Latest news with #GulfWar
India.com
19 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
When Mossad's secret 'suicidal mission' to kill Saddam Hussein ended in tragedy, Israeli commandos returned in coffins due to..., truth was...
The tensions between Israel and Iran continue to escalate with every passing day. The conflict escalated dramatically on June 13, with Israel's launch of 'Operation Rising Lion', which involved loose strikes against Iran's nuclear and military facilities. Iran has responded to this attack, and there has been intense and ongoing activity across the region. Amid all of this, the issue is now whether the United States will also join Israel's ongoing war against Iran, with President Donald Trump set to make a decision in the next two weeks. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday (local time), citing a continued possibility of diplomatic engagement with Tehran. Addressing a briefing at the White House, Leavitt read out a statement from President Trump, who acknowledged the potential for diplomatic negotiations despite the escalating conflict in the Middle East. 'Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,' Leavitt quoted the President as saying. Israel has reportedly killed many of Iran's highest-ranking State military leaders and nuclear scientists, raising tensions between the two countries. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday issued a serious threat to Israel of retaliation.'We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy,' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wrote in English on X. As Israel and the United States ramp up their threats to Iran and its Supreme Leader, an unsettling and chilling memory from the early 1990s arises—a secret, maximally ravenous plot to assassinate former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. So-called Operation Bramble Bush failed, but it is a timely reminder of just how fast international diplomacy can devolve into dangerous, visceral acts of terror shaped by politics and power. According to an NDTV report, after the Gulf War in 1991, Israel viewed Saddam Hussein as an unstable and dangerous threat. While Israel was not a combatant in the Gulf War, it had been subjected to a number of Scud missile attacks from Iraq. Furthermore, various intelligence agencies had reported sights that Saddam was working on weapons of mass destruction. In recognition of the danger this presented, Israeli military and intelligence officials began to develop a plan to assassinate Saddam in a public appearance so that they could eliminate a threat which they considered to be growing and unpredictable. The mission, known only as Operation Bramble Bush, was assigned to Sayeret Matkal, Israel's premier special forces unit. The target was a funeral in Saddam Hussein's birthplace of Tikrit. As per the NDTV report, the plan was for Israeli commandos disguised as Arabs to infiltrate the area undetected and attack Saddam's convoy using shoulder-launched missiles as he left the funeral. The intelligence for the mission was provided by Mossad, and the final order for the op was made by the most senior command of the Israeli military. On November 5, 1992, the Sayeret Matkal team gathered in the Negev Desert to conduct a live-fire rehearsal of their planned action. The exercise was intended to prepare the team as closely as possible to the strike on Saddam Hussein. The team used real, armed missiles and was under the assumption that proper safety precautions were taken, and they could not go wrong. During the simulation, an unfortunate and tragic error occurred when one of the operatives mistakenly launched a live missile at his own unit, killing five soldiers from the elite troops and injuring six others seriously. The mission was terminated as soon as possible, and a rehearsal turned into a national tragedy. This incident subsequently became known as the Tze'elim Bet catastrophe, a tragic chapter in Israel's military history. An internal inquiry revealed monumental breakdowns in planning, communication, and risk management. Two days after the disastrous rehearsal, Operation Bramble Bush had been formally cancelled. The dead elite commandos were kept a secret from the public for years, and the entire mission was classified, hidden in the darkness of military secrecy. Thirty years later, Israel is once again waging war against the top leadership of a rival nation—and this time, it is not Baghdad, it is Tehran. In recent days, Israeli forces executed another series of precision strikes that have successfully targeted and killed several of the most important members of Iran's leadership. These include killing the IRGC chief General Hossein Salami and aerospace commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh, and several members of Iran's leadership in the Iran nuclear program. The strikes also targeted important nuclear sites in Natanz, Isfahan, and Arak, all of which will delay Iran's nuclear program going forward.
TECHx
a day ago
- Business
- TECHx
Ashok Harpalani: 30+ Years in UAE's Evolving Tech Scene
Home » Tech Value Chain » Resellers » Ashok Harpalani: 30+ Years in UAE's Evolving Tech Scene From running a footwear business in India to starting one of Dubai's early IT ventures, Ashok Harpalani's path took unexpected turns. In this exclusive conversation with TECHx Media, the Computronic UAE founder looks back at how he built a career in a changing business environment, from the impact of the Gulf War to the early days of digital adoption. His story reflects a time when decisions were driven by instinct and experience, and progress came through steady effort. Ashok Harpalani, Founder of Computronic UAE, has seen the UAE's digital landscape evolve from its infancy. With decades of experience in business and technology, his story is one of persistence, adaptation, and transformation. His journey began in 1982 with an idea. By 1986, after a visit to his in-laws in the UAE, that idea started taking shape. Back then, he was running a successful wholesale and retail footwear business in India. Before considering Dubai, he explored Asia, including a two-year stay in Bangkok to pursue garment trade. A legal dispute forced him to return home, where he refocused on his footwear business. Dubai didn't immediately impress him. But on a later visit, the city's pace, lifestyle, and business potential left a strong impression. Wanting more out of life, he took a leap. In 1990, he handed over his business to his brothers and moved to Dubai. Along with a partner, he entered the textile wholesale market. They did well at first, but the Gulf War in 1992 brought significant financial losses. The period that followed was difficult. Despite the pressure to return to India, he chose to stay in Dubai. He worked in textile retail for two years, searching for a new direction. Over tea one day, he discussed his frustration with a friend's brother who had IT experience. That conversation sparked a new idea: to launch an IT store. With no technical background but growing curiosity about the digital world, he co-founded Computronic in 1992. Dubai was just beginning its digital journey, and Harpalani sensed the shift. He believed technology wasn't just a passing trend, it was the future. Starting in IT was not easy. He had to adapt to local business customs, build trust in a new industry, and understand consumer preferences. Distributors were hesitant to support newcomers. But banking support and straightforward business regulations helped him move forward. He focused on a limited product range and gradually built a strong foundation. Over the years, he witnessed the UAE's transformation. The rollout of high-speed internet, 4G and 5G, and free nationwide fiber-optic upgrades marked the country's serious commitment to digital growth. Data centers and cloud adoption became the norm. Smartphones and e-commerce reshaped everyday life. He saw banking evolve from cash to contactless payments and online transfers. Small businesses gained reach through digital platforms. The UAE's shift to a tech-enabled society was underway. In the last decade, Harpalani observed a growing demand for skills like coding, data analytics, and AI. Education systems adjusted, and the government supported tech startups with funding and incubators. New laws around data and cybersecurity ensured a safe digital environment. Initiatives like Golden Visas for AI professionals showed national commitment to innovation. As a result, the UAE became a global tech hub. Harpalani noted how the youth embraced technology not just as users, but as creators. For him, resilience has been key. Business and life brought many challenges. Each setback taught him to rise stronger. He believes in discipline, consistency, and ethical conduct. These values helped build trust with clients, employees, and partners. His wife's support played a critical role, especially during the years when work consumed most of his time. Gratitude and empathy, he says, helped him stay balanced and connected to people around him. Over time, his relationships with distributors, peers, and mentors became central to his success. He credits his father for instilling ambition and his mentors for providing direction. These bonds gave him strength during uncertain times. If given a chance to restart, Harpalani says he would follow the same path, driven by passion for technology and the desire to build something meaningful. He would still start small, test ideas, and scale with discipline. Most of all, he would prioritize relationships and continuous learning. In closing, he acknowledges the visionary leadership of the UAE. Their commitment to creating a tech-forward environment made his journey possible. And today, as he looks back, Harpalani remains deeply grateful, not just for the success he's achieved, but for being part of the UAE's ongoing digital story.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
How Mossad Plot To Kill Saddam Hussein Ended In 5 Israeli Commandos Dying
New Delhi: The Middle East is once again on edge. What began as a sudden burst of Israeli airstrikes has now erupted into a full-blown military confrontation with Iran. Israel killed several of Iran's top military commanders and nuclear scientists. Iran responded with hypersonic missiles and drone swarms, breaching Israeli defences and prompting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to declare, "The battle begins. No mercy for the Zionists." As Israel and the US issue open threats to Iran and its Supreme Leader, another plot, albeit failed, to assassinate former Iraq President Saddam Hussein in the early 1990s comes to mind. It was called Operation Bramble Bush. Israel's Forgotten Plot To Kill Saddam Hussein Following the 1991 Gulf War, Israel viewed Saddam as a dangerous and unpredictable threat. Despite not being a party to the war, Israel suffered multiple Scud missile attacks from Iraq. Intelligence claimed Saddam was developing weapons of mass destruction. Determined to eliminate the threat, Israeli military and intelligence planners designed a mission to assassinate Saddam at a public event. The plan, codenamed Operation Bramble Bush, was to be carried out by Sayeret Matkal, Israel's most elite commando unit. The target was a funeral in Saddam's hometown of Tikrit, where he was expected to attend. Disguised as Arabs, Israeli commandos would infiltrate the area and launch shoulder-fired missiles at Saddam's convoy during the ceremony. Mossad provided the intelligence, while the IDF's top brass approved the operation. The Tze'elim Bet Disaster On November 5, 1992, the Sayeret Matkal team assembled in the Negev Desert to carry out a live-fire rehearsal. To simulate the real attack, they used live missiles, under the assumption that safety measures were foolproof. They weren't. During the simulation, one of the operatives mistakenly fired a real missile at his own team, killing five elite soldiers and seriously wounding six others. The mission was immediately called off. The incident was later known as the Tze'elim Bet disaster. An internal probe revealed serious lapses in planning, communication, and risk assessment. Two days later, Operation Bramble Bush was officially scrapped. The deaths of the commandos were kept secret from the public for years, and the operation remained classified. Then And Now Three decades later, Israel finds itself once again targeting the top tier of another country, this time not in Baghdad but in Tehran. In recent days, Israeli forces have executed a wave of high-precision strikes that killed some of Iran's most powerful figures, including IRGC chief General Hossein Salami, aerospace commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh, and multiple nuclear scientists. The strikes also hit critical nuclear facilities in Natanz, Isfahan, and Arak. Unlike Bramble Bush, this is no covert op. It is a public military campaign. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not ruled out targeting Supreme Leader Khamenei himself. Calling Iran's regime an "existential threat," Netanyahu declared, "Israel's fight is not against the Iranian people. Our fight is against the murderous Islamic regime that oppresses and impoverishes you." He added, "This is your opportunity to stand up and let your voices be heard... unite around your flag and your historic legacy."
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
Photos show Israel's F-15I Ra'am 'Thunder' fighter jets used in strikes against Iran's nuclear program
The Israeli Air Force is using F-15I Ra'am fighter jets to target Iran's nuclear program. The Israeli variant of Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle planes can fly up to 2,765 miles without refueling. The State Department approved the sale of 50 new F-15I planes to Israel in August 2024. Israel's fleet of F-15I warplanes, a modified version of the Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle, can fly long distances while carrying thousands of pounds of weapons. Israel has used F-15I planes in strikes against Iran's nuclear program, which Israel Defense Forces Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir called an "existential threat." The planes are part of the Israeli Air Force 's fleet of advanced fighter jets acquired from the US and enhanced with military technology manufactured in Israel. Here's a look at the cutting-edge military aircraft. F-15I Ra'am fighter jets are Israeli versions of Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle planes. Following the 1991 Gulf War, during which Iraq fired Scud missiles into Israeli cities, Israel acquired the long-range planes in order to bolster its air defense system. The Israeli Air Force considered an array of models before ordering 25 F-15I planes for $2.4 billion in 1994, The New York Times reported. The first F-15I planes arrived in Israel in 1998. Israel's then-minister of defense, Itzchak Mordechai, formally accepted the planes in a ceremony at Boeing's plant in St. Louis in November 1997. The first two F-15I jets then arrived in Israel in January 1998. "From a purely technological standpoint, the F-15I is a masterpiece. It will provide the qualitative edge Israel requires to preserve peace," Boeing's then-CEO, Phil Condit, said in a statement in 1997. The Israeli Air Force named its F-15I variant "Ra'am" meaning "Thunder" in Hebrew. The planes were also customized with decals of the Star of David, a six-pointed Jewish symbol that appears on the Israeli flag. Israel added its own computer system, terrain-mapping radar, and display and sight helmet, or DASH, to the planes. Each aircraft can carry 18,000 pounds of fuel and weapons, The National Interest reported. F-15I fighter jets can fly a maximum of 4,450 kilometers, or 2,765 miles, without refueling, according to the Israeli Air Force. The planes can also be refueled while airborne, enabling them to fly even longer distances. They can reach speeds exceeding Mach 2.5, or around 1,918 miles per hour. In August 2024, the State Department approved the sale of 50 new F-15I planes and upgrade kits for Israel's existing fleet totaling $20 billion. The sale also included tank ammunition, mortars, and military vehicles. Israel won't actually receive the new F-15Is until 2029, the Associated Press reported. Israel's counteroffensive airstrikes and military operations in Gaza following the Hamas-led terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023, have resulted in widespread Palestinian fatalities, increasing scrutiny of US military aid to Israel. The Israel Defense Forces said it used over 150 fighter jets to target Hezbollah leaders in Lebanon in September. In September, Israel launched an airstrike on Hezbollah's central headquarters in Beirut that killed Hassan Nasrallah, who had led the Iran-backed militant group since 1992. The Israel Defense Forces also targeted Hezbollah's military infrastructure across southern Lebanon and launched a ground offensive. The Israeli Air Force shared photos of F-15I fighter jets loaded with what appeared to be 2,000-pound BLU-109 bombs known as "bunker busters" following the airstrikes. Iran responded by launching a missile attack on Israel. US warships helped intercept the Iranian missiles, and White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan said Iran's attack was "ineffective." In June, Israel struck nuclear and military sites in Iran with over 200 fighter jets, including F-15I Ra'am planes. Beginning June 13, the Israel Defense Forces have bombarded Iran's nuclear facilities, military sites, and weapons manufacturing capabilities in an effort to prevent it from acquiring a nuclear weapon and launching further attacks. Iran retaliated by launching ballistic missiles and drones at Israel, some of which have evaded Israel's air defenses and damaged residential and commercial buildings. Photos released by the Israel Defense Forces show F-15I Ra'am jets preparing to strike Iran, as well as the involvement of Israel's F-35I Adir stealth fighter jets. The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that the Israeli Air Force had conducted over 600 aerial refuelings since the beginning of the strikes, dubbed Operation Rising Lion.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
US on Iran: Not Pete Hegseth, 'Gorilla' Erik Kurilla is calling the shots on Middle East crisis
Iran hawk US General Erik Kurilla is calling the shots in the matter of US's involvement in the Iran-Israel war. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has taken a backseat and US Central Command chief General Erik Kurilla, an Iran Hawk who is nicknamed as "The Gorilla" is calling the shots on the Iran-Israel war, overruling all other top Pentagon officials, according to reports. Insiders said all his requests, ranging from more aircraft carriers to fighter planes in the region, have been approved. A former official told POLITICO that Hegseth gets easily swayed when a tough warfighter comes in the scene and Kurilla has been very good at getting what he wants. He is also not scared of pushing the president as his tenure is nearing an end. The Pentagon sent a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East this week and deployed F-22, F-35 and F-16 fighter planes. Kurilla, testifying on Capitol Hill last week, said he had prepared a 'wide range of options' for Hegseth and President Donald Trump to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Kurilla is known to be especially close to Israel, Israel's military and intelligence officials. Insiders think he had a clear idea about what the military was up to before anyone in the administration got to know anything about it. Kurilla is currently serving as the 15th commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM) since April 1, 2022. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Het meest ontspannende boerderijspel van 2025. Geen installatie Taonga: la fattoria sull'isola Play Now Undo Originally from Elk River, Minnesota, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1988 with a degree in aerospace engineering and was commissioned as an infantry officer. Kurilla has an extensive military career, having participated in operations such as the U.S. invasion of Panama, the Gulf War, and deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. Last year, Kurilla was under investigation for allegedly shoving a subordinate service member during a trip to the Middle East. In the past few weeks, Kurilla fought with the other Pentagon officers, including chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine and Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby who did not want to overcommit to the Middle East.
