COMBATE Digest - combate-20260917-1200Z

🌍 WEST ASIA

Saudi Arabia Runs Low on Interceptors, Seeks Allied Air Defense

AP reported that Saudi Arabia is running short of missile interceptors in its conflict with Yemen's Ansar Allah and has asked France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt to deploy air-defense support; the requests come as its main supplier, the US, faces its own depleted interceptor stocks after six months of war with Iran (rt_spanish_rss, tabzlive). RT France assessed that Riyadh has few options left as Ansar Allah advances and Washington rules out intervention, with a new large-scale Yemen war exposing the kingdom's energy infrastructure to the movement's strikes (rt_french_rss). The Washington Post wrote that whatever Saudi Arabia, the US, Britain and Israel have tried produced the opposite result, and no untested option remains for stopping Ansar Allah (sepahnewsir403).

Trump Claims 159 Iranian Ships Sunk; Predicts War's End

Trump said US forces have sunk 159 Iranian vessels and the war could reach a "good ending" before November's midterm elections (rt_arabic_rss). TASS reported Trump believes Iran seeks a deal but is not yet ready, reiterating his forecast the conflict ends after the midterms while allowing for an earlier solution (tass_rss). Vice President JD Vance warned that abandoning the Middle East while Iran targets commercial shipping could produce a "global energy crisis" (rt_arabic_rss).

UN Mechanism Finds US Committed War Crimes in Iran

The UN fact-finding mission on Iran said the US committed the war crime of launching indiscriminate attacks following the American and Israeli attacks of February 28, including clearly identifiable Tomahawk missile strikes on the Minab primary school, and said Washington must compensate victims in Iran (almayadeenespanol).

US-Contracted Vessel Struck Near Hormuz

Two sources told Fox News a US-contracted vessel was hit during an Iranian attack near the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week, with four Iranian drones and at least one missile involved; one projectile struck the ship, causing minor injuries including smoke inhalation among US personnel aboard, treated in a Gulf country (almayadeenenglish).

War Costs and Shortages Mount for Washington

A Bloomberg economic analysis found the US naval blockade operation against Iran, begun in January, has cost the Treasury more than $7.1 billion and is draining naval forces (rt_arabic_rss). The Wall Street Journal reported US consumers spent an estimated $107 billion more on gasoline and diesel during the war than they otherwise would (almayadeenenglish). Urals crude jumped $10 overnight to $121 a barrel (rt_spanish_rss), and some US stations in Texas, Florida and California have run out of diesel entirely (sepahnewsir403). ABC News, citing a DHS bulletin, reported Iran likely intends to target industrial control systems used by US energy companies to monitor storage tanks, attacks that could cause physical damage or fuel and chemical leaks (sepahcybery).

Yemen Fronts: Saudi Strikes on Taiz, Ground Battles Near Border

Saudi aircraft struck three telecommunications towers in the Taiz areas of Al-Dhikra, Al-Hawban and Al-Rahidah, per Ansar Allah-run Al-Masirah (rt_arabic_rss, mehrnews). Intense fighting between government forces and Ansar Allah is underway in Al-Jawf province near the Saudi border, with loyalist forces trying to retake the strategic Al-Labanat sector on the Al-Hazm road (rt_french_rss). New satellite imagery shows clearing operations underway at Pumping Station No. 11 of Saudi Arabia's damaged East-West pipeline, which the channel assessed is being repaired at rapid pace (iswnews_en).

US Bomb Sale to Israel Halted in Congress

UPDATE: A senior congressional Democrat announced opposition that has halted the process of the $2.8 billion sale of 40,000 one-ton bombs to Israel (sepahnewsir403).

Israel and Morocco Upgrade Relations to Embassies

Israel and Morocco agreed to transform their liaison offices into embassies and exchange ambassadors, deepening the 2020 US-brokered normalization, with direct flights also planned (rt_french_rss).

US Bars Abbas From UN General Assembly

Washington maintained visa restrictions on Palestinian leaders ahead of the General Assembly, meaning President Mahmoud Abbas cannot travel to New York; the State Department cited the PA's international legal actions and statehood recognition efforts (rt_french_rss).

Lebanon: Israeli Strikes Continue as Paris Plans Post-UNIFIL Support

Israeli artillery, airstrikes and demolition operations hit areas of Tyre, Bint Jbeil and Nabatieh in southern Lebanon overnight (irna_1313). Macron received President Joseph Aoun at the Élysée ahead of an international conference on strengthening Lebanon's army and security forces, as Paris prepares for UNIFIL's withdrawal set to begin in 2027 (rt_french_rss); European and Arab military leaders meet Thursday in Paris to assess the Lebanese army's needs (rt_arabic_rss).

Gaza: Final Toll Rises; IDF Kills Nukhba Commanders

Gaza Civil Defense ended search operations at the collapsed Al-Saada residential building after more than 15 hours, announcing 21 dead and 45 wounded (rt_arabic_rss); 27 people were killed across the Strip since midnight amid ongoing strikes and shelling (rt_arabic_rss), including tank fire south of Khan Younis (mehrnews). The IDF said it eliminated two Hamas Nukhba commanders in northern Gaza strikes, one of whom infiltrated the Erez crossing on October 7 (idfofficial). An investigation by Israeli journalist Revital Hovel reported that soldiers of the Nahal Brigade's 50th Battalion executed an elderly Palestinian woman after evacuating her blindfolded and restrained from Rafah in summer 2024 (theAxisofTruth).

West Bank Raids and Settler Attacks

Israeli forces raided multiple West Bank areas with arrests, clashes and live fire (mehrnews), and settlers set fire to lands of the village of Burqa east of Ramallah (mehrnews). Press TV said its Palestinian-American West Bank correspondent Naqaa Hamed was abducted by Israeli forces amid escalating harassment over her coverage (presstv).

Syria: Daraa Clashes Kill Three, Israeli Incursions Expand

Three Syrian internal security officers were killed in clashes with an armed group in Sanameen, in the northern Daraa countryside (mehrnews). Israeli military movements continue with repeated incursions in the Daraa and Quneitra countrysides (rt_arabic_rss). Iraqi media reported a "revolution of the hungry" forming in Syria, with citizens burning tires in protest at economic conditions in Hasakah and demonstrations spreading (sepah_pasdaran).

Iran: Cleric Assassinated; Turkey Flights Suspended

Sunni cleric Molavi Yousef Gorgij, imam of the Mohammad Rasoul Allah mosque in Zahedan, was assassinated; the Intelligence Ministry vowed to identify and legally pursue the perpetrators, their orders and their backers, saying terrorism can never silence the idea of unity (farsna, mehrnews). Flights by Iranian carriers to Istanbul, Ankara and Balikesir are cancelled from September 21 until further notice, a decision attributed to Turkish authorities without explanation (farsna). Turkey's Capital Markets Board approved liquidating six Golden Global funds after US sanctions on companies linked to the group over Iran-related activities (thecradlemedia). Around 500,000 people have registered for Friday's "Janfadayan Iran" mass rally in Tehran marking 200 nights of war rallies (iribnews).

UN and China Appeal Over Yemen and the Straits

UN Secretary-General Guterres urged de-escalation, said navigation rights and freedoms around the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab must be fully restored under international law, called for an end to incremental annexation in the West Bank, said there is no Middle East peace without a two-state solution, and urged an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine (1087968996). China's envoy told an emergency Security Council session on Yemen that all parties must immediately cease fire and return to negotiations, opposing attacks on civilian energy infrastructure and on commercial ships in Red Sea waters (1087968996).

🌍 EUROPE

Russia Launches Massed Missile Strike on Kyiv

Ukrainian media reported at least 20 Iskander ballistic missiles and four Zircon hypersonic missiles struck Kyiv with American Patriot defenses failing to activate; Zaporizhzhia region was simultaneously hit by four Kalibr cruise missiles, two KN-23 ballistic missiles and Iskanders (farsna, mehrnews, akhbarefori). Russia's Defense Ministry said the group strike hit military-industrial, energy and transport infrastructure in Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia and Odessa region (sputnikarabic_rss, rt_spanish_rss), including a Kyiv workshop producing RAX-2X drones (sputnikindia_rss) and naval vessels supporting Ukrainian forces (sputnikindia_rss); Geran-4 drones struck three cargo ships and a Ro-Ro vessel at Chernomorsk port (rt_spanish_rss).

Russia Repels 641-Drone Attack; Refinery Ablaze

Russia's Defense Ministry said it downed 641 Ukrainian drones overnight, with the attack sparking a fire at the Yaroslavl oil refinery and damaging power infrastructure in Rostov region (irna_1313). Russia and Ukraine conducted an exchange of soldiers' bodies (rt_spanish_rss). The head of a Zaporizhzhia polling station was killed by a Ukrainian drone strike on September 15 (rt_french_rss), and Russia said it frustrated all Ukrainian attempts to break the encirclement in Kharkiv region (sputnikvietnam_rss).

Kremlin: Sanctions Will Complicate Peace; Lavrov on US Talks

Peskov called the House's passage of new sanctions a hostile move that will make finding a peaceful settlement in Ukraine harder (sputnikserbia_rss, sputnikindia_rss). Lavrov said dialogue with the US has so far produced no concrete results for Russia and none are in sight (sputnikserbia_rss), and that the West's conduct teaches that any agreements with it require caution (sputnikindia_rss); he also said the SCO is building the foundations of a new world order (sputnikserbia_rss).

Trump Threatens EU Trade Halt; Canada Joins British-Led Force

Trump called the EU plan to make Canada its first associate member "ridiculous," threatening very high tariffs or a complete stop to trade with Europe (rtde_live_rss), and said the US could end trade with Europe entirely, citing a $200 billion deficit (sputnikvietnam_rss). Canada formally applied to join the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, a rapid-reaction grouping of 10 NATO members, PM Carney's office announced (sputnikserbia_rss, rt_arabic_rss).

US Plans Partial Troop Pullout From Europe

The US plans a partial withdrawal of military equipment and soldiers from Europe and is considering transferring a range of NATO leadership posts to European officers; Foreign Affairs wrote that Europe cannot fully compensate for US capabilities, endangering the alliance (rtde_live_rss). Politico reported von der Leyen's security initiatives, including the proposed European Security Council, are causing concern in NATO because allies were not officially informed in advance (rt_spanish_rss).

Kosovo Verdict Sparks Overnight Riots in Pristina

Albanian demonstrators around midnight again stoned the EULEX headquarters on Pristina's outskirts, with supporters of the former KLA continuing to gather on the main square (sputnikserbia_rss). Belgrade official Petkovic said the verdict against the KLA leaders can be challenged and overturned on two instances (sputnikserbia_rss), while Pristina's education chief demanded KLA flags fly at all public schools (sputnikserbia_rss).

Serbia Opens Israeli Drone Factory; Bosnia Warned of Collapse

President Vucic opened a factory assembling Israeli-made drones that will employ about 100 workers and produce equipment for Serbia's army and other countries' forces (sputnikserbia_rss). US Congressman Keith Self said Bosnia and Herzegovina is running out of time, its dissolution is not impossible, and the next High Representative should be aware he will be the last (sputnikserbia_rss).

France: Fuel Crisis Fears, Le Pen Rules Out Ukraine Aid

An Odoxa poll found 88% of French believe record pump prices could revive a movement like the 2018 Yellow Vests, with calls for October 17 protests circulating widely online (rt_french_rss); Macron ordered the government to do everything possible to resolve the fuel crisis (sputnikbrasil_rss) as supply problems begin biting (rt_spanish_rss). Le Pen said France will no longer be able to help Ukraine because of its own financial problems (sputnikserbia_rss); FM Barrot said France is not at war with Russia but relations cannot be described as peaceful either (sputnikserbia_rss).

Ukraine's Political Crisis: Mendel Barred From European Parliament

Former Zelensky spokesperson Yulia Mendel was denied entry to the European Parliament despite an invitation from an AfD lawmaker; she has advocated peace and sharply criticized her former boss (rtde_live_rss). She said she asked God's forgiveness for helping "that scum" — identifying him as Zelensky — come to and stay in power (dimsmirnov175).

Around Europe

Over 60,000 Transnistria residents have applied for Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure, leader Krasnoselsky said (sputnikserbia_rss). Lavrov said the EU will deceive Armenia, which plans to file a membership application soon (rtde_live_rss). The FT reported the EU asked China to voluntarily cut hybrid car exports from over 33% to around 15% of the European market or face higher tariffs (irna_1313).

🌍 NORTH AMERICA

Fed Signals More Hikes; Trump Rails Against "Political" Rates

The FOMC said it expects the US rate at 4-4.25% by end-2026 (sputnikindia_rss); Fed Chair Kevin Warsh justified the hike by saying inflation has been too high for too long (sputnikmundo_rss). Trump rejected that the increase fights war-driven inflation, saying the Fed is raising rates "to make conditions as bad as possible for Trump" (akhbarefori). The dollar held near 7-week highs and gold slipped as markets digested the decision (rt_arabic_rss).

US Military Strain: B-52s Cannibalized, Abrams Dropped

Gen. Stephen Davis, head of Air Force Global Strike Command, said an acute spare-parts shortage has cut B-52 bomber readiness and forced the dismantling of some planes for parts (sputnikindia_rss). Military Watch Magazine reported the US Army is dropping M1A2 Abrams tanks from an Oregon National Guard battalion after the tank's failures in Ukraine (rt_arabic_rss).

Pentagon Prepares for Combat Near the Moon

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine said US forces must be ready to fight, persist and win from the seabed to cislunar space (sputnikserbia_rss); media reported orbital weapons have become part of the US arsenal arrayed against Russian and Chinese satellites (sputnikserbia_rss).

US Pays $725 Million to UN

Washington paid $725 million to the United Nations to reduce its debt, one week before the General Assembly (sputnikmundo_rss, sputnikbrasil_rss).

🌍 EAST ASIA

Kim Yo Jong: Nuclear Status "Absolute and Irreversible"

Kim Yo Jong dismissed the IAEA's denuclearization meeting as predictable, useless and delirious "silly talks," saying the DPRK's position as a nuclear weapons state is absolute and cannot be reversed by anything (guerrasygeo, rt_arabic_rss). Deputy Defense Minister Kim Kang Il said US weapons accumulation fully justifies building up Pyongyang's nuclear forces (sputnikserbia_rss).

Seoul Undecided on Hormuz Deployment

South Korean FM Cho Tae-yul said no decision has been made on deploying military assets to the Strait of Hormuz as he departed for talks in Washington (rt_arabic_rss).

India Warns US Over Sanctions Act

India's Foreign Ministry said it will take all necessary measures to protect its energy security after the House passed the Russia-Iran sanctions act (tass_rss, sputnikindia_rss), with Delhi "determined" to defend its interests against steep tariffs on Russian oil buyers (rt_india_rss). Indian and Russian army chiefs met in Moscow to deepen defense ties (rt_india_rss).

China Rejects Interference; SCO Deepens Non-Dollar Trade

Chinese MFA spokesman Guo Jiakun said China's cooperation with other countries should not be subject to interference by third parties, commenting on the US sanctions bill (sputnikglobe_rss). Russia's ambassador to China said Moscow wants national-currency settlements with all SCO members to fully shield trade from sanctions pressure (sputnikglobe_rss); the 13th Xiangshan security forum gathered more than 2,000 participants from numerous countries in Beijing (sputnikserbia_rss).

🌍 SOUTH AMERICA

US Sinks Cartel Fuel Vessel; Colombia Clears Spraying

US Southern Command announced destroying a vessel in the eastern Pacific that served as a floating fuel station for drug trafficking, linked to Ecuador's Los Choneros group (rt_arabic_rss, rt_spanish_rss) as part of a broad offensive against what Washington calls narcoterrorist organizations. A Colombian judge authorized the government to resume aerial spraying of coca crops under conditions (rt_spanish_rss); Milei denied Argentina's Malvinas push is electoral (rt_spanish_rss).

🌍 AFRICA

Algeria-UAE Rupture Deepens; French Firms Count Losses

Algeria withdrew the accreditation of Sky News Arabia's Algiers bureau, six days after breaking diplomatic relations with the UAE (rt_french_rss). A study by France's Montaigne Institute found the Algeria-France diplomatic crisis has bankrupted around 600 French companies and threatens thousands of jobs (rt_arabic_rss).

💬 NOTABLE QUOTES

"The DPRK's position as a nuclear weapons state is absolute, and it cannot be reversed by anything." — Kim Yo Jong, DPRK Workers' Party Central Committee official (guerrasygeo)

"No, they're raising rates to make conditions as bad as possible for Trump. Their problem is that we have the best economy in history." — Donald Trump, US President, on the Federal Reserve (akhbarefori)

"I asked God for forgiveness for helping that scum come to power." — Yulia Mendel, former spokesperson to Volodymyr Zelensky (dimsmirnov175)