Libya’s U.N.-backed unity government condemned an attack staged by a recently formed militia group on eastern military forces close to key oil facilities, as clashes resumed on Sunday. Fighting had erupted south of the coastal town of Ajdabiya on Saturday between military units loyal to Libya&
Most of what is written and said about “extremist Islamists” today is very different from what was written about them in the recent past. Most western commentators and the majority of Arab intellectuals used to classify extremist groups like Al-Qaeda as movements that were deprived of political righ
Taiz – Pro-government Forces and Houthi militias exchanged nearly 201 prisoners in the largest detainee swap to take place in the city since the beginning of war last year. A committee of three former detainees mediated the negotiations that led to the swap, in addition to tribal chief Abudlatif al-
Jeddah- Leader of the fourth military district Brig.Gen Ahmad Saif revealed that weapons used by Houthi and pro-Saleh militias (armed militants supporting ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh) are the same stock content offered by the U.S. in its mission to fight terrorism in Yemen. The artillery was
In his desire to avoid repeating mistakes made in Iraq, U.S. President Barack Obama believed that he stood out when deciding to overlook the Syrian crisis as it emerged. However, many have come to criticize the negative policy of political neutrality adopted by the Obama administration, and wish it
Cairo – Libyan Parliament is set to convene next week in another attempt, to decide on passing a confidence on the UN-Backed Government of National Accord head by Fayiz al-Sarraj. Members of parliament told Asharq Al-Awsat they received formal invitation from Speaker Saleh Akila for a parliamentary
Brussels – Authorities in Belgium arrested 12 suspects as part of a large anti-terror investigation that involved raiding 40 homes in 16 municipalities within Brussels. The raids happened following information about a new terrorist cell linked to al-Bakraoui brothers, involved in the Brussels and Mo
Tens of thousands of people gathered in sweltering heat on Japan’s Okinawa Island on Sunday June 19, crowing in the biggest demonstrations in two decades against U.S. military bases, after an American was arrested on the grounds of murdering a local woman. This protest threatens plans to move
Iran has reached a deal to buy 100 planes from U.S. planemaker Boeing, meanwhile both sides are waiting approval by U.S. Treasury authorities, the head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization said in remarks published by state media. Boeing has only been allowed to display its products to Iranai
“Alliance Rift”, “Alliance Collapse”, “Forever Divorced”, and “The End to a Sweet Honeymoon…” such read the headlines to many newspapers and media outlets over the past two years when predicting the state-of-affairs on the Saudi-U.S. relationship. Nonetheless, such forecasts of a 70-year-old a
London-Chairman of the Expediency Discernment Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani revealed that secret negotiations are undergoing with hundreds of people to choose a successor of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Hashemi told Qanoun newspaper that a special committee at the Assembly of Experts had
Saudi Arabia confirmed its supports to all Bahraini judicial actions to combat extremism and terrorism in all forms and manifestations, assuring its backing and solidarity to all actions already taken. For instance, an official source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed support of the Kingd
Fantasy sports moved a step closer to being legal in New York on Saturday when lawmakers approved the daily and season-long games, clearing a path for FanDuel, DraftKings and others to offer them to millions of players in the state. The multibillion-dollar industry, where players create their own pe
Standing near Greenland’s Jakobshavn glacier, U.S Secretary of State John Kerry perceived the signs set towards a looming catastrophe. Giant icebergs broken off from the glacier signaled eventual rising of oceans which scientists warn will submerge islands and populated coastal regions. Briefe
The Yemeni government said yesterday that it will stay in the city of Aden until the country’s capital Sana’a and all other provinces are liberated from rebel control. At a meeting with leaders of the factions of the peaceful Southern Movement yesterday, the Prime Minister of Yemen Ahmed Obeid bin D
Iraqi forces lined up for opening a second front on Saturday in preparation for an assault on ISIS-stronghold, Mosul. The offensive comes a day later to government troops declaring victory over the terrorists in Fallujah. Elite counter-terrorism forces and two army divisions, backed by U.S.-led coal
Last Saturday, Asharq Al-Awsat mentioned that it had been informed by ‘Western diplomatic sources’ that Staffan de Mistura, the UN and Arab League Envoy to Syria, was coming under Russo-American pressures that aim at holding a new round of negotiations in Geneva. Under normal circumstances there wou
Rio de Janeiro’s governor declared Friday a state of financial emergency and requested federal funds to help fulfill obligations for public services during the Olympics that are set to start on Aug. 5. The governor warned of total collapse in public security, health, education, transport and e
The man accused of murdering British lawmaker Jo Cox gave his name as “Death to traitors, freedom for Britain” when he appeared in court Saturday. The murder of Cox, a 41-year-old mother of two young children, has shocked the nation and both sides in the referendum have temporarily suspe
Despite harsh measures taken by Israeli forces including the erection of barriers and preventing young people from praying at Al-Aqsa mosque, about 140,000 worshippers were able to perform Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque yesterday (the second Friday of the month of Ramadan). Meanwhile, the Supreme
