The European Union is planning to carry out a new mission to secure maritime traffic in the Red Sea against Houthi attacks. Germany wants to participate with the Hessen frigate – as well as use armed force to intercept missiles and drones from the Houthis.
DrGermany wants to participate in the European Union mission to secure maritime traffic in the Red Sea against Houthi attacks with an F-124 frigate. According to information from WELT AM SONNTAG, the “Hessen” frigate is scheduled to depart towards the region on February 1.
The naval ship has a radar reconnaissance capable of detecting 1,000 targets simultaneously, anti-aircraft missiles, and attack helicopters on board. Most recently, the frigate spent six months traveling for NATO in the North Sea and the Arctic to conduct exercises and deter Russia.
At the end of this week, the crisis worsened. The United States and Great Britain attacked the positions of the Iranian-backed Houthi militias in Yemen. US President Joe Biden said the military strike was a “direct response to the unprecedented attacks” on international shipping in the Red Sea. On Saturday evening, the US army carried out another attack on a Houthi site in Yemen.
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The Houthis declared war on Israel after invading Gaza and are bombing commercial ships belonging to the country's allies as well as American military targets and cities in Israel. The United States, Great Britain and 18 other countries have been trying to protect trade since December through Operation Prosperity Sentinel.
The new EU mission, which will be approved at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on February 19, is due to start by the end of February. More than twelve percent of global trade passes through the Red Sea. According to information from this newspaper, the cost of disruptions, according to confidential information from the European External Action Service, amounts to “360 million euros per hour” because commercial ships are forced to take detours of up to 6,000 kilometers.
New mission planned
The military arm of the European maritime surveillance mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz, Operation Agenor, in which seven EU countries participate on a voluntary basis, is likely to be deployed in the Red Sea as part of a military operation. The independent EU mission expanded to the Gulf of Aden.
Paris and Berlin want it that way, too. According to informed diplomats, the advantage of this solution is that the new mission can build on existing infrastructure. EU ships are primarily supposed to monitor the situation, but also accompany individual ships and, if necessary, intervene with armed force to shoot down Houthi missiles and drones.
Rescue teams in Iran found the helicopter that crashed with President Ebrahim Raisi on board. State media now confirm his death. What is known.
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Iranian state television shows images of SUVs racing through a forested area in search of President Ebrahim Raisi. A helicopter belonging to the presidential fleet crashed on Sunday. Iranian state media now reports that Raisi has been killed. What is known.
What happened?
A helicopter belonging to the presidential fleet of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was involved in an accident. Iranian Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi said that one of the three helicopters belonging to the presidential fleet was on its way back Azerbaijan He made a „hard landing.” Vahidi initially left it open whether the president was on the plane or not, as reported by the official IRNA news agency. It was not clear for several hours how the president and staff were faring.
Early Monday morning, the Red Crescent announced that the helicopter that crashed was on a mountain in the northwest of the country Iran Its location has been determined. According to the Iranian government, 65 rescue teams equipped with police dogs and drones, in addition to the Red Crescent, were deployed. The search process has become difficult due to weather conditions and the nature of the terrain. Media reported heavy rain, fog and winds. Rescuers sometimes search on foot in the dark.
Iranian state television and state news agencies then announced Raisi’s death that morning. The Iranian Mehr News Agency reported that all passengers on the plane were killed in the accident.
The cause of the accident remains unclear. However, Iran’s air force is very old. Many of the planes and helicopters date back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, when the country enjoyed close relations with the United States. Accidents and falls are not uncommon.
Where did the accident happen?
There is no accurate information about the location of the accident. Iranian official media reported that the helicopter crashed in East Azerbaijan province near the city of Julfa or east near the village of Uzi.
East Azerbaijan Province is located in northwestern Iran and borders Azerbaijan and Armenia. It consists largely of mountains. The official IRNA news agency reported that the affected area was a forested area.
Who was on board the helicopter?
According to Iranian official media, President Raisi, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, the governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, and other officials were on board the helicopter. A total of three helicopters are said to be on their way back from Azerbaijan.
Raisi has been Iran’s president since August 2021. The 63-year-old was considered a conservative hardliner. He was the preferred candidate and disciple of religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on all strategic matters.
Relations with the West have deteriorated under Raisi, and his government has been criticized for years for its repressive policies against the population and the economic crisis. The United States imposed sanctions on Raisi over his role in the mass execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988.
Main lesson: Theology and Islamic law. He worked in the judiciary for more than three decades, and was appointed head of the judiciary in 2019. He was said to have been responsible for numerous arrests and executions of political opponents in his previous position as prosecutor.
In recent months, Raisi has emerged primarily as a fierce opponent of Israel, Iran’s arch enemy, in the Gaza war. He assured the Islamic Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip of Iran’s support for him.
Why was my boss in East Azerbaijan?
Raisi, 63, was in the border area with Azerbaijan on Sunday morning. There, the dam was opened with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The opening was intended to be a sign of cooperation, as the relationship between the two countries has been considered tense recently.
Aliyev said after the incident was revealed: “Our prayers are directed to God Almighty for President Ibrahim Raisi and his accompanying delegation. The Republic of Azerbaijan, as a neighbor, friendly and brotherly country, is ready to provide any necessary support.”
How does the Iranian regime respond?
The Iranian Cabinet held an emergency meeting on Sunday headed by First Vice President Mohammad Majbar, the official IRNA news agency reported. Mujbar has begun additional procedures for the rescue operation. In the event of the death of my president, he is, according to protocol, the prime minister.
According to an IRNA report, religious leader Khamenei called on residents not to worry. He added: „There will be no disruption to government work.” State affairs will not be affected by the incident.
Government members called on the public to pray for the president. Pictures broadcast on state television showed believers gathering at the central Hajj shrine in the city of Mashhad.
How does the international community respond?
There have been many offers of assistance internationally. A government spokesman said that Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani ordered the Ministry of Interior, the Iraqi Red Crescent and “other relevant authorities” to provide all available resources to Iran to search for the presidential helicopter. According to the official news agency, Saudi Arabia also promised to provide all necessary support.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan promised Iran to provide „all necessary assistance.” The state rescue service AFAD said that a team of 32 mountain rescue specialists and six vehicles will be brought to Iran.
The European Union Commission announced that it would activate satellite service to assist in the search. This was in response to a similar request for support from Iran, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčić wrote in X.
Russia also offered support in researching and investigating the causes. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said: “We are closely following new information about the fate of the passengers of the third helicopter, among whom are high-ranking Iranian officials, including President Raisi.” „We sincerely hope they are alive.”
A US State Department spokesman said they were closely following reports of „a possible emergency landing of a helicopter in Iran.” The White House said that US President Joe Biden was informed of the latest events in Iran.
With material from news agencies AP, dpa, AFP and Reuters
Iranian state television shows images of SUVs racing through a forested area in search of President Ebrahim Raisi. A helicopter belonging to the presidential fleet crashed on Sunday. Iranian state media now reports that Raisi has been killed. What is known.
According to official media reports, a helicopter belonging to the Iranian presidential fleet was involved in an accident. President Ibrahim Raisi was on board the plane.
Update from May 19, 10:46 p.m.: The area suspected to be the site of Ibrahim Raisi’s helicopter crash is said to be 20 square kilometres. The Iranian Red Crescent announced this via Telegram on Sunday evening. Deploying rescue workers searching the area is said to have become more difficult. Some rain in the area turned to snow, further hampering the progress of rescue workers. According to reports, the Iranian army was able to locate the signal issued by the helicopter. However, the situation is still unclear.
Update from May 19, 10:20 p.m.: After Iranian President Raisi’s helicopter crash, the media situation remains ambiguous. “We are 3 hours away from one of the possible sites of the presidential helicopter crash,” the deputy head of the Iranian Red Crescent said on Telegram.
Army claims to have located key helicopter – 'hoping for good news’
Update from May 19. 9:51 PM: It appears that the Iranian army was able to determine the exact location of the helicopter in which the Iranian president is said to be located. This was reported by the American CNN network, citing the Iranian news agency IRNA. Emergency services were able to locate a signal from the helicopter and a passenger’s cell phone. The IRNA news agency quoted the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in the East Azerbaijan region as saying, “Military forces are on their way to the site and are awaiting good news.”
Iraniantreasury It’s likely to happen urgent meeting together
Update from May 19, 9:32 p.m.: The Iranian Cabinet met with President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian in an emergency meeting in light of the helicopter crash. The official IRNA news agency reported that First Vice President Mohammad Mujbar chaired the meeting late in the evening. Therefore, further procedures for the rescue operation were initiated. In the event of Raisi’s death, Mujbar becomes prime minister according to protocol.
65 rescue teams are now participating in the search for the helicopter crew, including the Iranian Armed Forces.
Raisi’s fate is unclear after the helicopter accident – Türkiye sends help
Update from May 19, 8:45 p.m.: The Turkish Civil Protection Agency (AFAD) announced that Iran has requested assistance from Turkey in searching for President Ibrahim Raisi. At Iran’s request, a helicopter with night vision capabilities was sent, as the authority announced on the X website (formerly Twitter). In addition, six vehicles and a search team of 32 climbers were sent.
Update from May 19, 8:30 p.m.: Several Iranian sources reported that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter had been found. The Iranian Red Crescent has now denied these reports. She added, according to Iranian media, that “searches have not succeeded so far.”
Possible helicopter crash in Iran: Iraq offers help in search for Raisi
Update from May 19, 8:00 p.m.: A senior official in the Iranian presidential office said, according to the news agency KnightAfter the helicopter accident of President Ibrahim Raisi, two of the helicopter passengers were contacted several times. “This shows that the accident was not very serious,” the representative told the agency.
Update from May 19, 7:25 p.m.: After the disappearance of a helicopter apparently carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, neighboring Iraq offered to help in the search. Government spokesman Bassem Al-Awadi said on Sunday that Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani had instructed the Ministry of Interior, the Iraqi Red Crescent and “other relevant authorities” to provide all available resources to Iran to search for the presidential helicopter.
More than 40 Rescue teams Requests helicopter from Main
Update from May 19, 7:05 p.m.: According to an Iranian government spokesman, there are currently no new developments to report in the search and rescue operations of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter. The news agency quoted him as saying: “We find ourselves in difficult and complex circumstances.” Tasneem. The spokesman continued: “We now need prayers, patience and trust in rescue workers.”
Update from May 19, 6:55 p.m.: More than 40 teams are participating in the search and rescue operation for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Iranian media reported, citing authorities. Meanwhile, in addition to fog, heavy rain was also reported in the accident area. This makes rescue work more difficult.
Update from May 19, 6:10 p.m.: According to Israeli Radio Kisheth 12 Diplomatic sources in Western countries believe that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi did not survive the helicopter accident. An Iranian official told the news agency Reutersthat although they are „optimistic”, the news from the crash site is „extremely worrying”. The source said that the lives of the president and the foreign minister “are in danger.” It appears that Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian was also on the plane.
Update from May 19, 4:30 p.m.: Iranian moreThe news agency had reported that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was in good condition and was heading to Tubrus in a motorcade. However, the agency later deleted this message. Iranian sources mostly reported that the search for the head of state’s helicopter was continuing. Images from the area show very dense fog. This makes rescue operations more difficult, according to Iranian media. Sources close to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard asked the Iranian people to pray for the president’s health.
The first report: TEHRAN – The fate of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has become unclear after an “accident” involving a helicopter in the Iranian presidential fleet on Sunday. Iranian state television stated, „Unconfirmed reports indicate that a helicopter carrying President Raisi was involved in an accident in East Azerbaijan Province.” Rescue workers are on a mission to find the helicopter, but weather conditions are bad due to heavy fog in the mountainous area.
The official Iranian news agency Erna I later reported that Raisi and his Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian were among the passengers in the helicopter. Raisi visited East Azerbaijan Province in northwestern Iran on Sunday (May 19). There, together with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, he opened a dam on the border between the two countries.
Raisi, 63 years old, has been president of the Islamic Republic of Iran since the summer of 2021. (LRG/AFP)
Despite heavy losses in the Ukraine war: Russia is sticking to its attack on Kharkiv. But NATO does not believe in the possibility of achieving a breakthrough on the front.
Kharkiv – With tanks, drones and tens of thousands of soldiers: The Russian army has been bombing the Kharkiv region for weeks in its aggressive war on Ukraine. Attackers also specifically exploit some weaknesses in defenses. However, Western military observers do not currently expect Putin’s forces to march through Ukraine’s second-largest city. NATO confirmed this.
Kharkiv offensive in the Ukrainian war: NATO doubts the Russian army’s ability to penetrate it
The Commander-in-Chief of NATO forces in Europe, Christopher Cavoli, said, according to what the news agency reported, “The Russians do not have the military power necessary to achieve a strategic breakthrough.” dpa. Russia with Kharkiv attack He added that they are capable of achieving local successes – and “that is what they did.” But heavy losses were also suffered at the front in the Ukrainian war. But more cannot be expected. Because the Russian army lacks the “skills and ability” to do so, according to the military expert.
Despite losses in the Ukraine war: Russian forces have made some gains in the territories near Kharkiv
In the ongoing aggressive war against Ukraine for more than two years, Russia has recently increasingly targeted the area around the city of Kharkiv. Last March, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces massed more than 30,000 troops in the east of the country and launched an offensive. Several villages were captured and the defenders had to evacuate other communities. Although he suffered Russia is still suffering heavy losses. However, ground gains have increased in recent days as the attackers faced poorly fortified defenses – a circumstance that Putin’s forces appear to have deliberately sought to exploit.
In fact, the Ukrainian defense lines on this part of the front against a possible Kharkiv attack were rather weak. This was brought by the British guardian. The newspaper quoted Ukrainian commander Denis Yaroslavsky as saying that in Vovchansk, less than 65 kilometers northwest of Kharkiv, “there was simply no first line of defense and no mines.” In addition, the Ukrainian units in this area were not combat ready.
Air alert in Kharkiv: Zelensky describes the situation on the front as “difficult”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted after a meeting of the War Cabinet that the situation in the Kharkiv region is “very difficult.” He had previously traveled near the New Front on Thursday (16 May) and consulted with his military officers there. Shortly after that, the weather alert for the eastern regions of Ukraine began. The Russian army bombed the city of Kharkiv with drones for more than 16 hours. This was one of the longest air raid warnings since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression. However, the situation is “under control,” Zelensky promised.
The defenders now hope to obtain supplies of weapons. After more than two years of fighting, ammunition supplies have been exhausted in recent months. But the US Congress recently approved the delivery of new arms shipments to Ukraine. Large quantities of ammunition, short-range air defense systems and new armored vehicles are now scheduled to be brought to the front. (jkf)