Israel Determined to Strike Iranian Weapons in Syria

Israeli soldiers participate in military exercises in the Golan. (AFP)
Israeli soldiers participate in military exercises in the Golan. (AFP)
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Israel Determined to Strike Iranian Weapons in Syria

Israeli soldiers participate in military exercises in the Golan. (AFP)
Israeli soldiers participate in military exercises in the Golan. (AFP)

Although the Israeli authorities have neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the bombing in Syria, military sources in Tel Aviv said that the Iranian convoy that was bombed two days ago near the Iraqi-Syrian border “was carrying weapons and ammunition, not just oil, as Tehran claims.”

The sources said that Tehran, “which received severe blows in the destruction of arms convoys in several Syrian airports, especially Damascus International Airport, has returned to transport [weapons] by land.”

They added that the Iranians “tried to hide these weapons through a civilian convoy, in the hope that Israeli intelligence would not discover them.”

According to the sources, the regime of Bashar al-Assad has probably “asked Tehran to stop the transfer of weapons, because the Israeli strikes destroyed most of the Syrian military industries.”

But Iran “insists on sending missile warheads to its factories in Syria and Lebanon, in order to ensure the continuation of the missile industry and improve its accuracy,” they remarked.

“Tel Aviv insists on sending clear messages to all players on Syrian soil that it will not allow the transfer of weapons in any form. It is trying to carry out its raids in the eastern regions of Syria, before reaching the west, where the Russian army is located. It takes into account that Moscow is angry with Tel Aviv for its stance on the war in Ukraine,” the sources noted.

According to the Israel Hayom newspaper, the Israeli military leaders are conducting in-depth deliberations on the possible reaction from Russia, which has so far been silent or just issued political criticism in one out of three or four raids.

These leaders have asked the Israeli ministry of Foreign Affairs to assess the Russian position through diplomatic channels, the sources said.



China's Xi Visits Morocco, Meets with Crown Prince

Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters
Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters
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China's Xi Visits Morocco, Meets with Crown Prince

Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters
Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters

Chinese President Xi Jinping made a short visit to Morocco on Thursday, according to state media from both countries.
Xi was welcomed in Casablanca by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and the visit reflected the strong bonds of friendship, cooperation, and solidarity between the Moroccan and Chinese peoples, Morocco's MAP said.
The Crown Prince and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch met Xi at the airport, where Xi and Hassan had a "cordial conversation", China's state broadcaster CCTV said.
Xi made the visit after being in Brazil for the G20 Summit.
China has stepped up investments in Morocco's infrastructure and rail sector in recent years.
Morocco's geographic location close to Europe, its free trade agreements with key EU and US markets and its existing automotive industry, make it attractive to Chinese electric vehicle battery makers.
In June, Chinese EV battery manufacturer Gotion High Tech picked Morocco to set up Africa's first gigafactory for a total cost of $1.3 billion.