Submariners World News SitRep

Syrian jet bombs area near Turkish border – reports

A Syrian fighter jet has reportedly bombed an area close to the Turkish border, injuring several. On Monday, the plane bombed an area around Ras al-Ayn, some 10 meters from the Turkish border, the AP reported. Several injured people were carried by Turkish ambulances to a hospital in Ceylanpinar in southeastern Turkey, local officials said. Shop windows in the town were shattered by the attack.

Iran launches major air defense drills

­Iran has begun large-scale air defense drills, dubbed ‘Velayat-4,’ in eight of country’s eastern provinces. About 8,000 servicemembers, including troops from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are reportedly taking part in the maneuvers. State news agency IRNA said the exercise will involve tests of the country’s entire air defense network, including various electronic surveillance systems, bombers, fighter jets, flying tankers and air defense missile complexes. The previous drills, ‘Velayat-3,’ were held in 2011.

Afghanistan’s Karzai visits India to woo investment

Afghan President Hamid Karzai met with Indian leaders Monday in a bid to woo investment in his country and boost security before the planned withdrawal of NATO troops in 2014. New Delhi hopes to gain further influence in post-2014 Afghanistan. India has invested more than $2.3 billion in Afghan infrastructure, the AP reported. Afghanistan and India are also expected to review a strategic partnership agreement signed last year.

Slovenian ex-PM wins majority in presidential election, runoff looms

A runoff will be held in Slovenia next month between the incumbent president and a former prime minister as no candidate appeared to win Sunday's election. Former Prime Minister Borut Pahor was first with 40 percent of the vote, followed by President Danilo Turk, with 36.2 percent, the AP reported. Turk was previously tipped as the frontrunner in the election for a largely ceremonial post. Prime Minister Janez Jansa said in September that Slovenia does not need an EU bailout, despite the country’s current economic problems.

Rocket hits Israeli yard, IDF aircraft strikes militant sites in Gaza

A rocket launched from the Gaza Strip on Monday reportedly struck the yard of a house in southern Israel, causing no injuries. Earlier, Israeli aircraft attacked three militant sites in Gaza, in retaliation against recent rocket barrages, the AP said. The rocket attacks intensified over the weekend, with more than 110 rockets hitting Israel since Saturday, according to the IDF. Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that Israel’s January 22 elections will not constrain the country from acting to halt the rocket assaults.

West African nations to send troops to Mali

­West African governments will send 3,000 troops to Mali to help the country defeat al-Qaeda-linked militants, Nigerian state television reported on Sunday. The decision came at the end of an emergency summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Nigeria. The plan still needs final approval from the UN Security Council. Northern Mali has been under siege by Islamist extremists for more than six months now.

6.2 quake strikes Quatemala

­A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Guatemala on Sunday, days after another strong quake took the lives of more than 50 people. The center of the quake was registered 24 kilometers southwest of the town of Champerico, and 180 kilometers from Guatemala City, according to the US Geological Survey. No tsunami threat has been issued, and there is no word of casualties or destruction. On Wednesday, a 7.4-magnitude quake struck in the same area, killing 52 people.

Russia to join Arafat death inquiry – Abbas

­Russia will join an international inquiry into the cause of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's death, Palestinian officials said on Sunday. “There’s full cooperation these days between us and the French investigators and Swiss experts, and also from the Russian government,” Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on the eighth anniversary of Arafat's death. The Kremlin has not yet commented the statement. French and Swiss investigators will exhume the body of the former Palestinian leader later this month. Upon Arafat's death his wife refused an autopsy, which resulted in speculation about the cause of his death – with radioation poisoning by Israeli or Israeli-backed agents being actively discussed.

US drone spied on Iranian oil – report

­Tehran has reportedly accused Washington of spying on its oil tankers after the Islamic Republic's fighter jets shot at an American drone on November 1. Iran says the Predator was "flying over Kharg island to gather information about economic activity on the island, and the arrival and departure of oil tankers," ISNA news agency quoted General Amir-Ali Hadjizadeh, head of the elite Revolutionary Guards air and space forces, as saying. Iran claims that the drone violated its territory, while Washington insists the Predator was in the international airspace.

Obama administration opposes Palestinian UN bid

The White House has voiced opposition to the upcoming Palestinian non-state membership bid at the United Nations, according to a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Abbas remains determined to seek his nation's recognition at the UN, and has vowed to resist international pressure to drop the bid until after Israeli elections in January. Last year, the Security Council failed to approve recognition of Palestinian statehood and membership in the UN General Assembly.

Soldier in Afghan uniform kills British serviceman

­A shooter in Afghan Army uniform has killed a member of the US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan. The incident allegedly took place after an argument between an Afghan soldier and coalition service members, Afghan officials report. Identified as a British soldier from The Royal Scots Borderers, the victim's family has been notified of his killing. At least 60 NATO troops have been killed in about 45 insider attacks this year, where insurgents dressed in the uniforms of the Afghan security forces turn their guns on coalition troops.