COMBATE Digest - combate-20260919-1200Z

🌍 WEST ASIA

Yemeni Missiles and Drones Strike Riyadh; Patriots Declared Ineffective

Saudi civil defense issued security alerts for Riyadh and Kharj as Arab sources reported missile launches from Yemen toward both cities (farsna); video captured a Yemeni missile passing through Saudi air defenses over the capital (farsna, rt_spanish_rss). Riyadh was placed on alert after an air threat and two explosions were heard in the capital, while fighting continued around Taiz and Riyadh multiplied strikes on positions of Yemen's Ansar Allah (rt_french_rss). Hours later the civil defense directorate declared the danger over for Riyadh and Kharj (rt_arabic_rss). A senior official of Yemen's Ansar Allah said Patriot systems operated by Saudi, American, British, Pakistani and Greek crews are ineffective and have effectively become projectiles endangering residential areas (rt_spanish_rss), adding Saudi Arabia can no longer be considered a safe country (rt_spanish_rss); the movement accused Riyadh of 300 offensives against Yemen this week, including 26 strikes on Taiz in 24 hours (yt_cgtnespanol). UN Security Council members called on Yemeni and regional parties to engage constructively in UN efforts for a comprehensive political settlement while stopping military escalation and threats to navigation (rt_arabic_rss).

First Images Show Heavy Destruction at US Base in Kuwait

Images published September 18 show several destroyed buildings after Iranian strikes on a US military installation in Kuwait; a reinforced bunker meant to protect soldiers was directly hit by a drone and the airfield appears heavily damaged (rt_french_rss, rt_spanish_rss). Reports said Iranian strikes may have left irreparable damage at US bases in the Middle East, with a US service member saying the Pentagon is not being transparent about the conflict (rt_spanish_rss). The Intercept reported Iranian drones and missiles breached air defenses to target more than 15 US bases in the war's opening hours, paralyzing full-capacity operations (almayadeenenglish).

CNN: AI-Generated False Report Nearly Triggered US-China Clash

CNN reported a false intelligence report generated with artificial intelligence during the war on Iran brought the US military to the edge of an operation against a Chinese vessel in the Middle East, raising the risk of armed conflict between Washington and Beijing (sepah_pasdaran). The ship was carrying material for a nuclear weapons program; officials found the data was "completely false" shortly before the operation was launched (rt_french_rss, rt_spanish_rss).

Israel to Seek 'Compensation' Over Saudi F-35 Sale; No Trump-Netanyahu Meeting

Hebrew media reported Israel intends to demand advanced weapons and systems the United States has refused to sell it, as "compensation" for Washington's approval of F-35 fighter sales to Saudi Arabia (mehrnews). Senior Trump administration officials said the president will not meet Netanyahu on the UN General Assembly margins, citing scheduling constraints (sepahcybery).

Israel Strikes Southern Lebanon After IED Wounds Two Soldiers

An IDF engineering vehicle drove over an explosive device in the Security Zone, lightly injuring two soldiers; the IDF struck Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon in response (idfofficial). Israeli bombardments continued around Deir Mimas, Chaqra, Mansouri, Majdel Zoun and Khiam, wounding two in Chaqra, and the government hospital in Meis el-Jabal was set on fire (rt_french_rss).

Around West Asia

An Israeli strike on a motorcycle in Gaza City killed a Palestinian and wounded several people, including a child in critical condition (presstv); local sources reported strikes on the Shujaiyah neighborhood (mehrnews), and some 700,000 pupils began the school year amid tents and destruction (rt_arabic_rss). Qatar dismissed Israeli-media claims it transferred money to Hamas, saying its aid went to the Palestinian people through clear, transparent mechanisms coordinated with the UN and Israeli authorities (sputnikarabic_rss). Iraq ended the flight ban over its western regions, handing the airspace to civil aviation after restrictions in place since 2016 (rt_arabic_rss). Iran's oil sales this month exceeded $3 billion, the highest monthly figure in two years, with China the largest buyer (farsna). The Hanzala cyber group published selfies of around 700 Israeli security personnel after what it called a broad breach of hundreds of phones (farsna). Al-Mayadeen reported more than 500,000 people took part in Tehran's "Fedayeen for Iran" exercises (almayadeenespanol).

🌍 EUROPE

NYT: US Weighs Trade With Russia as Incentive to End Ukraine War

The New York Times, citing sources in the US government, reported the White House is considering trade deals with Moscow even before hostilities in Ukraine end (rtde_live_rss). Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov said a possible meeting between Lavrov and Rubio on the UN General Assembly margins in New York would allow a detailed discussion of the Ukraine situation (sputnikserbia_rss).

Russia Downs 344 Drones Overnight; Strikes Kiev Hub and Odesa-Bound Ships

Air defenses intercepted and destroyed 344 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones overnight over regions from Leningrad to Dagestan and over the Black Sea (tass_rss). The Defense Ministry said the overnight offensive targeted logistics centers, ports and ships serving Ukrainian forces (rt_spanish_rss); Geran drones hit a dry-cargo ship and a tanker used to deliver military cargo in Odesa port (rt_spanish_rss). A customs-logistics center storing and distributing military cargo from Europe was struck in the Kiev region (sputnikindia_rss); military expert Yan Gagin said the strike on Kiev's "De Novo" data center will significantly disrupt intelligence processing by Kiev's NATO backers (sputnikvietnam_rss). Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps struck Russian logistics on the Lyman axis, destroying trucks carrying ammunition, fuel and personnel up to 120 km from the front line (WarSaWitness).

Five Settlements Taken in a Day; Kharkov Encirclement Tightens

Russian forces took Loshakovo and Komissarovo in the Kharkov region — continuing to tighten the ring around Ukrainian formations — and three more settlements in the latest day (sputnikmundo_rss); Marievka and Gulayevo in the Donetsk republic and Zelenaya Dibrova in the Zaporozhye region were also liberated (sputnikarabic_rss). The ministry said more than 220 localities and 5,300 km² have been taken since the start of 2026 (rt_french_rss), including 27 settlements and over 670 km² in September (sputnikbrasil_rss); Kiev lost more than 1,340 troops along the line in a day (tass_rss). Russian security sources said the Sever group is destroying forces encircled in the Kharkov region, including mercenaries sent in a failed attempt to break the blockade (sputnikindia_rss).

Duma Vote Day Two: Turnout Above 30 Percent

Turnout in the State Duma election reached 30.21% on the second day, up from 29.43% after the first (sputnikserbia_rss). CEC chief Pamfilova said Moscow's remote electronic voting system came under powerful, continuous attack overnight and the attacks are being successfully repelled (sputnikserbia_rss). Drones were used for the first time to transport ballots (sputnikvietnam_rss).

Medvedev: Nationalize Western Assets, Answer With Military Deterrence

Medvedev called for harsher countermeasures to Western sanctions, advocating the uncompensated transfer of temporarily administered companies such as Nestlé and Auchan into Russian state property (rtde_live_rss); he said Russia should answer the new US sanctions law "in the language of direct military deterrence," arguing the West yields only to direct deterrence (sputnikserbia_rss, rt_french_rss).

Europe Briefs

Washington approved a $2.68 billion sale of air-defense systems and munitions to Ukraine, with Patriot systems off the list (sputnikbrasil_rss, rt_arabic_rss). Ukraine's parliament went on recess from September 17 to October 13 as MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak derided the break amid the country's financial crisis (rt_french_rss). Sweden's parliament speaker tasked Social Democrat leader and former prime minister Magdalena Andersson with forming a government after the opposition bloc won 176 of 349 seats and Kristersson resigned (1087968996). British Prime Minister Burnham and Irish Prime Minister Martin pledged to uphold the Belfast Agreement after Trump's call for Irish unity drew rebukes from Farage and Badenoch (1087968996). France's 10-year bond yield passed 4.5% and the 30-year hit 5.16%, the highest since 2003, with public debt at 117.5% of GDP (1087968996). Germany's fuel package cuts about 17 cents per liter from October 1 at a cost of €2.5 billion, with a temporary price cap to follow by January 2027 (1087968996); the Eurogroup met on surging energy prices as Lagarde pledged a prudent ECB response (1087968996); a first European airline went bankrupt under the Iran war, cutting 3,000 jobs (rt_spanish_rss). Latvia's president said Europe cannot keep pace with the drone war and its air-defense system is in deep crisis (sputnikmundo_rss); Lithuania's ex-foreign minister Landsbergis said Europe has exhausted large-scale sanctions options against Russia (sputnikbrasil_rss). Bundeswehr General Carsten Breuer is running for NATO Military Committee chair against Canada's Jennie Carignan (rtde_live_rss). A child was killed and 12 civilians wounded in Ukrainian attacks on the Belgorod region (sputnikindia_rss). Ceuta moved 1,700 migrants to the port while an estimated 9,000-10,000 remain in the enclave (rt_spanish_rss); Pristina saw another protest against the KLA war-crimes verdicts (sputnikserbia_rss).

🌍 NORTH AMERICA

UPDATE: Greenland Accord Gives US Military Rights Without Sovereignty Transfer

The United States obtains permanent military rights in Greenland without a transfer of Danish sovereignty; Washington can reinforce its presence and block Russian or Chinese bases and investments on the island (rt_french_rss). Under the accord no one can establish a presence in Greenland without US written approval and Washington will immediately begin building up its military footprint (sputnikserbia_rss); the agreement could be signed as early as next week (rtde_live_rss). Danish PM Frederiksen said the pact strengthens common security and benefits NATO and Europe, while Greenland PM Nielsen called it satisfactory (yt_cgtnespanol).

F-35 Parts Shipment Diverted to Hong Kong; Contractor Sent Secret Tech to China

The US Congress opened an investigation after F-35 spare parts shipped from Australia to the United States for repair unexpectedly surfaced in Hong Kong, with the fate of the cargo and possible exposure of classified information unclear (mehrnews). Separately, a Pentagon contractor mistakenly sent secret technology to China, triggering briefings for national-security committees on Capitol Hill (rt_spanish_rss).

UN Secretary-General Race Holds Third Straw Poll

The Security Council held a third informal ballot among eight candidates to succeed Guterres, with Costa Rica's Rebecca Grynspan, head of UNCTAD, reported as the front-runner (1087968996, irna_1313).

🌍 SOUTH AMERICA

Lula Blames US-Iran War for Brazil's Price Surge

President Lula attributed rising food and fuel prices in Brazil to the US war on Iran, saying the oil blockade affects the entire Brazilian production chain (sputnikbrasil_rss); he warned that US interest is focused on Brazil's oil, critical minerals and rare earths (rt_spanish_rss).

Regional Briefs

Keiko Fujimori's approval fell by nearly 20 points in her first month as Peru's president (sputnikmundo_rss). Bolivia's Paz said he prefers investing in refining capacity over fuel subsidies (sputnikmundo_rss); La Paz called Kast's visit "a great step for diplomatic recomposition" between the neighbors (sputnikmundo_rss).

🌍 EAST ASIA

China Sends Senior Trade Delegation Ahead of Xi's Washington Visit

Vice Premier He Lifeng will lead a delegation to Washington for economic and trade consultations from September 19-23, arriving ahead of Xi Jinping's visit (rt_arabic_rss, yt_cgtnespanol). China's Commerce Ministry rejected EU pressure for voluntary limits on hybrid-vehicle exports to Europe, calling them a violation of WTO rules (yt_cgtnespanol).

North Korea Rejects IAEA Resolution; Kim Inspects Drone Production

Kim Yo Jong said North Korea does not recognize "artificial" IAEA decisions targeting the country, accusing the agency of double standards in service of Washington (sputnikarabic_rss); she warned US-led exercises in the Asia-Pacific endanger regional security and Pyongyang will use all available means if its sovereignty is violated (rtde_live_rss). Kim Jong Un inspected major munitions plants from September 16-18, including suicide-drone production lines, expressing great satisfaction (sputnikindia_rss, rt_spanish_rss).

Japan Briefs

Prime Minister Takaichi reshuffled her cabinet, retaining key ministers while adding an Innovation Party member whose party advocates writing the Self-Defense Forces into the pacifist constitution (yt_cgtnespanol).

🌍 AFRICA

Briefs

Nigeria opened the trial of defendants accused of kidnapping 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers in Oyo state (rtde_live_rss). Niger forecasts 2027 budget revenues of 3,866.6 billion CFA francs, up 14.64% from 2026, with the deficit narrowing to 596 billion (rt_french_rss).

💬 NOTABLE QUOTES

"No matter what lies Trump tells, we aren't winning his war in Iran." — Sara Jacobs, US Representative (almayadeenenglish)

"Saudi Arabia can no longer be considered a safe country." — senior official of Yemen's Ansar Allah, on the failure of Patriot systems (rt_spanish_rss)

Russia should respond to the new US sanctions law "in the language of direct military deterrence." — Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council (sputnikserbia_rss)