Monthly Archives: January 2017

US warplanes have conducted massive airstrikes near the Libyan city of Sirte against Islamic State members believed to be planning attacks in Europe, in an attack which killed 80 people. A month after the US military declared a successful conclusion to a months-long air campaign against the militant group, B-2 bombers made a 9,400km (5,800-mile) journey on Wednesday night from… Read more »

WASHINGTON — As the clock wound down on Barack Obama’s presidency, an Air Force B-52 bomber carried out a punishing airstrike against a training camp of Al Qaeda in Syria, the Pentagon said Friday. The attack, which took place west of Aleppo, killed more than 100 fighters, according to the Pentagon. Armed drones were also involved in the operation, which… Read more »

BAGHDAD — U.S.-backed Iraqi government troops announced on Wednesday they were in “full control” of eastern Mosul after routing Islamic State militants from that part of the northern city, three months since the major operation started. The achievement was a “big victory,” said Iraqi Army Lt. Gen. Talib Shaghati, who commands the counter-terrorism forces, describing the success of the Iraqi… Read more »

An upcoming conference in Paris aiming to explore ways to restart long-stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts has placed leaders from the two sides at odds. At least 72 countries are due to attend the conference on Sunday in the French capital, in a bid to lay an international framework for a two-state solution between the Palestinians and Israel. But while the Palestinian side… Read more »

Last Friday, the Israeli government announced that it had suspended $6m in funding to the United Nations (UN), a move described as “an act of protest” against the recent Security Council resolution condemning illegal settlements. But is this just the opening salvo in what could be an unprecedented offensive? “Judging by how things are being handled in Israel at the moment, anything… Read more »

Approximately half a million Palestinians living in 100,000 homes in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem are at risk of having their homes demolished [Getty] Palestinian citizens of Israel have announced a nationwide strike after Israeli authorities demolished 11 Palestinian homes. “We condemn the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally for these crimes, that reflect his racist mentality and aim to divert attention… Read more »

The authorities in Saudi Arabia have arrested two human rights activists so far this year, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International say. Essam Koshak and Ahmed al-Musheikhis were summoned for questioning by police in Mecca and Qatif last week. Officials have not disclosed the reasons for the detentions. But HRW said they “fit a pattern of ongoing repression” against peaceful… Read more »

The flashpoint for Syria’s war, six years old this March, has in recent days taken the form of an elemental struggle over water. The drinking water supply to some 5 million residents in the Syrian capital, Damascus, was cut on 23 December by the Damascus Water Authority, who say rebels have contaminated it with diesel. Rebels deny this, saying bombing… Read more »

The announcement by the Iraqi military that its forces have reached the Tigris River for the first time in the battle for Mosul marks a significant moment in the 12-week campaign to recapture so-called Islamic State’s (IS) last major stronghold in the country. Lieutenant General Abdal-Amir al-Lami, the Iraqi deputy chief of staff for operations, confirmed on 8 January that… Read more »