Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has chaired a two-day meeting of the National Security Council. In a note he considers the Iranian attack on the “barbaric” raid on the Tel Aviv embassy a “legitimate act.” From the Philippines “great concern” about the growing tension. First repercussions on air traffic in the region.
Kuala Lumpur () – A “legitimate” response and a just “retaliation” for the Israeli air attack against the Iranian embassy in Damascus, on April 1, which caused the death of several people, including a senior Pasdaran officer , General Mohammad Reza Zahedi. This is how the Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, judges the operation with drone attacks and hundreds of missiles launched by Tehran against the Jewish State on the night of April 13 to 14, largely thwarted by the anti-aircraft defense system and the allies. -from Jordan to the United States- who intervened. An attack with a strong emotional impact and the first direct attack on Israeli territory by the Islamic Republic, but which caused minor material damage and a serious injury, a girl belonging to the bedouin community.
After deliberating in a two-day special meeting that began yesterday with the National Security Council, in the presence of ministers and senior officials, on the escalation of the Middle East crisis, Anwar Ibrahim himself stressed in a note: “The attack of Iran is a legitimate act [en respuesta] to Tel Aviv's barbaric assault on the consulate building of the Islamic Republic, adjacent to the embassy.” The prime minister then added that the executive took favorable note of the guarantees given by Tehran that this will be the only reaction, barring new attacks From Israel.
“We join the entire civilized world,” the head of government continued, “in urging the Israeli Zionist regime not to aggravate an already tense situation. There are clear signs that the world does not want to see a worsening of the situation.” Ibrahim further stated that the impact of the situation on the national economy has been minimal so far, with the Kuala Lumpur stock market opening slightly lower, reflecting regional trends. However, he went on to say that the government will continue to monitor the situation and take preventive measures to ensure the safety, well-being and prosperity of all Malaysians. “The interests of the country,” he confirmed, “will be our main concern.”
The two-day meeting and debate with the National Security Cabinet shows the high level of tension and seriousness with which the leaders in Kuala Lumpur view events and news in the Middle East region. The objective, the prime minister assured, is to “protect Malaysia and its citizens” from the consequences of military and armed drift. He added that the key to resolving the issue is a just, equitable and immediate solution to the situation in Gaza, where Israel's war against Hamas, in response to the October 7 attack, has caused more than 33,000 deaths and a humanitarian catastrophe. . “World attention must be focused on a quick solution to this problem.” There must be a “lasting ceasefire” that allows “the passage of humanitarian aid” and, in this sense, “Malaysia's last contribution, of 100 containers, is scheduled to leave on April 27.”
The game of alliances is also being played in Southeast Asia in the face of an escalation between Israel and Iran in the Middle East that is causing great concern. If Malaysia, while respecting a common Islamic faith, claims Tehran's right to defend itself after the attack on the embassy, it was previously the government of Singapore the one who intervened, saying that he was willing to defend local Jews from the consequences of the war [en Gaza]. Earlier, the executive had slapped the local Israeli embassy over a social media post with references to “Israel and Palestine” in the Koran that was deemed “unacceptable” because it risked inflaming Muslim tempers. The Philippine authorities express their “serious concern” about the growing tension and, in a note, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Manila urges the parties to “work for a peaceful solution to the conflict.” Some ministers, for their part, ask the government to pay close attention to the fate of compatriots living and working in Iran and Israel, even going so far as to repatriate them if necessary.
Finally, one of the risk sectors related to tension in the Middle East is air traffic, since Iranian airspace in particular is often used by companies operating between Europe and Southeast Asia (and India). With new closures, such as those that occurred on the night of the attack, the duration and cost of flights will necessarily increase, as will fuel consumption. An immediate example is the direct (until now) Qantas flight from Perth to London, which was forced to stop in Singapore to put on the extra fuel needed to cover the route change.
