Latest news with #Neta
Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Bangkok Post
Detailing Neta's fall from grace
Jutamas Tadthiemrom, an employee of a Bangkok-based media corporation, has been using her Neta electric vehicle (EV) for just over a year. The main reason she bought it was to reduce her fuel expenses, as she had used her previous car for more than 12 years. But the Chinese EV maker, which has attracted interest among motorists worldwide, failed to impress Ms Jutamas after the delivery of her vehicle was delayed. "The quality of the car has been decent, considering the price. There have been no major faults," she told the Bangkok Post. However, TQM, Neta's insurance broker in Thailand, called Ms Jutamas to cancel the second-class insurance policy she held offered by Viriyah Insurance, even before Hozon New Energy Automobile Co, the Chinese parent of Neta, formally announced its bankruptcy. At that point, she decided to secure a third-class insurance policy offered directly by Viriyah Insurance in case Neta's Thai subsidiary also entered into bankruptcy. However, she wondered which company would be responsible for her car's maintenance going forward and whether it would be difficult in the future to secure some form of compensation, given the parent company's status. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE NETA BRAND? Ms Jutamas is not the only concerned Neta owner in Thailand, as the Chinese company that entered the Thai market in 2022 has struggled to compete with BYD, a rival Chinese EV brand. As a consequence, Neta Thailand has struggled to meet the Thai government's requirements for its incentive programme aimed at boosting EV production. Under the scheme, car manufacturers were exempt from import duties in 2024, but were obliged to match import volumes with domestic production. Citing decelerating sales and tightening credit conditions, car manufacturers asked the government to adjust the scheme and the production shortfall in 2024 has since been rolled over into this year. As Neta's parent firm entered bankruptcy proceedings in China last month, according to state media, the Thai unit is unable to produce the required number of cars locally. According to Reuters, the Excise Department received a complaint filed last month by 18 Neta dealers in Thailand seeking to recover more than 200 million baht of allegedly unpaid debt. Neta's share of Thailand's EV market peaked at 12% of total sales in 2023 when the industry was growing, according to data based on industry research. BYD secured a 49% market share in 2023. In the first five months of 2025, new registrations of Neta vehicles slumped 48.5% year-on-year and its share of EV registrations dropped to just 4%, according to government data. Neta car owners took to social media in droves to share their experiences with maintenance issues and limited after-sales support. A consumer watchdog agency is investigating some of these complaints. Meanwhile, industry analysts said Neta's issues are specific to the company and do not indicate flaws in Thailand's policies or market. However, external shocks such as geopolitical tensions and higher US tariffs on imports of Thai products have added pressure to the sector. HOW IS NETA'S PROVISION OF AFTER-SALES SERVICE AND BUSINESS CONTINUITY HERE? This question was put to Sun Baolong, head of Southeast Asia business for Zhejiang Hozon New Energy Automobile, but he did not respond. Mr Sun transitioned to this position from his previous role as general manager of Neta Auto Thailand when the company appointed a new board of directors last month, with representatives from the headquarters in China joining the board. The Office of the Consumer Protection Board is investigating Neta's business in Thailand after summoning Neta representatives for talks on how to prevent negative impacts for Thai consumers following a report from a state-owned news agency in China that Neta Auto Thailand's parent filed for bankruptcy. The company's financial shortcomings were brought to the court in China after a creditor sued the company over an unpaid debt of roughly 5.3 million yuan (US$730,000), amid total liabilities exceeding 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion). Mr Sun previously told the Bangkok Post Neta would continue to manufacture and sell Neta cars in Thailand. To alleviate motorists' concerns over maintenance services and the availability of spare parts, Neta opened a new spare parts distribution centre in Nakhon Pathom in May, attempting to improve after-sales services. A shortage of some replacement parts led to delays in repairs, with some repairs taking up to 10 months. It remains unclear how Neta Auto Thailand will address its financial difficulties as the company's executives could not be reached for comment. Bangchan General Assembly, a local partner of Neta, must pay a fine if Neta is unable to meet the battery electric vehicle (BEV) production target, a requirement for participants in the government's EV incentive scheme, according to an observer from the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT) who requested anonymity. Neta partnered with Bangchan General Assembly to commence the assembly of BEVs here in March 2024, becoming the company's first BEV plant outside China. Annual production at the plant in Bangkok's Min Buri district is 10,000 units. As of May this year, the company has sold roughly 25,000 cars in Thailand. Bangchan General Assembly, an original equipment manufacturer assembling internal combustion engine cars for many brands, must take some responsibility for the production shortfall as it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Excise Department on Nov 28, 2022, obliging it to produce the amount of BEVs as required by the government, according to the EVAT source. The company risks failing to meet the production target as Neta has not supplied it with the EV components required since its parent encountered cash flow issues. EV manufacturers are required to pay a fine of around 400,000 baht per car to authorities if they fail to meet the government's production requirements, said EVAT president Suroj Sangsanit. These companies are also required to return any subsidies received under the EV incentive scheme to the government, according to Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul. Neta joined the second-phase EV incentive scheme, dubbed EV3.5, offering passenger car and pickup manufacturers a subsidy of up to 100,000 baht per unit. The government also reduced import duties on completely built-up EVs to a ceiling of 40% for 2024 to 2025, and cut the excise tax to 2% from the original rate of 8%. Participating companies have to produce vehicles domestically to compensate for imported units, at a ratio of two locally produced BEVs for each one imported until 2026. If participants are unable to meet this production target, they must compensate at a ratio of three locally-produced BEVs for each imported vehicle in 2027. In addition to Bangchan General Assembly, Neta dealers may also be in hot water. The dealers lodged a complaint with the Excise Department last month, accusing Neta of "deceiving them into selling cars" after the company failed to pay off debts worth 200 million baht it owed to them, according to media reports. The complainants believe there is little chance of Zhejiang Hozon New Energy Automobile being able to continue its business. HOW DO INSURERS FEEL ABOUT THE SITUATION? Seree Gavinratchatarot, chairman of the motor insurance committee of the Thai General Insurance Association (TGIA), said Neta's service centres in Thailand remain operational, and customers with insurance policies can still file claims and get their vehicles repaired as normal. However, he admitted the bankruptcy of Neta's parent company could affect Thailand's insurance sector, particularly if the company fails to expand its repair centre network. Mr Seree reassured policyholders that insurance companies in Thailand continue to support all Neta owners, even after the parent's collapse in China. If Neta eventually closes its service centres in Thailand, insurers have said they are prepared to arrange alternative EV repair garages for their clients. "We have contracts with general repair garages that understand EV body and structural repairs. These garages are still limited in number, so customers might experience longer waiting times," said Mr Seree, who is also chief operating officer of Tokio Marine Insurance (Thailand). "Those holding Neta policies should not be concerned as claims can still be processed as normal. If Neta service centres are closed, repairs would simply be carried out at alternate garages." Regarding premium calculations for Neta EVs, each insurer will evaluate the risk and pricing individually, he said, as insurers continue to underwrite policies for Neta and other EV brands, although terms and conditions may be adjusted. Insurance premiums are unlikely to increase significantly, as rate adjustments depend on various factors including claim costs and driver behaviour, said Mr Seree. He acknowledged that EV insurance remains unprofitable at this stage, with loss ratios still running high. "The EV insurance market is still in its early stages, and insurers are working to find a sustainable balance," said Mr Seree. Somporn Suebthawilkul, TGIA president and managing director of Dhipaya Insurance, said motor insurance growth this year is likely to stagnate compared with 2024, as the economy shows signs of slowing down. Consumer sentiment towards EVs has started to shift, with more people hesitating on purchases, he said. "The bankruptcy of Neta in China combined with emerging concerns about other major Chinese EV brands could lead to a drop in EV sales in the second half of this year, likely resulting in a corresponding decline in EV insurance premiums."
TimesLIVE
6 days ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
China's EV competition challenges Thailand's local production targets
Hyper-competition in China's electric vehicle sector is spilling over to its biggest market in Asia, Thailand, as smaller players struggle to compete with dominant BYD, putting ambitious local production plans at risk. Neta, among the earliest Chinese EV brands to enter Thailand in 2022, is an example of a struggling carmaker finding it difficult to meet the requirements of a demanding government incentive programme meant to boost Thai EV production. Under the scheme, carmakers are exempt from import duties, but were obligated to match import volumes with domestic production in 2024. Citing slowing sales and tightening credit conditions, carmakers asked the government to adjust the scheme and the 2024 production shortfall was rolled over into this year. Neta said it cannot produce the required number of cars locally and the government has withheld some payments to the EV maker, said excise department official Panupong Sriket, who received a complaint filed last month by 18 Neta dealers in Thailand seeking to recover more than 200 million baht (R109,637,815) of allegedly unpaid debt. The complaint, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters, also detailed missed payments by Neta related to promised support for building showrooms and after-sales service. 'I stopped ordering more cars in September because I sensed something was wrong,' said Neta dealership owner Saravut Khunpitiluck. 'I'm suing them.' Neta's parent company, Zhejiang Hozon New Energy Automobile, entered bankruptcy proceedings in China last month, according to state media.
Zawya
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Zawya
China's intense EV rivalry tests Thailand's local production goals
BANGKOK - Hyper-competition in China's electric vehicle sector is spilling over to its biggest market in Asia, Thailand, as smaller players struggle to compete with dominant BYD, putting ambitious local production plans at risk. Neta, among the earliest Chinese EV brands to enter Thailand in 2022, is an example of a struggling automaker finding it difficult to meet the requirements of a demanding government incentive programme meant to boost Thai EV production. Under the scheme, carmakers are exempt from import duties, but were obligated to match import volumes with domestic production in 2024. Citing slowing sales and tightening credit conditions, carmakers asked the government to adjust the scheme and the 2024 production shortfall was rolled over into this year. Neta has said that it cannot produce the required number of cars locally and the government has withheld some payments to the EV maker, said Excise Department official Panupong Sriket, who received a complaint filed last month by 18 Neta dealers in Thailand seeking to recover over 200 million baht ($6.17 million) of allegedly unpaid debt. The complaint, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters, also detailed missed payments by Neta related to promised support for building showrooms and after-sales service. "I stopped ordering more cars in September because I sensed something was wrong," said Neta dealership owner Saravut Khunpitiluck. "I'm currently suing them." Neta's parent company, Zhejiang Hozon New Energy Automobile, entered bankruptcy proceedings in China last month, according to state media. Neta and its Chinese parent did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment. MARKET SHARE DECLINE Neta's share of Thailand's EV market peaked at around 12% of EV sales in 2023 when the industry was growing, according to Counterpoint Research data, with BYD having a 49% share that year. In Thailand, a regional auto production and export hub, Chinese brands dominate the EV market with a combined share of more than 70%. The number of Chinese EV brands has doubled in the last year to 18, placing pressure on those that lack the reach of BYD, which has taken over from Tesla as the world's biggest EV maker. In the first five months of this year, new registration of Neta cars - a proxy for sales - slumped 48.5% from the prior year and its share of EV registrations was down to 4%, according to government data. "Neta's downturn in Thailand reflects the fragility of second-tier Chinese EV brands both at home and abroad," said Abhik Mukherjee, an automotive analyst at Counterpoint Research. "Intense price competition and the scale advantages of dominant players have made survival increasingly difficult for smaller companies, particularly in export markets, where margins are slim and robust after-sales support is essential." In Thailand, Neta's biggest international market, it sells three models, with the cheapest Neta V-II Lite priced at 549,000 baht ($16,924) before discounts, compared to market leader BYD's entry-level Dolphin model that is priced at 569,900 baht. Thailand's domestic auto market has become increasingly competitive amid a sluggish economy. "Some Chinese brands have slashed prices by more than 20%,' said Rujipun Assarut, assistant managing director of KResearch, a unit of Thai lender Kasikornbank. "Pricing has become the main strategy to stimulate buying." China's EV overcapacity and price war have pushed automakers to expand abroad, but markets like Thailand are now mirroring the same hyper-competitive pressures, exposing smaller firms to similar risks. 'NO CONFIDENCE' Three years ago, Thailand unveiled an ambitious plan to transform its car industry, long dominated by Japanese majors like Toyota and Honda, to ensure at least 30% of its total auto production was EVs by 2030. The country, which exports about half of its auto output, has drawn more than $3 billion in investments from a clutch of Chinese EV makers, including Neta, who were partly lured to Southeast Asia's second-largest economy by the government incentive scheme. "Neta's case should give the Thai policymakers pause," said Ben Kiatkwankul, partner at Bangkok-based government affairs advisory firm, Maverick Consulting Group. Last December, after a sharp sales contraction, Thailand's Board of Investment gave EV makers an extension to the initial local production timeline to avoid oversupply and a worsening price war. Under the original scheme, local EV production in 2024 was required to match each vehicle imported between February 2022 to December 2023 or the automaker would incur hefty fines. Car manufacturers avoided those fines with the extension carrying over unmet production into this year, but at a higher ratio of 1.5 times imports. Thailand's Board of Investment said in statement to Reuters on Saturday that Neta's issues were related to the financial situation of its parent firm and did not affect the Thai EV industry in the long-term. "The Thai government remains committed to the automotive sector and continues to promote policies supporting the EV industry and related technologies," it said. Siamnat Panassorn, vice president of the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand, said Neta's issues were company-specific and did not reflect flaws in Thai policies or the market. But external shocks, including geopolitical tensions and the spectre of higher tariffs, have added to the pressure felt by the sector, he said. For Thai Neta dealers like Chatdanai Komrutai, the crisis is deepening. The brand's car owners have taken to social media in droves to share maintenance issues and limited after-sales support and a consumer watchdog agency is inspecting some of those complaints. "Selling cars is difficult right now," Chatdanai said. "There's no confidence." ($1 = 32.4100 baht)
Scottish Sun
06-07-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Inside Israel's frontline rescue crew… from pulling families out of rubble to dodging Iranian missiles
Rescue crews in Be'er Sheva dealt with the fallout of Iranian strikes on civilian areas - including a hospital LINE OF FIRE Inside Israel's frontline rescue crew… from pulling families out of rubble to dodging Iranian missiles Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT'S the dead of night when Captain Yehudit's phone suddenly starts ringing. On her way home from the day job, the reservist's battalion commander warns her Iranian missiles are incoming. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 13 Rescue crews at the scene in Be'er Sheva Credit: IDF 13 The team worked to help civilians whose buildings were hit by Iranian strikes Credit: IDF 13 Captain Yehudit of Battalion 923 - part of the Home Front Command's Southern District Credit: IDF 13 A view of the destruction after an Iranian missile hit Soroka Credit: Getty 13 Firefighters work in a building of the Soroka hospital complex after it was hit by a missile fired from Iran Credit: AP Defended by arguably one of the most technologically magnificent missile shields in the world, incoming rockets are largely shot down by quick-thinking soldiers. But no system can ever be perfect - and a very small percentage of barrages crash, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Within hours, the mum found herself pulling bodies out of the wreckage after Iranian missiles blitzed civilian homes in Be'er Sheva. She was joined at the devastating scene by Major Neta and rescue forces of Battalion 923 - part of the Home Front Command's Southern District - who worked tirelessly for the next 13 hours to help panicked citizens. It was the first of three blitzes on the southern Israel city during the so-called 12-day war, including one just hours before the ceasefire kicked in. Furious Iran traded blows with Israel for days after Benjamin Netanyahu unleashed an audacious blitz on the regime's prized nuclear sites. Homes and even a hospital were blasted in Be'er Sheva in return by Iran - leaving at least four killed and dozens injured. Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reservist Maj. Neta told The Sun: "We didn't suspect [Iran would hit civilian areas], that was a surprise for us. "We only hit military targets and they hit a civilian hospital - it was awful. "We are here to save lives, and they are just trying to hurt us." West now on red alert for 'homegrown terror attacks' as Iran calls for Trump to be 'crucified' In the early hours of July 19, Soroka hospital was among eight sites pounded by missiles in what was branded an "act of terrorism" by Israel's health minister Uriel Buso. Terrified patients were evacuated as ceilings collapsed, windows smashed and walls caved in. Maj. Neta said: "There was a lot of mess, a lot of innocent people that we needed to move because it was dangerous. We had a fire there and a lot of wreckage. "Luckily nobody was killed there, but easily could have been. "There were people we had to pull out the wreckage, but I'm happy it ended up with only the building damaged but no souls lost. Shocking footage showed the ground shale and huge plumes of smoke filled the air as the busy hospital was struck. "There was a lot of mess, a lot of innocent people that we needed to move because it was dangerous," Maj. Neta said. "We had a fire there and a lot of wreckage. "Luckily nobody was killed there, but easily could have been. "There were people we had to pull out of the wreckage, but I'm happy it ended up with only the building damaged with no souls lost." 13 The Battalion 923 squad assess the damage in a building Credit: IDF 13 They work for hours at every scene to check for casualties Credit: IDF 13 Damage to a room at Soroka hospital Credit: EPA 13 The moment a bulding burst into flames after the struck by an Iranian rocket Credit: Jay Sverdlov But when a salvo of missiles slammed into more civilian targets days later - just hours before the ceasefire came into force on July 24. Corporal Eitan Zachs, 18, his mother, Michal Zachs, 50, his girlfriend Noa Boguslavsky, 18, from Arad, and Naomi Shaanan were killed. At least 22 others were injured as the rockets hit the area at around 6am - including one that directly pummeled a residential building. Cpt. Yehudit said: "Those first moments are a really big mess. People are in shock, there are many rescue teams in the zone. "We had to take the bodies of killed civilians from the apartments that got hit. "We had to break the bricks and the doors down to get them out. We also had a lot of civilians who got hurt. "[After dealing with casualties] we then check every building four times to make sure there is nobody in there, even pets. "From one building we rescued four cats, and returned them to their owners. Iran exacts revenge on its own people by Katie Davis, Chief Foreign Reporter (Digital) IRAN'S ruthless regime massacred defenceless inmates at a prison before blaming their deaths on shrapnel from airstrikes, insiders revealed. It comes as sources warn the wounded regime is using the smokescreen of conflict to unleash a brutal execution spree and crack down on critics. Cold-blooded regime dictators have also ordered the arrest of hundreds after accusing them of having links to arch-foe Israel. Iran's intelligence services detained at least 26 people accusing them of collaborating with the enemy - and three prisoners were hanged for allegedly spying for Israel. Iranian insiders told The Sun supreme leader Ali Khamenei is following a "disturbing pattern" of enforcing bloody clampdowns during periods of unrest. It comes as the chorus of voices calling for the Ayatollah's callous regime to be toppled grows louder following a monumental effort from Israel and the US to blitz critical nuclear sites. An Iranian insider said: "The prison massacre now stands as another stain on Tehran's human rights record - and a sobering reminder of what unchecked tyranny can unleash behind closed walls." READ MORE HERE "It's hard work. It takes a lot of time. In my zone, we took nearly 13 hours to make sure nobody was there until we could leave the scene." Maj. Neta said their response after a missile strike can take hours - and squads will even do checks on apartments for casualties even if just a window is broken. She added: "There was a lot of panic and confusion but they [civilians] were happy to see us. "It is a relief for them to see soldiers coming to rescue them and help them. "After that there's a lot of rage, because they need a lot of stuff from their house, and the building is not safe. "We have engineers that check the buildings before we allow civilians inside." Both Maj. Neta and Capt. Yehudit agreed they have to detach from their emotions to get their jobs done effectively. Capt Yehudit said: "The last hit that we dealt with was just before the ceasefire. 13 The moment of an Iranian missile strike in Be'er Sheva Credit: Jay Sverdlov 13 The team being briefed at the scene Credit: IDF 13 Cpt. Yehudit with her team members Credit: IDF "So at the end of the day, everybody spoke about how it was the ceasefire and we could go home in a couple of days. "It wasn't less hard dealing with the scene, knowing that just a few hours ago I pulled bodies from this now I'm going home, back to my day job, to my family and my daughter." Maj. Neta added: "We have to detach when we are getting to a scene because we cannot do our job if we are not detached. "But then after we speak to one another and we take everything out. "It's very important to speak about it and not keep it inside." Israel and Iran have been locked in a fragile ceasefire since June 24 - which Donald Trump has warned both sides not to break. It comes after days of missile fire between the two nations before Trump pulled the trigger on a monumental US blitz of the rogue state. Israel's rescue teams fear Iran could launch further strikes - but insist they are prepared. Maj. Neta added: "We don't know if Iran will strike again. [If they do], we will come and do our job, as we did this time. "But I hope very, very much they will not do it because we are only innocent people. "It's very difficult for us to lose a life. They don't care about that."
The Irish Sun
06-07-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Inside Israel's frontline rescue crew… from pulling families out of rubble to dodging Iranian missiles
IT'S the dead of night when Captain Yehudit's phone suddenly starts ringing. On her way home from the day job, the reservist's battalion commander warns her Iranian missiles are incoming. Advertisement 13 Rescue crews at the scene in Be'er Sheva Credit: IDF 13 The team worked to help civilians whose buildings were hit by Iranian strikes Credit: IDF 13 Captain Yehudit of Battalion 923 - part of the Home Front Command's Southern District Credit: IDF 13 A view of the destruction after an Iranian missile hit Soroka Credit: Getty 13 Firefighters work in a building of the Soroka hospital complex after it was hit by a missile fired from Iran Credit: AP Defended by arguably one of the But no system can ever be perfect - and a very small percentage of barrages crash, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Within hours, the mum found herself pulling bodies out of the wreckage after Iranian missiles blitzed civilian homes in Be'er Sheva. She was joined at the devastating scene by Major Neta and rescue forces of Battalion 923 - part of the Home Front Command's Southern District - who worked tirelessly for the next 13 hours to help panicked citizens. Advertisement More from the Middle East It was the first of three blitzes on the southern Israel city during the so-called 12-day war, including one just hours before the ceasefire kicked in. Furious Iran traded blows with Israel for days after Benjamin Netanyahu unleashed an Homes and even a hospital were blasted in Be'er Sheva in return by Iran - leaving at least four killed and dozens injured. Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reservist Maj. Neta told The Sun: "We didn't suspect [Iran would hit civilian areas], that was a surprise for us. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive Exclusive "We only hit military targets and they hit a civilian hospital - it was awful. "We are here to save lives, and they are just trying to hurt us." West now on red alert for 'homegrown terror attacks' as Iran calls for Trump to be 'crucified' In the early hours of July 19, Soroka hospital was among eight sites pounded by missiles in what was branded an "act of terrorism" by Israel's health minister Uriel Buso. Terrified patients were evacuated as ceilings collapsed, windows smashed and walls caved in. Advertisement Maj. Neta said: "There was a lot of mess, a lot of innocent people that we needed to move because it was dangerous. We had a fire there and a lot of wreckage. "Luckily nobody was killed there, but easily could have been. "There were people we had to pull out the wreckage, but I'm happy it ended up with only the building damaged but no souls lost. Shocking footage showed the ground shale and huge plumes of smoke filled the air as the busy hospital was struck. Advertisement "There was a lot of mess, a lot of innocent people that we needed to move because it was dangerous," Maj. Neta said. "We had a fire there and a lot of wreckage. "Luckily nobody was killed there, but easily could have been. "There were people we had to pull out of the wreckage, but I'm happy it ended up with only the building damaged with no souls lost." Advertisement 13 The Battalion 923 squad assess the damage in a building Credit: IDF 13 They work for hours at every scene to check for casualties Credit: IDF 13 Damage to a room at Soroka hospital Credit: EPA 13 The moment a bulding burst into flames after the struck by an Iranian rocket Credit: Jay Sverdlov Advertisement But when a salvo of missiles slammed into more civilian targets days later - just hours before the ceasefire came into force on July 24. Corporal Eitan Zachs, 18, his mother, Michal Zachs, 50, his girlfriend Noa Boguslavsky, 18, from Arad, and Naomi Shaanan were killed. At least 22 others were injured as the rockets hit the area at around 6am - including one that directly pummeled a residential building. Cpt. Yehudit said: "Those first moments are a really big mess. People are in shock, there are many rescue teams in the zone. Advertisement "We had to take the bodies of killed civilians from the apartments that got hit. "We had to break the bricks and the doors down to get them out. We also had a lot of civilians who got hurt. "[After dealing with casualties] we then check every building four times to make sure there is nobody in there, even pets. "From one building we rescued four cats, and returned them to their owners. Advertisement Iran exacts revenge on its own people by Katie Davis, Chief Foreign Reporter (Digital) IRAN'S ruthless regime massacred defenceless inmates at a prison before blaming their deaths on shrapnel from airstrikes, insiders revealed. It comes as sources warn the wounded regime is using the smokescreen of conflict to unleash a brutal Cold-blooded regime dictators have also ordered the arrest of hundreds after accusing them of having links to arch-foe Israel. Iran's intelligence services detained at least 26 people accusing them of collaborating with the enemy - and Iranian insiders told The Sun supreme leader Ali Khamenei is following a "disturbing pattern" of enforcing bloody clampdowns during periods of unrest. It comes as the chorus of voices calling for the Ayatollah's callous regime An Iranian insider said: "The prison massacre now stands as another stain on Tehran's human rights record - and a sobering reminder of what unchecked tyranny can unleash behind closed walls." "It's hard work. It takes a lot of time. In my zone, we took nearly 13 hours to make sure nobody was there until we could leave the scene." Maj. Neta said their response after a missile strike can take hours - and squads will even do checks on apartments for casualties even if just a window is broken. She added: "There was a lot of panic and confusion but they [civilians] were happy to see us. "It is a relief for them to see soldiers coming to rescue them and help them. Advertisement "After that there's a lot of rage, because they need a lot of stuff from their house, and the building is not safe. "We have engineers that check the buildings before we allow civilians inside." Both Maj. Neta and Capt. Yehudit agreed they have to detach from their emotions to get their jobs done effectively. Capt Yehudit said: "The last hit that we dealt with was just before the ceasefire. Advertisement 13 The moment of an Iranian missile strike in Be'er Sheva Credit: Jay Sverdlov 13 The team being briefed at the scene Credit: IDF 13 Cpt. Yehudit with her team members Credit: IDF "So at the end of the day, everybody spoke about how it was the ceasefire and we could go home in a couple of days. Advertisement "It wasn't less hard dealing with the scene, knowing that just a few hours ago I pulled bodies from this now I'm going home, back to my day job, to my family and my daughter." Maj. Neta added: "We have to detach when we are getting to a scene because we cannot do our job if we are not detached. "But then after we speak to one another and we take everything out. "It's very important to speak about it and not keep it inside." Advertisement Israel and Iran have been locked in a fragile ceasefire since June 24 - which Donald Trump has warned both sides not to break. It comes after days of missile fire between the two nations before Trump pulled the trigger on a monumental US blitz of the rogue state. Israel's rescue teams fear Iran could launch further strikes - but insist they are prepared. Maj. Neta added: "We don't know if Iran will strike again. [If they do], we will come and do our job, as we did this time. Advertisement "But I hope very, very much they will not do it because we are only innocent people. "It's very difficult for us to lose a life. They don't care about that." 13
