How Did Coordination with Allies Benefit Tel Aviv?

The daily life in Tel Aviv on the day following Iran's launch of drones and missiles towards Israel (Reuters)
The daily life in Tel Aviv on the day following Iran's launch of drones and missiles towards Israel (Reuters)
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How Did Coordination with Allies Benefit Tel Aviv?

The daily life in Tel Aviv on the day following Iran's launch of drones and missiles towards Israel (Reuters)
The daily life in Tel Aviv on the day following Iran's launch of drones and missiles towards Israel (Reuters)

Before many drones reached Israel, US, UK, French, and Jordanian troops dealt with a big chunk, aiding Israel in halting the Iranian drone attack. Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari called it a significant strategic win.

Stopping the drones gave Israel space to focus on Iranian missiles. Israel’s interception of the Iranian attack cost around a billion dollars. Now, Israel aims to build a lasting alliance after recognizing the importance of joint action.

Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the Iranian attack failed after intervention by the US, UK, France, and Jordan.

The newspaper praised this as another success for Israel, showing that these countries didn’t back down from Iran’s threats but fought effectively through careful planning.

Israel’s Channel 12 described Jordan’s involvement as unexpected, highlighting their strategic partnership with the US and their impressive interception of drones.

Despite typically cool relations, Jordan’s actions demonstrated a surprising and genuine strategic alliance with Israel.

According to Haaretz, the successful defense against the Iranian attack highlights the effectiveness of the US-led regional defense system.

Israel returned to normalcy on Sunday after the attack, with the Home Front Command stating that nationwide, Israelis no longer needed to stay close to protected areas, though gathering restrictions and the cancellation of educational activities and school trips remained.

Hagari said that 99% of the aerial threats were shot down, which he said was a strategic achievement.

President Joe Biden confirmed US assistance in destroying almost 300 drones and missiles launched at Israel by Iran.

US military aircraft and missile defense destroyers, deployed to the region last week, supported Israeli air defense systems in intercepting a significant wave of drones and missiles fired from Iran late Saturday night.

American officials confirmed US forces intercepted Iranian drones near As-Suwayda and Daraa in southern Syria, close to the Jordanian border, bound for Israel, without specifying the exact number.

Sources revealed that Jordanian aircraft downed numerous Iranian drones flying through Jordan towards Israel.



Syria's New Rulers Name Foreign Minister

Asaad Hassan al-Shibani. (SANA)
Asaad Hassan al-Shibani. (SANA)
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Syria's New Rulers Name Foreign Minister

Asaad Hassan al-Shibani. (SANA)
Asaad Hassan al-Shibani. (SANA)

Syria's new rulers have appointed a foreign minister, the official Syrian news agency (SANA) said on Saturday, as they seek to build international relations two weeks after Bashar al-Assad was ousted.

The ruling General Command named Asaad Hassan al-Shibani as foreign minister, SANA said. A source in the new administration told Reuters that this step “comes in response to the aspirations of the Syrian people to establish international relations that bring peace and stability.”

The opposition Syria TV said Shibani, formerly known as Zeid al-Attar, was in charge of foreign affairs when the Al-Nusra Front transformed into the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group.

Syrian media said that until 2024, he has been residing in Türkiye. Along with HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, he helped form the al-Nusra Front.

Shibani assumed several pseudonyms, including Nassim, Abu Aisha, Abu Ammar al-Shami and Hussam al-Shafei.

Born in 1987, he hails from the Hasakeh countryside. He was studying translation before his family moved to Damascus where he earned a degree in English Literature from Damascus University. He earned a master's degree in political science and foreign relations in Türkiye in 2022.

Syria's de facto ruler Sharaa has actively engaged with foreign delegations since assuming power, including hosting the UN's Syria envoy and senior US diplomats.

Sharaa has signaled a willingness to engage diplomatically with international envoys, saying his primary focus is on reconstruction and achieving economic development. He has said he is not interested in engaging in any new conflicts.

The United States, other Western powers and many Syrians were glad to see groups led by the HTS topple Assad.