Kalonzo condemns Iran’s attack against Israel
Kenya's former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has joined other world leaders in condemning the attack on Israel by Iran.
In a statement on Monday, April 15, 2024, Kalonzo also commended the response to the conflict by the Group of Seven (G7) countries which include Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.
"I join the international community in condemning the attack on Israel by Iran at a time when all our energies ought to be directed at ending the war in Gaza. The coordinated united diplomatic response by the Group of Seven is commendable, as is the assurance by President Joe Biden that the US will not take part in any counter-offensive against Iran. This swift action has prevented a worse catastrophe," Kalonzo stated.
Kalonzo has also called on the international community to exercise restraint and allow the United Nations to de-escalate the conflict in the Middle East.
"We all must now prioritise restraint and allow the United Nations to take complete charge and defuse and de-escalate the crisis. Neither the Middle East nor the world can afford an all-out war at this time. The Middle East cannot go to war with itself so soon after Easter and Ramadhan celebrations," he added.
Ruto condemns Iran's attack
On Sunday, President William Ruto condemned Iran's decision to attack Israel, describing it as a disturbing development that is likely to aggravate the already delicate situation in the Middle East.
"Kenya is deeply concerned by Iran's attack on the State of Israel. This disturbing development only serves to aggravate an already delicate situation in the Middle East. The attack represents a real and present threat to international peace and security, contravenes the Charter of the United Nations and should be condemned by all peace-loving countries," Ruto said.
"In responding to this act of aggression, Kenya urges Israel to show utmost restraint taking into account the urgent need for all parties to walk away from the brink beyond which recovery will be enormously difficult."
Al Jazeera reports that at least nine Iranian ballistic missiles managed to elude Israel’s elaborate air defence system and the fire from allied militaries in the region.
"Five projectiles hit the Nevatim airbase, damaging a C-130 transport aircraft, a runway and empty storage facilities. An additional four ballistic missiles hit the Negev airbase, but there were no reports of significant damage," Al Jazeera reported.
"The Aero-3 is a very new system for the Israelis. It was the first time it was deployed. It’s designed to bring down ballistic missiles. The fact that nine actually got through is going to be a cause of concern for the Israelis. We’re hearing there is a post-mortem going on about the effectiveness of that Arrow-3 defence system. But the Israelis publicly are talking about the fact the systems were all successful."
According to further reports, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his war cabinet after the attack by Iran, but nothing was agreed upon on retaliatory attacks.
The cabinet – comprising Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, Minister Benny Gantz and several observers – met on Sunday night.
Iran unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones targeting Israel in retaliation for the April 1 strike on its consulate in Damascus that killed 13 people – including two senior generals and other members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
