Arab World

Dubai (AFP) – Human rights violations in a string of Yemeni prisons run by the United Arab Emirates could amount to war crimes, Amnesty International said Thursday in a report promptly rejected by the UAE. It called for investigations by the UAE and allies including the United States into a network of unofficial prisons across […]

Syria

Syrian Army Raises Flag in Daraa, Cradle of Failed Revolution

Mohamad Abazeed

With Tony Gamal-Gabriel in Beirut Daraa (Syria) (AFP) – Syria’s army entered rebel-held parts of Daraa city on Thursday, state media said, raising the national flag in the cradle of the uprising that sparked the country’s seven-year war. After securing Damascus in May, President Bashar al-Assad is determined to oust rebels from a key southern […]

Arab World

Emerging Superpower China Offers Arab States $20 bn. in Development Loans

AFP

Beijing (AFP) – China will provide Arab states with $20 billion in loans for economic development, President Xi Jinping told top Arab officials Tuesday, as Beijing seeks to build its influence in the Middle East and Africa. The money will be earmarked for “projects that will produce good employment opportunities and positive social impact in […]

Israel

Israel Pressures Trump over Saudi Nuclear Ambitions

Middle East Monitor

London (Middle East Monitor) – Israel has reportedly informed the Trump Administration of several conditions it expects to be met if Saudi Arabia is to be sold reactors to develop its nuclear potential, according to Israel’s Channel 10 news. With the deal likely to go ahead, Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz is believed to have […]

Syria

Syrian Government Recovers Economic Hub linking to Jordan, Gulf Oil States

AFP

By Rim Haddad | – Nassib (Syrie) (AFP) – Syrian army soldiers burned a rebel flag Saturday after they and Russian military police took over the crucial Nassib post on the border with Jordan. “The government has got its hands on a major economic hub that links Syria with other countries, above all Jordan and […]

Syria

In Syria’s Douma, UN finds likely Chlorine use, but not by Rebels

Brian Whitaker

London ( al-Bab.com) – The OPCW has now issued an interim report on the alleged chemical attack in Douma, Syria, last April. Although the investigation is not yet complete, laboratory tests so far have found possible evidence of chlorine use but no evidence of sarin or a similar nerve agent. The OPCW also visited two […]

Featured

Syria: Reports of Rebel Collapse in Deraa as al-Assad and Putin win Yet Again

Juan Cole

Rebel sources are saying that they have reached a framework for surrender in Deraa with Russia and the al-Assad government. If these reports are true, it is another step toward complete victory. The rebels say they have declared a ceasefire and have put down their arms after they negotiated through the Russians. Regime troops have […]

UAE

United Arab Emirate Soldiers Tortured, Sexually Abused Yemeni Prisoners: UN

Middle East Monitor

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) engaged in ill-treatment, torture and sexual abuse across Yemen’s prisons according to the UN human rights office, the Anadolu Agency reported today. “We have engaged with UAE government on this issue and requested access to UAE-run prisons in the country but to date we have not been granted access,” Liz […]

Syria

As Syrian Government advances on Daraa, 250,000 Civilians Flee in Panic

Mohamad Abazeed

Daraa (Syria) (AFP) – More than a quarter of a million people have fled a Russian-backed government onslaught on southern Syria, the United Nations said Monday, in the latest civilian exodus in the seven-year war. For nearly two weeks, regime forces and their Russian allies have battered rebel-held parts of southern Syria with air strikes, […]