US, Israel Conclude Exercise to Seize Warship in Red Sea

A flotilla of Israeli navy ships on August 10, 2021. (AFP/Getty Images)
A flotilla of Israeli navy ships on August 10, 2021. (AFP/Getty Images)
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US, Israel Conclude Exercise to Seize Warship in Red Sea

A flotilla of Israeli navy ships on August 10, 2021. (AFP/Getty Images)
A flotilla of Israeli navy ships on August 10, 2021. (AFP/Getty Images)

The Israeli Army announced on Friday that its commando unit, Shayetet 13, concluded a four-day joint maritime exercise with US naval forces.

The exercise included an operation to seize an enemy warship deep in the Red Sea.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesperson's Unit said in a statement that the Israeli and US navies concluded the “Noble Rose” joint exercise, which took place in the Red Sea with the participation of Israeli commandos and the US 5th Fleet and a refueling tanker.

The forces simulated various operational scenarios in the Red Sea, including the seizure of a naval vessel and the use of advanced naval equipment.

“We strengthened the scope of our operations and deepened the professional dialogue between our navies,” the spokesperson said.

The exercise is part of a series of drills and international cooperation activities that have been held recently as part of Israel’s annual training plan for 2022.

Summing up the maneuver, Commander of the Israeli Navy Vice Adm. David Saar Salama stressed that maintaining the superiority of the navy in the maritime domain is a direct contribution to Israel’s security.

"During this exercise we managed to deepen our relations with Israel's most important ally - the United States. Together we develop solutions, share knowledge, create a common language and increase our scope of activity. I am certain that the dialogue will continue to increase, and will bring about significant achievements in the future."

He noted that he was confident that Israel will continue to strengthen its dialogue with the US to realize great achievements in the future.



Arab League Warns Against ‘Strife’ in Syria

The Arab League headquarters in Cairo. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Arab League headquarters in Cairo. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Arab League Warns Against ‘Strife’ in Syria

The Arab League headquarters in Cairo. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Arab League headquarters in Cairo. Asharq Al-Awsat

The Arab League has warned against “strife” in Syria, saying it was “following with concern the events taking place in several Syrian cities and areas with the aim of igniting the sparks of conflict.”

It said Thursday that it “rejects the Iranian statements aimed at fueling strife among the Syrian people,” according to a statement from the secretariat.

It did not specify which statements it was referring to.

Syria's newly appointed foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, said on Tuesday that Iran must respect the will of the Syrian people and Syria's sovereignty and security.

"We warn them against spreading chaos in Syria and we hold them accountable for the repercussions of the latest remarks," he said.

Tehran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei lashed out on Thursday against unspecified media reports on Iran “interfering in Syria’s internal affairs” as “baseless.”

Iran was committed to “supporting the territorial integrity and national unity of Syria and the formation of an inclusive political system,” he said in a statement.

On Sunday, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei called on Syrian youth to "stand with firm determination against those who have orchestrated and brought about this insecurity.”

Khamenei forecast "that a strong and honorable group will also emerge in Syria because today Syrian youth have nothing to lose,” calling the country unsafe.