February, 2021

• 18 February

  Turkish deaths in northern Iraq spark early row with US

  “After this, there are two options. Either act with Turkey with no ifs or buts, without questioning, or they will be a partner to every murder and bloodshed,” Erdogan said. The United States on Monday sought to defuse a furious diplomatic row with NATO ally Turkey by saying it now …

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• 18 February

  Islamic State escalates attacks in Syrian desert

  The Islamic State organization (IS) kills a large number of regime forces on an almost daily basis in the Syrian Desert, which has turned into a black hole draining the regime forces.

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• 18 February

  Sudan calls for expansive mediation for Nile dam talks

  Sudan’s call for diplomatic intervention is likely to be rejected by Ethiopia. Sudan has recently called for broadening the negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) to include the United States, the European Union and the United Nations, alongside the African Union (AU) that is currently sponsoring the negotiations …

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• 18 February

  Egypt, Sudan cooperate to eliminate extremism in school curricula

  Egypt wants to support Sudan in ridding its school curricula of extremism, which was established under former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and following the Muslim Brotherhood’s seizure of power in Sudan. The Egyptian parliament on Feb. 7 called for cooperation with Sudan on revising and ridding its school curricula of …

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• 18 February

  Pentagon ‘comfortable’ with troop levels in Middle East ahead of review

  Whether the United States pulls forces from the Middle East to counter China may well depend on the success of Biden’s diplomacy with Iran Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is keeping a close eye on the US military’s presence in the Middle East as new Pentagon leadership prepares to review the …

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• 18 February

  Iraq finally makes arrests over killing of anti-government protestors

  Iraqi security forces arrested four suspects for allegedly killing Iraqi protesters and activists. Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi announced on Feb. 15 the arrests in Basra of a group allegedly involved in the murders of Iraqi protesters and activists.

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• 18 February

  Syria Kurds hand Iraq 100 alleged Islamic State fighters: Reports

  Around 1,600 Iraqis were still detained in northeast Syria at the end of last year over allegedly fighting for IS A US-backed Kurdish force in northeast Syria handed over 100 alleged Islamic State (IS) group fighters to Baghdad this week, a senior Iraqi security source told AFP on Sunday.

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• 18 February

  3 New Zealand nationals held near border with Syria: Turkey

  Among them was Daesh/ISIS terrorist wanted by Interpol, all were trying to enter Turkey illegally from Syria, says ministry Turkish security forces caught three New Zealand nationals, including a wanted Daesh/ISIS terrorist, near the border with Syria when they were trying to enter the country illegally, the National Defense Ministry …

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• 18 February

  Russia Records 35 Bombing Operations in De-Escalation Zone in Syria’s Idleb

  Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has carried out 35 bombing operations in demilitarized Idleb, according to North Press. The Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria said it managed to document 35 bombing operations carried out earlier by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) within the de-escalation zone in Idleb, northwest Syria.

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• 18 February

  Stalled Negotiations Between Asayish, Syrian Regime

  Tensions between Asayish and government forces are no closer to being resolved, according to The Levant News. No common vision has been reached to end recent tensions in the cities of Hassakeh and Qamishli. The impasse came during a meeting held under the auspices of the Russian forces in the …

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