Israeli F-35 Stealth Fighters Flew Over Iran In Stern Message To The Islamic Republic

Two Israeli F-35 fighter jets entered Iranian airspace over the past month, Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida reported on Thursday. The act is a signal of heightened regional tensions, especially in light of recent Israeli military attacks in Syria, including against Iranian bases in the country.

Sources quoted in Al-Jarida stated that two stealth fighters flew over Syrian and Iraqi airspace to reach Iran, and even targeted locations in the Iranian cities Bandar Abbas, Esfahan and Shiraz.

The report states that the two fighter jets, among the most advanced in the world, circled at high altitude above Persian Gulf sites suspected of being associated with the Iranian nuclear program.

It also states that the two jets went undetected by radar, including by the Russian radar system located in Syria. The source refused to confirm if the operation was undertaken in coordination with the US army, which has recently conducted joint exercises with the IDF.

Our source added that the seven F-35 fighters in active service in the IAF have conducted a number of missions in Syria and on the Lebanese-Syrian border. He underlined that the fighter jets can travel from Israel to Iran twice without refueling.

Israel has admitted to launching about 100 air strikes on Syria over the past five years, targeting Hezbollah terrorists, weapons convoys and infrastructure, and it is believed to be behind dozens more.

On March 21, the IDF cleared for publication that Israel was behind the 2007 destruction of a nuclear reactor that was under construction in northern Syria.

It will be recalled that in February, Israeli F-16 fighter jets entered Syrian airspace, striking 12 Iranian targets in Syria in response to an Iranian drone that was shot down over Israel. Two Israeli crew members were wounded when they ejected from their jet before it crashed, which was later determined to be caused by pilot error.

In response to the Iranian drone, a senior Israeli official warned that Israel will react with force to Iran’s efforts to entrench itself further in Syria.

“the Iranians are determined to continue to establish themselves in Syria, and the next incident is only a matter of time,” he said, warning that Israel does not rule out that that the Islamic Republic will continue to try to attack Israel.

FN

Rochas Calls For Ministry Of Happiness To Check Suicide In Nigeria

Rochas Okorocha, senator representing Imo west, says a happiness ministry should be created to tackle suicide and rape cases.

Okorocha said this on Tuesday while contributing to a debate on a motion sponsored by Theodore Orji, senator representing Abia central.

Orji’s motion was on the “rising incidence of suicides amongst Nigerians".

Okorocha, an immediate past governor of Imo state, argued that a lot of people take their own lives because they lack the ability to express themselves or to share their feelings with anyone.

“Mr senate president, may I suggest that whether it’s the issue of rape, suicide, let us create a department to address these issues,” he said.

“Ministry of health is not up to that, Police is not equipped for that, ministry of information is not equipped for that, we must have a department where people can go and express themselves – that ministry must be a ministry or department of happiness.

“All our prayers appear to me as though we are embarking on academic exercise that might not reflect any practical reality.

“A step should be further taken to find out why these people are not happy to the extent that they will take their life".

While moving the motion earlier, the former Abia governor said suicide could be prevented “when family, friends and close relatives of the person contemplating suicide provide support".

“Many people commit suicide out of ignorance and situations that could be addressed; and the people in the position to help, encourage or assist ignore to do so thereby leaving them to commit suicide at will,” he said.

The senate urged religious organisations in the country to preach love, peace and how to relieve stress.

It also urged the federal government to ban the production, importation or circulation of snipers insecticide —  substance often used to commit suicide.