Middle East Monitor Latest news from the Middle East and North Africa

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  Pope Leo voices concern over ‘tragic’ situation in Sudan

  by Marwa A on August 9, 2026

  Pope Leo XIV on Sunday expressed his concern over the ongoing “tragic” situation in Sudan, calling on the international community to support efforts aimed at bringing about an immediate ceasefire, Anadolu reports. “I renew my appeal to those in authority to guarantee humanitarian corridors for the civilian population,” the pontiff said following the Angelus prayer at St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican News reported. He expressed his concern, citing in particular to the Sudanese city of el-Obeid, and called on the international community “to support efforts aimed at bringing about an immediate ceasefire.” Fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has continued since 2023, following disputes over integrating the paramilitary force into the regular military. The

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  Hamas reaffirms commitment to completing 2nd phase of Trump’s Gaza plan

  by Marwa A on August 9, 2026

  Palestinian group Hamas reaffirmed Sunday its commitment to a roadmap agreed with mediators and the Board of Peace to complete the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the movement said it remains serious about “responsibly engaging” on implementing the 15-point plan and establishing a clear timetable for it. “The priority at this stage must be to ensure the implementation of all phases and obligations of the agreement,” Hamas said. It added that the process should lead to a complete ceasefire, an end to Israeli attacks, the completion of Israel’s withdrawal, the reopening of crossings, the entry of humanitarian aid and shelter supplies, the start of reconstruction and enabling the National Committee

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  When the Men With Stars on Their Shoulders Are Told to Sit Down

  by Marwa A on August 9, 2026

  Augustus never recovered from three words. When news reached Rome that three legions had been annihilated in the Teutoburg Forest, the emperor is said to have wandered his palace for months, striking his head against the doorframe and crying, “Quintili Vare, legiones redde!” Give me back my legions, Varus. Varus had been warned. A German chieftain named Segestes had told him, in plain language, that his ally Arminius was leading him into a trap. Varus outranked the warning. Three legions ceased to exist in an afternoon. Washington is not Teutoburg. But six months into a war with Iran that was supposed to last four to six weeks, the pattern of ignoring the men whose job is to know better has

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  Iran releases rare video of Mojtaba Khamenei after reports of deteriorating health

  by Marwa A on August 9, 2026

  Iran has released a rare video of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei after reports suggested that he was in critical condition, Anadolu reports. The video aired by the semi-official Mehr News Agency showed Mojtaba surrounded by several people and appeared to be speaking to them. Mehr did not specify when or where the video was recorded, nor did it identify the people accompanying him. The agency reported on Sunday that Mojtaba met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is beginning his third year in office. Their meeting addressed the current challenges facing Iran, including public livelihood needs and the military conflict with the US “as well as economic interaction with foreign partners,” it added. Mojtaba was selected as Iran’s supreme leader

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  Israeli prime minister rejects Trump’s 15-point plan for Gaza

  by Marwa A on August 9, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday rejected a 15-point plan approved by US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza, insisting that Israeli forces will not withdraw from the Palestinian territory until Hamas is disarmed, Anadolu reports. “Israel rejects the 15-point document published by the Board of Peace for Gaza,” Netanyahu said in a video statement after the start of a Cabinet meeting, as cited by the daily Yedioth Ahronoth. “The Israeli army will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is disarmed,” he added. The Israeli premier said the disarmament must include “the heavy weapons, the less heavy weapons,” claiming that Israel wants “real disarmament, not fake disarmament.” He said Israel is holding talks with the US

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  Wife of Israeli prime minister faces accusations of abusing household staff: Report

  by Marwa A on August 9, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife Sara has been facing accusations of yelling at, insulting and mistreating household staff at the premier’s residence for more than 25 years, Anadolu reports. The daily Yedioth Ahronoth said it examined dozens of testimonies and lawsuits involving former employees, with accusations ranging from verbal abuse and humiliation to excessive work demands. Some of the accusations resulted in court rulings awarding compensation, while others were settled or dismissed. Sara Netanyahu and her lawyers have repeatedly denied the allegations, describing them as part of “a media campaign” and attempts to extract money from the state. Among the latest allegations was a complaint by Yehiel Ohav Ami, 61, who worked at the prime minister’s residence over the

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  Fear: The new tax on power

  by Marwa A on August 9, 2026

  Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger wasn’t boasting when he said, “Cowardice is not an option in this business.” He wasn’t celebrating personal bravery either. He was simply acknowledging a reality: he no longer has the luxury of being afraid. Papperger has lived under police protection for years due to suspected Russian assassination plots. Armed security accompanies him everywhere—even inside Rheinmetall’s headquarters in Düsseldorf—under a protection protocol comparable to that of the German Chancellor. Not because he is a criminal, but because he manufactures weapons in a world where retaliation has become a currency. Rheinmetall supplies large quantities of arms to Ukraine and is building factories there. The company’s CEO now lives as if he were in a permanent war zone, even

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  Netanyahu ‘quietly’ approves reconstruction in Gaza’s Rafah: Israeli media

  by Marwa A on August 9, 2026

  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz “quietly” approved the reconstruction of an area under army control in eastern Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, according to Israeli media on Sunday, Anadolu reports. Without a public announcement, Netanyahu and Katz approved “infrastructure works in ‘Green Rafah,’ in eastern Rafah, to establish a residential project for Palestinians outside Hamas control,” Army Radio said. “Green Rafah” is an area controlled by the Israeli army within the so-called Yellow Line separating areas occupied by Israel from zones where Palestinians are allowed to move. The area has been “completely leveled and cleared and is currently empty” and will be “under the control of a multinational force,” the radio said. “The infrastructure works that

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  Rights group files criminal complaint in Vietnam against Israeli soldier over war crimes in Gaza, Lebanon

  by Marwa A on August 9, 2026

  A Brussels-based advocacy group has filed a criminal complaint with Vietnamese authorities against Israeli reservist Matan Jerafi, accusing him of war crimes, genocide and incitement to genocide during Israel’s wars in the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon, Anadolu reports. The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF) said in a Saturday statement that Jerafi is the CEO of the Israeli organization Im Tirtzu and served with the 920th Infantry Battalion of the 769th Brigade. It said he “documented his deployment to Gaza and to southern Lebanon and his direct involvement in the unlawful destruction of civilian property.” According to the complaint, evidence shows Jerafi participated in the destruction of civilian infrastructure in the Bureij and Maghazi refugee camps in central Gaza and in

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  Pakistan’s governance crisis demands administrative reform

  by Marwa A on August 9, 2026

  Pakistan’s recurring debate over creating new provinces is too often reduced to questions of ethnicity, language and political bargaining. That framing obscures the real issue. The challenge is not how many provinces Pakistan should have, but whether its governance architecture has kept pace with the country’s demographic and administrative transformation. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s recent call for additional administrative units has revived a politically sensitive discussion. Predictably, much of the debate has centred on constitutional hurdles and fears of ethnic fragmentation. Yet the more important question is whether Pakistan can continue governing a population that has grown from roughly 65 million in the early 1970s to nearly 250 million today through an administrative structure that has changed remarkably little. Administrative

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  Israeli forces kill Palestinian in Gaza, wound 9 including 4 children

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  Israeli forces killed a Palestinian and wounded nine others, including four children, in separate attacks across the Gaza Strip on Saturday, medical sources told Anadolu Agency. The latest casualties came amid continued Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement, which has been in force in Gaza since Oct. 10, 2025. A medical source told Anadolu Agency that a young Palestinian man was killed after Israeli forces opened fire in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. In southern Gaza, medical sources said seven injured Palestinians, including two children, were admitted to Nasser Hospital after Israeli tanks stationed near the al-Shakoush area southwest of Khan Younis opened heavy fire. Three of them are in critical condition, according to the sources. READ: 300 Palestinian children killed

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  Iran security chief says Strait of Hormuz to remain closed until US meets Tehran’s demands

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  Iran’s top security official said Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the US changes what he described as its hostile policies and meets a set of Iranian demands, Anadolu reports. In a statement, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Washington must “correct its behavior” before the strategic waterway can reopen. He listed six conditions, including ending what he called threats against Iran’s supreme leader, permanently halting military action against Iran and its regional allies, withdrawing US naval and air forces involved in what he described as the blockade of Iran, compensating Tehran for damage caused during the recent conflicts, lifting US sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets. Zolghadr said the demands

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  Pro-Palestinian protesters march through Berlin

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  Demonstrators in Berlin staged a protest in support of Palestine on Saturday, Anadolu reports. Protesters carried banners and Palestinian flags as they marched through the city and chanted slogans to express solidarity with Palestine. Since Israel launched its genocidal war on the Gaza Strip in October 2023, the Israeli army and occupiers have intensified attacks across the occupied West Bank, killing at least 1,182 Palestinians, injuring around 13,000 and arresting nearly 25,000, according to official Palestinian figures. READ: German activists vow to intensify campaign against Volkswagen’s potential deal with Israeli defense firm

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  Iran’s president says now is ‘best time’ to reach agreement with US

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday said that now is the “best time” to reach an agreement with the US, Anadolu reports. “When people talk about reaching an agreement, I believe now is the best time, because there is cohesion, strength and unity in the country. As far as I know, Iran is regarded as having emerged from this war and this conflict victorious and strong,” Pezeshkian said at his second news conference since taking office. He said the current situation provided an opportunity to pursue an agreement and resolve outstanding issues through dialogue. According to the semi-official ISNA news agency, Pezeshkian said Iran could pursue its rights through dialogue and that it sought “nothing beyond the rights of the

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  When the coloniser calls resistance terrorism

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  Throughout history, almost every national liberation struggle has been labelled “terrorism” by the powers exercising colonial rule or foreign occupation. This strategy is nothing new. The British Empire branded IRA fighters in Ireland and EOKA guerrillas in Cyprus as terrorists. France portrayed Algeria’s National Liberation Front (FLN) as a criminal organisation. The same happened to the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO), the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) in Namibia, and even Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress (ANC). History, however, vindicated these movements and condemned the colonial regimes that sought to perpetuate their domination. This pattern reveals a constant: those who occupy a territory seek to strip the occupied people of any

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  US expects Iran to ensure safe oil flow through Strait of Hormuz: Vance

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  The US expects Iran to restore the flow of oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-conflict levels and ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels, US Vice President JD Vance said Saturday. “Our expectation is you’re going to see the same amount of oil and gas come out of the Gulf that you saw before the conflict started,” Vance told Fox News, saying Iran had communicated that intention to Washington. “But you know, we don’t trust. We verify,” Vance said. “We actually look not at people’s words but people’s deeds.” He said Washington was also monitoring Iranian statements about potentially imposing tolls on vessels using the strategic waterway. “The Iranians have told us they have no plans

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  Iraq’s premier says country rejects use of territory to threaten neighbours

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said Saturday that his country seeks balanced relations with neighbouring states and will not allow its territory to be used to threaten their security, during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Anadolu reports. The two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation, regional developments and the scheduled end of the international coalition’s mission in Iraq, according to a statement from the Iraqi prime minister’s media office. The statement said they also discussed economic and investment cooperation in Iraq, opportunities for French companies, and joint efforts to reduce tensions and promote regional security and stability. Al-Zaidi highlighted the importance of relations between Baghdad and Paris and invited Macron to visit Iraq, calling for joint

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  Israeli legal group Honenu funds, defends occupiers accused of violence in West Bank: PLO

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) said Saturday that an Israeli legal organization operating under the cover of government bodies provides legal and social protection to occupiers who kill Palestinians and commit acts of violence in the occupied West Bank, while Palestinians face pressure and sanctions over payments made to prisoners held in Israeli jails, Anadolu reports. The statement was made in a weekly report by the PLO’s National Office for Land Defense, which monitors violations in the West Bank. The report was titled “Symbols of hatred in settlements incite more crimes.” The report said the Israeli far-right legal organization Honenu provides legal support, litigation and free defense to occupiers and extremist Jews accused of committing violent crimes and terrorist acts

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  Oman says Strait of Hormuz talks progressing in ‘positive’ atmosphere

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  Oman said Saturday that negotiations on navigation arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz were progressing in a “positive and constructive atmosphere,” while condemning repeated attacks on vessels transiting the strategic waterway, Anadolu reports. In a statement, the Omani Foreign Ministry said repeated attacks on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz violated international law and the sovereignty of regional waters, while threatening maritime safety and regional security and stability. The ministry stressed the importance of avoiding any actions that could affect the ongoing negotiations or the progress achieved, saying the talks should continue in a manner that takes into account the interests of all parties. READ: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company says its vessel hit by missile in Strait of Hormuz

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  The Gulf needs an energy non-aggression pact

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  The next crisis or confrontation in the Gulf may not begin with a territorial invasion or an attack on a military base. It could start with the disruption of an oil refinery, export terminal, liquefied natural gas facility, power grid or desalination plant. In a region where oil, gas, electricity, water and maritime trade are tightly interconnected, an attack on energy infrastructure is no longer a limited act. It could simultaneously affect global markets, human security and the stability of several states. The region therefore needs an “energy non-aggression pact”: a limited but practical agreement protecting critical energy infrastructure and the essential services that depend on it. Its purpose would be to transform mutual infrastructure vulnerability into mutual restraint. Such

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  Adviser to Iran’s supreme leader says ‘foreign forces’ must leave region

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  Ali Akbar Velayati, Senior Adviser on international affairs to Iran’s Supreme Leader, said Saturday that “foreign forces” must leave the region, arguing that their presence is the main cause of insecurity, Anadolu reports. “Recent developments reflect the resilience of the armed forces, the steadfastness of Iranians, and the courage of the Resistance Axis,” Velayati said on US social media platform X. “The U.S. and Zionist regime’s defeat reinforced the belief that foreign forces — the main cause of insecurity — must leave the region,” he added. READ: Trump’s top general seeks path out of Iran war as military options narrow: Report Velayati also said that “growing cooperation among regional states can secure its security,” without providing further details. Regional tensions escalated

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  America can still strike. The hard part is what comes next

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  On 4 August, Qatar said mediators had made progress towards US-Iran talks aimed at ending the war, even as Tehran continued to deny direct negotiations with Washington. The diplomatic push came days after President Donald Trump called off another round of major strikes on Iran and turned again to diplomacy. After months of war, threats, pauses and renewed attacks, the episode captured the central contradiction of American power today: the United States can still strike almost anywhere, but it is increasingly difficult for Washington to turn military force into a political outcome it can control. That distinction matters. America can send carrier groups into the Persian Gulf, keep drones circling over conflict zones, impose sanctions, and launch cruise missiles on

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  Israel cancels entry permits for US activists supporting Palestinians in West Bank

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  Israel has revoked the entry permits of a group of American Jewish activists who participated in protests in the occupied West Bank against attacks by Israeli occupiers on Palestinians and their property, The Forward, a US Jewish publication, reported Friday. Activist Sam Sherman told the newspaper that he received an email canceling his travel permit while taking part in a seven-week volunteer program in the occupied West Bank’s Masafer Yatta area, where he was supporting Palestinians. “It happened to me and a few others in my cohort … within the same hour,” Sherman said. “A few of us got the same email within minutes of each other.” Sherman said soldiers, police and armed occupiers photographed his passport “during confrontations initiated

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  Yemeni army says Houthis fired missiles toward Red Sea

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  The Yemeni army said Saturday that the Houthi group launched missiles from the southwestern province of Taiz toward the Red Sea, Anadolu reports. The announcement came in a statement by the Defense Ministry-affiliated Taiz Military Axis published on US social media platform X. “Reconnaissance teams affiliated with our forces detected the terrorist Houthi militia launching missiles toward the Red Sea,” the statement said. The missiles were launched from Mount Uman in the Al-Hawban area east of Taiz city, it added, without providing further details. The Houthis issued no immediate response to the army’s statement. READ: Yemen’s armed forces launch operation against Houthis

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  Commercial diplomacy in Syria is not enough

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  Last month, President Trump initiated the process of removing Syria from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, allowing foreign investors to commit capital without the costly threat of US sanctions. A US-Syria business council convened auspiciously in Damascus this past week and billions in Gulf investments have sparked headlines in Syrian newspapers recently. Pundits hastened to declare an economic revolution in the making, and the prospective delisting is expected to only accelerate investment. The Trump Administration’s stated goal is to bring “security and prosperity to all Syrians” through “investment-led stabilization”. Economic deregulation, lifting sanctions, and publishing sector-specific guides for private investment in Syria are welcome steps. But the administration’s emerging policy seems to rest on a facile theory of reconstruction

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  Syrian soldier killed, 2 others wounded in attack in eastern Deir ez-Zor

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  One Syrian soldier was killed and two others wounded in an attack by unidentified assailants in eastern Deir ez-Zor province, Syria’s Defense Ministry said Saturday, Anadolu reports. The ministry’s Media and Communications Directorate told the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) that the soldiers came under a “treacherous attack” in the town of Jadid Bakara, east of Deir ez-Zor. The ministry did not provide further details on the circumstances of the attack or identify those responsible, and no group had claimed responsibility. On Friday, Syrian security forces neutralized two ISIS (Daesh) terrorists following an armed clash as they attempted to plant an explosive device in the Sayyida Zaynab area, south of Damascus. A subsequent inspection of the site showed that the two

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  3 Palestinians injured by Israeli army fire in southern Gaza despite ceasefire

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  Three Palestinians were injured Saturday by Israeli army fire in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported. Citing local sources, Wafa said Israeli forces opened fire on a gathering of Palestinians north of the city, injuring three people. Israeli forces have also “carried out extensive demolition operations south of Khan Younis” since Saturday morning, the sources added. Israeli military vehicles continued firing east of Salah al-Din Street near the Wadi Gaza Bridge in the central enclave. The attacks came in violation of the ceasefire agreement that took effect in October 2025. The Israeli army currently occupies around 70% of the Gaza Strip following a genocidal war that has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians

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  Abu Dhabi National Oil Company says its vessel hit by missile in Strait of Hormuz

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) confirmed Saturday that one of its vessels was targeted by a missile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, Anadolu reports. The incident occurred during the early hours of Saturday, the United Arab Emirates’ official WAM news agency reported, citing the company. No injuries were reported, and the situation was brought under control, the company added. Earlier, Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported that a vessel believed to be an oil tanker had caught fire in the strait’s southern corridor. Citing satellite monitoring, Fars said an oil-spill response and firefighting vessel named ADNOC AR01 had arrived at the scene. READ: Shipping groups urge UN to oppose tolls in Strait of Hormuz

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  Malaysia drew a line on Israel. Indonesia left Bali open

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  Land at Bali’s airport on pretty much any given week, and you’ll be walking through one of only two gateways in all of Indonesia where Israeli citizens are officially allowed to enter. Almost nobody clearing customs knows that. Almost nobody in Bali knows it either. And that small, overlooked fact says a lot about the bigger picture: a country that says it stands against Israel has, for years, been quietly letting Israelis in anyway. Nowhere is that contradiction more visible than on this one island. Indonesia has no embassy in Tel Aviv. No ambassador goes back and forth between the two countries. There’s no official channel that would let an Israeli citizen simply show up and be let in. On

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  OIC welcomes ‘historic’ Turkish-Saudi-Pakistani joint defense pact

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) welcomed Friday the signing of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement among Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan, Anadolu reports. OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha expressed his “strong appreciation and support” for the agreement, describing it as an “important strategic step” reflecting the three countries’ commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation, according to a statement by the organization. Taha said the agreement constitutes “a fundamental pillar for supporting security and stability in the region and across the Muslim world.” He added that it embodies a shared determination to address growing security challenges and strengthen solidarity and constructive partnerships among OIC member states. The OIC chief also praised the efforts and leadership of the three countries that

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  Colombia’s new government announces plans for Israel economic panel after rupture over Gaza genocide

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  Colombia’s new government announced Friday the creation of a bilateral economic commission with Israel and plans for an official visit in a move that comes after the Latin American country’s previous administration severed ties two years ago over the genocide in Gaza, Anadolu reports. Vice President Jose Manuel Restrepo said on US social media platform X that the initiative, agreed hours before then-President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella took office, includes the Colombia-Israel Binational Economic Commission and a planned visit by a Colombian delegation in October. The government said the new mechanism would “open new doors for investment, technology, innovation and Colombian talent,” he added. The planned official visit is expected to focus on expanding cooperation in trade, innovation, digital technologies and

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  Yemen’s armed forces launch operation against Houthis

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  Yemen’s army announced Saturday that it launched a military operation at Houthi targets and military equipment, Anadolu reports. Army spokesman Col. Majid al-Nuzaili said in a statement that the operation was carried out in response to Houthi attacks on military camps in the provinces of Marib and Hadhramaut. Nuzaili said the operation targeting Houthi elements and military equipment was carried out along contact lines on multiple fronts and axes. Accusing the Houthis of dragging Yemen into regional conflicts in line with foreign agendas, Nuzaili claimed the group has shattered Yemen’s economy and spread sectarianism. READ: Yemeni government forces report casualties, material losses in Houthi attacks Nuzaili stressed that the Yemeni army holds the Houthis and those standing behind them fully responsible for

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  Trump’s top general seeks path out of Iran war as military options narrow: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine has privately urged senior Trump administration officials to seek a way to de-escalate the war with Iran, amid concerns that available military options could produce limited results and trigger wider retaliation, according to a report Friday, Anadolu reports. Citing three sources familiar with the discussions, CNN reported that Caine raised his concerns with senior officials including, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance. The report said Caine and other officials believe airpower alone is unlikely to force Tehran to accept US demands, despite President Donald Trump’s continued preference for avoiding a ground invasion. READ: Military families confront Navy leaders about USS Lincoln’s prolonged Iran

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  Military families confront Navy leaders about USS Lincoln’s prolonged Iran deployment: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  Military families confronted senior US Navy leaders about concerns with the mental health and living conditions of sailors and Marines aboard the USS Lincoln as its deployment during the Iran war continues without a confirmed return date, according to an MS NOW report Friday, Anadolu reports. About 200 family members attended a meeting Thursday in San Diego with acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, seeking answers about the prolonged deployment and conditions facing 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard the carrier, said the report. Families raised concerns about exhaustion, mental health support, food shortages, water contamination, bathroom problems, safety and disruptions to mail deliveries. Cao said the Navy is preparing the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group for a Middle East deployment that

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  Moroccan rights body says death toll from Ceuta mass crossing at 14

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  Morocco’s National Human Rights Council (CNDH) said Friday that the death toll on the Moroccan side from last week’s mass migration attempt to get to the Spanish-administered enclave of Ceuta had risen to 14, citing official Spanish figures showing 80 deaths linked to the incident, Anadolu reports. The council said the number of deaths recorded in Morocco had increased from 11 It added that, according to official Spanish data, 80 people had died in connection with the mass crossing. The council criticized the handling of irregular migrants by authorities in Ceuta, saying they failed to provide adequate assistance. It said authorities in the enclave ordered the closure of restaurants, cafes and large stores, depriving migrants of access to food and water.

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  The Mecca Pact: A new Sunni security architecture born of American doubt

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  Three men stood together in Islam’s holiest city on a Friday, the day of prayer, and signed a document that may outlast the war that produced it. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif put their names to the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement on 7 August 2026, at Al-Safa Palace. Its core clause is a single sentence: an armed attack on any one of the three states shall be regarded as an attack against them all. Strip away the diplomatic choreography — the Umrah pilgrimage performed the night before by Sharif and his powerful army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir; Erdoğan’s one-day dash to Jeddah; the careful staging at a

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  UN reports 33% increase in aid supplies entering Gaza, but major restrictions remain

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  The UN said on Friday that the flow of humanitarian supplies into the Gaza Strip increased in July, but warned that critical restrictions remain in place as humanitarian needs across the enclave remain “immense.” “Data collected through the UN 2720 Mechanism indicate a 33% increase in the volume of supplies that we and our partners were able to bring into Gaza in July, compared with June. That’s more than 55,000 pallets of aid, roughly 35,000 metric tons, or 2,600 truckloads, bringing us closer to the levels recorded before the regional escalation began at the end of February,” deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters. About 60% of these supplies were food, followed by smaller volumes of shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene and

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  Israeli forces enter southwestern Syria, set up checkpoint

  by Mehdi Editor on August 8, 2026

  Israeli forces entered Syria’s southwestern Quneitra province on Friday and set up a checkpoint in a village, state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV reported, Anadolu reports. Five Israeli military vehicles entered the village of Ain Ziwan in the southern Quneitra countryside before establishing the checkpoint, according to the broadcaster. Syrian authorities did not immediately comment on the incident. READ: Israeli army launches renewed raids in southern Syria Israeli forces have repeatedly carried out ground incursions into southern Syria, setting up temporary checkpoints, searching homes and vehicles and detaining civilians in actions Damascus describes as violations of the country’s sovereignty. Following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on Dec. 8, 2024, Israel declared the 1974 Disengagement Agreement no longer valid and occupied the buffer zone in

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  From Manisa to Szeged: BYD’s shifting European investment strategy

  by Mehdi Editor on August 7, 2026

  In June 2026, Chinese electric-vehicle manufacturer BYD confirmed that its planned $1 billion electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle factory in Manisa, western Turkiye, had been placed on indefinite hold. The project, signed with great ceremony in July 2024 in the presence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, had been presented as a landmark investment. It promised annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles, up to 5,000 jobs, a research and development center, and production by the end of 2026. Nearly two years later, construction had not begun and no foundation had been laid. BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li said the Turkish project had no timeline and that the company’s priority was its facility in Szeged, Hungary. The decision left Ankara

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  Regional countries welcome Saudi-Turkiye-Pakistan defense pact

  by Mehdi Editor on August 7, 2026

  Regional countries on Friday welcomed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan, describing it as a step toward strengthening collective security, defense cooperation and regional stability, Anadolu reports. Somalia described the agreement as a historic step toward strengthening collective security and defense cooperation. In a statement, the Defense Ministry said the agreement establishes a strategic partnership capable of addressing shared security challenges while advancing long-term defense cooperation among the three countries. The ministry said it was confident the pact would make a significant contribution to enhancing regional peace and stability and reinforce the principles of cooperation, solidarity and shared responsibility. It added that the agreement would serve the interests of the peoples of the region

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  Iranian president says critics of memorandum with US echo Israel’s narrative

  by Mehdi Editor on August 7, 2026

  Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in an address to the nation on Thursday that domestic critics of the memorandum signed with the US in June are echoing Israel’s narrative, while also dismissing recent speculation about his possible resignation, Anadolu reports. According to his office, the president defended the agreement that called for ending war on all fronts, open the Strait of Hormuz and hold further negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program, saying those who describe it as a failure are repeating Israel’s narrative. “We will firmly defend what we have written as a memorandum of understanding,” he said. “Those who want to label it a failure are being unfair, and this is exactly what Israel wants. Knowingly or unknowingly, they

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  UN warns Sudan war is robbing millions of children of education

  by Mehdi Editor on August 7, 2026

  UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed on Friday called for an immediate end to Sudan’s devastating war, warning that the conflict is depriving millions of children of education while fueling the world’s “largest displacement crisis,” Anadolu reports. Speaking at a UN Security Council Arria-formula meeting focused on safeguarding education in Sudan, Mohammed said the war has continued for 1,210 days and has left 33 million people — more than half of Sudan’s population — dependent on humanitarian assistance. “Among everything this war is taking, one of the most significant is the future of Sudan depriving the education of its children. “Today, at least 8 million school-aged children remain out of school, with a disproportionate impact on millions of displaced children, especially

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  Houthi attacks kill civilians in Yemen’s Marib, target vessel in Red Sea: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on August 7, 2026

  Yemen’s Houthi group renewed its attacks on the central city of Marib on Friday, hours after authorities said two civilians were killed and 14 others injured in missile and drone strikes on residential neighborhoods and displacement camps. The state-run Saba News Agency reported that the Houthis again targeted residential areas and camps for displaced people in Marib on Friday evening but provided no further details. The group had not commented on the renewed attacks as of 1645GMT. Earlier Friday, Yemen’s internationally recognized government’s Health Minister Qassem Buhaibeh said two civilians were killed and 14 others injured in Houthi attacks on residential neighborhoods and displacement camps in Marib, describing the toll as preliminary. The Defense Ministry said the Houthis had launched

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  Iranian foreign minister calls on Muslim countries ‘to rely only on ourselves’

  by Mehdi Editor on August 7, 2026

  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday called on Muslim countries to rely on themselves and strengthen regional solidarity, saying unity among regional states was the best way to confront external threats, Anadolu reports. In a post on the US social media company X, Araghchi said Iran’s armed forces had demonstrated their “readiness, capability and might” against “the world’s most expensive military.” “When Muslims stand together, we can face every challenge by malicious outsiders head-on,” he said. “It is time to rely only on ourselves and embrace true brotherhood.” Araghchi’s remarks came as Iranian officials have increasingly promoted regional security arrangements led by countries in the region rather than foreign powers. Earlier on Friday, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said

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  Israel targets southern Lebanon with phosphorus bombs, state media reports

  by Mehdi Editor on August 7, 2026

  The Israeli army launched an air attack, using a phosphorus bomb, in southern Lebanon, said state-run National News Agency on Friday. The attack targeted a residential area in Mansouri town where thick smoke rose among buildings. The latest attacks came after Beirut and Tel Aviv concluded a seventh round of US-brokered talks Thursday. The two countries signed a US-mediated framework agreement on June 26 providing for a phased Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory, beginning with the implementation of a pilot model in designated areas. Israel has continued military offensive in Lebanon since March 2. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, the attacks have killed 4,333 people and injured 12,250 others. READ: Lebanese soldier wounded after Israeli army targets military vehicle

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  Israeli raids, occupier attacks target 5 Palestinian communities across occupied West Bank

  by Mehdi Editor on August 7, 2026

  Israeli forces and occupiers carried out a series of raids and attacks targeting five Palestinian communities across four governorates in the occupied West Bank on Friday, according to local sources. The incidents were reported in the governorates of Nablus, Ramallah and Al-Bireh, Jenin and Hebron, and included arrests, detentions, a demolition notice and occupier attacks. In Nablus, Israeli forces raided the village of Iraq Burin, south of the city, sparking clashes with Palestinian youths. Soldiers fired live ammunition during the raid, local sources told Anadolu Agency. In the nearby town of Beit Furik, Palestinian residents confronted occupier who attacked the town’s eastern area, the sources said. In the Ramallah and Al-Bireh governorate, Israeli forces arrested a young Palestinian during a

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  UNICEF ‘taking appropriate action’ against staff accused of spying for Israel: UN

  by Mehdi Editor on August 7, 2026

  UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said Friday that UNICEF is handling allegations against a senior staff member accused of secretly sharing confidential UN information with Israeli diplomats while working for another UN agency, Anadolu reports. Haq told reporters that UNICEF is taking action over “serious allegations” concerning an employee, identified as Yahav Lichner, who has reportedly been placed on administrative leave. Asked whether Lichner’s leave was with or without pay, whether Secretary-General Antonio Guterres or his Cabinet had been consulted, and whether the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) was investigating, Haq said he could not provide further details. “I don’t have further details on the status of the person involved to share with you,” Haq said. He emphasized that UNICEF,

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  US blockade stalls Iran’s oil exports: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on August 7, 2026

  No tankers have loaded at Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal, for at least a week, the Financial Times reported on Friday, citing shipping and satellite data providers, suggesting the renewed US naval blockade has brought the country’s crude sales to a halt, Anadolu reports. The US reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports in mid-July after an interim deal mediated by Pakistan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz collapsed. Kharg Island, which is critical to Iran’s oil industry, fell idle on July 31, according to ship tracking company Kpler and consultancy Energy Aspects. Satellite imagery showed that all three loading berths at Kharg had remained vacant for an extended period, according to maritime intelligence company Windward. READ: Gold hits 7-week high

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  Gaza beekeepers turn damaged rooftops into apiaries after Israeli attacks destroy livelihoods

  by Mehdi Editor on August 7, 2026

  Beekeepers in Gaza who lost their apiaries and livelihoods in Israeli attacks are developing unconventional solutions to revive their profession and recover from the devastation caused by the war, Anadolu reports. Displaced Palestinian beekeeper Ibrahim al-Dabba has resumed production by placing beehives on the roof of a damaged apartment building in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood of southern Gaza City as security risks prevent him from reaching agricultural land. Al-Dabba, who also heads the Gaza Strip Beekeepers Cooperative, told Anadolu that the beekeeping industry provided a livelihood for about 10,000 people across Gaza before the war. Around 1,000 beekeepers were active in the territory before the attacks, with approximately half large-scale and half small-scale producers, he said, adding that Gaza previously produced significant

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  78 suspects detained in crackdown on Europe-Algeria smuggling network

  by Mehdi Editor on August 7, 2026

  Authorities have dismantled a major criminal network involved in smuggling drugs, weapons, and migrants across the Western Mediterranean, with 78 suspects arrested in a Spain-led operation supported by Europol, the EU’s law enforcement agency said on Friday, Anadolu reports. The network, described as operating like a logistics company for organized crime groups, managed two-way maritime smuggling routes between Europe and Algeria, according to a statement by Europol. The operation was led by Spanish authorities with support from French, Portuguese, and Polish authorities. Authorities found that the criminal group provided a wide range of services to other criminal organizations, including vessel storage, transportation, refueling, maritime transfers, boat maintenance, and counter-surveillance. The statement said 78 suspects were arrested in Spain and Algeria, including three