Israel has launched its largest ever aerial drill, with eight different countries participating, including the U.S., India, Greece, Poland, France, Italy and Germany, all of which have sent troops and aircraft.
It is carrying out its preparations for a major attack on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, after it launched lobbying activities in all of its embassies regarding developments in Lebanon and conducted what is being called the “largest international aerial training exercise in Israel’s history,” in which 100 fighter jets are being used.
In line with Israel’s attack on Lebanon, a U.S.-led coalition is reportedly preparing for an operation to Yemen and Qatar. While Israel attacks Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia will take steps to destabilize Qatar, as part of the plan. The U.S.-led plan aims to cause sectarian conflicts along the line from the Gulf to Iraq and Syria, and to alter the maps of many countries. Iran might respond to this attack from Bahrain, according to reports.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri resigned on Saturday, saying, “I have sensed what is being plotted covertly to target my life.”
After his resignation, he visited Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and made statements accusing Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah. He said Iran had a “deep hatred for the Arab nation,” and added that it sowed strife, destruction and ruin wherever it went.
Israel’s drill along the Lebanese border is interpreted as its latest preparation before an attack. Israel aims to end the presence of Hezbollah in Lebanon with its army’s sudden attacks and a ground offensive to be launched immediately, sources disclosed to Yeni Şafak.
The Israeli army will occupy the area from Naqoura to Dahieh within the offensive that will begin with air strikes and ground missile attacks. According to Israel’s occupation map, the country plans to enter 65 percent of Lebanese territory and seize the regions held by Hezbollah. In parallel with the Israeli attack, Saudi-backed civilian groups will launch an attack on Shia regions and cause internal conflict. Thus, Hezbollah will have to deal with Israel and domestic revolt.
Speaking exclusively to Yeni Şafak, a London-based Middle East expert, Muhammad Masharqa said that Saad al-Hariri might return to Lebanon as the country’s president in the case that the joint plan made by the U.S.-Israel-UAE-Saudi Arabia alliance succeeds.
Iran might respond to the Israel-UAE attack by mobilizing the Shiites in Bahrain, according to reports. Iran will also retaliate against Saudi Arabia and coalition forces by increasing its support to the opposition forces in Yemen.
Israel’s latest attempt to occupy Lebanon was in July 2006. The Israeli army was repelled by Hezbollah forces in the 33-day-long war.
