Latest news with #SDF
Kyodo News
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Kyodo News
Japan to send 2 defense force planes for possible Mideast airlift
KYODO NEWS - 16 hours ago - 18:18 | All, Japan, World Japan will send two Self-Defense Forces airplanes to eastern Africa for a possible operation to evacuate its nationals from the Middle East, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said Thursday, amid the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. Nakatani told reporters that two C-2 transport aircraft with a total of about 120 crew members will fly to an SDF base in Djibouti and be on standby there, following a request from Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya earlier that day. The planes are likely to leave Japan on Saturday, sources familiar with the matter said. "The situation in the Middle East has become more strained as Israel and Iran continue tit-for-tat attacks," Nakatani said, while stressing that the government "is still at the preparatory stage for a possible transportation" of Japanese citizens. The government is working to ascertain how many of the about 280 Japanese nationals in Iran and 1,000 in Israel wish to flee the countries. Ahead of the departure of the C-2s, about 10 SDF personnel left Japan for the Middle East to gather information, Nakatani said. Later Thursday, Japan also began to evacuate nationals and their family members by bus from Tehran to neighboring Azerbaijan, and from Tel Aviv to Jordan, as major local airports have been closed, according to a Japanese government source. Israel said Friday it has begun striking nuclear facilities and military targets in Iran, claiming that the regional archrival is getting close to acquiring a nuclear weapon. The strike has triggered retaliatory attacks from Tehran. In the latest developments on Thursday, an Iranian missile hit a hospital in southern Israel, while Israeli forces bombed a heavy-water reactor in Arak in western Iran, according to local media reports. Tensions have been further fueled by speculation that U.S. President Donald Trump may decide to join Israel in striking Iran. Trump, who has demanded Iran's "unconditional surrender," told reporters in Washington on Wednesday that he gave Tehran an "ultimate ultimatum," while remaining ambiguous about potential U.S. military action, saying, "I may do it, I may not." Related coverage: Japan mulls pulling 90 nationals, family members out of Iran by land Japan urges all nationals in Iran to evacuate amid Israeli attacks
Shafaq News
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
US exits two military sites in Syria as regional conflict escalates
Shafaq News/ The United States conducted a tactical evacuation of troops from two military positions in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province due to escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, a source from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) confirmed on Thursday. The withdrawal affected the Istirahat al-Wazir and Tel Baydar bases, which lack advanced defensive systems, placing US personnel at increased risk as missile exchanges between Tehran and Tel Aviv continue in Syrian airspace, the source told Shafaq News. More than 100 trucks carrying military hardware and logistical supplies crossing from Iraq through the Al-Waleed border point toward US-led Coalition bases in Hasakah. Earlier, Syrian sources indicated that the US military activated defense systems and implemented precautionary measures in coordination with Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. A source close to US forces in Syria revealed to Shafaq News in April that the Pentagon had launched a new military redeployment plan, aimed at reinforcing its presence in Kurdish-controlled parts of Hasakah while reducing its overall footprint in northeast Syria. This marks the first on-the-ground confirmation of the US exit from the Istirahat al-Wazir and Tel Baydar bases, raising to at least four the number of positions vacated by American forces since President Donald Trump took office. The Trump administration announced earlier this month that it would scale down its military presence in Syria from eight bases to just one in areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces. While the SDF did not disclose how many US troops remain or which bases are still active, SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi told Reuters that the presence of only a few hundred troops 'would not be enough' to contain the threat posed by ISIS. 'The threat of Islamic State has significantly increased recently. But this is the US military's plan. We've known about it for a long time ... and we're working with them to make sure there are no gaps and we can maintain pressure on Islamic State,' Abdi said.
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Japan deploying two defence aircraft for possible Mideast evacuation
TOKYO: (Bernama-Kyodo) Japan will deploy two Self-Defence Forces (SDF) aircraft to East Africa for a possible evacuation of its nationals from the Middle East amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, Kyodo news agency quoted Defence Minister Gen Nakatani as saying Thursday (June 19). Nakatani told reporters that two C-2 transport planes, carrying about 120 personnel, would be sent to the SDF base in Djibouti to remain on standby. The move follows a request by Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya earlier in the day. Sources said the aircraft are expected to depart Japan on Saturday. "The situation in the Middle East has become increasingly strained as Israel and Iran continue tit-for-tat attacks,' Nakatani said, noting that the government is still in the preparatory stage of any evacuation operation. The ministry is currently determining how many of the approximately 280 Japanese nationals in Iran and 1,000 in Israel wish to leave. Before the aircraft deployment, around 10 SDF personnel were sent to the region to gather information, he added. Japan also plans to evacuate by bus around 90 nationals and their family members from Tehran to neighbouring Azerbaijan, while those in Israel may be offered a similar route to Jordan, according to a government source. On June 13, Israel confirmed it had begun targeting Iran's nuclear and military facilities, prompting retaliatory attacks from Tehran. Tensions have escalated further amid speculation that US President Donald Trump may decide to support the Israeli strikes. - Bernama-Kyodo
See - Sada Elbalad
a day ago
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Japan Deploys Aircraft in Eastern Africa for Potential Evacuation
Israa Farhan Japan has announced the deployment of two Self-Defense Forces (SDF) transport aircraft to eastern Africa in preparation for a potential evacuation of Japanese nationals from the Middle East, as regional tensions surge between Iran and Israel. Defense Minister Gen Nakatani confirmed on Thursday that two C-2 transport planes, accompanied by around 120 personnel, will be dispatched to the SDF's operational base in Djibouti. The move follows a formal request from Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and comes amid mounting fears of wider conflict across the region. The aircraft are scheduled to depart Japan on Saturday, according to officials familiar with the matter. Minister Nakatani emphasized that the government remains in the preparatory phase and no evacuation has yet been ordered. As part of the preliminary measures, approximately 10 SDF members have already been deployed to the Middle East to collect on-the-ground intelligence. Authorities are also working to identify how many of the roughly 280 Japanese nationals in Iran and 1,000 in Israel wish to be repatriated. In parallel to the aircraft mobilisation, Japan has begun ground evacuations, transporting its citizens and their families from Tehran to Azerbaijan and from Tel Aviv to Jordan by bus. These measures were taken in response to the closure of major airports in both countries due to the intensifying conflict. The situation in the region deteriorated further following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure, including reported hits on facilities in Arak. Tehran responded with missile attacks, one of which reportedly struck a hospital in southern Israel. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News 3 Killed in Shooting Attack in Thailand
Japan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Japan Times
SDF planes fly to Djibouti to aid return of Japan nationals from Israel and Iran
As the conflict in Israel and Iran continues to intensify, Japan said Thursday it is deploying Self-Defense Forces aircraft to the nearby country of Djibouti to be on standby for a possible air evacuation of Japanese nationals. 'The situation in the Middle East is becoming increasingly tense as Israel and Iran continue to exchange attacks,' said Defense Minister Gen Nakatani. 'Ensuring the safety of Japanese citizens overseas is an important responsibility of the government.' There are currently around 1,000 Japanese people in Israel and 280 in Iran, according to the Foreign Ministry. On Thursday morning, under instructions from Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, Nakatani issued the order for two C-2 transport aircraft to be dispatched to the East African country as soon as possible once preparations are complete. The ministry plans to deploy 120 SDF members to the area, of which 10 members already set off early Thursday. 'We will do the utmost to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals overseas with a strong sense of vigilance and in close cooperation with the Foreign Ministry and other relevant ministries and agencies,' Nakatani added. While Japan's embassies in Israel and Iran are currently assisting Japanese nationals with a swift evacuation by land — given that the airports in both countries have closed during the conflict — the SDF aircraft will be on standby in Djibouti if any of them are unable to leave by land. Since the 2000s, SDF aircraft have been dispatched on eight different occasions to evacuate Japanese nationals overseas, according to the Foreign Ministry. In 2021, for example, SDF aircraft were deployed to Afghanistan following the takeover of the country by the Taliban, with one Japanese national and 14 Afghan workers evacuated. 'The Japanese embassies in Iran and Israel are currently preparing to evacuate (Japanese nationals) by bus to neighboring countries, and although we are unable to provide details for security reasons, we are making arrangements to do so as early as today,' Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Thursday morning. 'We will continue to follow the situation closely and take all possible measures to protect Japanese nationals, including further evacuation assistance,' he added.
