Iran's Gen Hossein Almassi escaped unhurt when gunmen attacked his convoy on Saturday. Photo: Tasnim News Agency
Iran's Gen Hossein Almassi escaped unhurt when gunmen attacked his convoy on Saturday. Photo: Tasnim News Agency
Iran's Gen Hossein Almassi escaped unhurt when gunmen attacked his convoy on Saturday. Photo: Tasnim News Agency
Iran's Gen Hossein Almassi escaped unhurt when gunmen attacked his convoy on Saturday. Photo: Tasnim News Agency

Iranian general survives attack in Sistan and Baluchestan province


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A senior commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps escaped unhurt when gunmen attacked his convoy in the country's restive south-east on Saturday, state media said.

A bodyguard of Brig Gen Hossein Almassi was killed in the attack at a checkpoint in Sistan and Baluchestan, the Irna news agency said.

The province bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan is often the scene of attacks or clashes between security forces and armed groups.

The slain bodyguard was identified as Mahmoud Absalan, the son of Gen Parviz Absalan, a commander of the IRGC in the region.

State television said "criminals" had opened fire at the checkpoint, at the entrance to the provincial capital of Zahedan.

Irna said security forces arrested those behind the attack.

The attack came two days after Iran announced the arrest in Sistan and Baluchestan of three people it said were linked to Israel's Mossad spy agency.

Poverty-stricken Sistan and Baluchestan is a flashpoint for clashes with smuggling gangs, as well as separatists from the Baloch minority and extremist militant groups.

In January, state media said three IRGC members were among nine people killed in a clash with "armed criminals" in the province.

And in November, Irna said three members of the security forces were killed in similar circumstances.

At least 20 people were reported killed in the bombing of a bus carrying paramilitary forces in Sistan and Baluchestan in February 2019. State media said the attack was claimed by Jaish Al Adl (Army of Justice) militant group.

With reporting from agencies

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Director: Rupert Wyatt

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The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

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The Emirates Charity Portal

You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments

The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Al Noor Special Needs Centre

You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.

Beit Al Khair Society

Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.

Dar Al Ber Society

Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.

Dubai Cares

Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.

Emirates Airline Foundation

Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.

Emirates Red Crescent

On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.

Gulf for Good

Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.

Noor Dubai Foundation

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).

VEZEETA PROFILE

Date started: 2012

Founder: Amir Barsoum

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: HealthTech / MedTech

Size: 300 employees

Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)

Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC

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Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

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Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

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Updated: April 23, 2022, 9:40 AM