BERLIN: A German warship deployed as part of the UN’s peacekeeping force in Lebanon has shot down a drone off the Lebanese coast, the German army said Thursday.
“An unidentifiable unmanned aerial vehicle was detected in the vicinity” of the “Ludwigshafen am Rhein” corvette and was “brought down in a controlled manner,” an army spokesman said.
The spokesman said he was unable to provide further details for “reasons of operational security.”
Andrea Tenenti, a UNIFIL spokesman, confirmed that earlier on Thursday “an unmanned aerial vehicle of unknown origin approached one of UNIFIL’s Maritime Task Force ships off the southern Lebanese coast.”
“In accordance with procedure, electronic countermeasures were used and the UAV fell and exploded on its own,” Tenenti said, adding that UNIFIL was “looking into the matter.”
The UN’s peacekeeping force in Lebanon has come under repeated fire in the Israeli-Hezbollah war in recent days.
Five peacekeepers were injured in a series of incidents last week, with the latest seeing the UN force accuse Israeli troops of breaking through a gate and entering one of their positions.
The Israeli military has said is not targeting UN peacekeepers, but the incidents have sparked a wave of international criticism.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was set up in 1978 to monitor the withdrawal of Israeli forces after they invaded Lebanon to stem Palestinian attacks targeting northern Israel.
The peacekeeping mission includes about 10,000 personnel overall, with its Maritime Task Force focused on preventing arms smuggling by sea.
German UNIFIL warship intercepts drone off Lebanon
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German UNIFIL warship intercepts drone off Lebanon
- Andrea Tenenti, a UNIFIL spokesman, confirmed that earlier on Thursday “an unmanned aerial vehicle of unknown origin approached one of UNIFIL’s Maritime Task Force ships”
- “In accordance with procedure, electronic countermeasures were used and the UAV fell and exploded on its own”
GCC states ‘face reliance on Saudi Arabia for food imports’
- With 70 percent of food coming through Strait of Hormuz, analysts warn of inevitable shortages
DUBAI: Some Gulf states may have to rely on overland food deliveries from Saudi Arabia if the US-Israel-Iran war continues to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and restrict regional airspace, analysts warned on Thursday.
The region is up to 90 percent dependent on food imports, and price surges and scarcity of some goods are expected.
“With over 70 percent of GCC foodstuffs being imported through the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf states face shortages if the war persists,” said Neil Quilliam of the Chatham House think tank.
“While GCC countries have taken steps to diversify suppliers and ensure sufficient stores to withstand disruption, this can only last several months. At this point, price increases and longer lead times will start to hit the markets.”
Commodities analyst Ishan Bhanu said: “The biggest immediate effect will be due to the blockade of Jebel Ali in Dubai, serving about 50 million people. Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq effectively become landlocked and will depend on overland routes through Saudi Arabia.”
Bottlenecks are yet to show and the UAE has said its strategic reserves of vital goods cover four to six months of needs. It urged residents to report unjustified price increases through a dedicated hotline.
Supermarket staff throughout the Gulf said shelves remain largely stocked, though suppliers are taking longer to replenish certain products. Iran’s strikes on the Gulf since Saturday prompted panic buying in supermarkets, a dry run for what could come.
“Perception of risk matters, and even if stocks are sufficient now, public runs on supermarkets can spook the public,” Quilliam said.
