Middle Orient

What Erdogan’s landmark Iraq visit could mean for the region

Analysis: Turkey is seeking legitimisation for a possible large-scale operation in northern Iraq amid disagreements on water resources and oil exports. During a visit by a high-level Turkish delegation to Iraq last month, Baghdad announced a ban on the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) – a significant gesture following months of …

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Will Iraq’s Muqtada al-Sadr end his political quarantine?

In the intricate landscape of Iraqi politics, few figures have commanded as much attention and speculation as Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, the influential leader of the Sadr movement. Recently, signs have emerged indicating al-Sadr’s return to the political forefront after a period of strategic withdrawal. Muqtada al-Sadr has a history …

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Syrian regime appoints Suhail al-Hassan as commander of Special Forces

Military news accounts reported on Sunday, April 9, that the Syrian regime appointed Major General Suhail al-Hassan as commander of the Special Forces, after he formerly commanded the 25th Division (affiliated with the regime and supported by Russia). No official announcement has been issued regarding the appointment, while discussions were …

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Will Hezbollah and the UAE overcome past problems?

Analysis: A landmark visit by a Hezbollah official to the UAE has led to speculation about the motivations for, and potential outcomes of, the rare trip. For many years, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has considered Lebanon’s Hezbollah to be a nefarious organisation. Abu Dhabi has long seen Hezbollah as …

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Settlers rampage through West Bank, burning cars and injuring Palestinians

Palestinians in the West Bank faced large-scale attacks by Israeli settlers on Friday and Saturday, as cars were set alight and dozens injured Groups of Israeli settlers have been storming Palestinian villages, setting cars and buildings alight and attacking Palestinians, leaving one resident killed and dozens more wounded, as violence …

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Iran launches unprecedented retaliatory strikes on Israel

Multiple media outlets and officials have confirmed that Iran has begun conducting drone attacks in Israel, following the April 1 attack in Syria. Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards launched extensive strikes against targets in Israel, Iranian media have reported, as Jordan, Iraq and occupied Palestinian territories watched for rockets or drones …

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Iran attack: What we know about Tehran’s drone and missile strike on Israel

Iran launched an unprecedented drone and missile barrage against Israel late on Saturday in a retaliatory strike that raised the threat of a wider conflict in the region. The move could trigger a major escalation as tensions in the Middle East remain inflamed over the war in Gaza. What prompted …

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Iran launches attack against Israel with missiles, drones in response to Syria strike

Middle East tensions are at an all-time high as the US military moved more forces to the region and multiple countries closed their airspaces in response to Iran’s unprecedented attack. A 7-year-old Bedouin girl was reportedly injured by debris in the Negev region. Iran on Saturday launched an attack against …

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Iran Update, April 13, 2024

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force launched a large-scale drone and missile attack from Iranian territory that targeted Israel from Iranian territory on April 13.[i] This marks the first time Iran has targeted Israel directly from Iranian territory.[ii] Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Daniel Hagari confirmed …

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Israel says Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles, 99% of which were intercepted

Booms and air raid sirens sounded across Israel early Sunday after Iran launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles in an unprecedented revenge mission that pushed the Middle East closer to a regionwide war. A military spokesman said the launches numbered more than 300 but 99% of them …

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