Latest news with #Scud
NDTV
3 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."
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Israel-Iran conflict: Will Khamenei meet Saddam Hussein's fate? Israel issues chilling warning
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (left) and Saddam Hussein Israeli defence minister Israel Katz on Tuesday warned that Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could have a "similar fate" to Iraq's former dictator Saddam Hussein . "Remember what happened to the dictator in the neighbouring country of Iran who took this path against Israel," Katz told news agency Reuters. Katz's caveat linking Khamenei's fate to Saddam Hussein could be considered a highly charged statement, reflecting the deepening hostility between the Jewish State and its arch-rival Tehran. Saddam Hussein was overthrown and executed following a US-led invasion in 2003, symbolising the total collapse of his regime. By drawing this parallel, Katz is not only issuing a personal threat to Khamenei but also hinting at the potential for regime change in Iran if its aggressive policies, particularly towards Israel, persist. The statement seems aimed at both psychological warfare and international signalling, reaffirming Israel's resolve to confront what it perceives as existential threats. According to the Israeli government, the threat stems from the Khamenei-led state actively involved in the enrichment of uranium beyond permitted limits that could potentially make Iran a nuclear-capable nation. Invoking Saddam's fate serves as a cautionary tale, warning Khamenei that unchecked defiance and militarism could lead to catastrophic personal and national consequences. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Investigadora argentina revela hallazgos sobre el magnesio Salud Esencial Leer más Undo Saddam was known for his hostility towards Israel, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s. During the 1991 Gulf War, Saddam's forces fired Scud missiles at Israel, aiming to draw Israel into the conflict and destabilise the US-led coalition against him. Despite the provocation, Israel, under US pressure, chose not to retaliate. Saddam's regime was marked by brutal oppression, regional wars, and defiance of international norms. Eventually, the US invaded Iraq in 2003, citing weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) that were never found. Saddam was captured later that year, put on trial, and executed on December 30, 2006. The conflict between Israel and Iran has intensified for the fifth consecutive day, pushing the region dangerously close to an all-out war. Throughout the night, the area saw heavy missile fire, drone shoot-downs, and swift evacuation directives. Air raid sirens echoed across Israel, while explosions lit up Tehran's skyline. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump cut short his appearance at the G7 summit in Canada, warning civilians to "immediately evacuate Tehran" -- raising suspicions that much would be brewing in West Asia than what meets the eye. As casualties mount, with evacuation orders affecting hundreds of thousands and major regional air routes coming to a standstill, concerns are growing over the possibility of a wider regional war. Despite the ongoing violence, Trump maintains that "Iran still wants a deal," even as his national security team convenes in Washington. Meanwhile, Israel asserts it has total control over Iranian skies, signalling a further escalation. The situation remains tense and highly volatile.
San Francisco Chronicle
5 days ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
In this Israeli city hit by an Iranian missile, many people still support their military's operation
PETAH TIKVA, Israel (AP) — When an Iranian missile slammed into this central Israeli city, Miryam was huddled inside the concrete safe room in her family's apartment. Miryam was unscathed by the blast. But four people in the building next door were killed, and the explosion blew off the doors to the apartment and destroyed the kitchen and bathroom. 'This was the scariest thing I'd ever experienced,' said Miryam, who spoke to AP on condition that her last name not be used because she serves in the military. 'But the right thing is to attack Iran; I don't want them to have this power over us.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long identified Iran as Israel's greatest enemy, citing its hostile rhetoric and support for militant groups and accusing it of pursuing nuclear weapons — a charge Iran denies. After years of threats, Israel launched a surprise attack on Friday, killing Iranian military leaders and striking nuclear facilities in a blistering aerial assault. While no opinion polls have been released yet, the Israeli public — and even Netanyahu's rivals in the opposition – appears to be lining up behind the military operation in these early days. Such sentiment was evident in Petah Tikva, a middle-class city outside Tel Aviv where nearly a dozen residents said they support the operation, even after the deadly blast. The Iranian missiles appear to be the strongest assault on Israel's heartland since then-Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's Scud missile attacks during the first Gulf War in 1991. Residents in the area had packed suitcases, with some headed to stay with relatives and others to hotels paid for by the city. Idle teenagers sat among the wreckage staring at their ruined apartments. 'I still don't understand it,' said Eitan Tevel, 14, who spent an hour in the safe room of his sixth-floor apartment before emerging to see it damaged. Still, he said, he wants Israel to keep striking Iran. 'If we don't do it, many people will be destroyed,' he said. Israel has inflicted heavy damage on Iran. Officials say at least 224 people have been killed in Israel's air offensive and hundreds others wounded. On Monday, Israel ordered a neighborhood home to over 300,000 people in Tehran, the Iranian capital, to evacuate ahead of an expected bombing campaign. That has not halted the Iranian missile fire. So far, 24 people have been killed in Israel and more than 500 injured, Israeli officials said, after Iran launched more than 370 missiles and hundreds of drones. By mid-day, first responders in Petah Tikva were still assessing the damage and clearing buildings. Four complexes housing hundreds of families were impacted by the missile, which struck the side of one of the buildings and tore off the exterior. Windows and doors were blown off, with few cars in the vicinity unscathed. Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, visited the neighborhood, calling the attack 'pure evil.' Shmuel Rosner, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, said that as bad as the missile attacks have been, people had expected even worse. 'For many years we were told that when the day comes, we might have to spend days and weeks in bomb shelters and see thousands of buildings crash. That's not the case,' he said. But he warned that if there is a sense that Israel is failing to achieve its objectives, support could quickly dwindle. Older residents in this hard-hit neighborhood said the strikes reminded them of the first Gulf War over 30 years ago. Israel had limited air defenses, and people feared a chemical attack by the Iraqi leader. Many remember carrying gas masks and sealing windows with tape and plastic. People now feel protected by Israel's robust air defenses, but they also believe there's more at stake in this conflict. 'This is more scary,' said Nadav Shomron, 44, who remembers that war as a boy. 'If we have a nuclear Iran, Israel can't exist."
The Hill
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
In this Israeli city hit by an Iranian missile, many people still support their military's operation
PETAH TIKVA, Israel (AP) — When an Iranian missile slammed into this central Israeli city, Miryam was huddled inside the concrete safe room in her family's apartment. Miryam was unscathed by the blast. But four people in the building next door were killed, and the explosion blew off the doors to the apartment and destroyed the kitchen and bathroom. 'This was the scariest thing I'd ever experienced,' said Miryam, who spoke to AP on condition that her last name not be used because she serves in the military. 'But the right thing is to attack Iran; I don't want them to have this power over us.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long identified Iran as Israel's greatest enemy, citing its hostile rhetoric and support for militant groups and accusing it of pursuing nuclear weapons — a charge Iran denies. After years of threats, Israel launched a surprise attack on Friday, killing Iranian military leaders and striking nuclear facilities in a blistering aerial assault. While no opinion polls have been released yet, the Israeli public — and even Netanyahu's rivals in the opposition – appears to be lining up behind the military operation in these early days. Such sentiment was evident in Petah Tikva, a middle-class city outside Tel Aviv where nearly a dozen residents said they support the operation, even after the deadly blast. The Iranian missiles appear to be the strongest assault on Israel's heartland since then-Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's Scud missile attacks during the first Gulf War in 1991. Residents in the area had packed suitcases, with some headed to stay with relatives and others to hotels paid for by the city. Idle teenagers sat among the wreckage staring at their ruined apartments. 'I still don't understand it,' said Eitan Tevel, 14, who spent an hour in the safe room of his sixth-floor apartment before emerging to see it damaged. Still, he said, he wants Israel to keep striking Iran. 'If we don't do it, many people will be destroyed,' he said. Israel has inflicted heavy damage on Iran. Officials say at least 224 people have been killed in Israel's air offensive and hundreds others wounded. On Monday, Israel ordered a neighborhood home to over 300,000 people in Tehran, the Iranian capital, to evacuate ahead of an expected bombing campaign. That has not halted the Iranian missile fire. So far, 24 people have been killed in Israel and more than 500 injured, Israeli officials said, after Iran launched more than 370 missiles and hundreds of drones. By mid-day, first responders in Petah Tikva were still assessing the damage and clearing buildings. Four complexes housing hundreds of families were impacted by the missile, which struck the side of one of the buildings and tore off the exterior. Windows and doors were blown off, with few cars in the vicinity unscathed. Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, visited the neighborhood, calling the attack 'pure evil.' Shmuel Rosner, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, said that as bad as the missile attacks have been, people had expected even worse. 'For many years we were told that when the day comes, we might have to spend days and weeks in bomb shelters and see thousands of buildings crash. That's not the case,' he said. But he warned that if there is a sense that Israel is failing to achieve its objectives, support could quickly dwindle. Older residents in this hard-hit neighborhood said the strikes reminded them of the first Gulf War over 30 years ago. Israel had limited air defenses, and people feared a chemical attack by the Iraqi leader. Many remember carrying gas masks and sealing windows with tape and plastic. People now feel protected by Israel's robust air defenses, but they also believe there's more at stake in this conflict. 'This is more scary,' said Nadav Shomron, 44, who remembers that war as a boy. 'If we have a nuclear Iran, Israel can't exist.'
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
In this Israeli city hit by an Iranian missile, many people still support their military's operation
PETAH TIKVA, Israel (AP) — When an Iranian missile slammed into this central Israeli city, Miryam was huddled inside the concrete safe room in her family's apartment. Miryam was unscathed by the blast. But four people in the building next door were killed, and the explosion blew off the doors to the apartment and destroyed the kitchen and bathroom. 'This was the scariest thing I'd ever experienced,' said Miryam, who spoke to AP on condition that her last name not be used because she serves in the military . 'But the right thing is to attack Iran ; I don't want them to have this power over us.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long identified Iran as Israel's greatest enemy, citing its hostile rhetoric and support for militant groups and accusing it of pursuing nuclear weapons — a charge Iran denies. After years of threats, Israel launched a surprise attack on Friday, killing Iranian military leaders and striking nuclear facilities in a blistering aerial assault. While no opinion polls have been released yet, the Israeli public — and even Netanyahu's rivals in the opposition – appears to be lining up behind the military operation in these early days. Such sentiment was evident in Petah Tikva, a middle-class city outside Tel Aviv where nearly a dozen residents said they support the operation, even after the deadly blast. The Iranian missiles appear to be the strongest assault on Israel's heartland since then-Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's Scud missile attacks during the first Gulf War in 1991. Residents in the area had packed suitcases, with some headed to stay with relatives and others to hotels paid for by the city. Idle teenagers sat among the wreckage staring at their ruined apartments. 'I still don't understand it,' said Eitan Tevel, 14, who spent an hour in the safe room of his sixth-floor apartment before emerging to see it damaged. Still, he said, he wants Israel to keep striking Iran. 'If we don't do it, many people will be destroyed,' he said. Israel has inflicted heavy damage on Iran. Officials say at least 224 people have been killed in Israel's air offensive and hundreds others wounded. On Monday, Israel ordered a neighborhood home to over 300,000 people in Tehran, the Iranian capital, to evacuate ahead of an expected bombing campaign. That has not halted the Iranian missile fire. So far, 24 people have been killed in Israel and more than 500 injured, Israeli officials said, after Iran launched more than 370 missiles and hundreds of drones . By mid-day, first responders in Petah Tikva were still assessing the damage and clearing buildings. Four complexes housing hundreds of families were impacted by the missile, which struck the side of one of the buildings and tore off the exterior. Windows and doors were blown off, with few cars in the vicinity unscathed. Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, visited the neighborhood, calling the attack 'pure evil.' Shmuel Rosner, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, said that as bad as the missile attacks have been, people had expected even worse. 'For many years we were told that when the day comes, we might have to spend days and weeks in bomb shelters and see thousands of buildings crash. That's not the case,' he said. But he warned that if there is a sense that Israel is failing to achieve its objectives, support could quickly dwindle. Older residents in this hard-hit neighborhood said the strikes reminded them of the first Gulf War over 30 years ago. Israel had limited air defenses, and people feared a chemical attack by the Iraqi leader. Many remember carrying gas masks and sealing windows with tape and plastic. People now feel protected by Israel's robust air defenses , but they also believe there's more at stake in this conflict. 'This is more scary,' said Nadav Shomron, 44, who remembers that war as a boy. 'If we have a nuclear Iran, Israel can't exist.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
