Maiduguri, Nigeria, AP—In fierce fighting Sunday that killed more than 200 combatants, Nigerian troops clashed with Islamic extremists who attacked Maiduguri, the biggest city in northeastern Nigeria, from three fronts. At the same time the insurgents continued scorched-earth attacks on villages som
Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat—As part of UN-brokered efforts, talks between representatives of Libya’s rival factions have been held in the Swiss city of Geneva over the last two weeks in a bid to halt the troubled North African state’s steady slide into chaos and outright collapse. Though the talks are se
Sana’a, Asharq Al-Awsat—Several Yemeni provinces have cut off ties with the capital Sana’a, now under the virtual control of the Houthi movement, as tens of thousands of demonstrators took to Yemen’s streets to protest the group’s control over large parts of the country. A number of southern provinc
Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat—Riyadh witnessed an unprecedented gathering of international dignitaries on Saturday, as world leaders gathered in the Saudi capital to pay their respects to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz on the passing of his brother King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz.
Anbar, Asharq Al-Awsat—Iraqi tribal leaders and elders on Friday paid tribute to late Saudi monarch King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, recalling his numerous trips to western Iraq during the 1960s and 1970s when the region was known more for its hunting and falconry than unrest and the debilitating
Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat—Egyptian poet Ahmed Abdel Muti Hijazi famously wrote a divisive article in the monthly Ibdaa Arabic literary magazine, of which he is the editor-in-chief, claiming that the publication was exclusively for the literati, not the “harafish” (ordinary people). Will this sentiment
Athens, Reuters—Greeks began voting on Sunday in an election expected to bring to power the radical leftist Syriza party, which has pledged to take on international lenders and roll back painful austerity measures imposed during years of economic crisis. Barring a huge upset, victory for Syriza, whi
It is only natural that the death of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz would be greeted with such an outpouring of grief due to his status as a unique and visionary world leader. The King of Saudi Arabia; Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques; an icon for Arabs and Muslims; the father of the Saudi people. [&h
Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat—It is difficult to do justice here to the remarkable traits of leadership and humanity possessed by Saudi Arabia’s new King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, who succeeded his late brother King Abdullah on Friday. With over six decades of experience in Saudi governance King S
Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat—Egypt’s security and military authorities are more than capable of defending the country from terrorist attacks, Fayoum Governor Hazem Atteya-Allah told Asharq Al-Awsat after dodging an assassination attempt earlier this week. Unidentified gunmen fired on the governor’s
The decrees issued by the Saudi Royal Court on Friday are among the most significant decisions to be witnessed by the people of Saudi Arabia since the start of the century. The announcements came at a turbulent time for the region and in an era when it is important for the Saudi royal family to [&he
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has bidden farewell to King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, may he rest in peace. He was a King who was beloved by his people, and who reciprocated that love and appreciation to Saudi Arabia and its people. Saudi Arabia saw a quick and smooth transfer of rule, with King Salman Bi
Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat—Prominent Saudi Arabian scholars, officials and citizens pledged allegiance to King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince Muqrin Bin Abdulaziz and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Naif at the Governance Palace in Riyadh on Friday evening. Thousands of Saudis flocked to the
As the people of Saudi Arabia, from the Crown Prince downwards, prayed for the recovery of our dear King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud who was admitted to hospital in late December last year, speculations and predictions about the future of the ruling House of Saud mounted abroad. Wishful thinking
Sana’a, Reuters—Thousands of Yemenis took to the streets on Saturday in the biggest demonstration yet against the Houthi group that dominates Yemen, two days after President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi’s resignation left the country in political limbo. Witnesses said up to 10,000 people began
Tokyo, Reuters—Japan early on Sunday condemned a recording purporting to announce the execution of a Japanese citizen held by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants and demanded the immediate release of another captive depicted as appearing in a still image that accompanied the audio messa
Tunis, AP—Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid announced a new minority government Friday that excludes most of the major players on the political scene, including Islamist and leftist parties. The big winner in last year’s elections was the nationalist Nidaa Tounes party, but with only 86 of t
Kiev, Reuters—Pro-Russian rebels launched an offensive against the strategic port of Mariupol in eastern Ukraine on Saturday, prompting the European Union’s foreign policy chief to warn of a further “grave deterioration” in EU-Russian relations. Mariupol’s city administ
Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat—Late Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud safely navigated Saudi Arabia through a period of extreme change, regionally and internationally. Despite facing numerous challenges and adversities, the much-loved monarch ensured that the Kingdom enjoyed a major internati
Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat—New Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz has called for national unity and solidarity following the death of King Abdullah, moving quickly to appoint a new Crown Prince and Deputy Crown Prince. He pledged no change in the Kingdom’s direction, stressing that he will follow th
