Russian Defense Minister: Moscow Tested over 320 Developed Weapons in Syria

Russian soldiers near a MiG-31K aircraft in Hmeimim base in western Syria carrying (Russia Today)
Russian soldiers near a MiG-31K aircraft in Hmeimim base in western Syria carrying (Russia Today)
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Russian Defense Minister: Moscow Tested over 320 Developed Weapons in Syria

Russian soldiers near a MiG-31K aircraft in Hmeimim base in western Syria carrying (Russia Today)
Russian soldiers near a MiG-31K aircraft in Hmeimim base in western Syria carrying (Russia Today)

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu revealed that the Russian army tested more than 320 types of various advanced weapons during the military operations in Syria.

"We checked more than 320 types of different weapons, including, by the way, your helicopters," Shoigu said at a meeting with employees of the Russian helicopter manufacturer Rostvertol.

"One of the helicopters we saw today is the result of the Syria operation," he said, adding, "now we have such weapons, thanks to the operation in Syria."

Notably, Shoigu's comments revealed that Moscow continues to test weapons on Syrian soil even after the declaration of the ceasefire. A few months ago, Moscow discussed testing about 231 advanced weapons on Syrian soil, despite ending hostilities more than a year ago.

Last March, media reports claimed that Moscow tested over 200 types of its most advanced weapons in Syria since 2015.

An initial report was first published by the Military Files website, which also described arming various Sukhoi fighters and the strategic aircraft of the Tu-95 and Tu-160 models.

Earlier this year, Russia's most advanced aircraft, Sukhoi 57, was sent to Syria. Helicopters "Mi-28" and "Ka-52" have also actively participated in combat, as well as unmanned aircraft "Orlan-10".

The report indicated that the forces used S-300, S-400, Pantsir, and Buk missile systems in protecting vital installations, most notably the Hmeimim and Tartus bases.

Russian forces in Syria used the latest portable radar and electronic warfare systems on a large scale.

In total, the report revealed that the Russian army tested 231 models of new and modern weapons in military operations in Syria. Russian engineers corrected the malfunctions following the test results.

According to the data, military operations in Syria revealed significant flaws in several other models that were put out of service, bringing the total number of military technologies that have been permanently removed from military manufacturing to 12.

A few months ago, a report also indicated that Russian experts believe the Uran 9 tanks were among the most important weapons that failed during the war in Syria. It proved its failure in fighting in densely forested areas such as the mountains of the Syrian coast.

The "Uran" armored vehicle that Russia sent for trial in Syria, which was considered one of the best remote-controlled minesweepers, showed severe flaws.

Laser guidance became one of the latest military technologies used in smart weapons, and the global army market requires this technology for such weapons.

Russia claimed its laser-guided weapons were unparalleled "except in science fiction," but they were later recalled from production and replaced by other models.

Various media outlets quoted Syrian opposition military experts as saying that some of the abandoned weapons after their testing and development in Syria are useless.

According to the experts, they are weapons launched without a special guidance system, adding that these missiles and artilleries were only destructive, so they were abandoned, and their technology was dispensed with.



Rescue Teams Search for Survivors in Building Collapse that Killed at Least 2 in Northern Lebanon

A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
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Rescue Teams Search for Survivors in Building Collapse that Killed at Least 2 in Northern Lebanon

A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

At least two people were killed and four rescued from the rubble of a multistory apartment building that collapsed Sunday in the city of Tripoli in northern Lebanon, state media reported.

Rescue teams were continuing to dig through the rubble. It was not immediately clear how many people were in the building when it fell.

The bodies pulled out were of a child and a woman, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Dozens of people crowded around the site of the crater left by the collapsed building, with some shooting in the air.

The building was in the neighborhood of Bab Tabbaneh, one of the poorest areas in Lebanon’s second largest city, where residents have long complained of government neglect and shoddy infrastructure. Building collapses are not uncommon in Tripoli due to poor building standards, according to The AP news.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry announced that those injured in the collapse would receive treatment at the state’s expense.

The national syndicate for property owners in a statement called the collapse the result of “blatant negligence and shortcomings of the Lebanese state toward the safety of citizens and their housing security,” and said it is “not an isolated incident.”

The syndicate called for the government to launch a comprehensive national survey of buildings at risk of collapse.


Israel to Take More West Bank Powers and Relax Settler Land Buys

A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
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Israel to Take More West Bank Powers and Relax Settler Land Buys

A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)

Israel's security cabinet approved a series of steps on Sunday that would make it easier for settlers in the occupied West Bank to buy land while granting Israeli authorities more enforcement powers over Palestinians, Israeli media reported.

The West Bank is among the territories that the Palestinians seek for a future independent state. Much of it is under Israeli military control, with limited Palestinian self-rule in some areas run by the Western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA).

Citing statements by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Israel Katz, Israeli news sites Ynet and Haaretz said the measures included scrapping decades-old regulations that prevent Jewish private citizens buying land in the West Bank, The AP news reported.

They were also reported to include allowing Israeli authorities to administer some religious sites, and expand supervision and enforcement in areas under PA administration in matters of environmental hazards, water offences and damage to archaeological sites.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the new measures were dangerous, illegal and tantamount to de-facto annexation.

The Israeli ministers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The new measures come three days before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet in Washington with US President Donald Trump.

Trump has ruled out Israeli annexation of the West Bank but his administration has not sought to curb Israel's accelerated settlement building, which the Palestinians say denies them a potential state by eating away at its territory.

Netanyahu, who is facing an election later this year, deems the establishment of any Palestinian state a security threat.

His ruling coalition includes many pro-settler members who want Israel to annex the West Bank, land captured in the 1967 Middle East war to which Israel cites biblical and historical ties.

The United Nations' highest court said in a non-binding advisory opinion in 2024 that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements there is illegal and should be ended as soon as possible. Israel disputes this view.


Arab League Condemns Attack on Aid Convoys in Sudan

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
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Arab League Condemns Attack on Aid Convoys in Sudan

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit strongly condemned the attack by the Rapid Support Forces on humanitarian aid convoys and relief workers in North Kordofan State, Sudan.

In a statement reported by SPA, secretary-general's spokesperson Jamal Rushdi quoted Aboul Gheit as saying the attack constitutes a war crime under international humanitarian law, which prohibits the deliberate targeting of civilians and depriving them of their means of survival.

Aboul Gheit stressed the need to hold those responsible accountable, end impunity, and ensure the full protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and relief facilities in Sudan.