Arab News

Syria’s interim president meets Chinese envoy

No details on what was discussed between Sharaa and the Chinese ambassador were given [Getty/file photo] Syria’s Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa met China’s ambassador to Damascus in the first public engagement between the two countries since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December, Syrian state media said on Friday. China, which backed Assad, saw its […]

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US piles pressure on Iraq to resume Kurdish oil exports: sources

Iraq’s oil minister made a surprise announcement on Monday that exports from Kurdistan would resume next week [Getty/file photo] US President Donald Trump’s administration is piling pressure on Iraq to allow Kurdish oil exports to restart or face sanctions alongside Iran, eight sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. A speedy resumption of

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Al-Aqsa Flood mastermind nearly called off 7 October attack

The 7 October attack, which took Israeli forces by surprise, has been the subject of multiple reviews amid accusations of security lapses [Getty] The late commander of Hamas‘ military wing, Mohammed Deif, had considered calling off Operation Al-Aqsa Flood just hours before it took place on 7 October 2023, Israeli media reported on Friday. Deif

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Iraq braces for US sanctions over Iran militia links

A funeral ceremony held in Baghdad for Abu Haidar al-Hafaji, a commander of the Iraqi Shia faction Kata’ib Hezbollah, who was killed in an Israeli attack in Damascus, on September 22, 2024. (Photo by Murtadha Al-Sudani/Anadolu via Getty] Iraq is bracing itself for possible US sanctions if the government does not disarm Iran-linked Iraqi armed factions and break

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Israel drops leaflets threatening Gazans to ‘leave or die’

Israel has sparked global outrage after dropping leaflets over the besieged Gaza Strip, warning Palestinians to either cooperate with its forces or face forced displacement or eradication. The messages, written in Arabic, carried explicit threats, including the chilling statement: “The world map will not change if all the people of Gaza cease to exist.” The move, condemned

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Autopsy of Hamas leader Sinwar finds no evidence of drug use

The autopsy carried out by the Israeli military on Yahya Sinwar‘s body has shown no evidence that the deceased Hamas leader used drugs. Forensic tests confirmed that Sinwar’s blood didn’t contain any traces of drugs but that he had consumed a significant amount of caffeine before he was killed in October, according to Israeli media

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N. Ireland first minister to boycott White House over Gaza plan

O’Neill said her decision not to travel to the White House has not been taken lightly [Charles McQuillan/Getty Images] Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill said on Friday she would not attend St Patrick’s Day events at the White House in protest over President Donald Trump’s position on Gaza. Political leaders from both Northern Ireland

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EU to suspend Syria banking, energy, transport sanctions

Syria economy has been ravaged by years of war and international isolation [Anwar Amro/AFP via Getty] The European Union will suspend sanctions on Syria’s banking, energy and transport sectors Monday, diplomats said, in a bid to help the country’s reconstruction after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad. Syria’s new leaders have been clamouring for the West

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Swiss police detained journalist Ali Abunimah despite no threat

Palestinian American journalist Ali Abunimah claims Swiss authorities arrested him despite no threat [X] Swiss authorities detained and expelled Palestinian journalist Ali Abunimah despite federal agencies rejecting a ban on his entry, newly obtained documents have revealed. The executive director of The Electronic Intifada was forcibly taken by undercover police while walking in Zurich on his

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Iran to conduct military exercises in Gulf of Oman

In recent weeks, Iran has conducted military exercises across the country [Getty/file photo] Iran’s military will conduct naval drills on Saturday in the Gulf of Oman and northern Indian Ocean, a commander told state television. “The joint military exercise Zolfaghar 1403 will begin tomorrow (Saturday) on the Makran coast, the Sea of Oman and the

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