Author: Steven Sahiounie

Libya’s internationally-recognized government has criticized the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for hosting a member of renegade Libyan general Khalifa Haftar’s forces, denouncing the Arab country’s position as “hostile.” In a statement issued on Sunday, the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) condemned the “hostile position of the United Arab Emirates,” which has allowed Abu Dhabi to be used as “a media platform for militias attacking the Libyan capital.” Haftar ordered militia groups loyal to him to invade Tripoli in an unsuccessful attempt to seize it on April 4. Almost five months after launching the offensive, the rebel forces remain bogged down on the…

Sudan’s first cabinet since the ouster of president Omar al-Bashir was sworn Sunday as the African country transitions to civilian rule. The 18-member cabinet led by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok took oath at the presidential palace in Khartoum, AFP reported. It is expected to steer the daily affairs of the country during a transition period of 39 months. The cabinet includes four women, among them Asmaa Abdallah, who becomes the country’s first female foreign minister. It also includes Ibrahim Elbadawi, a former World Bank economist who will serve as finance minister, and Madani Abbas Madani — a leader of the…

Tehran has accused European signatories of failing to abide by their obligations under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, warning that the Islamic republic would not be taken advantage-of. “The deal is not a one-way street and Iran will act accordingly, as we have done so far, by gradually downgrading our commitments,” said Ali Akbar Salehi, director of Iran’s nuclear energy agency. After meeting with the acting head of the UN nuclear watchdog (IAEA), Cornel Feruta, Salehi stated that Tehran still hopes that the deal can be salvaged and that all parties would uphold the agreement.

by Svetlana Ekimenko Russia has been stockpiling gold bullion in recent years in an attempt to lessen its economy’s reliance on the US dollar, with forecasts showing the country’s gold and foreign exchange reserves are set to outstrip those of Saudi Arabia. Russia’s gold bullion stockpiles are now worth $109.5 billion, according to the latest figures from the country’s central bank, on the back of a push to steer growing international reserves away from the US dollar. Data released by the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) on Friday shows Russia augmented its stockpile of the precious metal by more than $7.5 billion in…

The Afghan government has emphasised the importance of holding the presidential elections, slated for September 28, for the ongoing peace process, the presidential press service said on Sunday. “The government of Afghanistan reiterates its stance on holding the presidential elections on September 28 to make sure the establishment of a legitimate government through the ballot box and to move forward the ongoing peace process with full wisdom and precision,” the statement said. According to the presidential office, Kabul considers the Taliban’s ongoing attacks to be the main obstacle for the peace process. “We have consistently stressed that genuine peace is…

According to media reports, armed Turkish military vehicles crossed into northeast Syria on Sunday to begin planned joint US-Turkey patrols. The Turkish and US armed forces have started their joint patrols in a safe zone in Northeastern Syria, the Turkish Defence Ministry announced on Sunday. “As a part of efforts to create a safe zone in the north of Syria to the east of the Euphrates, the Turkish and US military have started joint ground patrols using transport vehicles and drones to the south of Akcakale, on the Syrian side,” the Defence Ministry said. The ministry added that six Turkish…

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have reportedly reached an agreement to open a new crossing in the Euphrates River Valley region. According to a military source in the area, the Syrian Army and SDF reached an agreement to open a crossing between their territories near the town of Al-Salihiyah in southeastern Deir Ezzor. The crossing will allow civilians access to both sides of the Euphrates River Valley in Deir Ezzor and promote commerce and trade between these areas. The Syrian Army and SDF already have a few crossings in northern and eastern Syria, but this…

The Syrian Constitutional Committee may be formed before the start of the UN General Assembly session on September 20, head of the Syrian Negotiation Committee Nasr al-Hariri stated in an interview with the Asharq Al-awsat newspaper. “The majority of controversial points regarding the creation of the Constitutional Committee have been resolved, we are making maximum efforts and hope that it will be fully formed by September 20, that is, before the start of the UN General Assembly in New York,” TASS quoted him as saying. Al-Hariri noted that the main issue at this point is agreeing on all six possible…

A recent UN Human Rights Council report has exposed the US, UK, and France’s role in the destruction of Yemen, prompting conversations about the accountability of those responsible for the carnage. Renowned activist, press freedom advocate, and Nobel Laureate Tawakul Karman once told the Yemen Times that “a day will come when all human rights violators pay for what they did to Yemen.” This statement was made years before the US, UK, and France enabled a Saudi-led coalition to ravage Yemen’s entire civilian population through a host of criminal actions. Thanks to a UN report released on Tuesday this week, we may…

At least five rockets have been fired from Gaza toward Israel, with one landing near Sderot, according to the IDF, which retaliated by attacking an observation post in northern Gaza with tanks.​ One of the rockets landed in an open area near Sderot, causing a fire to break out with minor damage. No casualties have been reported.​ The rockets were launched on Friday night, just a few hours after two Palestinian teenagers were shot dead during the ongoing Great March of Return protest at the Gaza border. Friday’s protest saw approximately 66 protesters injured by Israeli soldiers in what the…