This is a summary of 20 AMN articles on the following subjects: Latakia, Syria, Hama, Idlib, Venezuela, Aegean, Mediterranean, Turkey, Assange, Sweden, Saudi, US, India, Pakistan, Syira, Iran, Israel, Kabani, Russia, Baghdadi, ISIS, Libya, UAE, Lebanon.

Categories covered in this brief: Syria, World-News, Turkey, Gulf, Lebanon, Iran, Middleeast, Palestine, North-Africa

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Table of Contents

Jihadist special forces carry out operation behind Syrian Army lines, several soldiers killed

Published 2019-05-13 14:44:15 by News Desk in Syria

BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:20 P.M.) – The jihadist special forces, Inghimasi, carried out a new operation on Monday that targeted a Syrian Arab Army (SAA) post near the front-lines in northeastern Latakia. According to reports, the Inghimasi fighters snuck behind the Syrian Arab Army’s lines at Tal Rasho, killing and wounding several soldiers in the process. A Syrian military source could not confirm the total number killed, but said the estimates are between 15-20 soldiers killed as a result of this Ighimasi attack. This latest attack by the special forces division of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham comes at the same time the… Read on ->

Tags: Latakia, Syria

Syrian Army keeps rolling in southern Idlib, seizes 2 more towns

Published 2019-05-13 14:26:07 by News Desk in Syria

BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:10 P.M.) – The situation for the jihadist rebels in northwestern Hama and southwestern Idlib is progressively getting worse as they have lost a total of five towns on Monday. Led by the Tiger Forces, the Syrian Arab Army seized two more towns this afternoon following an intense battle with the jihadist rebels. According to a military source near the front-lines, the Syrian Arab Army took control of Al-Tobeh and Sheikh Idris after launching a swift attack from the Kafr Naboudeh area. As a result of this advance, the Syrian Arab Army has now secured the western axis… Read on ->

Tags: Hama, Idlib, Syria

Venezuelan Navy confronts US ship after entering territorial waters

Published 2019-05-13 13:52:21 by News Desk in World-News

A US ship entered the Venezuelan waters, but changed course after communicating with the Venezuelan Navy, the agency said on Friday. The USCGC James was first noticed by the Venezuelan armed forces on Wednesday. On Thursday, a Venezuelan patrol ship approached the US vessel and convinced it to change course. “After our radio communications, the USCG James became convinced in the necessity to change its course and left our waters”, the Navy said in a statement. The USCGC James belongs to the United States Coast Guard. Some netizens have tracked the alleged presence of the US vessel in Venezuelan waters. https://twitter.com/ChristianVeron/status/1126684967759519744 US Southern Command (SOCOM) said in a statement on Tuesday… Read on ->

Tags: Venezuela

Turkey showcases military might as they begin largest naval drills ever

Published 2019-05-13 13:37:56 by News Desk in Turkey

BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:15 P.M.) – Turkey showcased its military might on Monday morning when their navy kicked off Operation Sea Wolf in the three seas surrounding the nation. According to reports, the Turkish Navy took to the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Black seas on Monday to begin these two-week-long military drills. The Turkish military drills will include 131 warships, 57 warplanes, and 33 helicopters completing different exercises. “Domestic and national weapon systems including high-speed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Simsek and anti-surface defence boat Albatros will take part in the drills. High-level submarines, frigates, naval artilleries, armed UAVs, as well as search… Read on ->

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Tags: Aegean, Mediterranean, Turkey

Breaking: Sweden requests Assange be extradited over 2012 rape allegations

Published 2019-05-13 13:10:49 by News Desk in World-News

After confirming the reopening of the rape investigation against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, Sweden’s Director of Public Prosecutions Eva-Marie Persson has confirmed that Sweden will seek his extradition to face trial. The 47-year-old is currently being held at Belmarsh prison in London after he was found guilty of skipping bail and sentenced to 50 weeks in jail. He avoided extradition to Sweden for some seven years by seeking refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London in 2012, however he was unceremoniously evicted in April. Kristinn Hrafnsson, Editor-in-Chief of WikiLeaks claimed that “there has been considerable political pressure on Sweden to… Read on ->

Tags: Assange, Sweden

In pictures: Chechen Jihadist group takes part in Idlib battle against Syrian Army

Published 2019-05-13 12:45:42 by News Desk in Syria

BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:20 P.M.) – The foreign jihadist group, Imarat Kavkaz, which is primarily Chechen, was recently photographed near the front-lines in the northwestern countryside of the Hama Governorate. Also known in English as the “Caucasus Emirate”, the group has taken part in several battles against the Syrian Arab Army in the past, including the latter’s 2016 Aleppo campaign. The jihadist group is known for their effectiveness in battle, especially during special operations that include ambushing the enemy forces. In the photos released this week, the jihadist group can be seen resting and preparing for battle in northwestern Hama; this… Read on ->

Tags: Hama, Syria

Saudi forces kill 8 people in Shia-populated area

Published 2019-05-13 12:32:37 by News Desk in Gulf

Saudi security forces have killed eight people during an operation in the predominantly Shi’ite eastern Al-Qatif region, state news agency (SPA) said on Saturday. The oil-producing province is a regular flashpoint between the Sunni-dominated government and minority Shi’ites who complain of discrimination and marginalization. Saudi authorities deny mistreatment. The operation occurred on Tarout island, just off the city of Qatif, and targeted a newly formed “terrorist cell”, SPA said in a statement, adding there were no casualties among civilians or policemen. Security forces were still at the site, it said. Saudi security services regularly carry out operations in the area,… Read on ->

Tags: Saudi

US envoy admits to blocking Syria’s return to the Arab League

Published 2019-05-13 12:16:18 by News Desk in Syria

BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:45 A.M.) – The U.S. Special Representative for Syria, James Jeffrey, told Asharq Al-Awsat that his nation wants the immediate and full withdrawal of Iranian forces from the Levantine country. According to Jeffrey, the U.S. will not allow “fill the void” in the northeastern part of the country, should they choose to follow through on President Donald Trump’s order to withdraw.  Jeffrey said the U.S. will continue to pressure the Syrian government through economic sanctions and halt any normalization with Arab states until a “new political government is formed.”  The U.S. official’s comments come just two months after… Read on ->

Tags: Syria, US

Tiger Forces pound northwestern Hama before big advance (video)

Published 2019-05-13 11:44:50 by News Desk in Syria

BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:30 A.M.) – The official page of the Tiger Forces released footage on Monday morning of their troops pounding the jihadist positions in northwestern Hama before scoring their big advance. The Tiger Forces managed to capture three towns from the jihadist rebels, today, after engaging in a short battle near the southern axis of the Idlib Governorate. According to a military source, the Tiger Forces captured the towns of Tal Hawash, Hawash, and Al-Jabriyah after the main line of defense for the jihadist rebels collapsed. The Syrian Army is now pounding the remaining areas under the control of… Read on ->

Tags: Hama, Syria

Indian pilot shot down by Pakistani military returns to service

Published 2019-05-13 11:26:41 by News Desk in World-News

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has received a posting to the Suratgarh Air Force base in the western Indian state of Rajasthan bordering Pakistan, reported the Times of India. Varthaman assumed duties at his new base on Saturday, which is his first posting since his MiG-21 Bison fighter was shot down by Pakistani defences and he had to eject on Pakistani territory during an Indo-Pak aerial dogfight on 27 February. “All defence postings are confidential and the only detail that we can confirm is that Wing Commander Abhinandan has been posted in Rajasthan. Further details cannot be divulged”, reported the Times of India citing an official. The actual posting for Wing Commander Abhinandan has been confirmed as Suratgarh by the media through its own… Read on ->

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Tags: India, Pakistan

Breaking: Syrian Army captures 3 towns in northwestern Hama

Published 2019-05-13 11:00:51 by News Desk in Syria

BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:40 A.M.) – Minutes ago, a source from the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) told Al-Masdar that the Tiger Forces had captured three towns from the jihadist rebels in the northwestern countryside of the Hama Governorate. According to the source, the Syrian Arab Army imposed full control over the towns of Hawash, Tal Hawash, and Al-Jabriyah after a brief battle with the jihadist rebels of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham and the Turkish-backed National Liberation Front. The source said the Syrian Army briefly held Tal Hawash a few days ago, but they were ultimately forced to withdraw after a swift counter-attack… Read on ->

Tags: Hama, Syria

Jihadists in Idlib attack Christian city for 2nd straight day

Published 2019-05-13 10:23:09 by News Desk in Syria

BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:00 A.M.) – The jihadist rebels in the Idlib Governorate has attacked the Christian city of Al-Sqaylabiyeh for the second straight day, a source in the area told Al-Masdar News this morning. According to the source, the jihadist rebels fired rocket propelled grenades (RPG) and artillery shells into Al-Sqaylabiyeh, hitting a number of homes in the predominately Antiochian Orthodox city. On Sunday, the jihadist rebels launched an identical attack that killed six people, including five children. The Christian city has long been targeted the jihadist rebels because of their resistance to their attacks. Al-Sqaylabiyeh is home to one… Read on ->

Tags: Hama, Syira

Israel warns Iran may attack them if stand-off with US escalates

Published 2019-05-13 10:10:19 by News Desk in Lebanon, Iran, Middleeast, Palestine, Syria

BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:45 A.M.) – An Israeli cabinet member warned on Sunday that Iran may directly or indirectly attack Israel should the ongoing stand-off between the U.S. and the Persian Gulf nation escalate. Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said on Sunday that “things are heating up” in the Persian Gulf after U.S. President Donald Trump increased its economic and military pressure on Iran. “If there’s some sort of conflagration between Iran and the United States, between Iran and its neighbors, I’m not ruling out that they will activate Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad from Gaza, or even that they will try… Read on ->

Tags: Iran, Israel

Breaking: Russian, Syrian forces restart attack on key mountaintop town in Latakia

Published 2019-05-13 09:38:43 by News Desk in Syria

BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:20 A.M.) – The Russian and Syrian forces restarted their assault on the key mountaintop town of Kabani in the northeastern countryside of the Latakia Governorate. Led by Russian jets from the Hmeimim Airbase in southwest Latakia, the two forces unleashed a heavy assault on the positions of the Turkestan Islamic Party and Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham in the vicinity of Kabani. In addition to the Russian airstrikes, the Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) 4th Armored Division has let loose a large number of missiles from their Golan-1000 launcher; this resulted in a number of direct hits on the jihadist… Read on ->

Tags: Kabani, Latakia, Russia, Syria

British forces searching for Al-Baghdadi in Libya

Published 2019-05-13 09:16:00 by News Desk in North-Africa, Syria

BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:40 A.M.) – The infamous leader of the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh), Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, is possibly hiding out in Libya after losing his so-called ‘caliphate’ in Syria and Iraq, The Daily Express said on Sunday. According to the publication, the British Royal Air Force is currently searching for the terrorist leader throughout the North African nation. The report said British fighter jets, along with aircraft operated by Italian and US militaries, were carrying out round-the-clock sorties in search of the ABB, the code name being used to identify Baghdadi as a target. It said anyone killing or capturing… Read on ->

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Tags: Baghdadi, ISIS, Libya, Syria

Saudi Arabia claims oil tankers were ‘sabatoged’ in Persian Gulf

Published 2019-05-13 08:41:15 by News Desk in Gulf, Iran, Middleeast

BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:15 A.M.) – Saudi Arabia said on Monday that two of their oil tankers were ‘sabatoged’ in the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) territorial waters, causing significant damage to the vessels. Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister, Khaled Al-Falih, confirmed that the oil tankers suffered “significant damage”, but he did not elaborate on who the kingdom is holding responsible for this alleged attack. The explosions reportedly took place at 6:00 A.M. (local time) on Sunday. Al-Falih said this morning. “One of the two vessels was on its way to be loaded with Saudi crude oil from the port of Ras Tanura,… Read on ->

Tags: Iran, Saudi, UAE

New map of shows ongoing battles, foreign troop deployment in northwestern Syria

Published 2019-05-13 08:09:22 by News Desk in Iran, Middleeast, Syria, Turkey

BEIRUT, LEBANON (7:10 A.M.) – The battle for northwestern Syria has been ongoing for a week now and it appears far from over as Syrian troops prepare to storm the key town of Kabani in the northeastern countryside of the Latakia Governorate. Northeast Latakia: With all eyes on Idlib, it is easy to miss the upcoming battle for the strategic mountaintop town of Kabani, which overlooks much of the Latakia-Turkey border. Kabani, which is located on the highest peak in Latakia, has long been under the control of the jihadist rebels, dating back to the first major offensive inside the… Read on ->

Tags: Hama, Idlib, Latakia, Syria

Russian S-300 system spotted in US at test range (photo)

Published 2019-05-13 07:07:40 by News Desk in Middleeast, Syria, World-News

The US is known to have purchased at least one S-300 devoid of its electronics in the 1990s, with an American and Israeli military delegation reportedly sent to Ukraine last year to get acquainted with an upgraded version of the air defence system after Russia sent S-300s to Syria. A military blogger has posted a satellite photo of what he believes is an S-300 system operating at a test range “somewhere in the USA.” The photo includes several of the system’s components, including 5P85PT launchers mounted on semi-trailers and its 30N6 fire control system. The blogger, who focuses on analysis of satellite data using Google Earth… Read on ->

Tags: Russia, US

Lebanon-based news group claims US, French warplanes behind explosions at Fujairah Port, UAE officials deny

Published 2019-05-13 06:19:35 by News Desk in Gulf, Lebanon, Middleeast

According to the Emirati Foreign Ministry, four merchant vessels had been targeted by “acts of sabotage” in Gulf waters off its coast. “Four commercial, civilian trading vessels of various nationalities this morning suffered acts of sabotage off the UAE’s eastern coast,” the statement reads. The government of Fujairah denied on Sunday media reports about several heavy explosions taking place at the emirate’s port, insisting that the port is functioning as usual. “The press service of the Fujairah government denied media reports about powerful explosions in the emirate’s port earlier this day and confirmed that ship traffic is as usual,” the state-run WAM news agency reports. Earlier in the day, the Lebanon-based al-Mayadeen broadcaster said, citing local media… Read on ->

Tags: Iran, Lebanon, UAE

[Graphic 18+] Rebel group seeking ‘moderate’ title behead Syrian soldier in northwestern Syria

Published 2019-05-13 03:12:54 by News Desk in Syria

BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:45 A.M.) – The Turkish-backed rebel group, Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, released a video this past weekend of their fighters boasting about beheading a Syrian Arab Army (SAA) soldier in northwestern Syria. Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, who has repeatedly tried to sell themselves as a ‘moderate’ rebel group, is currently participating in the ongoing battle for the northwestern countryside of the Hama Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham recently deployed a large number of their fighters from the Afrin region to the Idlib-Hama axis, where they are trying to help their comrades regain the initiative after losing several towns, including Qal’at Al-Madiq and… Read on ->

Tags: Hama, Idlib, Syria

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