Author: Steven Sahiounie

Yemeni Missiles Reveal Major Flaws in Israeli Defense Systems Yemeni missiles launched towards Israel have exposed significant failures in Tel Aviv’s sophisticated air defense systems, according to military expert Brigadier General Elias Hanna. This failure indicates deficiencies in both the air defense systems and the American THAAD system, which are supposed to handle and intercept these missiles before they reach Israel, a scenario that did not occur in many attacks, as per Hanna’s analysis. The Israeli military radio confirmed intercepting two ballistic missiles launched from Yemen on Monday evening, stating one was intercepted within Israeli airspace, which was refuted by…

Saudi Security Forces Dismantle Two Drug Trafficking Networks Involving Officials Saudi security agencies have successfully dismantled two drug smuggling networks where officials from governmental and security entities within the Kingdom were involved. An official source from the Saudi Ministry of Interior stated that the operation was conducted based on security follow-ups on drug smuggling and promotion activities into and within the Kingdom, utilizing information gathered by the specialized department of the Ministry. The source clarified that the two networks were active in smuggling and trading drugs in the regions of Riyadh and Jazan, utilizing King Khalid International Airport and Farasan…

No Benefit from Military Presence in Syria, Risk of Surprise Attack Israeli officers have expressed concerns about being subjected to surprise attacks in southern Syria, warning that the operational reality there is far from beneficial or significant. Commanders working in the region describe an “operationally futile reality” because soldiers are often stationed at fixed locations, some quite distant from the border, approximately 18-20 kilometers away. According to the Hebrew newspaper “Yedioth Ahronoth,” Israeli officers have affirmed that there is no benefit to the presence in Syria, indicating it’s only a matter of time before they face a surprise attack. The…

Egypt Grants Citizenship to a New Batch of Syrians Egyptian authorities have issued two new decrees granting Egyptian citizenship to 15 Syrians, as published in the Egyptian Official Gazette. The Official Gazette published two new decrees by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, granting Egyptian citizenship to 15 Syrians and three others from Libya, Yemen, and Bangladesh. Decree No. 4480 of 2024 by the Egyptian Prime Minister approves the granting of Egyptian citizenship to individuals including: Abdel Rahman Abdul Ghafour Abdul Daim from Homs, Abdul Basit Mohammed Adel Tarqgi from Aleppo, Ibrahim Ismail Junaid from Aleppo, Ahmad Mohammed Said Makrsh from Aleppo,…

Israeli Tanks Penetrate Deep into Quneitra, Syria, Expelling Government Employees Local sources have confirmed that the Israeli military has penetrated deep into the city of Quneitra in southern Syria on Monday. These sources added that “Israeli tanks have surrounded government buildings there, demanding that employees evacuate them.” Syrian media outlets have also reported that the Israeli army entered the town of Al-Baath in the Quneitra countryside. According to the sources, “The Israeli occupying forces entered Al-Baath in the Quneitra countryside and expelled government employees from various departments under the pretext of inspection.” Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in…

Controversial Statements by Syrian Women’s Affairs Head Spark Outrage The statements made by Aisha Al-Dibs, head of the Women’s Affairs Office in the new Syrian administration, regarding women’s roles have sparked widespread debate and criticism on social media in Syria this Sunday. During an interview this week with Turkey’s TRT Arabic television, Al-Dibs was asked about the future space for women’s organizations in Syria. She responded that the work of these organizations should “support the model we are building… I will not open the field to those who disagree with my view.” Al-Dibs also called for Syrian women abroad to…

North Korea Announces “Strongest” Strategy Against America The Korean Central News Agency reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held a significant policy-setting meeting of the ruling party last week before the new year to outline future policies. Without delving into specifics, the agency added that during the meeting, a “strongest” response strategy towards the United States was declared for the country’s safety and national interests. The report from the agency further stated that the trilateral alliance between South Korea, the United States, and Japan has expanded into a “nuclear military bloc,” with South Korea becoming an “anti-communism outpost”…

Kurdish Autonomous Administration: Ready to Cooperate with Al-Sharaa Karim Qamar, the representative of the Kurdish Autonomous Administration in France, has affirmed that the statements made by Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the leader of “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham” and “Military Operations Administration” in Syria, are positive and can be built upon. In statements to “Al Arabiya/Al Hadath,” Qamar noted that the Autonomous Administration is going through a transitional period and that the operations administration needs time. He emphasized their readiness to cooperate with Al-Sharaa within the framework of a Syrian-Syrian dialogue. “Ready to Join the Army” Qamar also clarified that the Kurdish Autonomous Administration…

New Syrian Administration Leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa Outlines Path to Elections and Constitution Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the leader of the new administration in Syria, has announced that holding elections might take up to four years, while drafting a new constitution could require three years. In an interview with Al Arabiya, Al-Sharaa confirmed that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham would be dissolved, and the Defense Ministry would incorporate Kurdish forces. Al-Sharaa emphasized “We will not allow Syria to become a launchpad for attacks by the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party).” He added, “We are negotiating with the Syrian Democratic Forces to resolve the crisis in northeast…

Russia Rejects Trump’s Proposal to Delay Ukraine’s NATO Membership As newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump aims to end global conflicts, particularly the Russian-Ukrainian war, a new stance has emerged from the Russian Foreign Ministry. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov clarified that Russia rejects Trump’s proposal to postpone Ukraine’s NATO membership for 20 years. In an interview with TASS agency on Sunday, Lavrov stated, “The leaks and Trump’s interview with Time Magazine on December 12 suggest freezing military operations along the front line and passing more responsibility to Europeans for confronting Russia.” He further added, “We reject the proposals made…