Category: 2. Middle East

For weeks, Ziad Abu al-Dahab has been training for gold at an equestrian tournament near Damascus — in a sport once dominated by Syria’s Assad family and their inner circle.

“Results used to be decided in advance, always favouring those close to the government,” the 25-year-old rider said.

“My greatest ambition was to reach third place, but today, I can aim for first and do well with my new horse.”

For decades, former president Bashar al-Assad, his relatives and allies enjoyed wide-ranging…

More than 300 staff members of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since October 2023, the agency’s chief said on Sunday, Anadolu reports.

“Today, that death toll has surpassed the gruesome milestone of 300,” UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said on X.

“The vast majority of staff were killed by the Israeli Army with their children & loved ones: whole families wiped out.”

Lazzarini said…

Any deal between the United States and Iran must include an agreement not to enrich uranium, US special envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday, a comment that drew criticism from Tehran, Reuters reports.

While Witkoff was reiterating President Donald Trump’s position about uranium enrichment, Iran’s response was evidence that the two sides have a long way to go to reach any agreement over Iran’s nuclear program.

“We have one very, very clear red line, and…

European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management on Sunday condemned Israel’s latest attacks on Gaza, saying they resulted in civilian casualties and targeted hospitals and medical staff in violation of international humanitarian law, Anadolu reports.

In a post on X, Hadja Lahbib wrote: “Israel’s renewed offensive on Gaza has killed many civilians over the weekend and targeted hospitals and medical staff – clear violations of…

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday his country would keep enriching uranium “with or without a deal” with world powers, despite ongoing negotiations over its nuclear programme.

“If the US is interested in ensuring that Iran will not have nuclear weapons, a deal is within reach, and we are ready for a serious conversation to achieve a solution that will forever ensure that outcome,” Araghchi posted on X.

“Enrichment in Iran, however, will continue with or without a deal,” he…

“Children, families, and the elderly in Gaza were reduced to starvation,” noted Pope Leo XIV on Sunday in his inauguration mass in Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square, Anadolu reports.

Thanking some 200,000 people and numerous delegations representing states, royal families, and other Christian churches, the pontiff added: “In the joy of faith and communion, we cannot forget our brothers and sisters who are suffering because of war,” according to the Vatican…

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed Sunday that the army likely killed Mohammed Sinwar, a Hamas commander and the brother of slain Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, Anadolu reports.

“All indications show that Sinwar was killed,” Katz said at a meeting of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Security Committee.

“There is no official confirmation yet from the Israeli army, but indications show that Sinwar had been eliminated,” he added.

The Israeli public…

Israel is coordinating with a US firm to distribute humanitarian aid in the war-torn Gaza Strip, Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday, Anadolu reports.

The minister said the aid distribution may start on May 24, without providing any further details.

Since March 2, Israel has kept Gaza crossings closed to food, medical, and humanitarian aid, deepening an already severe humanitarian crisis in the enclave, according to government, human rights, and international reports.

Earlier this…

Five more Palestinian journalists were killed in Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, a medical source said, Anadolu reports.

The source said a woman reporter was among the victims, who lost their lives along with members of their families in attacks on houses and tents for displaced civilians in various areas across Gaza.

He identified the slain reporters as Abdul Rahman Al-Abaadela, Khaled Abu Seif, Azeez Al-Hajjar, Ahmed Al-Zaytani, and Nour…

American journalist Eric Maddox was detained by the Israeli army after getting beaten by illegal settlers in southern West Bank, a rights group official said, Anadolu reports.

“The Israeli army arrested an American journalist, activist, and podcaster, Eric Maddox, while he was filming settlers’ violations in Hebron,” Issa Amro, founder of Youth Against Settlements, told Anadolu on Saturday evening.

The Californian activist was shooting “a provocative…