The Israeli army on Wednesday killed Hamas deputy military chief, Ahmed Al-Jaabari. An Israeli aircraft launched a missile towards his car in the center of Gaza.

Following the assassination, the Israeli army announced the start of an operation against armed groups in Gaza. The bombing came after several missiles were fired at southern Israel, probably from the Palestinian territory or from the Sinai.

Shin Bet, the Israeli security services, confirmed that they had carried out the attack, saying Jaabari was eliminated because of “his ten years ofterrorist activity.”

[Read more…]

Forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad are trying to regain control of Ras al-Ain, which fell to rebels last Thursday.

The offensive has caused some of the biggest refugee movements since the Syrian conflict began in March last year.

In one 24-hour period last week, some 9,000 Syrians fled fighting during a rebel advance into Syria’s northeast.

[Read more…]

Rockets and missiles continued to rain on southern Israel Monday, with more than 160 landings in the area around Gaza. Property was damaged — including a direct hit on a home in Netivot — and 40 people were treated for shock and light injuries. Schools were closed in parts of the region.

Fire is reportedly coming largely from the Iranian-backed Islamic Jihad, various Salafi factions, and the Popular Front are all asserting independence from Hamas authority in Gaza.

[Read more…]

Nearly 80 rockets fired from Gaza have struck Israel since Saturday night, according to the military and Israeli news reports. A factory in Sderot sustained a direct hit Sunday morning and several buildings and two cars in the Sha’ar Hanegev municipality were also damaged in attacks. At least three Israelis have been wounded.

The terrorist group Islamic Jihad has claimed responsibility for the bombardment. The Palestinian Maan news agency reported that Islamic Jihad said it shot more than 70 rockets at Israel between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

[Read more…]

Three people were injured Wednesday in Southern Yemen’s Abyan governorate, in confrontations between tribal chief Tarek Al-Fadhli and pro-army militiamen known as Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), according to Shakir Al-Ghazeer, an officer in the 111 Infantry Brigade, stationed in Abyan.

Al-Fadhli has alleged ties to al-Qaeda.

[Read more…]