A courageous Iraqi Army unit saves an orphaned 4-year-old girl when Daesh massacred her family in Mosul UNIPATH STAFF The battle for Mosul was raging when the leading edge of the 36th Mechanized Brigade, Iraqi 9th Armored Division, came up against Daesh snipers lodged in a multistoried hospital in the Zanjili district. The hospital commanded views of the city’s roads, allowing the terrorists to impede Iraqi troops and target escaping civilians. The Soldiers spotted 150 to 200 civilians — mostly women and children — scurrying across the alleys to reach the safety of their lines. Iraqi commanders quickly issued orders:…
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A letter captured from a Daesh insider proves how it veered from the path of the Prophet Two things cannot be doubted. The first is that the “caliphate,” with all its structures and agencies, has been wiped from the face of the Earth. The second is that the “state” had men who believed in it to the death. However, we did not know that among the believers in the “state” were outraged men who hated not only Daesh but also its “caliph,” its Delegated Committee, its Islamic jurists, and its religious police “hisbah.” In a message written by Abu Mohamed…
Global leaders meet to share best practices against cyber attacks UNIPATH STAFF Sometimes the most exhaustive of cyber defenses fail to account for the simplest of cyber attacks. A good example of this lapse in security is spear phishing. Disguised as everyday emails, this type of cyber attack tricks users into giving up sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card information. Viruses, spyware and other malware are spread in emails with attachments, or — if a system routinely blocks attachments — bad actors will include links in emails to entice users to visit malicious websites. To foil these…
Central Asian states are building economic, political and security ties with Afghanistan SALTANAT BERDIKEEVA “Central Asian countries clearly feel the influence of Afghanistan. Instability and escalating tensions there affect the overall climate in Central Asia,” Erzhan Ashikbaev, Kazakhstan’s vice minister of foreign affairs, said at a news conference in Astana in January 2018. His words reflect a general sense of concern in the region and a renewed engagement with Afghanistan. International terrorism, religious extremism, cross-border organized crime, narcotics trafficking and environmental devastation are some of the shared concerns of all five Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan).…
Oman’s security and prosperity depend on the smooth flow of commerce through the Indian Ocean COMMODORE KHAMIS BIN SALIM AL JABRi, ROYAL NAVY OF OMAN Oman has a long historical relationship with the sea. Its 3,165-kilometer coastline, noncontiguous territory and strong trading relationships across the Indian Ocean mean that maritime security has been paramount for the nation. The Indian Ocean has always been less a barrier than an opportunity. Oman boasted a strong Navy as early as the year 807, and by the year 1000 Omani merchant ships had reached China and beyond. By virtue of its strategic location, Oman…
Population growth in the Middle East and Central and South Asia can be a source of prosperity instead of instability UNIPATH STAFF | Photos by Reuters It’s no coincidence that the regions suffering the most violence and political instability over the past 10 years — Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan and Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas — have enormous numbers of young people struggling to stay in school and find jobs. Demographers from organizations such as the World Bank call it a “youth bulge” — higher birth rates and reduced infant mortality creating a large cohort of citizens under the age of…
A military-supported greenhouse project will supply millions of tons of vegetables to ease potential food shortages EGYPTIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE/MORALE AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT Egypt has launched a nationwide strategic plan to improve food security, starting construction on 100,000 acres of greenhouses that will save water and optimize land usage in the mostly arid country. Egypt’s military is not only playing a role in building the greenhouses, but is also contributing 4,900 acres for the project near Mohamed Naguib Military Base, where 1,300 climate-controlled greenhouses will grow vegetables and other crops strategically important for Egypt. Ceremonies to launch the project occurred in…
The Jordanian Gendarmerie Forces play a vital role in the kingdom’s counterterrorism operations UNIPATH STAFF | Photos by JORDANIAN GENDARMERIE DIRECTORATE There is no doubt that the regional security apparatus is preoccupied by the security challenges presented by terrorist activities and plots to undermine stability and civil tranquility. After the Iraqi city of Mosul fell into the clutches of Daesh terrorist thugs, security forces began to change their classic counterterrorism tactics, training instead for combat in densely populated areas and preparing for unconventional operations against groups using civilians as human shields, setting off bombs inside families’ homes and taking hostages.…
An interview with Qatari Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ghanim bin Shaheen al-Ghanim UNIPATH STAFF Unipath: Qatar is an important model of stability and security in the region. What strategies or policies have led to its success? Gen. Ghanim: Stability and security are a top priority of the state of Qatar, especially in light of increased challenges and conflicts in the region and the spread of terrorism in all forms. To achieve our priorities, the political leadership has sought to empower and strengthen the capabilities of military and security institutions, and develop comprehensive and integrated strategic plans based on developing the…
When His Highness Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar visited Washington, D.C., in April 2018, he came with a clear message: “Qatar is ready to play a pivotal and long-term role in maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East.” This role depends on Armed Forces that are keen to protect their homeland and its achievements, along with a defensive military strategy that maintains security and stability. To build powerful Armed Forces, the emir relies on experienced Soldiers with strong determination, patience, steadfastness and pride. Qataris called these knights raei al-samlah, a local term that means “man…