army

SJENICA - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Friday he was very pleased with the results of the several-day Vihor (Whirlwind) 2024 joint tactical military exercise and noted that it reflected the way the Serbian army should "look like in the future."

The exercise was conducted at the Pester training range in southwestern Serbia.

In response to escalating tensions and growing concerns over a potential Iranian attack, the United States has taken decisive action by deploying two warships to the Middle East, a move aimed at safeguarding both Israel and American interests in the region.

Amid growing concerns over security in the wake of the conflict in Ukraine, Bulgaria's Acting Minister of Defense, Atanas Zapryanov, has addressed the issue of conscription, stating that while it is being discussed, no political decision has been reached as of yet.

In a departure from tradition, Bulgaria has announced the cancellation of the annual military parade featuring equipment and personnel on May 6, the Day of Courage and the Bulgarian Army. The decision was communicated by the Acting Minister of Defense, Atanas Zapryanov, citing the overlap of the Easter holidays with St. George's Day and the Day of Courage and the Bulgarian Army.

In a move aimed at bolstering the ranks of the Ukrainian armed forces amidst the ongoing war with Russia, the Verkhovna Rada has approved a bill in its first reading that would permit convicted individuals to serve in the military, as reported by Reuters.

Israel and Hamas both dampened hopes on Monday of a speedy breakthrough in Cairo talks towards a Gaza truce and hostage release deal after Egyptian state-linked media had reported "significant progress".

Israeli leaders were preparing Monday for military operations in Gaza's southern city of Rafah, where most of the Palestinian territory's population has fled after six months of fighting.

Talks in Cairo aimed at brokering a truce have made "significant progress", with more negotiations expected in the coming days, Egyptian state-linked outlet Al-Qahera reported Monday.

The U.N. Human Rights Council on Friday demanded a halt to all arms sales to Israel, highlighting warnings of "genocide" in its war in Gaza, which has killed more than 33,000 people.

The visit next week of General Dimitris Houpis, chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, to India will be another step in strengthening bilateral relations between Athens and New Delhi. 

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said Monday the Israeli military had withdrawn tanks and vehicles from the complex housing the besieged territory's main hospital, Al-Shifa, days after the launch of a major operation on the site as deadly airstrikes pounded Gaza.