Latest in Region Highlight
Latest in Region
Libya unity government allied forces take control of Sirte port
Troops aligned with Libya’s government have fought “Islamic State” (IS) forces to take back control of the port of Sirte. The brigades are part of an operation backed by Libya’s UN-recognized administration.
UN slams ‘collective punishment’ for Palestinians following Tel Aviv attack
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has condemned the deadly Tel Aviv attack but said the cancellation of Palestinians’ entry permits may amount to collective punishment. The assault left four people dead.
Saudis exerted ‘undue pressure,’ over UN blacklist removal says chief Ban Ki-moon
UN chief Ban Ki-moon has accused Riyadh of exerting “undue pressure” to get the Saudi-led battle group in Yemen deleted from a UN child violator blacklist. He says Saudi funding for millions of children was at stake.
‘Islamic State’ retreats from northern Aleppo amid rebel offensives
Syrian rebels have pushed back “Islamic State” militants from northern Aleppo, lifting a month-long siege of the town of Marea. A monitoring group says the retreat is a sign that IS is under pressure.
Jordan arrests suspect of Al Baqa’a attack
The perpetrator is probably a lone wolf and investigations are still ongoing, says government spokesperson
UN removes Saudi-led coalition from blacklist over Yemen child deaths
The United Nations has said it will temporarily remove the coalition from a blacklist following the deaths of hundreds of minors in Yemen last year. Riyadh had warned its inclusion may be “counterproductive” for peace.
Iraqi army discovers mass grave near Falluja amid preparations to break through city
IS is losing more locations in Syria as both the SDF and the Syrian army advance
Iraqi forces discover mass grave in Fallujah
The “Islamic State” miliant group has “shot and killed” civilains fleeing Fallujah, said the Norwegian Refugee Council. Around 50,000 civilians are trapped in the city center, according to Iraqi officials.
Syrian army enters administrative borders of Al-Raqqah
A large-scale attack that was backed by Russia breached the borders of the Islamic State stronghold
Middle East peace talks open without Israeli, Palestinian representatives
In light of the Syrian civil war and the ongoing refugee crisis, the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians has been largely pushed into the background in recent months. But the conference in Paris which opened on Friday aimed to begin a new peace initiative between the two conflict parties. Envoys from some 28 countries and …
Middle East peace talks open without Israeli, Palestinian representatives
Representatives from almost 30 countries and organizations are due to meet in Paris to discuss a new Arab-Israeli peace push. However, the conference has purposefully left out Israeli and Palestinian delegates.
Longtime Western Sahara independence leader dies
Mohamed Abdelaziz’s death comes during a tense period over the territory’s status
Saudi Arabia shoots down a ballistic missile from Yemen, may reconsider the ceasefire
This is the second missile to be shot down in a month, says Saudi-led coalition
UN: ‘Islamic State’ using human shields in Fallujah
The United Nations refugee agency says IS has placed residents in harm’s way to try to prevent attacks on their fighters.
Iraqi army initiates battle of Falluja to retake city from IS
An army statement said troops entered from the southern part of the city, and “kept moving forward”
Arab foreign ministers urge international community to not intervene in Libya
Their final statement called on Arab countries to politically and financially support the new GNA to enforce security institutions, as the only legitimate body in Libya
Foreign Ministry says statements attributed to Ethiopian minister over GERD were inaccurate
Ethiopia committed to the declaration of principles signed with Egypt and Sudan, says the ministry
Arab ministries of foreign affairs support French initiative over Palestinian-Israeli conflict
An international peace conference is supposed to take place in the French capital on 3 June
Ethiopia close to finishing 70% of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
The technical report has nothing to do with the current construction and it is only intended to show the dam’s impact on other countries, says Ethiopian minister
Dozens dead, over 1,000 rescued from water as 20 Med operations proceed
Hundreds of thousands are reportedly waiting in Africa to cross the Mediterranean
Israeli police were filmed beating Arab supermarket worker in Tel Aviv
An Arab worker was brutally beaten and arrested by three Israeli plainclothes police officers after refusing to present his ID
Syrian opposition delegation briefs Egyptian minister on Geneva talks
All sides in the conflict must be consulted and Egypt will support the Syrian people, says Shoukry
Israeli diplomatic delegation visits Egypt in secrecy
Amid absence of official confirmation, an expert speculates that the main goal is resuming peace talks
Egypt condemns series of explosions in Syrian city of Tartous
The attacks are the first of their type in the coastal city where a Russian military base is located
Iraq military warns civilians to leave Fallujah ahead of assault against “Islamic State”
Civilians in the Iraqi city of Fallujah, have been told to flee their homes ahead of a planned assault on the “Islamic State” (IS) stronghold. Fallujah and Mosul are the last major Iraqi cities to be held by jihadis.
Disputes between Hamas, Fatah continue despite Egypt’s calls for reconciliation
Hamas accuses Fatah of being loyal to Israel, Fatah threatens to sue Al-Zahar
Syria rebels threaten to disrupt truce if Assad’s forces continue fighting
Militant groups in Syria have refused to abide by the truce unless government troops stop the violence within 48 hours. The statement comes after President Assad’s army bombed rebel strongholds around Damascus.
African health ministers discuss bilateral cooperation in Geneva
The 69th world health summit will be held from 23 to 28 May
UN Security Council holds talks on regional developments with Arab League in Cairo
Egypt is heading the UNSC mission during May and vows to push African issues to the forefront
Libya’s uncertainty: a power struggle between the GNA, Haftar, and militant groups
As the GNA, Khalifa Haftar, and militant groups tango in a power struggle for Libya, the international community considers for the first time an end to the arms embargo put in place during the fall of Muammar Gaddafi