Archive for the ‘Middle Orient’ Category
Turkey Not Resuming Military Operation in Northeast Syria: Security Source
Wednesday, December 4, 2019 Comments Off on Turkey Not Resuming Military Operation in Northeast Syria: Security SourceTurkey is fully abiding by the agreements it reached with Russia and the United States regarding northeast Syria and is not resuming its military offensive, a security source said on Monday.
Iran’s Guard threatens US, allies over protests
Wednesday, December 4, 2019 Comments Off on Iran’s Guard threatens US, allies over protestsThe head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard threatened the U.S. and its allies Monday as he addressed a pro-government demonstration attended by tens of thousands of people denouncing last week’s violent protests over a fuel price hike.
‘They will destroy everything here’: Turkish advance forces Syrians to flee homes as winter looms
Wednesday, December 4, 2019 Comments Off on ‘They will destroy everything here’: Turkish advance forces Syrians to flee homes as winter loomsHeavy fighting has continued despite a cease-fire deal in northern Syria after Turkey vowed to clear Syrian Democratic Forces from a 20-mile-deep “safe zone” between the border cities of Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ayn.
U.S. Commander Warns of Iranian Attack in Middle East
Wednesday, December 4, 2019 Comments Off on U.S. Commander Warns of Iranian Attack in Middle EastA top general said that America’s addition of 14,000 troops in the Persian Gulf since the spring would probably not deter Iran from carrying out a major strike.
At Least 13 Killed in Southern Iraq Protests
Wednesday, December 4, 2019 Comments Off on At Least 13 Killed in Southern Iraq ProtestsSecurity forces used live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protesters in southern Iraq Sunday, killing at least 13 people and wounding dozens more.
Former Islamic Movement Leader Ra’ad Salah Convicted of Incitement to Terrorism
Wednesday, December 4, 2019 Comments Off on Former Islamic Movement Leader Ra’ad Salah Convicted of Incitement to TerrorismLeader is expected to receive jail time for praising the actions of three Israeli Arabs who killed two Border Police officers in Jerusalem’s Old City in 2017.
Lebanese protesters clash with supporters of Hezbollah, Amal in Beirut
Wednesday, December 4, 2019 Comments Off on Lebanese protesters clash with supporters of Hezbollah, Amal in BeirutClashes broke out between anti-government demonstrators and supporters of the Shi’ite groups Hezbollah and Amal in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, early on Monday, as tensions escalated when demonstrators blocked a main bridge.
U.S. Resumes Large-Scale Operations Against ISIS in Northern Syria
Wednesday, December 4, 2019 Comments Off on U.S. Resumes Large-Scale Operations Against ISIS in Northern SyriaAfter a lull of several weeks, American troops and Syrian Kurdish fighters are once again conducting large-scale counterterrorism missions.
China Bids to Replace US Influence in the Middle East
Wednesday, December 4, 2019 Comments Off on China Bids to Replace US Influence in the Middle EastIn what could prove to be a serious challenge to the long-standing hegemony Washington has enjoyed in the region, Beijing is seeking to deepen its commercial ties in the Arab world, thereby encouraging Arab states to look to China to safeguard their future security needs rather than maintaining their traditional reliance on the US.
Return to the northeast: Syrian Army deployments against Turkish forces
Monday, December 2, 2019 Comments Off on Return to the northeast: Syrian Army deployments against Turkish forcesFive years ago, ISIS swept across northeast Syria, racking up a string of victories against the People’s Protection Units (YPG), Syrian Arab Army (SAA), and Free Syrian Army (FSA) alike. For Syrian loyalists, this defeat has been epitomized by the massacre at the Brigade 93 base and the defiance of one soldier, Yahya Adnan al-Shughri. […]
Israel and Syria exchange fire, Syrian aerial defense batteries destroyed, Israeli military says
Wednesday, November 27, 2019 Comments Off on Israel and Syria exchange fire, Syrian aerial defense batteries destroyed, Israeli military saysThe Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it carried out “wide-scale strikes” of targets in Syria belonging to Iranian forces and the Syrian regime, in response to the four rockets launched into Israel in the overnight hours.
Isil leaders with ‘vast amounts of cash’ planning comeback in Turkey, Iraq spy chief claims
Wednesday, November 27, 2019 Comments Off on Isil leaders with ‘vast amounts of cash’ planning comeback in Turkey, Iraq spy chief claimsSenior Islamic State members with access to “huge” amounts of money are in Turkey and plotting a comeback, an Iraqi spy chief has warned. Lieutenant General Saad al-Allaq, head of Iraq’s Military Intelligence, claimed in an interview with CNN that Iraq has given Ankara dossiers on nine alleged leaders of Islamic State of Iraq and […]
ISIS Fighters Are Gaining Strength After Trump’s Syria Pullout, U.S. Spies Say
Wednesday, November 27, 2019 Comments Off on ISIS Fighters Are Gaining Strength After Trump’s Syria Pullout, U.S. Spies SayThe Defense Intelligence Agency says ISIS is resurgent inside Syria and has a greater ability to mount terrorist attacks against the West as a result of President Donald Trump’s decision to hastily withdraw American troops from the war-torn country last month.
The Iraqi Newspaper ‘Tuktuk’ – The Voice Of The Demonstrators At Baghdad’s Tahrir Square, In The Shadow Of Censorship And Shutdowns Of Access To Internet
Wednesday, November 27, 2019 Comments Off on The Iraqi Newspaper ‘Tuktuk’ – The Voice Of The Demonstrators At Baghdad’s Tahrir Square, In The Shadow Of Censorship And Shutdowns Of Access To InternetAs the protests in Iraq against the government and the widespread corruption in the country that began in early October 2019 and escalated on October 25,[1] continue to gain momentum, some Iraqi journalists have launched a newspaper called Tuktuk to cover them. Based at the demonstrations’ center, Baghdad’s Tahrir Square, the newspaper covers protest events […]
Iran Military Power Report Statement
Tuesday, November 26, 2019 Comments Off on Iran Military Power Report StatementThe following remarks were delivered by Christian Saunders, the Senior Defense Intelligence Analyst for Iran, Defense Intelligence Agency.
Thanks to Trump, the Mullahs Are Going Bankrupt
Tuesday, November 26, 2019 Comments Off on Thanks to Trump, the Mullahs Are Going BankruptOne of the reasons behind IMF’s gloomy picture of Iran’s economy is linked to the Trump administration’s decision not to extend its waiver for Iran’s eight biggest oil buyers; China, India, Greece, Italy, Taiwan, Japan, Turkey and South Korea.
Iran: Hard Times for Ayatollahs
Tuesday, November 26, 2019 Comments Off on Iran: Hard Times for AyatollahsIt is an irony that not even the most devoted supporters of the ayatollahs can ignore that a country such as Iran, that prides itself on being one of the world’s largest oil producers, is unable to produce enough fuel to satisfy the needs of its own population.
Gaza stops fire as Israel agrees to Islamic Jihad demands: Islamic Jihad
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Gaza stops fire as Israel agrees to Islamic Jihad demands: Islamic JihadThe Gaza-based Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement says it is holding fire after the regime in Israel accepted its key demands, including stopping targeted killings, as part of an Egypt-mediated truce aimed at ending the military confrontation between the two sides.
US, Allies Split Over Fate of IS Foreign Fighters
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on US, Allies Split Over Fate of IS Foreign FightersThe United States and other members of the coalition to defeat the Islamic State failed to reach consensus on what to do with captured foreign fighters, one of several issues threatening to reverse gains made against the terror group in Syria and Iraq.
Iraq’s Sistani urges lawmakers to restore public faith in electoral process
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Iraq’s Sistani urges lawmakers to restore public faith in electoral processIraq’s prominent Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has called on legislators to promptly introduce a fair electoral law that would restore people’s faith in elections in the wake of weeks of protests in the capital Baghdad and a host of southern cities.
Old Tricks and the Iraqi Genie
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Old Tricks and the Iraqi GenieThey claim since force cannot impose democracy, it was wrong for the US to invade Iraq and dislodge Saddam Hussein. They ignore the fact that though force cannot impose democracy, impediments to democracy can, and have been, removed by force.
Iran condemns US show of support for ‘rioters’
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Iran condemns US show of support for ‘rioters’Iran condemned the United States’ support for “rioters” in a statement issued late Sunday, after two days of violent protests in the Islamic republic against a petrol price hike.
Turkish-Backed Syrian Fighters Seek Control of Major Highway in NE Syria
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Turkish-Backed Syrian Fighters Seek Control of Major Highway in NE SyriaFighting reportedly intensified between Turkish-backed Syrian fighters and U.S.-backed Kurdish forces Sunday over a major highway and a strategic town in northeastern Syria.
Partnership with Kurds against ISIS still strong, says US coalition general
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Partnership with Kurds against ISIS still strong, says US coalition generalA senior U.S. coalition commander said Friday the partnership with Syrian Kurdish forces remains strong and focused on fighting the Islamic State group, despite an expanding Turkish incursion into areas under Kurdish control.
Lebanon’s Protests Divide Hezbollah. Will It Strike Back?
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Lebanon’s Protests Divide Hezbollah. Will It Strike Back?He has fought Israel since the 1990s and killed many fighters in Syria’s civil war, but the increasing difficulty of working-class life in Lebanon and a popular revolt against the country’s leaders has forced Abu Hussein to reevaluate his decades-long service to Hezbollah.
U.S. designates ISIS-supporting brothers based in Turkey
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on U.S. designates ISIS-supporting brothers based in TurkeyThe U.S. Treasury Department has announced a new round of counterterrorism designations targeting the Islamic State’s support network. Among those sanctioned are two brothers — Ismail and Ahmet Bayaltun — who are based in Turkey and have acted as procurement agents for the group.
Protesters force postponement of Lebanese parliament session
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Protesters force postponement of Lebanese parliament sessionThousands of protesters rallying against the Lebanese political elite blocked roads in central Beirut on Tuesday, preventing lawmakers from reaching the parliament and forcing the postponement of a legislative session.
Hezbollah feels political heat of protest movement in Lebanon
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Hezbollah feels political heat of protest movement in LebanonYoung men chanting “people want to bring down the regime” gathered outside the office of Lebanese legislator Mohammed Raad, the powerful head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc. A man grabbed a metal rod and swung it at the sign bearing Raad’s name, knocking it out of place as others cheered.
Qatar’s silence on Iran’s ship attacks ‘devastating at all levels’
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Qatar’s silence on Iran’s ship attacks ‘devastating at all levels’A western intelligence report showing Qatar knew of Iranian plans to attack four ships off the coast of the UAE could have “devastating” legal implications for Doha, an international relations expert said.
Iran continuing construction on army base along Iraq-Syria border, images show
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Iran continuing construction on army base along Iraq-Syria border, images showIran is continuing construction on an army base along the Iraq-Syria border, according to satellite images taken Sunday and obtained by Fox News. The Imam Ali base had been partially destroyed during airstrikes in early September. The new images, examined by analysts at ImageSat International (ISI), showed eight zones of construction or reconstruction.
Citing ‘Credible Reports,’ Amnesty International Says At Least 106 Killed In Iran Protests
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Citing ‘Credible Reports,’ Amnesty International Says At Least 106 Killed In Iran ProtestsAt least 106 protesters are believed to have been killed in 21 cities in Iran during protests over fuel price hikes, Amnesty International said on November 19, citing “credible reports.”
Turkey removes four more Kurdish mayors over alleged terror links
Sunday, November 17, 2019 Comments Off on Turkey removes four more Kurdish mayors over alleged terror linksTurkey removed four more mayors on Wednesday as part of a widening government crackdown on the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), bringing to 20 the number of mayors who have been dismissed after being elected earlier this year.
Jordan says it thwarted terror plot against US, Israeli diplomats
Sunday, November 17, 2019 Comments Off on Jordan says it thwarted terror plot against US, Israeli diplomatsTwo followers of Islamic State accused of planning to use cars, guns and knives in attacks on embassy staff and service personnel stationed in Jafr.
Hamas Claims It Has ‘Thousands of Missiles,’ Miles of Underground Terror Tunnels
Sunday, November 17, 2019 Comments Off on Hamas Claims It Has ‘Thousands of Missiles,’ Miles of Underground Terror TunnelsTop Hamas officials are claiming to have thousands of missiles pointed at Israel and miles of underground tunnels running into the Jewish state, offering these new disclosures amid a wave of renewed violence by the Palestinian terror group.
Iran: Europeans hypocrites for condemning steps away from deal
Sunday, November 17, 2019 Comments Off on Iran: Europeans hypocrites for condemning steps away from dealIran accused European nations trying to salvage the moribund 2015 nuclear deal of hypocrisy for criticising and threatening to reimpose sanctions after Tehran took a major step away from the historic agreement.