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Kuwait bestows its highest honour ‘The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer’ to PM Modi

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The honour has been previously awarded to foreign leaders like Bill Clinton, Prince Charles and George Bush besides other dignitaries like Queen Elizabeth and Prince Muhammad bin Salman

Published Date – 22 December 2024, 04:54 PM


Kuwait bestows its highest honour ‘The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer’ to PM Modi


Kuwait City: Kuwait on Sunday bestowed its highest honour ‘The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer’ to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in appreciation of his distinguished achievements and the efforts made to strengthen the relations between the two countries.

This is the 20th international honour given to PM Modi by a country.

‘The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer’ is a knighthood order of Kuwait and is named after the seventh ruler of Kuwait, Mubarak bin Sabah Al-Sabah, who assumed power in 1896 and took Kuwait to new heights during his reign.

The Order is awarded to Heads of State and foreign Sovereigns and to members of foreign royal families in sign of friendship.

It has been previously awarded to foreign leaders like Bill Clinton, Prince Charles and George Bush besides other dignitaries like Queen Elizabeth and Prince Muhammad bin Salman.

Last month, Prime Minister Modi was conferred with Guyana’s highest civilian honour, ‘The Order of Excellence’, by the country’s President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, for his visionary statesmanship, championing the rights of developing countries on the global stage, exceptional service to the global community and for his commitment to strengthening India-Guyana relations.

During the India-CARICOM Summit in Guyana, Dominica too had conferred its highest national honour, the ‘Dominica Award of Honour,’ on PM Modi in acknowledgement of his pivotal support during the Covid-19 pandemic and his commitment to fostering India-Dominica relations.

Nigeria also conferred the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on Prime Minister Modi during his first official visit to the country in November.

The Indian PM was the first foreign leader to be conferred with the award since 1969 when Queen Elizabeth received Nigeria’s highest national honour.

‘The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer’ takes the number of civilian honours received by PM Modi to a record 20, highlighting his leadership and India’s growing stature on the global stage.

Analysts reckon that it is also a reflection of India’s strengthened diplomatic relationships and the country’s expanding influence.

Before Kuwait, Guyana, Dominica and Nigeria, PM Modi had been conferred highest civilian honours in Saudi Arabia (King Abdulaziz Sash, 2016), Afghanistan (State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan, 2016), Palestine (Grand Collar of the State of Palestine Award, 2018), UAE (Order of Zayed Award, 2019), Russia (Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, 2019 – received by PM Modi in July 2024), Maldives (Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin, 2019), Bahrain (King Hamad Order of the Renaissance, 2019), US (Legion of Merit by the US Armed Forces in 2020), Bhutan (Order of the Druk Gyalpo, 2021) Papua New Guinea (Ebakl Award, 2023), Fiji (Companion of the Order of Fiji, 2023), Papua New Guinea (Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu, 2023), Egypt (Order of Nile, 2023), France (Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, 2023), Greece (Grand Cross of the Order of Honour, 2023).

In addition to these highest civilian honours, PM Modi has received several prestigious awards from renowned global organisations.

In 2018, he was awarded the Seoul Peace Prize by the Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation, in recognition of his contributions to global harmony and world peace.

In the same year, the United Nations honoured PM Modi with its highest environmental accolade, the Champions of The Earth Award, for his bold environmental leadership.

In 2019, PM Modi received the first-ever Philip Kotler Presidential Award, which is annually awarded to leaders who demonstrate outstanding national leadership.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awarded PM Modi the Global Goalkeeper Award in 2019, in recognition of his efforts to transform India’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan into a mass movement for cleanliness.

In 2021, PM Modi received the Global Energy and Environment Leadership Award from Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA), in recognition of his leadership on global energy and environmental sustainability.

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Iran warns against US-Israeli plot to weaken Muslims, dominate region

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The combo photo shows Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (R) and Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Jamal Ahmed Ali Amer. (Photo by Iran’s Foreign Ministry)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that the United States and Israeli regime are conspiring to undermine Muslim countries and dominate the region. 

In a phone conversation with Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Jamal Ahmed Ali Amer on Sunday, Araghchi condemned joint attacks by the US, Britain and the Israeli regime on Yemen.

He added that the US is blatantly violating the principles and rules of international law on behalf of the Zionist regime and within the framework of a joint plan to destroy and weaken Muslim countries and dominate the region.

The top Iranian diplomat hailed the Yemeni people’s resistance in the face of the Israeli regime and their support for the oppressed people of Palestine.

Araghchi emphasized that the Israeli regime has failed to achieve its malicious goals, despite carrying out numerous acts of crime and aggression with full support from the US and some Western countries.

Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine’s struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, after the territory’s resistance movements carried out Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity.

The Yemeni Ansarullah resistance movement maintains that it targets ships linked to Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom to force an end to the Tel Aviv regime’s genocidal war on Gaza.

The Yemeni armed forces have said they will not stop their attacks until Israel’s ground and aerial offensives in Gaza end.

The Gaza Health Ministry said on Sunday that at least 45,259 people have been killed and 107,627 injured during more than 14 months of the Israeli regime’s genocidal war.

The Yemeni foreign minister, for his part, expressed appreciation for Iran’s support for the Yemeni government and nation in the face of the enemies’ acts of aggression.

He said the US and Israel are striving to dominate the region, urging Muslim countries and nations to utilize their enormous capacities to prevent them from achieving their goals.

 

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After Gaetz’s withdrawal, Trump picks Pam Bondi as next US Attorney General

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As Florida’s first woman Attorney General, Pam Bondi worked to stop trafficking of deadly drugs, reducing tragedy of Fentanyl overdose deaths, says President-elect

Updated On – 22 November 2024, 09:49 AM


After Gaetz’s withdrawal, Trump picks Pam Bondi as next US Attorney General

Pam Bondi, former Florida Attorney General. Photo: AP/File

Washington: Hours after his initial pick Matt Gaetz withdrew his name for Attorney General amid controversy over alleged sexual misconduct, President-elect Donald Trump selected former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as his nominee for the post.

Former Congressman Gaetz on Thursday announced his decision to withdraw from the nomination process for the post.

“I am proud to announce former Attorney General of the Great State of Florida, Pam Bondi, as our next Attorney General of the United States,” Trump said in a statement.

He noted that Bondi served as a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, during which she was “very tough on violent criminals, and made the streets safe for Florida families”.

“Then, as Florida’s first female Attorney General, she worked to stop the trafficking of deadly drugs and reduce the tragedy of Fentanyl overdose deaths, which have destroyed many families across our country,” he said.

Trump praised Bondi for doing an “incredible” job. He alleged that the Department of Justice (DOJ) had been weaponised against him and other Republicans. “Not anymore,” said the President-elect.

“Pam will refocus the DOJ on its intended purpose of fighting crime and Making America Safe Again. I have known Pam for many years — She is smart and tough, and is an AMERICA FIRST Fighter, who will do a terrific job as Attorney General!” Trump said.

Earlier in the day, Gaetz withdrew himself from the nomination after facing backlash from both the opposition and his own Republican Party Senators. He made the surprising announcement a day after he met with Senators on Capitol Hill.

“I had excellent meetings with Senators. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback — and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” he said.

“There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1,” Gaetz wrote in a post on social media.

Gaetz said he remains fully committed to seeing that Trump is the most successful President in history. “I will forever be honoured that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I’m certain he will Save America,” he said.

Trump accepted Gaetz’s decision to withdraw. “I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect,” he said.

“Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!” Trump added.

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ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, Hamas leader Deif

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In a statement, the ICC’s pre-trial chamber accused Netanyahu and Gallant of committing “crimes against humanity and war crimes” between at least October 8, 2023, and May 20, 2024

Published Date – 22 November 2024, 10:43 AM


ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, Hamas leader Deif

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif

The Hague: The International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif.

In a statement, the ICC’s pre-trial chamber accused Netanyahu and Gallant of committing “crimes against humanity and war crimes” between at least October 8, 2023, and May 20, 2024, the date when the prosecution submitted the arrest warrant applications, Xinhua news agency reported.

The ICC said that there are “reasonable grounds” to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant “each bear criminal responsibility as co-perpetrators” for committing war crimes of starvation as a method of warfare, and crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.

The court’s statement outlined a series of alleged war crimes, including “intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population,” and depriving the “civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity”.

The ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Mohammed Deif, the commander of Hamas’ military wing, accusing him of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the territories of Israel and Palestine from at least October 7, 2023.

Although Deif has reportedly been killed by Israeli forces, the ICC noted that it cannot conclusively confirm his death.

Prosecutor Karim Khan informed the court that available information from Israeli and Palestinian sources about his death remains inconclusive, leaving the arrest warrant active.

In May, Khan initially requested arrest warrants for five individuals: Netanyahu, Gallant, Deif, and senior Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar. However, after confirmed reports of Haniyeh and Sinwar’s deaths, the court withdrew those applications.

Israel has said it killed Mohammed Deif, in an airstrike in July but Hamas has neither confirmed nor denied this. The prosecution indicated it would continue to gather information concerning his reported death.

Israel has rejected the jurisdiction of the Hague-based court and denies war crimes in Gaza.

The US, Israel’s main diplomatic supporter, is also not a member of the ICC. It said it “fundamentally rejects” the move.

“We remain deeply concerned by the prosecutor’s rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision,” a White House National Security Council spokesperson said, adding that the US is discussing next steps with its partners.

Global powers Russia, China, and India have also not signed onto the ICC, the world’s permanent war crimes court, which is backed by all of the European Union, Australia, Canada, Britain, Brazil, Japan, and dozens of African and Latin American countries.

ICC prosecutor Khan had announced on May 20 that he was seeking arrest warrants for alleged crimes connected to the Hamas-led attacks on Israel and the Israeli military response in Gaza. Israeli and Hamas leaders have dismissed allegations that they committed war crimes.

The court does not have its own police force to carry out arrests and relies on its 124 member states for that, with only limited diplomatic means to force them if they do not want to.

Khan called on signatories of the court’s founding treaty “to live up to their commitment to the Rome Statute by respecting and complying with these judicial orders”.

In a statement, he said, “We count on their cooperation in this situation, as with all other situations… We also welcome collaboration with non-state parties in working towards accountability and upholding international law.”

Netanyahu’s office said the ICC decision was “anti-Semitic” and he would “not yield to pressure, will not be deterred” until Israel’s war objectives are met.

The ICC has “lost all legitimacy” after issuing the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said.

“A dark moment for the International Criminal Court,” Saar said on X, adding that it had issued “absurd orders without authority”.

There was no immediate comment from Gallant.

In a statement, Hamas welcomed the warrants against Gallant and Netanyahu and urged the court to expand accountability to all Israeli leaders.

The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said the decision was not political but made by a court and thus should be respected and implemented.

“The tragedy in Gaza has to stop,” he added.

Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi also said the ICC’s decision must be implemented, adding that Palestinians deserved justice after what he termed Israel’s “war crimes” in Gaza.

The Netherlands’ Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said his country acts on arrest warrants for people on its territory and will not engage in “non-essential” contacts.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President-elect Donald Trump, said: “The court is a dangerous joke. It is now time for the US Senate to act and sanction this irresponsible body.”

Israel’s 13-month campaign in Gaza has killed about 44,000 Palestinians and displaced nearly all the enclave’s population while creating a humanitarian crisis, Gaza officials said.

It launched the campaign in response to the October 2023, Hamas-led attack which killed 1,200 people in southern Israel, with more than 250 others taken hostage, Israel has said.

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Iran: US-Zionist plot in Syria aims to destabilize West Asia

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Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the resurgence of Takfiri terrorism in northern Syria is part of an American-Israeli project that aims to spread insecurity in the West Asia region. 

In a phone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday, Araghchi said the international community bears responsibility for combating the vicious scourge of terrorism.

He added that Iran, Russia and regional countries, particularly Syria’s neighboring states, must maintain vigilance and improve coordination to “thwart this dangerous plot and counter terrorists’ measures in Syria.”

The Russian foreign minister, for his part, briefed his Iranian counterpart on his assessment of the latest developments in Syria.

Lavrov called on all sides to take more coordinated steps to combat terrorism and urged close consultations between Tehran and Moscow.

The top Iranian and Russian diplomats reaffirmed their countries’ firm support for Syria’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as the Arab country’s government and army in their fight against terrorist groups.

Araghchi and Lavrov stressed the importance of pursuing the issue within the framework of the Astana talks and emphasized that Iran, Russia and Turkey are required to hold more coordination as the guarantors of the Astana peace process.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allied terrorist factions advanced into sections of Syria’s second-largest city of Aleppo on Friday, seizing areas including al-Hamdaniyah, al-Furqan, and al-Zahraa after two days of heavy clashes, according to local sources. However, Syrian forces quickly launched counter-operations to repel them.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based monitor, said Russian warplanes had launched raids on areas of Aleppo city for the first time since 2016 to stop terrorist advances.

Local media said on Saturday that the Syrian Army forces continue to repel attacks by foreign-backed terrorist groups in the country’s northwestern areas.

The Syrian military, backed by Russian air power, launched retaliatory strikes against terrorist positions on the outskirts of Aleppo and the eastern countryside of Idlib.

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No evidence linking PM Modi, EAM Jaishankar to criminal activity in Canada

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The statement emphasised that no evidence supports such claims and sought to dispel speculation surrounding the matter. The clarification came from Nathalie G. Drouin, Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Canadian Prime Minister

Published Date – 22 November 2024, 11:26 AM


No evidence linking PM Modi, EAM Jaishankar to criminal activity in Canada


New Delhi: The Canadian government on Friday clarified formally the allegations linking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to criminal activities in Canada.

The statement emphasised that no evidence supports such claims and sought to dispel speculation surrounding the matter. The clarification came from Nathalie G. Drouin, Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council and National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Canadian Prime Minister.

“On October 14, because of a significant and ongoing threat to public safety, the RCMP and officials took the extraordinary step of making public accusations of serious criminal activity in Canada perpetrated by agents of the Government of India. The Government of Canada has not stated, nor is it aware of evidence, linking Prime Minister Modi, Minister Jaishankar, or NSA Doval to the serious criminal activity within Canada. Any suggestion to the contrary is both speculative and inaccurate,” the statement read.

This statement comes after heightened diplomatic tensions between India and Canada.

Earlier in October, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of conducting covert operations on Canadian soil, which he claimed posed significant risks to public safety.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), according to Trudeau, had gathered credible evidence implicating Indian agents in activities ranging from surveillance and coercion to involvement in serious crimes. Trudeau called these actions a violation of Canada’s sovereignty and demanded they cease immediately.

India, however, has consistently denied these allegations, describing the accusations as “absurd and baseless,” dismissing them as part of a deliberate strategy by Canada to discredit India. Recently, Ottawa’s proceedings before the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security on October 29, 2024, drew sharp criticism from New Delhi.

During the session, Canadian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Morrison reportedly made remarks implicating India’s Union Home Minister Amit Shah in targeting pro-Khalistan activists in Canada.

India responded with a strong diplomatic protest. At a media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “We had summoned the representative of the Canadian High Commission yesterday. A diplomatic note was handed over in reference to the proceedings of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in Ottawa on October 29, 2024. It was conveyed in the note that the Government of India protests in the strongest terms to the absurd and baseless references made to the Union Home Minister of India before the Committee by Deputy Minister David Morrison.”

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Iran’s exports to Eurasia grow by 2.5 times in four years

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Under the administration of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s foreign policy has further prioritized strengthening relations with Eurasian countries to access global markets.

According to Mohammad-Ali Dehghan Dehnavi, head of Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO), Iran’s decision four years ago to enter into free trade with Eurasia has led to a significant reduction in tariffs. Since then, trade with member countries of the EAEU has risen by 2.5 times.

The free trade agreement between the EAEU and Iran was signed on December 25, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Russia. This agreement aims to reduce or eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers while supporting economic and trade interactions. Following the signing of the final document of the free trade agreement, 87% of the tariff codes for commercial goods between Iran and the EAEU will be reduced to zero.

The Eurasian Economic Union held its annual meeting on September 30 and October 1 in Yerevan, Armenia, with a high-level delegation from Iran representing both the public and private sectors. During the meeting, Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref emphasized that Iran is committed to expanding economic relations at both bilateral and multilateral levels with EAEU member states.

Figures from Iran’s Customs Administration show that exports to EAEU member countries saw 16% increase in the first five months of the current calendar year (March 20 to August 20). The volume of exports to these countries reached 2.2 million metric tons, a 35% growth compared to the same period in the previous year.

MNA/

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Indian national held in US for illegally supplying aviation goods to Russia

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The 57-year-old, identified as Sanjay Kaushik, was arrested in Miami on October 17 after he landed from India on an official travel

Published Date – 23 November 2024, 09:36 AM


Indian national held in US for illegally supplying aviation goods to Russia

Representational Image

Washington: A Indian national, identified as Sanjay Kaushik, was arrested in the US for allegedly procuring aerospace components on behalf of Russian entities in violation of export control laws.

The 57-year-old, Managing Partner of New Delhi-based air charter services provider Arezo Aviation, was arrested in Miami on October 17 after he landed from India on an official travel, the Department of Justice said in a press release.

According to the company’s website, Arezo Aviation is based out of Maharam Nagar in Delhi Cantt area and is an aviation services firm involved in air charters, air ambulances, and the distribution of aircraft spare parts, lubricants, and pilot supply for commercial, general, and corporate aviation.

Currently detained in an Oregon jail, Kaushik has not sought release. US Magistrate Judge Stacie F Beckerman on Friday ordered that he remain in custody, citing him as a flight risk.

If convicted, Kaushik faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million per count under the indictment. “Kaushik is part of an illicit procurement network unlawfully obtaining aviation goods and technology from the United States for entities in Russia,” federal prosecutors told the court.

They claimed that Kaushik worked in collaboration with his Austria-based associate Markus Kaltenegger and others to obtain US-origin aviation goods for end-users in Russia.

According to court filings, Kaushik exported aircraft parts, components, and technology, from the US to Russia and Russian end users without obtaining the required license or authorisation from the Department of Commerce for such exports and re-exports.

“Sanjay Kaushik is part of an illicit procurement network unlawfully obtaining export-controlled aviation goods and technology from the United States for entities in Russia, including sanctioned entities reportedly involved in providing aviation goods to the Russian government or military,” federal prosecutors alleged.

The evidence shows that Kaushik conspired with Kaltenegger and others to “facilitate the purchase, shipping, and negotiation of aviation goods from the US for re-export to Russian clients, splitting the profit from such illicit sales, in violation of the ECRA (Export Control Reform Act) and smuggling statutes,” they alleged.

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Iran condemns terrorist attack on its consulate in Syria

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Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei (File photo)

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has strongly condemned an attack by armed terrorist groups on the Islamic Republic’s consulate building in Syria’s northwestern city of Aleppo, stressing that Tehran will take legal action against the assault.

Baghaei made the remarks in a statement on Saturday, after Iran said that “terrorist elements” had attacked its consulate in Aleppo during an offensive in the area, following the resurgence of Takfiri terrorism in the Arab country. 

He further denounced as “unacceptable” any violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963), which prohibits such attacks against diplomatic premises and representatives.

The top Iranian diplomat further noted that all consulate staff members were safe and in good health.

The Takfiri terrorists led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched a large-scale attack in Aleppo and Idlib provinces in the northwest of Syria on Wednesday, seizing several areas, according to reports.

Since then, the Syrian government forces have been engaged in fierce clashes with the terrorists to regain ground.

Syria has been gripped by foreign-sponsored militancy since March 2011, with Damascus saying the Western states and their regional allies are aiding terrorist groups to wreak havoc in the Arab country.

Israel has been the principal supporter of terrorist groups that oppose the government of President Bashar al-Assad since the foreign-backed militancy erupted in Syria in March 2011.

The onslaught on Aleppo marking the resurgence of Takfiri terrorism came just after Israel submitted to a ceasefire in its war on Lebanon where Hezbollah put up fierce resistance to Israeli troops trying to occupy pockets of the country’s south. 

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