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CNN
5 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
Taiwanese TV drama shows what a Chinese invasion could look like
Taiwanese TV drama shows what a Chinese invasion could look like CNN's Will Ripley visited the set of Zero Day, a TV series which dramatizes what it could look like if China were to attack Taiwan, told from a Taiwanese perspective. The show premiered after Taiwan's biggest military drill and civil defense exercise to bolster its preparations for a potential war with China. 00:54 - Source: CNN People fight for scraps of food in Gaza CNN's Nic Robertson reports on the scarce food conditions in Gaza, with children and mothers fighting off starvation as soup kitchens face shortages. 01:46 - Source: CNN 18 people dead after Peru bus accident At least 18 people have died and 24 were injured after a bus overturned in the Province of Junín, in Central Peru. The cause of the accident is still being investigated. 00:28 - Source: CNN Rare snow leopard baby born at UK zoo Video released by Chester Zoo in the United Kingdom shows a rare snow leopard cub taking its first steps. The baby was the first of its kind born at the facility in its 94-year history. Snow leopards are currently listed as 'vulnerable' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. 01:14 - Source: CNN Trump tells Israel to 'finish the job' against Hamas 00:41 - Source: CNN Desperate fishermen risk their lives to get food in Gaza Israel reissued a warning prohibiting anyone from entering Gaza's sea, but hunger drives desperate people to fish. CNN's Jeremy Diamond reports. 02:08 - Source: CNN 'The level of destruction is enormous': Says Cardinal about Gaza Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, recently toured Gaza after what Israel says was stray ammunition that struck Gaza's only Catholic church, killing three people. He recounts what he witnessed with CNN's Erin Burnett. 01:17 - Source: CNN Why are Thailand and Cambodia fighting? Tensions are rising between Thailand and Cambodia over a border dispute that dates back to 1907. CNN's Will Ripley explains how the conflict has escalated. 01:32 - Source: CNN CNN reports from Gaza aid crossing CNN's Nic Robertson is on the scene at the Kerem Shalom border crossing as aid agencies warn of rampant hunger caused by Israel's blockade of Gaza. Gaza's health ministry said on Tuesday that 900,000 children are going hungry, and 70,000 already show signs of malnutrition. Israel denies it is at fault and accuses Hamas of 'engineering' food shortages. 01:39 - Source: CNN Reopening the ancient tunnels 75 feet under Rome CNN's Ben Wedeman was given an exclusive tour of ancient tunnels underneath Rome's Capitoline Hill. The tunnels, which archeologists say were once filled with ancient Roman shops and taverns, are set to open to the public in late 2026 or early 2027. 02:02 - Source: CNN Ukraine sees first major anti-government protests since start of war Hundreds took to the streets after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a new law limiting the autonomy of anti-corruption agencies in his government. 01:03 - Source: CNN Peruvian police use superhero disguise during drug raid An agent in the Peruvian police force disguised themselves as the Mexican superhero character El Chapulín Colorado during a drug raid in the nation's capital of Lima. Police said six members of a criminal gang were captured and that cocaine paste, marijuana, cell phones, and money were seized. 00:38 - Source: CNN Distressing images show starvation in Gaza Distressing video footage shows a 41-year-old man in Gaza who died of starvation as humanitarian organizations urge for Israel to end its blockade of the enclave. CNN's Jeremy Diamond reports. 01:57 - Source: CNN Small Irish town confronts its dark past Excavations of the remains of nearly 800 babies have begun at a former so-called mother and baby home in Tuam, Ireland. At least 9,000 infants and children died in more than a dozen of these institutions over the course of eight decades. 02:11 - Source: CNN Fire tornado rips through Turkish forest Turkey's forestry ministry has released video of a fire tornado tearing through the country's woodland. Hundreds of wildfires have gripped Turkey this summer, as well as Greece and other Mediterranean countries. 00:33 - Source: CNN Concerns grow over Australia's toxic algae bloom A harmful algae bloom off the coast of South Australia, caused by high sea temperatures and runoff from flooding, is poisoning marine life and depleting oxygen in the water. The Australian government has stated that there is little that can be done to reverse the rapid rate of the climate crisis. 01:10 - Source: CNN International visitors to US will pay new fee CNN's Richard Quest explains how the Trump administration enacted a bill that will require international visitors to pay a new 'visa integrity fee' of $250 dollars. The fee will apply to all visitors who are required to obtain nonimmigrant visas to enter the US. 01:36 - Source: CNN Mexico City residents furious over gentrification Mexico City saw its second anti-gentrification protest in less than a month on Sunday with demonstrators furious over rising prices in the city and the record number of foreigners applying for a resident visa. The main nationality of those foreigners seeking to move legally to the nation's capital? The United States of America. 01:11 - Source: CNN Child flees Israeli strike on Gaza refugee camp Video shows a child running away as Israeli munitions struck near a UNRWA school in Bureij Refugee Camp behind her. 00:36 - Source: CNN China cracks down on fake "Lafufu" Labubus Fake Labubu plush toys, dubbed "Lafufu," have gained popularity due to shortages of the original dolls made by China's Pop Mart. 02:05 - Source: CNN Jair Bolsonaro denies coup charges as police raid home Police in Brazil raided the home of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and enforced a ruling from the country's Supreme Court that Bolsonaro wear an electronic ankle tag. Bolsonaro is being accused of plotting to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election. 01:17 - Source: CNN Taiwan conducts 10-day military drill The Taiwanese government is preparing for a war they hope will never happen. For the first time this year, Taiwan combined two major civil defense exercises, with the drills lasting ten days. These drills have included urban combat, mass casualty simulations, emergency supply drops and cyber defense that could be enacted if an invasion was to occur. CNN's Senior International Correspondent, Will Ripley, reports. 01:44 - Source: CNN Deadly flooding grips South Korea for days South Korea has been ravaged for days by intense flooding that's left more than a dozen people dead. Reuters reported more than 16 inches of rain fell in one area in just 24 hours, citing the country's Interior and Safety Ministry. 00:48 - Source: CNN Brazil's Lula tells Christiane Amanpour: Trump 'Was not elected to be emperor of the world' Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva tells CNN's Christiane Amanpour in an exclusive interview it was 'a surprise' to see President Donald Trump's letter posted to Truth Social, threatening Brazil with a crippling tariff of 50% starting August 1st. Lula says that he initially thought the letter was 'fake news.' Watch the full 'Amanpour' interview on CNN. 01:33 - Source: CNN Gaza's only Catholic church hit by Israeli strike Gaza's only Catholic church was struck by an Israeli tank, killing three and injuring many more, church officials said. It became internationally recognized after reports emerged that the late Pope Francis used to call the church daily. CNN's Nada Bashir reports 00:53 - Source: CNN Prince Harry recreates his mother's historic landmine walk Following in his mother's footsteps, Prince Harry visited Angola's minefields just as Princess Diana did 28 years ago. The Duke of Sussex was in Angola with The Halo Trust as part of the group's efforts to clear landmines. 00:39 - Source: CNN Massive fire destroys Tomorrowland's main stage Tomorrowland's main stage went up in flames just days ahead of the festival's opening in Boom, Belgium. 00:38 - Source: CNN How Trump's image is changing inside Russia Once hailed as a pro-Kremlin figure, President Donald Trump's image is changing inside Russia. It comes after Trump vowed further sanctions on the country if a peace agreement with Ukraine is not reached in 50 days. CNN's Chief Global Affairs Correspondent is on the ground in Moscow with the analysis. 01:41 - Source: CNN Who are the armed groups clashing in Syria? Dozens were killed in Syria this week after clashes between government loyalists and Druze militias in the southern city of Suwayda, prompting Syrian forces to intervene. That, in turn, triggered renewed Israeli airstrikes. 01:57 - Source: CNN Syrian anchor takes cover from airstrike live on TV An airstrike on the Syrian Ministry of Defense was captured live on Syria TV, forcing the anchor to take cover. Israel has been carrying out airstrikes on Syria as part of its commitment to protect the Druze, an Arab minority at the center of clashes with government loyalists. 00:30 - Source: CNN
Times
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Times
How Taiwan is preparing for Chinese invasion with sirens and drills
The alarm sounded for incoming missiles just as Yang Shu-ting was popping into her local supermarket. 'I just came to get my groceries,' she said. 'I'm 70 years old, so I always write a list of things I need in advance.' But her shopping was interrupted when the supermarket staff explained that a simulated Chinese air attack on Taipei was taking place. As sirens rang out across the aisles, Yang was guided into a basement where actors, planted in the crowd, pretended to faint. One woman acted out a panic attack, as shop assistants struggled to calm her down and administer CPR to a dummy. The drills form part of an elaborate rehearsal for what in the last few years has come to seem more and more likely: an invasion of the self-ruling island by China. Beijing claims sovereignty over Taiwan and has not ruled out the use of force to unify it with the mainland. Beginning earlier this month, the Taiwanese armed forces have conducted their biggest ever annual military drill. This year the Han Kuang exercises were bigger, longer and more elaborate than ever, lasting ten days and involving tests of Himars missile systems and newly acquired Abrams tanks, imported from the United States. They are intended as a signal to President Xi of China that Taiwan is prepared for war, but also a signal to citizens that the chance of conflict is rising, and Beijing's threat needs to be taken more seriously — part of a new 'whole-of-society resilience' plan being promoted by the Taiwanese government. Wang Ting-yu, an MP with the ruling Democratic Progressive Party of President Lai, said: 'In the modern world, it's not all about the military. Taiwan, this small island of 23 million people — we are all under threat. 'We need to mobilise everything we have. We have soldiers, reserve forces, and our convenience stores will be the best logistics system during the conflict time.' RITCHIE B TONGO/EPA As well as increasing Taiwan's ability to respond to natural disasters, the integration of civilian and military sectors into emergency response planning is also a way to increase the cost that China's People's Liberation Army would incur if it were to invade Taiwan. Wang said: 'This is one way of multiple to deter conflict. Make your enemy realise we are ready for the worst scenario.' The drills are also designed as a message to the Trump administration that Taiwan is prepared to defend itself. Although the US is Taiwan's closest friend on the international stage and has committed itself to selling arms to the island, Washington does not recognise Taiwan diplomatically. It maintains a posture of strategic ambiguity about whether it would come to Taipei's aid if China were to invade. 'Our readiness is very important to our allies,' Wang said. More than 400 American observers have attended this year's Han Kuang drills. Rescuers and volunteers participate in the urban resilience exercises in Taipei RITCHIE B TONGO/EPA On Thursday, Taipei ground to a halt as the sound of air raid sirens filled the air. Phones vibrated as emergency messages were sent out: 'Enemy missile attack on northern Taiwan — seek shelter immediately.' Huang Rui-cheng, a representative from the Civil Defence Command and Control Centre, said: 'We've gradually shifted towards more physical, hands-on drills and exercises, allowing the public to slowly immerse themselves and experience it firsthand. We hope that through these drills, the public will understand how to evacuate and how to respond when circumstances arise.' But in the busy shopping district of Ximen, residents appeared more bored than worried. Although the government has emphasised that this year's drills would be taken more seriously, once ushered into nearby metro stations nobody followed the government-issued recommendations to crouch and protect their heads until the drill was over. Although the risk of Chinese military aggression is ever-present, in the minds of many in Taiwan, the existential threat often fades into the background of daily life. A survey by Taiwan's Institute for National Defence and Security Research in March suggested that only a third of those surveyed viewed China as Taiwan's top national security threat. Another study conducted in November last year found that almost half felt 'indifferent' in the face of Chinese military exercises. 'If a real war broke out, all this practice is fine, but it doesn't really serve much purpose,' said Hsu Ah-yao, a local shop worker. 'I also think it's a hassle — feels kind of like a waste of resources.' Others in Ximen explained they had specifically made lunch plans during the exercise, so that they wouldn't be inconvenienced by the rules preventing people from walking the streets. Despite the disruption to her shopping, Yang supported the exercises. 'I think today's event was good,' she said, as she checked the contents of her shopping bag after the evacuation. 'It raises awareness about where our evacuation points are. Then when the time comes, we can co-operate, follow the guidance, and stay calm,' she said.
The Independent
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Inside Taiwan's largest ever military drill - and why it sends China a clear message
Dawn is yet to break in Taipei as two dozen armed troops take their positions inside the city's Songshan Airport. They are practising an assault drill that will help them to learn how to secure an airfield in the event of a possible Chinese invasion. Elsewhere in the city, heavy tanks and military vehicles roll down the streets and soldiers build up blocks on a bridge connecting Taiwan's capital with New Taipei – a special municipality located in northern Taiwan. In a park, cyclists whistle past Patriot anti-missile defence systems. Wu Huan Chung, 19, says she was in the PX Mart supermarket when she saw civil defence groups and local officials – who also play a part in military drills – prepare an elderly man for war. 'They played out a scenario where a man, likely in his 50s, was worried about a limited supply of food at his house if he didn't stock up on supplies. He told this to the store manager,' Chung tells The Independent over a video call from Taipei. 'The staff member then explained to him in a calm voice that the supermarket is storing large quantities of food in the supermarket basement for an extreme scenario and that they are fully prepared,' she says. Chung, a sociology student who has lived in Taipei for more than a year, says that staff members at the store were taught basic breathing exercises, evacuation drills for an air raid alert and methods to calm down a panicked crowd. 'From night to day, without pause – this is #HanKuang41,' the defence ministry announced as the annual Han Kuang exercises kicked off on 9 July. More than 22,000 reservists took part over 10 days - a mobilisation unprecedented in both length and scale. A day earlier, Lai Ching Te, the president of the self-governed democracy who China has branded a 'separatist', swapped his fitted suit for olive green military uniform of the Taiwanese defence forces as he observed amphibious landings being practised by the country's troops. These would be needed in the event of Chinese naval aggression in Taiwan 's coastal areas. 'On the ground today to observe the ongoing #HanKuang exercises. To strengthen #Taiwan's defences against amphibious landings, our troops are utilising the latest technologies & weapons systems in tight coordination – boosting deterrence with increased agility & mobility,' Lai wrote in a post on X. Taiwan is facing a rising military threat from Beijing, which considers the separately governed island as its own despite Taipei's strong rejection. China's leader Xi Jinping has vowed to 'reunite' the island with the mainland by force if necessary. The drills included fortifying ports and possible Chinese landing points on the island, which lies 160km (100 miles) off the Chinese coast. Taiwan's military and navy are practising how to counter Beijing's 'grey zone tactics', which stop just short of open warfare but aim to weaken an enemy over a long period. They are using weapons recently delivered by the US, including Abram M1A2T tanks, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and waterborne drones. The ten-day annual exercise is the most intense in Taiwan's history. It is hoped that it will be the most realistic simulation of how Taiwan would defend against a possible Chinese invasion, which the Pentagon has said could happen in or before 2027. The defence ministry has called on the public to show patience with any disruptions to flights or traffic and not to believe false information distributed about the exercises. Civil defence volunteers say the drills are a welcome change as they help to educate the Taiwanese population against the danger of Chinese military escalation. Yi Chou, a member of WatchOut, an NGO working on generating awareness around an invasion, says she is relieved that the drills have made the Chinese invasion a mainstream national concern. 'We as volunteers have been working on this but only until like a few weeks ago, I began a light-hearted conversation with my family that we should really start preparing. It is not an easy topic in Taiwan, especially if you want to talk with your parents,' she tells The Independent. Instagram and other social media platforms help to keep young people educated, she says, but conversations about preparing for an attack with parents can be difficult. 'If something really happens, questions like 'where should we meet' are an uncomfortable eventuality to prepare for.' She adds: 'Other than that, people are discussing what food and medical aid they are keeping in their emergency bags, which shows that everyone is preparing.' Taiwan is already battling Chinese disinformation attacks, according to lawmakers from President Lai's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which stands for the island's independence. They say the Han Kuang drills are 'unprecedented' in scale and duration. 'We are facing China so we want to be well prepared. The administration knows civil resilience is very important and it represents a crucial component of our national security,' says Fan Yun, member of the Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China (Taiwan). 'We are demonstrating to our enemy our determination and ability to defend ourselves with practical actions,' she tells The Independent. 'If our adversary wants to take any extreme action, we want them to know that Taiwan has the ability to protect itself, that we have the resilience to sustain for quite a long time and that the cost will be too big for them to bear.' China has responded to Taiwan's military drills in typically brutal fashion. 'The Han Kuang exercise is nothing but a bluffing and self-deceiving trick by the DPP authorities, attempting to bind the Taiwanese people to the Taiwan independence cart and harm Taiwan for the selfish interests of one party,' Chinese defence ministry spokesperson Col Jiang Bing said at a news conference. 'No matter how they perform or what weapons they use, they cannot resist the PLA's anti-independence sword and the historical trend of the motherland's inevitable reunification,' Col Jiang said. On Thursday alone, China sent 58 PLA aircraft, 9 PLA Navy vessels and one official ship operating around Taiwan in the early hours, in what Taiwan said was 'harassment operations around Taiwan's air and sea domains' to disrupt the Han Kuang exercise under the pretext of so-called 'joint combat readiness patrol'. Though there is debate within China over whether to invade Taiwan, residents on the island are united. The preparation on war footing cuts across party lines: drills involve different municipal authorities, national government agencies and professional emergency responders. 'In Taiwan we say, the colour of your political party's flag does not matter, because a missile has no eyes.'
CNN
17-07-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Taiwan conducts 10-day military drill
Taiwan conducts 10-day military drill The Taiwanese government is preparing for a war they hope will never happen. For the first time this year, Taiwan combined two major civil defense exercises, with the drills lasting ten days. These drills have included urban combat, mass casualty simulations, emergency supply drops and cyber defense that could be enacted if an invasion was to occur. CNN's Senior International Correspondent, Will Ripley, reports. 01:44 - Source: CNN Video shows machine gun fire near Gaza aid site A video from social media shows machine gun fire spraying the ground near an aid distribution site in southern Gaza as crowds of Palestinians lie on the ground for safety. Although the source of the gunfire is not seen in the video, multiple eyewitnesses say it shows the Israeli military opening fire on Palestinians as they waited for food on Saturday. In a statement, the IDF said, 'The details of the video are under review.' 01:02 - Source: CNN Analysis: Moscow's reaction to Trump's 50-day peace deadline President Donald Trump has vowed further sanctions on Russia if a peace deal is not reached in 50 days. CNN's Chief Global Affairs Correspondent breaks down the Russian reaction and perspective on Monday's announcement from Moscow. 01:13 - Source: CNN Trump attends FIFA Club World Cup final CNN's Patrick Snell reports on President Trump's visit to MetLife Stadium for the FIFA Club World Cup Final between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. 00:52 - Source: CNN Top Russian diplomat is in North Korea. What does this mean? Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is in North Korea for a three-day visit. CNN's Will Ripley explains why this could be a sign of deepening relations between Moscow and Pyongyang. 01:16 - Source: CNN ICE vehicle runs through protesters CNN affiliate KGO reports that an ICE vehicle ran through protesters attempting to stop an alleged deportation outside the San Francisco Federal Immigration Court. 00:59 - Source: CNN Doctor drives heart through Kyiv during Russian drone attack Amid explosions from a massive Russian drone attack, a Ukrainian doctor drove through Kyiv to deliver a heart to his seriously ill patient, after a donor became available on the opposite side of the city. Following the surgery, the doctor said he was hopeful the 12-year-old girl would recover. 00:51 - Source: CNN Analysis: Do Trump's words affect Putin's actions? President Donald Trump called Russian President Vladimir Putin out for throwing "bullsh*t" on peace talks with Ukraine - hours later, Russia launched its largest ever drone attack on Ukraine. CNN's Matthew Chance analyzes whether the US leader's comments have an impact on Russia's military operations. 01:23 - Source: CNN Rubio meets Russian foreign minister Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, days after President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin for not engaging in peace talks with Ukraine. 01:22 - Source: CNN Drones swarm Kyiv for second night Russia attacked Ukraine with hundreds of drones for a second consecutive night, killing two people and causing significant damage in Kyiv. In recent weeks Moscow has scaled up its air attacks on Ukraine, as negotiations towards a peace deal have slowed down. 00:52 - Source: CNN Doctors in Gaza struggle to keep babies alive CNN's Paula Hancocks reports on the situation in Gaza as doctors try to keep preterm babies alive in a warzone where formula, medicine and fuel are in short supply. 02:48 - Source: CNN Trump praises Liberian leader's English. It's his native language During a White House meeting with leaders of African nations, President Donald Trump complimented Liberian President Joseph Boakai's English pronunciation, even though English is Boakai's native language. 00:49 - Source: CNN Houthi rebels release video of attack on commercial ship in the Red Sea Video released by the Houthi media center shows the bulk carrier "Magic Seas" being attacked and later sinking in the Iran-backed rebel group's first attack this year on a commercial shipping vessel in the Red Sea. 00:55 - Source: CNN Russia turns up the heat after Trump slams Putin At least one person has been killed after Russia launched a massive drone attack on Ukraine just hours after US President Donald Trump pledged more military support for Kyiv and accused his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin of throwing 'bullsh*t' over peace talks. 01:19 - Source: CNN Who speaks for Hamas in ceasefire talks? With a possible Gaza ceasefire deal coming by week's end, CNN's Audie Cornish speaks with senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and a former adviser to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas Ghaith Al Omari about who speaks for Hamas. 01:51 - Source: CNN Trump told donors he threatened to bomb Moscow on Putin call Donald Trump told a private gathering of donors last year that he once sought to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from attacking Ukraine by threatening to 'bomb the sh*t out of Moscow' in retaliation, according to audio provided to CNN. The audio was obtained by Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager and Isaac Arnsdorf, who detailed some of the exchanges in their new book, '2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America.' The Trump campaign declined to comment on the content of the tapes. 01:36 - Source: CNN Three men found guilty of Wagner-backed arson on Ukraine-linked businesses in London Three men were found guilty on Tuesday of committing arson attacks on Ukraine-linked businesses in London on behalf of Russia's Wagner private mercenary group. Two others, ringleader Dylan Earl and Jake Reeves, had already pleaded guilty to offenses under the UK's new national security act. 01:38 - Source: CNN Mexicans protest immigrants from US Residents of Mexico City are protesting against gentrification that is forcing some people out, and they partially blame the United States. More than 1.6 million US citizens already reside in Mexico, according to the US State department. 01:30 - Source: CNN Drone shows rare site: Greece's Acropolis with no tourists Authorities in Athens, Greece closed the country's most popular tourist destination for several hours on Tuesday, sighting scorching temperatures nearing 108˚ Fahrenheit (42˚C) as a health concern. Drone video by Reuters captured the rare instance of the site being empty of visitors. 00:41 - Source: CNN
Al Bawaba
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Israel warns of 'All-fronts war' as troops drill for coordinated attack
ALBAWABA - Since the October 7 war began, the Israeli army has finished its biggest military drill in the Golan Heights. The drill simulated an attack by Iran-backed rebels on a large scale. The two-day drill, which was hidden from everyone, was meant to see how ready the army was for a complicated attack from Syria by Hezbollah and Iran's Revolutionary Guard. The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth said that the drill simulated what would happen if thousands of terrorists crossed into the Golan, causing hostage situations, mass deaths, widespread damage, and chaos. There was also fierce fighting on the front lines in Syria in the game. The goal of the drill was to get Israeli troops ready for a "combined scenario" that would include rocket fire, ground invasions, and strikes coming from different areas at the same time. The military sees this as a very serious danger and calls it a plan to "destroy Israel from all fronts at once." Tens of thousands of troops with ties to Iran are thought to be stationed in Syria and Iraq by Israeli intelligence. Officials say that these groups could get together and use light cars to get to the Golan within hours. So, the IDF tried how well its defenses could stop the enemy from moving forward and give them time to send in more troops. A big part of the drill was checking out nine new Israeli military bases that were just built in Syrian soil. These sites, which are manned by hundreds of Israeli forces each, are important for defense and early notice. But the fact that Israeli troops are still in Syria is still a touchy issue. Reports say that the "new Syrian regime" wants them to leave before the truce agreement from 1975 can be restored. This agreement broke down when Bashar al-Assad was removed from power. Even though both groups are still talking to each other, there has been no political settlement. This week, the Northern Command leadership, which is currently empty since General Ori Goldin retired, did a review on-site. The study found that the new military posts could give Israel important extra time to send in more troops, make its border defenses stronger, and start airstrikes in case of an attack from behind. In its final report, the army said that holding on to these sites could be very important in any future fighting in the north.
