Terrorism

Chinese oil companies fill void in Iraq

As major Western oil companies reconsider their positions in Iraq, China is seizing the opportunities offered by their departure.

Salam Zidane | Iraq | Jul 22, 2021

Iraqi workers walk at the Halfaya oil field near the southern city of Amara on Dec. 12, 2009. Iraq struck deals with several foreign energy giants to nearly triple its oil output. A consortium led by China's CNPC was awarded the contract for Iraq's Halfaya oil field, which has proven reserves of 4.1 billion barrels of oil.

Baghdad explosion kills at least 28 in busy Sadr City market

The attack occurred in a crowded marketplace as residents were shopping for the holiday of Eid al-Adha.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iraq | Jul 19, 2021

Biden administration transfers first Guantanamo detainee to Morocco

A government panel cleared Abdul Latif Nasir for release in 2016, but the Moroccan detainee remained at the US prison during the Trump administration.

Al-Monitor Staff | U.S. | Jul 19, 2021

Islamic State suspected of sabotaging Iraqi electrical towers

Power transmission towers have recently been targeted in Iraq, which already is suffering from major electricity shortages.

Mustafa Saadoun | Iraq | Jul 3, 2021

The sun sets behind electrical grids in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah in the Dhi Qar province, on Jan. 3, 2021.

Islamic State exploits economic downturn in Iraq, Syria, US envoy says

John Godfrey said the thousands of suspected Islamic State fighters held in northeast Syria constitute a security threat to the region.

Al-Monitor Staff | Syria | Jul 1, 2021

US Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter gunners scan the desert while transporting troops on May 26, 2021, over northeastern Syria. US forces coordinate with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in combatting residual ISIS extremists.

Egypt, Pakistan discuss joining forces against Muslim Brotherhood

Relations between Egypt and Pakistan have grown stronger as both countries seek to restrict the Muslim Brotherhood and parties supporting the group as well as fight extremism in Pakistan.

George Mikhail | Egypt | Jun 24, 2021

Top Turkish court accepts revised indictment to ban pro-Kurdish party

Turkey’s Constitutional Court on Monday accepted a case seeking the closure of the nation’s second-largest opposition party, the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), after a top prosecutor revised and resubmitted an indictment alleging members collude with terrorists.

Diego Cupolo | Turkey | Jun 21, 2021

A man holds HDP flags as members of the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) take part in a protest against the detention of HDP members, in Istanbul, on Sept. 25, 2020.

Islamic State revives religious police in northeast Syria

The Islamic State's religious police are back at work in the areas under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces in northeast Syria.

Mohammed Hardan | Syria | Jun 21, 2021

Turkey seeks cooperation with Egypt in Gaza

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu suggested cooperation between Ankara and Cairo on the Palestinian issue, a move seen unlikely as Cairo looks with suspicion at the Turkish role in the Palestinian territories, particularly the Gaza Strip.

Mohamed Sabry | Egypt | Jun 17, 2021

Egypt's Deputy Foreign Minister Hamdi Sanad Loza (background) meets with his Turkish counterpart Sedat Onal (foreground) in the Foreign Ministry headquarters in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on May 5, 2021.

Islamic State suicide bombing kills two in Libya

The Libyan civil war ended with a cease-fire in October of 2020, and a transitional government is now in power.

Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | Jun 7, 2021

A fighter from the pro-government forces loyal to Libya's Government of National Unity looks at GNA forces' vehicles burning after a suicide bomber of the Islamic State detonated his explosives close to a group of soldiers on Aug. 16, 2016, in an area of central Sirte known as District Two.

Turkish attack near Makhmour camp extends anti-PKK operations deeper into Iraq

Days after warning of a coming operation on Iraq’s Makhmour camp, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said a senior Kurdistan Workers Party official was “neutralized” near the camp Saturday, underlining Ankara’s drive to put pressure on militants in the region.

Diego Cupolo | Turkey | Jun 7, 2021

The entrance of the UNHCR Makhmour refugee camp, controlled by the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party), is seen Sept. 4, 2003. Journalists have been barred from the site as well as all arms since PKK militants were banned from carrying arms by the United States in Iraq.

Hezbollah founder dies of coronavirus in Iran

Ali Akbar Mohtashamipour died in northern Tehran at the age of 75, local media reported.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | Jun 7, 2021

Twitter photo of Ali Akbar Mohtashamipour.

Intel: Blinken hasn't personally seen evidence that Hamas used the building housing AP, Al Jazeera

Israel says the building was used by the Palestinian militant group, but it has not publicly provided any evidence to back up that claim.

Elizabeth Hagedorn | Israel | May 17, 2021

Palestinian journalists stand in shock following the destruction of Jala Tower, which was housing international press offices, by an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip on May 15, 2021. The Israeli airstrike demolished the 13-floor building housing Qatar-based Al Jazeera television and American news agency The Associated Press in the Gaza Strip.

Egypt to complete construction of New Rafah City

New Rafah City is becoming a reality in northern Sinai, giving displaced Rafah residents hope for a new and secure life and Egypt a chance to better fight the Islamic State in the border area with the Palestinian Gaza Strip.

Amr Emam | Egypt | May 17, 2021

An undated image of New Rafah City under construction

US sanctions 7 over Hezbollah finances

The sanctions indicate continued US pressure on the Lebanese organization under US President Joe Biden.

Al-Monitor Staff | Lebanon | May 11, 2021

Terrorism

Chinese oil companies fill void in Iraq

As major Western oil companies reconsider their positions in Iraq, China is seizing the opportunities offered by their departure.

Baghdad explosion kills at least 28 in busy Sadr City market

Biden administration transfers first Guantanamo detainee to Morocco

Islamic State suspected of sabotaging Iraqi electrical towers

Islamic State exploits economic downturn in Iraq, Syria, US envoy says

Egypt, Pakistan discuss joining forces against Muslim Brotherhood

Top Turkish court accepts revised indictment to ban pro-Kurdish party

Islamic State revives religious police in northeast Syria

Turkey seeks cooperation with Egypt in Gaza

Islamic State suicide bombing kills two in Libya

Turkish attack near Makhmour camp extends anti-PKK operations deeper into Iraq

Hezbollah founder dies of coronavirus in Iran

Intel: Blinken hasn't personally seen evidence that Hamas used the building housing AP, Al Jazeera

Egypt to complete construction of New Rafah City

US sanctions 7 over Hezbollah finances

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