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Deadly clashes between Turkish army, PKK
Turkish attacks expose fissures among Kurdish groups
Twin blasts kill scores in eastern Iraq
Italy’s Mulmix offers investments in Damietta logistics project
Company also offered to invest and establish silos in several Egyptian governorates
Peshmerga, US strikes fail to dislodge ‘Islamic State’
IS executed thousands since taking over Mosul
Saddam Hussein, the Gulf War and the new Middle East
Iraq invaded Kuwait at the beginning of August 1990. The international community responded by launching a military operation. The conflict was quickly resolved, but it had a transformative effect on the Middle East.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan calls off peace process with Kurds
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has called of a peace process with Kurdish militants. He also encouraged parliament to strip politicians with links to "terrorist groups" of immunity. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday it was impossible to continue a peace process with Kurdish militants. "It is not possible for us to continue the peace process with those who threaten…
Turkey’s ‘IS’ crackdown revives Kurdish conflict
Critics worry that Turkey's newest war against 'Islamic State' fighters is being eclipsed by the sudden revival of its oldest with the country's Kurdish minority. Noah Blaser reports from Istanbul. In the aftermath of the Suruc suicide bombing last week, Turkey ended its long reluctance to confront the self-declared "Islamic State" (IS), opening a key airbase to US warplanes, cracking…
Turkey launches second wave of airstrikes on PKK in Iraq
Turkish warplanes have bombed Kurdish camps in northern Iraq for a second night, threatening a fragile truce. The move comes as Ankara made a formal request to NATO for an extraordinary meeting. For a second night, Turkish warplanes bombarded Kurdish targets in northern Iraq. Turkey first conducted airstrikes on the Kurdistan Workers Party's (PKK) insurgent camps on late Friday into…
Re-configuring the Middle East: IS and changing demographics
By James M. Dorsey The Syrian civil war and Iraqi sectarian conflicts involving “Islamic State” (IS) have had far-reaching consequences for the demographics across the region. Once a relatively ethnically homogeneous autonomous region, Iraqi Kurdistan has seen its demography change radically as large numbers of Arab refugees pour into what was once an independent …
Blast from the past: Iraq, division or détente?
By Emad El-Din Aysha, PhD Lebanese President Camille Chamoun once stated in his memoirs, at the height of his country’s civil war, that he did not fear Lebanon would fracture into several independent states. His real worry, though, was if Iraq fell apart. That would doom the unity of his country. I’m quoting indirectly from …
‘Islamic State’ blows up, drowns Iraqi hostages in newly released video
Brutal and inhumane method contradicts simplest basics of human rights and religion, says Al-Gendy
Iraq’s unending woes
By Dr Cesar Chelala Iraq’s dismal health situation is testimony to the invasion of the country by foreign forces, including now the takeover of important parts of its territory by “Islamic State” (IS). The Iraqi people have been the subject of mass executions, rape, torture and, in addition, the destruction of the country’s infrastructure. The …
‘Islamic State’ and the Popular Mobilisation militias’ confrontation in Ramadi
By Khaled Okasha Before dawn last Friday in Al-Anbar in Iraq, “Islamic State” (IS) took over the government complex in Ramadi, the capital of the province. In the meantime, news spread that the security forces retreated from the complex following violent clashes with IS. The government complex includes the province’s office, Al-Anbar’s police department, the …
Iran, GCC rift: Real threat for the Middle East?
With Iran and the GCC at loggerheads, though indirectly, on a variety of battlefields and the US and Russia respectively emerging as the top supporters, does this mean we are witnessing a Cold War revival in the Middle East?
Egypt, Jordan sign gas sector MoU: Petroleum ministry
Discussions held on expanding Iraqi gas pipelines to reach Egypt through Jordan to benefit from Iraq’s oil and gas supply
EGPC to commence crude oil production in south Iraq by beginning of 2016: Chairman
1.1bn oil barrels of reserve for the “9” zone in Basra
Al-Azhar, Iraqi government dispute over ‘Shi’a militias’ violations’
Despite Egypt’s diplomatic support of Iraqi army against “Islamic State”, Sunni institution condemned “violations by Shi’a militants”
Shoukry reviews Arab conflict zones at Arab League meeting
Meeting was attended by Arab foreign ministers to discuss regional situation in preparation for Arab League Summit
Arab Summit set for 28 March
Terrorism, Arab-Israeli conflict, and regional status are among 28 issues on agenda
Egypt condemns IS destruction of Iraq’s cultural heritage
Islamic State released a video of militants smashing monuments
A view of Egyptian media from outside the snake pit
Wall Street Journal’s Matt Bradley discusses the state of post-30 June media
Iraq: A tale of two shocks
By Masood Ahmed Iraq is facing a “double shock” from the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) insurgency and the global plunge in oil prices. While the new government led by Prime Minister Haidar Al- Abadi was formed with the express objective of dealing with the insurgency and addressing the humanitarian disaster it …
35% expected savings in petroleum subsidies due to low oil prices: Petroleum minister
Consultations to take place with Iraq to receive Iraqi oil, negotiations will decide amount, timing, and price
Al-Sisi receives Iraqi prime minister to discuss bilateral relations, terrorism
Egypt’s security is entwined with Iraqi security, Egyptian President says
Egyptian ISIS leader found dead: Syrian Observatory
The militant’s head was reportedly separated from his body
Foreign minister promises support for Federation of Arab Journalists
The federations promotes joint Arab action, says Sameh Shoukry
Yazidi women victims of torture, sexual slavery in ISIS captivity: Amnesty International
Rape and sexual violence among reported ISIS crimes in Iraq
From Syria and Iraq to Iran: Kurdish minorities push for autonomy
By James M. Dorsey More than three years into Syria’s brutal civil war, Syrian Kurds have carved out an entity of their own close to the border with Turkey. Their battle against Islamic State (IS), the jihadist group that has conquered chunks of Syria and Iraq, for Kobani, a stone’s throw from the Syrian-Turkish border, symbolises …