This is all very interesting, and I can quite believe it... but it's an article seemingly without much - if any? - exposition of sources or evidence?

- ed

in fact, I've never come across this ‘Middle East Eye’ and when I go to find out more about them, it's surprisingly sparse on information? https://www.middleeasteye.net/about-middle-east-eye

As I was once taught, many many years ago - of any article, always ask: “Why are these bastards lying to us?”