MIDEAST DAILY NEWS – Monday, April 20, 2015
Der Spiegel: ISIS Mastermind of Northern Syria Takeover is Former Saddam Officer
The creative force behind the Islamic State’s (ISIS) takeover of vast territory in northern Syria has been identified as a former high ranking intelligence officer under Saddam Hussein according to a report published by the German magazine Der Spiegel. The magazine claimed it has come into possession of documents which amount to a blueprint for the creation of the ISIS caliphate – a state run by strict adherence to Islamic law. Der Spiegel says the campaign to take control of northern Syria was well-planned according to the methodology honed by the late Iraqi ruler’s military leaders, utilizing surveillance, kidnapping, murder and espionage. The officer, known by the pseudonym of Haji Bakr, was killed fighting the rebels in 2014. The magazine concluded that, “It was not a manifesto of faith, but a technically precise plan for an ‘Islamic Intelligence State’ – a caliphate run by an organization that resembled East Germany’s notorious Stasi domestic intelligence agency.” The documents were obtained by Der Spiegel from rebel fighters who seized them after driving ISIS leaders from its headquarters in Aleppo in 2014.
Tension Grows between Moscow and Jerusalem over Missile Sale, Diplomatic Snub
In addition to the celebrated friction between Israel’s prime minister and the White House, tension is soaring between Jerusalem and Moscow in the aftermath of President Putin’s decision to complete the sale and delivery of S-300 missile systems to Iran and Israel’s failure to send a high-level diplomat to represent the Jewish state in Moscow for its celebration of 70 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany. Prime Minister Netanyahu had repeatedly pleaded with Putin to forego the delivery of the S-300s, but the Russian leader was unrelenting. Despite the decision by many western governments to pass on the May 9 fete in Moscow because of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, Putin expected a high-level showing from Israel which is home to a great many veterans of the Russian army. But most observers agree with Putin’s presumed assessment that Israel’s decision to be represented only by its ambassador to Russia is a deliberate snub in retaliation for the S-300s.
Palestinian Court Dismisses Pending Corruption Case against Abbas Rival Dahlan
A Palestinian court has dismissed corruption charges against Mohammad Dahlan, a former senior Fatah official and one-time head of the Gaza-based security forces who is frequently mentioned as a possible successor to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Due to the bad blood between Dahlan and Abbas and the pending litigation, Dahlan has been living in exile in Doha, his parliamentary immunity having been lifted in 2012. The court decision presumably paves the way for Dahlan to return to the West Bank as perhaps the leading candidate to replace the aging Abbas. Dahlan benefited from his close ties with western governments.
Israel’s High Court to Hear Petitions by Palestinians Seeking Return of Jordan Valley Land
On Monday, Israel’s High Court of Justice is hearing petitions by Palestinians whose land – registered in Jordan prior to the Israeli acquisition of the area in the 1967 war – was confiscated and designated to be a closed military zone but later turned over to Jewish Israelis to cultivate and farm. The plaintiffs are seeking the return of those lands. At issue is some 1,250 acres of land. The ministry of justice had issued an opinion stating that private Palestinian land that is confiscated cannot be cultivated. The suit was filed in 2013 after which the plaintiffs were offered a cash settlement that was rejected. The opinion of the State Prosecutor was that it’s a political issue for the government to deal with.