Regional
NDS arrests Anas Haqqani
Anas Haqqani, the son of Haqqani’s network founder, Jalaluddin Haqqani and Hafiz Rashid another commander was arrested late Tuesday by Afghanistan National Directorate Security (NDS).
NDS has said that these two arrests will have direct consequences on the Haqqani Network.
Annas Haqqani had a key role in the network’s strategic decision making and Hafiz Rashid also played an important role in the network.
Late last year, another son of Jalaluddin Haqqani was shot dead near the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. Nasiruddin Haqqani, who was in his early 30s, had been the group’s chief fundraiser.
The Haqqani network has been blamed for attacks on Afghan government and NATO as well as kidnappings and murders.
A car bomb attack that killed more than 40 people in the Urgun district of Afghanistan’s Paktika province in July was also blamed on the Haqqani network.
Hafiz Rashid is an original resident of Khost province that has lived in Pakistan since years ago.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) claimed on Friday that it shot down a US F-35 fighter jet in central parts of the country, Iranian media reported.
Due to the destruction of the aircraft, the fate of the pilot remains unknown, the semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported, citing a statement by the IRGC.
This marks the second time Iran claimed it shot down a US F-35 amid the ongoing escalation since Feb. 28.
The US has not responded to the report as yet.
Iran had previously announced on March 19 that it had shot down a US F-35, a claim rejected by Washington.
Tehran also claimed on Thursday to have downed an Israeli F-16 jet.
Tensions in the region have remained high following a wave of US and Israeli airstrikes launched on February 28. Iranian sources say the strikes have resulted in more than 1,300 deaths, including senior leadership figures.
In response, Iran has carried out drone and missile attacks targeting Israel as well as locations in Jordan, Iraq, and several Gulf states hosting US military facilities. The ongoing exchanges have led to casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruptions to regional air traffic and global markets.
Regional
Kuwait’s Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery hit by drones, fires break out
The Kuwaiti army earlier said air defenses were currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks.
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said its Mina al-Ahmadi refinery was hit by drones early on Friday, setting off fires at operating units, according to the state news agency, but no injuries were reported.
The Kuwaiti army earlier said air defenses were currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks.
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation in a statement said they are monitoring and tracking air quality in the areas surrounding the refinery, and no negative environmental impacts have been recorded so far as a result of the attack.
Emergency and firefighting teams are working to contain the fires and prevent their spread, the company said. No injuries were reported in the attack.
Dubai-based airline Emirates’ website said on Wednesday that Iranian nationals were not allowed to enter or transit the United Arab Emirates.
The website of another carrier, Flydubai, said Iranian nationals holding a UAE “Golden Visa” were exempt and permitted to enter and transit the country, Reuters reported.
The restrictions come amid heightened tensions between Iran and Gulf states.
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