International

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A United States military refueling aircraft has crashed in western Iraq, the US Central Command confirmed on Thursday, saying the incident involved another aircraft but was not caused by hostile or friendly fire.

In a statement, the command said rescue operations were underway after the KC-135 refueling aircraft went down during a mission. It added that the second aircraft involved in the incident landed safely.

“The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury,” the statement said, referring to the military operation name for the US campaign against Iran.

A US official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the second aircraft was also a KC-135. The official added that up to six service members were on board the aircraft that crashed.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-backed armed groups, claimed responsibility for bringing down the aircraft.

In a statement, the group said it had shot down the KC-135 aircraft “in defense of our country’s sovereignty and airspace”.

The KC-135 tanker aircraft was produced by Boeing in the 1950s and early 1960s. It has remained a key part of the US military’s aerial refueling fleet. The aircraft allows combat planes to continue missions without the need to land for fuel.

The latest incident comes as fighting continues between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Since the US and Israel began strikes on Iran on February 28, seven American troops have been killed.

Reuters reported earlier this week that up to 150 US troops have been wounded in the conflict.

On the same day as the crash, two US sailors were also injured after a fire broke out aboard the USS Gerald Ford. Officials said the fire was not related to combat.

Overall, the war has claimed more than 2,000 lives so far, including nearly 700 people in Lebanon.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States military is examining reports that outdated intelligence may have led to a missile strike that hit a girls’ school in southern Iran, an attack that reportedly killed about 170 children and 14 teachers.

Iranian state media said the strike occurred on Feb. 28 in the city of Minab. The school is located close to an Iranian naval base. The incident has drawn strong condemnation from several countries and international observers.

According to a report, investigators found fragments of an American-made Tomahawk missile at the scene. Officials familiar with the inquiry told the New York Times that the US Central Command generated the strike coordinates using old information obtained from the Defence Intelligence Agency.

The sources explained that the data used for the operation had not been updated before the strike took place. They added that investigators are still trying to determine why the information was not verified again before the missile was launched. They also noted that the inquiry is still at an early stage.

US President Donald Trump initially suggested that Iran might have been responsible for the attack. Speaking on Saturday, he said he believed Iran carried out the strike “based on what I’ve seen”.

However, two days later he appeared less certain. He said the attack could have been carried out by “Iran or somebody else”. He also described the Tomahawk missile as “very generic” and “sold to other countries”. He added: “I just don’t know enough about it.”

Iran is not believed to possess Tomahawk missiles. Apart from the United States, the weapon is also used by Britain, Australia and the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, Republican Senator John Kennedy, a close ally of Mr Trump, apologised for the incident on Monday. He described the strike as a serious mistake.

He said: “Other countries do that sort of thing intentionally, like Russia. We would never do that intentionally.

“I think the department is investigating it now, and I’m sorry. I’m just so sorry it happened.”

The development came amid reports that US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had recently dismissed staff members responsible for reducing civilian casualties before the strike occurred.

Reports said Mr Hegseth significantly reduced the workforce of the Civilian Protection Centre of Excellence. The agency was created under former defence secretary Lloyd Austin to prevent and investigate harm to civilians during military operations.

Although the centre cannot be abolished because it was established by an act of Congress, about 90 per cent of its staff have been removed, according to Politico.

The unit responsible for monitoring civilian casualties at the US Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, has also been reduced. Its staff dropped from ten personnel to just one.

Mr Hegseth has also introduced major changes to policies inside the Pentagon. He argues that several existing rules weaken the military’s effectiveness.

In a speech last September, he said: “We untie the hands of our warfighters to intimidate, demoralise, hunt and kill the enemies of our country.

“No more politically correct and overbearing rules of engagement, just common sense, maximum lethality and authority for warfighters.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has criticised the United States and Israel over their military campaign against Iran. She said their actions fall outside international law and insisted that Italy will not join the conflict.

Meloni made the remarks on Wednesday during an address to the Italian Senate. Her comments marked her strongest criticism of the war so far.

She said the military campaign launched by Washington and Israel violated international legal norms. The Italian leader also called for a full investigation into the missile strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school in Minab, southern Iran.

The attack occurred on February 28, the first day of the war. More than 160 people died in the strike. Most of the victims were children.

Meloni described the incident as a “massacre”. She told lawmakers that responsibility for the strike must be determined.

“Responsibility must be ascertained for the massacre of girls in southern Iran. The safety of civilians and children must be protected,” she said.

Her position could create tension with U.S. President Donald Trump. Both leaders have previously appeared to maintain a close relationship.

Despite the criticism, Meloni stressed that Italy has no intention of joining the war. She told the Senate that the conflict was “an intervention that Italy is not part of and does not intend to take part in”.

The prime minister also addressed speculation that the United States might seek access to Italian military facilities. She said Washington has not asked to use Italian air bases for military operations. However, she explained that any such request would require approval from the Italian parliament.

Meloni warned that the conflict reflects a deeper crisis in the global order.

She said the war must be viewed within the context of a “structural crisis in the international system”. According to her, threats around the world are becoming more dangerous. She also warned that unilateral military actions are increasing.

At the same time, Meloni emphasised that Iran must not develop nuclear weapons. She said such a development would pose a serious threat to Europe.

“We cannot afford a regime of ayatollahs in possession of nuclear weapons, combined with a missile capability that could soon be able to directly strike Italy and Europe,” she said.

Questions have also emerged over the missile strike on the school in Minab. President Trump said earlier that the incident was under investigation. He also suggested that Iran might have fired the missile.

However, analysis by several experts indicates the school may have been struck by a U.S. Tomahawk missile. Neither Iran nor Israel is known to possess such weapons.

Preliminary findings from a military inquiry suggest the strike may have resulted from outdated targeting information. Officials said the investigation remains at an early stage.

If U.S. forces are confirmed to be responsible, the attack could rank among the most serious incidents involving American troops killing civilians in the Middle East in recent decades.

Meloni said the United States must establish who carried out the strike.

Meanwhile, the Italian government has taken steps to protect its citizens in the Gulf region. Meloni told parliament that Italy is providing air defence assets to allied Gulf countries facing missile and drone attacks from Iran.

She explained that thousands of Italians live and work in the region. Italy also maintains a military presence there.

“This is not only because these ⁠are friendly ⁠nations and strategic partners of Italy, but also because there are tens of thousands of Italian citizens in that area whom we must protect, not to mention the fact that there are about 2,000 Italian soldiers stationed in the Gulf,” she said.

Meloni delivered her remarks as an Italian naval frigate arrived in Cyprus. The vessel, Federico Martinengo, joined German, French and Greek warships already deployed near the island.

European countries have increased their military presence in the area after an Iranian-made drone struck RAF Akrotiri, a British air base in Cyprus, last week.

Britain has also sent a warship to the eastern Mediterranean. HMS Dragon left Portsmouth on Tuesday, although British authorities have faced criticism over the time it took to deploy the vessel.

In a separate development, Spain has formally withdrawn its ambassador to Israel, Ana María Salomón Pérez. She had earlier been recalled from Tel Aviv by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

Sánchez took the step after banning the United States from sending weapons to Israel. He said the move was intended to stop what he described as “genocide” in Gaza.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Spanish government has withdrawn its ambassador to Israel amid growing diplomatic tension linked to the war in Gaza and the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

An announcement published in Spain’s official state gazette confirmed that the decision took effect on Wednesday. The move reflects Madrid’s strong criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza as well as the conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran.

Spain has emerged as one of the European Union countries that openly condemn Israel’s conduct in Gaza. The government has also opposed the military campaign launched by Washington and Tel Aviv against Iran.

The gazette explained the decision regarding Spain’s diplomatic representation in Israel. It stated: “At the proposal of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation, and following deliberation by the Council of Ministers at its meeting on 10 March 2026, I hereby order the termination of Ms Ana María Sálomon Pérez’s appointment as Ambassador of Spain to the State of Israel.”

Following the ambassador’s removal, Spain’s embassy in Tel Aviv will now operate under a charge d’affaires, according to a source from the country’s Foreign Ministry cited by Reuters.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has been among the few left-wing European leaders who openly criticize the attacks carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran. He described the assault as “unjustifiable” and stressed that Madrid’s position remains “no to the war”.

The Spanish government has also maintained a strong stance against Israel’s operations in Gaza. In October, Spain’s parliament approved legislation that imposed a complete arms embargo on Israel. The law permanently blocks the sale of weapons, military equipment and dual-use technology to the country in response to the genocide.

A senior Iranian security official, Ali Larijani, has alleged that Iranian forces captured several American soldiers. However, the United States military has rejected the claim and described it as false.

Larijani made the claim on Saturday in a post on X. He accused Washington of attempting to conceal the alleged incident.

“It has been reported to me that several American soldiers have been taken prisoner. But the Americans claim that they have been killed in action,” Larijani wrote.

He also insisted that the truth would eventually emerge. “Despite their futile efforts, the truth is not something they can hide for too long.”

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) quickly dismissed the allegation. A spokesperson for the command told Al Jazeera that no American soldiers had been captured.

“The Iranian regime’s claims of capturing American soldiers are yet another example of its lies and deceptions,” the spokesman said.

The exchange of claims and denials comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East. The situation worsened after joint air strikes carried out by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28. Reports indicate that the attacks killed more than 1,000 people. Those reported dead include Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, over 150 schoolgirls and several senior military officials.

The conflict has increased instability across the region. Tehran has also carried out retaliatory attacks on locations linked to the United States in several parts of the Middle East.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

At least eight people have died after powerful tornadoes struck parts of the central United States, affecting the states of Michigan and Oklahoma. Authorities have warned that more severe weather could occur in the coming hours.

Officials confirmed on Saturday that four people died in southern Michigan while another four lost their lives in Oklahoma. Emergency responders are still assessing the affected areas, and authorities say the death toll may rise as more information becomes available.

The storms swept through several communities on Friday. They left widespread destruction that included damaged buildings, crushed vehicles, fallen trees, and power lines. Videos released by local media showed heavy damage across some towns after the tornadoes passed.

The United States National Weather Service also warned that additional severe weather could develop across a wide region stretching from the Great Lakes to Texas. The agency said thunderstorms and flash floods remain possible, and there is still a chance that more tornadoes could form.

In Michigan, the Branch County Sheriff’s Office reported that three people died and 12 others were injured in the Union Lake area near Union City.

About 81 kilometres southwest of that location, officials in Cass County confirmed another fatality. Several people were also injured after another tornado struck the area.

“Emergency Management personnel will be conducting damage assessments in the affected area as required by the State of Michigan,” the local sheriff’s office said.

In Oklahoma, authorities reported additional deaths linked to the storms. Law enforcement officials said at least two people were killed after a tornado hit the town of Beggs in Okmulgee County.

State Governor Kevin Stitt also confirmed that two other victims, a mother and her daughter, died in Major County on Friday.

“I declared a state of emergency for Alfalfa, Creek, Grant, Major, Okmulgee, Rogers, Tulsa, and Wagoner counties to ensure Oklahomans have the support and resources they need after last night’s storms,” Stitt wrote on social media on Saturday.

Emergency teams continue rescue and assessment operations across the affected communities as authorities prepare for the possibility of further extreme weather.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has mocked Iran after the country apologised to neighbouring states affected by its recent retaliatory airstrikes.

Iran had launched missile and drone attacks on several American military bases located in Gulf countries. The targets included bases in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Kuwait. The strikes were carried out in response to what Iran described as “preemptive” attacks by the United States and Israel.

Earlier, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Tehran had no intention of invading neighbouring countries. He called for cooperation among regional nations to promote stability and peace.

“I deem it necessary to apologise to neighbouring countries that were attacked,” Pezeshkian said.

“We do not intend to invade neighbouring countries.”

However, Trump reacted strongly to the apology in a message posted on his Truth Social platform on Saturday. He claimed the apology resulted from continuous military pressure from the United States and Israel.

“Iran, which is being beat to HELL, has apologised and surrendered to its Middle East neighbours,” Trump posted.

“They were looking to take over and rule the Middle East. It is the first time that Iran has ever lost, in thousands of years, to surrounding Middle Eastern Countries.

“They have said, ‘Thank you President Trump’. I have said, ‘You’re welcome!’

“Iran is no longer the bully of the Middle East, they are, instead, ‘The loser of the Middle East’ and will be for many decades until they surrender, or more likely, completely collapse!”

Trump also warned that further military action could follow.

“Today, Iran will be hit very hard!”

He added that Iran’s “bad behaviour” had forced authorities to consider expanding potential targets. According to him, some areas and groups that were previously not included among targets are now under consideration for “complete destruction and certain death.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has mocked Iran after the country apologised to neighbouring states affected by its recent retaliatory airstrikes.

Iran had launched missile and drone attacks on several American military bases located in Gulf countries. The targets included bases in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Kuwait. The strikes were carried out in response to what Iran described as “preemptive” attacks by the United States and Israel.

Earlier, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Tehran had no intention of invading neighbouring countries. He called for cooperation among regional nations to promote stability and peace.

“I deem it necessary to apologise to neighbouring countries that were attacked,” Pezeshkian said.

“We do not intend to invade neighbouring countries.”

However, Trump reacted strongly to the apology in a message posted on his Truth Social platform on Saturday. He claimed the apology resulted from continuous military pressure from the United States and Israel.

“Iran, which is being beat to HELL, has apologised and surrendered to its Middle East neighbours,” Trump posted.

“They were looking to take over and rule the Middle East. It is the first time that Iran has ever lost, in thousands of years, to surrounding Middle Eastern Countries.

“They have said, ‘Thank you President Trump’. I have said, ‘You’re welcome!’

“Iran is no longer the bully of the Middle East, they are, instead, ‘The loser of the Middle East’ and will be for many decades until they surrender, or more likely, completely collapse!”

Trump also warned that further military action could follow.

“Today, Iran will be hit very hard!”

He added that Iran’s “bad behaviour” had forced authorities to consider expanding potential targets. According to him, some areas and groups that were previously not included among targets are now under consideration for “complete destruction and certain death.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Emirates Airline has halted all flights to and from Dubai indefinitely due to security concerns linked to the escalating crisis in the Middle East.

The Dubai-based carrier announced the decision on Saturday. It said the measure aims to protect passengers and crew as the regional security situation continues to change.

The airline urged travellers not to go to the airport while the suspension remains in place. It also said additional information will be released when more details become available.

The disruption comes as rising conflict and missile activity in parts of the Middle East have led several countries to shut or limit access to their airspace. The development has disrupted both regional and international air travel.

Airlines across the Gulf region have altered flight paths and cancelled services because of safety concerns.

Dubai serves as one of the busiest aviation hubs in the world. Emirates operates thousands of weekly flights from the city to destinations across six continents. The suspension has affected passengers travelling to Dubai as well as those who planned to transit through the emirate to other parts of the world.

Passengers with existing bookings have been advised to follow updates from the airline and contact Emirates for options related to rescheduling or refunds.

Officials said flight operations will resume once authorities determine that the situation is safe.

The suspension also comes amid reports of a major explosion at Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran, the Iranian capital.

Eyewitnesses said several loud blasts were heard in western Tehran early on Saturday. They reported seeing flames and thick smoke rising from areas near the airport.

Videos shared on social media showed fires burning in parts of the airport. Reports also suggested that air defence systems were activated across the city.

The explosions are believed to be connected to a series of air strikes that targeted sites in Tehran. Some reports said aircraft parked on the tarmac caught fire after the blasts. However, the extent of the damage and possible casualties remained unclear.

Israeli authorities said their forces had launched extensive strikes on what they described as high-priority targets in Tehran.

Iranian media also confirmed that a large explosion occurred in the western part of the capital. Residents described hearing multiple powerful blasts across the city.

Mehrabad Airport is among Tehran’s busiest aviation centres and handles both civilian and military flights. The facility has been targeted in earlier incidents during the ongoing conflict.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A prominent businessman from the United Arab Emirates, Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, has asked United States President Donald Trump to explain the reasons behind Washington’s decision to engage in war with Iran alongside Israel.

Habtoor raised the concerns in an open letter posted on X, where he criticised the move and questioned whether the US leader had considered the possible consequences for countries in the Gulf region.

In the message, he asked Trump: “Who gave you the authority to drag our region into a war with #Iran? And on what basis did you make this dangerous decision?

Did you calculate the collateral damage before pulling the trigger? And did you consider that the first to suffer from this escalation will be the countries of the region itself!

The peoples of this region have the right to ask as well: Was this your decision alone? Or did it come as a result of pressures from #Netanyahu and his government?”

Habtoor, who founded and chairs the Al Habtoor Group, also accused the US president of exposing Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to dangers they did not choose.

He wrote: “You (Trump) have placed the countries of the #GulfCooperationCouncil and the Arab countries at the heart of a danger they did not choose. Thank God, we are strong and capable of defending ourselves, and we have armies and defences that protect our homelands, but the question remains: Who gave you permission to turn our region into a battlefield?”

Neither President Trump nor the White House has issued a response to the letter. The government of the UAE has also not publicly endorsed the message.

The letter is seen as a rare public criticism from a prominent figure in the UAE. It reflects rising concern in the Gulf as the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran continues into its sixth day.

Last week, US and Israeli forces launched coordinated attacks on Iran. The strikes reportedly targeted military positions as well as civilian facilities. Iran responded with its own attacks against Israel, US positions and locations in Gulf countries that host American military assets.

Reports indicate that the first five days of the conflict, described by the US as Operation Epic Fury, have caused heavy casualties. Estimates suggest that more than 2,400 people have died in Iran, including at least 181 children.

Iranian authorities claim that US-Israel strikes during the early hours of the war hit the all-girls Minab Primary School. According to Tehran, the attack killed more than 165 female students and school staff. Israel has denied responsibility, while the United States says it is investigating the incident.

Washington says six American soldiers have died so far in the conflict. Iran, however, claims it has killed more than 500 US troops.

A US-based conflict monitoring organisation reports that Iran has launched more drones and missiles at Gulf states than at Israel since the war began.

Data from the Critical Threats Project (CTP), part of the American Enterprise Institute, states that Iran fired 255 drones and missiles at Israel after the conflict started on February 28. During the same period, the report says 2,171 drones and missiles were directed toward Gulf countries, especially the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait.

According to the report, 1,138 of those attacks targeted the UAE, making it the most heavily struck country in the conflict.

In his letter, Habtoor also criticised the escalation in relation to Trump’s Board of Peace initiative announced in January 2026. The programme aimed to rebuild Gaza and was backed by about seven billion dollars pledged by Gulf states.

He wrote: “For before the ink has dried on the #BoardOfPeace initiative that you announced in the name of peace and stability, we find ourselves facing a military escalation that endangers the entire region. So where did those initiatives go? And what is the fate of the commitments made in the name of peace?”

Habtoor further questioned whether the financial contributions from Gulf countries were meant to support peace or to fund a war.

He stated: “Most of the funding proposed in those initiatives came from the countries of the region themselves, and from Arab Gulf countries that contributed billions of dollars on the basis of supporting stability and development. And these countries have the right to ask today: Where did this money go? And are we funding peace initiatives or funding a war that exposes us to danger?”

The businessman also argued that the conflict could impose significant financial costs on Americans.

He wrote: “And here they are today, finding themselves in a war funded from their money and taxes, with costs ranging, according to the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS), between 40-65 billion dollars for direct military operations, and could reach 210 billion dollars including economic impacts and indirect losses if it lasts four to five weeks, not to mention the sacrifice of Americans themselves in a war in which they have neither camel nor she-camel.”

Habtoor also criticised Trump for engaging in foreign military operations despite previous promises to focus on domestic priorities.

In the letter he wrote: “You have even broken your promises not to get involved in wars and to focus only on America and put it at the top of your priorities, as you ordered foreign military interventions during your second term that included seven countries: Somalia, Iraq, Yemen, Nigeria, Syria, Iran, and Venezuela, in addition to naval operations in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific Ocean.”

He added: “You directed more than 658 foreign air strikes in your first year in office, which equals the total strikes in Biden’s entire term, for which you directed your arrows of criticism for involving the United States in foreign wars.”

Habtoor concluded his message by urging greater transparency from the US leadership.

He wrote: “True leadership is not measured by war decisions, but by wisdom, respect for others, and pushing toward achieving peace. And if these initiatives were launched in the name of peace, then we have the right today to demand full transparency and clear accountability.”