Attacks Not 'New Normal' for UAE, But Don't Post Videos, Prosecutors Warn
Good day from REEDNEWSARABWORLD for Friday, January 28, 2022! All those people in the United Arab Emirates who ran outside and then posted videos of what they saw in the sky after this week's missile attack may be in trouble. The UAE's prosecutor office is cracking down, and people are being summoned to account for the many videos posted on social media. What's really at stake is the UAE's business model, which its leaders don't want destabilized by the wrong perceptions.
If that's not enough of a problem for the UAE, the U.S. is warning against travel to the Gulf state, which relies on millions of foreigners for its economic survival. But the Emirates aren't about to shrink from the Houthi missile attacks, saying the attacks will not be "the new normal for the UAE."
The proclaimed control of the embattled prison in Syria isn't yet complete. Groups of 60 to 90 Islamic State fighters were found holed up and still armed and fighting in a section of the prison, and the week-long campaign to subdue an IS attack that freed prisoners isn't over. Also, there's no clear word on the fate of hundreds of boys, some only 10 years old.
Saudi Aramco's chief says the transition of oil and gas to sustainable energy isn't going well. Iranian hardliners denounce reports of possible direct talks between Iran and the United States on a nuclear agreement. Iran's state broadcaster was hacked for only 10 seconds, but enough time to show pictures of the opposition abroad.
Turkey and Qatar say they're getting close to operating the Kabul airport for the Taliban interim government in Afghanistan. And Lebanon's Druze leader Walid Jumblatt says his country has been abandoned by the Arab states, to the advantage of Iran.
News from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, and More.
Latest News: 'Surrender or Die': Kurdish-led forces in Syria sent an ultimatum to remaining Islamic State fighters in the embattled prison
New York Times, ISIS fighters get surrender-or-die ultimatum in Syria prison standoff.
At least three rockets hit near Baghdad's airport and an adjacent military base with U.S. troops.
Associated Press, Iraqi officials: At least 3 rockets hit near Baghdad airport.
Germany will keep its armed forces, the Bundeswehr, in Iraq to oppose the Islamic State.
Deutsche Presse Agentur, German parliament approves extension to Iraq mission.
The UAE's Public Prosecution office is warning Emirati residents not to post missile attack videos on social media. A number of people have been summoned for circulating footage of Houthi strikes being intercepted, and the Emirates News Agency, WAM, reported: "The Public Prosecution advised the public that such videos threaten vital and military facilities in the country" and cited risks to "national security and stability."
The attorney general of the United Arab Emirates, Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, said "the Public Prosecution will take the appropriate legal action against related crimes to protect the nation's interests, pubic order, and security of the community." He said prosecutors would pursue measures against those who publish "legally prohibited" material.
There was no information on whether anyone had been arrested or detained, only that people were "summoned." Al Shamsi did not disclose how many people were summoned nor provide any details on what consequences they might face. Multiple videos appeared this week on social media sites showing the sky lit by interceptor missiles that were fired at incoming attacks by Yemen's Houthi forces.
Prosecutors did not say which law may have been violated, but rights activists and others have been prosecuted under a vaguely-worded cybercrime law.
Associated Press, People posting videos of UAE attack summoned under vague law.
CNN, UAE summons people for sharing videos of missile attack interception.
Reuters, UAE warns against sharing Houthi strike interception videos.
The United States advised citizens against traveling to the UAE. The State Department issued the travel advisory on the United Arab Emirates after two missile attacks on Abu Dhabi by the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. "Reconsider travel due to the threat of missile or drone attacks," the department said. The UAE is already at the highest level of U.S. travel warnings, "do not travel."
"Rebel groups operating in Yemen have stated an intent to attack neighboring countries, including the UAE, using missiles and drones," the State Department said. "Recent missile and drone attacks targeted populated areas and civilian infrastructure."
Al Jazeera, US warns of 'missile or drone attacks' in UAE travel advisory.
Houthi attacks on the United Arab Emirates will not be "the new normal for the UAE." A senior Emirati official said that "we refuse to acquiesce to the threat of Houthi terror that targets our people and way of life."
The country is ready to defend itself, the official said. "We remain one of the most secure countries in the world and the recent attacks have only strengthened our commitment to safeguarding the welfare of our residents."
AFP, UAE says Yemen rebel threat will not be a "new normal."
Fighting continued in an embattled Syrian prison after the Kurdish-led militia said it had retaken full control. From 60 to 90 Islamic State fighters remained, still holed up inside the prison in Hasakah. "Our forces uncovered hidden terrorist holdouts in the prison's northern dormitories," a spokesman for the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces said, after the earlier declaration that the week-long fighting had ended. Fighting also continued in areas surrounding the prison complex, with SDF trading fire with ISIS gunmen near a U.S. base that houses about 700 American troops.
The fate of some 700 boys in the prison, aged 10 to 18, was not clear. A Kurdish official said the boys had been in a separate building but were mixed with adult prisoners during the siege. Some were given arms, he said, and "pushed into clashes."
New York Times, ISIS beaten? Not yet. U.S.-backed forces still fighting at Syria prison.
Associated Press, Dozens of armed militants still hold corner of Syria prison.
Al Monitor, Fighting resumes at Islamic State prison in Syria.
A rocket attack on the home of Iraq's parliament speaker drew widespread anger and condemnation across the country. The attack took place near the home of Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi in Karma district about 50 kilometers west of Baghdad, and two children were injured and hospitalized. Federal intelligence agencies investigated and said they have recovered five rockets prepared to be fired at the Karma district.
Asharq Al-Awsat, Attack on Iraq parliament speaker's home sparks anger, condemnation.
The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen will investigate the deadly bombing of a prison that killed at least 70 people. The Joint Incidents Assessment Team, set up by the coalition, said it will investigate the aerial strike. A Saudi spokesman earlier said the prison wasn't on a United Nations no-hit list. "From the first hours after news of the incident broke, the relevant team began investigation procedures," a team announcement said.
Al Jazeera, Saudi-led coalition announces probe into Yemen prison attack.
Transition to a sustainable energy future "is not going smoothly" because of a lack of investment in conventional oil and gas, the chief of Saudi Aramco said. Saudi Arabia wants to reach "net zero" greenhouse gas emissions by 2060, but Amin Nasser said the goal requires oil and gas investments to run alongside new energy, and investment has fallen. Oil supplies are lagging, "which is why we see very tight markets in Europe and parts of Asia."
Alarabiya, Aramco CEO says energy transition 'not going smoothly.'
The White House Middle East coordinator said the U.S. and Iran are "in the ballpark of a possible deal" on a nuclear agreement but that he "doesn't want to put odds on it."
Brett McGurk said the talks in Vienna are nearing a "culmination point" and the United States will soon know if Iran is ready to return to full compliance with a 2015 nuclear agreement on terms Washington can accept.
Axios, U.S. and Iran "in the ballpark" of a nuclear deal, Biden adviser says.
But Russia's chief negotiator at the Iran nuclear talks said any deal could take weeks longer than he previously thought. Mikhail Ulyanov said "if the talks continue at the pace they're currently going," a deal could be implemented by April. Earlier he had said the talks could conclude and the 2015 pact reactivated by early February. He said on Twitter, however, that he doesn't rule out the possibility "that the negotiations can be expedited" and meet his original forecast. "The talks are already at an advanced stage."
Alarabiya, Russia revises expectations on clinching Iran nuclear deal.
Iranian hardliners are denouncing any suggestion of direct talks between Iran and the United States on a nuclear agreement. After Iran's foreign minister said such talks might take place if Iran saw a "good deal," clerics and students in Iran's holy city of Qom, a power center, were critical. "You're officially playing ball with the United States," the groups said in a statement. A hardline newspaper said on its front page: "Direct negotiations with the U.S. is the enemy's trick to escape lifting sanctions."
RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty, Iran's openness to direct nuclear talks with U.S. provokes backlash at home.
The United Nations human rights office is being urged to investigate the 1988 killings of political prisoners in Iran. A group of prominent former UN judges and investigators sent an open letter to Michele Bachelet, head of human rights for the UN, and said the investigation should include the role of Iran's current president, Ebrahim Raisi.
The number of those executed has been estimated at 5,000, and "the real number could be higher." The mass executions took place under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the revolutionary leader who died in 1989. Raisi was one of four judges who oversaw the killings, and he is under U.S. sanctions.
The letter was signed by some 460 people, including a former president of the International Criminal Court and a former U.S. ambassador for global criminal justice.
Reuters, UN urged to open query into Iran's 1988 killings and Raisi role.
Iran asked Qatar's emir to help broker prisoner releases including Iranian-Americans held in Tehran. Sources said the request came earlier this month from Iran's foreign minister during a visit to Doha. The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will meet with U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on Monday.
Doha News, Iran requests Qatar to broker the release of dual national prisoners.
Iran's state broadcaster was hacked for about 10 seconds by an opposition group. The brief time was enough to allow pictures of opposition leaders and anti-government slogans. The hack was claimed by the Mujahedin Organization of Iran (MEK), based abroad and also called the National Council of Resistance of Iran.
Qatar Tribune, Iran state broadcaster hacked by opposition group.
Qatar, Turkey, and the Taliban-led interim government in Afghanistan said agreement has been reached on "key issues" for operating the international airport in Afghanistan's capital of Kabul. A final round of negotiations is scheduled for next week.
Anadolu Agency, Qatar, Turkiye, Taliban-led gov't agree on 'several key issues’ to run Kabul airport.
Lebanon's Druze leader, Walid Jumblatt, said Lebanon has been abandoned by the Arab states and Iran wants to eliminate the country. Jumblatt said the departure of Sunni political leader Saad Hariri from politics is one of the reasons he sees no hope for positive change in the country. He criticized Hezbollah but also the Gulf Arab states for "the excuse of personal and political attack by Hezbollah on the Arabs." Jumblatt said "We are the victims of the struggle."
Reuters, Druze leader Jumblatt says Iran gains in Lebanon as Arabs abandon it.
Lebanon's finance minister said replacing Riad Salameh as central bank governor is not wise. Salameh is being investigated at home and abroad about his role in Lebanon's economic collapse, but Finance Minister Youssef Khalil said "I do not imagine changing the central bank governor today is a wise matter." Saleh has support from a number of Lebanon's leading politicians.
Reuters, Lebanon's finance minister says replacing central bank governor is not 'wise.'
The Lebanese finance minister said the country's 2022 budget being discussed in cabinet meetings is "an emergency budget" to keep the country intact. Minister Youssef Khalil and other cabinet members are working on a draft budget with Prime Minister Najib MZikati, in hopes it will help get a bailout from the International Monetary Fund.
Reuters, Lebanon's 2022 budget is "an emergency budget" - finance minister.
Jordan's army said it killed 27 drug smugglers from Syria. The smugglers were backed by "armed groups" and tried to cross into Jordan from Syria under cover of heavy snow. A statement said the Jordanian army has new rules of engagement after an army officer was killed in a shootout with smugglers at the Syrian border on January 17, and the army has vowed to strike with "an iron fist."
BBC, Jordanian army says it killed 27 drug smugglers from Syria.
ISIS-linked terrorists killed three Libyan security personnel in the country's southwest. An interior ministry statement said the fight took place about 430 miles south of Tripoli, and that government forces had "killed four members of Daesh and destroyed their vehicle."
Alarabiya, ISIS attack in Libya kills three security personnel: Interior ministry.
MORE: Fitch downgrades Kuwait one notch citing 'political constraints,' Reuters... Third Libya minister detained over alleged graft, Asharq Al-Awsat... US, Russia at odds on extending UN Libya mission, Alarabiya... Tunisian opposition leader warns of social explosion, Asharq Al-Awsat... Royal order: Saudi Arabia to commemorate February 22 as Founding Day, Asharq Al-Awsat... Thai exports to Saudi Arabia expected to jump sharply to $5 billion, Asia News Network... Two sphinxes depicting King Tut's grandfather discovered in Egypt, Smithsonian Magazine.
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