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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Ex-Mustaqbal official clenches Beirut municipal seat from rival, broad coalition
2025-05-21
[NAHARNET] al-Mustaqbal
... the Future Movement, political party led by Saad Hariri...

... the Future Movement, political party led by Saad Hariri...
Movement's former Beirut coordinator Mahmoud al-Jamal, a retired brigadier general, has managed to clench a seat on Beirut's new municipal council, preventing a list comprising most political parties from winning all 24 seats.

Al-Jamal's win came at the expense of Elie Andrea, a Greek Orthodox member of the rival list who was backed by Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut Elias Audi.

Andrea was the subject of ''dismay, especially among Greek Orthodox voters, which led to the redaction of his name by voters due to his bad performance as a member of the outgoing municipal council,'' the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Andrea had also faced a social media campaign against him prior to the elections against the backdrop of his dispute with outgoing municipal chief Jamal Itani, Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported.

This is the first time in decades that sees Moslems outnumbering Christians in the municipal council. The country's rival political parties had formed an electoral alliance in Beirut under the excuse of preserving Christian-Moslem parity.

Political rivals such as Hezbollah and the Lebanese Forces
A Christian political party founded by Bashir Gemayel, who was then bumped off when he was elected president of Leb...
came together to form the list, which also comprised the Amal Movement, the Kataeb Party, the Free Patriotic Movement
Despite its name a Christian party allied with Hizbullah, neither free nor particularly patriotic...
, al-Ahbash, the Tashnag Party
Socialist party representing the Armenian diaspora in Leb. They're Christians, but they try to remain neutral, which means they get shot at without shooting back...
, the Hunchak Party, the Progressive Socialist Party and MP Fouad Makhzoumi.

Al-Jamal's list was backed by MP Nabil Bader and the Jamaa Islamiya and apparently received votes from Mustaqbal supporters.

Four other lists were also formed in the capital, including one by the Beirut Madinati civil society group, which won one third of the capital's votes in the 2016 polls.

Voter turnout reached only 21% in Beirut, which has historically witnessed similar low turnout levels.

Related:
Elias Audi 08/31/2021 Rahi: Corruption Has Spread in Lebanese Society

Elias Audi 10/19/2020 Top Christian clerics urge Lebanese leaders to agree on government


Related:
Jamal Itani 08/05/2020 Death toll from Beirut blast reaches 100 but is expected to rise even further

Related:
Hezbollah: 2025-05-20 Three killed in car bomb blast targeting police station in east Syria
Hezbollah: 2025-05-20 IDF says it killed Hezbollah operative in south Lebanon drone strike
Hezbollah: 2025-05-20 Terror group says senior operative killed in Israeli special forces op in south Gaza
Related:
Lebanese Forces: 2025-05-20 Muslim-Christian parity preserved in Beirut Municipality as list backed by main political parties wins
Lebanese Forces: 2025-05-16 Geagea urges Hezbollah to ''draw lessons'' from what's happening in region
Lebanese Forces: 2025-05-07 Main political parties agree on coalition list for Beirut municipal elections — Naharnet
Related:
Amal Movement: 2025-05-20 Muslim-Christian parity preserved in Beirut Municipality as list backed by main political parties wins
Amal Movement: 2025-05-07 Main political parties agree on coalition list for Beirut municipal elections — Naharnet
Amal Movement: 2025-02-16 Lebanon detains 25 people for questioning over attack on UN peacekeepers convoy in Beirut
Related:
Kataeb Party: 2025-05-20 Muslim-Christian parity preserved in Beirut Municipality as list backed by main political parties wins
Kataeb Party: 2025-05-07 Main political parties agree on coalition list for Beirut municipal elections — Naharnet
Kataeb Party: 2023-09-06 Gemayel says opposition to confront 'Hezbollah's coup'
Related:
Free Patriotic Movement: 2025-05-20 Muslim-Christian parity preserved in Beirut Municipality as list backed by main political parties wins
Free Patriotic Movement: 2025-05-07 Main political parties agree on coalition list for Beirut municipal elections — Naharnet
Free Patriotic Movement: 2025-01-10 Lebanon's New President: An American Wedge into a Weakened 'Axis of Resistance'
Related:
Tashnag Party: 2025-05-20 Muslim-Christian parity preserved in Beirut Municipality as list backed by main political parties wins
Tashnag Party: 2025-05-07 Main political parties agree on coalition list for Beirut municipal elections — Naharnet
Tashnag Party: 2022-10-30 Bassil calls on Mikati to quit, Hezbollah to boycott govt. meetings
Related:
Hunchak Party: 2025-05-20 Muslim-Christian parity preserved in Beirut Municipality as list backed by main political parties wins
Hunchak Party: 2025-05-07 Main political parties agree on coalition list for Beirut municipal elections — Naharnet
Related:
Progressive Socialist Party: 2025-05-07 Report: US pressing Israel to withdraw from Lebanon and respect ceasefire — Naharnet
Progressive Socialist Party: 2025-03-08 Syrian authorities arrest the retired general, accused of orchestrating high-profile assassinations
Progressive Socialist Party: 2025-03-07 Assad remnants launch deadly attacks on Damascus forces in western Syria, 16 HTS turbans toes up UPDATE: Vicious HTS response
Related:
Fouad Makhzoumi 05/20/2025 Muslim-Christian parity preserved in Beirut Municipality as list backed by main political parties wins
Fouad Makhzoumi 05/07/2025 Main political parties agree on coalition list for Beirut municipal elections — Naharnet
Fouad Makhzoumi 06/14/2022 Bassil warns against Line 29, says won't name Miqati as PM

Related:
Nabil Bader 05/20/2025 Muslim-Christian parity preserved in Beirut Municipality as list backed by main political parties wins
Nabil Bader 05/07/2025 Main political parties agree on coalition list for Beirut municipal elections — Naharnet

Related:
Jamaa Islamiya: 2025-05-20 Muslim-Christian parity preserved in Beirut Municipality as list backed by main political parties wins
Jamaa Islamiya: 2025-05-07 Main political parties agree on coalition list for Beirut municipal elections — Naharnet
Jamaa Islamiya: 2025-05-05 Aoun says disarmament to happen through dialogue, not force — Naharnet
Link


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Muslim-Christian parity preserved in Beirut Municipality as list backed by main political parties wins
2025-05-20
[NAHARNET] A list backed by most political parties won all 24 seats of Beirut's municipality on Sunday, maintaining Christian-Moslem parity on the capital's municipal council.

Political rivals such as Hezbollah and the Lebanese Forces
A Christian political party founded by Bashir Gemayel, who was then bumped off when he was elected president of Leb...
came together to form the list, arguing that such a temporary coalition was necessary to preserve equal Christian-Moslem power-sharing.

The list was also backed by the Amal Movement, the Kataeb Party, the Free Patriotic Movement
Despite its name a Christian party allied with Hizbullah, neither free nor particularly patriotic...
, al-Ahbash, the Tashnag Party
Socialist party representing the Armenian diaspora in Leb. They're Christians, but they try to remain neutral, which means they get shot at without shooting back...
, the Hunchak Party and MP Fouad Makhzoumi.

A rival list was formed by MP Nabil Bader, the Jamaa Islamiya and a figure who was considered close to al-Mustaqbal
... the Future Movement, political party led by Saad Hariri...

... the Future Movement, political party led by Saad Hariri...
Movement.

Four other lists were also formed in the capital, including one by the Beirut Madinati civil society group, which won one third of the capital's votes in the 2016 polls.

Voter turnout reached 21% in Beirut, 44.57% in Zahle, 41.11% in West Bekaa, 37.70% in Rashaya, 34.15% in Hermel and 48.88% in Baalbek.

The Lebanese Forces meanwhile announced its victory in the Zahle municipal polls against a list backed by all the other political forces and families in an electoral battle in which the Free Patriotic Movement gave its supporters the freedom to vote for either list.

LF leader Samir Geagea
....Geagea was imprisoned by the Syrians and their puppets for 11 years in a dungeon in the third basement level of the Lebanese Ministry of Defense. He was released after the Cedar Revolution in 2005....
hailed a ''major victory'' in the city, saying ''Zahle has chosen progress, change, civilization, illusory sovereignty, deaders and Leb
...The Lebs have the curious habit of periodically murdering their heads of state or prime ministers...
A Hezbollah front man meanwhile said the party and its ally the Amal Movement won in the city of Baalbek, the city of Hermel and in 19 towns in the Bekaa.
Link


India-Pakistan
Times of India liveblog
2025-05-11
SUMMARY
India on Saturday accused Pakistan of violating a ceasefire agreement reached earlier the same day between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both nations. Speaking at a late-night press conference, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Indian forces had been directed to give a firm response to any further ceasefire breaches along the Line of Control (LoC) and the international border.

“An understanding was reached this evening between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan to halt the ongoing military action. However, in the last few hours, Pakistan has violated this understanding,” Misri stated. He confirmed that Indian forces were already retaliating against the latest cross-border attack, which he called “extremely condemnable.”

Misri held Pakistan fully accountable for the renewed hostilities and called on Islamabad to immediately put an end to these provocations. “The armed forces are maintaining strict vigilance, and instructions have been issued to deal strongly with any further violations,” he added.

Earlier, Misri had confirmed that both sides agreed to stop all military operations — whether by land, air, or sea — from 5:00 pm IST. But within hours, reports of gunfire emerged from Pakistan’s side in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu and Kashmir, along with sightings of multiple drones near the border.

Tensions between the two countries are at their highest in years, sparked by India’s launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025. Early Friday, powerful explosions shook Jammu city, leading to a complete blackout shortly after Indian forces thwarted Pakistani attempts to hit military targets near the border. Reports suggested that loitering munitions were present in the airspace.

In a similar pattern, loud blasts were heard in the border town of Jaisalmer, while blackouts were enforced across several districts in western Rajasthan bordering Pakistan, throwing entire areas into darkness. A senior official confirmed that explosions continued for nearly an hour.

Several parts of Punjab, Chandigarh, and Haryana — including Panchkula, Ambala, and Sirsa — were also affected by blackouts. These were seen as precautionary steps amid mounting military friction and fears of airstrikes following Operation Sindoor.

The operation itself was launched in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, including 25 Indians and one Nepali national. The strike targeted nine key terror infrastructure sites tied to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), located across both Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Sources said the operation began at 1:05 am and wrapped up by 1:30 am, with follow-up hits reported at 1:44 am. Officials stated that the mission deliberately avoided Pakistani military assets to prevent wider escalation while still delivering a strong counter-terror message.

Key targets included JeM’s base in Bahawalpur and LeT’s hub in Muridke. Other locations hit included sites in Sialkot and Tehra Kalan in Pakistan, and Muzaffarabad and Kotli in PoK. The Indian military described the strikes as "focused, measured, and non-escalatory," exclusively aimed at terror networks. The operation was jointly detailed by Foreign Secretary Misri, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh at a media briefing in New Delhi.

In retaliation, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strikes as an “act of war,” asserting that Pakistan’s response was already in motion. He declared the full backing of the Pakistani people for their armed forces and warned of further retaliatory action, fuelling fears of a broader conflict.

Back in India, the government defended the move as necessary and justified. At a cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the armed forces for their precision and courage. He expressed satisfaction with the success of the operation and emphasised the need for ongoing alertness.

The conflict has drawn international attention. US President Donald Trump commented on the situation, expressing alarm over the worsening scenario. "It’s so terrible," he said, while noting his strong ties with both India and Pakistan. Trump voiced hope that the two sides could bring the hostilities to an end. "Hopefully they can stop now, as they have gone tit-for-tat," he said, offering to assist with de-escalation if required.


04:17 (IST) May 11
Pakistan violates ceasefire: Firing, drones trigger blackouts in J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat
Shortly after the ceasefire pact between India and Pakistan was announced, multiple ceasefire violations and drone intrusions were reported across the western front, including along the LoC and international border in J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. Firing and drone sightings occurred in Rajouri, Jammu, Akhnoor, R S Pura, Udhampur, and Srinagar, triggering explosions and panic. Nearly 50 drones were reportedly shot down over Srinagar, with similar activity noted in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer and Barmer, and Gujarat’s Kutch.

The violations led to widespread blackouts in border districts to avoid detection of targets, as advised by Indian defence authorities. Local administrations in affected regions enforced night-time blackouts, and residents were urged to remain in bunkers. In response to Pakistani aggression, Indian forces retaliated strongly, causing heavy damage to Pakistan Rangers’ posts and destroying a terror launchpad in Sialkot, PoK.

03:47 (IST) May 11
India-Pakistan Tensions Live: Lashkar’s Muridke HQ chief among 140 terrorists killed in Operation Sindoor
India’s covert Operation Sindoor, carried out on the night of May 6-7, resulted in the elimination of around a dozen top-tier terrorists in Pakistan, including IC-814 hijacker Yusuf Azhar, Lashkar’s Muridke head Abu Jundal alias Mudassar, and the son of the 2016 Nagrota attack planner. Sources confirmed that the strikes, launched in retaliation for the recent Pahalgam massacre, killed an estimated 130-140 terrorists. The operation dealt a severe blow to Pakistan's military-terror nexus, as seen in the high-profile funerals of several terrorists, attended by Pakistani military and political leaders.

Among the key targets was Yusuf Azhar, a long-wanted terrorist with an Interpol Red Notice, and Mudassar, who was given a military-style funeral by Pakistan Army. Lashkar's Abu Akasha and JeM’s Mohammad Hassan Khan were also killed. India’s intelligence claimed to possess video proof of military officials at these funerals, confirming direct links between the Pakistani state and terrorist groups. Two major terror hubs—Muridke and Bahawalpur—were destroyed in the strikes. These facilities had been central to planning and training for attacks like Pulwama (2019) and Nagrota. Officials called Operation Sindoor a clear signal of India’s capability to locate and eliminate high-value targets across the border.

03:19 (IST) May 11
Pakistan shelling kills 2 Army men, an IAF Sergeant and a BSF SI in Jammu
Intensified shelling and drone attacks by Pakistani forces across the Jammu region resulted in the loss of four Indian security personnel. Among the casualties were an Army JCO and a rifleman, an IAF sergeant stationed in Udhampur, and a BSF sub-inspector positioned along the international border in the RS Pura sector.

01:31 (IST) May 11
India-Pakistan Tensions Live: Soldier injured in firing at Nagrota Army station in Jammu, search ops underway to track intruder
An alert sentry at Nagrota Military Station thwarted a potential intrusion, sustaining minor injuries during a brief exchange of fire. Simultaneously, a precautionary blackout was enforced in parts of Punjab. India reported ceasefire violations by Pakistan, responding firmly and maintaining a strong vigil along the border and Line of Control after terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

00:21 (IST) May 11
Loud explosions, red streaks and sirens haunt Jammu and Kashmir, border districts again as Pakistan breaches ceasefire: What we know so far
Despite a newly agreed ceasefire, loud explosions and drone sightings have triggered widespread concern across Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan, prompting a complete blackout in several districts. Following the explosions in Srinagar, air defense units were activated, while a firing incident occurred at an Army unit near Jammu. Security forces are investigating the threats as tensions escalate.

00:16 (IST) May 11
Ceasefire violations: India accuses Pakistan, orders strong response to border breaches

India on Saturday held Pakistan responsible for breaching a ceasefire understanding reached earlier in the day between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries. Foreign secretary Vikram Misri, addressing a late-night press briefing, said Indian armed forces had been directed to respond firmly to any further violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and the international border.

"An understanding was reached this evening between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan to halt the ongoing military action. However, over the past few hours, Pakistan has breached this understanding," Misri said.

00:11 (IST) May 11
India Pakistan News Live: Nagrota Military Station; Sentry injured in brief gunfire after spotting suspicious movement
A sentry posted at the Nagrota Military Station opened fire after detecting suspicious movement near the perimeter late Friday night, the White Knight Corps said in a statement. Upon issuing a challenge, the sentry was met with retaliatory fire, resulting in a brief exchange.

The sentry sustained a minor injury during the incident but managed to alert security forces immediately. A search operation has since been launched in and around the area to trace the suspected intruder(s).

SUMMARY
India on Saturday blamed Pakistan of breaching a ceasefire understanding reached earlier in the day between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries. At a late-night press briefing, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said Indian armed forces had been instructed to respond firmly to any further violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and the international border.

“An understanding was reached this evening between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan to halt the ongoing military action. However, in the last few hours, Pakistan has violated this understanding,” Misri stated. He confirmed that Indian forces were retaliating against the latest cross-border intrusion, which he termed “extremely condemnable.”

Misri said Pakistan bore full responsibility for the latest escalation and urged Islamabad to act immediately to halt the provocations. “The armed forces are maintaining strict vigilance, and instructions have been issued to deal strongly with any further violations,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Misri announced that the DGMOs had agreed to cease all military activity — including on land, air, and sea — starting at 5:00 pm IST. However, just hours later, firing was reported from the Pakistani side in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu and Kashmir, with multiple drone sightings along the border.

On Friday morning, panic gripped parts of Jammu following air-raid sirens and explosions near the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri. The Border Security Force (BSF) also thwarted an infiltration attempt in Samba late Thursday night. Meanwhile, the Indian Army reported shooting down more than 50 swarm drones during several Pakistani attempts to breach defences.

Advanced air defence systems including L-70, Zu-23mm, and Schilka guns were deployed across critical areas such as Udhampur, Jammu, Nagrota, Akhnoor, Samba, and Pathankot. Unverified reports claimed that a Pakistani Air Force jet may have been downed over the Pathankot sector. Two Pakistani drones were also destroyed in the Naushera sector amid intense artillery exchanges.

The Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) confirmed that key Indian military installations in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur were targeted with drones and missiles, all of which were successfully intercepted with no casualties.

Union home minister Amit Shah chaired an emergency meeting with top officials from border forces and CISF to review security across India’s borders and airports.

Internationally, US Vice President JD Vance, who was in India during the Pahalgam terror attack, called the situation a “regional conflict” and said the US would not intervene but would support dialogue. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has been in touch with global leaders, assuring them that India’s response has been “targeted, proportional, and focused on terror infrastructure.”

India strongly rejected Pakistan’s accusation that it targeted the Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), warning Islamabad against using such “blatant lies” as pretext for further escalation.

Foreign secretary Misri reiterated that the current crisis was triggered by the Pahalgam attack and said the onus now lay on Pakistan to de-escalate. He also accused Pakistan of running a disinformation campaign.

Pakistan, meanwhile, reportedly launched another round of drone and missile strikes on Thursday night, targeting areas including Satwari, RS Pura, and Arnia. All eight missiles were intercepted. Authorities confirmed the recovery of drone and missile debris from multiple sites, offering clear evidence of the assault.
Link


India-Pakistan
Vikram Misri Criticises Pakistan For Giving State Honour To Terrorists, Sat Photos Released of 2 Sites India Hit Wednesday
2025-05-09
[OneIndia] Addressing the media on escalating tensions between India and Pakistain, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri slammed Pakistain for giving state-honour funerals of three terrorists. These individuals were eliminated in strikes by the Indian military as part of Operation Sindoor. Misri highlighted the unusual practice of draping coffins with Pak flags and conducting the funerals with state honors, a treatment typically reserved for civilians. This occurrence raises questions about the nature of the individuals being honored in such a manner.

During the briefing, Misri pointed out the contradiction in Pakistain's claim that the Indian military had targeted civilians in their recent operation. He underscored that the strikes on May 7 specifically targeted terrorist infrastructure, based on precise intelligence. The presence of Pakistain Army personnel at these funerals, Misri argued, sends a telling message about the identities of the dear departed. According to Misri, the practice of giving Lions of Islam state funerals seems to be a norm in Pakistain, which he finds perplexing and unjustifiable.

INDIA'S COUNTERTERRORISM EFFORTS HIGHLIGHTED
India undertook military action against nine terrorist facilities under 'Operation Sindoor' in response to a terror attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir
...a disputed territory lying between India and Pakistain. After partition, the Paks grabbed half of it and call it Azad (Free) Kashmir. The remainder they refer to as "Indian Occupied Kashmir". They have fought four wars with India over it, the score currently 4-0 in New Delhi's favor. After 72 years of this nonsense, India cut the Gordian knot in 2019, removing the area's special status, breaking off Ladakh as a separate state, and allowing people from other areas to settle (or in the case of the Pandits, to resettle) there....
, which resulted in the death of 26 civilians. This operation aimed to dismantle the infrastructure supporting terrorism, with India confirming the successful elimination of several terror targets. Despite Pakistain's claims that the strikes resulted in civilian casualties, India maintains that the operation was focused exclusively on combatting terrorism.

The targeted strike in Muridke, situated about 40 kilometers from Lahore, resulted in the deaths of Qari Abdul Malik, Khalid, and Mudassir. This action was part of India's broader strategy to disrupt the operations of terrorist groups. The funeral for these individuals was conducted under strict security measures and saw the attendance of not just Pakistain Army personnel but also members of the civil bureaucracy and Jamaat-ud-Dawa
...the front organization of Lashkar-e-Taiba...
h (JuD), a banned
...the word banned seems to have a different meaning in Pakistain than it does in most other places. Or maybe it simply lacks any meaning at all...
organization
led by Hafiz Saeed
...founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba and its false-mustache offshoot Jamaat-ud-Dawa. The United Nations declared the JuD a terrorist organization in 2008 and Hafiz Saeed a terrorist as its leader. Hafiz, JuD and LeT are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Pak intel apparatus, so that amounted to squat. He is periodically placed under house arrest so it looks like the govt is doing something. Once the heat is off they let him go....
. The ceremony, led by Hafiz Abdul Rauf, included prayers for the nation's safety and security.

Misri also addressed Pakistain's allegations that India had targeted religious sites during its operation. He categorically denied these claims, emphasizing that the operation focused solely on terrorist infrastructure and facilities linked to cross-border terrorism into India. Misri accused Pakistain of misusing religious sites to radicalize, instruct, and train terrorists, thereby endangering the region's security.

Proof From Above: Satellite Pics Show Extent of 5/7 Terror Site Damage in Operation Sindoor - Before-After Photos
[OneIndia] High-resolution satellite images released by Maxar Technologies provide clear visual confirmation of the extensive damage caused by Operation Sindoor, which targeted nine sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These sites were linked to terrorist groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen.

The imagery offers striking before-and-after comparisons of two major targets: the Markaz Subhan Allah compound near Bahawalpur and the Markaz Taiba complex in Nangal Sadhan, Muridke. Both facilities, key ideological and operational centres for JeM and LeT, respectively, now appear severely damaged with visible craters, collapsed roofs, and scattered debris, as seen in images dated May 7.

Established in 2015, this compound functioned as JeM's central hub for operations and training. It housed the group's top leadership, including chief Masood Azhar and deputy Abdul Rauf Asghar. The centre was reportedly involved in planning multiple attacks, including the 2019 Pulwama bombing.

MARKAZ TAIBA, MURIDKE
In operation since 2000, this LeT stronghold served as a key training and radicalisation centre. It offered weapons training, religious indoctrination, and fitness programs to nearly 1,000 recruits annually. Notably, it was a training site for the 2008 Mumbai attackers, including Ajmal Kasab and David Headley. Historical intelligence suggests Osama bin Laden contributed significantly to building its mosque and guesthouse. Satellite imagery shows severe structural damage to several buildings.

Additional sites targeted in Operation Sindoor include Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Rawalakot, Chakswari, Bhimber, Neelum Valley, Jhelum, and Chakwal. Indian intelligence had been monitoring these locations for months, tracking suspicious movement patterns, satellite phone activity, and vehicular logistics consistent with terror operations.

THE OPERATION
Operation Sindoor was launched in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 25 lives, including that of a Nepali tourist. India attributed the attack to LeT operatives trained across the border.

The offensive employed a mix of air-launched cruise missiles, loitering munitions (kamikaze drones), and long-range artillery. The Indian Air Force executed four strikes across the international border, while five others targeted sites within Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Defence officials clarified that no Pakistani military installations were hit, describing the operation as "measured, focused, and non-escalatory."

Meanwhile, Indian Defence Minister Rajanth Singh has said that 100 terrorists were killed in the Wednesday operation. He has reportedly said that such operation will continue.

Related: Why India Hit Muridke Markaz, Lashkar’s Nerve Centre Linked to 26/11 Attacks?
Who Is Abdul Rauf Asghar, JeM Chief Masood Azhar's Brother Killed In Operation Sindoor?
RUMINT: Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir Arrested? Sahir Shamshad Mirza To Replace Amid Coup Rumours
Link


India-Pakistan
India opens ''Operation Sindoor'' against Pakistan
2025-05-07
[TIMESOFINDIA.INDIATIMES] Under 'Operation Sindoor', the armed forces on Wednesday targeted and destroyed nine terror hideouts belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba
...the Army of the Pure, an Ahl-e-Hadith terror organization founded by Hafiz Saeed. LeT masquerades behind the Jamaat-ud-Dawa facade within Pakistain and periodically blows things up and kills people in India. Despite the fact that it is banned, always an interesting concept in Pakistain, the organization remains an blatant tool and perhaps an arm of the ISI...
, and Hizbul Mujahideen
...Party of Holy Warriors, founded by Muhammad Ahsan Dar in September 1989. One of the Pak sock puppets waging jihad in Indian Kashmir. It was originally organized as the armed wing of Jamaat-e-Islami. In 1990, Dar declared Hizbul as the sword arm of Jamaat. Hizbul murdered many of the pro-independence intelligentsia in Kashmir. After the organization was taken over by Syed Salahuddin Dar and several other ex-Hizb leaders were assassinated between 2001 and 2003...

in Pakistain and Pakistain-occupied Kashmir
...a disputed territory lying between India and Pakistain. After partition, the Paks grabbed half of it and call it Azad (Free) Kashmir. The remainder they refer to as "Indian Occupied Kashmir". They have fought four wars with India over it, the score currently 4-0 in New Delhi's favor. After 72 years of this nonsense, India cut the Gordian knot in 2019, removing the area's special status, breaking off Ladakh as a separate state, and allowing people from other areas to settle (or in the case of the Pandits, to resettle) there....
.This marked India's most decisive strike in response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 non-combatants were killed. According to the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Air Force conducted precision strikes on four terror sites inside Pakistain and five within PoK. The ministry described the operation as ''focused, measured and non-escalatory,'' adding that no Pak military installations were targeted. ''These actions are in direct response to the horrific Pahalgam attack,'' the Defence Ministry said in its statement, adding, ''We are upholding our commitment to ensure that those responsible for the attack face consequences.'' The Indian government later released an official video declaring the mission a success, while Pak authorities were reportedly caught off guard.
Related:
Hizbul Mujahideen: 2025-04-27 India v Pakistan, Day 5 post-Pahalgam round-up: Preparing for war, cutting off water, search and raids in Kashmir, gunfire along the border
Hizbul Mujahideen: 2023-10-03 Delhi Police Nabs Suspected ISIS Operative Shahnawaz Alam In Major Crackdown
Hizbul Mujahideen: 2023-09-19 3 OGWs booked under PSA in Kishtwar: Police
Link


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Main political parties agree on coalition list for Beirut municipal elections — Naharnet
2025-05-07
[NAHARNET] The country's main political parties have agreed on forming a unified electoral list for Beirut's municipal vote, al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Tuesday.

''A meeting was held yesterday at MP Fouad Makhzoumi's home in the presence of representatives of parties and Beiruti figures, which resulted in an agreement on forming a coalition list in Beirut,'' the daily said.

The list will comprise candidates nominated by Hezbollah, the Amal Movement, the Free Patriotic Movement
Despite its name a Christian party allied with Hizbullah, neither free nor particularly patriotic...
, the Lebanese Forces
A Christian political party founded by Bashir Gemayel, who was then bumped off when he was elected president of Leb...
, the Kataeb Party, al-Ahbash, the Tashnag Party
Socialist party representing the Armenian diaspora in Leb. They're Christians, but they try to remain neutral, which means they get shot at without shooting back...
and the Hunchak Party, the newspaper added. MP Nabil Bader and the Jamaa Islamiya meanwhile stayed outside the coalition, al-Akhbar said.

''Over the past hours, Bader contacted a number of figures trying to convince them to join a list that he intends to form in the face of the political forces' list, but he is facing difficulty in convincing these figures, who believe that it will be a lost battle,'' the daily added.

The Beirut Madinati civil society coalition, which garnered one third of the votes in 2016, is meanwhile expected to form a third list.
Link


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
IDF says it targeted Hezbollah weapons manufacturing, storage site in Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley
2025-05-06
[IsraelTimes] The IDF confirms carrying out airstrikes in Lebanon this evening, saying it targeted infrastructure at a Hezbollah “strategic weapons” manufacturing and storage site in the Beqaa Valley area.

The strike was carried out after the military says it identified that Hezbollah was working to restore the facility, which had been targeted in the past.

Additionally, the IDF says it struck several more Hezbollah sites in the Srifa area of southern Lebanon this evening.

The Hezbollah activity and the presence of weapons in the targeted areas “constitute blatant violations of the understandings agreement between Israel and Lebanon,” the IDF adds.
More from the Times of Israel:
Lebanese media reports Israeli airstrikes in the Janta area in the Beqaa Valley, close to the border with Syria.

Israeli drone targets Aitaroun with three strikes
[AnNahar] An Israeli drone on Monday carried out three strikes on the southern town of Aitaroun near Israel’s border, the state-run National News Agency reported.

“An Israeli drone conducted three consecutive strikes on an open area on the outsirts of al-Mahafer-al-Mteit in the town of Aitaroun in the Bint Jbeil district while no casualties were reported,” NNA said.
Related:
Beqaa Valley: 2025-04-09 Jets hit Hezbollah weapons depot in Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley
Beqaa Valley: 2025-03-21 IDF strikes Hezbollah facilities in eastern Lebanon amid ceasefire
Beqaa Valley: 2025-03-18 IDF strikes terror targets in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, said to kill at least 4
Related:
Srifa : 2024-08-03 IDF bangs a Iranian convoy to Beqaa
Srifa : 2013-05-20 Rockets Land in Hermel Amid Qusayr Assault, Syria Opposition Accuses Hizbullah of 'Genocide'
Srifa : 2011-12-03 Hizbullah: Israeli Drone Detonated Spy Device on Our Srifa Telecom Network
Related:
Aitaroun: 2025-04-17 2 killed in new Israeli drone strikes in south Lebanon
Aitaroun: 2025-04-17 IDF: Two Hezbollah members killed in southern Lebanon drone strikes
Aitaroun: 2025-04-16 Good Morning
Related:
Janta : 2025-02-09 Israeli strikes kill six, wound two in southern Lebanon
Janta : 2025-01-14 Four Israeli airstrikes target area deep in south as raid hits eastern border town
Janta : 2024-12-28 IDF says it hit Hezbollah infrastructure used to transfer arms in strikes on Syria-Lebanon border
Link


-Lurid Crime Tales-
Utah man arrested after cops stumble upon 71 homemade bombs in his apartment
2025-04-28
[Daily Mail, where America gets its news] A Utah man was arrested after police discovered 71 homemade bombs and a substantial stockpile of bomb-making materials inside his Orem apartment, according to Provo Police.

Eric Whitaker, 41, was taken into custody on Friday after allegedly brandishing a weapon near the Provo Towne Centre Mall. Following his arrest, authorities secured a search warrant for his apartment.

Inside, officers uncovered bomb-making supplies and 'a large number of home-made improvised explosive anti-personnel fragmentation grenade devices,' Provo Police said in a press release.

The Metro Bomb Squad was called to the scene, prompting the evacuation of the apartment building as the devices were recovered safely.

In total, 71 homemade explosive devices were seized along with additional bomb-making materials.

Whitaker is now facing 71 counts of possession of weapons of mass destruction and one count of possessing bomb-making materials. The case has been referred to the Utah County Attorney's Office.

We are proud of our Patrol Officers for their fast response to the initial report of suspicious activity, and their continued assistance to our Detectives during the follow-up investigation.

'We also appreciate Orem PD's Patrol Division for assisting in the evacuation measures during the search warrant.'

This case follows just a month after a would-be suicide bomber in the UK was jailed for plotting to “kill as many nurses as possible” in a pressure cooker explosion at a hospital in Leeds.

Mohammad Farooq brought a homemade bomb—modeled after the 2013 Boston Marathon devices but packed with twice as much explosive—into St James’s Hospital in January 2023.

He was talked out of carrying out the attack by patient Nathan Newby, whom Justice Cheema-Grubb described as “an extraordinary, ordinary man whose decency and kindness...prevented an atrocity in a maternity wing of a major British hospital.”

Farooq, a clinical support worker, had targeted the hospital after failing to access the American base at RAF Menwith Hill and was found guilty after a jury deliberated for less than two hours.

Police found him with a viable bomb, knives, black tape, and a blank-firing imitation firearm.

An investigation revealed he had been self-radicalized online and obtained bomb-making instructions from an Al Qaeda publication.

Bethan David, head of the CPS Counter Terrorism Division, said: “Farooq is an extremely dangerous individual who amassed a significant amount of practical and theoretical information that enabled him to produce a viable explosive device...The extremist views Farooq holds are a threat to our society, and I am pleased the jury found him guilty of his crimes.”
Related:
Mohammad Farooq 05/17/2023 Two Hizbul Terrorists Accused Of Killing Mirwaiz Farooq Arrested 33 Years After Incident
Mohammad Farooq 03/14/2023 Daily Evacuation Brief March 14, 2023
Mohammad Farooq 01/28/2023 UK student nurse charged with taking bomb to maternity ward

Link


India-Pakistan
India v Pakistan, Day 5 post-Pahalgam round-up: Preparing for war, cutting off water, search and raids in Kashmir, gunfire along the border
2025-04-27
[X]


Much more courtesy of Fred:




One India’s Pahalgam Terror Attack Live Updates for April 26th
2 Hours Ago
335 Indians return from Pakistan, 75 Pakistanis cross back
Protocol Officer Arun Mahal informed that around 10 AM today, after the immigration and customs offices opened, 75 Pakistani nationals crossed the border to return to Pakistan, while 335 Indian nationals, who had traveled to Pakistan on visas, returned to India.

5 Hours Ago Pakistan Deploys Army Near Rajasthan Border After Pahalgam Attack
As India steps up search efforts and finds local militants connected to Pakistan-based terror groups, Pakistan has stationed its army in bunkers close to the Rajasthan border in the wake of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack.

Apr 26, 2025, 10:33 AM IST
Security forces have razed the houses of five terrorists involved in the Pahalgam Terror Attack.

Apr 26, 2025, 10:20 AM IST
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta tweets, "The Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India, has revoked all Visas issued to Pakistani Nationals, except Medical, Diplomatic & Long-Term visas, with effect from 27th of April, 2025. The existing medical visas shall also stand invalid after 29th of April, 2025. No new visas will be issued to Pakistani Nationals henceforward. Delhi Government is ensuring strict compliance with these orders. Every violation is being sincerely tracked, and necessary action will follow."

BIG BREAKING
The suspect in the House of Pahalgam terror attack, Ahsan ul Haq Sheikh, was killed in a blast in the Murran area of Pulwama in South Kashmir. Ahsan, who had received training in Pakistan in 2018, had recently returned to the Valley.

Women With Pakistan Connection Asked To Leave India Over Pahalgam Attack
[OneIndia] The social media attack against Sania Mirza started after videos of Muslim women speaking about the separation of their family members over the visa cancellation. Many women are stranded in Attar border as the authorities have denied permission to enter the country.

"I am an Indian citizen who got married in Pakistan 10 years ago. Both of my children were born in India, but they hold Pakistani passports. Due to current restrictions, only individuals holding a green passport are being allowed to cross the border. As someone with an Indian passport, I am unable to join my children. I humbly request the government to kindly consider my situation and grant me permission to cross the border," Indian Express quoted a woman at Attari-Wagah border as saying.

Sadvi Alvi, an Indian passport holder and married in Pakistan, was spotted at the Attari border with her son as she to leave. "My five-year-old son is a Pakistani national. He has to go back as the Indian government has ordered all Pakistanis to leave the country in 48 hours, but he cannot travel alone. Nobody is there to take care of my child in Pakistan as my mother-in-law is bedridden. My visa was still valid for more than two months, Please help me.''

A Deputy Passport Officer had earlier told the English publication: "A child having parents of two different nationalities used to automatically get an Indian passport if he or she was born in India. But the rules have changed. Now, the child's name has to be registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs to get an Indian passport."

Pakistan Deploys Army Near Rajasthan Border After Pahalgam Attack
[OneIndia] As India steps up search efforts and finds local militants connected to Pakistan-based terror groups, Pakistan has stationed its army in bunkers close to the Rajasthan border in the wake of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. Reports state that the growing security worries in the area have prompted the Pakistani troops to stay in bunkers. As part of increased security, the Border Action Team (BAT) and Pakistani Rangers have been positioned in these bunkers. In addition, as the situation worsens, a medical team in Sindh has practiced a war drill, indicating Pakistan's readiness for possible confrontation.

This action comes after the devastating terrorist attack that claimed the lives of several Indians in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Concern has been generated in Pakistan by India's prompt response and strong military posture. Pakistan has taken precautionary measures along its border with Rajasthan in response to the rising tension, which is a reflection of worries about India's willingness to take action.

India TV claims that in response to the growing threat of cross-border terrorism, the country has begun a massive security operation. To find militants who are thought to have been trained and assisted by terror groups located in Pakistan, authorities are coordinating their efforts.

SOUTH KASHMIR SEARCH OPERATIONS ARE UNDERWAY
Security forces, such as the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), have begun a massive cordon-and-search operation in South Kashmir. The staff is making sure that every place is carefully inspected by performing in-depth searches of residences and rooms. As part of the security steps to capture possible extremists, roads are also being cleared. India's continuous efforts to uphold security and take firm action against the menace of terrorism include these measures.

THE LIST OF 14 LOCAL MILITANTS IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR IS RELEASED BY INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES.
Indian intelligence services have created a list of 14 local militants active in Jammu and Kashmir in reaction to the terrorist incident in Pahalgam. These militants, who range in age from 20 to 40, have been helping foreign extremists who are infiltrating the area from Pakistan by offering them logistical support. The affiliations of these terrorists with Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), three significant terror groups located in Pakistan, have been verified by sources.

These militants are believed to be actively collaborating with Pakistan-based terror outfits, contributing to the ongoing unrest in the region. Authorities have vowed to take strict action to neutralize these threats and ensure the safety of civilians. The arrest and dismantling of these militants' network is considered critical in curbing the cross-border terrorism linked to Pakistan.

Link


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
2012 Bulgaria bus bomber buried at Hezbollah cemetery in Lebanon
2025-04-13
[IsraelTimes] Ex-chief of Lebanese intel agency says he helped negotiate return of remains of terrorist who killed 5 Israelis, Bulgarian bus driver in Burgas

The Lebanese-French national who was accused of detonating explosives in a 2012 attack in Bulgaria that killed five Israeli tourists was buried in a cemetery designated for fallen Hezbollah terrorists, said a former Lebanese security official who negotiated the return of his remains.

The bomber was identified as Mohammad Hassan El-Husseini, 23. On July 18, 2012, he struck a group of Israeli tourists at Burgas Airport in Bulgaria, killing five Israelis, a Bulgarian bus driver, and injuring nearly 40 others, authorities said.

The explosion occurred shortly after the tourists, arriving on a charter flight from Tel Aviv, boarded a bus en route to their hotel. Israeli and Bulgarian authorities blamed the Iranian-backed terror group Hezbollah.

El-Husseini was eventually identified through a DNA analysis by Bulgarian Sherlocks working with Israeli, US, and European intelligence agencies.

The former head of the Lebanese General Security intelligence agency, Abbas Ibrahim, told The News Agency that Dare Not be Named that he helped negotiate the return of the remains on Thursday on behalf of El-Husseini’s family, who hired a lawyer in Bulgaria to handle the legal proceedings. He was buried Friday, Ibrahim said.

El-Husseini had entered Bulgaria days before the bombing using a fake Michigan driver’s license. He was part of a three-man Hezbollah cell operating across Europe, according to Sherlocks. His alleged accomplices — Meliad Farah, an Australian-Lebanese, and Hassan El Hajj Hassan, a Canadian-Lebanese — were charged in absentia in 2016. Both remain on the lam despite international arrest warrants.

Investigators said the men traveled through Poland, Romania, and Germany, using fake identities to gather materials for the attack. Intelligence officials believe Hezbollah coordinated their training and logistics.
Related:
Bulgaria: 2025-04-11 Bulgaria returns body of 2012 bus bomber to Lebanon
Bulgaria: 2025-04-03 Bulgaria to put five on trial over deaths of 18 Afghan refugees
Bulgaria: 2025-03-23 Study: Nearly a million Israelis live abroad, changing the face of European Jewry

Related:
Burgas Airport: 2013-02-09 LF Urges Hizbullah to Hand Over Suspects in Bulgaria, Harb, Hariri Cases
Burgas Airport: 2013-02-08 Bulgaria says anti-Israeli bomber died by mistake
Burgas Airport: 2012-07-24 Bulgarian website names 'US citizen David Jepson' as suspected accomplice in Burgas attack
Link


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Army commander Joseph Aoun elected as president of Lebanon
2025-01-10
[HODHODYEMENNEWS.NET] The Lebanese Parliament elected on Thursday the army commander, Joseph Aoun, as president of the country, to be the 14th president of the Lebanese Republic.

This comes after more than two years of a presidential vacancy, following the end of the term of former president Michel Aoun
...former president of Leb, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hizbullah...
Thus, Joseph Aoun is the fourth commander of the army who holds this position, as Emile Lahoud, Michel Suleiman
...before assuming office as President, he held the position of commander of the Leb Armed Forces. That was after the previous commander, the loathesome Emile Lahoud, took office as president in November of 1998. Likely the next president of Leb will be whoever's commander of the armed forces, too...
, and Michel Aoun preceded him.

Joseph Aoun served as Commander of the Lebanese Army. He held this mission since March 8, 2017, succeeding General Jean Kahwaji. The beginning of his military career in the army dates back to 1983.

Aoun was promoted until he attained the rank of brigadier general in 2013. He continued to hold military ranks, reaching the rank of general in 2017, with his appointment as army commander, occupying this position during one of the most sensitive periods in Leb
...The Leb civil war, between 1975 and 1990, lasted a little over 145 years and produced 120,000 fatalities. The average length of a ceasefire was measured in seconds. Only one of those statements is an exaggeration....
During this period, Lebanon witnessed major security and political challenges, most notably the ''Dawn of the Outskirts'' battle in 2017, which the army fought with the resistance against terrorist organizations in the barren lands of the town of Arsal and al-Qaa, on the border with Syria.

The country also witnessed security challenges after the outbreak of protests on October 17, 2019, and the expanded Israeli war on Lebanon that lasted more than 60 days in 2023, which imposed new obligations on the Lebanese army, with the signing of the ceasefire agreement.
Link


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Hezbollah made even weaker by Assad toppling in Syria — Naharnet
2024-12-15
[NAHARNET] A severely hobbled Hezbollah was in no position to help defend former Syrian President Bashir al-Assad, a longtime ally, from the lightning-fast insurgency that toppled him. With Assad gone, the Death Eater group based in Leb
...an Iranian satrapy until recently ruled by Hassan Nasrallah situated on the eastern Mediterranean, conveniently adjacent to Israel. Formerly inhabited by hardy Phoenecian traders, its official language is now Arabic, with the usual unpleasant side effects. The Leb civil war, between 1975 and 1990, lasted a little over 145 years and produced 120,000 fatalities. The average length of a ceasefire was measured in seconds. The Lebs maintain a precarious sectarian balance among Shiites, Sunnis, and about a dozen flavors of Christians, plus Armenians, Georgians, and who knows what else? It is the home of the original Hezbollah, which periodically starts a war with the Zionist Entity, gets Beirut pounded to rubble, and then declares victory and has a parade. The Lebs have the curious habit of periodically murdering their heads of state or prime ministers...
is even weaker.

Hezbollah was dealt a major blow during 14 months of war with Israel. The toppling of Assad, who had strong ties to Iran, has now crippled its ability to bounce back by cutting off a vital weapons-smuggling route through Syria.

Hezbollah officials are deeply concerned but defiant.

"What is happening in Syria is a major, dangerous and new change, and to know why this happened needs evaluation," Hassan Fadlallah, a Lebanese politician who represents Hezbollah's political wing, said during a speech at a funeral for bully boyz killed by Israel. "Whatever is happening in Syria, despite its dangers, will not weaken us."

Analysts say the diminishment of Hezbollah will have big consequences for Lebanon, where for decades it has been a major political player — and for Iran, which has relied on the group as one of several proxy forces projecting power across the Middle East. It is also a game-changer for Israel, whose nemesis on its northern border is now at its most vulnerable point in decades.

TIES TO SYRIA INFLUENCED THE RISE AND FALL OF HEZBOLLAH'S POWER
The Assad dynasty, which ruled Syria for half a century with an iron fist, played a crucial role in empowering Hezbollah, which was founded in the early 1980s by Iranian advisers who came through Syria. In addition to being a conduit for Iranian weapons, Syria also was a place where Hezbollah trained fighters and manufactured its own weapons.

As Hezbollah grew more powerful, it became a force Assad could rely on for protection in times of crisis. Hezbollah sent thousands of fighters to bolster Assad's forces when a civil war broke out in 2011.

As bandidos krazed killers swept across Syria in early December and took the city of Homs — a stone's throw from a Syrian border town where Hezbollah had a presence — many expected the bully boyz to put up a fierce fight. After all, they did just that in 2013, preventing Assad's opponents from advancing into Damascus.

This time, Hezbollah was in disarray. Many of its brass hats, including longtime leader Sayyed
...Arabic term meaning your/his lordship. Groveling in His Exalted Presence is encouraged...
His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah
...The late, lamented satrap of the Medes and the Persians in Leb...>
, were killed in Israeli Arclight airstrike
...KABOOM!...
s. And months of Israeli bombardment destroyed much of its military infrastructure. With Syria's key international allies, Russia and Iran, on the sidelines, Hezbollah withdrew, and Assad was ousted quickly.

"The fall of the regime marks the end of Iran's arms in Syria and Lebanon," said Lt. Col. Fares al-Bayoush, a Syrian army defector who fought in the civil war against Assad's forces and Hezbollah until 2017, when he moved to The Sick Man of Europe Turkey
...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire...
.

LEBANON BEGINS TO GRAPPLE WITH HEZBOLLAH'S 'NEW REALITY'
In Lebanon, the sapping of Hezbollah's strength has given the army the opportunity to reassert control it had ceded, especially along its southern border. A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between the Death Eater group and Israel states that Hezbollah should have no armed presence along that border and it has led to growing calls within Lebanon for the group's disarmament.

"To Hezbollah, it's game over," Samir Geagea
....Geagea was imprisoned by the Syrians and their puppets for 11 years in a dungeon in the third basement level of the Lebanese Ministry of Defense. He was released after the Cedar Revolution in 2005....
, who leads the Christian Lebanese Forces
A Christian political party founded by Bashir Gemayel, who was then bumped off when he was elected president of Leb...
Party, said in a statement on Sunday, hours after bandidos krazed killers took Damascus. "Sit with the Lebanese military to end your status as an gang, and transform yourselves into a political party."

But Hezbollah's longtime sway in the political arena in Lebanon also faces a major challenge.

Many in Lebanon are angry with the group. Critics say Hezbollah violated its promise to use its weapons only to defend Lebanon when it began firing rockets into Israel last year, the day after Hamas
..the braying voice of Islamic Resistance®,...
attacked Israel.

Nearly than 4,000 people were killed in Lebanon during the war with Israel, according to the country's health ministry. Entire towns and villages where Hezbollah members and supporters lived have been flattened. More than 1 million people have been displaced, and the country's economy — which was in bad shape before the war — is in a deep hole.

"With the (Syrian) regime gone, Hezbollah in Lebanon faces an entirely new reality," said Firas Maksad, of the Middle East Institute.

Maksad said many Lebanese leaders have yet to grasp the magnitude of the change that has taken place. Even some onetime allies of Hezbollah in parliament have begun distancing themselves from the group.

Jebran Bassil, a politician who represents the Free Patriotic Movement
Despite its name a Christian party allied with Hizbullah, neither free nor particularly patriotic...
, Lebanon's other major Christian party, said Hezbollah's loss of a weapons pipeline from Iran
...a theocratic Shiite state divided among the Medes, the Persians, and the (Arab) Elamites. Formerly a fairly civilized nation ruled by a Shah, it became a victim of Islamic revolution in 1979. The nation is today noted for spontaneously taking over other countries' embassies, maintaining whorehouses run by clergymen, involvement in international drug trafficking, and financing sock puppet militias to extend the regime's influence. The word Iran is a cognate form of Aryan. The abbreviation IRGC is the same idea as Stürmabteilung (or SA). The term Supreme Guide is a the modern version form of either Duce or Führer or maybe both. They hate Jews Zionists Jews. Their economy is based on the production of oil and vitriol...
could help Lebanon extract itself from regional conflict.

"Hezbollah should focus on internal affairs and not the wider region," Bassil, a former ally of Hezbollah, said.

It may have no choice but to narrow its ambitions. With the fall of Assad, Iran has lost control of a corridor of land that stretched through Iraq and Syria all the way to the Mediterranean, and which gave it an unimpeded route to supply Hezbollah.

"They can maybe fly in some things and smuggle some things, but that's not gonna be on the same scale, not even close," said Aron Lund, a Syria expert with Century International, a New York-based think tank.

For Israel, breaking Iran's regional network has been a major goal, though it is wary over Islamic bully boyz among the bandidos krazed killers who toppled Assad. Israel on Sunday moved troops into a demilitarized buffer zone with Syria by the Israel-held Golan Heights in what it called a temporary security measure.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Assad's fall a "historic day," saying it was "the direct result of our forceful action against Hezbollah and Iran, Assad's main supporters."
Link



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