The destabilization of Yemen fits into Tehran’s strategy of exporting extremism MOAMMAR AL-ERYANI, Yemeni Minister of Information With every passing day, the Iranian regime reveals its devastating and catastrophic role and impact on the security of the region and the world. This role placed the regime among terrorist entities that harm not only its people but also the security of the world as a whole. Tehran established its horrific image as never before when its fingerprints clearly appeared on the terrorist attacks on oil tankers in the Arabian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, Saudi oil pumping stations and the downing…
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UNIPATH STAFF The discovery of sophisticated Iranian weaponry aboard a Yemeni dhow in February 2020 replicates a pattern of Iranian arms smuggling that has enflamed violence in the Arabian Peninsula. A boarding party from the U.S. Navy guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy intercepted the dhow in the Arabian Sea and seized an arms cache destined for the Houthis in Yemen. The illicit arsenal — which included 150 anti-tank guided missiles — violated a United Nations Security Council embargo on supplying weapons to Houthi leaders and their representatives. Among the seized weapons were surface-to-air missiles, thermal imaging scopes for launching nighttime attacks,…
UNIPATH STAFF Egyptian security forces killed 16 militants in a raid on two hideouts in the northern city of el-Arish in March 2019. According to the Egyptian Interior Ministry, the militants were planning to carry out a series of terrorist attacks against vital installations and important figures in the city. Ten terrorists were killed after security forces raided their hideout in an abandoned house. Six others were killed in another raid while exchanging fire with security forces. The ministry’s statement confirmed the discovery of firearms, ammunition, bombs and suicide belts at the two sites. The raids came after terrorists attacked…
UNIPATH STAFF The Yemeni government is addressing concerns that the country’s civil war is endangering pregnant women and newborn babies. Despite a planned withdrawal of troops from the Red Sea port of Hodeidah — a break in hostilities negotiated with the help of United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths — women’s health has suffered from the conflict. Maternal mortality rate rose in 2018 to about 500 deaths per 100,000 live births, nearly triple the rate of 2014, according to Dr. Najib al-Qubati, undersecretary of the Yemeni Ministry of Public Health. In a workshop in Sanaa organized by the…
UNIPATH STAFF A key part of the Jordan Armed Forces — its female nursing corps — reinforced its ranks during a graduation ceremony at the Princess Muna College of Nursing at Mu’tah University. Under the patronage of Maj. Gen. Saad Jaber, director general of the Royal Medical Services, the college graduated female students for enrollment in the Armed Forces in March 2019. Dean of the College Dr. Hala Obeidat commended Princess Muna al-Hussein’s continuous efforts to improve the quality of education and noted how the leadership of the Jordan Armed Forces was grateful for the additional personnel. “Adorned with the…
UNIPATH STAFF A coalition of multinational naval forces and shipping companies gathered in Bahrain in April 2019 to reaffirm their shared interest in countering piracy and promoting maritime security in some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. Bahrain-based Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) co-chaired the SHADE conference with the European Union Naval Force (NAVFOR) Somalia-Operation Atalanta. Among the more than 100 delegates at the conference were representatives of Oman and India, which deploy naval forces independently of CMF and NAVFOR, and the Maritime Trade Industry. In his opening address, U.S. Navy Vice Adm. James Malloy, the CMF commander, thanked the audience…
UNIPATH STAFF Lebanon’s military leadership has worked diligently to develop a long-term plan for the improvement of military performance, recruitment and armament to meet major security challenges. Lebanon’s region has experienced nonconventional and asymmetrical warfare. To fulfill its obligations under United Nations Security Council resolutions, the government of Lebanon continues to combat terrorism and maintain national security, but this sometimes clashes with the need for improvements in the military. The Lebanese Military Improvement Plan is expected to coordinate efforts with friendly countries willing to contribute support to the Lebanese Armed Forces. The international aid received by the Lebanese military is…
UNIPATH STAFF The Pakistan Navy assumed control of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 in April 2019, dispatching a warship to several Arabian Gulf ports as a sign of its commitment to international security. Pakistan Navy Ship Shamsheer made ports of calls in Bahrain and Oman as part of its deployment to the Northern Arabian Sea and the Arabian Gulf. Pakistan contributes naval forces to CTF 150 and Regional Maritime Security Patrols, which complement each other in protecting international shipping from criminals and terrorists. Shamsheer first called at Port Mina Salman in Bahrain, where its senior officers attended a change of…
UNIPATH STAFF Thirteen would-be terrorists were arrested after a heavily armed attack on a Saudi Interior Ministry building north of Riyadh in April 2019. Four terrorists affiliated with Daesh attacked the government building in Zulfi wearing explosive belts armed with grenades and shrapnel-like screws. The attackers were killed, and three police officers were wounded. An investigation discovered that a home rented by one of the attackers contained five explosive belts, 64 locally manufactured hand grenades, two Kalashnikovs, six guns, four bags of organic fertilizer, detonators and pipe bombs, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The Presidency of State Security said it…
UNIPATH STAFF A Qatari force arrived at King Abdulaziz Air Base in Saudi Arabia in February 2019 to participate in the 10th Peninsula Shield joint military exercise, suggesting the beginnings of a thaw in relations between the two countries. Peninsula Shield, the Middle East’s largest defensive exercise in terms of the number of countries and amount of weaponry involved, is designed to showcase the militaries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The commander of the Qatari force, Brig. Gen. Khamis Mohammed Dablan, said that the exercise strengthens cooperation among GCC countries and improves military interoperability. Peninsula Shield ran from…