Germany announced on Sunday that it was ready to allow new sales of Eurofighter fighters to Saudi Arabia, as the German veto was blocking a contract concluded in this context years ago.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told the press during her visit to Israel that the German federal government “does not oppose British considerations” regarding selling more Eurofighter fighters to Saudi Arabia.
Birbock stressed Riyadh's "constructive role" in the security crisis that the region is witnessing since the "Al-Aqsa Flood" operation launched by Hamas against Israel on October 7.
During her visit to the Hebrew state, the German Foreign Minister pointed out that Saudi Arabia and Israel “did not abandon the policy of normalization” after the October 7 attack.
She added: "The fact that Saudi Arabia is now intercepting the missiles launched by the Houthis at Israel confirms this, and we are grateful for that," she said.
She considered that the Saudi Air Force's use of Eurofighter fighters in this context is "no longer a secret."
Birbock added: “Saudi Arabia contributes decisively to Israel’s security, even these days, and it helps contain the risk of the outbreak” of a regional conflict, as she described it.
The embargo imposed by Germany has been angering its British and French partners for several years.
“The world, especially here in the Middle East, has become a completely different place since October 7,” Baerbock continued.
Germany has frozen arms sales to Riyadh since the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in late 2018, in an operation that US intelligence in particular blamed on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which subsequently hindered a large order to purchase 48 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft that was signed in London during a visit by the Saudi prince. Several years ago.
While it is known that the Saudi Attorney General, Saud bin Abdullah Al-Mujeb, announced in 2018 that preliminary investigations into the case of Khashoggi’s disappearance showed his “death” as a result of a “fist fight” resulting from a quarrel with people who met him at the Kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 2 . From the same year.
He stated that 18 people have been arrested so far as part of the investigations, while an official source explained that they are all of Saudi nationality, without revealing the whereabouts of the journalist’s body.
The UK, Germany, Italy and Spain lead the Eurofighter programme, which brings together manufacturers BAE Systems, Airbus and Leonardo.
Hezbollah announces targeting two Israeli sites and causing direct casualties
Hezbollah announced that it targeted the Israeli sites of Hadab Al-Bustan and Ruwaisat Al-Alam on Monday, confirming that direct hits were achieved in them.
Hezbollah said in two separate statements that, “In support of our steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in support of their valiant and honorable resistance, the Mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance targeted at 11:00 noon on Monday the Hadab Al-Bustan site with appropriate weapons and achieved direct hits.” “At 11:40 p.m. today, the Ruwaisat Al-Alam site in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms was targeted with appropriate weapons and direct casualties were achieved.”
Earlier today, the Israeli army announced that Air Force fighter planes bombed several Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon during the night.
The number of Hezbollah deaths as a result of the Israeli bombing of southern Lebanon since October 7 has reached 145.
Very informative!
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