Middle Orient

Iraqi authorities deport three Kurdish refugees to Syria

Iraqi authorities, on Saturday, reportedly deported three Syrian Kurdish refugees to Syria after they were arrested on residency issues, disregarding concerns about their safety in their home country. The step coincides with a formal visit by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to Syria on Sunday, in which he met …

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‘It’s an everyday trauma’: Renewed hope in the quest to uncover the fate of Syria’s disappeared

The resolution to establish an Independent Institution on Missing Persons in Syria, adopted by the UN General Assembly at the end of June, marks a first, promising step to uncover the fate of over 130,000 people who have disappeared since the Syrian conflict began in 2011. Most of them are …

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Syria Insight: What next for Russia’s Wagner Group?

After weeks of haranguing Russian military commanders, Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin on 24 June ordered his fighters to take over the garrison city of Rostov-on-Don and head for Moscow, sparking fears of civil war in Russia. Almost as quickly as it began the mutiny was quelled, with Prigozhin and …

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Free Syrian Army Denies Preparing for Military Operation in Deir-ez-Zor

Recent days have seen a build-up of military forces in the rural areas of Deir-ez-Zor, according to Baladi News. The official spokesman for the Free Syrian Army, Abdul Razzaq Khader, refuted claims on Wednesday about preparations for a military operation in Deir-ez-Zor. In an interview with Syria TV, Khader stated, …

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“American Occupation” Continues its Military Mobilization in Conoco Fields and al-Omar in Countryside of Deir-ez-Zor

The U.S. military presence in the northern countryside of the Deir-ez-Zor governorate continues to strengthen, according to al-Watan. The U.S. military presence in the northern countryside of the Deir-ez-Zor governorate continues to strengthen as they have alerted the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and their affiliated militias to be prepared for …

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Syria Today – Report Exposes Regime Targeting of Camps, Iraq Deports Refugees

According to a recent report, the Syrian regime led by Bashar al-Assad has deliberately attacked makeshift camps housing internally displaced persons (IDPs) in north-west Syria. Additionally, on Saturday, Iraqi authorities reportedly deported three Syrian Kurdish refugees back to Syria after arresting them due to residency issues. This action was taken …

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Turkey’s Erdogan arrives in Saudi Arabia, first stop on Gulf tour

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his three-day Gulf tour, which includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, will focus on economic cooperation. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Jeddah on Monday, embarking upon his first regional tour after his reelection last May as Ankara scrambles to …

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US sends F-35s, Navy destroyer to Middle East amid aggressive moves by Russia, Iran

The Pentagon is bolstering its defenses in the region as Congress presses the Biden administration to crack down on Iran’s oil and gas exports. The Pentagon is sending high-end F-35 fighter jets and a Navy destroyer to the Middle East to fend off increasingly aggressive maneuvers by Russian pilots over …

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Turkey’s EU Bid: Back From The Dead? – OpEd

On July 10th, 2023, Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that his country would support Sweden’s accession bid to NATO on the condition that EU accession talks are unfrozen. Within 24 hours however, Erdogan apparently signed off on a new deal that would drop Turkey’s veto over Sweden and allow …

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Iran Formally Protests Russia’s Stance On Persian Gulf Trio Islands

Iran has formally protested to the government of Russia about its recent joint statement with the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council regarding three Iranian islands, the spokesman for the Foreign Ministry said. Speaking to reporters at a weekly press conference on Monday, Nasser Kanaani dismissed the contents of the joint statement …

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