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Complex CoverageC I V I L - M I L I T A R Y F U S I O N C E N T R E

04 June 2013 Comprehensive Information on Complex Crisis

aq 1

ebanon 2

yria 3

ED & Demining 4

he Civil-Military Fusion CentreCFC) is an information andnowledge managementrganisation focused on improvingvil-military interaction,cilitating information sharing and

nhancing situational awarenesshrough the CimicWeb portal andur Weekly and monthlyublications.

FC products are based upon andnk to open-source informationom a wide variety ofrganisations, research centres and

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he CFC is part of NATO Alliedommand Operations.

For further information contact:

omplex Coverage Team Leaderinda Lavendernda.lavender@cimicweb.org

NSIDE THIS ISSUE

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ONTACT THE CFC

Iraq Linda Lavender linda.lavender@cimicweb.org

The UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) reports that more than 1,000 people were killed in Iraq

in May, making it the deadliest month since the widespreadsectarian violence of 2006-2007, reports

BBC. The vast majority of deaths were civilian. Baghdad was the worst-hit region of the country. The

increase in attacks has been accompanied by rumours of sectarian militias roaming Baghdad seeking

revenge-killings. UN Special Representative in Iraq Martin Kobler warned, [s]ystematic violence is

ready to explode at any moment if allIraqi leadersdo not engage immediately to pull the country out

of this mayhem, reports United Press International (UPI). Later, Kobler reported that a weekend

meeting with political leaders included the Prime Minister, religious leaders and key administrative

officials addressing the uptick in violence, reports UPI.

Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs Hussein al Shahristani warned Israel on 03 June tha

Baghdad would respond to any attempts to use Iraqi airspace for a strike against Irans controversial

nuclear energy programme, according toAgence France-Presse (AFP). Iraqs defence ministry reports

it interrupted an al Qaeda cell operating in Baghdad, working to produce poisonous gas for terrorist

attacks, according to Al Jazeera. The five-man cell used instructions obtained from another al Qaeda

group to build two facilities for production of sarin and mustard gas. The cell intended to launch

domestic attacks, as well as attacks in Europe, Canada and the United States. An al Qaeda plot to pack

tanker trucks with explosives and attack a key Baghdad oil facility was thwarted by Iraqi security

reportsAl Jazeera.

This document provides complex coverage of global events from 28 May 03 June 2013 with

hyper-links to source material highlighted in blue and underlined in the text. For moreinformation on the topics below or other issues pertaining to events in the region, contact themembers o the Com lex Covera e Team or visit our websiteatwww.cimicweb.or .

NOTE:MALINEWS IS NOW COVERED IN THECFC MEDITERRANEAN BASINREVIEW

mailto:linda.lavender@cimicweb.orgmailto:linda.lavender@cimicweb.orgmailto:linda.lavender@cimicweb.orgmailto:linda.lavender@cimicweb.orghttp://www.iraqinews.com/features/unami-report-more-than-1000-iraqis-killed-during-may/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22740452http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22740452http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2013/05/31/UN-official-warns-violence-in-Iraq-ready-to-explode/UPI-51221369998733/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2013/05/31/UN-official-warns-violence-in-Iraq-ready-to-explode/UPI-51221369998733/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2013/05/31/UN-official-warns-violence-in-Iraq-ready-to-explode/UPI-51221369998733/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/06/03/UN-welcomes-Iraqi-political-talks/UPI-58881370270143/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/06/03/UN-welcomes-Iraqi-political-talks/UPI-58881370270143/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/06/03/UN-welcomes-Iraqi-political-talks/UPI-58881370270143/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/iraq-warns-israel-on-using-its-airspace-/696746.htmlhttp://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/iraq-warns-israel-on-using-its-airspace-/696746.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/06/20136117362322130.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/06/20136117362322130.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/06/20136117362322130.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/05/201353053943436344.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/05/201353053943436344.htmlhttp://www.cimicweb.org/http://www.cimicweb.org/http://www.cimicweb.org/https://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/medbasin/Pages/Home.aspxhttps://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/medbasin/Pages/Home.aspxhttps://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/medbasin/Pages/Home.aspxhttp://www.cimicweb.org/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/05/201353053943436344.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/06/20136117362322130.htmlhttp://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/iraq-warns-israel-on-using-its-airspace-/696746.htmlhttp://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/06/03/UN-welcomes-Iraqi-political-talks/UPI-58881370270143/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/06/03/UN-welcomes-Iraqi-political-talks/UPI-58881370270143/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2013/05/31/UN-official-warns-violence-in-Iraq-ready-to-explode/UPI-51221369998733/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22740452http://www.iraqinews.com/features/unami-report-more-than-1000-iraqis-killed-during-may/mailto:linda.lavender@cimicweb.orgmailto:linda.lavender@cimicweb.org

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204 June 2013

03-Jun-13: Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK1) militants fired on Turkish troops in southeast Turkey, the first such incidensince the announcement of the PKK withdrawal from Turkey, reports Reuters.

02 Jun-13: Al Jazeera reports that at leastsix were killedand five others kidnapped in a series of attacks in Anbar province. 30-May-13: Associated Press (AP) reports that astring of bombingsin the northern city of Mosul killed at least thirty people

The same day, The Daily Starreports that at least 26 people werekilled in Baghdad.

29-May-13: Awedding party in the southern Jihad district of Baghdad was attacked. resulting in 16 deaths and 42 otherswounded, reportsAl Jazeera. In the Abu Ghraib district, twelve people were killed when a roadside bomb and a subsequent

car bomb exploded near a market. In Mosul, an anti-government Sunni activist was assassinated; he was one of ten people

killed, orfound dead, from acts of violence on 29 May, according to CNN.

28-May-13: Twenty-eight people were killed duringattacks in Baghdadand in villages north of the capital, according to TheDaily Star.

Russian oil company Lukoil Vice President Andrei Kuzyaev stated that his company will invest USD 4 billion in West Qurna, the oi

complex near the Iraqi port city of Basra, one ofthe largest undevelopedoil fields in the world, according to UPI. Lukoil predicts the

first oil from the West Qurna-2 oil field will flow within six months. The New York Times (NYT) reports that China is now Iraqs

largest oil customer, purchasing nearly 1.5 billion barrels per day (bpd). China continues to move aggressively towards expanding its

role in Iraqs petroleum industry, as the Iraqi government is increasingly at odds with some foreign oil companies that previ ously cu

deals with the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan.

One of the worlds most famous wetlands is enjoying a major restoration, after being drained and destroyed under Saddam Hussein in

the 1980s, reportsBBC. Some regard the lush Iraqi marshes as the original Biblical Garden of Eden. Also, BBCreports that although

the Kurdish region of Iraq has progressed economically and socially, the northern region continues to be a very patriarchal and

conservativesociety where women continue to experience domestic violence, social injustice and discrimination. As a result, doctors

report that each month they see hundreds of cases of self-immolation.

Lebanon Linda Lavender linda.lavender @cimicweb.orgCiting a deteriorating security situation in Lebanon, the parliament announced they would delay general electionsschedule for July

2013, reports France 24. Elections will instead be held in November 2014, according to The Guardian. Hezbollah Member o

Parliament Nawaf Musawi warned on 02 June that victory by Islamists in Syria spelled doomfor Lebanon, according to The Daily

Star. Musawi claims that opposition groups in Syria sought a puppet state to be a toy in the hands of Americans and Israelis. The

Guardianreports President Michel Suleiman delivered a veiled rebuke to Hezbollahs leader saying, I wish [he] would not involve

the resistance in Syrias war. It is the resistance of Lebanon and not of Syria. I hope Nasrallah abides by this. Lebanese PresidenSleiman asked Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour to file anurgent complaintto the United Nations over continued airspace violations

by neighbouring Israel, according to The Daily Star.

For the first time since the Syrian uprising, on 03 June, fighting between Hezbollah and Syrian rebels took place onLebanese soil

according to The Guardian. Reports indicate that light and medium weapons were used in fighting that took place east of the city of

Baalbek, where Hezbollah maintains several bases of operation. Also, France 24 reports on 02 June that three rockets from Syria

struck northeastern Lebanon, a day aftereighteen rocketsand mortar rounds struck Lebanons eastern Baalbek region. UPIreports tha

Hezbollah fighters continue to play a key role in the battle for Qusayr, but the movement has lost many battle-seasoned veterans

Lebanese sources identified two senior Hezbollah commanders, Abu Ajib and Hamza Ramloush, as casualties in the Qusayr siege. As

Hezbollah becomes moredeeply involvedin Syria, thereby drawing fragile Lebanon along with it, analysts question how long the

organisations near-monopoly support among Lebanese Shiites will last, according to The Washington Post. Hezbollah operations

in Syria, against a largely Sunni Syrian opposition, has a sectarian flavor and is quickly deepening divides in Lebanon.

Six peoplewere killed in clashes in the northern city of Tripoli on 03 June, reports Reuters. The clashes ended a week of calm, after

29 people were killed in May between gunmen sympathetic to the Syrian opposition and Alawite supporters. A day earlier, twelve

people were killed just over the Lebanese border in clashes between Hezbollah and Syrian rebels. An attack against a Sunni-cleric

Maher Hammoud insouthern Sidon occurred as he entered a mosque. Hammoud is a close ally of Hezbollah and strong critic of pro

rebel Sunni-cleric Sheikh Ahmed al Assir. A staunch supporter of Syrian uprising, Assir has called up Lebanese Sunnis to join the

fight.

1The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) is considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States, the European Union and NATO.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/03/us-turkey-kurds-clash-idUSBRE9520TK20130603?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNewshttp://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/03/us-turkey-kurds-clash-idUSBRE9520TK20130603?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNewshttp://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/03/us-turkey-kurds-clash-idUSBRE9520TK20130603?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNewshttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/06/201362125214832416.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/06/201362125214832416.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/06/201362125214832416.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/31/world/middleeast/iraq-wave-of-violence-continues.html?partner=rss&emc=rsshttp://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/31/world/middleeast/iraq-wave-of-violence-continues.html?partner=rss&emc=rsshttp://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/31/world/middleeast/iraq-wave-of-violence-continues.html?partner=rss&emc=rsshttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/May-31/218966-surging-violence-sectarian-fears-in-iraq.ashx#axzz2V1UXvrzghttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/May-31/218966-surging-violence-sectarian-fears-in-iraq.ashx#axzz2V1UXvrzghttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/May-31/218966-surging-violence-sectarian-fears-in-iraq.ashx#axzz2V1UXvrzghttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/05/201353053943436344.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/05/201353053943436344.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/05/201353053943436344.htmlhttp://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/29/world/meast/iraq-violence/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_world+%28RSS%3A+World%29&utm_content=Google+Readerhttp://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/29/world/meast/iraq-violence/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_world+%28RSS%3A+World%29&utm_content=Google+Readerhttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/May-29/218770-iraq-raises-death-toll-in-tuesdays-attacks-to-28.ashx#axzz2V1UXvrzghttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/May-29/218770-iraq-raises-death-toll-in-tuesdays-attacks-to-28.ashx#axzz2V1UXvrzghttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/May-29/218770-iraq-raises-death-toll-in-tuesdays-attacks-to-28.ashx#axzz2V1UXvrzghttp://www.upi.com/Business_News/Energy-Resources/2013/05/29/Lukoil-to-invest-4-billion-into-Iraqi-oil-development/UPI-40761369824149/http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Energy-Resources/2013/05/29/Lukoil-to-invest-4-billion-into-Iraqi-oil-development/UPI-40761369824149/http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Energy-Resources/2013/05/29/Lukoil-to-invest-4-billion-into-Iraqi-oil-development/UPI-40761369824149/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/China-reaps-biggest-benefits-of-Iraq-oil-boom/articleshow/20405172.cmshttp://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/China-reaps-biggest-benefits-of-Iraq-oil-boom/articleshow/20405172.cmshttp://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9364000/9364044.stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9364000/9364044.stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9364000/9364044.stmhttp://on.aol.com/video/iraqi-kurdistan-women-self-immolate-517801110http://on.aol.com/video/iraqi-kurdistan-women-self-immolate-517801110http://on.aol.com/video/iraqi-kurdistan-women-self-immolate-517801110mailto:foard.copeland@cimicweb.orghttp://www.france24.com/en/20130603-lebanon-worst-clashes-yet-syria-conflict-hezbollah?ns_campaign=editorial&ns_source=RSS_public&ns_mchannel=RSS&ns_fee=0&ns_linkname=20130603_lebanon_worst_clashes_yet_syria_conflicthttp://www.france24.com/en/20130603-lebanon-worst-clashes-yet-syria-conflict-hezbollah?ns_campaign=editorial&ns_source=RSS_public&ns_mchannel=RSS&ns_fee=0&ns_linkname=20130603_lebanon_worst_clashes_yet_syria_conflicthttp://www.france24.com/en/20130603-lebanon-worst-clashes-yet-syria-conflict-hezbollah?ns_campaign=editorial&ns_source=RSS_public&ns_mchannel=RSS&ns_fee=0&ns_linkname=20130603_lebanon_worst_clashes_yet_syria_conflicthttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/31/lebanon-elections-postponed-2014http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/31/lebanon-elections-postponed-2014http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2013/Jun-02/219172-hezbollah-mp-lebanon-doomed-if-syria-islamists-win.ashx#axzz2VAuQzCk4http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2013/Jun-02/219172-hezbollah-mp-lebanon-doomed-if-syria-islamists-win.ashx#axzz2VAuQzCk4http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/30/syria-war-hezbollah-sectarian-divisions-qusairhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/30/syria-war-hezbollah-sectarian-divisions-qusairhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/30/syria-war-hezbollah-sectarian-divisions-qusairhttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2013/Jun-02/219169-lebanon-to-complain-to-un-over-israeli-over-flights.ashx#axzz2VAuQzCk4http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2013/Jun-02/219169-lebanon-to-complain-to-un-over-israeli-over-flights.ashx#axzz2VAuQzCk4http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2013/Jun-02/219169-lebanon-to-complain-to-un-over-israeli-over-flights.ashx#axzz2VAuQzCk4http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2013/Jun-03/219235-deadly-clash-opens-new-chapter-of-syria-war-in-lebanon.ashx#ixzz2V87RkQqdhttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2013/Jun-03/219235-deadly-clash-opens-new-chapter-of-syria-war-in-lebanon.ashx#ixzz2V87RkQqdhttp://www.france24.com/en/20130603-lebanon-worst-clashes-yet-syria-conflict-hezbollah?ns_campaign=editorial&ns_source=RSS_public&ns_mchannel=RSS&ns_fee=0&ns_linkname=20130603_lebanon_worst_clashes_yet_syria_conflicthttp://www.france24.com/en/20130603-lebanon-worst-clashes-yet-syria-conflict-hezbollah?ns_campaign=editorial&ns_source=RSS_public&ns_mchannel=RSS&ns_fee=0&ns_linkname=20130603_lebanon_worst_clashes_yet_syria_conflicthttp://www.france24.com/en/20130603-lebanon-worst-clashes-yet-syria-conflict-hezbollah?ns_campaign=editorial&ns_source=RSS_public&ns_mchannel=RSS&ns_fee=0&ns_linkname=20130603_lebanon_worst_clashes_yet_syria_conflicthttp://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/05/30/Syria-Hezbollah-triumphs-but-loses-veterans/UPI-98951369939886/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/05/30/Syria-Hezbollah-triumphs-but-loses-veterans/UPI-98951369939886/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/for-hezbollah-risks-in-backing-syrias-assad/2013/06/03/0c25202a-cc79-11e2-8f6b-67f40e176f03_story.html?wprss=rss_middle-easthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/for-hezbollah-risks-in-backing-syrias-assad/2013/06/03/0c25202a-cc79-11e2-8f6b-67f40e176f03_story.html?wprss=rss_middle-easthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/for-hezbollah-risks-in-backing-syrias-assad/2013/06/03/0c25202a-cc79-11e2-8f6b-67f40e176f03_story.html?wprss=rss_middle-easthttp://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/03/us-syria-crisis-lebanon-idUSBRE9520UC20130603?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNewshttp://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/03/us-syria-crisis-lebanon-idUSBRE9520UC20130603?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNewshttp://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/03/us-syria-crisis-lebanon-idUSBRE9520CA20130603?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNewshttp://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/03/us-syria-crisis-lebanon-idUSBRE9520CA20130603?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNewshttp://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/03/us-syria-crisis-lebanon-idUSBRE9520CA20130603?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNewshttp://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/03/us-syria-crisis-lebanon-idUSBRE9520UC20130603?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNewshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/for-hezbollah-risks-in-backing-syrias-assad/2013/06/03/0c25202a-cc79-11e2-8f6b-67f40e176f03_story.html?wprss=rss_middle-easthttp://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/05/30/Syria-Hezbollah-triumphs-but-loses-veterans/UPI-98951369939886/http://www.france24.com/en/20130603-lebanon-worst-clashes-yet-syria-conflict-hezbollah?ns_campaign=editorial&ns_source=RSS_public&ns_mchannel=RSS&ns_fee=0&ns_linkname=20130603_lebanon_worst_clashes_yet_syria_conflicthttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2013/Jun-03/219235-deadly-clash-opens-new-chapter-of-syria-war-in-lebanon.ashx#ixzz2V87RkQqdhttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2013/Jun-02/219169-lebanon-to-complain-to-un-over-israeli-over-flights.ashx#axzz2VAuQzCk4http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/30/syria-war-hezbollah-sectarian-divisions-qusairhttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2013/Jun-02/219172-hezbollah-mp-lebanon-doomed-if-syria-islamists-win.ashx#axzz2VAuQzCk4http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/31/lebanon-elections-postponed-2014http://www.france24.com/en/20130603-lebanon-worst-clashes-yet-syria-conflict-hezbollah?ns_campaign=editorial&ns_source=RSS_public&ns_mchannel=RSS&ns_fee=0&ns_linkname=20130603_lebanon_worst_clashes_yet_syria_conflictmailto:foard.copeland@cimicweb.orghttp://on.aol.com/video/iraqi-kurdistan-women-self-immolate-517801110http://on.aol.com/video/iraqi-kurdistan-women-self-immolate-517801110http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9364000/9364044.stmhttp://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/China-reaps-biggest-benefits-of-Iraq-oil-boom/articleshow/20405172.cmshttp://www.upi.com/Business_News/Energy-Resources/2013/05/29/Lukoil-to-invest-4-billion-into-Iraqi-oil-development/UPI-40761369824149/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/May-29/218770-iraq-raises-death-toll-in-tuesdays-attacks-to-28.ashx#axzz2V1UXvrzghttp://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/29/world/meast/iraq-violence/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_world+%28RSS%3A+World%29&utm_content=Google+Readerhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/05/201353053943436344.htmlhttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/May-31/218966-surging-violence-sectarian-fears-in-iraq.ashx#axzz2V1UXvrzghttp://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/31/world/middleeast/iraq-wave-of-violence-continues.html?partner=rss&emc=rsshttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/06/201362125214832416.htmlhttp://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/03/us-turkey-kurds-clash-idUSBRE9520TK20130603?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews

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304 June 2013

Syria Linda Lavender linda.lavender@cimicweb.org

The Syrian conflict isno longeran internal struggle between Assad and the internal opposition. Its an open-ended war by proxy

Iran, Hezbollah and Syria, Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, plus Russia and the United States, acc ording to Fawaz Gerges, director of

the Middle East Center at the London School of Economics. Meanwhile, Gerges suggests that Syrian society is collapsing and the

conflict continues to cross borders into neighbouring countries,reports CNN.

AFPreports that one of the Arab worlds most influential Sunni clerics, Yusaf al Qaradawi, urgedSunni Muslimsto join Syrian rebelsfighting against Shiite Hezbollah. Qaradawi is viewed as a controversial leader by the West and has millions of supporters, primarily

from the Muslim Brotherhood. Qaradawi strongly criticised Irans role in the war saying, Ira n is pushing forward arms and men [to

back the Syrian regime], so why do we stand idle? He also re-branded Hezbollah, which means Party of God in Arabic, as the party

of Satan. Meanwhile, an estimated 2,000 Hezbollah fighters were reportedly amassing near thecity of Aleppoand appeared to be

preparing for attack, according to rebels, reports The Washington Post.Hezbollahs alleged presence in Syrias north follows a pledge

by Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah to back Assad to victory and demonstrates that the group can be used as a guerilla force where

needed within the country.

The battle for Qusayr, which begantwo weeks ago, has trapped an estimated 1,500 wounded residents, reportsAFP. Syrian warplanes

pounded the town as a regime offensive backed by Lebanese Hezbollah fighters sought to retake Qusayr from opposition forces. The

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was still seeking permissionfrom the Syrian government to access residents within

Qusayr, reportsReuters. Alex Heeb of the ICRC stated, We remain alarmed about the current situation in Qusayr where food, water

and medical supplies are reported to be very scarce. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned on 01 June that all sides in theSyrian conflict will beheld accountablefor the killing of civilians in the besieged city, according to CNN.

US Senator John McCain, upon his return from a recent trip to Syria, delivered a bleak assessmentof the hostilities and suggested tha

opposition fighters were being massacred, according to The New York Times (NYT).McCain described the battlefield situation in

Syrian now favouring Assad over opposition forces. UPIreports that sophisticatedRussian and Iraniantechnology already utilised in

Syria havebolstered the governments fighting capabilities. Iranian-made surveillance drones and jamming devices have allowed pro

regime forces to gather intelligence about rebel force movements and block communications. In response to the European Unions

(EU) easing of its arms embargo, Russia is allegedly ready to start supplying offensive weaponry to the Assad regime, reports

Christian Science Monitor (CSM).Russian Defense Minister Sergia Shoigu stated on 29 May, [e]very decision hastwo sides. If one

side lifts restrictions, the other may consider itself free from observing earlier commitments, reports RIA Novosti. The US and

Germany continued tourge Russiaagainst transferring advanced anti-aircraft missiles to the Assad regime, according to VOA. CNN

reports that Russia will provide at least ten more Russian MiG-29 fighter jetsto the Assad government in order to fulfill an earlier

contract. A Syrian delegation in Russia is reportedly pressing for additional fighter jets.

The escalating war of words between Syrian and Israeli leadership threatens to reignite a conflictthat has been dormant for more than

45 years, and has villagers on the Golan Heights fearing an outbreak of fighting, according to The Guardian. On 30 May, Assad

threatened Israel, saying he would open a front on the Golan Heights should Israel attempt to prevent Russian S -300 anti-aircraf

missile systems from becoming operational within Syria. Assad told Hezbollahs al Manar TV [t]here is a clear popular pressu re to

open a front of resistance in the Golan and there is Arab enthusiasm and a desire to come and fight against Israel. Meanwhile, Israels

Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon told anIsraeli parliamentarycommittee that Russia would not be able to deliver advanced S-300 anti-

craft missiles to Assads government before 2014, according to AFP. Yaalon did not elaborate on how he arrived at his conclusion on

the time frame but warned the international community that Israel [knew] what to do if Russia fulfilled the delivery of the S-300

system.

Peace talks, tentatively scheduled for June 2013, will be postponed after a series of diplomatic setbacks, including Moscows

announcement confirming its intention to ship addition weapons to the Syrian government, reports The Guardian. The peace talks

were already in peril after the Syrian National Coalition leader ruled out participating while civilians continued to be killed an d inlight of Hezbollah and Irans militias invasion in Syria. Diplomats remain hopeful that talks will take place in either July or August.

The Syrian Revolutionary General Commission (SRGC), a key bloc from the internationally recognised opposition group, the

National Coalition, is withdrawing from the body amid allegations that coalition leadership are misusing funds and are motivated by

personal ambition, according to AFP. The SRGC, which comprises a country wide network of rebel-linked activists, is one of the

longest-established opposition groups operating on the ground in Syria. A statement released by the SRGC states, We are

withdrawing from the Coalitionbecause it is taking initiatives far removed from the true revolution and cannot represent the

revolution in an authentic way. Meanwhile, in efforts to project legitimacy, al Qaeda branches in Iraq and Syria announced t he

mailto:linda.lavender@cimicweb.orgmailto:linda.lavender@cimicweb.orghttp://www.cnn.com/2013/06/01/world/meast/syria-proxy-war/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_world+%28RSS%3A+World%29&utm_content=Google+Readerhttp://www.cnn.com/2013/06/01/world/meast/syria-proxy-war/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_world+%28RSS%3A+World%29&utm_content=Google+Readerhttp://www.cnn.com/2013/06/01/world/meast/syria-proxy-war/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_world+%28RSS%3A+World%29&utm_content=Google+Readerhttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Jun-01/219127-top-muslim-cleric-urges-sunnis-to-join-syria-war.ashx#axzz2VAuQzCk4http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Jun-01/219127-top-muslim-cleric-urges-sunnis-to-join-syria-war.ashx#axzz2VAuQzCk4http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Jun-01/219127-top-muslim-cleric-urges-sunnis-to-join-syria-war.ashx#axzz2VAuQzCk4http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/hezbollah-boosting-assads-forces-in-northern-syria/2013/06/02/3bb59c7e-cb9e-11e2-8f6b-67f40e176f03_story.html?wprss=rss_middle-easthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/hezbollah-boosting-assads-forces-in-northern-syria/2013/06/02/3bb59c7e-cb9e-11e2-8f6b-67f40e176f03_story.html?wprss=rss_middle-easthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/hezbollah-boosting-assads-forces-in-northern-syria/2013/06/02/3bb59c7e-cb9e-11e2-8f6b-67f40e176f03_story.html?wprss=rss_middle-easthttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Jun-03/219283-syrias-qusair-pounded-as-battle-enters-third-week.ashx#axzz2VA4uzEnWhttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Jun-03/219283-syrias-qusair-pounded-as-battle-enters-third-week.ashx#axzz2VA4uzEnWhttp://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/03/us-syria-crisis-icrc-idUSBRE9520MG20130603?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNewshttp://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/03/us-syria-crisis-icrc-idUSBRE9520MG20130603?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNewshttp://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/03/us-syria-crisis-icrc-idUSBRE9520MG20130603?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNewshttp://www.news4jax.com/news/UN-chief-All-sides-held-accountable-in-Syria/-/475880/20388850/-/d6c1ba/-/index.htmlhttp://www.news4jax.com/news/UN-chief-All-sides-held-accountable-in-Syria/-/475880/20388850/-/d6c1ba/-/index.htmlhttp://www.news4jax.com/news/UN-chief-All-sides-held-accountable-in-Syria/-/475880/20388850/-/d6c1ba/-/index.htmlhttp://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/02/mccain-says-syria-regime-has-gained-upper-hand/?partner=rss&emc=rsshttp://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/02/mccain-says-syria-regime-has-gained-upper-hand/?partner=rss&emc=rsshttp://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/02/mccain-says-syria-regime-has-gained-upper-hand/?partner=rss&emc=rsshttp://www.upi.com/Science_News/Technology/2013/06/02/Report-Russia-Iran-aiding-Syrian-regime/UPI-25301370173968/http://www.upi.com/Science_News/Technology/2013/06/02/Report-Russia-Iran-aiding-Syrian-regime/UPI-25301370173968/http://www.upi.com/Science_News/Technology/2013/06/02/Report-Russia-Iran-aiding-Syrian-regime/UPI-25301370173968/http://en.ria.ru/russia/20130529/181410473/Russia-May-Revise-Ban-on-Syrian-Arms-Exports---Minister.htmlhttp://en.ria.ru/russia/20130529/181410473/Russia-May-Revise-Ban-on-Syrian-Arms-Exports---Minister.htmlhttp://en.ria.ru/russia/20130529/181410473/Russia-May-Revise-Ban-on-Syrian-Arms-Exports---Minister.htmlhttp://www.voanews.com/content/us-germany-urge-russia-not-to-transfer-missiles-to-syria/1672858.htmlhttp://www.voanews.com/content/us-germany-urge-russia-not-to-transfer-missiles-to-syria/1672858.htmlhttp://www.voanews.com/content/us-germany-urge-russia-not-to-transfer-missiles-to-syria/1672858.htmlhttp://www.cnn.com/2013/05/31/world/meast/syria-civil-war/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_latest+%28RSS%3A+Most+Recent%29&utm_content=Google+Readerhttp://www.cnn.com/2013/05/31/world/meast/syria-civil-war/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_latest+%28RSS%3A+Most+Recent%29&utm_content=Google+Readerhttp://www.cnn.com/2013/05/31/world/meast/syria-civil-war/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_latest+%28RSS%3A+Most+Recent%29&utm_content=Google+Readerhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/31/golan-heights-war-syria-israelhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/31/golan-heights-war-syria-israelhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/31/golan-heights-war-syria-israelhttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Jun-03/219293-no-russian-s-300s-to-syria-before-2014-israels-yaalon.ashx#axzz2VA4uzEnWhttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Jun-03/219293-no-russian-s-300s-to-syria-before-2014-israels-yaalon.ashx#axzz2VA4uzEnWhttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Jun-03/219293-no-russian-s-300s-to-syria-before-2014-israels-yaalon.ashx#axzz2VA4uzEnWhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/31/syria-peace-talks-russia-weaponshttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Jun-03/219298-key-bloc-quits-syria-opposition-slams-leaders.ashx#axzz2VA4uzEnWhttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Jun-03/219298-key-bloc-quits-syria-opposition-slams-leaders.ashx#axzz2VA4uzEnWhttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Jun-03/219298-key-bloc-quits-syria-opposition-slams-leaders.ashx#axzz2VA4uzEnWhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/31/syria-peace-talks-russia-weaponshttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Jun-03/219293-no-russian-s-300s-to-syria-before-2014-israels-yaalon.ashx#axzz2VA4uzEnWhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/31/golan-heights-war-syria-israelhttp://www.cnn.com/2013/05/31/world/meast/syria-civil-war/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_latest+%28RSS%3A+Most+Recent%29&utm_content=Google+Readerhttp://www.voanews.com/content/us-germany-urge-russia-not-to-transfer-missiles-to-syria/1672858.htmlhttp://en.ria.ru/russia/20130529/181410473/Russia-May-Revise-Ban-on-Syrian-Arms-Exports---Minister.htmlhttp://www.upi.com/Science_News/Technology/2013/06/02/Report-Russia-Iran-aiding-Syrian-regime/UPI-25301370173968/http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/02/mccain-says-syria-regime-has-gained-upper-hand/?partner=rss&emc=rsshttp://www.news4jax.com/news/UN-chief-All-sides-held-accountable-in-Syria/-/475880/20388850/-/d6c1ba/-/index.htmlhttp://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/03/us-syria-crisis-icrc-idUSBRE9520MG20130603?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNewshttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Jun-03/219283-syrias-qusair-pounded-as-battle-enters-third-week.ashx#axzz2VA4uzEnWhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/hezbollah-boosting-assads-forces-in-northern-syria/2013/06/02/3bb59c7e-cb9e-11e2-8f6b-67f40e176f03_story.html?wprss=rss_middle-easthttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Jun-01/219127-top-muslim-cleric-urges-sunnis-to-join-syria-war.ashx#axzz2VAuQzCk4http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/01/world/meast/syria-proxy-war/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_world+%28RSS%3A+World%29&utm_content=Google+Readermailto:linda.lavender@cimicweb.org

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404 June 2013

opening of acomplaints department, reports The Telegraph. The organisation vowed to ensure accountability for anyone committing

violations and send them to the Sharia court of Iraq and Syria.

On 29 May, The Guardian reports that Ali Almanasfi and Nicole Mansfield, citizens of the UK and US, respectively, were killed

while fighting for the Syrian opposition in Idlib, Syria. A third foreign fighter, whose nationality was unknown, was also killed in the

fighting, says Abdul Rahman of the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. A car bomb detonated near a Damascu

police stationon 02 June, killing eight Assad soldiers, according to UPI. The attack came as clashes between rebels and Assad forces

in a suburb of Damascus were underway.

US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel told Voice of America (VOA) thatintervention in Syriais always an option adding that it is

an option of last resort. The US has been slowly increasing its presence in neighbouring Jordan, which has been deeply affe cted by

the instability in the region. Outwardly, Jordan has tried to stay neutral in the conflict, but hosting US troops places it more firmly in

alliance with the Syrian opposition. Dozens of citizen militiashave hastily formed to protect Jordanians living close to the Syrian

border, reports The Washington Post. Militia members patrol Jordans mountainous frontier in order to monitor Syrian military

escalation along the Jordanian border.

Syrian refugees, sheltering in neighbouring countries,now surpass1.6 million people, reports VOA. The UN High Commission for

Refugees (UNHCR) states that the flow of refugees from Syria continues to overwhelm capacity in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq

The World Health Organization (WHO) warns thatoutbreaksof hepatitis, typhoid, cholera and dysentery are inevitable realities this

summer, according to The Guardian. Infections are already on the rise, resulting from the lack of medical care. Additionally, diseases

already present in Syria are being transmitted to neighbouring countries along with the flow of refugees.

IED & Demining Linda Lavender linda.lavender@cimicweb.org

The CFC publishes a weekly IED and Demining Events map. This global compilation links to articles reporting significant

IED related-events and demining efforts. This report covers 28 May to 03 June 2013.

GLOBAL NEWS

Bahrain: A homemade bombplanted by terrorists exploded in a Shiite village

outside the Bahraini capital, wounding seven policemen on patrol, on 31 May,

reportsAl Jazeera.Click on the map for more IED events.

Iraq:At least 25 people were killed in a series ofbomb blastsin the Iraqi capital

Baghdad on 29 May, according toBBC. Click on the map for more IED events.

Ireland: Two police officers escape injury afterpipe bombslanded within metres

of them during an emergency callout in north Belfast, according to The Guardian.

Click on the map for more IED events.

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