishment of humanitarian corridors to provide aid to the war-afflicted civilians, and a subsequent political process that ends the war.


He pointed out that the Front includes many Sudanese figures representing various bodies, the FFC, and nine coordination committees for Resistance Committees, civil society initiatives, and armed groups.


The SLM-AW rejects the Juba Peace Agreement and refuses to participate in any peace process to end the war in Darfur. In return, the Movement calls for a national conference to discuss issues of identity, wealth distribution, and justice and social justice in the country.


It’s worth noting that the SLM-AW has rejected the Juba Peace Agreement and remains unwilling to participate in any peace process to end the conflict in Darfur. Instead, the group calls for a national conference to address matters related to identity, wealth distribution, justice, and social justice within the country.


The FFC-initiated civilian front has not announced any contact with the Democratic Bloc groups, which includes the SLM led by Minni Minnawi and the Justice and Equality Movement of Gibril Ibrahim.


A severe conflict has been ongoing between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces since April 15 of this year. This has been accompanied by grave violations against civilians, including killings, sexual violence, arrests, forced displacement, and military airstrikes. (ST)


View original: https://sudantribune.com/article278299/


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