Middle Orient

Tensions between armed local groups and the Syrian Democratic Forces, supported by the US, are jeopardizing the stability of eastern Syria. These clashes have erupted in villages located close to the Euphrates river. Concurrently, reports indicate that an airstrike targeted a purported drug facility in southern Syria near the Jordanian …

Over the past three days, Deir ez-Zor has become the arena for clashes between the SDF and Arab Tries, Baladi News reminds. On Wednesday, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced the removal of Ahmed al-Khabil, the commander of its council in Deir-ez-Zor, from his position, along with four other council …

Bashar al-Assad of Syria welcomed Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his delegation to the heart of Damascus, according to al-Watan. In a critical juncture where convictions, resilience, and collaborative endeavours converged, the leaders of Syria and Iran found themselves engaged in discussions that resonated with the pulse of their …

The ongoing situation in Deir ez-Zor represents a significant challenge for the SDF, according to al-Souria Net. Clashes have persisted for three consecutive days in several rural areas of Deir ez-Zor, involving the Deir ez-Zor Military Council, Arab tribesmen, and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Local sources report that the …

Protesters in Syria, Bahrain, Libya, Iran, and Israel are dashing autocratic and authoritarian hopes of a prolonged winter. In response, Arab autocrats are scrambling to squash what they fear could evolve into a third wave of protests in little more than a decade. The autocrats have deployed tools ranging from …

“Iran stands by the Palestinian people and their resistance.” — Ali Akbar Velayati, senior Iranian official, to leaders of the Palestinian terror groups, almayadeen.net. August 22, 2023. “The victories that have been achieved are the result of the support of friendly peoples, especially Iran.” — Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, thanking …

Tehran’s diplomatic persistence has yielded a second major breakthrough this year: Securing full BRICS membership to dismantle isolation, navigate sanctions, and bolster political and economic influence with Eurasian power centers. In his address at the 15th BRICS summit in Johannesburg on 24 August, Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi highlighted his country’s …

Clashes in Kurdish-held northeast Syria between the army and Turkey-backed armed factions killed 23 people on Sunday after pro-Ankara rebels attempted to infiltrate the area, a war monitor said. The violence comes amid days of separate clashes in Kurdish-held parts of neighbouring Deir Ezzor province after US-backed, Kurdish-led fighters detained …

The Lebanese Forces have the largest Christian bloc in parliament, but you wouldn’t know that from their policy of splendid isolation. On Sunday, Sheikh Nabil Qaouq, a Hezbollah official, denounced the continued deadlock in Lebanon over electing a new president, but offered (what he considered) a sliver of good news. …

Kurdish-led forces guarding Syria’s Islamic State prisons have been on high alert amid spreading clashes in Deir Ezzor province. Tribal backlash. The Kurdish-led alliance of Syrian militias backed by the US military to fight the Islamic State group is facing a fresh challenge to its authority in the oil-rich eastern …