Iran attacks Israel, Gulf countries after Israeli strike kills its security chief
Dubai, Mar 18 (AP): Iran launched strikes toward Israel and neighbouring Gulf countries early Wednesday, with explosions heard in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar and interceptions reported in Saudi Arabia.
The attacks came hours after Iranian state media confirmed Israel's military killed top Iranian security official Ali Larijani in an overnight strike, as well as Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guard's Basij force, known for its role in suppressing protests.
An Israeli airstrike struck an apartment building in Bachoura, central Beirut, completely flattening it as day broke. Two earlier strikes on residential apartments in other central Beirut neighbourhoods early Wednesday killed at least six people and wounded 24 others, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
ALSO READ: Ali Larijani, believed to be running Iran since the beginning of the war, is killed in a strike
Israeli strikes targeting central Beirut have become increasingly frequent in recent days, with or without prior warning. The attacks have hit far from the city's southern suburbs, for which the army issued evacuation notices early in the war with Hezbollah.
The US-Israeli war with Iran has killed at least 1,300 people in Iran, more than 900 in Lebanon and 14 in Israel, according to officials in those countries. The US military says 13 US service members have been killed and about 200 wounded.
Here is the latest:
Latest reports of live fire
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An Associated Press journalist heard loud explosions on Wednesday morning in Irbil city in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq.
Israeli strikes kill 2 in Lebanon's Bekaa valley
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Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday killed at least two people in Lebanon's western Bekaa valley, Lebanon's health ministry said.
The strikes in the town of Sohmor also wounded at least six others, the ministry said.
Islamic and Arab foreign ministers will discuss regional security
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Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, will host a consultative meeting of foreign ministers from Arab and Islamic countries as the Iran war shows no sign of abating.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry said the meeting in the capital Riyadh will include a discussion of means to “support regional security and stability.”
Gulf Arab states have repeatedly come under fire from Iran, raising anger at Tehran, as well as the United States and Israel, for launching the war.
Saudi forces destroy a drone near the diplomatic quarter
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Saudi Arabia's Defence Ministry says its forces shot down a drone Wednesday morning as it approached the diplomatic quarter in the capital Riyadh, which houses the US embassy and other foreign missions.
Latest reports of live fire
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Missile alerts sounded in Dubai again on Wednesday morning as the noise of interceptors exploding overhead boomed across the city-state. Dubai authorities said all the interceptions had been successful with no injuries.
Israel said it detected a new missile launch from Iran targeting it on Wednesday morning.
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Kannadigas Help Line aids stranded migrants in UAE amid war crisis
Dubai: ‘Kannadigas Help Line’ has stepped up its efforts in the UAE to assist Kannadigas affected by the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, by helping stranded individuals return home and providing food and shelter to those in distress.
The initiative, which was earlier formed to support Kannadigas during the Covid pandemic and floods, has resumed its activities to address the current crisis. Under the leadership of NRI entrepreneur Dr Ronald Colaco and coordination of Hidayath Addoor, the team has brought together more than 30 Kannada organisations in the UAE to extend support to affected individuals.
The team has been assisting stranded migrants, including those who are ill or without food and shelter, by visiting them and offering necessary help. Their efforts have been appreciated by the NRI community.
Speaking to the media, coordinator Hidayath Addoor said that more than 630 people who were unable to return to India were provided with flight arrangements and safely sent back home. He added that Dr Ronald Colaco had assured full financial support for arranging a chartered flight with 180 seats to evacuate elderly persons, pregnant women and those in need of urgent assistance.
He also said that Colaco extended financial help for medical treatment, including surgery for a stranded individual, and supported food arrangements for those in need. Medicines for 22 patients referred by the Indian Consulate were also provided using funds contributed by Colaco.
Arrangements were made to provide free food and accommodation for more than 235 people at hotels owned by Praveen Shetty and Isaq Haji in Dubai, and at a farmhouse owned by Dheeraj Jain in Ajman. Medical assistance was provided to 71 people through doctors at Rashid Hospital in Dubai, while 32 individuals were given medicines.
At the initial stage of the crisis, food was distributed to around 1,180 people, and 70 food kits were also provided. Transport arrangements were made to help affected individuals reach airports in Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi.
Several organisations joined hands with Kannadigas Help Line in this effort, including KNRI Forum UAE, Beary’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) UAE, Karnataka Sangha Dubai, Kannadigara Koota Dubai, Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, Dubai Non-Resident Kannadigas, Hemmeya Dubai Kannada Sangha, Okkaliga Sangha Dubai, Kannada Paathashaala Dubai, Sharjah Karnataka Sangha, Dubai Konkanis, BCF, KCF, Manki Community, SKSSF Vikhaya UAE, Noorul Huda UAE Committee, Dubai Beary’s, Badriya Friends, Hidaya Foundation, Shamsul Ulama Thodar, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah Karnataka Sangha, Aim India Foundation, Darunnur, Gulf Karnataka Kutumba, Gulf Gelathiyaru, Mangalore Konkanis Dubai, Al Khamar Trust Mooluru, Okkaliga Sangha UAE and Rock Karnataka Sangha UAE.
In recognition of the team’s efforts, Dr Ronald Colaco hosted an Iftar gathering at his residence and appreciated the selfless service of the members along with their families.
He said that the spirit of unity and cooperation shown during the crisis should continue beyond difficult times and serve as a model for the future. He also called for celebrating national and state festivals together in the same spirit.
Colaco expressed hope that the message of unity demonstrated by the team, which worked beyond differences of region, language, class, caste and religion, would reach the homeland and help promote harmony and inclusive development.
On the occasion, Dr Ronald Colaco, Praveen Shetty, Isaq Haji, Dheeraj Jain and Madhav Kiran were honoured with mementos for their support to the initiative.
