Al Mayadeen – December 6, 2024
By day 427 of Israeli genocide in Gaza: 44,612 killed, 105,834 injured
While some of the victims were transported to the few partially functioning hospitals in the Strip, most of them remain trapped beneath the rubble.
The Israeli occupation committed three massacres across the Gaza Strip in 24 hours, killing 32 Palestinians and injuring 95 others.
While some of the victims were transported to the few partially functioning hospitals in the Strip, most of them remain trapped beneath the rubble, with almost impossible means to get out, amid the continuous Israeli obstruction of rescue operations.
This brings the death toll to 44,612 Palestinians, in addition to 105,834 injuries since October 7, 2023.
The Israeli genocide continues
Israeli shelling killed dozens of civilians and wounded many others in various areas across the northern and southern Gaza Strip.
Israeli forces targeted a residential block near Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, resulting in the deaths of over 30 civilians and leaving many others injured, Wafa reported.
The explosion also caused extensive damage in the area.
In Jabalia, two civilians were killed in an Israeli bombardment of the Ra'afi school, where forcibly displaced people had sought refuge.
An Israeli airstrike also killed three people in the Khirbet al-Adas area, north of Rafah.
A significant number of people remain missing under the rubble in Beit Lahia, with bodies and injured individuals scattered in the streets, inaccessible due to ongoing blockades by Israeli forces. Ambulances and medical teams are being prevented from reaching the area, with forces targeting anyone attempting to approach.
Israeli forces also destroyed many residential buildings in Gaza City and Rafah, while heavy shelling took place in central Gaza City, particularly on the outskirts of Masdar village and the al-Maghazi and Bureij refugee camps.
Horrific scenes unfold at Kamal Adwan Hospital after Israeli invasion
Early this Friday morning, Israeli units stormed Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, forcibly evacuating medical staff and patients and detaining a large number of individuals present at the hospital, Al Mayadeen’s correspondent reported.
The abductees, including medical staff, were taken to an undisclosed destination.
The head of Kamal Adwan Hospital Hussam Abu Safiya released a statement detailing the atrocities unfolding inside the hospital and in its vicinity.
Describing the situation inside and around the hospital as “catastrophic”, Abu Safiya maintained that there were scores of casualties, including 4 martyrs from the hospital's medical staff.
“No surgeons are left,” he further warned, adding that "the only medical team that was performing operations was the Indonesian medical delegation, and they were the first to be forced to leave toward a checkpoint."
“Medical supplies are running out, and there are hundreds of victims,” he said, reflecting on the size of the tragedy.
Detailing the series of events, he said, “At first, there were a series of airstrikes on the northern and western sides of the hospital, accompanied by heavy and direct fire, which fortunately did not result in any injuries inside the hospital.”
“Then we were surprised by two people entering the hospital carrying a loudspeaker, ordering me to evacuate all patients, displaced persons, and medical to the hospital yard and forcibly take them out to the checkpoint," Abu Safiya continued.
He also said he was asked to secure one escort for each patient and displaced person to help with the evacuation, only to describe how in the morning, they woke up to hundreds of dead bodies and wounded individuals in the streets surrounding the hospital.
“The oxygen generators were targeted at night, and now there are only two inexperienced surgeons available to operate on patients,” Abu Safiya further detailed, adding that they were forced to start operations despite their lack of experience, as there were 20 wounded individuals who needed urgent care.
The medical chief called on human rights organizations and international institutions to take action now to save whatever can be saved as a result of the “repeated war crimes that have become a daily routine for the occupation.”
Al Mayadeen – December 6, 2024
Horrific scenes unfold at Kamal Adwan Hospital after Israeli invasion
Since the early days of the genocide, "Israel" has consistently targeted medical facilities in Gaza, a pattern documented by various international human rights organizations.
Early this Friday morning, Israeli units stormed Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, forcibly evacuating medical staff and patients and detaining a large number of individuals present at the hospital, Al Mayadeen’s correspondent reported.
The abductees, including medical staff, were taken to an undisclosed destination.
The head of Kamal Adwan Hospital Hussam Abu Safiya released a statement detailing the atrocities unfolding inside the hospital and in its vicinity.
Describing the situation inside and around the hospital as “catastrophic”, Abu Safiya maintained that there are scores of casualties, including 4 martyrs from the hospital's medical staff.
“No surgeons are left,” he further warned, adding that "the only medical team that was performing operations was the Indonesian medical delegation, and they were the first to be forced to leave toward a checkpoint."
“Medical supplies are running out, and there are hundreds of victims,” he said, reflecting on the size of the tragedy.
Detailing the series of events, he said, “At first, there were a series of airstrikes on the northern and western sides of the hospital, accompanied by heavy and direct fire, which fortunately did not result in any injuries inside the hospital.”
“Then we were surprised by two people entering the hospital carrying a loudspeaker, ordering me to evacuate all patients, displaced persons, and medical to the hospital yard and forcibly take them out to the checkpoint," Abu Safiya continued.
He also said he was asked to secure one escort for each patient and displaced person to help with the evacuation, only to describe how in the morning, they woke up to hundreds of dead bodies and wounded individuals in the streets surrounding the hospital.
“The oxygen generators were targeted at night, and now there are only two inexperienced surgeons available to operate on patients,” Abu Safiya further detailed, adding that they were forced to start operations despite their lack of experience, as there were 20 wounded individuals who needed urgent care.
The medical chief called on human rights organizations and international institutions to take action now to save whatever can be saved as a result of the “repeated war crimes that have become a daily routine for the occupation.”
Simultaneously, Israeli forces demolished a residential block near the hospital, resulting in the killing of at least 30 Palestinians and injuring dozens more. The explosion also caused extensive damage in the area.
No indication of a warning before bombing of Gaza hospital: WHO
The United Nations' health agency has no indication that a warning was issued before "Israel's" bombing early on Thursday of Gaza's Kamal Adwan Hospital, the World Health Organisation's regional representative said.
The fact that the attack on the hospital had occurred just a week after Israeli authorities had facilitated the entry of an Indonesian emergency medical team to the hospital was particularly concerning.
"Within one week, they feel forced, scared, whatever, to leave," WHO's Rik Peeperkorn told a UN Geneva briefing by video link. "That is extremely concerning and should never happen."
The hospital was currently "minimally functional", he added.
Hamas demands investigation
For its part, Hamas called on the World Health Organization to send an international committee to investigate the atrocities unfolding at Kamal Adwan Hospital and the entire health system in Gaza.
Commenting on the aggression on the hospital, Hamas called it an insistence by the Israeli occupation on the "campaign of ethnic cleansing and forced displacement, as well as the criminal destruction of all means of life in the northern Gaza Strip, especially hospitals."
For nearly two months, Kamal Adwan Hospital has been under a strict siege by invading Israeli units, which have blocked the entry of medical supplies, food, staff, and ambulances, effectively preventing the hospital from operating normally.
Hussam Abu Safiya has earlier confirmed that Israeli forces directly targeted the facility, resulting in casualties among both patients and staff. He emotionally expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, "Martyrs and wounded are still present in the vicinity of the hospital."
In addition to the brutal Israeli aggression on Kamal Adwan Hospital, Israeli forces forcibly expelled an Indonesian medical delegation that was providing assistance at the facility. After storming the hospital, the IOF ordered the delegation to leave, disrupting the vital medical support they were offering to patients amid the escalating Israeli carnage.
The Israeli genocide continues
In the northern Gaza Strip, Israeli forces also destroyed residential areas in eastern Jabalia, with reports of more martyrs and numerous individuals still missing due to the bombing of homes in Beit Lahia and Jabalia.
Concurrently, Israeli naval vessels targeted Gaza City’s coastline with gunfire. Israeli artillery shells hit the eastern parts of the Maghazi refugee camp and the village of al-Masdar in central Gaza.
Meanwhile, Gaza Civil Defense teams retrieved the bodies of three Palestinians who were killed by an Israeli airstrike in Khirbat al-Adas, northern Rafah.
This comes after the death toll from the Israeli war rose to 44,580 martyrs and 105,739 wounded, according to the latest figures released by the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023.
Countercurrent – December 6, 2024
Gaza: Israeli army burns displaced people alive in Mawasi Khan Yunis displacement tents
by Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor
Palestinian territory – The Israeli occupation army burned displaced people alive in Mawasi Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip after directly targeting their displacement tents, killing 22 Palestinians, half of whom were women and children. An additional 18 people suffered burn wounds during the attack.
At approximately 6:07 p.m. on Wednesday, Israeli aircraft and helicopters fired multiple missiles at the tents of displaced people in Mawasi Khan Yunis, an area Israel claims to be a safe humanitarian zone. The displaced people were burned alive in their ramshackle tents, resulting in the death of 22 Palestinians—including eight children and three women, one of whom was a mother and her two daughters from the Shurab family—while 18 others suffered burns and various other wounds.
Based on details collected by Euro-Med Monitor’s field team regarding the bombing operation, the Israeli army deliberately targeted civilians. The operation began with a request to evacuate part of the targeted area, during which an Israeli helicopter fired a missile at the displaced people as they were evacuating. The raids were subsequently repeated across a 700-meter area, directly striking the displaced people’s tents and setting them ablaze.
Later, the Israeli army declared that it had targeted a Hamas Movement leader who was actually a local Internal Security Service official. This suggests that Israel is still working to destroy the entire police and internal security apparatus to sow chaos and anarchy throughout the Gaza Strip.
The assassination of an internal security officer is a crime in and of itself, and it does not justify the use of excessive force or a lack of concern for civilian casualties.
In an area home to hundreds of thousands of displaced people, the Euro-Med field team reviewed harrowing accounts and evidence of children’s charred and dismembered remains being retrieved, reflecting an unprecedented level of Israeli brutality through the use of incendiary bombs and shells.
This was not an isolated incident; rather, it was a manifestation of Israel’s systematic genocide against all Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, targeting and killing them wherever they may be, including in the “humanitarian zone” that Israel maintains is safe.
Israel used direct destructive firepower there, burning and killing a large number of people who had been forcibly displaced from their homes throughout the Gaza Strip, and then pushed them to this area so Israel could bomb them nonstop.
On 10 September, after midnight, Israeli aircraft dropped three American-made MK-84 bombs on a group of sleeping displaced people in the Mawasi neighbourhood of Khan Yunis. The bombs created three craters several meters deep and wide, burying roughly twenty tents with the families inside. Since there were no evacuation warnings prior to the bombing, the Israeli army’s intent to kill as many civilians as possible is evidenced by the use of American bombs, which have a wide destructive effect in an area crowded with tents and displaced people, leading to an initial death toll of over 60, including the dead and wounded.
As part of the crime of genocide, Israeli planes carried out numerous raids on the tents of the displaced in the Al-Mawasi area, burning and killing scores of Palestinians while burying many more in the sand.
By stating that members of Palestinian factions are present in the region, Israel is attempting to justify its massacres, though these claims are typically unverified. According to field investigations, Israel deliberately carries out raids during Palestinian civilian gathering times, which are visible to surveillance cameras and footage recorded by its aircraft. This allows Israel to target individuals it claims are of interest in locations and situations that are far from civilians, or by using precise or at least proportionate weapons, yet it also intentionally kills civilians and causes the greatest number of casualties and injuries possible.
Israel is still required to uphold the principles of international law, including international humanitarian law, and to ensure that all of its rules pertaining to humanity, distinction, military necessity, proportionality, and appropriate precautions are applied. This is an unavoidable duty that Israel must uphold and guarantee throughout the preparation and execution of all its military operations, without exception, including the selection of techniques and weaponry designed to minimise civilian casualties and injuries.
Israel also has an obligation to refrain from military action if the number of civilian casualties and injuries exceeds the military benefit; otherwise, it would be committing a serious crime, which in the case of the Gaza Strip would be considered genocide.
Such massacres, which systematically target civilians in a purely and repeatedly cruel manner, are met with a shameful state of silence and disregard, effectively giving Israel the green light to continue these atrocities in a blatant attempt to kill and exterminate Palestinians on a large scale.
The United States is complicit in this crime because it provides the Israeli army with weapons and incendiary and destructive bombs, even though it knows these weapons are used to kill hundreds of civilians each time. The decision-makers responsible must be held accountable for their complicity in these crimes.
The Israeli killing strategy reveals a clear policy to exterminate Palestinian civilians throughout the Gaza Strip, instill fear in them, deny them shelter or stability—even for a brief period, force them to flee repeatedly, destroy them, and subject them to life-threatening conditions.
Bombing is also being carried out throughout the Strip, targeting areas designated as humanitarian zones, with a particular focus on shelters, including those set up in UNRWA-run schools.
All nations must fulfill their international obligations by preventing Israel from committing the crime of genocide and other serious crimes in the Gaza Strip, protecting civilians there, ensuring Israel abides by international law and the rulings of the International Court of Justice, enforcing effective sanctions against it, and halting all forms of military, financial, and political support and cooperation, including the immediate suspension of the sale, export, and transfer of weapons to Israel, including export licenses and military aid, and ensuring it is held accountable for its crimes against the Palestinian people. It is necessary to implement the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against the Israeli Prime Minister and Defence Minister.
The United States and other nations that provide Israel with any kind of support or assistance in connection with the commission of these crimes—including aid and contractual relationships in military, intelligence, political, legal, financial, media, and other areas that contribute to the continuation of these crimes—must be held accountable for their complicity and partnership with Israel in committing these crimes.
Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor is a Geneva-based independent organization with regional offices across the MENA region and Europe
Daily Sabah – December 6, 2024
Which bloc to support in a likely World War III?
by İbrahim Karataş
A proxy world war is unfolding through crises, fueled by Western provocations, while global alignments remain shaped by historical grievances and mistrust
Has World War III started or not? Pundits have different answers to this question. Some say it has already begun and is ongoing, while others will disagree with this idea, claiming that we are far from World War III. I am not sure how many people will agree with me, but my argument is that a small-scale world war is ongoing, mainly as a proxy war. On the surface, the war is between Russia and Ukraine, but look deeper, and one can see that the whole of the West is behind Ukraine and indirectly fights on the battlefield with their weapons, not to mention economic and diplomatic sanctions, propaganda tools, etc.
There is no doubt that Russia is the invader, so they are the guilty side. Yet, few people will oppose Western countries’ provocations to pull Russia into the war. Setting aside what Americans and Europeans have done in the last two years, their greenlight to Ukraine to use Western-made weapons recently shows that they do not want the war to end. From U.S. President Joe Biden to French President Emmanuel Macron, almost all leaders make sure that their missiles will not force Russia to withdraw and enable Ukraine to win the war. This is not to say that Ukraine should give up defending its occupied lands. Yet, pouring fuel on the fire will not ensure Ukraine’s security, either.
However, on the other hand, the West has not convinced us that it just wants to save Ukraine from Russia and has no plans of spreading war. They are smart enough to know that striking Russian targets inside Russia with Western missiles will further escalate tensions and incite the Russian government to use conventional nuclear weapons or at least increase its attacks on Ukraine. Claiming that North Korean soldiers fight alongside the Russian army can not be an excuse because their support for Ukraine is dozens of times more than that of North Korea to Russia.
Also, while Ukraine being unjustly invaded by Russia is a plausible reason, the very same Western countries relentlessly support Israel in committing genocide in Gaza. Isn’t Israel the invader? Isn’t it violating all moral and legal norms and rules introduced by Western powers? If the aim is to end unjust occupations, why do they want to stop Russia but not Israel? Is it because Israel is a friend of theirs?
Assuming for a while that, indeed, a full-scale World War III erupts in such double standards, which side might other countries take? Personalizing the answer to this question, I argue that, without a doubt, the trans-Atlantic region and countries like Australia, South Korea and Japan will be on the same side. Supposing that Russia and China will ally in a likely war, few countries will align with them. For example, Latin American states might passively support the Russian-Chinese bloc.
Most likely, some countries will be given carrots by Western countries as sticks will not be effective, and indeed, incentives will work. For example, most Arab states will probably position themselves in the Western bloc, though not fighting actively. However, the said support will not be welcomed by Arab people due to the Gaza genocide.
African states can be expected to take mostly the Western side, but their support will not be influential unless they send troops to the front. They will probably not send troops to fight. Eastern Europe, including the Balkans, may be on the Western side.
Finally, it is worth discussing the stance of Israel and Türkiye. Needless to say, Israel is in the Western bloc. However, it will hardly fight for the West. There is no instance in history where Israelis fought for their Western allies. It is easy to compare what the West did for Israel and the other way around and see what Israel did for the U.S. and Europe. Thus, it will remain a passive supporter of the West.
Since Türkiye feels betrayed, it will prefer not to take sides. While Turkish people get inspired by Western countries' development and have positive views about them, they do not forget wrongdoings. From arms sanctions to the support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza, many factors make Turks suspicious of Western countries. Turks ask why their army can not have Patriots but can quickly obtain Russia-made S-400 missiles. Or, why is the American military, an ally of NATO, on the other side of the border, literally with the PKK terrorist group's Syrian wing YPG, but not on this side of the border?
Yet, despite estrangements, Türkiye will most likely be a supporter of the Western bloc, including donation of arms, though there may not be boots on the ground. A Turkish proverb explains Türkiye’s stance very well; “A wolf survives the winter but does not forget the frost.”
İbrahim Karataş Holds of a Ph.D. in International Relations
https://www.dailysabah.com/opinion/op-ed/which-bloc-to-support-in-a-likely-world-war-iii
Al Mayadeen – December 6, 2024
'Target is Damascus,' Erdogan hopes 'smooth march' on Syria's capital
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has discussed key regional matters, focusing on Syria's ongoing crisis.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed key regional issues on Friday, including the ongoing developments in Syria, expressing hope for "a smooth continuation of anti-regime forces’ advance toward Damascus."
“…Idlib, Hama, Homs, and the target, of course, is Damascus. The opposition's march continues. Our wish is that this advancement in Syria continues without accidents or disasters,” Erdogan stated to reporters following Friday prayers in Istanbul.
Erdogan also voiced dissatisfaction with Syria’s leadership, saying, “We made a call to (Bashar al) Assad. We said: 'Come, let's determine the future of Syria together.' Unfortunately, we did not receive a positive response to this.”
Turning to Lebanon, Erdogan highlighted the severe challenges the country is facing. “Lebanon is in a very difficult situation. Everything is in ruins. There are requests for help. During a time when the world is silent, we will continue our assistance,” he remarked.
The Turkish president called for unity in Lebanon and reaffirmed Turkiye’s dedication to supporting the crisis-hit nation during these difficult times.
This comes shortly after the Syrian Ministry of Defense announced a series of coordinated artillery, missile, and aerial strikes, backed by Russian air support, targeting militant vehicles and gatherings in the northern and southern countrysides of Hama. The Ministry confirmed that the strikes resulted in dozens of casualties among the militants.
Solutions in Syria needed to end terrorism: Putin to Erdogan
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday, during which they discussed the escalating situation in Syria.
According to the Kremlin, Putin emphasized the urgent need to halt the terrorist aggression against the Syrian state by extremist groups and to provide full support for the efforts of legitimate authorities to restore stability and constitutional order across the country.
The statement also noted that the leaders expressed support for strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation within the Astana process. They highlighted the crucial role of continued close coordination between Russia, Turkey, and Iran in stabilizing and normalizing the situation in Syria.
The statement highlighted that the two presidents would work to maintain their contacts as they work to find steps to de-escalate the situation in Syria. It concluded by noting that several key issues were discussed regarding the further development of mutually beneficial Russian-Turkish cooperation, with an emphasis on trade, economic, and energy matters.
Erdogan stresses firm stance against PKK
For his part, Erdogan emphasized during the conversation that Ankara supports Syria's territorial integrity and believes that Damascus requires a political solution, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency.
He emphasized the importance of creating more room for diplomacy in the region and stressed that Syria must be included in the political solution process.
Erdogan further said that the most important issue regarding recent events in Syria is that civilians must not be harmed and that Syria should not become unstable. He added that Turkiye is doing everything in its power to ensure calm in Syria.
The statement emphasized that Turkiye will maintain a firm stance in its fight against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its affiliates, who are attempting to exploit the recent events in Syria.
On Saturday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held separate phone conversations with his Turkish and Iranian counterparts to address the escalating violence in Syria's provinces of Aleppo and Idlib, as reported by RIA Novosti.
According to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry, both diplomats conceded the urgent need for coordinated action to stabilize the situation and reaffirmed the role of the Astana process as the primary framework for dialogue and conflict resolution.
In a separate conversation, Lavrov and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed their commitment to Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They condemned the recent surge in terrorist activity in Aleppo and Idlib, which Araghchi attributed to US-Israeli plans to destabilize the region.
The two ministers called for a comprehensive review of the situation within the Astana framework and pledged to intensify joint efforts to counteract the rise in militant activity.
West backing terrorists in Syria – Russia
Moscow is working with Ankara and Tehran to stabilize the situation, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said
Russia has reports that the US and the UK might be implicated in supporting the al-Qaeda-affiliated militants currently on the offensive in Syria, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.
Hayat Tahrir-al-Sham (HTS) terrorist group, previously known as Jabhat al-Nusra, launched a surprise attack from Idlib last week and has since taken Aleppo and Hama. US journalist Tucker Carlson asked Lavrov who was supporting the terrorists in Syria, during the interview that aired on Thursday.
”Well, we have some information,” Lavrov said. “The information which is being floated and it’s in the public domain, mentions, among others, the Americans, the Brits. Some people say that Israel is interested in making this situation aggravated so that Gaza is not under very close scrutiny.”
“It’s a complicated game. Many actors are involved,” the Russian diplomat added.
Lavrov explained to Carlson that Russia, Iran, and Türkiye brokered a ceasefire in Syria in 2017 and again in 2020, calling this Astana Format “a useful combination of players.”
“The rules of the game are to help Syrians to come to terms with each other and to prevent separatist threats from getting strong,” the diplomat said. “That’s what the Americans are doing in the east of Syria when they groom some Kurdish separatists using the profits from oil and grain sold, the resources which they occupy.”
“We would like to discuss with all our partners in this process the way to cut the channels of financing and arming” the terrorists, he added.
Lavrov has already spoken with his Turkish and Iranian colleagues, he told Carlson, and intends to meet with them again on Friday at a conference in Qatar. Russia will push for “strict implementation” of the deal concerning Idlib because that province of Syria is where the terrorists emerged from.
“The arrangements reached in 2019 and 2020 provided for our Turkish friends to control the situation in the Idlib de-escalation zone and to separate the HTS from the opposition, which is non-terrorist and which cooperates with Türkiye,” Lavrov said.
Military and security leaders of all three countries are also in contact with each other, Russia’s top diplomat added.
Carlson sought a meeting with Lavrov, saying he was appalled that the US and Russia are inching closer to an open war over Ukraine. He also tried to get an interview with Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky but this was blocked, reportedly by the US government.
https://www.rt.com/news/608805-lavrov-tucker-syria-terrorists/
Iran launches first space tug, sets new record for liftoff payloads
In a milestone for Iran’s space sector, a space tug domestically designed and manufactured by Iranian experts and technicians has been launched into space aboard a homegrown satellite launch vehicle (SLV).
The Saman-1, along with a CubeSat and a research payload, was successfully sent into space from the Imam Khomeini Space Launch Terminal, southeast of Semnan, on Friday morning using a Simorgh launcher.
The payloads were placed in an orbit around the Earth, with an apogee of 410 kilometers and a perigee of 300 kilometers.
Simorgh is a two-stage SLV with liquid fuel developed by the Iranian Ministry of Defense.
In its eighth launch, the Simorgh set a new record for the liftoff of payloads. During this multi-phase mission, it successfully placed the Saman-1 orbital transfer block and two other research payloads, weighing nearly 300 kilograms, into orbit.
Designed and developed by technicians from the Iranian Space Research Center (ISRC), the Saman-1 system is designed to place satellites in higher orbits, reducing costs and eliminating the need for large launch vehicles with high fuel consumption.
The space tug wasﾠtest-launched in October 2022. Reflecting on the system, Hassan Salaryieh, chief of Iran’s space agency said that the system "means a quicker and smoother process of obtaining the orbital point synchronized with the Earth once a satellite elevates its orbital height from the geostationary orbit to the operational one.”
Fakhr-1 nano-sattelite
One of the payloads of today's launcher was, according to Iranian media, the Fakhr-1 communication satellite. This satellite, developed by experts from the Ministry of Defense's Iran Electronics Industries, was placed into a 410-kilometer orbit.
The nano-satellite, named in honor of the martyred scientist Dr. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, has a 3U size and weighs less than 10 kilograms.
One of the goals of this space mission, according to Tasnim News Agency, was to validate the multi-payload launch capability of the Simorgh launcher.
Key subsystems used in the Fakhr-1 include the central computer, power and energy management, radio communications, and flight dynamics. Most of these components have been indigenously developed by domestic knowledge-based companies and are being launched into space for the first time.
After separation from the launch vehicle, the satellite transmitted telemetry data, including information from its subsystems and sensors. During its first pass, the satellite correctly received and executed commands from ground stations.
Despite sanctions imposed by Western countries in recent years, Iran has taken giant strides in the civilian space program.
The country is among the world’s top 10 nations capable of developing and launching satellites.
On September 14, Iran successfully sent into orbit the domestically-developed Chamran 1 research satellite, registering another impressive stride in the country’s space program.
Pakistan’s Imran Khan warns of civil disobedience amid legal woes, protests
Former PM makes new threat days after security forces cracked down on a major protest by his party and supporters.
By Abid Hussain
Islamabad, Pakistan – Less than two weeks after his “final call” protest in Islamabad was forcefully dispersed, former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has pledged to continue his fight, threatening to launch a nationwide civil disobedience movement.
In a message posted on X, Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023 on numerous charges, announced the formation of a five-member negotiation team.
The team aims to discuss two key demands with the government: the release of under-trial prisoners and the establishment of a judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9, 2023 and November 26, 2024 – two dates on which Khan’s supporters held major protests but faced a backlash from the government and security forces.
“If these two demands are not accepted, a civil disobedience movement will begin on December 14. The government will bear full responsibility for the consequences,” Khan’s post in Urdu read.
“As part of the movement, we will urge overseas Pakistanis to limit remittances and start a boycott campaign. In the second phase, we will escalate our actions further.”
The announcement comes as Khan was indicted for his involvement in an attack on military headquarters on May 9 last year, while he was also slapped with charges of ﾓterrorismﾔ for his role in protests that besieged the federal capital last month.
Khan’s call for protests in Islamabad mobilised thousands of supporters, primarily from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province governed by his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
The crowd, which was led by Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi, departed on November 24 and eventually reached Islamabad two days later after crossing several roadblocks and obstacles, but was met with brute force from the state.
A late-night security operation involving paramilitary Rangers and police dispersed the crowd in less than three hours. Bushra Bibi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur fled back to the province amid the crackdown.
While the government accused PTI supporters of causing the deaths of four security personnel during the protests, it has denied any civilian casualties.
The PTI leadership, after issuing conflicting statements regarding the number of deaths, has said at least 12 people belonging to the party died during the protest, of which at least 10 were shot.
Fawad Chaudhry, a senior PTI leader and former federal minister, criticised the government for its treatment of Khan, who he claimed was being held in harsh conditions.
“Keeping a former prime minister in a death cell without basic necessities will only deepen resentment and widen the rift,” Chaudhry told Al Jazeera.
He emphasised that the government’s actions left Khan with no option but to escalate his protests.
“This call for civil disobedience is conditional on the success or failure of negotiations, but it is a serious step. If overseas Pakistanis, particularly those from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, halt remittances, it will significantly impact the government’s economic plans,” he said.
Pakistan’s economy is highly reliant on foreign remittances. Overseas Pakistanis send close to $30bn back home every year. Central bank figures show that in the first 10 months this year, $28bn have already been sent to the country.
Political analyst Fahd Hussain believes Khan’s call for civil disobedience reflects an attempt to regain momentum after the perceived failure of the recent protests in Islamabad.
“Organising a mass movement so soon after the ‘final call’ may not be easy. The party must first reorganise after the chaos,” Hussain told Al Jazeera.
This is not the first time Khan has called for civil disobedience. In 2014, he led a similar campaign against then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government, urging supporters to stop paying taxes and utility bills.
However, the movement ended with a whimper a few months later, following the armed attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar, in which more than 140 children were killed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). As the Pakistani government planned to launch a major military operation against the armed group, all political parties were brought together to consult and present a united front. The PTI, which was in the midst of a sit-in that had lasted for more than 100 days, also decided to end its protest.
Imtiaz Gul, head of the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in Islamabad, views civil disobedience as a way to pressure the state when a party faces the full might of government machinery.
“These tactics may not yield immediate results but can keep the government on edge and highlight Khan’s demands nationally and internationally,” Gul said.
Khan, who served as prime minister from August 2018 to April 2022, claims his removal through a parliamentary no-confidence vote was orchestrated by the military, in collusion with the United States and political rivals. The military has consistently denied these allegations.
Islamabad-based political analyst Cyril Almeida believes Khan’s fate hinges on either street protests or a deal with the military establishment, led by current army chief, General Asim Munir, who took over the command in November 2022.
Munir was previously appointed as the head of the Inter-Services Intelligence, Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency, under Khan’s governance before being removed only eight months into the job.
“Street protests complement negotiations, raising the cost on the government and military for keeping him in jail. But the problem remains the same, the current army chief Asim Munir is implacably, perhaps irrevocably, opposed to Imran Khan being a major governing figure again,” Almeida, the Islamabad-based analyst, told Al Jazeera.
“So long as Munir is around and in control of his military, Khan’s chances of a negotiated settlement are dim.”
