Middle East

Israeli fighter jets, drones pound Gaza Strip

The Israeli military launched a combined aerial blitz using warplanes and armed drones against the Gaza Strip. The military says, the aircraft attacked an outpost belonging to the resistance groups in southern Gaza to the east of the city of Rafah.

Qatari FM visits Kabul, meets acting Afghan PM

Qatar Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in a visit to Kabul, has held talks with acting Afghan prime minister. He is the most senior official to visit the war-torn country since the Taliban’s takeover in mid-August.

India to host Iranian, Saudi FMs

New Delhi is preparing for visits by the Iranian and Saudi foreign ministers, Indian officials confirmed, as part of a series of engagements aimed at discussions on Afghanistan with partner countries as well as Tehran-Riyadh ties.

Al-Qaeda leader seen in video after death rumors

Al-Qaeda chief Ayman Al-Zawahri appeared in a video marking the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, after rumors spread that he was dead. Al-Zawahri is seen saying that “Jerusalem Will Never be Judaized".

Damascus calls on US, Turkey to withdraw from Syria

The Syrian Foreign and Expatriates Minister Faisal Mikdad called for an end to the US and Turkish occupation of Syrian territory, saying all countries must respect Syria’s sovereignty.

FBI releases declassified documents on 9/11 attacks

The FBI has released a newly declassified document related to its investigation into the planning of the 9/11 attacks and the alleged role of Saudi Arabia's government, after President Joe Biden signed an executive order directing the US Justice Department and related agencies to make some files public.

Kazemi thanks Iran for standing by Iraq in fighting Daesh

The Iraqi prime minister has expressed his gratitude to Iran for its fight against Daesh terrorists alongside Iraq.

Erbil airport in Iraqi Kurdistan hit by drone attacks

The internal security service for Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region, of which Erbil is the capital, initially said three rockets had hit near the airport. A...

Lebanese president, PM sign decree on gov’t formation

Lebanese President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati have signed a decree on the formation of the new government, the presidency announced on Friday, ending 13-month deadlock that has worsened the country’s economic situation.

Israel says ‘not considering’ return of Golan Heights to Syrian govt.

Tel Aviv is not considering handing the Golan Heights over to the Damascus government, Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid says.

Ex official: Trump admin sought to mitigate US casualties in Iran missile attack

The Trump administration asked the Pentagon to delay and downplay reports of US troops' injuries in the Iranian missile attack on a military base in northern Iraq in early 2020, former defense spokeswoman Alyssa Farah revealed. The strike was carried out by Tehran in retaliation for Washington assassination of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani.

US sets up Persian Gulf drone task force amid tensions with Iran

The US Navy announced Thursday it has launched a new task force in the Persian Gulf incorporating drones and artificial intelligence, adding the force will rely on regional and coalition partnerships.

UN: 18k Yemeni civilians killed or injured in Saudi-led war

A United Nations panel reported Wednesday that at least 18,000 Yemeni civilians have been killed or wounded in Saudi-led airstrikes since the kingdom launched the war on its southern neighbor six years ago.

Negotiator: US support for Saudi Arabia prolongs Yemen war

A senior Yemeni official believes the Riyadh-led war on his country would have ended years ago if there had not been political and military support from Washington for the kingdom.

Palestinians injured as Israel attacks pro-prisoner rallies

About one hundred Palestinians were injured on Wednesday in clashes with Israeli forces near the West Bank city of Nablus, the Palestinian Red Crescent reported.

Islamic Jihad warns Israel not to enter refugee camp, vows repel

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement promised they will repel Israeli troops if they enter the Jenin refugee camp in search of the six Palestinian prisoners who escaped from an Israeli high-security prison.

‘French Cement giant Lafarge financed Daesh, intelligence in the know’

French cement giant Lafarge financed Daesh and constantly informed the French intelligence services about its relationship with the terrorist organization, according to documents obtained by Anadolu news agency.

Blinken invites Israel’s Lapid to US to discuss Iran

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has invited Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid to visit Washington soon to discuss mutual relations and issues related to Iran.

Hacker claims stolen info of 7mln Israelis

A hacker has claimed to have stolen the personal information of around seven million Israelis by intercepting the website used by municipalities. If the claims are valid, the hack would be one of the most severe breaches of privacy in Israel’s history.

Saudi security chief fired over embezzlement

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud dismissed Public Security Director Khalid bin Qaraar Al-Harbi on Tuesday, referring him to investigation on charges of embezzlement of the public funds.

Turkey: US should accept acquisition of Russia’s S-400 completed matter

The United States must accept the fact that Ankara’s purchase of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems from Russia is a completed matter, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stated in an interview with NTV.

Hamas: Bombing Gaza coverup for Israeli failure in Palestinians prison break

Palestinian resistance movement Hamas condemned the latest Israeli attack against the Gaza Strip, describing it as a desperate attempt by Tel Aviv to cover up its failure in the case of Palestinian jailbreak.

Yemen: US, UK major Saudi arms supplier

Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs Hisham Sharaf slammed the pro-Saudi statements by the US and the UK, stressing that their approach is meant to keep up arms sales to Riyadh.

Hundreds of militants lay down arms in Syria’s Dara’a

Hundreds of militants have laid down their arms in the Syrian province of Dara'a after agreeing to a truce with the government forces, a source in the Syrian security forces told Sputnik.

Hezbollah praises Palestinians prison break as ‘strong slap in face’ of Israel

The Hezbollah resistance movement has lauded the heroic escape of Palestinian prisoners from an Israeli maximum security jail as a "strong slap in the face" of the Tel Aviv regime.

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