Middle Orient

The UN Security Council is considering a draft resolution demanding a 30-day ceasefire in Syria to allow for urgent deliveries of humanitarian aid, according to the text seen by AFP on Friday. Sweden and Kuwait presented the measure that would also demand an immediate end to sieges, including in Eastern …

The Iraqi government yesterday sent hundreds of its troops, backed by armoured vehicles and tank, to the country’s southern province of Basra to restore security and law following an increase in tribal conflicts in the region.

The pro-government paramilitary troops have repulsed an Islamic State attack launched against the border between Iraq and Syria, the media service announced. In a statement on Friday, the service of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) said, “troops of the 29th brigade foiled, in the evening, an attack by IS members …

The recent developments that brought to the attention the Palestinian question[1] also made the analysts consider the geopolitical shifts and the new issues confronting the Gaza Strip, the small parcel of land near the Mediterranean that has increasing chances of becoming, if not the “Singapore of the Mediterranean”[2], the core …

Iraqi forces on Friday began fresh military operations aimed at finding and neutralizing Daesh terrorist cells in the eastern Diyala province, according to a local police source. “Army forces backed by Hashd al-Shaabi fighters have launched a major security operation against Daesh remnants in Diyala’s Azim sub-district 60 kilometers north …

US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan expressed during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Abadi support for reconstruction efforts in the country. Sullivan was quoted by a government statement as saying the US support for Iraq would continue, particularly to rebuilding the country, boosting economy, attracting investment and …

Iraqi forces on Friday began fresh military operations aimed at finding and neutralizing Daesh terrorist cells in the eastern Diyala province, according to a local police source. “Army forces backed by Hashd al-Shaabi fighters have launched a major security operation against Daesh remnants in Diyala’s Azim sub-district 60 kilometers north …

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Friday had a phone conversation with French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, with whom he discussed political developments relating to Syria. According to a Foreign Ministry statement, the two men agreed on the need to coordinate efforts between their two countries with a view to …

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi Saturday met with the Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani for the first time since the controversial independence referendum last year, Kurdish media said. Abadi received Barzani, who was accompanied by his deputy Qubad Talabani and Fuad Hussein, head of the regional presidency office, …

Iraqi Defense Minister Irfan Al-Hayali expressed wishes yesterday to bolster military cooperation with Kuwait to enhance the security and stability of the region. Iraq is keen is cooperate with Kuwait in security and military fields and to conduct joint ground military exercises between the two nations’ armies, and to create …