middle-east - INTERNATIONAL AGENCY FOR JOURNALISM AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

US investigating possible Assad chemical attack in Syria

The US says it has seen signs the Syrian government may again be using chemical weapons in its attritional offensive to recapture the last rebel-held pocket of the country, warning the use of any such weapons would incur retaliatory measures from Washington and its allies. ...

U.S. Senator Graham: attacks on ships in Middle East coordinated by Iran

Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said on Tuesday that top administration officials told senators in a briefing the recent attacks on shipping and a pipeline in the Middle East was directed by the Iranian government and the ayatollah. ...

Algeria army chief: Elections to be held as scheduled

Algerian army Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Ahmed Gaid Salah, has reiterated his commitment to holding presidential elections on 4 July, amid fierce opposition. ...

Sudan general says new ruling body to be finalised in 'short time'

Sudan’s military rulers and protesters were expected to finalise the make-up of a new ruling body in a “short time,” a top general said Monday, after negotiations deadlocked over who should lead it — civilian or soldier. ...

Rocket fired on Iraq capital’s ‘Green Zone’, no casualties

A rocket was fired into the Iraqi capital Baghdad’s heavily-fortified Green Zone, which houses government buildings and foreign embassies, on Sunday but caused no casualties, the Iraqi military said, Reuters reports. ...

Trump, Saudi Arabia warn Iraq against Middle East conflict

US President Donald Trump issued a new threat to Tehran on Monday, tweeting that a conflict would be the “official end” of Iran, as Saudi Arabia warned it stood ready to respond with “all strength” and said it was up to Iran to avoid war, Reuters reports. ...

Egypt explosion: Tourists on bus injured near Giza pyramids

An explosion targeting a tourist bus has injured at least 16 people near the Grand Egyptian Museum, next to the pyramids in Giza. ...

Forces loyal to Libya’s UN-backed government receive military hardware

A coalition of forces allied with Libya’s UN-backed government of national accord (GNA) said it had received a shipment of armoured vehicles and arms on Saturday, reports Reuters, as it tries to stop Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) from taking the capital, Tripoli. ...

Algeria election could be postponed as protests continue

Algeria’s election could be postponed to an unknown date, sources have claimed, while protesters gathered once again in the capital Algiers. ...

Syria: Almost 200,000 displaced in 2 weeks

Renewed violence in Syria has displaced about 180,000 people in the past two weeks, according to more than 70 relief NGOs. ...

73 candidates requested form to run for Algeria president

The Algerian Ministry of Interior reported that 73 potential candidates have requested forms to collect the necessary signatures to run in the presidential election scheduled for 4 July, APS news agency reported. ...

Idlib may see century’s worst humanitarian tragedy

he United Nations said Friday the potential of a full scale battle in Syria’s Idlib province could result in the worst humanitarian catastrophe of the 21st century. ...

Sudan crisis: Talks stall as military demands barricades removed

Talks on moving Sudan towards civilian rule have been suspended for three days by the country's military leaders, who demand protesters clear roadblocks. ...

UN calls on Tunisia to immediately release detained official

The United Nations called on Tunisia on Wednesday to immediately release a UN official who was detained more than six weeks ago as part of an investigation by a Tunisian anti-terrorism unit. ...

Sudan crisis: Clashes in Khartoum leave several dead

At least five Sudanese protesters and a member of the security forces have died in clashes in the capital, Khartoum. ...

Spain pulls its frigate from U.S. military buildup in Middle East

Spain has recalled a frigate accompanying a US aircraft carrier to the Middle East because of rising tensions between Washington and Tehran, the defence ministry said Tuesday. ...

Iran 'jails British Council worker for spying for UK'

An Iranian woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in Iran for spying for the UK, officials say. ...

Sudan: Protesters close a main street in Khartoum

The situation has escalated on Sunday around the location of the sit-in in the headquarters of the Sudanese army, and protesters closed the Nile Street, one of the main streets in central Khartoum. ...

37 Bangladeshi migrants drown off Tunisian coast

Bangladesh has confirmed that a total of its 37 nationals drowned after a migrant boat, which was heading to Europe from Libya, capsized off the coast Tunisia, local media reported on Sunday. ...