— 🇫🇷/🇷🇺/🇺🇦 Macron: There is not a 'risk of war', there is war; a Russian victory in the Ukraine war is an existential threat to Europe and France – AFP

@Middle_East_Spectator

— 🇫🇷/🇷🇺/🇺🇦 Macron: 'People who are against French troops being sent to Ukraine are against our sovereignity and are in favor of defeat'

@Middle_East_Spectator

Has bro lost his mind?

— 🇾🇪/🇮🇱 BREAKING: Yemen's Ansarullah will start targeting Israeli-linked ships transiting the Indian Ocean towards the Cape of Good Hope - Abdul Malik Al-Houthi

@Middle_East_Spectator

Apparently, tomorrow are elections in Russia. Am I the only one that didn't know?

Well, not like it matters anyway. Slava Putin, to another term!

Here, my friend made a nerd channel about fighter jets & aviation related things. Some of you might like it.

He's mostly an expert on Pakistani/Indian conflict and Chinese stuff.

https://t.me/planenerd

— 🇮🇶/🇹🇷 NEW: Iraq bans the Kurdish PKK terrorist group in a joint statement with Turkey, anticipating a Turkish offensive in northern Iraq

@Middle_East_Spectator

— Some quick comments regarding the slow posting these days

I know the reporting has been slow. I'm the only admin by myself, and I am quite busy in real life, and at the same time, there is not much 'news' going on in the Middle East currently.

Yes, Israel and Hamas are still at war, but every day is mostly the same. Similarly, yes, Hezbollah is at war with Israel, but we mostly see the same kind of dynamic each day. If there is something special, of course I try to report it.

Regarding Iran, it is also pretty quiet right now. I covered the elections and the recent pipeline explosions, which were noteworthy.

As for Yemen, it is still continuing its duty by targeting Israeli-linked shipping, but once again, no major changes, except that they will now target ships in the Indian Ocean.

Basically, I would rather cover events that are actually important than to report every little thing and be repetitive every day. That would lead to people being disinterested and not focused on the real developments.

At this point, covering every resistance operation, or updating the new count of Palestinian deaths in Gaza, or another drone launch from Yemen, is simply undoable because it happens so much, and because it is honestly not noteworthy anymore. I hope this makes sense to you all.

Anyways, I will be here (as I have been) if there are any major developments. And when I'm more free & find some extra admins, I'll make sure to ramp up the posting again.

Thanks for your support 💚

@Middle_East_Spectator

— 🇮🇱/🇱🇧/🇵🇸 NOW: The Israeli War Cabinet is meeting to discuss the Lebanon front and the Gaza Strip

Important decisions regarding an operation into Rafah or even into Lebanon could be made tonight.

Even if a decision on either of these two topics is made tonight, they likely won't materialize until the next month or months.

@Middle_East_Spectator

— 🇮🇱/🇵🇸 BREAKING: The Israeli War Cabinet and Prime Minister have approved plans for an IDF ground invasion of Rafah – Netanyahu's Office / Al-Jazeera

@Middle_East_Spectator

— 🇮🇱/🇵🇸 A few important notes on the approval of plans to invade Rafah:

1. Approval of the plans does not necessarily mean that it will happen any time soon, but simply that the operational plans have been approved, in case the green light is given at any point.

2. Hamas has reportedly done a new ceasefire deal proposal, and the messaging regarding action in Rafah might be Israel's way to pressure Hamas into accepting a deal, signaling that a deal may not be a possibility for much longer.

3. The United States likely wants to finish constructing its artificial port in Gaza before any Israeli invasion of Rafah takes place.

4. The IDF currently does not have enough forces concentrated near Rafah to mount an offensive in the immediate timeframe.

5. Egypt will likely take strong diplomatic actions of protest, considering that Rafah is part of a no-go zone for the IDF according to the 1979 Camp David Accords.

@Middle_East_Spectator

— 🇮🇷 NEW: Iran officially reduces the duration of compulsory military service from 22 months to an average of 14 months

@Middle_East_Spectator

— 🇷🇺/🇺🇦 NEW: Geolocation confirms that at least a part of Kozinka, a city in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, is still under control of the pro-Ukraine 'Russian volunteer corps' and AFU troops

@Middle_East_Spectator

'Boys we did it, we conquered half a Russian village, despite losing virtually every strategically important city in Donbass!'