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| The War Zone |
FINAL UPDATE 27 January 2024: In the nine days since Pakistan launched retaliatory strikes deep into Iranian territory there's been only one OSINT analysis that carries any water.
To begin with, why did Iran initiate hostilities with a nuclear-armed Pakistan? Was it to signal the world powers that it was now nuclear-armed itself and had no fear of Pakistani nukes? It was Pakistan, in the person of the father of Pakistan's nuclear weapons program (A.Q. Khan, for those with recollection) who clandestinely put Iran and the IRGC on the fast track to nuclear weapons development. So why strike Pakistan which is neither an ally of Iran nor a full-fledged foe either.
Consider that Iran has been attacked on its soil a great many times by Israel, much less its bases and operatives in Lebanon and Syria, and Iran has never once retaliated against nuclear-armed Israel in a reciprocal manner. Ditto for the USA, and the assassination of IRGC-QF MG Qassem Soleimani by the Trump Administration. Hajj Soleimani was a very, very close ally of Ayatollah Khamenei, a fact discussed previously on Eschatology Today.
The fact remains Iran fears both Israel and the US (even with Biden at the helm, and albeit at different levels, so direct retaliation has not occurred, and likely will not occur at the present time. Therefore, Iran took the lesser risk and hit Baluchi separatist camps in Pakistan to vent its desire for vengeance. The mullahs assessed quasi-correctly that Pakistan would reciprocate in-kind; a diplomatic kerfuffle would ensue (it did) and that would be that. This is what took place, but lost in 99% of all discussion on this is the fact that Pakistan is the only nation on earth to attack the territory of Iran with ballistic missile strikes since the end of the Iran-Iraq War in 1988.
This does not sit well with the mullahs in Tehran, and additional fall-out will surface soon, perhaps in a month's time in the coming election in Iran of the next Assembly of Experts. The new assembly will be far more radical as the days of the so-called "reformists" are over. It is also quite likely according to many observers of the Islamic Republic that the new Experts Assembly will elevate the current president, Ebrahim Raisi, to the office of Supreme Leader in place of the increasingly frail Ayatollah Khamenei. None in Iran today have more innocent blood on their hands than Raisi, and upon elevation he'll be more lethal than ever before.
15 January 2024: At 03:00 this morning US and UK strike aircraft, supported by the Canadian, Dutch, Australian and Bahrani military forces, swarmed into Houthi-controlled Yemen to strike multiple Houthi military bases, launch pads, ordnance depots located in Sana'a, Hodeida port, Dhamar and their stronghold at Saada. A Houthi spokesman says the US and UK "will pay a heavy price for this blatant aggression." Once again, at Iranian Twelver instigation and outright arming with missiles and drones, Yemen has become a new front in the End Times "wars and rumors or war."
It would seem logical that a campaign by the aforementioned Western allies for regime change in Houthi-controlled Yemen is the viable path to put an end to the ballistic missile and drone threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait. This may seem wishful thinking given that a UK government official has stated that today's strikes in Houthi Yemen were "limited." What is obvious is that a war has been in progress at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula for some time now, and with these airstrikes that war has escalated once again with a necessary Western intervention.
10 January 2024: The lead off SITREP for 2024 is to highlight the war zone where kinetic warfare is occurring, and anticipated, sooner or later, according to Bible prophecy which has been covered here for 15 years and counting. The archives are readily accessible for refresher reading. Eschatology Today assesses that now is the time to lean forward once again in anticipation of coming events.
In this map Yemen, a currently active participant in the ongoing war against Israel, as well as Eritrea, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Somalia are included because in ancient times they were inclusive of the Biblical land of Sheba to one extent or another. The land of Sheba is prominently referenced in the subsequent prophecy of Ezekiel 38/39. At this time it is not possible for Sheba in conjunction with the land of Dedan, to complain or protest the invasion attempt of Gog of Magog. Clearly it can be inferred that some major event will transform the current paradigm for Ezekiel's prophecy to occur as literally as it is written, which undoubtedly will be the future reality. Sudan is included as it is Kuwsh of Ezekiel 38/39. Egypt is included for both the current Israel-Gaza war and other prophetic events which will see Israel in control of all the land from the Nile River through the Sinai to the southern Negev border of the State of Israel. Libya, not specifically color-coded here is the land of Phut, also a participant of the Magog invasion.
Currently there are unconfirmed reports of IDF special forces operating along the Philadelphia corridor between Egypt and Gaza. This operation is designed to detect the remaining HAMAS leadership attempting to escape into Egypt with Israeli hostages through the extensive and currently active tunnel system underground there. These forces are also reportedly operating in Libya and Sudan for the same interdiction purposes.
The map above also illustrates in a single frame of reference the three critical maritime choke points of the Suez Canal, Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Strait of Hormuz. Blocking of one or more of these cannot be tolerated, particularly by the West, due to dire economic damage that can be done to the global economy with their closure.
The Philadelpi Corridor (image below) that will be in the news in the next few days as the IDF intends to take full control over it.
Going forward I'll post comments on perceived major events, leaving daily combat actions as routine events in wartime.
ReplyDeleteAt 0330GMT today the UKMTO issued an alert that a vessel sailing 50 miles east of Sohar, Oman was boarded by "unauthorized personnel" and since that time all communcation with the vessel has ceased. Allied naval forces are responding.
ReplyDeleteThe location is in international waters within the Gulf of Oman, very near Oman's northern border with the UAE on the SITREP map. This location is hundreds of milies north of the Houthi Bab al-Mandab maritime warzone. This may be an Iranian seizure and act of high-seas piracy.
Hijacked vessel identified as Marshall Islands-flagged crude oil tanker St. Nikolas.
DeleteIran has acknowledged its seizure of this "American crude oil tanker."
DeleteThe U.S should send a clear message to Iran, preferably delivered not by an ambassador but by our military.
DeleteI think the Biden Administration has shot itself in the foot in every arena of this war. In the Med, in Yemen and in the Gulf its been proven to have barked and not bitten. For three months the bluster has been ignored, proven toothless by the Shi'a enemy, because the Number 1 Biden objective is to prevent a full-scale war around the whole of the Arabian Peninsula. No matter how powerful your military forces are the failure to decisively use them makes them a moot afterthought. Iran and its proxies have not been deterred, they have been emboldened across the board. Checkmate.
DeleteIt's now or never for the Western allies to show their mettle.
DeleteI agree totally!
DeleteI expect nothing from the democrats except deception and stupidity.
The problem is our forces and influence continues to take the brunt of their decisions.
I very much wish for our Lord to put an end to the madness soon. I know He will in His perfect timing .
Marana'tha.
DeleteYour concise assessment in this Sitrep is eye popping. Extraordinary times… the shadow of the Tribulation is looming farther and wider across our current landscape.
ReplyDeleteCome, Lord Jesus!
Amen! We are commended by the Lord to WATCH! So watching is what we do without distraction. What good is any watchmen who is silent to those he/she watches over? It's a watchman's duty to warn.
DeleteThe strike in Yemen will have far-reaching reverberations across the MidEast...from Lebanon to Syria, to Iraq and their masters in Iran.
ReplyDeleteEscalating warfare appears certain, especially in Syria as both Isaiah and Jeremiah have foretold by the Spirit.
The US/UK air strikes hit 30 targets in 16 locations with 150 weapons in Houthi-controlled Yemen.
ReplyDeleteWell, well. Very encouraging.
ReplyDeleteThe US/UK had no choice but to strike the Houthis hard. All credibility hung on the threat to strike... which is exactly what the apocalyptic Twelver's wanted... a bigger war.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless God is in complete control. "These things must take place...
One could observe that by the means of their bunkum Shi'a eschatology the Iranian Twelvers are hastening not some bogus al-Mahdi, but their Divine judgment by the One true LORD God.
DeleteAnd, again it must be repeated, by the same measure this is also true for America, and all nations, especially Israel:
Delete“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” - Romans 13:1
Early this morning the US struck Houthi Yemen a second time.
ReplyDeleteThe USS Carney (DDG 64) launched Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles to strike and completely destroy a Houthi-controlled radar site which was providing targeting data on military and commercial vessels in the southern Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.
A large-scale terror attack has occurred in Ra'anana, central Israel. A combined multiple stabbings and automobile rammings. 18 injured, 1 critical, and including a number of school children. The attack remains an ongoing situation.
ReplyDeleteUPDATE:
Two suspects (cousins) arrested by Israeli police who were illegally in Israel. Both from near Hebron, traveled a good distance to engage in attempted killing of Israeli civilians, mainly school children. Had previously worked in Ra'anana area, knew the area well. 1 killed, a few others serious, about a dozen in medium condition. The IDF is operating in Hebron area which is a HAMAS hotspot. 80% of Hebron residents support the Oct 7 massacre.
This may be a game-changer, definitely part of the ongoing war.
A US-flagged commercial vessel (bulk carrier) has been hit, likely by a Houthi ballistic missile east of Aden.
ReplyDeleteI’m reading that Iran (not it’s militias) attacked the airport in Irbil, Iraq.
ReplyDelete-Jason G.
Yes, picked up on this from an i24 News report:
DeleteIran Launches Missiles at US Forces in Iraq
Waiting on US response.
A U.S. National Security Council spokesperson said no U.S. personnel or facilities were targeted by the IRGC missiles launched into Iraq and Syria.
DeleteThe German Bild publication has just leaked documents indicating Russia's plans to escalate the war in Ukraine throughout 2024 and into 2025 into a World War involving NATO.
ReplyDeleteEschatology Today provided its readers with an even earlier warning about this threat in Global SITREP C1-23:The World Is A Big Place. Note the section on the Suwalki Gap between Poland and Lithuania.
We've warned many times recently that a new world war is fast approaching. We know the only escape is through Jesus Messiah.
A World War which will be fought on multiple fronts. Russia between NATO, all-out war in the Middle East and war between China and Taiwan. This will cause a collapse of the financial system and the economy. Will we have to endure this war before we are caught up with the Rapture?
DeleteOnly the LORD God knows. Ask Him.
DeleteWhile I am looking for the Harpazo every day, I have to say that for me, whether we are here or not matters not. The reason is, regardless of what is going on in the world or how bad things get, I know who sits on the throne and He has promised to never leave me nor forsake me. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.
DeleteI know my flesh wants me to give in to fear for all the things we see on the horizon, but I have The Holy Spirit living inside of me. And if that same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you, He will give life to your mortal body.
Undeniable fact for every human being.
DeleteThe IDF has completed its maneuver operation in the northern Gaza; mop up operations continue seeking out isolated HAMAS and PIJ terrorists for elimination.
ReplyDeleteIn central Gaza the IDF maneuvering phase is nearly completed, perhaps just days remain.
In southern Gaza the IDF maneuver operation is also winding down save for IDF full control over the "Philadelphi Corridor" which is the entire 14 km border between Egypt and Gaza. The IDF will seize this entire area now that issues with Egypt have been resolved.
Israel will then have full control of every Gaza border, coastline and tunnel crossing, especially on the Egyptian border which enabled the heavy weaponization of the terror organizations in Gaza. An illustration of the "Philadelphi Corridor" will be added to this SITREP.
The West's tepid, if not pathetic response to Iran's Houthi proxy warfare (US/UK with limited allied support) shows the level of disarray with NATO.
ReplyDeleteFrench and Italian defense ministers are whining about this, even though these two nations refused to participate in the recent retaliation.
As noted here, the Iranian/Houthi axis has been undeterred from further attacks on both commercial and naval vessels.
Two more attacks have occurred on defensless commercial vessels in the last 24 hours.
US strike(s) again on Houthi missile sites today.
DeleteIran has launched unprecedented ballistic missile attacks on the camps of the Sunni jihadist group Jaish al Adl in Pakistan. Pakistan, a real nuclear weapons power, says women and children were killed in today's attacks.
ReplyDeleteMan, Elam is just begging for Jeremiah 49:35-38!
DeleteJer 49:36 - that now covers the fourth (eastern) of the 'four winds' / 'four corners of the heavens'. Buckle-up. Bro. Steve
DeletePakistan has virtually broken diplomatic relations with Iran.
DeleteAnd the Arab League is none too pleased either. Iran has done its part to reignite the Sunni-Shi'a schism. Good timing.
DeleteWe're gonna need a bigger map!
DeleteAt a time of expanding warfare in the MidEast and in Europe, cross-border conflict has pushed its way into South Asia with the nuclear-armed Islamic Republic of Pakistan launching deadly counter airstrikes into the wannabe nuclear-armed Islamic Republic of Iran overnight.
Has Iran another impetus to arm itself with nukes ASAP?
Each country has now unilaterally struck the other's territory at what they claim are terrorist groups being harbored by the other.
This is the continuing literal fulfillment of Jesus' Olivet Discourse concerning wars and rumors of wars, nation against nation, ethnic against ethic, kingdom against kingdom while great quakes and famine strike in diverse locations around the world.
Day 103 of the war continues in Gaza, Lebanon, Judea, Samaria, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, and according to PM Netanyahu it's likely to continue throughout 2024 and into 2025.
ReplyDeleteIMHO the reason for this assessment is US and other Western nations incessant political meddling in the IDF's operational plans.
Nevertheless, the end result will be 100% IAW the Lord's prophetic word.
So Be It!!!
DeleteThe IDF has hit Hezbollah in southern Lebanon in a manner that is indistinguishable from full-scale warfighting. Hardened Hezbollah targets have been turned into pulp.
ReplyDeleteThese strikes appear to be preparatory to a major IDF land warfare operation against Hezbollah and their terrorist allies, which is the Twelver's worst nightmare.
Iran has had well over 100 days to strike hard at Israel, even with its own vaunted ballistic missile forces, but nothing of the sort has occurred.
Why?
Twelver clerics, despite their apocalyptic rhetoric, possess an incapacitating fear of nuclear-armed Israel.
That would mesh with their (Iran) response to the Pakistani counterstrikes - attempting to 'de-escalate'. Bro. Steve
DeleteDe-escalation is now a fact. Pakistan's government has voted to stand down and re-establish diplomatic relations with Iran. Big mistake.
DeleteAs Israel continued observing the Sabbath this morning, rocket and aircraft intrusion alerts began sounding all along the border with Lebanon.
ReplyDeleteAs of 12:30 PM Israel Standard Time the sirens have alerted at least 20 towns, moshavs and kibbutz from the sea to the mountains. Air warnings in Israel of this scale have been unprecedented in over 3 months of tensions and cross border strikes.
Confirmed: A massive rocket and missile barrage is underway by Hezbollah into Israel from the coastal plain to the western Galilee, missile impacts are being reported in Israel all along the front.
DeleteThis escalation is almost certainly in response to an earlier IAF strike in Damascus which reports say killed many IRGC officers and Syrian troops.
Seeking OSINT details...
At approximately 10 AM IAF missiles targeted and leveled a four-story residential building in the tightly guarded western Damascus neighborhood of Mazzeh.
DeleteThe building was the IRGC-QF HQ in Damascus. A meeting of the IRGC-QF commander, his deputy, intelligence agents and the heads of multiple IRGC-QF militias in Syria was in progress. There are no reported survivors of the strike. This strike was obviously based on highly actionable, real-time intelligence collection.
Additional strikes occurring in southern Lebanon at this time. Time will tell if this is the start of the expected northern front war.
Strike in Lebanon is reported as IAF UAV which rocketed a vehicle carrying two HAMAS terrorists. Both killed in the strike.
DeleteToday's instantaneous cross-border action was limited in scope.
DeleteThe rapid missile response by Hezbollah to the IAF Damascus strike appears to have been a one-off Iranian directive of retribution.
No reports thus far of deaths, injuries or damage from the missiles launched into Israel.
Two primary globalist (enemy) media concerns are running blatant and simultaneous disinformation campaigns against Israel during wartime. They are CNN and the New York Times.
ReplyDeletePM Netanyahu this evening:
ReplyDelete"I will not compromise on full Israeli security control over all the territory west of Jordan. And this is contrary to a Palestinian state."
The Global Oligarchy and Eliteists meeting at Davos are openly discussing how they're ready to roll out the multi-functional DIGITAL ID (i.e. Mark of the Beast).
ReplyDeleteMulti-functional? Yes. The Digital ID will contain complete information on an individual's financial, educational, medical and other critical issues.
HAMAS' begging for a cessation of the war has been rejected by Israel. In fact, Israel's rejection goes far beyond just Gaza.
ReplyDeletePM Netanyahu doubles down:
"We are continuing the war on all fronts and in all sectors. We are not giving immunity to any terroris, not in Gaza, not in Lebanon, not in Syria and not anywhere. Whoever tries to harm us, we will harm him."
Boom!
Well, they (Israel) have been referencing 'Old Testament justice' and 'Amalek' of late. Lex talionis.
DeleteMistaking gentleness as weakness is the timeless mistake of thugs and bullies throughout history. Fool around too much - and find out.
On the positive side, there are multiple reports of Gazans receiving visions of Jesus. Repentance is greatly preferable to annihilation. Keep praying. Bro. Steve
Imagine the IDF troops who encounter Gazans proclaiming "Yeshua HaMashiach!"
DeleteAs of 8 January 2024 Iran could produce its first nuclear weapon in about 1 week. In one month it could produce 6 nuclear weapons. In five months it could have 12 nuclear weapons.
ReplyDeleteFrom an article in the Jerusalem Post.
Hope ya'll are following the near daily earthquakes of high magnitude occurring world wide.
ReplyDeleteWith both eyes.
ReplyDeleteMore prophecy being fulfilled! For how long have you seen this, Brother. And what site(s) do you use, may I ask?
ReplyDeleteThank you both! It’s not surprising that with the UNSC now pushing for a Palestinian State and Gueterres statement that any refusal to accept one “must be rejected,” etc. it’s understandable that not only is the sun upset, but the Son must be getting pretty upset, too. Praying that prophetic “line” gets crossed soon. And praying for the peace of Jerusalem!
DeleteShelley
IMHO the prophetic "line" (the dividing of Eretz Israel) was crossed with the UN Partition Plan of 1947.
ReplyDeleteThe so-called two-state solution has always been a means to an end, the end of Israel.
The Arabs reject the notion of anything short of the "river to the sea" destruction of Israel.
We can never forget or not be consciously mindful of the fact that God made no mistake in His inspiration of the Holy Spirit to Asaph to compose Psalm 83 circa 3,000 years ago.
(Psalm 83 is a prophetic song to be sung aloud, accompanied by musical instruments; it is no different than any inspired hymn sung in church or synagogue today.)
Back to the war...
ReplyDeleteShi'ite Iraqi Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada', Kata'ib Hezbollah and other Iraqi PMU militias loyal to Iran are threatening the mass launch of ballistic missiles on Haifa, Tel Aviv and other Israel port facilities. These are the Psalm 83 Asshur element.
This will trigger the IDF, possibly preemptively, to move on the northern front.
If these jihadist's decide to include any non-conventional payloads in such an attack, that could very well bring about the conclusion of biblical matters vis. Damascus and Elam.
DeleteBro. Steve
The final update for SITREP A1-24 will look at why the Islamic (Shi'a) Republic of Iran did not hesitate to attack the nuclear-armed Islamic (Sunni) Republic of Pakistan on 16 January 2024.
ReplyDeleteIt's as if almost no one noticed the obvious when it was duly noted here.
Bro. Sean; My understanding (which may or may not be correct), is that the Twelver jihadists in Tehran believe that fomenting a major kinetic conflict (e.g. with Israel, West, Sunni - Pakistan also being a nominal 'ally' of the US), will facilite / catalyze the return of their (Shi'a) Mahdi. I know that they care nothing for Iran in terms of 'love of country', and their 'messianic' vision would obviate any concerns about the longer-term issues from nuclear fallout for example. My thoughts. Bro Steve
DeleteJeremiah 49:36
ReplyDeleteThanks for the insight, Sean. That all seems pretty Chrystal clear. Wow, buckle up. Maranatha - Joe
ReplyDeleteBreaking News: Three U.S. soldiers were killed and more than two dozen injured in a drone attack at a base in Jordan. Iran responsible. Buckle up.
ReplyDeleteWill the current adminstration send a clear message direct to Iran ??
DeleteHere's a Twelver eschatological twist:
ReplyDeleteThe potential new Supreme Leader, Ebrahim Raisi, is from Khorasan. The Twelver's believe their al-Mahdi will come from... Khorasan.
Whoa, whoa and whoa!!!
Delete"The only answer to these attacks must be devastating military retaliation against Iran’s terrorist forces ... Anything less will confirm Joe Biden as a coward."
DeleteSenator Tom Cotton
A few well-placed MOABs perhaps . . . . Oh sorry, that was our previous president. Do we really think the current one will do anything substantial--let alone effectual in the long run. Word that 8 of the wounded soldiers are in critical condition. Prayers up!
ReplyDeleteFailing to deter an enemy is an invitation for aggression. We understand this; have said so many times. Now Biden and his administration has even more American blood on their hands. Democrats have learned absolutely nothing since Benghazi and Bagram.
ReplyDeleteBiden has 2 disasters he's responsible for, the attack in Jordan AND what's going on at our southern border. Both are directly his fault, both show his dereliction of duty, both can seriously escalate. That God for the Texas governor. I hope come January 20th, if we're still here, he's gone.
ReplyDeleteBiden is a walking disaster
ReplyDeleteReading this morning that the “friend or foe” AD system confused the kamikaze drone with a returning US recon UAV.
ReplyDeleteThat's the story, but taking it with salt.
DeleteCENTCOM will not confirm or deny the AD system "confusion". To spoof the encrypted IFF code of a US drone is beyond Kata'ib Hezbollah's or IRGC technical capabilities.
Delete