European Union Foreign Ministers meeting here Monday adopted a crisis management concept for a new civilian CSDP (Common Security and Defence Policy ) mission in Iraq. The decision comes after a request by the Iraqi authorities and the adoption of a crisis management concept is the first step to launch …
Read More »Turkey extends state of emergency for 3 months
Turkey’s Parliament approved the Cabinet’s motion Monday to extend the ongoing state of emergency in the country for another three months starting from July 19, official media reported. The motion was backed by votes of ruling Justice and Development Party and opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).
Read More »Pakistan, China discuss ways to achieve Afghan peace
Pakistan and China have agreed to continue to work closely with the Afghan government to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan. The agreement over the issue was reached after a meeting between Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, according to …
Read More »EU to send security assistance mission to Iraq
The European Union agreed Monday to send a security assistance delegation to Iraq as part of its Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP). “The mission will focus on assisting the Iraqi authorities in the implementation of the civilian aspects of the Iraqi security strategy,” said the council in a statement. …
Read More »US-backed forces advance against Daesh in Syria’s Raqqa
US-backed forces said Monday they had seized a new neighbourhood from the Daesh terror group in the extremist stronghold of Raqqa in northern Syria. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters, have been pressing an operation to capture the extremist stronghold since last year, and …
Read More »EU sanctions Syrian military officials over gas attack
The European Union imposed sanctions on 16 Syrian scientists and military officials on Monday for their suspected involvement in a chemical attack in northern Syria in April which killed scores of civilians. Western intelligence agencies accuse the government of Bashar Assad of carrying out the attack, arguing that rebels in …
Read More »Egypt destroys 15 arms-laden SUVs from Libya
Egypt’s military says its jet-fighters have destroyed 15 all-terrain vehicles carrying weapons and explosives along with “criminal elements” after they were detected getting ready to cross the Libyan border into Egypt.
Read More »Malian soldiers' bodies recovered after 'jihadist' attack
The bodies of eight missing Malian soldiers have been found following a presumed jihadist attack on July 9, official sources said on Monday. The soldiers were ambushed in Mali’s northeast and two escaped with their lives, but until now there had been no trace of the missing.
Read More »US green lights $3.9 bln Patriot sale for Romania
The US Department of State has “made a determination” approving a possible Foreign Military Sale estimated at USD 3.9 billion to Romania for Patriot air defense systems, related support and equipment, it was announced Tuesday.
Read More »US Special Presidential Envoy congratulates Iraq on liberation of Mosul
The Small Group of the Global Coalition to Defeat the so-called Islamic State (IS) meet Thursday to synthesize this week’s Coalition meetings and discuss priorities to build on the progress in Mosul and Raqqa, and to set (IS) on an irreversible and lasting path to defeat across the globe. In …
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