Meet Aidarus Zubaidi: Separatist leader at heart of Yemen’s power struggle

Zubaidi’s Southern Transitional Council has experienced massive losses at the hands of the Yemeni government as Saudi Arabia ups its military campaign against the UAE-backed group.

Yemen

Turkey's Fidan says Israel ties harden SDF stance as Syria clashes grow

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Thursday blamed the Syrian Democratic Forces’ ties with Israel for what he cast as the group's increasingly uncompromising posture in Syria.

Turkey

Lebanon says phase 1 of Hezbollah disarmament complete as Iran FM visits Beirut

The announcement by the Lebanese army came as Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Beirut for a two-day visit amid ongoing regional tensions.

Lebanon

Aleppo clashes between Kurdish forces, Syrian government test US diplomacy

A violent escalation between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in Aleppo is worsening amid stalled US-brokered negotiations and growing regional pressures on the Kurds.

Syria

IRGC warns Israel it has 'hands on the trigger' as Iran protests enter 11th day

Iranian officials have repeatedly accused the US and Israel of instigating the mass protests in Iran.

Iran

Yemen separatists accuse Saudi Arabia of 'betrayal' as pro-Riyadh forces advance

Southern Transitional Council head Aidarus al-Zubaidi did not board a scheduled flight to Saudi Arabia for talks as Riyadh intensified its airstrikes against the group.

Yemen

Erdogan denies Turkey informed of US exile offer for Maduro prior to capture

While denying knowledge of a US exile plan for Nicolas Maduro, the Turkish president has been reluctant to directly criticize Washington over the Venezuelan leader’s capture.

Turkey

Newsletter: Daily Briefing

Yemeni separatist leader reportedly flees ahead of Saudi meeting

Yemen’s separatist leader reportedly fled ahead of Saudi-hosted talks; Syria and Israel agreed to establish a de-escalation channel; fighting resumed in Aleppo; and Iran’s protest crackdown intensified.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Hospital raids, mounting deaths: Iran's unrest enters volatile phase

Iran's nationwide unrest has deepened as lethal force collided with state warnings, exposing a widening gap between official control and fast-growing public defiance.

Iran

Analysis

From Red Sea to Horn of Africa: How Yemen exposed the Saudi-UAE divide

Saudi Arabia’s confrontation with the UAE in Yemen has laid bare a deeper struggle for influence over the Red Sea and surrounding regions.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Newsletter: Gulf

Yemen separatists travel to Saudi for talks as tensions ease

Saudi Arabia pairs recent military gains with dialogue efforts to ease southern Yemen tensions and reassert Gulf leadership.

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

In first, Israel's foreign minister visits Somaliland: What to know

Ten days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recognized Somaliland, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar arrived in Hargeisa for the first official visit.

Israel