Middle East News Update

12-22-12

+++++++++

Editor's Note: Surprisingly, significant news developments out of the Middle East related to Biblical Prophecy slowed down in the past 10 days and we simply didn't have enough material to justify opening a page for just a couple of ho-hum stories. Of course, fighting continued in Syria but nothing particularly new or significant until the past couple of days. Iran and Egypt pretty much moved to the news sidelines as did Israel and the rest of the Arab world. Below are the more recent news developments of a significant nature in the past few days.

+++++++++

Syrian Rebels on Verge of
Capturing WMD Base

Would Trigger Wider War

Syrian rebels are advancing on a large Syrian Army missile base (known as "al-Safira") housing large stockpiles of chemical weapons, including SCUD-D ballistic missiles already tipped with chemical warheads.

The concern is that Al Qaeda and other radical Islamists are in the rebel attack force, ready to seize the chemical weapons for their own sordid agenda. The Assad government forces are throwing everything possible against the rebel advance including SCUD missiles, airstrikes, and helicopter assaults in a desperate attempt to hold onto those WMD facilities and the missiles. Assad is fully aware of the stakes involved.

Israel has repeatedly stated that WMD stockpiles falling into rebel hands would provoke an Israeli military response. President Obama has reiterated a similar threat as also NATO command and member nations. Syrian President Assad has warned that such interference would result in Syria attacking its neighbors with missile attacks and Israel would be the first target. Meanwhile, leaders in Russia and Iran are monitoring the situation carefully and mulling over what their response might be to rebel capture of the WMD site.  Details, LINK HERE.

++++++++

Russia Says Syria Acting

To Safeguard WMD Stocks

Russia's Foreign Minister says that Syria has take steps to consolidate its inventory of chemical and biological weapons into a couple of safe locations. Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister told reporters on Saturday (12-22-12) that the Syrian inventory had been scattered around the country in various locations and were vulnerable to rebel seizures, however, recent moves by the Syrian government has now moved the stockpiles to just a couple of locations that will be safe from rebel advances. For more details, LINK HERE.

++++++++

Syrian Chemical Weapons

Western intelligence agencies have been tracking the movement of at least some of Syrian chemical weapons that have been observed being moved towards Lebanon.

An Israeli news media article on this development provides further insight into this development and its implications related to the potential transfer of such weapons into the hands of Hezbollah. Read the article at the LINK HERE.

++++++++

Russian Foreign Minister Says

Assad Won't Step Down

Says War Is A Standoff


LINK 1

LINK 2

++++++++

Radical Islamist Leader:

"First We Take Damascus,

Then Tel Aviv"

The leader of the radical Salafist movement in Jordan, whose organization actively supports the Syrian rebels' efforts to topple President Bashar Assad's regime warned Sunday that once the Damascus opposition achieves its primary goal, it will set its sights on Israel. LINK HERE.

+++++++

Syrian Rebels To Target Russians In Syria

A spokesman for the Syrian rebel coalition has announced that Russians in Syria are now legitimate military targets.

This development comes as Russia has renewed military supplies to the Syrian regime, including sophisticated "cruise missiles" known as Iskander. More details, LINK HERE.

+++++++

Syrian Rebels Threaten to Attack
Syrian Christians in the Hama Province


LINK

+++++++

Israel Concerned with Hezbollah's Drones


LINK

+++++++

UN Confirms Hezbollah Helping Assad


LINK

+++++++

Tensions Build Between Iran & Neighbors


LINK

+++++++

Russia's President Putin Defends

His Support for Syrian Regime


LINK

++++++++

Former Obama Advisor Warns Iran:

US Will Attack Iran
IF Iran's Nuclear Program Not Halted


LINK

++++++++

Egyptians To Vote on New Constitution

But National Unity Remains Elusive


LINK

++++++++

Explosion Destroys Hezbollah Ammo Depot

Held Missiles Capable of Carrying WMDs


LINK

+++++++

Lost Tribe of Indian Jews Moving to Israel


LINK

++++++++

Russian Navy Destroyer Visits Iran

Ahead of Joint Operations


LINK

+++++++

-