Category: Defense

On Thursday, Israel launched an air strike on Damascus, the capital of Syria. They aimed at a building that they said was a command center for the Palestinian group called Islamic Jihad. This group is known for carrying out attacks against Israel.

The Israeli military shared a short video that showed an explosion at the building, followed by a lot of smoke. They claimed this command center was important for planning these attacks.

Two Syrian security sources mentioned that the target was a Palestinian individual, but it was not clear if anyone was hurt in the strike. Syria’s state news agency reported that the building was located near the outskirts of Damascus.

On Tuesday, China, Iran, and Russia held joint naval drills in the Middle East. This show of strength comes at a time when people are worried about Iran’s growing nuclear program and the threats from Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are planning to attack ships. The drills, called the Maritime Security Belt 2025, took place in the Gulf of Oman, close to the important Strait of Hormuz where a lot of the world’s oil passes through.

This event was the fifth time these three countries worked together in such drills. Just before the drills, the British military warned about GPS problems in the strait, which may have been caused by interference designed to help avoid targeting by drones and missiles. There have been similar reports of GPS issues in the area before, usually when tensions are high.

Russia sent several naval ships, including the corvettes Rezky and Aldar Tsydenzhapov, and China sent the guided-missile destroyer Baotou and the supply ship Gaoyouhu. These countries do not usually patrol the Middle East waters, which are mainly managed by the US Navy. Other countries like Azerbaijan, Iraq, and Qatar also watched the drills, likely noting the U.S. presence too.

China is still buying oil from Iran, even though it’s facing Western sanctions, while Russia relies on Iran for drones in its war with Ukraine. The joint drills are significant for Iran as they show strength after an Israeli attack on its military sites. Iran is increasing its stockpile of uranium at levels close to weapons-grade, even though it says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Both the U.S. and Israel have warned Iran against developing a bomb.

Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi rebels are threatening to attack ships in nearby waters again, citing aid issues in Gaza. They have previously attacked over 100 ships and warned that actual attacks could resume soon if their demands are not met.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai announced a new plan to make India safer and improve law enforcement. In a recent speech to the Lok Sabha, he explained that the government wants to strengthen security measures and ensure safety for everyone.

Some key points from his speech include:

– Terrorism and Peace: The government aims to make Jammu and Kashmir free from terrorism by breaking up terror groups and bringing insurgent groups into talks for peace.

– Fighting Crime: There’s a focus on eliminating Left-Wing Extremism in various areas. The government plans to set up mobile forensic labs in every district to strengthen criminal investigations.

– Modernized Justice System: The government wants to update criminal laws to create a better justice system. This includes making police, courts, forensics, prisons, and prosecutions work together using technology for faster crime prevention and justice.

– Better Resources for Police: New tools and technologies will be provided to police forces to improve their work and living conditions, including better housing and healthcare.

– Cybersecurity Improvements: The plan includes boosting the country’s cybercrime fighting abilities through centers and systems that will help combat online threats.

– Border Security: To keep our borders safe, the government will use modern technology like drones and surveillance systems.

Additionally, the government has approved around Rs 4846 crore to help state police forces modernize over five years, from 2021 to 2026. This initiative aims to provide police forces with the tools and infrastructure they need to keep communities safe.

On Tuesday, European Union president Ursula von der Leyen urged EU countries to spend more on their defence. She warned that with Russia being more aggressive and support from the United States declining, Europe needs to take charge of its own security.

In a speech to EU lawmakers in Strasbourg, von der Leyen declared that the era of depending on America for complete protection is over. She demanded immediate action, saying, “We need a surge in European defence. And we need it now.”

Recently, EU leaders agreed on a plan to raise around 800 billion euros (about 860 billion dollars) to boost defence spending. The plan includes providing loans up to 150 billion euros and changing rules to let countries spend more on defence items.

Von der Leyen emphasized that these loans should be used to strengthen Europe’s defence industry. “These loans should finance purchases from European producers,” she mentioned.

The rising tensions with Russia, particularly due to the ongoing Ukraine conflict, add to the urgency. Because the US’s role in NATO is uncertain, European governments feel pressure to enhance their military capabilities.

In her speech, von der Leyen said, “Russian President Vladimir Putin cannot be trusted but only deterred.” She added that Russia spends more on its military than all of Europe combined.

“This is the time to build a European Defence Union that ensures peace through unity and strength,” she stated confidently.

Additionally, the commission is looking into allowing member states to use funds originally meant for less wealthy countries to support their defence efforts. A summit in Brussels next week will continue these discussions, with plans for a white paper that outlines more ways to boost EU defence financing.

In the EU parliament debate, many lawmakers supported the idea of borrowing together for more defence funding, a move previously avoided by countries like Germany.

A Russian missile hit a hotel in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, late on Wednesday. This attack resulted in the deaths of four people and left 32 others injured. Rescuers continued to search for anyone trapped under the rubble on Thursday morning. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared that a group of volunteers from Ukraine, the U.S., and Britain were staying in the hotel just before the attack but managed to find shelter quickly and escape unharmed. Kryvyi Rih is President Zelenskyy’s hometown and has been targeted many times since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine three years ago.

Sadly, four lives were lost in this latest attack, as stated by the President on Telegram. He emphasized the need to keep pushing Russia to stop the war and the terror it brings to innocent lives. Ukraine’s Emergency Services reported that 19 people were rescued from the hotel’s wreckage. They shared photos showing teams working hard to clear the debris from the five-story building. The regional governor also posted pictures, showing the hotel’s top floor destroyed while the structure itself was severely damaged. Among the injured were two children.

In a separate incident, Ukraine’s military reported that Russian forces launched a total of two ballistic missiles and 112 drones at various locations in Ukraine overnight. In the northeastern city of Sumy, Russian drones targeted a postal depot, causing a massive fire that claimed one life and destroyed the facility with over 2,500 parcels inside. Images from Nova Poshta, the owner of the depot, displayed the remnants of the warehouse filled with rubble and burnt packages. Other drones also attacked energy systems in Odesa, injuring two people. DTEK, Ukraine’s biggest private energy company, mentioned this attack was the fifth time their facilities had been hit in just two weeks. Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal noted that about 10,000 homes in Odesa were without power as efforts were ongoing to restore services. Throughout the war, Russia has regularly targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing frequent blackouts across the country.

Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump had a big argument with Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in the White House. This fight got a lot of attention and criticism from around the world. Because of this disagreement, Trump decided to stop sharing important information, known as intelligence, with Ukraine. This action seems to be a way to pressure Zelenskyy into agreeing to peace talks.

Since World War II, many countries have formed and ended alliances, but one particular agreement called the “Five Eyes” has lasted a long time. This alliance includes the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It started when British and American teams worked together during the war to decode messages. In 1946, these two countries signed an agreement to share information, later involving the other three countries as well.

The “Five Eyes” alliance helps these nations share crucial information about security, law enforcement, and global threats. Members trust each other deeply and generally share all information. However, they can choose to keep some things secret if they think it’s necessary.

Recently, there were rumors that some U.S. officials, especially Peter Navarro, a close advisor to Trump, want to kick Canada out of the Five Eyes alliance. Navarro has expressed concerns about Canada’s role, and discussions about this are reportedly getting more serious in the Trump administration.

Peshawar, a city in northwestern Pakistan, held funeral prayers and a day of mourning on Wednesday after a terrible twin suicide bombing at a military base the night before. This attack killed 18 people, including five soldiers, and injured 42 others, many of whom are in critical condition. The group responsible is linked to the Pakistani Taliban and is called Jaish Al-Fursan.

The attack happened when two suicide bombers exploded their cars at the base’s walls. Many local residents were breaking their fast for Ramadan or praying in a nearby mosque when the blasts happened. The explosions not only tore off roofs but also heavily damaged the mosque.

After the explosions, other attackers entered the military area and started shooting at soldiers. The military reported that in total, five soldiers and 16 militants lost their lives. Security forces were still searching the area early Wednesday for any remaining attackers.

At the bombing site, workers were clearing away rubble where homes used to be, and prayer mats were found on the floor of the damaged mosque. A community elder named Alam Khan said a day of mourning was taking place, and group funeral prayers were held in a sports complex. Schools and most shops were closed that day. Rescue workers finished their efforts by recovering the bodies of three worshippers who were trapped when the mosque roof fell.

Bannu is in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan, where many armed groups operate. This isn’t the first time Bannu has been attacked; last November, a suicide car bomb killed 12 troops, and in July, another suicide bomber targeted the military facility.

On the same day, a bomb exploded in Nal, a town in southwestern Balochistan, killing three people and injuring five. Authorities suspect the attack was done by people fighting for Balochistan’s independence.

Additionally, in Peshawar, a drive-by shooting killed an intelligence officer named Shahid Anwar while he was heading to work. The attacker escaped on a motorcycle.

For many years, Russian soldiers at the Hmeimim Air Base in Syria could move freely in coastal cities. Their planes flew out to bomb groups fighting against Bashar al-Assad’s harsh government. But now, things have changed. Assad is gone, and the area is now controlled by a group called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which used to be one of the enemy groups. These former rebels now guard the entrances to the Hmeimim Air Base and another naval base in Tartous, 60 km away.

The new leader of Syria, Ahmed Sharaa, wants to change the deals that Assad made with Russia. He is hoping for better terms for the naval base in Tartous and the Hmeimim Air Base, which are very important for Russia. Even with tensions between them, it seems like both sides want to keep working together. Russia is involved in Syria’s economy and military affairs, having been there for decades, especially since the civil war started in 2015.

Assad left Syria in December, going to Russia for safety. Now, the HTS group, which used to face Russian airstrikes, is meeting with Russian officials to negotiate terms for the bases. They discussed issues like Syria’s debt to Russia and the return of money that could be in Russia. While the U.S. and Europe have eased some sanctions on Syria, doing business remains tough due to ongoing restrictions.

Sharaa, during a meeting with a Russian envoy, asked for the cancellation of loans from Russia and brought up the idea of bringing Assad back, but this was not a major point in the talks. Russia is not planning to hand over Assad, and in previous meetings, they denied that any Syrian money taken by Assad exists. A senior Russian source mentioned that Russia sees the importance of having a friendly government in Syria.

Sharaa stated that the new relationship between Syria and Russia should fix past mistakes and asked for compensation for the damage caused by Russia during the war. The discussions were smooth, and a recent call between Sharaa and Russian President Vladimir Putin was described as positive.

The rebuilding of Syria is expected to cost around $400 billion. Russia may not accept blame for the destruction but might offer humanitarian aid instead. The article highlights how the impacts of the war are visible everywhere in Syria, with many areas in ruins and shops struggling to survive. Russian soldiers used to frequent local shops, but now they only travel in convoys and do not linger in the area.

The United Kingdom has promised to give Ukraine a big loan of £2.26 billion (that’s about $2.84 billion). This money will help Ukraine make its own weapons and strengthen its defense. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that it is only fair for Russia, which started the war, to help pay for it using money that is frozen from Russian funds.

The loan was officially agreed during a video call between UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Ukraine’s Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also met with Zelenskyy in London to show that the UK fully supports Ukraine during this tough time.

More Weapons for Ukraine

Much of the loan will be used to increase weapons production in Ukraine. This is part of a plan to produce more arms locally, so Ukraine is not as dependent on other countries for military supplies. UK Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized that this money is important for Ukraine to keep fighting against Russian forces.

Support from Friends

During their meeting, Starmer reassured Zelenskyy that the UK will stand by Ukraine for as long as needed. Zelenskyy, greeted by cheering crowds in London, thanked the British people for their help. He said, “We are very happy in Ukraine to have such friends.”

Tensions with the US

This loan announcement comes at a time when relations between Ukraine and the United States are rocky. Recently, Zelenskyy had a tough conversation with US President Donald Trump. Trump wanted Ukraine to start peace talks with Russia, which upset the meeting. Because of these tensions, European leaders like Canada’s Justin Trudeau and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni are stressing that Europe needs to take charge of its own security instead of depending on the US.

Coming Together for Ukraine

The loan was also announced just before a big meeting in London. Leaders from Europe and Canada will discuss how to support Ukraine and make European security stronger. With questions about how reliable US support will be, European nations are looking for ways to help Ukraine on their own.

Meeting with King Charles

Zelenskyy will also meet King Charles at his estate, showing how committed the UK is to Ukraine. The King has praised Ukraine’s bravery against Russia’s attack.

A Warm Welcome in London

Zelenskyy’s visit to London was met with great enthusiasm. As he arrived at Downing Street, crowds cheered for him, showing their support. Starmer told him, “The people of the UK are cheering for you.” Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude, saying, “We are very happy in Ukraine to have such friends.”

As Ukraine continues to fight, the UK’s financial and political support sends a strong message of solidarity. The next few days will be important for European unity as they adjust to changing US foreign policy.

India is stepping up its defense manufacturing skills, focusing on building its own defense systems instead of buying from other countries. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is making this clear. Air Chief Marshal A P Singh recently said that even if home-made systems might not be the best in the world, they are still better for India. He stated that if a local system can perform at 85% or 90% of what is available globally, then the IAF will choose it. This is important for India to stop relying on foreign imports.

Creating these systems is not something that can happen overnight; it takes time and support. Singh said, “The Indian Air Force is fully committed to any research and development project to help in this area.”

Boosting Aircraft Production: India needs to produce more military aircraft because many are getting old. Singh stressed that producing at least 35-40 new airplanes each year is necessary. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) plans to build 24 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A jets yearly. Additionally, if private companies help, the total output could reach around 30-40 aircraft per year.

Prepared for Long Wars: To handle a long fight, India needs good stockpiles and the ability to quickly make supplies. Singh mentioned that India must depend on a strong local industry to provide the necessary weapons during extended conflicts.

Deepening Ties with France: India is also working on strengthening military ties with France. General Upendra Dwivedi, the Army Chief, recently spoke at a French military college. He discussed new security challenges and the need for countries to work together for peace and safety.

Honoring India’s Military History: Earlier, General Dwivedi paid tribute to Indian soldiers who fought in World War I by laying a wreath at the Indian War Memorial in France. This act serves as a reminder of India’s contributions to global peace.

Adopting Modern Warfare Technologies: The IAF is keeping up with technology in modern fighting, using automation and artificial intelligence (AI). Singh pointed out that many systems are being automated, making work faster and more efficient.

General Dwivedi also saw live military demonstrations in France, showcasing new vehicles and technologies. His visit highlighted India’s growing military collaborations and commitment to making its defense industry self-reliant.

India is steadily moving towards achieving self-reliance in defense while enhancing its role on the global stage.