Friday, January 16, 2026

Middle East

Iraqi MP: Domestic and foreign parties involved in Gen. Soleimani assassination

An Iraqi legislator said that a group of lawmakers plans to repeat calls for the disclosure of the results of an investigation into the assassination of top Iranian commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and his Iraqi companion Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Hassan Salem added that there are domestic and foreign parties involved in the crime.

US lawmakers warn Biden over Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul

More than 90 US Democratic lawmakers have warned President Joe Biden that the Israeli prime minister’s push for judicial overhaul is undermining Washington-Tel Aviv relations.

Tunisia to revive diplomatic relations with Syria

Tunisian President Kais Saied says he has decided to restore diplomatic ties with Syria which were cut off almost a decade ago.

China accuses US of “indiscriminate attacks” resulting in civilian deaths in Syria

The “illegal” US military occupation of Syria has only deepened the country’s humanitarian crisis, China has warned, slamming American lawmakers after they voted to continue troop deployments.

Israeli settler kills Palestinian man in West Bank

A young Palestinian man was shot dead by an Israeli settler in the occupied West Bank city of Qalqiliya, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

Dozens of NGOs call on Biden to reject US diplomat’s anti-Iran remarks

Forty-five NGOs have urged US President Joe Biden to reject the comments made by Washington's ambassador to Israel Tom Nides who had said his country would back Israel in “whatever action” they take against Iran.

Three Israeli settlers injured, one critically, in Tel Aviv shooting

At least three Israelis have been wounded in a shooting in Tel Aviv, Israel’s medical sources say, adding one is in critical condition. The assailant was reportedly killed in the ensuring exchange of fire.

Pentagon head in Israel as protests target Netanyahu

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has arrived in Israel during a surge in demonstrations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plans with thousands of people calling for a “day of resistance to dictatorship.”

UN confirms Israeli air raids on Aleppo airport impede life-saving aid

Israeli strikes on Syria’s Aleppo airport are impeding the delivery of life-saving humanitarian aid to earthquake victims, the United Nations has announced.

Israeli soldiers kill 3 Palestinians in West Bank’s Jenin

Israeli special forces have killed three Palestinians in a raid in Jenin in northern occupied West Bank. It comes 48 hours after six others were killed in another raid on the city.

US Congress rejects Syria troops withdrawal

US lawmakers have voted down a bill seeking to withdraw all American troops from Syria, opting to continue the years-long military occupation despite repeated objections from Damascus.

Investigators say ex-PM’s office at heart of Iraq’s ‘theft of the century’

The investigative committee probing the theft of $2.5bn from an Iraqi state bank account has concluded the office of former Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi was instrumental in the conspiracy, a report seen exclusively by Middle East Eye has revealed.

Saudi FM says kingdom ‘open to dialog’ with Iran

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud says the kingdom is “open to dialog” with Iran aimed at narrowing down their differences and restoring diplomatic ties.

Saudi Arabia executes Shia political activist on terror charges

Saudi Arabia has executed an imprisoned political activist from the Shia-majority Eastern Province. The death penalty came after five years of arbitrary detention.

Israeli soldiers kill six Palestinians in West Bank city

Israeli forces have killed at least six Palestinians and wounded 11 others during a raid in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, the Palestinian health ministry has confirmed.

Israeli attack puts Aleppo airport out of service in Syria

Israel has launched an airstrike on Syria’s Aleppo airport, damaging its runway and taking it out of service, according to Syrian state media.

Pentagon chief arrives in Iraq on a surprise visit

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has arrived in Iraqi capital Baghdad on an unannounced visit following meetings in Jordan.

Nasrallah: Hezbollah supports Franjieh as president

The leader of Hezbollah movement, Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, urged the Lebanese parliament to elect a new president, declaring the movement's support for former president Suleiman Franjieh as their candidate.

Israel can’t find pilots for Netanyahu’s Italy visit: Report

Israel’s government has reportedly looked to find another airline to fly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Rome after the national air carrier, El Al, was unable to find any pilots or flight attendants to staff this week’s visit to Italy.

Report: Israel exporting arms to Azerbaijan in return for access to Iran

A new investigation has revealed that Israel is exporting weapons worth billions of dollars to Azerbaijan in return for the former Soviet republic supplying Tel Aviv with oil and providing access to Iran.

Damascus says top US general visit “illegal” and “flagrant violation” of Syria’s sovereignty

Damascus has condemned a recent visit by top US military officer General Mark Milley to northeast Syria, saying the move is “illegal” and a "flagrant violation" of the country's sovereignty.

Opposition group says Bahrain turned into graveyard of human rights

Bahrain's main opposition group, the al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, has voiced serious concern over the alarming situation of human rights in the Persian Gulf country. It stated that the ruling Al Khalifah regime would exploit the forthcoming Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly to burnish its international image.

Huge rallies held against Israeli PM for 9th straight week

Tens of thousands of protesters have held rallies for the ninth straight week across the occupied territories against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's so-called judicial reforms.

European states call on Israel to reverse plans to build new settler units

Six European countries have urged Israel to halt the expansion of its settlements in the occupied West Bank amid escalated tensions between Palestinians and Israelis.

Iran rejects British Navy’s report on smuggling weapons to Yemen

The Iranian Foreign Ministry has refuted the allegations made by the UK Navy that a boat smuggling Iranian arms has been seized off the coast of the Sea of Oman in a joint operation with the US.

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