Home About Chat Users Issues Party Candidates Polling Firms Media News Polls Calendar Key Races United States President Senate House Governors International

New User Account
"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource." 
Email: Password:

  Israelis warn of Eritrea flashpoint
NEWS DETAILS
Parent(s) Container 
Contributorkal 
Last Editedkal  Apr 20, 2009 06:01am
Logged 0
CategoryGeneral
Media -
News DateMonday, April 20, 2009 12:00:00 PM UTC0:0
DescriptionSecurity sources say Israel and Iran are conducting rival intelligence operations in Eritrea, the poor African state on the Red Sea.

The Israelis fear Eritrea could be a flashpoint if Iranian Revolutionary Guards continue to ship arms to militants in Gaza via the Eritrean port of Assab. Israel is said to have two Eritrean bases, one a “listening post” for signals intelligence, the other a supply base for its German-built submarines.

In Sudan in February, Israeli drones thought to be based in Eritrea attacked an arms convoy bound for Hamas militants in Gaza, and several Revolutionary Guards escorting the convoy were reportedly killed.

Since 1993, when he received medical treatment in Israel, the Eritrean dictator, President Isaias Afewerki, has had a low-key relationship with the country. Butlast year a state visit he made to Tehran thawed relations with Iran, and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sang Afewerki’s praises. To Israel’s dismay, he announced closer economic and trade ties with Iran, and military ties followed suit. The Iranians have now established a naval base overlooking the Bab el Mandeb strait, through which 3.3m barrels of oil flow every day.

Share
ArticleRead Full Article

NEWS
Date Category Headline Article Contributor

DISCUSSION