Author: Gulf News Week

ISIL attacks dropped after the fall of the Assad regime. But the group will likely attempt to destabilise Syria’s new government.On December 13, a joint US-Syrian patrol was ambushed by a member of Syria’s own security forces near Palmyra, a city in central Syria once controlled by the ISIL (ISIS) group.Two US soldiers and an interpreter were shot dead, and four people were wounded, before Syrian forces killed the gunman.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3A father’s fight to find out what happened to his son who joined ISISlist 2 of 3Aleppo clashes expose hurdles in SDF’s integration…

Abu Safia’s health has deteriorated considerably since he was taken by Israeli soldiers.Gaza City – Dr Hussam Abu Safia, 52, remains in an Israeli prison a year after Israel detained him without charges or trial.His family and supporters are demanding his release as his health deteriorates amid reports of the inhumane conditions under which he is being held.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Who are the 95 Palestinian medics held captive by Israel?list 2 of 3Vigil in London for Palestinian prisoners held in Israellist 3 of 3Gaza’s Dr Hussam Abu Safia is still held by Israel, no sign of…

Somalia’s state minister for foreign affairs tells media that Israel’s move aims to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza.Somalia has demanded Israel reverse its recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland, condemning the move as an act of “aggression that will never be tolerated”.Ali Omar, Somalia’s state minister for foreign affairs, told media in an interview on Saturday that the government would pursue all available diplomatic means to challenge what it described as an act of “state aggression” and Israeli interference in the country’s internal affairs.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Israel becomes first country to recognise Somalilandlist 2…

Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler and military chief Selcuk Bayraktaroglu attend ceremony at an airbase near Ankara.Turkiye has held a military ceremony to honour a group of Libyan officials, including military chief Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, who were killed in a plane crash over Turkish territory earlier this week.The ceremony, held on Sunday at Murted airbase outside the capital, Ankara, honoured al-Haddad and four other military officers who were in Turkiye for high-level defence talks before the crash on Tuesday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Libya mourns after army chief dies in plane crash near Turkiye’s capitallist 2…

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appeals for immediate truce as fighting intensifies in Darfur and Kordofan regions.United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan’s brutal civil war, which the UN says has created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.Guterres’s appeal, made late on Friday, follows a peace initiative presented by Sudan’s Prime Minister Kamil Idris to the UN Security Council on Monday, which called for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to disarm.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4RSF says Sudan’s army launches air strikes on paramilitary stronghold Nyalalist 2 of 4‘No negotiation, no truce’…

At least eight killed during Friday prayers in Alawite district; Guterres calls for accountability as Paris warns of deliberate destabilization campaign. UNITED NATIONS/PARIS — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres demanded justice on Saturday for the perpetrators of a deadly bombing at a mosque in Homs, Syria, that killed at least eight worshippers during Friday prayers. The attack targeted the Imam Ali Bin Abi Talib Mosque in a predominantly Alawite neighborhood of the central Syrian city. The extremist group Saraya Ansar Al-Sunna claimed responsibility, saying its fighters “detonated a number of explosive devices” inside the building. In a statement released by…

Dramatic 3-2 victory reduces gap at the top to a single point, intensifying the title race as other Friday fixtures reshape league standings. In a match that encapsulated the high stakes of the season’s finale, Al-Hilal secured a vital 3-2 win over Al-Khaleej on Friday, cutting the gap to Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Nassr to just one point and setting the stage for a climactic title race. The victory propels Al-Hilal into second place, overtaking Al-Taawoun and piling immense pressure on their Riyadh rivals, Al-Nassr, who must respond against Al-Okhdood on Saturday to reclaim their cushion. The match at King…

In a nation scarred by conflict, over 400,000 displaced youths—most first-time voters—see Sunday’s election as a pivotal chance for stability, education, and a path home. BIRAO, Central African Republic — In a windswept camp on the edges of the Sahel, 18-year-old Amani Abdramane pauses from tending her donkey, adjusting the pink scarf draped over her shoulders. Like many across the Central African Republic (CAR), she is preparing to vote in Sunday’s general election—and with her ballot, cast a hope for peace. “I hope the person I vote for brings peace,” Abdramane says. Displaced nearly a decade ago after her father…

Ceremony for western Libya’s top general and four officers underscores strategic ties amid UN unification efforts; black box analysis requested from Germany. ANKARA — In a solemn display of diplomatic solidarity, Turkiye held a state military funeral on Sunday for five Libyan military officers killed in a plane crash last week, including the senior commander of western Libya’s forces. The ceremony at Murted Airfield near Ankara honored General Muhammad Ali Ahmad Al-Haddad and four of his colleagues, whose coffins were draped in the Libyan flag before being repatriated. Turkey’s Defense Minister and Chief of General Staff presided over the services.…

Palestinian death toll since the start of the truce in Gaza rises to 411 amid near daily Israeli violations.Israeli forces have fatally shot a Palestinian man east of Gaza City as they continue their ceasefire violations and carry out sweeping raids across the occupied West Bank.The Palestinian news service Wafa reported on Friday that Israeli forces opened fire on Uday al-Maqadma while he was sitting near the entrance of a school in Gaza. He was taken to hospital in critical condition and died of his injuries at the hospital.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Israel attacks press as…