He blew the whistle on Israel's nukes and paid a high price
For a while he was an anonymous dishwasher at the Menzies Hotel in Sydney. After that, he drove cabs.
Like many who travelled the backpacker trail through South East Asia in those days he'd ended up in the emerald city and was soon taken with its charms. He decided to stay.
But Israeli Mordechai Vanunu harboured a disturbing secret. In his backpack were rolls of film that would finally confirm that his country had built an arsenal of nuclear weapons.
Vanunu had been an engineer at Israel's Dimona nuclear research facility in the Negev desert. In the grounds of the St John's Anglican church in East Sydney, he was befriended by a Colombian journalist who wanted to sell his story and photos to the British press. On September 10, 1986, Vanunu flew to London to tell his story to the Sunday Times.
He revealed Dimona's work in separating lithium-6 to produce tritium, essential for the production of fission boosted nuclear bombs. Vanunu's revelations led experts to estimate Israel had the capacity to produce up to 150 nuclear weapons. Finally, it was confirmed. Israel had the bomb.
An elaborate plan was developed by Mossad to capture Vanunu. In a classic honey trap the engineer was lured to Rome, where he was taken prisoner and spirited back to Israel. Eventually he was tried, convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison, 11 of which were served in solitary confinement.
Israel was determined to keep a tight lid on the Dimona story, not least because its chief ally, the United States, had a ban on funding countries which produced weapons of mass destruction.
Vanunu was released from prison under strict conditions in 2004. He is not allowed to leave Israel; he can't talk to foreigners without permission from the Shin Bet security service; he can't be in the vicinity of an airport or border crossing; his phone and internet use are subject to ongoing monitoring.
The Israeli whistleblower became a cause celebre for the Anglican Church, which had welcomed him as a convert to Christianity during his time in Australia. He was listed as a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International after he was sent back to prison for breaching his release conditions by speaking to foreigners.
Vanunu has repeatedly applied for the restrictions placed on him to be lifted. Each year they are extended for another 12 months.
In July last year, he posted on social media that they'd been extended again.
Israel's nuclear secret has been out now for almost 40 years. Vanunu has been punished enough for his part in confirming what the West had long suspected but chose to turn a blind eye to.
Now the Middle East is ablaze once more. Israel claims the high moral ground in its determination to stop Iran getting a nuclear weapon while sitting on its own arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. Yet we hear little of that inconvenient truth.
And we hear virtually nothing of the man who blew the whistle and remains silenced.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Is there a double standard at play when nuclear-armed Israel bombs another country it claims wants to build the bomb? Should Mordechai Vanunu be allowed to leave Israel? If Ukraine could give up its nuclear arsenal in 1994, why shouldn't Israel do the same now? Email us: echidna@theechidna.com.au
SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's scheduled meeting with Donald Trump has been cancelled after the United States president decided to leave the G7 summit early to deal with the Middle East crisis.
- Australia's sovereign wealth fund will seek out more assets in places like Europe and Japan as President Donald Trump makes the US a less attractive place to invest.
- Australia's political and military leaders are warning of dangerous global conditions as violence in the Middle East escalates.
THEY SAID IT: "Everyone knows that Israel has nuclear weapons, but no one is talking about it. The world doesn't want nuclear weapons - not in Israel, not in the Middle East and not anywhere in the world." - Mordechai Vanunu
YOU SAID IT: The world might be a better place if its squabbling leaders - generally angry, old men - duked it out in cage fights rather than bombing civilians.
"Couldn't agree more," writes Veronica. "Let them kill each other if that is their fancy - just leave me and the rest of the sane world out of it!"
Sharon writes: "Yes, put the old men - sorry, little boys - into a cage and make them fight it out. It'd be a very short fight. Pathetic old gits all of them."
"For what seems like 100 years I've advocated the old and traditional method: the leaders lead the troops into battle," writes Old Donald. "Frontline. Wearing bright, distinctive clothing clearly marked to show they're the bosses. They know that if they lose, then their lands, spouses, children, even (yes) their dogs are forfeit and probably killed. With today's weaponry available, they think twice ... and ordinary, otherwise happy people get to live ordinary happy lives."
Jan writes: "I am so totally fed up with ruining every day of the rest of my life hearing and reading about the misery created by these dysfunctional misfits of men you mentioned that I try my best to avoid following the news altogether. Your tongue-in-cheek cage fighting scenario would save not only many innocent civilian lives but also those of the service personnel who are sent off to do the fighting to feed the insatiable egos of their so-called leaders."
This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to theechidna.com.au
For a while he was an anonymous dishwasher at the Menzies Hotel in Sydney. After that, he drove cabs.
Like many who travelled the backpacker trail through South East Asia in those days he'd ended up in the emerald city and was soon taken with its charms. He decided to stay.
But Israeli Mordechai Vanunu harboured a disturbing secret. In his backpack were rolls of film that would finally confirm that his country had built an arsenal of nuclear weapons.
Vanunu had been an engineer at Israel's Dimona nuclear research facility in the Negev desert. In the grounds of the St John's Anglican church in East Sydney, he was befriended by a Colombian journalist who wanted to sell his story and photos to the British press. On September 10, 1986, Vanunu flew to London to tell his story to the Sunday Times.
He revealed Dimona's work in separating lithium-6 to produce tritium, essential for the production of fission boosted nuclear bombs. Vanunu's revelations led experts to estimate Israel had the capacity to produce up to 150 nuclear weapons. Finally, it was confirmed. Israel had the bomb.
An elaborate plan was developed by Mossad to capture Vanunu. In a classic honey trap the engineer was lured to Rome, where he was taken prisoner and spirited back to Israel. Eventually he was tried, convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison, 11 of which were served in solitary confinement.
Israel was determined to keep a tight lid on the Dimona story, not least because its chief ally, the United States, had a ban on funding countries which produced weapons of mass destruction.
Vanunu was released from prison under strict conditions in 2004. He is not allowed to leave Israel; he can't talk to foreigners without permission from the Shin Bet security service; he can't be in the vicinity of an airport or border crossing; his phone and internet use are subject to ongoing monitoring.
The Israeli whistleblower became a cause celebre for the Anglican Church, which had welcomed him as a convert to Christianity during his time in Australia. He was listed as a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International after he was sent back to prison for breaching his release conditions by speaking to foreigners.
Vanunu has repeatedly applied for the restrictions placed on him to be lifted. Each year they are extended for another 12 months.
In July last year, he posted on social media that they'd been extended again.
Israel's nuclear secret has been out now for almost 40 years. Vanunu has been punished enough for his part in confirming what the West had long suspected but chose to turn a blind eye to.
Now the Middle East is ablaze once more. Israel claims the high moral ground in its determination to stop Iran getting a nuclear weapon while sitting on its own arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. Yet we hear little of that inconvenient truth.
And we hear virtually nothing of the man who blew the whistle and remains silenced.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Is there a double standard at play when nuclear-armed Israel bombs another country it claims wants to build the bomb? Should Mordechai Vanunu be allowed to leave Israel? If Ukraine could give up its nuclear arsenal in 1994, why shouldn't Israel do the same now? Email us: echidna@theechidna.com.au
SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's scheduled meeting with Donald Trump has been cancelled after the United States president decided to leave the G7 summit early to deal with the Middle East crisis.
- Australia's sovereign wealth fund will seek out more assets in places like Europe and Japan as President Donald Trump makes the US a less attractive place to invest.
- Australia's political and military leaders are warning of dangerous global conditions as violence in the Middle East escalates.
THEY SAID IT: "Everyone knows that Israel has nuclear weapons, but no one is talking about it. The world doesn't want nuclear weapons - not in Israel, not in the Middle East and not anywhere in the world." - Mordechai Vanunu
YOU SAID IT: The world might be a better place if its squabbling leaders - generally angry, old men - duked it out in cage fights rather than bombing civilians.
"Couldn't agree more," writes Veronica. "Let them kill each other if that is their fancy - just leave me and the rest of the sane world out of it!"
Sharon writes: "Yes, put the old men - sorry, little boys - into a cage and make them fight it out. It'd be a very short fight. Pathetic old gits all of them."
"For what seems like 100 years I've advocated the old and traditional method: the leaders lead the troops into battle," writes Old Donald. "Frontline. Wearing bright, distinctive clothing clearly marked to show they're the bosses. They know that if they lose, then their lands, spouses, children, even (yes) their dogs are forfeit and probably killed. With today's weaponry available, they think twice ... and ordinary, otherwise happy people get to live ordinary happy lives."
Jan writes: "I am so totally fed up with ruining every day of the rest of my life hearing and reading about the misery created by these dysfunctional misfits of men you mentioned that I try my best to avoid following the news altogether. Your tongue-in-cheek cage fighting scenario would save not only many innocent civilian lives but also those of the service personnel who are sent off to do the fighting to feed the insatiable egos of their so-called leaders."
This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to theechidna.com.au
For a while he was an anonymous dishwasher at the Menzies Hotel in Sydney. After that, he drove cabs.
Like many who travelled the backpacker trail through South East Asia in those days he'd ended up in the emerald city and was soon taken with its charms. He decided to stay.
But Israeli Mordechai Vanunu harboured a disturbing secret. In his backpack were rolls of film that would finally confirm that his country had built an arsenal of nuclear weapons.
Vanunu had been an engineer at Israel's Dimona nuclear research facility in the Negev desert. In the grounds of the St John's Anglican church in East Sydney, he was befriended by a Colombian journalist who wanted to sell his story and photos to the British press. On September 10, 1986, Vanunu flew to London to tell his story to the Sunday Times.
He revealed Dimona's work in separating lithium-6 to produce tritium, essential for the production of fission boosted nuclear bombs. Vanunu's revelations led experts to estimate Israel had the capacity to produce up to 150 nuclear weapons. Finally, it was confirmed. Israel had the bomb.
An elaborate plan was developed by Mossad to capture Vanunu. In a classic honey trap the engineer was lured to Rome, where he was taken prisoner and spirited back to Israel. Eventually he was tried, convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison, 11 of which were served in solitary confinement.
Israel was determined to keep a tight lid on the Dimona story, not least because its chief ally, the United States, had a ban on funding countries which produced weapons of mass destruction.
Vanunu was released from prison under strict conditions in 2004. He is not allowed to leave Israel; he can't talk to foreigners without permission from the Shin Bet security service; he can't be in the vicinity of an airport or border crossing; his phone and internet use are subject to ongoing monitoring.
The Israeli whistleblower became a cause celebre for the Anglican Church, which had welcomed him as a convert to Christianity during his time in Australia. He was listed as a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International after he was sent back to prison for breaching his release conditions by speaking to foreigners.
Vanunu has repeatedly applied for the restrictions placed on him to be lifted. Each year they are extended for another 12 months.
In July last year, he posted on social media that they'd been extended again.
Israel's nuclear secret has been out now for almost 40 years. Vanunu has been punished enough for his part in confirming what the West had long suspected but chose to turn a blind eye to.
Now the Middle East is ablaze once more. Israel claims the high moral ground in its determination to stop Iran getting a nuclear weapon while sitting on its own arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. Yet we hear little of that inconvenient truth.
And we hear virtually nothing of the man who blew the whistle and remains silenced.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Is there a double standard at play when nuclear-armed Israel bombs another country it claims wants to build the bomb? Should Mordechai Vanunu be allowed to leave Israel? If Ukraine could give up its nuclear arsenal in 1994, why shouldn't Israel do the same now? Email us: echidna@theechidna.com.au
SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's scheduled meeting with Donald Trump has been cancelled after the United States president decided to leave the G7 summit early to deal with the Middle East crisis.
- Australia's sovereign wealth fund will seek out more assets in places like Europe and Japan as President Donald Trump makes the US a less attractive place to invest.
- Australia's political and military leaders are warning of dangerous global conditions as violence in the Middle East escalates.
THEY SAID IT: "Everyone knows that Israel has nuclear weapons, but no one is talking about it. The world doesn't want nuclear weapons - not in Israel, not in the Middle East and not anywhere in the world." - Mordechai Vanunu
YOU SAID IT: The world might be a better place if its squabbling leaders - generally angry, old men - duked it out in cage fights rather than bombing civilians.
"Couldn't agree more," writes Veronica. "Let them kill each other if that is their fancy - just leave me and the rest of the sane world out of it!"
Sharon writes: "Yes, put the old men - sorry, little boys - into a cage and make them fight it out. It'd be a very short fight. Pathetic old gits all of them."
"For what seems like 100 years I've advocated the old and traditional method: the leaders lead the troops into battle," writes Old Donald. "Frontline. Wearing bright, distinctive clothing clearly marked to show they're the bosses. They know that if they lose, then their lands, spouses, children, even (yes) their dogs are forfeit and probably killed. With today's weaponry available, they think twice ... and ordinary, otherwise happy people get to live ordinary happy lives."
Jan writes: "I am so totally fed up with ruining every day of the rest of my life hearing and reading about the misery created by these dysfunctional misfits of men you mentioned that I try my best to avoid following the news altogether. Your tongue-in-cheek cage fighting scenario would save not only many innocent civilian lives but also those of the service personnel who are sent off to do the fighting to feed the insatiable egos of their so-called leaders."
This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to theechidna.com.au
For a while he was an anonymous dishwasher at the Menzies Hotel in Sydney. After that, he drove cabs.
Like many who travelled the backpacker trail through South East Asia in those days he'd ended up in the emerald city and was soon taken with its charms. He decided to stay.
But Israeli Mordechai Vanunu harboured a disturbing secret. In his backpack were rolls of film that would finally confirm that his country had built an arsenal of nuclear weapons.
Vanunu had been an engineer at Israel's Dimona nuclear research facility in the Negev desert. In the grounds of the St John's Anglican church in East Sydney, he was befriended by a Colombian journalist who wanted to sell his story and photos to the British press. On September 10, 1986, Vanunu flew to London to tell his story to the Sunday Times.
He revealed Dimona's work in separating lithium-6 to produce tritium, essential for the production of fission boosted nuclear bombs. Vanunu's revelations led experts to estimate Israel had the capacity to produce up to 150 nuclear weapons. Finally, it was confirmed. Israel had the bomb.
An elaborate plan was developed by Mossad to capture Vanunu. In a classic honey trap the engineer was lured to Rome, where he was taken prisoner and spirited back to Israel. Eventually he was tried, convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison, 11 of which were served in solitary confinement.
Israel was determined to keep a tight lid on the Dimona story, not least because its chief ally, the United States, had a ban on funding countries which produced weapons of mass destruction.
Vanunu was released from prison under strict conditions in 2004. He is not allowed to leave Israel; he can't talk to foreigners without permission from the Shin Bet security service; he can't be in the vicinity of an airport or border crossing; his phone and internet use are subject to ongoing monitoring.
The Israeli whistleblower became a cause celebre for the Anglican Church, which had welcomed him as a convert to Christianity during his time in Australia. He was listed as a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International after he was sent back to prison for breaching his release conditions by speaking to foreigners.
Vanunu has repeatedly applied for the restrictions placed on him to be lifted. Each year they are extended for another 12 months.
In July last year, he posted on social media that they'd been extended again.
Israel's nuclear secret has been out now for almost 40 years. Vanunu has been punished enough for his part in confirming what the West had long suspected but chose to turn a blind eye to.
Now the Middle East is ablaze once more. Israel claims the high moral ground in its determination to stop Iran getting a nuclear weapon while sitting on its own arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. Yet we hear little of that inconvenient truth.
And we hear virtually nothing of the man who blew the whistle and remains silenced.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Is there a double standard at play when nuclear-armed Israel bombs another country it claims wants to build the bomb? Should Mordechai Vanunu be allowed to leave Israel? If Ukraine could give up its nuclear arsenal in 1994, why shouldn't Israel do the same now? Email us: echidna@theechidna.com.au
SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's scheduled meeting with Donald Trump has been cancelled after the United States president decided to leave the G7 summit early to deal with the Middle East crisis.
- Australia's sovereign wealth fund will seek out more assets in places like Europe and Japan as President Donald Trump makes the US a less attractive place to invest.
- Australia's political and military leaders are warning of dangerous global conditions as violence in the Middle East escalates.
THEY SAID IT: "Everyone knows that Israel has nuclear weapons, but no one is talking about it. The world doesn't want nuclear weapons - not in Israel, not in the Middle East and not anywhere in the world." - Mordechai Vanunu
YOU SAID IT: The world might be a better place if its squabbling leaders - generally angry, old men - duked it out in cage fights rather than bombing civilians.
"Couldn't agree more," writes Veronica. "Let them kill each other if that is their fancy - just leave me and the rest of the sane world out of it!"
Sharon writes: "Yes, put the old men - sorry, little boys - into a cage and make them fight it out. It'd be a very short fight. Pathetic old gits all of them."
"For what seems like 100 years I've advocated the old and traditional method: the leaders lead the troops into battle," writes Old Donald. "Frontline. Wearing bright, distinctive clothing clearly marked to show they're the bosses. They know that if they lose, then their lands, spouses, children, even (yes) their dogs are forfeit and probably killed. With today's weaponry available, they think twice ... and ordinary, otherwise happy people get to live ordinary happy lives."
Jan writes: "I am so totally fed up with ruining every day of the rest of my life hearing and reading about the misery created by these dysfunctional misfits of men you mentioned that I try my best to avoid following the news altogether. Your tongue-in-cheek cage fighting scenario would save not only many innocent civilian lives but also those of the service personnel who are sent off to do the fighting to feed the insatiable egos of their so-called leaders."
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Syria forces say truce holds, Bedouin fighters withdraw
Residents have reported calm in Syria's Sweida after the Islamist-led government announced that Bedouin fighters had withdrawn from the predominantly Druze city and a US envoy signalled that a deal to end days of fighting was being implemented. With hundreds reported killed, the Sweida bloodshed is a major test for interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, prompting Israel to launch air strikes against government forces last week as it declared support for the Druze. Fighting continued on Saturday despite a ceasefire call. Interior Minister Anas Khattab said on Sunday that internal security forces had managed to calm the situation and enforce the ceasefire, "paving the way for a prisoner exchange and the gradual return of stability throughout the governorate". Reuters images showed interior ministry forces near the city, blocking the road in front of members of tribes congregated there. The Interior Ministry said late on Saturday that Bedouin fighters had left the city. US envoy Tom Barrack said the sides had "navigated to a pause and cessation of hostilities". "The next foundation stone on a path to inclusion, and lasting de-escalation, is a complete exchange of hostages and detainees, the logistics of which are in process," he wrote on X. Kenan Azzam, a dentist, said there was an uneasy calm but the city's residents were struggling with a lack of water and electricity. "The hospitals are a disaster and out of service, and there are still so many dead and wounded," he said by phone. Another resident, Raed Khazaal, said aid was urgently needed. "Houses are destroyed ... The smell of corpses is spread throughout the national hospital," he said in a voice message to Reuters from Sweida. The Syrian state news agency said an aid convoy sent to the city by the government was refused entry while aid organised by the Syrian Red Crescent was let in. A source familiar with the situation said local factions in Sweida had turned back the government convoy. Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported on Sunday that Israel sent medical aid to the Druze in Sweida and the step was co-ordinated with the US and Syria. The Druze are a small but influential minority in Syria, Israel and Lebanon who follow a religion that is an offshoot of a branch of Shi'ite Islam. Some hardline Sunnis deem their beliefs heretical. The fighting began a week ago with clashes between Bedouin and Druze fighters. Syria sent troops to quell the fighting but they were drawn into the violence and accused of widespread violations against the Druze. Residents of the predominantly Druze city said friends and neighbours were shot at close range in their homes or in the streets by Syrian troops, identified by their fatigues and insignia. Sharaa on Thursday promised to protect the rights of Druze and to hold to account those who committed violations against "our Druze people". He has blamed the violence on "outlaw groups". A Syrian security source told Reuters that internal security forces had taken up positions near Sweida, establishing checkpoints in western and eastern parts of the province where retreating tribal fighters had gathered. On Sunday, Sharaa received the report of an inquiry into violence in Syria's coastal region in March, where Reuters reported in June that Syrian forces killed 1500 members of the Alawite minority following attacks on security forces. The presidency said it would review the inquiry's conclusions and ensure steps to "bring about justice" and prevent the recurrence of "such violations". It called on the inquiry to hold a news conference on its findings - if appropriate - as soon as possible. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said on July 18 it had documented the deaths of at least 321 people in Sweida province since July 13. The preliminary toll included civilians, women, children, Bedouin fighters, members of local groups and members of the security forces, it said, and the dead included people killed in field executions by both sides. Residents have reported calm in Syria's Sweida after the Islamist-led government announced that Bedouin fighters had withdrawn from the predominantly Druze city and a US envoy signalled that a deal to end days of fighting was being implemented. With hundreds reported killed, the Sweida bloodshed is a major test for interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, prompting Israel to launch air strikes against government forces last week as it declared support for the Druze. Fighting continued on Saturday despite a ceasefire call. Interior Minister Anas Khattab said on Sunday that internal security forces had managed to calm the situation and enforce the ceasefire, "paving the way for a prisoner exchange and the gradual return of stability throughout the governorate". Reuters images showed interior ministry forces near the city, blocking the road in front of members of tribes congregated there. The Interior Ministry said late on Saturday that Bedouin fighters had left the city. US envoy Tom Barrack said the sides had "navigated to a pause and cessation of hostilities". "The next foundation stone on a path to inclusion, and lasting de-escalation, is a complete exchange of hostages and detainees, the logistics of which are in process," he wrote on X. Kenan Azzam, a dentist, said there was an uneasy calm but the city's residents were struggling with a lack of water and electricity. "The hospitals are a disaster and out of service, and there are still so many dead and wounded," he said by phone. Another resident, Raed Khazaal, said aid was urgently needed. "Houses are destroyed ... The smell of corpses is spread throughout the national hospital," he said in a voice message to Reuters from Sweida. The Syrian state news agency said an aid convoy sent to the city by the government was refused entry while aid organised by the Syrian Red Crescent was let in. A source familiar with the situation said local factions in Sweida had turned back the government convoy. Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported on Sunday that Israel sent medical aid to the Druze in Sweida and the step was co-ordinated with the US and Syria. The Druze are a small but influential minority in Syria, Israel and Lebanon who follow a religion that is an offshoot of a branch of Shi'ite Islam. Some hardline Sunnis deem their beliefs heretical. The fighting began a week ago with clashes between Bedouin and Druze fighters. Syria sent troops to quell the fighting but they were drawn into the violence and accused of widespread violations against the Druze. Residents of the predominantly Druze city said friends and neighbours were shot at close range in their homes or in the streets by Syrian troops, identified by their fatigues and insignia. Sharaa on Thursday promised to protect the rights of Druze and to hold to account those who committed violations against "our Druze people". He has blamed the violence on "outlaw groups". A Syrian security source told Reuters that internal security forces had taken up positions near Sweida, establishing checkpoints in western and eastern parts of the province where retreating tribal fighters had gathered. On Sunday, Sharaa received the report of an inquiry into violence in Syria's coastal region in March, where Reuters reported in June that Syrian forces killed 1500 members of the Alawite minority following attacks on security forces. The presidency said it would review the inquiry's conclusions and ensure steps to "bring about justice" and prevent the recurrence of "such violations". It called on the inquiry to hold a news conference on its findings - if appropriate - as soon as possible. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said on July 18 it had documented the deaths of at least 321 people in Sweida province since July 13. The preliminary toll included civilians, women, children, Bedouin fighters, members of local groups and members of the security forces, it said, and the dead included people killed in field executions by both sides. Residents have reported calm in Syria's Sweida after the Islamist-led government announced that Bedouin fighters had withdrawn from the predominantly Druze city and a US envoy signalled that a deal to end days of fighting was being implemented. With hundreds reported killed, the Sweida bloodshed is a major test for interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, prompting Israel to launch air strikes against government forces last week as it declared support for the Druze. Fighting continued on Saturday despite a ceasefire call. Interior Minister Anas Khattab said on Sunday that internal security forces had managed to calm the situation and enforce the ceasefire, "paving the way for a prisoner exchange and the gradual return of stability throughout the governorate". Reuters images showed interior ministry forces near the city, blocking the road in front of members of tribes congregated there. The Interior Ministry said late on Saturday that Bedouin fighters had left the city. US envoy Tom Barrack said the sides had "navigated to a pause and cessation of hostilities". "The next foundation stone on a path to inclusion, and lasting de-escalation, is a complete exchange of hostages and detainees, the logistics of which are in process," he wrote on X. Kenan Azzam, a dentist, said there was an uneasy calm but the city's residents were struggling with a lack of water and electricity. "The hospitals are a disaster and out of service, and there are still so many dead and wounded," he said by phone. Another resident, Raed Khazaal, said aid was urgently needed. "Houses are destroyed ... The smell of corpses is spread throughout the national hospital," he said in a voice message to Reuters from Sweida. The Syrian state news agency said an aid convoy sent to the city by the government was refused entry while aid organised by the Syrian Red Crescent was let in. A source familiar with the situation said local factions in Sweida had turned back the government convoy. Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported on Sunday that Israel sent medical aid to the Druze in Sweida and the step was co-ordinated with the US and Syria. The Druze are a small but influential minority in Syria, Israel and Lebanon who follow a religion that is an offshoot of a branch of Shi'ite Islam. Some hardline Sunnis deem their beliefs heretical. The fighting began a week ago with clashes between Bedouin and Druze fighters. Syria sent troops to quell the fighting but they were drawn into the violence and accused of widespread violations against the Druze. Residents of the predominantly Druze city said friends and neighbours were shot at close range in their homes or in the streets by Syrian troops, identified by their fatigues and insignia. Sharaa on Thursday promised to protect the rights of Druze and to hold to account those who committed violations against "our Druze people". He has blamed the violence on "outlaw groups". A Syrian security source told Reuters that internal security forces had taken up positions near Sweida, establishing checkpoints in western and eastern parts of the province where retreating tribal fighters had gathered. On Sunday, Sharaa received the report of an inquiry into violence in Syria's coastal region in March, where Reuters reported in June that Syrian forces killed 1500 members of the Alawite minority following attacks on security forces. The presidency said it would review the inquiry's conclusions and ensure steps to "bring about justice" and prevent the recurrence of "such violations". It called on the inquiry to hold a news conference on its findings - if appropriate - as soon as possible. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said on July 18 it had documented the deaths of at least 321 people in Sweida province since July 13. The preliminary toll included civilians, women, children, Bedouin fighters, members of local groups and members of the security forces, it said, and the dead included people killed in field executions by both sides. Residents have reported calm in Syria's Sweida after the Islamist-led government announced that Bedouin fighters had withdrawn from the predominantly Druze city and a US envoy signalled that a deal to end days of fighting was being implemented. With hundreds reported killed, the Sweida bloodshed is a major test for interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, prompting Israel to launch air strikes against government forces last week as it declared support for the Druze. Fighting continued on Saturday despite a ceasefire call. Interior Minister Anas Khattab said on Sunday that internal security forces had managed to calm the situation and enforce the ceasefire, "paving the way for a prisoner exchange and the gradual return of stability throughout the governorate". Reuters images showed interior ministry forces near the city, blocking the road in front of members of tribes congregated there. The Interior Ministry said late on Saturday that Bedouin fighters had left the city. US envoy Tom Barrack said the sides had "navigated to a pause and cessation of hostilities". "The next foundation stone on a path to inclusion, and lasting de-escalation, is a complete exchange of hostages and detainees, the logistics of which are in process," he wrote on X. Kenan Azzam, a dentist, said there was an uneasy calm but the city's residents were struggling with a lack of water and electricity. "The hospitals are a disaster and out of service, and there are still so many dead and wounded," he said by phone. Another resident, Raed Khazaal, said aid was urgently needed. "Houses are destroyed ... The smell of corpses is spread throughout the national hospital," he said in a voice message to Reuters from Sweida. The Syrian state news agency said an aid convoy sent to the city by the government was refused entry while aid organised by the Syrian Red Crescent was let in. A source familiar with the situation said local factions in Sweida had turned back the government convoy. Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported on Sunday that Israel sent medical aid to the Druze in Sweida and the step was co-ordinated with the US and Syria. The Druze are a small but influential minority in Syria, Israel and Lebanon who follow a religion that is an offshoot of a branch of Shi'ite Islam. Some hardline Sunnis deem their beliefs heretical. The fighting began a week ago with clashes between Bedouin and Druze fighters. Syria sent troops to quell the fighting but they were drawn into the violence and accused of widespread violations against the Druze. Residents of the predominantly Druze city said friends and neighbours were shot at close range in their homes or in the streets by Syrian troops, identified by their fatigues and insignia. Sharaa on Thursday promised to protect the rights of Druze and to hold to account those who committed violations against "our Druze people". He has blamed the violence on "outlaw groups". A Syrian security source told Reuters that internal security forces had taken up positions near Sweida, establishing checkpoints in western and eastern parts of the province where retreating tribal fighters had gathered. On Sunday, Sharaa received the report of an inquiry into violence in Syria's coastal region in March, where Reuters reported in June that Syrian forces killed 1500 members of the Alawite minority following attacks on security forces. The presidency said it would review the inquiry's conclusions and ensure steps to "bring about justice" and prevent the recurrence of "such violations". It called on the inquiry to hold a news conference on its findings - if appropriate - as soon as possible. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said on July 18 it had documented the deaths of at least 321 people in Sweida province since July 13. The preliminary toll included civilians, women, children, Bedouin fighters, members of local groups and members of the security forces, it said, and the dead included people killed in field executions by both sides.
Sky News AU
2 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Russian President Vladimir holds nuclear talks with senior advisor to Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Russian President Vladimir Putin has held talks with a senior advisor to Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over Tehran's nuclear program and conflicts in the Middle East. Iran's nuclear program has been the subject of intense scrutiny following its 12-day with Israel, which culminated with the United States launching a series of strikes against Tehran. US officials have since insisted Iran's nuclear program was "obliterated" in the attacks, although reports have since raised doubts over that claim. In the aftermath of the conflict, Russia has offered to act as a mediator between the US and Iran with regard to Tehran's nuclear ambitions, although US President Donald Trump has said he is not interested in holding talks. In the meantime, Iran has rejected pleas from the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, for inspectors to visit sites struck by the US and assess the state of its nuclear program. The lack of cooperation has done little to dispel fears Tehran could still posses highly enriched uranium which could be used to produce a bomb or that the regime could soon restart production of nuclear materials. Sunday's (local time) meeting between President Putin and Ali Larijani is likely to raise further concerns, especially given the nature of the talks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian state outlet RIA the pair discussed Iran's nuclear program, as well as ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Russia has previously been accused of assisting Tehran with developing its nuclear program, including the potential manufacture of weapons, although Mr Peskov said President Putin favoured a political resolution to the current situation. The conversation and any resulting actions are nonetheless likely to be closely monitored by Israel, which has suggested it would not hesitate to break the current ceasefire with Iran should a new threat arise. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz declared earlier this month Israel would employ "greater force" against Tehran if it threatened its sovereignty or citizens than the attacks its launched during the two nations' brief conflict. "Israel's long arm will reach you in Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, and anywhere you try to threaten or harm Israel. There is no place to hide," he said. "If we must return, we will do so with greater force." It was not immediately clear what Mr Katz defined as a threat to Israel, although it is likely any resumption of Tehran's nuclear program would likely be deemed worth of a response. Estimates over how far back Tehran's uranium enrichment program and other nuclear goals have been set back continues to be a subject of debate. US officials claim Iran's nuclear ambitions have been set back years, possibly decades, while others, including the IAEA, have suggested a timeline of months. With Reuters
West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
Syria forces say truce holds, Bedouin fighters withdraw
Residents have reported calm in Syria's Sweida after the Islamist-led government announced that Bedouin fighters had withdrawn from the predominantly Druze city and a US envoy signalled that a deal to end days of fighting was being implemented. With hundreds reported killed, the Sweida bloodshed is a major test for interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, prompting Israel to launch air strikes against government forces last week as it declared support for the Druze. Fighting continued on Saturday despite a ceasefire call. Interior Minister Anas Khattab said on Sunday that internal security forces had managed to calm the situation and enforce the ceasefire, "paving the way for a prisoner exchange and the gradual return of stability throughout the governorate". Reuters images showed interior ministry forces near the city, blocking the road in front of members of tribes congregated there. The Interior Ministry said late on Saturday that Bedouin fighters had left the city. US envoy Tom Barrack said the sides had "navigated to a pause and cessation of hostilities". "The next foundation stone on a path to inclusion, and lasting de-escalation, is a complete exchange of hostages and detainees, the logistics of which are in process," he wrote on X. Kenan Azzam, a dentist, said there was an uneasy calm but the city's residents were struggling with a lack of water and electricity. "The hospitals are a disaster and out of service, and there are still so many dead and wounded," he said by phone. Another resident, Raed Khazaal, said aid was urgently needed. "Houses are destroyed ... The smell of corpses is spread throughout the national hospital," he said in a voice message to Reuters from Sweida. The Syrian state news agency said an aid convoy sent to the city by the government was refused entry while aid organised by the Syrian Red Crescent was let in. A source familiar with the situation said local factions in Sweida had turned back the government convoy. Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported on Sunday that Israel sent medical aid to the Druze in Sweida and the step was co-ordinated with the US and Syria. The Druze are a small but influential minority in Syria, Israel and Lebanon who follow a religion that is an offshoot of a branch of Shi'ite Islam. Some hardline Sunnis deem their beliefs heretical. The fighting began a week ago with clashes between Bedouin and Druze fighters. Syria sent troops to quell the fighting but they were drawn into the violence and accused of widespread violations against the Druze. Residents of the predominantly Druze city said friends and neighbours were shot at close range in their homes or in the streets by Syrian troops, identified by their fatigues and insignia. Sharaa on Thursday promised to protect the rights of Druze and to hold to account those who committed violations against "our Druze people". He has blamed the violence on "outlaw groups". A Syrian security source told Reuters that internal security forces had taken up positions near Sweida, establishing checkpoints in western and eastern parts of the province where retreating tribal fighters had gathered. On Sunday, Sharaa received the report of an inquiry into violence in Syria's coastal region in March, where Reuters reported in June that Syrian forces killed 1500 members of the Alawite minority following attacks on security forces. The presidency said it would review the inquiry's conclusions and ensure steps to "bring about justice" and prevent the recurrence of "such violations". It called on the inquiry to hold a news conference on its findings - if appropriate - as soon as possible. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said on July 18 it had documented the deaths of at least 321 people in Sweida province since July 13. The preliminary toll included civilians, women, children, Bedouin fighters, members of local groups and members of the security forces, it said, and the dead included people killed in field executions by both sides.
