https://www.middleeastmonitor.com Latest news from the Middle East and North Africa Tue, 08 Aug 2023 09:33:31 +0000 en-GB Middle East Monitor 30 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&quality=85&strip=all&zoom=1&ssl=1 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com 32 32 116394717 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230808-a-van-cat-for-every-home-saves-the-breed-from-extinction/ Tue, 08 Aug 2023 09:05:10 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658647 Purebred cats are often hard to find, especially in countries like Turkiye where the stray cat population is high, and interbreeding is commonplace. But for the people behind 'A Van cat for every home project', this is a serious issue which needs to be addressed to stop the unique Van breed of cats from becoming extinct. Van cats are distinctive in their look, with their white, fluffy coat and startling eyes; often one amber and one blue. These traits are being preserved through a breeding programme run by the Van Cat Research and Application Centre within Van Yuzuncu Yil University. Cats are bred and then rehomed as part of the scheme, with 100 finding families annually. Each is microchipped, vaccinated […]]]> 658647 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230808-is-there-anything-new-on-turkiyes-path-towards-europe/ Tue, 08 Aug 2023 08:16:40 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658629 As usual, Turkish President Recep Tayyeb Erdogan has made another political U-turn with his country's foreign policy. After stressing repeatedly just a few days before the NATO summit in Lithuania last month that Sweden has still not done all that is required of it to Turkiye's satisfaction as agreed (along with Finland) in June last year, and criticising the Swedes for allowing protesters to burn copies of the Holy Quran, Erdogan has agreed to proceed with the country joining NATO. Following a meeting between Erdogan, the Swedish Prime Minister and NATO's secretary-general, the organisation's closing statement included Turkiye's agreement to refer Sweden's NATO accession to the parliament in Ankara. In return, Sweden made certain commitments, including cooperation with Turkiye to […]]]> 658629 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230808-football-star-mohamed-salah-isnt-heading-for-saudi/ Tue, 08 Aug 2023 07:50:05 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658622 Liverpool football player Mohamed Salah will not be transferred to the Saudi club Al-Ittihad, according to the Egyptian player's agent Rami Abbas. "If we considered leaving LFC this year, we wouldn't have renewed the contract last summer. Mohamed remains committed to LFC," Abbas wrote on Twitter yesterday after recent reports in the Saudi press that Al-Ittihad had offered the Egyptian international €180 million ($198 million) for two seasons, in addition to the £60 million ($77 million) that his club, Liverpool, would receive. The Egyptian football star has a contract with Liverpool that is valid until 2025; and is currently preparing for the start of the English Premier League season. Liverpool will not participate in the Champions League this season because it […]]]> 658622 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-market-prices-in-somalia-rise-after-black-sea-grain-deal-terminated/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 19:22:02 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658366 Market prices in Somalia increased after Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea grain deal, reports Anadolu Agency. In Africa, 25 countries currently rely on Russia and Ukraine for over one-third of their imported wheat. In some countries, the dependency on external sources for grain has surpassed 90%. During the Russia-Africa Summit on July 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that his country will provide free grain to six African countries in the next three to four months. "We will be ready in the coming months, in the next three to four months, to provide Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and Eritrea with 25,000-50,000 tons of grain free of charge. We will also provide free […]]]> 658366 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-1st-batch-of-migrants-in-uk-moved-to-bibby-stockholm-barge-more-expected/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 19:01:16 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658363 The first batch of UK asylum seekers has arrived on the Bibby Stockholm barge as more migrants are expected to move later Monday, reports Anadolu Agency. Video footage showed a bus with the migrants entering the port, although the exact number of arrivals is yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile, a number of people also gathered near the entrance of the port to protest the government's asylum policies, especially the barge plan. Carrying placards, the protesters chanted slogans: "'Refugees are welcome here,' 'No prison barge,' and 'Stop the far-right'." The British government's plan to start moving the first batch of 50 migrants to the barge, moored at Portland Port in Dorset in the country's southwest for three weeks, was delayed last […]]]> 658363 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-uk-increases-fines-for-bosses-landlords-supporting-illegal-migrants/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 18:35:44 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658361 Fines in the UK will be more than tripled for employers and landlords who allow "illegal migrants" to work for them or rent their properties, the government announced on Monday, terming it the "biggest shake up" of civil penalties since 2014, reports Anadolu Agency. It is the latest attempt by the government to prevent asylum seekers crossing the English Channel on small boats. "The civil penalty for employers, which was last increased in 2014, will be raised to up to £45,000 ($57,400) per illegal worker for a first breach from £15,000 ($19,130), and up to £60,000 (some $76,500) for repeat breaches from £20,000 ($25,500)," the Home Office said in a statement. Meanwhile, fines will increase for landlords from £80 per […]]]> 658361 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-iranian-foreign-minister-meets-with-japanese-premier-kishida-in-tokyo/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 18:09:04 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658358 Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian met with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo on Monday and discussed bilateral cooperation as well as the Iran nuclear deal, reports Anadolu Agency. Amirabdollahian arrived in the Japanese capital on Sunday evening and is also scheduled to meet with senior government officials to discuss bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues. "As a supporter of the Iran nuclear deal, Japan is seriously concerned about the expansion of Iran's nuclear-related activities and requested full and unconditional cooperation in the joint statement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," Kishida said in a statement released by the Japanese Foreign Ministry. He also urged Iran to respond in a "constructive" way. Earlier, the Iranian […]]]> 658358 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-the-director-of-the-palestinian-museum-reflects-on-her-years-in-charge/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 18:00:36 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658336 Duty and care are the words that would best describe the approach of Dr Adila Laidi-Hanieh towards the Palestinian Museum in Birzeit. She is stepping down as director of the museum at the end of this month, and we took the opportunity for her to reflect on her years in charge, changing the institution from the inside out. The museum is in a beautifully designed building which nestles in green terraces and overlooks the Mediterranean. It aims to represent the history and aspirations of the Palestinian people; explore their past and present; and reflect on their future. The flagship project of private foundation Taawon Welfare Association, the museum opened in 2016 and held its first on-site exhibition in 2017. However, […]]]> 658336 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-erdogan-palestinian-leaders-meeting-with-hamas-political-chief-in-turkiye-has-different-dimension/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 17:35:50 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658350 Palestinian president's meeting with Hamas political chief in Turkiye has a "different dimension," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, reiterating support for the Palestinian cause and the struggle of the Palestinian people, reports Anadolu Agency. "We hosted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ankara. On this occasion, we once again renewed our strong support for the Palestinian cause and the struggle of the Palestinian people," Erdogan said after a Cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara. On July 27, Erdogan held a closed-door meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas group's political chief. "The meeting of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas political bureau head Ismail Haniyeh, hosted by our country, added a different dimension to […]]]> 658350 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-us-ukraine-discuss-security-arrangements-saudi-arabia-peace-talks/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 17:28:49 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658347 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, over the phone, discussing recently held peace talks in Saudi Arabia, and "long-term security arrangements", reports Anadolu Agency. "The two discussed developments in Ukraine's counteroffensive efforts, recent conversations about a just and durable peace in Ukraine held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and long-term security arrangements between the two countries," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. "The Secretary reiterated the United States' staunch and ongoing support of Ukraine's defense against Russia's aggression and reaffirmed continued support of a strong Ukrainian military and accountable defense institutions," Miller added. Talks in the Saudi city of Jeddah on the Ukraine conflict concluded Sunday with the participants […]]]> 658347 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-quran-burnings-do-not-represent-sweden-says-swedish-fm/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 16:46:37 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658343 READ: Denmark studying legal measures to prevent Quran burning: Egyptian Foreign Ministry ]]> 658343 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-petition-to-bear-grylls-draws-900-in-support-of-scout-leader-expelled-on-anti-semitism-claims/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 14:39:10 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658333 A petition from expelled scout leader Pete Gregson to Chief Scout Bear Grylls has raised 900 signatures, just a month after it was launched on Change.Org. Gregson, treasurer of the 150th Craigalmond Scout Group, was expelled for being affiliated to the Campaign Against Bogus Antisemitism (CABA). He believes the Scouts appear to be working to the IHRA Definition of anti-Semitism which equates criticism of Israel to anti-Semitism, while Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss of Neturei Karta says: "Pete is in no way anti-Jewish." Gregson was expelled after a complaint was lodged because his number was used on a CABA Facebook page five years after the same number was published in a 2017 advert on behalf of the Scout Group seeking volunteers for the committee. […]]]> 658333 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-uk-government-divided-over-labelling-irans-revolutionary-guards-terrorist-group/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 14:09:53 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658326 The UK government is divided over designating Iran's Revolutionary Guards as terrorists, the Financial Times has reported. Disagreement between Home Secretary Suella Braverman and Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on labelling Iran's Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist group is said to be causing tension within the government. Braverman is increasingly alarmed by alleged plans of Iranian agents to target British citizens. However, Cleverly and officials at the Foreign Office are hesitant to classify the Revolutionary Guards as terrorists, fearing that such a move could be counterproductive. READ: UK security minister labels Iran-funded mosque a 'vile threat' to the country Labelling the armed force of another nation as terrorists is quite unusual for the UK, officials in the Foreign Office have argued. There are […]]]> 658326 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-saudi-signs-deal-to-localise-production-of-turkiye-drones/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 12:47:54 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658308 Saudi Arabia has signed an agreement with key Turkish defence firm Baykar Tech to help the kingdom localise the manufacturing of drones, in the latest deal signifying the improved relations between Riyadh and Ankara. In a post on the platform X, formerly Twitter, the state-owned Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) yesterday announced "the signing of a strategic localisation agreement with Baykar Tech, to localise the manufacturing of the 'Bayraktar Akıncı' UAVs and their systems within the Kingdom." It added that the agreement, which was signed under the patronage of Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz, "will enhance SAMI's role in supporting the national defence industry and strengthening our local capabilities." برعاية سمو #وزير_الدفاع؛ يسرنا أن نعلن عن […]]]> 658308 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-parts-of-africa-are-switching-from-obedience-to-france-to-obedience-to-russia/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 12:29:22 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658304 In my previous article, I mentioned the military coups in the Arab region, which are a plague. They were not done for the sake of God and the homeland, but rather for the sake of America and its interests and influence in the region. America came up with the idea of coups and encouraged other colonisers to follow suit. We now see Russia creating a coup in Niger from behind the scenes and overthrowing elected President Mohamed Bazoum, who is loyal to France. Russia used senior Niger army officers loyal to Moscow to lead the coup and create a military council headed by Abdul Rahman Chiani. It was Chiani who announced the expulsion of 1,500 French soldiers from Niger and […]]]> 658304 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-quran-burnings-proof-of-broader-bias-against-migrants-in-europe-ex-un-rapporteur/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 11:22:45 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658295 A recent wave of Quran burnings in Sweden and Denmark is "an assertion of a broader anti-immigrant, anti-non-European right-wing bias that has grown to be quite politically strong," a former UN special rapporteur has said. "There's no legitimate purpose by allowing groups to burn the holy scriptures of another religious faith," Richard Falk, a professor emeritus of international law at Princeton University, said. "It seems to me to serve … no possible constructive purpose. And I think there is a strong case for [such acts to be] prohibited." In recent months, far-right groups have desecrated and burnt several copies of the Quran in Denmark and neighbouring Sweden, drawing fierce condemnation from Muslims around the world and calls for measures to stop […]]]> 658295 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-turkiye-ruling-ak-party-urges-sweden-to-adopt-balanced-policy-against-hate-crimes/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 10:56:35 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658291 The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party in Turkiye called yesterday on Sweden to adopt an "effective and balanced" policy against all hate crimes, Anadolu has reported. Party spokesman [ made his comment after the "provocative parade" organised by PKK supporters that targeted Turkiye and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Stockholm on Saturday. Celik condemned the provocative PKK supporters as well as the Swedish authorities which "tolerate such acts". He called on the authorities in Sweden to fulfil their obligations in the fight against terrorism. The PKK is designated as a terrorist group by Turkiye and other countries, including the US, Canada and Australia, as well as the EU. "There should be no place for terrorist acts and activities that […]]]> 658291 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-31-missing-after-2-migrant-boats-sink-off-italy/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 07:49:02 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658261 More than 30 people are missing after two boats carrying migrants sank off the coast of the Italian island of Lampedusa over the weekend. According to the UN migration agency, IOM, survivors who were on one of the boats spoke about 28 people who were on a boat with them and are now missing. Three other migrants were reported missing from the second boat. IOM spokesman Flavio Di Giacomo told AFP that his organisation believes there are at least 30 missing based on testimonies from survivors. An investigation into the tragedy has been opened in the city of Agrigento on the island of Sicily. Agrigento police chief Emanuele Rechevari said the smugglers no doubt knew the waves would be rough as a storm […]]]> 658261 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-iraq-seeks-interpol-alerts-for-former-officials-over-2-5bln-graft/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 14:46:18 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658183 Iraq plans to ask Interpol to issue international alerts seeking the arrest of former senior officials including an ex-finance minister and an ex-intelligence chief over the alleged theft of more than $2.5 billion from the country's Tax Commission, Reuters reports. The scandal centres on suspected illegitimate cash withdrawals from the Commission between 2021 and 2022 totalling around $2.5 billion, according to Iraqi officials – a staggering amount even in a country that regularly ranks among the world's most corrupt. Iraq's top anti-corruption official, Integrity Commission chief Judge Haider Hanoun, announced the move to seek so-called Interpol Red Notices on Sunday. Hanoun said the judiciary would also ask for notices to be issued for the private secretary and a political adviser […]]]> 658183 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-turkish-foreign-minister-ukrainian-counterpart-discuss-black-sea-grain-deal/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 12:32:09 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658168 Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba on Saturday spoke over the phone and discussed steps that can be taken for the revival of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, according to Turkish diplomatic sources, Anadolu reports. On July 17, Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea grain deal, saying the Russian part of the agreement was not implemented. It sought the loosening of banking restrictions and the ability to ship its fertilizer before returning to the agreement. The agreement, signed in July 2022 in Istanbul by Turkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine, was aimed at resuming grain exports from Ukrainian ports halted due to the Russia-Ukraine war, which began in February 2022. Turkiye has said […]]]> 658168 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-turkish-coast-guard-saves-130-migrants-pushed-back-by-greece/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 10:47:43 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658160 A total of 130 irregular migrants pushed back into Turkish territorial waters by Greek forces were rescued on Saturday by the Turkish Coast Guard off the coasts of western Izmir province's Menderes, Karaburun, Foca and Cesme districts, Anadolu reports. Meanwhile, 265 irregular migrants and a migrant smuggler were caught off the coasts of Karaburun and Dikili. Irregular migrants were handed to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management after procedures. READ: Tunisia rescues 15,000 migrants in first half of 2023 And 170 irregular migrants in rubber boats were caught by the Coast Guard off the coast of western Canakkale province's Ayvacik district. Coast Guard Northern Aegean Group Command teams detected four rubber boats with irregular migrants off the coast of Ayvacik. During […]]]> 658160 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-saudi-arabia-sends-18th-aid-plane-for-earthquake-victims-in-turkiye-syria/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 10:43:51 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658157 Saudi Arabia sent an 18th humanitarian plane to support victims of the Feb. 6 twin earthquakes in southern Kahramanmaras province which affected several cities in Turkiye and Syria, according to media reports, Anadolu reports. The Saudi Arabian official news agency SPA said the plane carrying 32 tons of medical supplies and equipment, departed from the International King Khalid Airport in the Saudi capital of Riyadh for Gaziantep Airport. The plane was sent as part of the aid bridge established by Saudi Arabia for earthquake victims in Turkiye and Syria. Saudi Arabia sent the last aid plane to Turkiye on June 17. READ: Saudi Arabia urges its citizens to quickly leave Lebanon]]> 658157 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-turkish-fm-us-secretary-of-state-discuss-black-sea-grain-deal-nato-enlargement/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 10:30:51 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658152 Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke over the phone on Saturday and discussed the revival of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the security of the Black Sea and NATO enlargement, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that the two also discussed developments in the South Caucasus and the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia during the phone call held at Blinken's request. READ: UK takes lead in Turkiye earthquake aid, donating over £150 million]]> 658152 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-helping-palestinians-in-need-is-not-terrorism-they-are-the-victims-of-israeli-terrorism/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 09:37:14 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658149 I know none of the details of the arrest of Palestinian Amin Abu Rashid and his daughter Israa in Holland recently. I do know, however, that the track record of European governments in levelling allegations of "funding terrorism" against Palestinian-European organisations over the past twenty years or so has been abysmal. In almost every case, when taken to court the authorities have lost the legal argument. Will this happen again with Abu Rashid and Israa? Time will tell, but what is interesting is that it introduces to the world another no doubt well-funded "Israeli activist group", Ad Kan. It is well known, of course, that all allegations of "terrorism" and "funding Hamas" arise from "intelligence" shared by Israel and its […]]]> 658149 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-uk-takes-lead-in-turkiye-earthquake-aid-donating-over-150-million/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 08:18:11 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658142 The United Kingdom has taken the lead in supporting the appeal for victims of the deadly earthquakes in Turkiye six months ago, with donations from the country's population reaching over £150 million. According to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), a UK-based umbrella group for charities, announced this week that donations to aid the victims of the February 6th earthquakes have reached £151.8 million, an amount which includes the £5 million matched by the British government through the Aid Match scheme. The earthquakes and their aftershocks during the first week of February this year killed around 60,000 people across southern Turkiye and north-west Syria, destroying thousands of homes and causing severe infrastructural damage. While donations flooded in and continue to do […]]]> 658142 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230805-turkish-ambassadors-gather-in-ankara-to-discuss-global-issues/ Sat, 05 Aug 2023 13:57:36 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658105 The 14th annual Ambassadors Conference on Saturday started in the capital Ankara with the participation of Turkish ambassadors serving abroad and at home, Anadolu reports. The conference, being held under the theme of "Our Foreign Policy in the Century of Turkiye," will continue through Aug. 9. The conference has been organized annually by the Turkish Foreign Ministry since 2008, where ambassadors discuss regional and global developments. The ambassadors will also have the chance to exchange views on the global trends and recent challenges and opportunities as the conference plays important role for in-house planning of foreign policy and inter-institutional coordination. As part of the conference, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will receive the ambassadors to give them foreign policy evaluations and […]]]> 658105 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230805-denmark-studying-legal-measures-to-prevent-quran-burning-egyptian-foreign-ministry/ Sat, 05 Aug 2023 13:29:54 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658102 Denmark is studying several measures and legislation to prevent the recurrence of Quran burning incidents, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said Friday, Anadolu reports. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Rasmussen affirmed this in a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said in a statement. Rasmussen told Shoukry that the recent incidents involving the burning and desecration of the Quran in Denmark were "regrettable and contradicted Denmark's societal values," the statement added. Reiterating Egypt's strong condemnation of Quran burning, Shoukry said that such incidents provoke Muslims worldwide. READ: Iran-born Swedish woman burns Quran in Stockholm He also affirmed that these incidents violate human rights, threaten peaceful coexistence and fuel extremism. On Tuesday, despite wide-ranging condemnation, members […]]]> 658102 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230805-saudi-arabia-urges-its-citizens-to-quickly-leave-lebanon/ Sat, 05 Aug 2023 13:20:26 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658098 Saudi Arabia called on its citizens to quickly leave Lebanese territory and to avoid approaching areas where there have been armed clashes, the Saudi embassy in Lebanon said in a statement posted late on Friday on X, formerly known as Twitter, Reuters reports. The kingdom did not specify which areas in Lebanon that it was advising its citizens to avoid. The embassy stressed "the importance of adhering to the Saudi travel ban to Lebanon," the statement added. READ: Hamas, Lebanon discuss stabilising Ain Al-Hilweh ceasefire  Kuwait also issued an advisory early on Saturday calling on Kuwaitis in Lebanon to stay vigilant and avoid "areas of security disturbances" but stopped short of asking them to leave the country, according to a statement […]]]> 658098 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230805-russian-airstrikes-kill-3-civilians-in-northwestern-syria/ Sat, 05 Aug 2023 13:14:56 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658095 Three civilians were killed in attacks by Russian warplanes on a village in northwestern Syria, local sources said on Saturday, Anadolu reports. Two Russian warplanes departed from the Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia, and carried out four airstrikes on the village, according to the Syrian opposition aircraft observatory. Six others were injured in the attacks which hit the village of Ein Shib in Idlib province, said the White Helmets, a civil defense group. The injured people were transferred to nearby hospitals. In September 2018, Turkiye and Russia agreed to turn Idlib into a de-escalation zone where acts of aggression are expressly prohibited. The Syrian regime and its allies, however, have consistently broken the terms of the cease-fire, launching frequent attacks […]]]> 658095 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230805-russia-accuses-idlib-factions-of-intensifying-weapons-drones-production/ Sat, 05 Aug 2023 09:26:43 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658077 Russia has claimed that the opposition factions in Idlib recently intensified the production of weapons and drones. Deputy Head of the Russian Reconciliation Centre Rear Admiral Vadim Kolet stated that Russia: "Will not allow any acts of incitement against the Russian military." Kolet claimed that the leadership of the Russian armed forces group in Syria is ready to take the most decisive measures to protect the lives of Syrians from Russian and Syrian civilians and military. READ: UN urged to help unblock Russia fertiliser stuck in Europe He pointed out that the opposition factions are conducting active recruitment operations, calling on their leaders to: "Reject any acts of incitement and follow the path for a peaceful settlement of the conflict." On […]]]> 658077 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-mosque-in-germany-gets-threatening-letter/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 18:43:09 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658062 A mosque in Germany received a threatening letter on Friday, an official said, Anadolu Agency reports. The letter was addressed to the Eyup Sultan Mosque in the town of Bramsche in the lower Saxony state. "Continue like this. What we did to the Jews, we will do to you too. That day is not far away," it said. The letter also included insults directed to Islam. Ahmet Irmak, president of the mosque affiliated with the Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs (DITIB), said that another mosque in the region received a threatening letter earlier this week. Both the letters were sealed with NSU 2.0, referring to a neo-Nazi group responsible for a string of murders. Irmak noted that a similar letter […]]]> 658062 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-attacks-on-quran-extremist-acts-say-british-academics/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 18:01:21 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658060 Academics known for their work on religion, faith and society in the UK have said that attacks on the Muslim holy book, Quran, in Scandinavian countries are "extremist acts that must be prevented", Anadolu Agency reports. Alison Scott-Baumann, a Professor of Society and Faith at the Centre for Islamic Studies at SOAS University, and David Thomas, a Professor of Theology and Religion at the University of Birmingham, spoke to Anadolu about the increasing Islamophobic attacks in Scandinavian countries, especially Sweden and Denmark. Scott-Baumann stated that the acts of burning the Quran in Scandinavian countries are a result of the effect caused by the discourses of politicians and emphasized that these discourses are fed by the idea of "creating enemies in […]]]> 658060 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-noc-eni-bp-and-sonatrach-lift-force-majeure-and-resume-exploration-in-libya-oilfields/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 16:31:16 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658055 Three of the biggest foreign energy companies operating in Libya have lifted force majeure and resumed exploration in the country's oilfields, the National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced today, local Libyan news outlet reports. According to the report, NOC said it received "official notifications from the Italian company, Eni, and the British company, British Petroleum, regarding the lifting of force majeure and the resumption of exploration and contractual obligations in the blocks awarded to them in the Ghadames Basin (A-B) and offshore Block C." "The NOC also confirmed receiving an official notification from the Algerian company, Sonatrach, regarding the lifting of force majeure and the resumption of exploration and fulfilment of contractual obligations in blocks 065 and 96/95 in the Ghadames […]]]> 658055 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-the-suwalki-gap-and-putins-gambit-for-prigozhin/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 14:30:59 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657986 The Prigozhin saga is unprecedented in Russian history. In the past, if a highly placed personality lost the trust of the Kremlin and were declared enemy of the state, the price would be dire. Prigozhin appears to be an exception. While his mutiny had many military personnel killed, including several pilots, the Wagner boss did not face the consequences of his actions and walked free from prosecution. In fact, Putin granted Prigozhin a second chance, demanding that the Wagner units settle in Belarus. This request gave the signal to Prigozhin that his services were still needed. The Wagner mercenaries, renowned for their war expertise, represent a formidable, disciplined, and motivated force akin to an iron fist. Even though they are mercenaries, […]]]> 657986 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-kremlin-disbelieves-us-promise-to-safeguard-its-food-exports-if-it-returns-to-grain-deal-ria/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 14:19:16 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658028 Russia does not believe a US promise that Washington will help ensure Moscow can freely export food if it returns to the Black Sea grain deal, state news agency, RIA, quoted the Kremlin as saying on Friday, Reuters reports. US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, told reporters on Thursday: "In the event of return to the agreement, of course, we'll continue to do whatever is necessary to make sure that everyone can export their food and food products freely and safely to include Russia." Russia, last month, quit the agreement that had allowed Ukraine to ship food from its Black Sea ports, complaining about obstacles to its own exports of food and fertiliser. READ: US to keep Russia food exports […]]]> 658028 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-israel-contemplates-forging-ties-with-far-right-party-accused-of-holocaust-denial/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 13:57:23 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658026 Israel's Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, is looking to change Israel's stance toward Romania's far-right AUR party, known for its anti-Semitic positions and denial of the Holocaust, reported the Haaretz. The move comes as Israel strengthens ties with far-right leaders in Europe and against the advice of professionals within the Israeli Foreign Ministry and Yad Vashem, Israel's official Holocaust institution. AUR, an opposition party in Romania, currently holds around 12 per cent of seats in the country's parliament and espouses far-right nationalist ideologies. It has a troubling history of making anti-Semitic statements and downplaying the scale of the Holocaust in Romania, as well as the country's complicity in war crimes against its Jewish population. Read: Why are we surprised that Netanyahu […]]]> 658026 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-about-3600-nests-of-loggerhead-turtles-found-in-turkiye-mediterranean-province-of-antalya/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 13:31:18 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658021 About 3,600 nests of loggerhead turtles, also known as Caretta caretta, were found in Turkiye's Mediterranean coastal province of Antalya, Anadolu Agency reports. Some 2,000 of the nests were found in the Belek district and 1,600 others in the Kiziliot district of Antalya, one of Europe's largest Caretta caretta nesting areas. From the eggs that the turtles buried under the sand as of May, offspring began hatching. The offspring of Caretta carettas, which are among the animals at risk of extinction in the world, came out of their eggs and reached the blue waters after a difficult journey. They are threatened by predators such as foxes, dogs, seagulls and crabs on this challenging journey, as well as by the garbage […]]]> 658021 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-date-not-yet-set-on-putins-next-visit-to-turkiye-president-erdogan/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 13:22:21 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658017 On the Russian President's upcoming visit to Turkiye, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that the date has not yet been set, but talks continue and, hopefully, Vladimir Putin will visit in August, Anadolu Agency reports. "The date is not clear, but the Foreign Minister, head of the intelligence organisation, they are all holding talks," Erdogan told reporters after Friday prayers in Istanbul. "Within the framework of these talks, I think that this visit will take place hopefully in August." Erdogan's remarks followed his Wednesday phone call with Putin, in which they agreed Putin would pay a visit to Turkiye in the coming days. Erdogan also told Putin that Turkiye will continue its "intense" efforts and diplomacy for resumption […]]]> 658017 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-palestinians-incite-against-gaza-once-again/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 13:00:38 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657978 Early this week, hundreds of people in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis took to the streets calling for the Administrative Committee in the besieged enclave to provide them with a better quality of life. They also called for lifting alleged restrictions imposed on freedom of expression in Gaza. These people responded to calls made by a number of Palestinian youths who left Gaza after being released from prison. They live in Egypt or Europe and have repeatedly incited against Gaza and the Palestinian resistance. Calling for or organising demonstrations in protest against certain issues is a human right, but demonstrations should target the parties which cause crises or stand behind problems in order to put pressure on them […]]]> 657978 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-un-urged-to-help-unblock-russia-fertiliser-stuck-in-europe/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 12:58:43 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658015 Russian and seven African leaders, on Friday, called on the UN to take necessary action to release 200,000 tons of Russian fertiliser stuck on European seaports for immediate delivery to the world's second-largest continent, Anadolu Agency reports. In a joint statement, published on the Kremlin website, the presidents of Comoros, Congo, Egypt, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia "called for specific steps to remove obstacles to Russian grain and fertiliser exports, thus allowing the resumption of the full implementation of the Black Sea package initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General as endorsed on 22 July 2022 in Istanbul." "The Leaders also called upon the United Nations to take necessary action in order to release 200 thousand tons of Russian […]]]> 658015 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-germany-inks-30m-deal-to-support-unrwa/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 11:36:04 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658003 The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) yesterday announced that it has signed three agreements with Germany worth €28 million ( $30.6 million) to support Palestinian refugees, Anadolu news agency reported. The agency said the three agreements were signed by the German Development Bank (KfW). "The German government will continue to support Palestine refugees across the region," said Oliver Owcza, head of the German Representative Office in Ramallah. "The new agreements will make a significant contribution to improving living conditions in the Palestine refugee camps," he added. He pointed out that "the agreements will enable UNRWA to invest in camp infrastructure and modernise its service delivery system. This would make UNRWA services more efficient and accessible to Palestine refugees." […]]]> 658003 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-iran-born-swedish-woman-burns-quran-in-stockholm/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 11:25:41 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657996 An Iranian-born woman has burnt a copy of the Quran in the Swedish capital Stockholm under police protection. The woman, Bayrami Marjan, 47, set fire to the Quran at the Angbybadet beach in Bromma on the shore of Lake Malaren. ??☪️ Another Quran burner pops up-Iranian immigrant sets holy book on fire on the beach in the suburbs of Stockholm,Sweden. Burning of Muslim's holy book intensifies again with Iran claiming pic.twitter.com/V9ptdO5vgt — MARIA (@its_maria012) August 3, 2023 Sweden and Denmark have recently witnessed a series of incidents involving the desecration of the Muslim holy book by extreme right-wing activists in front of embassies of Islamic countries which has sparked anger across the Arab and Muslim world. On 26 July, the […]]]> 657996 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-saudi-to-extend-oil-output-cuts-for-another-month/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 11:17:15 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657992 Saudi Arabia will extend a voluntary oil output cut of one million barrels per day for another month to include September, it said yesterday, adding it could be extended beyond that or deepened, Reuters reported. The kingdom's production for September will be around nine million barrels per day (bpd), the state news agency SPA cited an official source at the energy ministry as saying. "This additional voluntary cut comes to reinforce the precautionary efforts made by OPEC+ countries with the aim of supporting the stability and balance of oil markets," the source said. The cut may be "extended, or extended and deepened", he added, flagging the possibility of further market tightening. The decision came on the eve of a panel meeting from OPEC+, which […]]]> 657992 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-has-the-muslim-brotherhood-turned-from-friend-to-foe-as-turkiye-restore-ties-with-egypt/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 10:30:52 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657976 After almost a decade of diplomatic deadlock, Egypt and Turkiye have agreed to restore diplomatic ties and high-level visits have already taken place between two countries. Recently, Egypt's commerce minister was in Turkiye and it was agreed the two sides would raise trade levels to $15 billion by 2030. This rapprochement began in early 2021 but the major breakthrough came during the inaugural ceremony of 2022 Qatar World Cup when both President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel fattah Al-Sisi shook hands in the presence of Qatari ruler Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. The relationship between the two had soured after Turkiye denounced the removal of former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi in a coup in July 2013. Erdogan […]]]> 657976 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-us-to-keep-russia-food-exports-flowing-if-grain-deal-revived-blinken-says/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 19:48:26 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657959 The United States would continue to do "whatever is necessary" to ensure Russia can freely export food if there was a revival of a deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of Ukrainian grain, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said on Thursday, Reuters reports. Russia, last month, quit the July 2022 deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkiye aimed at easing a global food crisis after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, five months earlier. Ukraine and Russia are both leading grain exporters. "In the event of return to the agreement, of course, we'll continue to do whatever is necessary to make sure that everyone can export their food and food products freely and safely, to include Russia," Blinken told reporters at the United Nations. "We want to see […]]]> 657959 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-eu-views-reckless-quran-burnings-in-denmark-sweden-as-individual-provocations/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 19:01:24 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657952 Recent "reckless" attacks on Islam's holy book, the Quran, in Denmark and Sweden are "individual" provocations, the EU said on Thursday, Anadolu Agency reports. "The EU has always been clear that manifestations of racism, xenophobia and related intolerance have no place in Europe," Nabila Massrali, the EU spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said at a press conference. Responding to reporters' questions, Massrali said such actions are incompatible with the values ​​upon which the EU was founded, which include respect for religious communities. "These reckless acts committed by individual provocateurs only benefit those who want to divide us and our societies," she added. She reiterated that the EU attaches "great importance" to promoting religious freedom or belief for Muslims […]]]> 657952 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-revival-of-black-sea-grain-deal-crucial-for-food-access-price-stability/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 18:41:29 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657950 The revival of the Black Sea grain deal is significant for global food price stability and continued access to food in poor countries, Anadolu Agency reports. Following Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement of withdrawal from the deal on 17 July, the matter resurfaced in a telephone conversation between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Putin. Erdogan stressed that the suspension of the deal, which he termed the "bridge of peace," would benefit no one and particularly harm countries with low income levels that rely on the grain. Quoting figures, he said grain prices rose 15 per cent in the past two weeks, compared to a decline of 23 per cent when the deal was in place. Turkiye will continue its […]]]> 657950 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-uk-foreign-office-urged-to-provide-apology-to-national-over-failure-to-recognise-uae-torture/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 18:34:00 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657948 A parliamentary watchdog has called on the United Kingdom's Foreign Office to formally apologise to a British national who was detained and tortured by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), stating that the government department failed to act immediately and to notice signs of torture. Matthew Hedges, an academic from the UK, was detained in the UAE between May and November 2018, after Emirati authorities accused him of conducting espionage and working for the British intelligence agency, MI6, while he travelled to the country to carry out research for his PhD. Hedges was then sentenced to life imprisonment before being given a presidential pardon only days later, securing his release and return to the UK. He later revealed to the press […]]]> 657948 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-lebanon-extradites-suspected-drug-dealer-to-italy/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 18:28:03 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657946 Lebanon, on Thursday, handed over to Italy a suspected Italian drug dealer arrested weeks ago near the capital, Beirut, the Italian police said, Anadolu Agency reports. Sought with an international arrest warrant, Bruzzaniti was arrested while he was having dinner at a restaurant in the city of Jounieh. He is accused of being responsible for the smuggling of around two tons of cocaine a month from South America to Italy. He was a fugitive since October last year, when Italian police arrested more than 30 people accused of being part of a criminal group responsible for the smuggling of tons of cocaine from South America to the southern Italian region of Calabria, a stronghold of 'Ndrangheta', an Italian organised crime […]]]> 657946 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-turkiye-withdraws-as-host-of-cop16-blaming-februarys-earthquakes/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 17:46:51 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657942 Turkiye has withdrawn from hosting the United Nations' Cop16 biodiversity summit in 2024, citing three large earthquakes in February that devastated parts of the country, Reuters reports. According to the report, the UN convention on biological diversity announced that Turkiye had withdrawn due to "a force majeure situation", inviting other countries to offer to host the conference. It is hoped the scheduled dates – 21 October to 1 November – will not change. France, the UK, Switzerland and Spain are all possible replacement destinations for the conference, where governments will discuss how they are meeting targets to protect 30 per cent of land and sea, reform $500bn of environmentally damaging subsidies and restore 30 per cent of the planet's degraded terrestrial, inland water, […]]]> 657942