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China ships assault weapons to Russia via Turkey and the UAE, Politico Reveals

According to data obtained by POLITICO, Chinese companies, including one connected to the Beijing government, have sent Russian entities 1,000 assault rifles, along with drone parts and body armor that can be used for military purposes, via Turkey and the UAE.

The data also reveals that over 12 tons of Chinese body armor and 12 shipments of drone parts were routed via Turkey in late 2022. The customs data does not show that Beijing is selling a large amount of weapons to Moscow specifically to aid its war effort, but it indicates that China is supplying Russian companies with previously unreported "dual-use" equipment that can also be used in the battlefield in Ukraine.

While it is unclear if Russia is using any of the rifles included in the shipment data, the DJI drones have been seen on the battlefield for months.

Despite Western sanctions that limit Moscow's ability to import a wide range of supplies, Russia can still purchase goods that support its war efforts from "friendly" countries such as China or the Gulf countries that do not follow the West's new rules.

Read more on Politico.

Iran Agrees to stop arming Houthis in Yemen as part of agreement With Saudi Arabia

Iran has agreed to end its weapons shipments to Houthi allies in Yemen in a deal brokered by China to restore diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia, U.S., and Saudi officials said.

The move could add impetus to efforts to end one of the region's longest-running civil wars, as Saudi Arabia and Iran have backed opposing sides in the conflict. If Iran follows through on its promise, it could put pressure on the Houthi militants to reach a deal to end the conflict. Over 150,000 people have died due to the war, and Yemen is at the heart of the dispute between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

When asked if Tehran would stop arms shipments to the Houthis, a spokesman for the Iranian delegation to the United Nations declined to comment. Iran publicly denies providing weapons to the Houthis, despite repeated instances of seized weapons shipments being traced back to Iran by U.N. inspectors.

Read more on Wall Street Journal.

Israeli army claims to have killed suspected bomber who infiltrated from Lebanon

According to the Israeli army, an armed man suspected of entering Israel from Lebanon and detonating a car at a northern junction was killed by their soldiers.

The incident occurred on Monday, March 13, and was announced on Wednesday, March 15.

The army killed the suspect and is questioning the driver, whose identity has not been disclosed.

The possibility of Hezbollah's involvement is under review.

This could result in renewed tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, who have been hostile towards each other since a month-long war in 2006.

Read more on Al-Jazeera.

Lebanon's Central Bank Governor interrogated by European legal team in money-laundering probe

Lebanon's Central Bank chief, Riad Salameh, was questioned by a visiting European legal team regarding a money-laundering investigation linked to him.

Salameh is facing several corruption-related charges in recent years, and the European delegation is investigating the laundering of $330 million.

The questioning was delayed by a day due to a complaint filed by Salameh's legal team, which was dismissed by the judiciary. Other legal proceedings against Salameh are also underway in Lebanon.

Read more on Associated Press.

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Syria, Russia to sign 40 investment deals after Assad's visit

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad visited Russia and met with President Putin on Wednesday, March 15, to discuss increased cooperation.

In an interview with Sputnik, Assad disclosed plans for Russia and Syria to sign agreements on 40 specific investment projects relating to various sectors.

He also mentioned discussions about Syria's rapprochement with Turkey, despite the latter's continued military support for Syrian rebel forces.

Assad expressed a willingness to deepen Russia's military presence in Syria.

The agreements will be signed within weeks, according to Assad.

Read more on Al-Monitor.

Boeing wins $37 billion Saudi Arabia deal for new airline

Saudi Arabia's flag carrier, Saudia, and the new international airline, Riyadh Air, will purchase 78 Boeing Co. 787 Dreamliners, with options for additional planes, in a deal valued at almost $37 billion, according to the White House.

Riyadh Air, owned by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, will be run by former Etihad Aviation Group boss Tony Douglas and aims to connect over 100 global destinations by 2030.

The deal is part of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's effort to diversify the economy and make it less dependent on oil and comes after the restoration of diplomatic ties with Iran.

Read more on Bloomberg.

Lebanon's pound plunges to a new low

Lebanon's currency has hit a new low, with the exchange rate at an unprecedented 100,000 Lebanese pounds to the dollar on the black market, as the country's banks resumed their strike on Tuesday, March 14.

The official exchange rate set by the Central Bank is 15,000 pounds for $1, but the black market rate is used for most transactions.

Lebanon has been facing a financial crisis since 2019 due to rampant corruption and mismanagement by the political and financial elite, resulting in 80% of the population living in poverty and soaring inflation.

Read more on Associated Press.

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About me

My name is Dario Sabaghi, and I am a freelance journalist interested in international news focusing on the MENA region.

Check out my work at dariosabaghi.com.

You can follow me on Twitter: @DarioSabaghi

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Cover photo: Ramil Sitdikov/AP - The Guardian

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