In this series, we take a look at 5 current conflicts, crises and events around the world every two weeks. This time in focus: Great Britain in the crosshairs of Russian cyberattacks, an arrest warrant for Netanyahu and Yemeni mercenaries fighting in Ukraine.
Event #1: Yemeni mercenaries in Ukraine
As the FAZ reportsHouthi rebels are being recruited in Yemen to fight alongside Moscow in Ukraine (-> current news from the Ukraine war). According to the report, the men are being offered well-paid work and Russian citizenship. Recruitment of this kind is said to have been taking place in Yemen since June. Whether mercenaries from the Arabian Peninsula will ever fight in Ukraine in relevant numbers remains to be seen. There are similar reports about Syrian mercenaries, of whom around around 2,000 are said to be deployed in Ukraine. It appears that Russia is increasingly relying on soldiers from abroad in the war in Ukraine. In addition to mercenaries from the Middle East and the approximately 12,000 North Korean soldiers (-> Interview with Brigadier Eder: North Korean soldiers in Ukraine), there are also fighters from Nepal and India. Foreign mercenaries are also fighting on the Ukrainian side. Around 20,000 from 50 nations are said to be serving in the so-called International Legion. https://militaeraktuell.at/neue-schutzausruestung-fuer-das-bundesheer/
Event #2: Arrest warrant against Netanyahu
On November 21, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. They had deliberately and knowingly withheld food, water, fuel and medicine from the population of the Gaza Strip. As the New York Times reportsanother arrest warrant has been issued for the military chief of Hamas, Muhammad Deif. The IstGH also accuses him of crimes against humanity, including murder, hostage-taking and sexual violence. Israel claims to have killed Deif in an airstrike, but according to the court there is no clear evidence of his death. The arrest warrant has no direct impact on Netanyahu for the time being, especially as the court cannot enforce an arrest. In addition to the moral weight, however, the order will restrict the politician’s future travel. Israel plans to appeal against the arrest warrants. In light of the IstGH’s decision Foreign Affairs analyzes in a recent articlehow the Netanyahu government might fare under US President Donald Trump.
Event #3: War in cyberspace
On a NATO-conference in London, British Cabinet Secretary Pat McFadden warned of Russian cyber attacks. Moscow and other adversaries of the United Kingdom are increasingly using artificial intelligence to disrupt critical infrastructure through hacker attacks. The UK has been in the crosshairs of Russian cyber attacks for years. A new AI lab costing the equivalent of almost ten million euros is now intended to strengthen the country’s defenses against threats in cyberspace. The Austrian Armed Forces is also concerned with cyber security. Since 2002, the Abwehramt has regularly organized awareness-raising eventsto train and network experts in various areas of cyber security.
Event #4: Houthis arm themselves
In mid-November the USA and Great Britain attacked several weapons depots of the Huthis in Yemen. For a year now, the Houthi militia has been firing at cargo ships on their way from the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea. In doing so, they are disrupting one of the most important shipping routes via which twelve percent of world trade are handled. “Satellite images show that the Houthis are increasingly developing underground infrastructure to protect themselves from air strikes and their attacks are also becoming more complex. In addition to rockets and cruise missiles, the Houthis are using unmanned submarines and small drone ships,” explains Middle East expert Philipp Dienstbier in our “5 questions to” interview on the topic. https://militaeraktuell.at/philipp-dienstbier-im-gespraech-die-huthis-im-jemen/
Event #5: Ceasefire in Lebanon
On Wednesday, an agreement on the ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese government came into force. It provides for Hezbollah to withdraw north of the Litani River and for Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon within 60 days. In future, the regular Lebanese army (LAF) is to be responsible for security in southern Lebanon. The USA, France and UNIFIL troops (-> Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner on the UNIFIL deployment of the Armed Forces) are to monitor compliance with the agreement. The Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib declared on November 26 that the LAF was ready, at least 5,000 soldiers to southern Lebanon.
Click here for “5 views of the world #014“: What was? What is? What will be?
Topics: The Middle East policy of future US President Donald Trump, Qatar withdraws from negotiations between Israel and Hamas, Austria sends soldiers to Iraq.
