By Afshain Afzal

In the latest development, Pakistan attacked Baloch nationals, targeting suspected members of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) on 18 January 2024. Iranian Deputy Governor of Sistan Balochistan province, Ali Reza Marhamati, gave the casualty figures; three women, four children and two men near the town of Saravan along the Pak-Iran border. He said the dead were not Iranian citizens. Earlier on 17 January 2024, Iran carried out a combination of missile and drone attacks 34 kilometers inside Pakistan without intimation and dubbed that they attacked Sistan Balochistan inside Pakistan. Pakistan strongly condemned the unprovoked violation of its airspace by Iran and the strike inside Pakistani territory, which resulted in the death of two innocent children while injuring three girls. Islamabad, in its official statement, said, “This violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty is completely unacceptable and can have serious consequences.” Tehran claimed, “Two key strongholds of the Jaysh al-Dhulm (Jaish al-Adl) terrorist group in Pakistan were “specifically targeted and successfully demolished the houses”. Later, with a gap of two days, name of Pakistan was added out of context with some evil plan in mind. Interestingly, Washington declassified some documents, while leaking others documents regarding Balochistan to create further chaos.

Strange statements emerged from both the Iranian and Pakistani sides, which are beyond comprehension. Even though Pakistan’s sovereignty has been seriously breached, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in a statement, that Pakistan has decided to recall its Ambassador from Iran and that the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan who is currently visiting Iran may not return for the time being," but exactly opposite of what earlier said she also humbly submitted, “We will continue to engage with our neighbor Iran to ensure that peace prevails and that the two countries make concerted and coordinated efforts to combat the threat of terrorism.” Earlier, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued separate a press release, “Pakistan has always said terrorism is a common threat to all countries in the region that requires coordinated action. Such unilateral acts are not in conformity with good neighbourly relations and can seriously undermine bilateral trust and confidence.”

The story is unusual and seems mutual consultation as everything has missing links and lacks authenticity.   The target or enemy for both Pakistan and Iran are the same i.e. “the Baluch groups”. Interestingly, the official statement clarifies Pakistan's position and agenda, “Pakistan has always said terrorism is a common threat to all countries in the region that requires coordinated action. Such unilateral acts are not in conformity with good neighbourly relations and can seriously undermine bilateral trust and confidence.” Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has claimed, “Iranian nationals has taken refuge in the Pakistani Province of Siestan Balochistan” and Iranian

The social media and analysts cannot deny that the initial news on 15 January 2024, explosions killed four people and briefly suspended air traffic at Erbil International Airport. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed the attacks that it targeted an Israeli Mossad espionage center with ballistic missiles, destroying it. The attack was of such a minor nature that all air traffic resumed at Erbil International Airport early 16 January. The attack on Syria was also of a minor nature-targeting container of an anti-Iranian group. Two days later on 17 January, first the Western and Indian media and then the Iranians claimed they attacked the target in the Pakistani province of Balochistan. One wonders about the joint operation code name, “Operation “Marg Bar Sarmachar”, which was coined by the combination of a Persian word, “Marg bar” which means down with or death and Hindi word spoken in India “Sarmachar” which means winter season. However, local Baluch language, “Sarmachar” means “guerrilla” and the operation may mean “Death to Guerrilla”. To conclude, with exchange of sweet words in official statements between Iranian and Pakistani officials despite violating national integrity and sovereignty of each other is a serious threat to the rules of war and peace. This means that onwards both nations can directly target their adversaries and enemies in each other countries, with smiles on their faces calling each other brothers.

By Afshain Afzal

In the latest development, Iranian-backed elements launched ballistic missiles on Erbil, northern Iraq to target what Tehran claims, “This Mossad headquarters working for espionage operations and a center for terror attacks planning in the region, especially against our beloved country, Iran.” However, Washington has officially said, “US facilities were not targeted.” Tehran also claimed to have targeted Syria and Pakistan province of Balochistan. The US Department of State stated on 15 January 2024, giving an account of Iran’s attacks in Erbil Iraq. Reuters reported at 3 PM GMT+5 on 16 January 2024 that Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they attacked the spy headquarters of Israel in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, state media reported late on Monday, while the elite force said they also struck in Syria against the Islamic State. Another statement said it had fired several ballistic missiles at “terrorist operations,” including Islamic State targets, in Syria and destroyed them. However, there was no mention of the Iranian attack on Pakistan. The earliest news on Social media reflects that news about the attack on Pakistan only appeared at 6 AM on 17 January 2024. Hence, the Iranian attack on Pakistan seems suspicious whether it is a truth or lie. However, the Associated Press said that the strikes damaged a mosque, and Pakistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that two children were killed and three others wounded in the attack

Two days ahead horrifying 7^th October 2023, attack on Israel, in a separate act of terrorism during the graduation ceremony of military officers in Syria on 5 October 2023, drone attack killed 89 people including 31 women and five children while 277 others were wounded. No country or group claimed responsibility for the attack. Many analysts are linking the attack on Israel as a retaliatory measure against 5^th October attack on Syria. If we recall, many years ago, at a mourning ceremony of an Iranian officer killed in Syria, Iranian General Qasim Soleimani referring to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman said, “He is very impatient and might kill his king and backing of rebels by the Saudis in Syria is only to undermine Iran's influence”. Later, Iranian General Qasim Soleimani was killed in a drone attack on 3 January 2020.

A few days back at Kerman Martyrs Cemetery while the martyrdom anniversary of General Qasim Soleimani was observed, two explosions killed at least 84 people and injured more than 210 people. A US official and counterterrorism expert said the blasts appeared to be a relatively unsophisticated but lethal attack and the Islamic State group would have to be seen as a possible culprit given the militants’ long-running conflict with Tehran. The tug of war in the Middle East and Central Asia continued with intervals till the point where in a misadventure last month, drone attack by Iran-aligned elements killed one US serviceman and injured two others. In retaliation, on 4 January 2024, in retaliation to the Iranian-backed attack, US forces fired two drone-mounted rockets which hit Al-Nujaba headquarters at Palestine Street at Baghdad and killed Mushtaq Talib Al-Saidi, Deputy Commander (Operations) Harakat Al-Nujaba.

We all know that US-led forces invaded Iraq and toppled former President Saddam Hussein in 2003 to create space for Tehran to play the same role, that it played in World War First and, during Shah time or the Islamic Revolution. US withdrew from Iraq in 2011 but then returned in 2014 to fight ISIS as part of an international coalition as Iraqis loyal to late President Sadam Hussain were still powerful enough to take over the political stage in Baghdad. A dirty game in the Middle East is being played where Orthodox Muslims are targeted everywhere. It is high time that all foreign forces from Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and other nations must be withdrawn and allow peace to prevail in the region. One wonders when peace seems evident why and how countries intentionally create tense situations that allow foreign presence to be prolonged. It seems that favorites are facilitated to keep ruling no matter whole country is burned down.

By Afshain Afzal

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is holding two sessions on 11 January 2024 (Oral arguments from South Africa) and 12 January 2024 (Oral argument from Israel), on the request of indication of provisional measures submitted by South Africa on 29 December 2023. The ICJ has twofold role: first to settle, in accordance with the international law, legal disputes submitted by the states and second to give advisory opinion on legal questions referred to it. While the court decides on a ruling, South Africa has also requested the court to impose emergency measures to cease alleged violations by Israel.

In its 84-page filing South Africa have claimed that Israel is committing genocide in manifest violation of the Genocide Convention by killing Palestinians in Gaza, causing them serious mental and bodily harm and by creating conditions on life calculated to bring about their physical destruction. It highlights Israel barring provision of essential food, water, medicine, fuel, shelter and other humanitarian assistance to the Gaza strip during the more than three-month war. It also points out the sustained bombing campaign which has laid much of the enclave to waste, forced the evacuation of some 1.9 million Palestinians and killed over 23,000 people according to Gaza health authorities.

On the other hand, Israel claims that on 7 October 2023, Israel experienced a catastrophic act of genocide when armed Hamas militants invaded the country through land, air, and sea. This act of genocide, coinciding with a Jewish holiday, involved destroying the Gazan security fence with heavy weaponry and infiltrating the southern cities of Israel. During this massacre, the Hamas murdered over 1,200 innocent civilians, including infants, the elderly and individuals at a music festival that celebrated peace. Hamas kidnapped 240 innocent Israeli civilians. However, so far Israel has neither shown any aircrafts, ship, or devices used by Hamas in neither air and sea attacks nor heavy weaponry held by Hamas.

By Afshain Afzal

It started with international propaganda inside Lebanon that Saleh Al-Arouri and his group were architects “Al-Aqsa Flood operation”, in which Hamas and other Palestinian resistance factions attacked Israeli military bases and settlements on 7 October 2023. Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, was scheduled to hold a meeting through Ismail Haniyah on 3 January 2024. Nasrallah was all set to make a speech Wednesday, the 3^rd of January 2024 marking the anniversary of the US killing of Qasem Soleimani, the leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Al Quds Force. Ismail Haniyeh along with Palestinian leaders; Samir Fandi, Azzam al-Aqra, Mahmoud Zaki Shaheen, Mohammad Bashasha, Mohammad al-Rayes, Ahmed Hammoud were to jointly meet to make something public.

All these arrangements coincided with a huge was explosion that took place at the “Dahiyeh” area in southern Beirut on 2 January 2024, killing Palestinian leaders; Samir Fandi, Azzam al-Aqra, Mahmoud Zaki Shaheen, Mohammad Bashasha, Mohammad al-Rayes, and Ahmed Hammoud and injuring 11 other in this drone attack. An official statement from representative, Izzat al-Rishq said, “The strike proves once again the abject failure of the enemy to achieve any of its aggressive goals in the Gaza Strip.” Ismail Haniyah, was quick enough to admit in a televised address, “Seven members of the Palestinian group had been killed in the cowardly attack that killed Samir Fandi and Azzam al-Aqra, two leaders in the military wing of Hamas, as well as four other members of the group.”

Despite the rejection of Ismail Haniyah from the Hamas political authority in Gaza, Haniyah remained on public due to backing of Qatar and Iran, posing as true top leader of Hamas. Haniyah had been holding meetings with the Egyptian, Qatari and indirect Israeli leadership for the resolution of the Palestinian deadlock as well as close with the Hizbullah leadership in Lebanon. As per the details; Ismail Haniyah confirmed that he negotiated with Qatar and Egypt which is based on a complete cessation of the aggression against the Palestinians, helping them and responding to their rightful demands. And a condition that hostages will not be released except under the resistance's conditions. He also organized meeting of Palestinian leaders including Samir Fandi and Azzam al-Aqra killed on 2 January with Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, who was scheduled to hold a meeting through Ismail Haniyah on 3 January 2024.

Some time back, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah publicly warned and threatened Israel that any attempt to kill Hamas leaders in Beirut would invite a strong response. After the killings, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's advisor issued a statement, "We did not claim responsibility for the Beirut attack, and we did not target the Lebanese government or Hezbollah." Interestingly, an hour earlier Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan said, "I congratulate the Israeli army, Shin Bet, Mossad and security forces on the assassination of Hamas terrorist leader Saleh Al-Arouri." Washington, on the other hand, is blaming Israel claiming that Tel Aviv even sought permission to carry out drone attacks. Despite these developments, the Hamas leadership in Gaza did not share a strategy in the coming days.

By Afshain Afzal

When Israeli Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Tzipi Hotovely made an announcement last week her country would reject any possibility of a two-state solution after the war in Gaza ends… many Muslim nations took this terrorist threat by Tel Aviv as an ultimatum to their very survival as there was also an earlier announcement of Israel's Heritage Minister Amihay Eliyahu's about Israeli plans to carry out a nuclear strike on Gaza. In fact, the Muslim nations are taken aback by the announced genocide of Orthodox Muslim Palestinians by Israeli State authorities, especially when Tel Aviv still require a certificate of her legitimacy and is waiting for assent in the UNO system. The world nations should not remain in any misunderstanding that Muslim countries like Turkey, other Asian, African, Central Asia and Gulf nations are not bound under World War - I treaties, especially any secret one that have no trace in the UNO system.

As a show of force and control over regions, on 27 December 2023, the Turkish Navy successfully carried out the first live firing test of the fully indigenous Roketsan-made AKYA heavyweight torpedo with a real warhead in the East Mediterranean. It was launched from the TCG Preveze submarine and it hit the target with full accuracy. This had the confirmation by the office of Turkish Naval Forces Commander, Admiral Adnan Ozbal. As a reaction we saw the transcript released after US Press Briefing on 28th December 2023, “We continued to reinforce our traditional partnerships with China, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the wider Islamic world. These relationships are based on mutual trust and friendship and characterized by a tradition of robust dialogue and exchange of bilateral visits”.

Filtering down the information into only the relevant pieces as peace and release are involved, we should also not pass any passing remarks till those who planned out speak themselves… five US citizens detained by Tehran were allowed to leave the country in exchange for the transfer of $6 billion in Iranian funds that were Iranian profits from oil sales were transferred from South Korea to Qatar as part of an agreement reached in September to exchange US citizens held in Iranian prisons. US President Joe Biden is delaying the decision and planned likely reversal on $6 Billion for Iran. After alleged Hamas attack on Israel, US President Joe Biden's $6 billion prisoner-swap deal with Iran is being scrutinized. US Treasury Department is now declining that it signed any agreement with Qatar to formally return $6 billion in Iranian funds. That is not all, since 7 October; whenever Tehran tried to issue strong statements or strong action each time was snubbed by Washington, United Kingdom or Canada. It is a time that requires unity amongst Muslims and other peace-loving nations of the world, so any sole flight of Muslim elements would turn into a disaster. Let us negotiate for peaceful coexistence for a better tomorrow.

01 JANUARY 2024, (TON). We will continue sharing the truth, no matter what happens. All articles published under Inside Story were removed from 10 December to 31 December 2023. We apologize for the inconvenience. We will try to share the same article published on Linked In on the dates published. Thank you. 

By Afshain Afzal

Despite a tense geopolitical environment due to intense diplomatic lobbying and coercion through indirect threats on attacks in pursuance to eliminating suspected Hamas elements in their countries, to some extent this time the rights of Palestinians and respect to international law was acknowledged. In a breakthrough on 8 December 2023, the UN General Assembly at its emergency special session “on Israeli actions in occupied Palestinian territories” overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling for a humanitarian truce in Gaza leading to a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers. The 193-member of the United Nations Organization adopted the resolution by a vote of 120-14 with 45 abstentions. But unfortunately, this resolution is not binding.

In another breakthrough, two days earlier, on 6 December 2023, the UN Secretary-General wrote a letter to the President Security Council dated 6 December 2023 (S/2023/962), invoking Article 99 of the Charter of the United Nations. The Muslim and Western world leaders trusted Turkey and Saudi Arabia to perform the lead role in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian deadlock but countries including UAE and Qatar hijacked and tried to sideline them. Even though we witnessed Russia, US Iran visiting Saudi Arabia and Turkey in connection with the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, wittingly or unwittingly a weak draft resolution was tabled as an eyewash on the “Palestinian question” to defeat the opportunity provided at UNSC. It is difficult to comment if the Palestine issue was intentionally derailed or it was a matter of misfire due to lust to become the leader of the Muslim nations. Veto by the US on 8^th December draft resolution on Palestine, no doubt, has put a dent on US credibility in the Muslim world and peace-loving countries around the world.

If we recall, soon after the tweet of UN Secretary-General António Guterres on 6 December, “I've just invoked Art.99 of the UN Charter - for the 1st time in my tenure as Secretary-General,” UAE Mission to UN tweeted at 10:52 pm on 6 December 2023, the tweet read; “The UAE calls for a humanitarian ceasefire resolution to be adopted urgently and has just submitted a draft to the UNSC. The situation in the Gaza Strip is catastrophic and close to irreversible. We cannot wait. The Council needs to act decisively to demand a humanitarian ceasefire… The UAE draft resolution has the support of the Arab and OIC groups. This is a moral and humanitarian imperative and we urge all countries to support the call of the Secretary-General.” UAE insisted voting on its own authored draft resolution on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question” for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire on 8 December.

Interestingly, a day later on 7 December, Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer said, “Frankly, if the war were stopped today, Hamas would continue to pose a threat, which is why we’re not in place yet of asking Israel to stop or for a ceasefire.” If we critically, examine Mr Jon Finer's statement, we would easily comprehend that Washington wants assurance from Muslim leaders, to be conveyed to Israel, that Hamas would carry out peaceful negotiations and would not pose a threat to Israel. Over the insistence of UAE the draft resolution was tabled in haste, which can be judged from the fact that the Council was expected to vote on a draft resolution in the morning but it was postponed to 5:30 pm to provide time for further negotiations and finally, the vote was subsequently moved up to 3 pm.

The US is justified that the horrific terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, condolences, and condemnation of their murderers were not made part of the Resolution. The statement of US Ambassador Robert Wood, with few exceptions, is justified as Washington has categorically assured, “The United States will continue the hard work of diplomacy to free hostages, to increase protection of civilians, to expand humanitarian aid and to create an opportunity for Palestinians and Israelis to live side by side in peace and security.” The efforts of all members of the United Nations must be respected but why these members could not have a consensus before tabling the resolution? The Resolution could always start with “We condemn the horrific terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, unjustified killings of civilians and instance sexual violence and kidnapping, reportedly by Hamas or whosoever committed these acts of terrorism and also express condolence with all those killed including Israelis and Palestinians post 7^th October attacks. We demand these incidents must be investigated and condemned and those civilians kidnapped must be released unconditionally” and must also come up with the solution of the Palestinian question.”

The UN Secretary General's letter is also seen with concern, the draft Resolution voted on 8 December had many flaws and we cannot blame any single country including the US for failing to get the draft resolution passed at the UNSC. We should not take an expelled Hamas leaders like Ismail Haniyeh as statements from Hamas.  We still have time to develop a consensus over the draft Resolution before re-tabling at UNSC at some appropriate date. Let us hope to re-phrase and re-table for peace in the Middle East and beyond. Exaggerated figures of killing, injuries and crimes would never resolve the issue, however, hope is still there and one feels optimistic that in days to come we the peace-loving people of the world will be able to come to a consensus.

By Afshain Afzal 

The United Nations Organization has, at last, played its due role for peace in the world. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter, urging the UN Security Council to act on the war in Gaza. The Article allows the secretary-general to bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security. out new threats to international peace and security

There can be no second opinion that due to the Israeli genocide of Muslim Palestinians in Gaza and other Israeli-occupied territories, the situation is likely to aggravate directly hinder the maintenance of international peace and security.

UN News website reports, “In his letter to the Council president, Mr. Guterres said the more than eight weeks of fighting overall had created appalling human suffering, physical destruction and collective trauma across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”

He highlighted the more than 1,200 “brutally killed” by militants on 7 October, including 33 children, and the 130 people still being held captive.

“They must be immediately and unconditionally released. Accounts of sexual violence during these attacks are appalling”, the UN chief added.

As Israel continues to target Hamas fighters, he said civilians throughout the Strip face grave danger, with over 15,000 reportedly killed, over 40 per cent of them children.

Around 80 per cent of Gazans are displaced, over 1.1 million seeking refuge in UN Palestine refugee agency (UNRWA) shelters.

Now it is right time to carry out trial of the Israeli regime at Tel Aviv and the Israel Defence Forces for the genocide of orthodox Muslim Palestinians and censuring those in alliance with Israel.  

By Afshain Afzal
After the 4 December-Hamas announcement of refusal of direct talks with Israelis denying handing over control of Gaza to the Israeli authorities, Tel Aviv has intensified aerial bombing at three locations martyring 3 Palestinian women and 2 men while 13 people were injured. Meanwhile, on 5 December several drone attacks and armour/ artillery shelling was reported at Gaza, however, the intensity of damage or causalities was not immediately known.
In another development, Israeli authorities claimed that Hamas security personnel guarding Gaza targeted Israel Armed Forces at multiple locations killing 7 Israeli soldiers and four injuring.  Hamas, on the contrary, confirmed that they had arrested at least four Israeli personnel while two Israelis surrendered before Hamas authorities. There was, however, no word from Hamas of any encounter or fighting with the Israelis.
Israel Defence Forces have released the names of 6 personnel killed during the last 24 hours including Major General Ben Zussman ex 401 Brigade and Sergeant Binyamin Yehoshua Needham ex 601 Battalion Combat Squad, however same could not be confirmed from independent sources.
Hamas authorities have rejected the fake video clip of an encounter and other fighting between the Palestinian armed group and 601 Battalion Combat Squad.  The Hamas authorities in control of Gaza said these are cheap tactics of Israelis to make it a plea of further genocide of orthodox Palestinian Muslims.  Hamas added, “Our peaceful struggle for independence of Palestinian territories will continue.”

SWITZERLAND, 5 DECEMBER 2023 (TON): The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has convened the 12th Olympic Summit for Tuesday, 5 December 2023. This meeting will be held at Olympic House, Lausanne, Switzerland. IOC President Thomas Bach has convened the 12th Olympic Summit, which he will chair.

Discussions will focus on several topics of interest to the Olympic Movement, including the unifying mission of the Olympic Games in the international community, the upcoming Olympic Games Paris 2024, updates on other forthcoming editions of the Olympic Games, e-sports within the Olympic Movement, and digital engagement as well as the protection of athletes.

The Olympic Summit brings together leading representatives of the Olympic Movement. It forms part of the ongoing dialogue and consultation on important issues and subjects of significance for the future of the Olympic Movement.