Cairo, Reuters—The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) urged insurgents in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula on Monday to press ahead with attacks against Egyptian security forces and continue beheadings—a call likely to deepen concern over ties between the militant groups. Egyptian officials,
Sana’a, Asharq Al-Awsat—The Yemeni government and Houthi rebels signed an agreement to form a new government on Sunday, following the resignation of the prime minister, and days of fighting between the rebels and government forces in the capital, Sana’a. Houthi rebels seized control of government bu
Hong Kong, Reuters—Thousands of students braved sweltering heat in Hong Kong on Monday to demand greater democracy as they launched a week-long boycott of classes, underscoring a restive younger generation’s determination to challenge the Chinese Communist Party. Wearing yellow ribbons, stude
The Houthis will have no need to fight bloody battles to take over Yemen’s capital, Sana’a. The dangerous developments unfolding in the country suggest the Houthis have the upper hand over the government to such an extent that it gives one pause. No army and no state institutions will be able to res
Until the early hours of last Friday, the world was waiting with bated breath for Scotland’s decision on whether it would become independent or remain part of Britain. Several politicians breathed a sigh of relief when the results came out showing that Scotland had rejected the idea of independence,
New York, Reuters—World leaders including UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon were set to join farmers, fishermen, children and others in a massive demonstration on Sunday to demand action on climate change. Organizers are expecting 100,000 to join the People’s Climate March in midtown Manhattan
London, Asharq Al-Awsat—In the Sotheby’s Books & Manuscripts Auction Department there lies an exceptionally rare treasure, a set of priceless documents with a direct connection to an important piece of the Islamic faith’s living history. The hoard is a complete collection of the architectu
Sana’a, Reuters—Shi’ite Houthi rebels and government forces fought for a fourth straight day in the Yemeni capital, residents said, despite the announcement of a UN-brokered peace agreement due to be signed later on Sunday. Residents reported heavy fighting since Saturday night in an are
What is happening in Yemen represents as great a threat, if not more so, than what is happening in Iraq and Syria, at least in the eyes of the Gulf states and particularly Saudi Arabia. The Houthis represent a greater strategic threat to Saudi Arabia and Arabs, particularly if we view them as part o
Beirut and Erbil, Asharq Al-Awsat—The 49 Turkish hostages captured by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Mosul on June 12 have been successfully freed, Turkey announced on Saturday, though questions remain over how Ankara secured their release. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu announced dur
Cairo, Reuters—A bomb blast near Egypt’s Foreign Ministry killed two police officers and wounded several others on Sunday, the Interior Ministry said, in the most serious attack in Cairo in almost three months. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack which killed two poli
Kabul, Reuters—Afghanistan’s rival presidential candidates signed a deal on Sunday to share power after months of turmoil over a disputed election that destabilized the nation at a crucial time as most foreign troops prepare to leave. Ashraf Ghani, a former finance minister who will be named p
Jeddah, Asharq Al-Awsat—Western air strikes against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) targets in central and northern Iraq could prompt jihadists to flee across the border into Iran and Syria, experts told Asharq Al-Awsat. In comments to Asharq Al-Awsat head of the Saudi Shura Council’s C
Paris, Asharq Al-Awsat—Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al-Jaafari says he is pleased by the recent regional and international “shift” towards assisting Iraq to deal with the threat represented by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Two high-level international meetings on Ir
Tehran, AP—Hundreds of Iranian art lovers gave a troupe of Chicago-based puppeteers flowers and a lengthy standing ovation at the Tehran City Theater at the end of their historic performance this week during a rare visit by American performers to the Islamic Republic. The artists from the Manu
Ankara, Reuters—Turkish intelligence agents brought 46 hostages seized by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants in northern Iraq back to Turkey on Saturday after more than three months in captivity, in what President Tayyip Erdoğan described as a covert rescue operation. Security so
Beirut, Asharq Al-Awsat—The Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al-Nusra Front on Friday killed one of the 22 Lebanese soldiers it captured last month, threatening to kill another unless Beirut ends Hezbollah’s involvement in the Syrian conflict. A Twitter account affiliated to the Al-Nusra Front, a Sun
Sana’a, Asharq Al-Awsat—Sana’a remained on high alert on Saturday after tensions between Shi’ite Houthi rebels and government forces intensified, with Houthis shelling a state-run TV building and the government carrying out airstrikes against Houthi positions north of the capital. Local media
Minsk, AP—Negotiators in Ukrainian peace talks agreed early Saturday to create a buffer zone to separate government troops and pro-Russian militants and withdraw heavy weapons and foreign fighters in order to ensure a stable truce in eastern Ukraine. The deal reached by representatives of Ukra
Erbil, Asharq Al-Awsat—Kurdish Peshmerga forces are preparing to launch a broad offensive against militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Peshmerga forces will seek to recapture the northern city of Mosul—held by the Islamist group since August—as US and French m
