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Damascus government, Kurds trade blame over northern Syria attack

By
IFP Media Wire
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In a statement carried by Syria’s official SANA news agency, the ministry said the military was able to repel the attack in the countryside of the city of Manbij.

“The army forces are working to deal with the sources of fire that targeted the civilian villages near the deployment lines,” the ministry said, adding in a later statement that the military was carrying out “precise strikes”.

But the United States-backed SDF said in a statement that it was responding to “an unprovoked artillery assault targeting civilian-populated areas with more than ten shells” from factions operating within Syrian government ranks.

The statement made no mention of casualties.

The incident comes after the SDF signed a deal in March with Syria’s new interim government to integrate into state institutions.

The SDF has controlled a semi-autonomous region in the northeastern part of the country since 2015, and the deal, if implemented, would bring that territory under the full control of Syria’s central government, led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Al-Sharaa led the lightning rebel offensive that toppled longtime Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December last year.

Discussions over the integration of the SDF into the Syrian state had been ongoing since the fall of al-Assad, but were hampered by divides fostered over years of war.

The deal reached in March did not specify how the SDF would be merged with the Syrian armed forces.

The SDF has previously said its forces must join as a bloc, while Damascus wants them to join as individuals.

“While we reaffirm our commitment to respecting the current de-escalation arrangements, we call on the relevant authorities in the Syrian government to take responsibility and bring the undisciplined factions under their control,” the SDF said in its statement.

Iran says no rush for US talks amid regional tensions

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran US Flags

In an interview with China’s Phoenix TV, Khatibzadeh expressed concern over ongoing regional tensions and criticized Israel and the US for escalating instability.

He said Israel’s attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities were clear violations of international law, emphasizing that recovery from such damage requires time due to safety concerns.

Khatibzadeh reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to peaceful nuclear activities under full IAEA supervision and rejected allegations of weaponization.

“Our enrichment is not for bargaining; it is the Iranian people’s right,” he said.

He also slammed Israel for operating as a “terrorist entity,” responsible for assassinations of Iranian scientists, and warned that Iran would act differently if such attacks continued.

On future negotiations, Khatibzadeh said Iran remains cautious and will only engage if it is certain the talks are not manipulated.

“We won’t return to the table unless the US abandons its illusions,” he concluded.

Russia’s drone strikes on Ukraine hit record high in July

By
IFP Media Wire
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The drone attacks killed dozens of people and injured many more. They also damaged civilian targets, including many homes, a kindergarten and an ambulance.

According to the AFP news agency, data published by Ukraine’s air force showed that Russia fired 6,297 long-range drones into Ukraine last month, up by nearly 16 percent compared with June.

The Kyiv Independent reported that Russia launched a record 6,129 Shahed-type drones in July, 14 times more than in the same month last year, when Russia launched just 423 drones.

Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat told the Kyiv Independent that the real number of Russian drone attacks may be higher, since figures are based on estimates.

In just one night on July 9, Russian forces launched a record 741 drones and decoys on Western Ukraine, more than the number of drones it launched in the entire month of July last year.

The combined Russian missile and drone attacks on July 9 killed at least eight people in Ukraine’s Sumy, Donetsk and Kherson regions, even as Ukrainian forces shot down all but 10 of the drones launched that day.

The July 9 attack came a day after United States President Donald Trump stated his administration would help send Ukraine more “defensive weapons”, just days after the Pentagon had said it was halting deliveries of some weapons to Ukraine, due to low stockpiles.

“They have to be able to defend themselves,” Trump said, as he announced that European allies would finance Patriot air defence systems for Ukraine, from the US weapons company Raytheon.

“They are getting hit very hard now,” he added.

Russia’s heavy drone and missile attacks continued right up until the end of the month, with an attack on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, on July 31 killing at least 31 people, including five children, and wounding 159 others.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia used more than 300 drones and eight missiles in the attack.

According to the AFP, Russia also fired 198 missiles into Ukraine in July, more than in any month this year except in June.

The number of drones Russia fired in June was the second-highest amount after July, with 5,337 in total, according to the Kyiv Independent.

That included some 479 drones fired at Ukraine on June 9, just ahead of the start of a prisoner swap the two countries had agreed to at talks in Istanbul.

Peace talks continued in Turkiye last month but have so far failed to reach a lasting ceasefire agreement, even as Trump has threatened to impose new sanctions on Russia and countries that buy its exports.

Russian forces have adjusted their drones since the 2022 invasion, so that they now fly several kilometres above ground, making it harder to shoot them down with machineguns.

This has made Ukraine even more dependent on US air defence weaponry, including the recently announced European-funded Patriot systems.

Russia also sends a combination of drone types to Ukraine. More than half carry explosives, but there are also decoys designed to waste Ukrainian defensive missiles and reconnaissance drones, which track Ukraine’s air defence team locations.

Heavy drone barrages are also used to overwhelm defence systems when missiles are fired.

Russia imports both its heavy Mohajer-6 drones and cheaper, slower Shahed “kamikaze” drones from Iran, which it described as an “important partner” in late 2024.

Ukraine, which became the world’s largest major arms importer from 2020 to 2024, has increasingly been buying its own supplies of millions of drones from local manufacturers.

Massive rally in Tel Aviv demands prisoner swap agreement with Palestinians

By
IFP Media Wire
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The protesters gathered in Hostage Square in central Tel Aviv to call for an immediate agreement to release all captives in Gaza, Israel’s Channel 12 reported.

Among the demonstrators were families of those held in Gaza, including the family of captive Evyatar David. His sister delivered a speech stressing his urgent need for medical care.

This was the second protest of the day. Earlier in the morning, hundreds of Israelis demonstrated in the same city, demanding a deal to bring back all captives held in Gaza, while the families of captives had called for a larger evening rally.

According to Haaretz, the protest—organized by the Hostages’ Families Forum—came in response to videos released in recent days by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, showing captives Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski in poor physical and psychological condition.

During the evening rally, Evyatar’s sister stated: “We demand that the Israeli government, the Israeli people, the nations of the world, and US President (Donald Trump) do everything possible to save the lives of Evyatar, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, and other captives, and to ensure they receive medical and food assistance.”

A relative of another captive in Gaza addressed Netanyahu directly, saying: “You are the one who neglected, obstructed, and invented pointless phases and tactics. You are the one who squandered every opportunity to save them.”

He continued: “Enough—our son and the other captives are paying the price.”

Channel 12 reported that Saturday’s protest in Tel Aviv was among the largest in recent months.

On Friday, Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad released footage showing two emaciated Israeli captives, Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, prompting renewed outrage.

Tel Aviv estimates there are 50 Israeli captives in Gaza, 20 of whom are alive, while more than 10,800 Palestinians are held in its prisons, where they face torture, starvation, and medical neglect that claimed the lives of many, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights and media reports.

Since Oct. 7, 2023, at least 169 Palestinians, including 93 children, have died of hunger-related causes, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 60,400 Palestinians, most of them women and children. The relentless bombing has destroyed the enclave and led to severe food shortages and deaths by starvation.

UN report confirms nobody reads UN reports

By
IFP Media Wire
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In March, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres launched the UN80 Taskforce – a reform initiative aimed at reviewing how the Secretariat implements thousands of mandates and at reducing administrative overload.

According to a report, the Secretariat published 1,100 reports last year – a 20% increase since 1990 – and supported 27,000 meetings involving 240 entities.

“The sheer number of meetings and reports is pushing the system – and all of us – to the breaking point,” Guterres stated during a briefing.

” Many of these reports are not widely read. The top 5% of reports are downloaded more than 5,500 times, while one in five reports receives fewer than 1,000 downloads. And downloading doesn’t necessarily mean reading.”

It remains unclear how many people downloaded the latest report about reports, but a UN tweet about the efficiency reform effort – despite featuring an engaging video clip – had gathered fewer than 5,000 views.

Founded in the aftermath of World War II by the Soviet Union, United States, UK, France, and China, the organization initially had 51 members and was created to prevent wars and promote cooperation. Now with 193 member states, the UN faces what many experts describe as a credibility crisis.

Guterres has pushed back, insisting that “our values have never been more relevant.”

Hamas dismisses US claims it offered to disarm in exchange for ceasefire

By
IFP Media Wire
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On Saturday, Steve Witkoff met with families of Israeli captives held in Gaza in Tel Aviv, according to Haaretz.

Witkoff assured the families that the US would push for a single hostage deal.

In a recording of the meeting, Witkoff can be heard saying that “Hamas has said that they are prepared to be demilitarised” and that “multiple Arab governments are now demanding Hamas demilitarise”.

“We are very, very close to a solution to end this war,” he continued, adding, “We don’t believe that Hamas speaks for the people… we believe that they have very little political support.”

Hamas hit back at Witkoff’s comments, denying they had made any such proposal and stressed that they would not lay down arms unless an independent Palestinian state was established.

In a statement, the Palestinian movement announced its “armed resistance… cannot be relinquished except through the full restoration of our national rights, foremost among them the establishment of an independent, fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital”.

Last week, the United States and Israel unexpectedly withdrew from ceasefire talks with Hamas, despite what mediators described as significant progress towards an agreement.

According to the Times of Israel, both an Arab diplomat and a source involved in the mediation noted that Hamas negotiators in Doha had made it clear they would not return to the negotiating table unless the starvation crisis in Gaza was resolved.

In a statement on Thursday, Hamas said it was ready to “immediately re-engage in negotiations once aid reaches those in need and the humanitarian crisis and famine in Gaza are brought to an end”, while Israeli sources indicated that the framework for a partial deal may be abandoned.

A senior official speaking at a media briefing stated that “there will be no more partial deals”, signalling a shift in Israel’s negotiating stance.

Echoing this position, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told a far-right conference that the complete disarmament and exile of Hamas, along with the return of all captives, is the “only acceptable deal”.

These latest remarks suggest that Israel has abandoned the previously discussed phased ceasefire framework and is now working with the United States to pursue a comprehensive agreement.

Iran to form national defense council following recent Israeli aggression

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran Israel War

That’s according to multiple reports by the Iranian media. The Iranian Constitution allows for the creation of specialized sub-councils under the Supreme National Security Council, including a Defense Council and a National Security Council.

These bodies are meant to enhance coordination on national defense and security matters.

According to reports, the new council’s structure was finalized recently, with President Masoud Pezeshkian expected to chair the council.

Sources say the council will include key government and military officials such as the heads of the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches, representatives of the leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, the intelligence minister, the chief of staff of the armed forces, and top commanders from both the Army and the IRGC.

Analysts believe the formation of this council is aimed at improving Iran’s military readiness and speeding up strategic decision-making.

It comes just weeks after unprovoked missile and drone strikes by Israel and the US, which Iranian officials have described as clear acts of aggression.

Iranian city of Abadan becomes hottest place on earth

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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This unprecedented heat has made Abadan a symbol of the extreme heatwave gripping the region and has placed Iran at the forefront of countries suffering from the planet’s rising heat.

According to media reports, six out of the ten hottest locations on the planet are currently in Iran.

Cities such as Omidieh, Safiabad Dezful, and Ahvaz, alongside Abadan, have all experienced temperatures exceeding 48°C.

Scientists blame the rising heat in the wider world on climate change and greenhouse gas emissions.

Iran says talks with E3 faced with complexity

By
IFP Media Wire
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Nuclear Negotiations in Vienna

Asked about the most recent round of talks between Iran and the EU3 (the UK, France and Germany), Fatemeh Mohajerani told Sputnik that Iran has seen no obstacles to dialogue with the European countries on various topics.

She noted that what has been going on between Iran and the European troika is “dialogue and exchange of views” about the nuclear issue that has been faced with complicated conditions.

“Negotiations with the meaning of efforts to reach a deal with Europe do not exist with such a definition for the time being. The dialogues are rather focused on exchange of views,” the spokeswoman added.

The representatives of Iran and the three European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal concluded a round of talks in Istanbul on July 25, agreeing to continue consultations on sanctions and nuclear issues.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Ministers Majid Takht Ravanchi and Kazem Gharibabadi led Tehran’s delegation.

Investigation finds Israeli soldiers shot 95 Gaza children in head or chest in over 160 examined cases

By
IFP Media Wire
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Most of the victims were under the age of 12, according to the investigation.

The cases, which stretch from the opening weeks of the conflict through to July this year, paint a grim picture of the war’s toll on Gazan children.

Rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 60,000 Palestinians/

The relentless bombing, blockade and poor distribution of aid has destroyed the enclave, collapsed the health system and led to deaths by starvation.

“Some of the cases we looked at like children were allegedly shot while fleeing battle zones, but many others were shot while playing outside their tents in humanitarian zones and some in areas the IDF themselves had marked as evacuation corridors,” the investigation said.

The BBC also referenced a video broadcast in April on Israeli TV. In the clip, an Israeli army commander is seen speaking to his troops, telling them to “shoot at everyone they see.”

Israeli rights groups B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel have said Israel’s conduct in Gaza constitutes genocide, citing the systematic destruction of Palestinian society and the deliberate dismantling of the territory’s health care system.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.

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