US accuses Iran of smuggling missiles into Iraq

After the US military arrested on of its citizens in Sulaimaniyah and accused him of weapon smuggling, Iran responded by closed its main border crossing with northern Iraq. The new tensions coincide with the arrival of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the USA, where he will address the UN General Assembly.

Currently, Iraqi and Iranian officials state that the arrested man was in Iraq legally and on official business, but the US military is claiming that he is a part of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. He is also accused of smuggling missiles, and although it wasn’t specified to whom, the US frequently pointed out that Shiite groups, especially the Mahdi Army, have strong ties with Tehran.

Recent weeks have seen a rise in tension between the USA and Iran, and with the possibility of war looming in the air, many analysts fear that some king of similar incident could spark of the conflict.

The last potential flash point was the seizure of 15 British sailors by the Revolutionary Guard in March this year, and that crisis was solved by diplomatic means.

Bin Laden calls for a holy war in Pakistan

The leader of Al Qaeda, Osama Bin Laden called the Muslim in Pakistan to rise up against Gen. President Musharraf and his government. In his audio message he also referred to the storming of the Red Mosque in Islamabad, and said the army operation made Gen. Musharraf an infidel.

Another parliament member killed in Lebanon

Antoine Ghanem, a parliament member and a representative of the Christian community in Lebanon, was killed today in a Beirut.
He died when a bomb ripped through his vehicle, killing him and another 7 people instantly.

Accusations are already falling on Syria and its security agencies, although Damascus steadfastly denied any involvement in Lebanon's internal affairs.

Read the full story in the BBC article.

Two casualties in the Nablus raid

One Israeli soldier and a Palestinian gunman have been killed in an IDF raid on a refugee camp in the city of Nablus. Witnesses have reported that heavy fighting went on inside the camp, with Israeli gunship showering over the area.

It's not clear how the Israeli soldier died - PFLP and Islamic Jihad are claming that he was killed in an explosion, but the IDF sources are attributing his death to small-arms fire.

Also, Al Jazeera is reporting about the incident in which IDF soldiers allegedly used a Palestinian civilian as human shield during the same raid.

Read more about the raid and human shield accusations in the Al Jazeera article.

Outrage in Iran over French Foreign Minister statement

Bernard Kouchner, the French Foreign Minister, while criticizing the Iranian nuclear program in an interview, stated that the world should prepare for a possible war with Tehran.
Although he added that diplomatic solution should be pursued, the statement was, not surprisingly, badly received in Iranian media and political circles.

The statement is widely seen as another part of President Sarkozy new foreign policy initiative, intended to reassert France as one of the mayor players in the arena of international politics.

Al Qaeda steps up attacks in Iraq

Just as it announced on Saturday, it's becoming clear that Al Qaeda in Iraq is intensifying it's offensive.
Around 30 people have been killed today in several different attacks around the country. 14 people have been shot and 12 shops burnt down in the Sunni town of Muqdadiyi. 6 died in a Baghdad suicide bombing, and another 7 were shot in 3 separate attacks in the capital.

President Musharraf will get another mandate

Ruling party in Pakistan has announced that Gen. Pervez Musharraf will get another five-year Presidential mandate. The vote will probably take place in early October.

Read more in the AP article.

IDF operation inside Gaza

Israeli Defense Force has confirmed that a small-scale operation is currently under way inside Gaza Strip, but didn't give any more details. Palestinian sources have reported that Israel crossed the border with APC and tanks.

It is not know if they already engaged Hamas, but there are no reports of casualties so far.

Sunni alliance with the US military - been there, done that?

Among successes stated in the Gen. Petraeus report to Congress on the recent troop surge in Iraq, one of the most prominent was the recent and unexpected alliance between US military and some Sunni groups and tribes.

The participating Sunni leaders, some of which were actively involved in sectarian violence and attacks on the foreign forces in the last 4 years, based their decision on the fact that Al Qaeda in Iraq had become an unwanted visitor in their country that failed to different friend from foe.

That's why they decide do join the US and fight Al Qaeda fighters along side their former enemies.

But, does this mean that those groups don't longer see the US as a invading force?

Iraq has become partitioned in all but name. Like the Shiites, Sunni militias know that the US presence has to dissolve. They are in Iraq only temporary.

Just like the Al Qaeda. As long as they are wanted, they will stay. When not wanted, they will attack and try to leave mayhem in their wake, but will leave all the same.

Sunni leaders know that Shiites won't leave. Nor will the Kurds.

So why fight the US military, when you can persuade them to arm you for the real show down. The Shiites did it years ago. The Kurds were doing it even before the war, when they were the biggest opposition to Saddam.

Why should they miss out, and waist energy attacking an already retreating enemy?

They don't.

US administration is desperate for some good news; give the General something before his big day on the Hill. Calm down the situation in Anbar, Denounce Al Qaeda, as well as their tactic.

Wait and prepare for the real war against real enemies that don't have another home to go to after Iraq.

After all anti-communist dictatorships in Latin America, the Khmer Rouge and countless others failed, murderous regimes, will the USA once again have to learn that enemy of my enemy doesn't have to be my friend?

Islamic Army of Iraq offers talks

The head of Islamic Army of Iraq, one of the oldest and biggest armed groups in the country, offered peace talks to the US military.

Read more about his proposal from exclusive Al Jazeera article

Dozens of IDF soldiers hurt in a rocket attack

At least 70 Israeli Defense Force soldiers were injured, 3 of them seriously, when a single rocket hit their camp near the Gaza border. The improvised ordinance was fired from inside Gaza Strip, and fell on an unprotected army tent.

The parents of the injured soldiers protested about the policy of having such soft military accommodation in base so near the Hamas-controlled Gaza territory.
In the mean time, Hamas fighters celebrated what they called a ''successes in a fight against the Israeli occupation'', and their followers distributed sweets in the streets.

This is by far the most serious Hamas rocket attack in recent years, and will undoubtedly increase pressure on the Israeli Government to engage the Palestinian militia.

Exiled Pakistani Prime Minister returned to Saudi Arabia

After landing in Pakistan, former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif spent only few hours in his home country before the authorities ordered him to leave. Sharif was deposed in a military coup in1999, and was living in UK since. The Pakistani Supreme Court recently affirmed his right to return, but that decision was obviously ignored.

Read more in the BBC article.

Iran to pay 2.65bn dollars in compensation

6 years after the families of US servicemen killed and wounded in 1983 Lebanon bomb attack started a lawsuit against Iran, a federal judge has ordered Tehran to pay 2.65 billion dollars in compensation. The bases for this decision are the alleged funds and training that Iran provided to the group that carried out the attack. Iran hasn't responded to this ruling.

Similar compensation was paid by Libya to the families of passenger killed in the Lockerbie plane bombing.
But, it's highly unlikely that Iran will pay any compensation, and the ruling will almost certainly result in a further worsening of relations between it and the USA.

Read more in the BBC article.

Sunni block ends its Parliament boycott in Iraq

Iraqi National Dialogue Front has announced that its elected members will rejoin the national Parliament. Their boycott lasted 3 months, and it ended after the Sunni party reached an agreement with the government on the question of social funds allocation.

Analyst and US commanders have pointed out that recent military successes have to be followed by political progress. Currently, the Baghdad government hasn't made much progress in that field.

Read the Al Jazeera article.

7 US servicemen killed in Iraq

4 Marines were killed today in Iraq during combat operations, and additional 3 soldiers died in a roadside explosion.

Read the complete AP article.

Syria accused Israel of air attack

Syria news agency said that Israeli air crafts have crossed the northern boarder and bombed a location inside Syrian territory. Agency report also stated that there was no damage or casualties, and that its army fired on the planes. Syria warned against future breaches of its air space.

Radio Israel denied the accusation, but added that there will be additional checks.

Tensions between Israel and Syria have risen dramatically in the last 18 months, fuelled by Israel war in neighboring Lebanon and Syrian involvement with Hezbollah.

Read more about Syria accusation in AP article

Pakistan suicide bombings

At least 28 people have died in multiple suicide bombings in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, and additional 68 have been wounded. Authorities have indirectly confirmed that the victims were government workers and military personnel.

Although no one has yet claimed responsibility, jugging by the method and the targets, it's almost certain that Islamic militant groups are behind these bombings.

Read more about the bombings and other developments in Pakistan in the AP article.

Bush in Iraq

US President George W. Bush made a surprise visit to Iraq. He landed at al-Asad air base in Anbar province, and later met senior US commanders as well as Iraqi MP Nouri Al Maliki and other government representatives. Together, they discussed the current security situation and future joint actions.

The visit comes just before the crucial report by the US military on the progress made by increased troop levels in the country, and Anbar province has recently seen a decrease in violence, widely attributed to the deal struck between the local Sunni tribal leaders and US forces in the area.

Read more in the BBC article

Fall of Nahr el-Bared camp

The Lebanon government has announced that the siege of Palestinian refugee camp near Tripoli has ended, and that the army has regained full control of the area. This news comes after a day of heavy fighting around the camp, when a few dozen Fatah Islam militants tried to escape. According to the AP agency, 32 militants were killed and another 15 captured in this attempt.

150 soldiers have died since the siege of the camp began 3 months ago, and at least as many Fatah Islam fighters. Tents of thousands Palestinian refugees have fled from their homes to neighboring camps. Their speedily return is unlikely because many buildings and the infrastructure are almost completely destroyed by months-long artillery bombardment.

Read more in the AP article

Cholera in Iraq

Medical sources have confirmed a cholera outbreak in northern Iraq, and at least 8 people have died and 80 more have been infected. Iraqi authorities have sent aide and medical supplies to the effected region, but it's suspected that another 4000 people could also be infected.

Mixing of sewage and tap water is the most likely reason for the outbreak. A lot of Iraqi communal infrastructure is in a very poor state, and one of the main driving force behind the insurgency is the small number of completed rebuilding project that were promised in the beginning phases of the war.

Read more about the cholera outbreak in BBC article

Street demonstrations in Gaza City

Several hundred protesters have gone to the street of Gaza City, protesting against Hamas rule and civil liberties abuses in the Gaza Strip. Hamas deployed troops, and the subsequent clashes left several protesters injured.

This is the first major show of opposition in the Gaza strip since Hamas took over control two months ago.

Read more in the BBC article

Abdullah Gul attends military parade

After 2 days of speculation, new President of Turkey was present on a military parade celebrating the end of Victory week, a period in Turkish history in which the country won its independence. Although Mr. Gul was a guest of honor, his wife wasn't present. Top army commanders frequently accused him of harboring an Islamic agenda, and the traditional Muslim headscarf Mrs. Gul always wears in public was seen as another confirmation of those doubts.

Main religion in Turkey is Islam but its modern roots are strongly secular, and Abdullah Gul Islamic past is seen by many as troublesome and threatening.


Read the Al Jazeera article

Al-Mahdi Army suspends all activity

Moqtada al-Sadr announced that his Al-Madi Army is freezing all activities for the following 6 months. Although the official given reason for this move was internal reorganization, annalist believe that al-Sadr is trying to reestablish his control of the Shiite fraction.

The event comes on the same day when US forces arrested 7 Iranians in Baghdad, but released almost immediately, admitting the cause was an identity mix-up.

Read more on Mahid Army in the BBC article

Million pilgrims forced to leave because of fighting in Karbala

Around one million pilgrims marking the birth of the last Shiite imam have been ordered by the Iraqi police to leave the city of Karbala. The reason behind this decision is the escalating violence between Al-Mahdi Army and the government security forces. The first in a series of gun battles started on Monday, but continued throughout the following day, prompting police to impose a citywide curfew.
At least 52 people have been killed so far.

Muqtada al-Sadrs Al-Mahdi Army is the biggest armed group in the country, and although its leader is in good relationship with the government, there were indications in the recent months that several senior ground commanders have started to operate independently.
Some speculated that as much as one third of all Al-Mahdi Army members are outside of al-Sadrs direct control.

Read more about the Karbala clashes in the Al Jazeera article.

Hamas accused of planning new suicide attacks in Israel

Israel intelligence agency has accused Hamas of smuggling more than 40 tons of weapons in Gaza since that militant organization took over control in June, and that it's planning suicide attacks inside Israel. Although Hamas hasn't conducted a suicide bombing inside Israel territory for the last 3 years, Tel Aviv is claiming that its exiled leadership is preparing a new campaign.

The previously elected Hamas government hasn't been recognized neither by USA or the EU, and the mounting pressures between Hamas and Fatah have brought Palestinian territories on the brink of civil war. Currently, Gaza strip is under Hamas control and Fatah runs the West Bank.

Read more on smuggling accusations in the AP article

UK troops withdraw from a base in Basra

British troops have left one of the two remaining bases in second largest Iraq city, Basra. This withdrawal is a part of the larger plan that calls for gradual scaling down of the UK presence in the south of the country. In the coming period, the last base in the city will be handed over to the Iraqi police and army.

Although the predominantly Shiite southern part of Iraq is seen as more safe and stable, two provincial governors were killed in the last month. It's believed that they died as a result of a much larger power struggle between different Shiite groups.

Read more about the withdrawal in the BBC article.

Baghdad car bombing

At least 7 people were killed and 30 wounded when a car bomb detonated in the Iraq capital. The bomb was placed in Kazimiyah district, populated mainly by Shiites. It's believed that the targets were Shiite pilgrims and the nearby shrine.

One of the main weak points of the recent US troop surge in Iraq is the continuing and unrelenting campaign of car bombings, conducted by several Sunny extremist gropes.

Read the AP article

Friendly fire kills 3 UK soldiers in Afghanistan

3 UK soldiers were killed and another 2 injured when they came under fire form US warplanes. The incident took place in Afghanistan Helmand province, and the BBC reports that planes dropped a bomb near the UK patrol. All casualties were part of the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment.

This event will almost certainly draw comparison to another US-UK friendly fire accident that occurred in the beginning phases of the Iraq war, in which 2 USAF A-10 planes attacked an armored UK unit, killing one soldier.

Read the Reuters story.

Al Qaeda attacks Sunni leaders in central Iraq

The BBC reports that 22 people have died and at least 7 were kidnapped in multiple an Al Qaeda attack in Diyala province. One of the victims is Sheikh Yunis al-Tai, a Sunni leader that opposed Al Qaeda.

In the past few months, some militant Sunni groups decided to abandon their alliance with Al Qaeda in Iraq and join US Forces in their home provinces.

Although the US military hailed the deal with Sunni groups, the critics have pointed out the danger of arming very fluid organizations that can take up arms against US and Government forces at any point.

Read the complete BBC article.

Welcome to the Today in the Middle East (TME) blog!

My name is Ivica, and here I will try to bring you up-to-date with all the relevant news and stories that are making an impact in the Middle East.

Although I live and work in southern Europe (Republic of Serbia, to be precise) I follow events from that region on a daily basis and research the background stories as much as I can, primarily using different on-line recourses.
I'm not claiming to be an analyst or an expert, because my education is very broad and ongoing. Also, all of my sources are accessible to anyone, and mainly consist of several major world news agencies.

On the other hand, I have completed specialized journalistic studies and I see myself as a freelance journalist.
I will do my best to uphold ethical and moral guidelines of the journalist profession in my every article.

I hope you'll find your future visits to TME blog worthwhile and informative.