Dozens killed in South Sudan tribal violence [Al-Alam, Iran]

Presenter, Male #1
The UN Security Council discussed the situation in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states, as requested by the US. Meanwhile, the US envoy to the UN has called for opening roads in order to deliver aid for the nearly half a million people threatened by famine. However, the Sudanese envoy to the UN denied that a humanitarian crisis is looming in the region. The diplomat added that the road is open for anyone who wants to help, but not to armed groups posing a threat to security.

Reporter, Male #1
If anyone thinks that Sudan's problems ended after the South seceded last year, they are wrong. The battles among the southern tribes have claimed hundreds of lives over the past weeks under the watch of the international community that has failed to protect civilians. Meanwhile, the armed rebels continue to disrupt security in the South Kordofan and Blue Nile states. The US, through its envoy at the UN Security Council, warned of dire consequences if the roads are not open to help the besieged residents.

Guest, Female #2 (Susan Rice, US Permanent Representative to the UN)
The first line of efforts must be to persuade the government of Sudan to grant immediate and unconditional access to the region. The UN has put forward proposals to the government of Sudan for cross-line assistance efforts. These proposals have not yet been accepted.

Reporter, Male #1
Rice also spoke of the importance of coordinating efforts among regional organizations, such as the African Union and the Arab League, in order to save the nearly 500,000 people threatened by famine in the areas of conflict. However, the Sudanese envoy to the UN denied that a humanitarian crisis is looming in the region and accused South Sudan and western countries of aiding the rebels in violation of the peace agreements. The Sudanese envoy estimated the number of rebels targeted by painful military strikes at 30,000, vowing that Khartoum will not allow for another rebellion to take place in the region.

Presenter, Female #1
In South Sudan, 51 people from the Dinka Tribe were killed in an attack launched by gunmen from the Murle Tribe in the state of Jonglei. The governor of Jonglei said that the 22 injured were evacuated by helicopters. Meanwhile, the UN launched an "emergency" operation to help 60,000 people affected by the violence.

Reporter, Female #2
Salva Kiir Mayardit has not yet enjoyed the independence of Juba from Khartoum following the secession of South Sudan from the north, as tribal confrontations broke out between the Nuer and Murle tribes in the region of Jonglei. The latest news confirmed that hundreds of people have been killed on a daily basis over the past months. In a new wave of armed confrontations, dozens of people were killed over the past two days in a tribal village in northern Jonglei. According to the governor of Jonglei, the local authorities were forced to evacuate the injured to the capital Juba due to the lack of medical care in the village, which was burnt down by rival tribes fighting over cattle.

Guest, Female #3
Some people, including women and children, were stabbed or shot. Most of the dead were children and elderly.

Reporter, Female #2
Knowledgeable sources of northern and southern Sudanese affairs believe that the reason for the spark of armed confrontations among southern tribes has to do with the spread of firearms in the region due to the civil war between the north and the south. In addition, the Murle Tribe has often complained of discrimination and a lack of representation in the Juba government. Others believe the violence, which has been escalating since last summer, is being fueled by rumors suggesting that the government of North Sudan is arming the Murle Tribe, which sparked retaliatory attacks on both sides. The tribal conflict that has claimed thousands of lives since the end of last year, as confirmed by the UN, has attracted the world's attention to the crimes and violations committed in the region. It has also raised concerns about the ability of Juba rulers to administer their young state.

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Israel launches deadly air strike on Gaza [BBC Arabic, UK]

Presenter, Male #1
A Palestinian medical source said two Palestinians were killed in an air strike launched by the Israeli Air Force on Wednesday at noon on the town of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. The Israeli army admitted to launching the strike and indicated that those targeted were preparing to attack Israel.

Reporter, Male #2
This ambulance is rushing towards an area near the town of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza. However, the people it hoped to rescue died almost immediately. Two Palestinians died in this incident and three others were wounded, according to medical sources. An Israeli warplane raided this area near the Israeli border. Fragments of the rockets launched on the targeted site confirm the Israeli army's claim that several of its tanks were used in the attack. As usual, there are conflicting reports about the identity of those targeted in the attack. The Israeli army said they were a group of people planning to launch an attack on Israel, however, Palestinians gathering at a relief center told journalists that all victims were civilians. Hamas, which has been ruling the Gaza Strip since 2007, reached a truce with Israel after the war launched against the Strip by the Israeli army three years ago. However, this truce did not stop the exchange of attacks between Israel and small factions of the armed Palestinians at the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip. Anwar al-Ansi, BBC.

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Israeli official says decision to attack Iran is 'very far off' [Al Jazeera, Qatar]

Presenter, Female #1
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said his country is "very far off" at the moment from deciding on whether to launch a military strike on Iran. This comes as Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned against launching a military strike on Iran, saying it would be a catastrophe. Lavrov added that his country strongly opposes imposing additional sanctions on Tehran.

Reporter, Male #1
Once again, Iran is attracting regional and international attention as it proceeds with its uranium enrichment programs. Iran is on the verge of suffering a new round of sanctions and the European Union is considering imposing an embargo on imported Iranian oil. Tehran responded by expressing willingness to hold negotiations about its nuclear programs in Istanbul. The Iranian foreign minister indicated that talks are being held in this regard.

Guest, Male #2 (Ali Salehi, Iranian Foreign Minister)
There is a negotiation going on about the place and date of talks on the Iranian nuclear issue between Turkish Minister Davutoglu, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton, and the Iranian chief negotiator Saeed Jalili.

Reporter, Male #1
It looks like Iran is not alone in facing pressure from the West. There are international powers that have vital interests in Iran, most notably China and Russia. Russia has helped build Iran's nuclear program and opposes sanctions and military intervention.

Guest, Male #3 (Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister)
Any military campaign will have dire consequences. This concerns us because the number of refugees from Iran to Azerbaijan and Russia will be enormous.

Reporter, Male #1
While Israel refuses to verify whether it possesses nuclear weapons, senior officials have often threatened to resort to the military option to eliminate what they consider the Iranian nuclear threat.

Guest, Male #4 (Danny Ayalon, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister)
I think it's quite obvious to everyone that Iran becoming a nuclear state is unacceptable. I believe that such a situation means the end of the world order as we know it, and it will be extremely dangerous not only for the region but for the entire international community.

Reporter, Male #1
However, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak ruled out that Israel has made a decision to launch a strike on Iran. On previous occasions, Israeli officials made statements that were later contradicted by their actions. Their warplanes shelled what they said was a Syrian nuclear plant, causing major debates at the UN Security Council and among American decision makers. A short while ago, their warplanes held training sessions with Italian fighter jets to carry out long-range air missions which many speculate are in preparation to shell Iranian nuclear sites.

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Obama praises Jordanian king for leadership in Mideast peace process [IBA, Israel]

In Washington, US President Barack Obama praised Jordan's King Abdullah for hosting the recent talks between Israel and the Palestinians and for being the first Arab leader to call for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down from power. The Jordanian monarch said that in his belief that once the issue of borders is determined, the issue of settlements would be solved and security talks could begin immediately.

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Israel slams Clegg's settlements remarks [IBA, Israel]

Visiting in London, Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon harshly condemned recent statements from Britain's Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg against Israel's settlement policy. Speaking to the British press, Ayalon said that Clegg's statements were not only inaccurate but potentially harmful. Clegg's comment came during talks on Monday with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, when he said that expanding settlements was an act of deliberate vandalism directed against a two-state solution. According to Ayalon, the head of Britain's liberal democrats provided the Palestinians with further justification to avoid direct talks with Israel and discourages the signing of a lasting Middle East peace agreement.

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Ethiopian Jews march to Netanyahu's residence to protest racism [IBA, Israel]

At this hour, hundreds of Ethiopian Jews and their supporters are making their way to the Prime Minister's residence in the capital, to protest what they're describing as the ongoing discrimination against members of the local Ethiopian community. The crowd is expected to reach thousands who will continue their mass rally against racism in the city's central Zion Square later this evening. Today's events are a culmination of a three-day protest march inspired by 26-year-old Mulet Hararo, who is an IDF officer and a physical education student of Ethiopian origin. Harao left his Kiryat Malachi home on foot on Monday and has walked the entire distance to the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem, saying that he hopes to awaken society from its coma-like lack of awareness of continued discrimination.

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Syrian army, Free Army agree to ceasefire in Zabadani [Future TV, Lebanon]

Presenter, Male # 1
Al-Assad's brigades killed 20 civilians as the military campaign continues in a number of cities. The brigades heavily shelled al-Zabadani after failing to storm the city due to fierce resistance by the Free Syrian Army. Al-Assad's brigades also launched attacks on Deir az-Zour and many neighborhoods of Homs Province.

Reporter, Male # 2
Homs is caught in the crossfire and its residents are under siege. Al-Assad's brigades heavily and indiscriminately shelled most neighborhoods in Homs, notably al-Bayada, Deir Baalbeh, Khalidiya, al-Kusur, al-Qusayr, and Baba Amr, with many shells falling on residential homes. Activists said Syrian security forces are using rocket launchers and firing heavily at neighborhoods holding anti-regime protests, as snipers stationed on rooftops are targeting anybody walking on the streets. Activists posted videos online showing new army defectors in al-Bayada neighborhood of Homs pledging to protect civilians from the violence of al-Assad's brigades.

Guest, Male # 3
It's a defensive mission against al-Assad's army, the security forces, and the shabeha, and that is because of Iran and Hezbollah's interference.

Reporter, Male # 2
The security tension extended to Jabal al-Zawiyah in Idlib, where activists said al-Assad's brigades targeted the village of al-Bara with heavy weaponry and machine guns, amid reports of one shell falling in a residential area. The same sources said Syrian forces, backed by tanks, are surrounding many areas in Daraa Province as an arrest campaign is carried out in Jassem. Under these conditions, it was reported that the Syrian army withdrew from the city of al-Zabadani in the countryside of Damascus after the Free Syrian Army foiled the Syrian security's plan to storm the city. Al-Zabadani has been subjected to a military operation since last Friday, described as the largest since the arrival of Arab observers to the country. Prominent Syrian dissident Kamal al-Labwani revealed that the fierce resistance by the Free Syrian Army and the defections from the army forced the regime to negotiate with the Free Army and agree to withdraw its forces from al-Zabadani. Al-Labwani said the agreement was reached between the leaders of the city and General Assef Shawqat, the brother-in-law of President Bashar al-Assad. The opposition's supporters quickly took to the streets of their city, chanting anti-Assad slogans.

Guest, Male # 4
Zabadani; January 18, 2012; after the complete withdrawal of Assad's soldiers from the city of al-Zabadani.

Reporter, Male # 2
In a video posted online, the Free Syrian Army-affiliated battalion of Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib in Zabadani reviewed the outcome of the battles it waged against al-Assad's brigades in the city in the past few days.

Guest, Male # 5
The destruction of two tanks, two armored vehicles, and a troop carrier, in addition to killing over 35 shabeha.

Reporter, Male # 2
In conjunction with these developments, the opposition's social networking pages circulated a video clip showing shabeha members being questioned by the Free Syrian Army after their arrest in al-Zabadani. In another video clip, a Syrian tank is seen engulfed in flames. The opposition said the Free Syrian Army shelled it in al-Zabadani as Syrian security forces tried to storm the city. As the crackdown and violence continues, mass anti-regime protests were held in many cities and towns, demanding that the international community immediately stop the bloodshed in Syria.

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Bahraini troops attack anti-regime protest in Manama [Press TV, Iran]

In Bahrain, Saudi-backed forces have once again attacked anti-regime rallies in the capital and adjoining districts. The regime forces fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse protestors in Manama. Several people have also been arrested near the Foreign Ministry. The march was organized by al-Wefaq and other opposition groups despite a warning by the government. The protestors chanted anti-regime slogans and demanded the release of those detained during anti-regime rallies. Bahrainis have been holding demonstrations on an almost daily basis despite the crackdown. Scores of people have been killed since protest rallies began early last year. Demonstrators want freedom and the downfall of the al-Khalifa regime.

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Two UK soldiers arrested for abuse of Afghan children [Press TV, Iran]

The Afghan government has demanded an immediate inquiry into alleged child abuses by British forces in the country. A statement from President Hamid Karzai's office has called the incident "disgusting." President Karzai said in a statement that the government of Afghanistan has been deeply disturbed by the reports on Wednesday. He said the government strongly denounces the immoral act by the British soldiers.

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Turkey summons Iraqi envoy over 'interference' claims [Al-Iraqiya TV, Iraq]

Presenter, Female #1
Turkey summoned Iraq's ambassador to Ankara to protest claims that Turkey is interfering in Iraq's internal affairs by voicing concerns about its domestic political crisis.

Presenter, Male #1
The Turkish Foreign Ministry's undersecretary, Feridun Sinirlioglu, informed the Iraqi ambassador that Turkey has a legitimate right to be concerned about events on the other side of its border. In turn, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry summoned the Turkish ambassador to Baghdad to protest statements made by Turkish officials, which are considered to be interference in Iraq's internal affairs. The relationship between Baghdad and Ankara is in a new crisis following recent statements by Turkish politicians that are considered interference in Iraqi affairs.

Presenter, Female #1
Turkish members of parliament confirmed that interfering in other countries' internal affairs is like playing with fire. They called on the Turkish government to solve the issues with its neighboring countries.

Reporter, Female #2
Turkey has moved from solving problems to having a large number of its own. These days, it seems as though Ankara is being asked to review the principles of its foreign policy, especially since a number of questions are being raised about the ways in which the Turkish government dealt with recent regional events. Is Turkey trying to prevent an explosion of sectarian and ethnic conflicts in the region, or is it playing a prominent role in fueling these conflicts? It has become obvious that Turkey's relationships with its neighbors must change, especially after these relationships have reached a low point in the past several months. Ankara's relations with Baghdad, which were until recently described as normal, entered a new crisis due to the Turkish government's direct interference in Iraq's internal affairs and its adoption of a policy that supports a particular party and sect.

Guest, Male #4 (Akbar Bashal, Former Turkish Member of Parliament)
Through your TV channel, we offer our condolences to all families of the martyrs who were victims of terrorism in Iraq. As for the foreign policy that the Turkish government is adopting towards its neighbors, be it Iraq or Syria, it does not represent the Turkish people's position. It only expresses the government's opinion because the Turkish people are always committed to the principle of peace. I believe that interfering in the internal affairs of other countries is equivalent to playing with fire. And this is what the Turkish government is currently doing. The consequences for security and the economy will be dire if these interventions continue.

Reporter, Female #2
Despite the good relationship between Damascus and Ankara, the latter plays a prominent role in fueling the Syrian crisis. It rushed to open its doors to the Syrian dissidents and to train the refugees who defected from the Syrian army. The situation does not appear to be any better in terms of Turkey's relations with its European neighbors, such as Greece and Armenia. Political observers are surprised by the Turkish ruling party's policies that have included attacks, supplying arms, and no-fly and buffer zones. Meanwhile, Turkish citizens are searching for the reason that turned a friend into an enemy overnight. The answer may be found behind closed doors in meetings between Turkey and its allies. Ibik Uznourk, al-Iraqiya, Istanbul.