Severe setback to Palestinian West Bank terrorist structure. Israeli paratroops killed six top commanders on third day of counter-terror operation in Nablus – Fatah-Tanzim West Bank commander, Naaf Abu Sharah, heads of Jihad Islami and Hamas cells and three top al Aqsa operatives. Large stock of bomb belts discovered in the wanted men’s hideout.
DEBKAfile’s military sources report: US troops in Iraq ordered to start carrying gas masks this week and stay within reach of centers distributing anti-contamination suits. This week’s NATO summit and sovereignty transfer in Iraq believed high danger points.
As well as Iraq and Turkey, Middle East nations who support the Bush democracy initiative – Jordan, Kuwait, Israel – considered to be in jeopardy. Read DEBKAfile Special Report below on critical week ahead.
Al Qaeda tape aired on Arabic al Jazeera TV threatens to behead three kidnapped Turks unless Ankara withdraws its workers from Iraq in 72 hours.
Iraqi PM Allawi warned lack of security would delay January election. Car bomb in Shiite Hilla south of Baghdad kills 15 Saturday evening.
During day, spate of insurgent attacks in Baquba left 3 dead, 2 wounded and 6 guerrillas killed in shootout. In Kurdistani capital Irbil, Kurdish minister survives attack with wounds, one of his five bodyguards killed.
US president Bush and European leaders pledged support for new Iraqi government at Dromoland Castle summit in Ireland Saturday. Before heading for Turkey, Bush said bitter differences over. All agreed democratic, peaceful Iraq with territorial integrity is "to all our benefit.”
The US, European Union and UN condemned Iran’s decision to resume production of centrifuge parts for enriching uranium -contrary to its three-month old commitment to European powers.
DEBKAfile reveals: Assad cut short Beijing trip Thursday when Chinese officials refused his demand to put up massive funding for his projected economic cooperation treaty and free trade port at Latakiya for marketing Chinese merchandize in Middle East.
Before his trip, European issued flat refusal of trade accord as long as Syria joins Iran on medium-range surface missile, chemical and weapons production and centrifuge parts acquisition. More on Syrian-Iranian collaboration in earlier DEBKAfile Special Report below
Unresolved Turkish-Israeli dispute over Israeli air marshals at Istanbul airport prevents El Al from resuming flights cancelled from Thursday. Israeli sources believe Turkish PM Erdogan and FM Gul seek to weaken strong ties between Israel and Turkish security establishment.
First deaths of UN voter registration workers in Afghanistan. Three Afghan women killed, 10 injured, when bomb planted in their minibus exploded 2 km before Jalalabad. Driver unhurt, arrested for interrogation.
Friday, president Karzai called on NATO to make good on pledge to step up troop presence for September vote. Annan said NATO protection essential for election to take place.
Mofaz to visiting US official Burns: Israel will not leave Philadelphi border route in southern Gaza Strip without absolute certainty that Egypt is willing and able to put a stop to tunnel gun-running.
Media poll finds 54 percent of Americans saying US war in Iraq was mistake. Same poll reports Bush gaining on Kerry four months before election although race still tight: Bush-Kerry: 48:47 compared with 43:49 early June
Antwerp Jewish organizations hold emergency meeting with mayor after 15 Arab youths stab 16-year old Yeshiva seminarist in back leaving him seriously injured. Tens of Jewish graves desecrated in Duesseldorf, Germany.
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