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Tasu'a commemoration

Mourning ceremonies are underway across Iran to commemorate Tasu'a, the day before the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hossein, the third Shia Imam and a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. Mourners are holding ceremonies and processions to mark the event. The commemoration services culminate in Ashura, which falls on July 28th this year. On Ashura, Imam Hossein and 72 of his faithful companions were all martyred in an unequal battle with the army of the tyrant of the time. The third Shia Imam had risen up against the tyrannical rule and refused to capitulate to their demands. Imam Hossein gave his life to protect Islam and Islamic values.

Israeli provocations 

Dozens of Israeli officials and settlers, backed by the regime’s troops, have broken into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound again. The settlers, divided into groups, entered the mosque’s compound, walked around, and performed rituals there. Israeli far-right minister Itmar Ben Gvir was along with them. Regime forces prevented Palestinian worshippers from entering the compound. The incursion is in violation of al-Aqsa’s status quo, which does not allow non-Muslims to pray there. Meanwhile, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas called the attack a clear escalation of a religious war, vowing to protect the sanctity of the holy site. In a statement, the Islamic Jihad resistance movement urged all young Palestinian fighters to retaliate and confront Israeli forces on all fronts. Also, a resistance group affiliated with Hamas has launched rockets toward an Israeli settlement in reaction.

Russia-Ukraine war

Ukraine's intelligence agency has, for the first time, acknowledged a sabotage operation that badly damaged a bridge connecting Russia to the Crimean Peninsula in October last year. Speaking on national television, the head of the Security Service of Ukraine said his agency was behind the attack. Vasyl Malyuk was referring to the explosion that was caused by a truck bomb, which left three people dead. Ukraine had not officially claimed responsibility but Russia then blamed it on Kiev, calling it a "terrorist act". Earlier this month, the bridge came under another attack by two maritime drones which Russia said was launched by Ukrainian forces. Kiev has yet to confirm the recent attack, but Ukrainian officials had earlier portrayed the bridge as a legitimate target. The bridge is a vital supply route for Russian forces in the war with Ukraine.

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