The US has condemned the Islamic State’s attacks on predominantly Assyrian Christian villages in the northeast Syria and called for the immediate and unconditional release of the civilians taken captive. “ISIL’s latest targeting of a religious minority is only further testament to its brutal and inhumane treatment of all those …

Kurdish militia pressed a big offensive against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in northeast Syria Feb. 25, cutting one of its supply lines from Iraq, as fears mounted for dozens of Christians abducted by the hardline group that recently beheaded 21 Egyptian Copts. The new Kurdish offensive …

Seven civilians were killed when Egyptian jets attacked suspected Islamist militant targets in the eastern Libyan city of Derna last week, Amnesty International said on Monday, citing eyewitnesses. Egypt had flown air strikes last Monday against Islamic State targets, a day after the militant group released a video showing the …

President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta has started Tuesday a three-day to Algeria at the invitation of President of the Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Kenyatta was welcomed upon his arrival at Houari-Boumediene International Airport by Speaker of the Council of the Nation (Upper House of the Parliament) Abdelkader Bensalah, Foreign Minister Ramtane …

Egyptian Defence Minister Sedki Sobhi and his American counterpart Ash Carter reaffirmed late Tuesday “their shared commitment to strengthening the security partnership between Egypt and the United States,” said the Pentagon spokesman. Carter expressed condolences to Egypt for victims of a recent attack on Egyptian nationals in Libya, in a …

A Cairo court scheduled the verdict date for the trial of former president Mohamed Mursi and 130 others for May 16, during a session on Wednesday. Brotherhood politician Mursi and the rest of the defendants face charges of murder and attempted murder of policemen, torching government buildings, breaking into prison …

The scale and severity of the conflict has recently declined, the number of displaced and refugees has continued to grow, reaching two million people, Assistant Secretary General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic told the Security Council. During his briefing, Simonovic confirmed that there are thousands more civilians dead and further …

EU High Representative Federica Mogherini last night held a phone conversation with the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the situation in Ukraine. They discussed the need to coordinate the ongoing efforts to support the implementation of the Minsk agreements and in particular the strengthening of the OSCE (Organization …

Moscow would face more EU sanctions if pro-Russia separatists attack the Ukrainian port of Mariupol, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Wednesday, potentially opening a corridor to the south, including the annexed Crimean peninsula. Kiev fears Mariupol, with its 500,000 people, could be the next major rebel target after …

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry started a foreign tour Tuesday, which will include Tunisia, France, Russia, and China, state media reported. During his visits, Shoukry will hold talks with the foreign ministers of Tunisia, Russia, China, as well as a meeting with Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Saudi foreign minister, in …