DPG West Asia Review
A report submitted to the UNSC on July 23, 2020, warns about a significant rise in ISIS attacks in Iraq and Syria claiming that the ISIS has exploited the security gaps in Iraq during the Covid-19 pandemic. The UN report on terrorism also sheds light on the presence of ISIS terrorists in the Southern Indian states of Karnataka and Kerala. It warns about possible attacks by Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) to avenge the death of their leader Asim Umar.
Iran’s Chabahar rail project has been in the news over the past few weeks. On July 20, Iran denied speculative reports that it has dropped India from the Chabahar railway project. The Islamic republic confirmed that “vested interests” were behind such reports. In another major development, Iran accused the U.S. military of harassing its civilian airliner over the Syrian airspace. According to reports, several passengers on Mahan Air flight from Tehran (Iran) to Beirut (Lebanon) on July 23, were injured after the pilot rapidly changed altitude to avoid collision with a U.S. jet.
In a major boost to the growing partnership between India and Israel, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that India and Israel will partner to fight Covid-19 pandemic. As part of this, the Israeli delegation led by the Directorate of Defence Research and Development (Ministry of Defence) will conduct a series of tests in India to determine the effectiveness of rapid diagnostic solutions developed by Israel. Defence cooperation between the two nations is also showing positive signs during the ongoing standoff with China.
Israel Defence Forces have stepped up defences in the Golan Heights with growing concerns about Hezbollah attacks against military targets as retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah fighters in alleged Israeli airstrikes in Syria. Meanwhile, former Mossad Chief, Shabtai Shavit has said, “Israel cannot stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons; however, it can deter Iran from using the bomb.” In major development on the defence technology front, after removal of Turkey from the F-35 program, US Air Force will now buy the F-35s designed for Turkey.
Saudi Arabia hosted the G-20 digital minister’s virtual conference. In this conference, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad highlighted that data must belong to sovereign nations to protect privacy and digital concerns of the people. On the economic front, the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (Sezad) will host Oman-India investment webinar on July 28, 2020.
In light of the Covid-19 induced economic crisis, Kuwait’s state owned oil company announced 25 per cent reduction in budget for the next five years. While, Saudi Arabia is also mulling plans to introduce income tax and sale state assets to boost the economy.
Links to major developments in West Asia of strategic relevance to India, compiled from open source media, can be found below.
