Middle Orient

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 …

The United Nations Security Council said it would hold an emergency session on Monday to discuss the situation in Syria following Turkish cross-border operations, France’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Sunday. The French Foreign Ministry said the UN Security Council had agreed to hold a session to address Turkey’s attack on …

EU High Representative Federica Mogherini said Monday that she is “extremely worried” about the Turkish military operation in Afrin, Syria, against the Kurdish YPG fighters. “We discussed this today with the ministers at the opening of our meeting. I am extremely worried and I will discuss this, among other things, …

In the most comprehensive outlining of US policy stance on Syria, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson vowed the US military will remain to counter threats posed by the so-called Islamic State, al-Qaeda and Iran. “The US will maintain a military presence in Syria focused on ensuring IS cannot reemerge. Our …

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani that the US welcomes signs of development in talks between Erbil and Baghdad. He said that the US pays attention to its relations with the Kurdistan Region, according to Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) website. Tillerson expressed happiness over …

The EU condemned on Monday the terror attacks in Baghdad earlier today in which a large number of innocent people were killed and injured. “Showing mutual solidarity and unity against violence is the best way to defeat terrorism fully and construct a brighter future for the country,” Catherine Ray, spokesperson …