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

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  US defence chief vows to ‘finish this fight’ with Iran

  by Marwa A on September 11, 2026

  US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed Friday to “finish this fight” with Iran as he addressed a Pentagon ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people, Anadolu reports. Hegseth spoke alongside President Donald Trump and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the ceremony commemorating the victims of the attacks and honouring US military personnel and first responders. “There are still enemies who hate us,” Hegseth said, warning that adversaries continue to seek to curb US power and kill American citizens, adding that Washington remains “vigilant” in the face of such threats. Turning to Iran, Hegseth said the US had “laid waste” to what he described as the

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  Syria says 9 detained Assad-era pilots carried out strikes during 3,200 flight hours since 2011

  by Marwa A on September 11, 2026

  Preliminary investigations with nine detained pilots showed that they carried out airstrikes targeting several areas during more than 3,200 flight hours logged since the start of the Syrian revolution in 2011, a source at Syria’s Interior Ministry said Friday, Anadolu reports. The remarks were carried by state-run Alikhbariah TV a day after authorities announced the arrest of the nine pilots in the western province of Latakia over their involvement in “war crimes against the Syrian people.” The pilots used different types of military aircraft, most notably Mi-24 attack helicopters, Su-22 fighter jets, MiG-29s and MiG-21s, the source said. The strikes particularly targeted towns in Eastern Ghouta in the Damascus countryside, Aleppo and its northern countryside, Deir ez-Zor and surrounding areas

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  New documentary exposes Israeli military’s AI-driven killing system in Gaza

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  “There are no innocents in Gaza,” is said to be the belief which lay at the heart of Israel’s system for selecting and attacking targets in the besieged enclave, according to Israeli soldiers and intelligence officers interviewed for a new documentary exposing how the military authorised the mass killing of Palestinian civilians. NAZA, directed by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, draws on three years of interviews with 24 soldiers and intelligence personnel involved in Israel’s targeting operations. Their testimony describes a military apparatus that combined AI-assisted targeting, mass surveillance and predetermined civilian casualty thresholds to approve strikes in Gaza. According to +972 Magazine, where Abraham is a journalist, the soldiers describe a system in which attacks on homes

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  Israel blows up school, destroys tunnels in southern Lebanon despite framework agreement

  by Marwa A on September 11, 2026

  The Israeli army carried out a series of explosions and shelling in southern Lebanon early Friday, including demolishing part of a school, despite the US-mediated framework agreement, Anadolu reports. The escalation comes as Israel’s election campaign intensifies, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeking to rally and unite his right-wing bloc ahead of the Oct. 27 elections. “Israeli forces blew up most of the public school in the town of Mansouri in Tyre district, leaving only a small part of the building standing,” Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) said. Israeli aircraft also launched a strike on Mansouri at the same time as the large explosion at the school, the agency added. At dawn, the Israeli army detonated explosives on the hill

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  The Aegean’s new arms race isn’t about weapons anymore

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  For decades, Eastern Mediterranean security debates centered on who bought what—fighter jets, missile batteries, submarines. The transaction was the story. That era is ending. A new contest has begun, and it is architectural rather than transactional. The question is no longer which country owns the best missile. It is which country can fuse sensors, interceptors, and command systems into a single, thinking shield. Israel’s €3 billion “Achilles Shield” deal with Greece marks the moment this shift became undeniable. A Shield, Not a Shopping List At first glance, the Achilles Shield package reads like an inventory. David’s Sling handles medium-range ballistic and cruise missile threats. Barak MX covers wider area defense. SPYDER manages short-range air defense. M-MMR radars provide multi-mission sensing.

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  Iran says Oman to host regional meeting on Hormuz shipping on Monday

  by Marwa A on September 11, 2026

  Iran’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday that a meeting involving Iran, Iraq, and Gulf states will be held in Oman on Monday to discuss commercial shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, Anadolu reports. The meeting will discuss the outcome of negotiations between Tehran and Muscat on establishing safe routes for commercial shipping through the strait, the ministry’s spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said in a statement carried by the state-run broadcaster IRIB. Stating that Iran and Oman reached an understanding on temporary shipping lanes in the waterway, Baqaei added: “Iran remains committed to ensuring the security of navigation in the strait.” The statemen came as the recent days witnessed heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington over the Strait of Hormuz, despite

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  Israeli occupiers attack Palestinian homes, injure family, steal sheep in Nablus

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  Israeli occupiers on Friday injured a Palestinian man and his children in an attack on their home in Beita, south of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, local sources and a rights group said, Anadolu reports. Others also stole sheep from the town under the protection of Israeli forces, the sources said. The occupiers assaulted the Palestinian man and his children, injuring them, Al-Baydar Organization for the Defense of Human Rights said. It did not specify the nature of their injuries or whether they were taken to hospital. Earlier Friday, local sources told Anadolu that occupiers attacked Palestinian homes in the Al-Dhahra and Sahl al-Hara al-Tahta areas in Beita, before stealing several sheep. READ: Israel advances plans for more than 1,000 settlement

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  At least 46,000 displaced as fighting escalates in Yemen: UN migration agency

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  At least 46,000 people have been displaced in Yemen since fighting escalated last week, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Friday, warning that the figure is rising “by the hour,” Anadolu reports. The UN agency called on all parties to the conflict to guarantee safe humanitarian access and protect civilians, aid workers and humanitarian assets on the ground. “Families are being forced to flee for the second or third time in this conflict, with almost nothing left,” IOM Director General Amy Pope said in a statement. “As fighting spreads, reaching people with lifesaving assistance is becoming harder. We urgently need safe, unimpeded access,” she added. Pope urged all parties to protect civilians and humanitarian personnel, as well as the supplies,

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  Morocco issues extreme wildfire warnings in 6 provinces

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  Morocco on Friday issued extreme wildfire warnings for six provinces, urging residents near forests to exercise caution until Tuesday, Anadolu reports. The National Agency for Water and Forests issued red alerts for Fahs-Anjra, Tangier-Assilah, Taounate, Taza, Essaouira and Taroudant, indicating an extreme risk of fires breaking out. The agency urged residents near forests, as well as workers, vacationers and visitors, to take precautions and avoid activities that could ignite fires. READ: Over 100 families evacuated in Tunisia as wildfires spread Another 24 provinces were placed under orange alerts, indicating a high risk of forest fires. The agency urged people to immediately inform local authorities if they notice smoke or suspicious behavior. Morocco uses an early warning system managed by the National Agency

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  EU foreign policy chief backs ‘principled’ trade ban on illegal Israeli settlements

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has backed a bloc-wide ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, calling it a justified “principled stance,” Anadolu reports. In an interview with The Irish Times on Thursday, Kallas said there was broad agreement among EU foreign ministers that expanding Israeli settlements violated international law. “When Crimea was occupied, then it was very clear — it’s illegal, we don’t recognize this,” she said. “We should have the same principled stance — you know this is illegal, everybody agrees, so we should stop trading with Occupied (Palestinian) Territories.” Kallas said an EU ban on imports from Israeli settlements would not require the unanimous backing of all 27 member states. As

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  Norway’s foreign minister warns Netanyahu government driving Israel into ‘very dangerous place’

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide warned that the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken Israel to a “very dangerous place,” Anadolu reports. In remarks to Euronews in Riga, Latvia published on Friday, Eide described the current Israeli government as “the most far-right government in Israel’s history” and expressed hope that the country would eventually recognize it had been on a “very dangerous track,” regardless of the outcome of elections scheduled for October. Eide also criticized Western countries’ response to conflicts in the Middle East, arguing that they “undermined” their credibility through what he called a “wobbly, unclear and unprincipled” approach. “The problem has been that too many countries have been careful in criticizing Israel because you were

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  Iranian president says he does not support continued war, urges strengthening country’s resilience

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Friday that he does not support the continuation of war with the US, calling for the country’s resilience to be strengthened for the next phase. His remarks came during a meeting with heads of Iranian universities, according to the local Mehr News Agency. Addressing the conflict with Washington, Pezeshkian said, “I am not in favor of continuing the war, but we must strengthen the country’s resilience in the face of upcoming developments.” Strengthening the country’s resilience requires following a path that does not force Iran to negotiate with the “enemy” from a position of weakness, he said, calling on universities to support the government in this regard. Economic measures must take into account existing social

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  Houthis seize strategic Perim Island in Bab el-Mandab Strait, Dhubab city

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  Houthi fighters seized the strategic Perim Island in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the city of Dhubab in the western Taiz province on Friday, a Yemeni government military source told Anadolu Reports. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Houthis had taken control of the island, known in Arabic as Mayyun. The takeover means the group has completed its control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the source added. Neither the Houthis nor the Yemeni government had officially commented on the reported takeover as of 1030GMT. Perim Island holds exceptional strategic importance because of its location in the middle of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, where it divides the waterway into two channels. The takeover is likely to heighten

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  Saudi oil output plunges to lowest since 1990 amid fallout from US-Iran war

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  Saudi Arabia’s crude oil production plunged to 6.24 million barrels per day in August, marking its lowest reported level since 1990, as the prolonged US-Iran war continued to disrupt energy flows across the Middle East. The kingdom reported directly to OPEC that its production fell by around 1.9 million barrels per day from 8.1 million barrels per day in July, according to the organization’s report on Friday. Saudi production had stood at 7.1 million barrels per day in June before recovering sharply in July, but the rebound was reversed in August. The decline came despite plans by Saudi Arabia and other members of the wider OPEC+ producer group to increase output during the month. The fall in Saudi output highlights

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  Lloyds Bank denies mortgage to mother of jailed Palestine Action activist over ‘adverse media’

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  Lloyds Bank has refused a mortgage application from the mother of a jailed Palestine Action activist because of “adverse media” surrounding her daughter’s case, an investigation by Novara Media has revealed. It is the second time the bank has acted against the family, having earlier closed the activist’s own account without explanation while she was held on remand. Emma Kamio, a small business owner and mother of three from south Wales, applied to Lloyds in April 2026 to remortgage her commercial properties. In early June, a Lloyds business development manager told her broker: “We’ve now assessed the deal and consulted with our credit sanction team. Unfortunately, due to the adverse media it’s not something they’re comfortable supporting at this time.”

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  Israel claims killing of 3 Hamas commanders in Gaza

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  The Israeli army on Friday claimed killing three Palestinian commanders in Gaza, alleging they were part of the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas. “In a precise strike yesterday, Israeli forces and the Shin Bet security agency eliminated Mohammed al-Yazouri in the Khan Younis area,” the army said in a statement. It claimed that al-Yazouri served as commander of Hamas’s Khan Younis Brigade. The army also claimed that Hudhaifa Muammar, a “company commander,” and Muhammad Bahjat Rashi, who it said was from Hamas’ military wing in the Khan Younis Brigade, were killed in the same strike. There was no immediate comment from Hamas or the Qassam Brigades. Since October 2023, Israel has been carrying out a genocide in Gaza,

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  Clinton urges tougher US stance on Netanyahu ahead of elections

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has sharply criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government, saying she opposes his policies and calling on the United States to take a tougher position towards him if he returns to power after the next elections. In a television interview with MS NOW’s “Morning Joe”, Clinton said “I have said repeatedly I love Israel and I hate Netanyahu’s government and his policies. I love America, and I hate Trump’s government and policies. I think it’s bad, in the first case for Israel, what’s happening, and I think it’s really bad for the United States, what’s happening.”  READ: Likud accuses Dahlan of seeking to oust Netanyahu and right-wing bloc in next election She

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  Oil prices jump more than 6%, Brent crude tops $107

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  Oil prices jumped more than 6 per cent on Thursday, with Brent crude rising above $107 a barrel amid growing concerns over disruptions to oil supplies as attacks on ships and oil tankers increase in the Middle East. Brent crude futures, the global benchmark, rose about 6.3 per cent to $107.63 a barrel by 18:30 GMT. The rise comes as markets grow increasingly concerned about oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating confrontation between the United States and Iran and attacks on tankers and ships in the region. Earlier on Thursday, the Houthis reached the strategic port of Mokha near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, adding to concerns over shipping through one of the Red Sea’s main routes for

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  Israel’s energy paradox: Regional influence, strategic vulnerability

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  For decades, Israel’s energy security was defined by scarcity. Lacking substantial domestic fossil-fuel production, it depended heavily on imported coal and oil while remaining largely disconnected from its neighbours’ energy systems. The discovery of the Tamar and Leviathan gas fields changed that equation. Israel became a gas exporter, strengthened its economic relationships with Egypt and Jordan and began presenting itself as an emerging energy hub in the Eastern Mediterranean. Yet this transformation has produced a paradox. The same offshore infrastructure that expands Israel’s regional influence also concentrates its energy security in a small number of exposed fields, platforms and pipelines. Gas has provided Israel with diplomatic leverage, but it has simultaneously created new forms of strategic vulnerability. Gas as an

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  Houthis seize Mokha as Yemen’s presidential council calls for international action

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  The Houthi Ansar Allah group has made a battlefield advance towards the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait after taking control of the coastal city of Mokha and Zuqar Island in the southern Red Sea on Thursday. Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi warned that protecting Yemen’s coastline is a “shared Arab and international interest”, amid a major military escalation and Saudi air strikes on several areas of the country. A government military official told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that “the Houthis are advancing towards Bab al-Mandab after taking control of Mokha”, while eyewitnesses said Houthi fighters entered the city celebrating and chanting slogans including “Death to America, death to Israel”. The official added that the Houthis had also taken control of

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  Somali president thanks Turkey for supporting army restructuring

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has thanked the Turkish government and people for their continued support in restructuring, training and developing the capabilities of Somalia’s army. A statement issued by the Somali presidency on social media said Mohamud inspected units of the Somali army’s special Gorgor forces, which have been trained by Turkey and recently completed advanced training. Mohamud met the soldiers and received briefings from unit commanders and military officials on ongoing activities. He also inspected administrative units, soldiers’ accommodation, the hospital and logistical facilities at the base, praising the soldiers’ overall condition, the services provided to them and their readiness to carry out national duties. READ: Somalia mobilises international support against Israeli diplomatic move in Somaliland He praised the

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  Iran discusses regional developments with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday discussed regional issues with his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, and Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir. According to the Iranian foreign minister’s Telegram account, Araghchi held separate phone calls with bin Farhan and Munir. The talks focused on rising tensions in the region and the need for cooperation to reduce them and achieve regional security, while stressing the importance of establishing lasting peace in the region. READ: Permanent 5 members clash in UN Security Council over Iran sanctions snapback The United States and Israel launched a war against Iran on 28th February, prompting Tehran to fire missiles at Israel and attack US targets and bases in several countries across the region. Iran also announced

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  ICRC calls for urgent de-escalation as Middle East conflict risks further expansion

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has called for an urgent de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, warning that expanding conflict could further worsen humanitarian conditions and increase civilian casualties and displacement. ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric issued the warning amid an escalation involving Yemen and Saudi Arabia, saying continued hostilities risk drawing additional areas into the regional conflict. “The recent escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, affecting Yemen and Saudi Arabia, threatens to further expand the conflict in the region,” Spoljaric said. “If this process is not contained, the situation could worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian plight of millions of people,” she added. Spoljaric said humanitarian organisations could help address the consequences of fighting but could

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  Tunisia’s UGTT reaffirms plans for general strike amid dispute with authorities

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  The Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) has reaffirmed plans to hold a nationwide general strike and called on its regional and sectoral branches to prepare for further action amid growing tensions with the government. The union’s administrative body said it remained committed to the general strike, although a date has not yet been set. According to the UGTT, the timing will be determined following consultations with other professional and civil society organizations, including the Tunisian Bar Association and the Tunisian League for the Defence of Human Rights. The union said it was closely monitoring Tunisia’s political, economic and social conditions and called for preparations for various forms of trade union action. READ: Tunisian businessman Lazhar Sta dies after health deteriorates in

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  Houthi official warns Turkey and Pakistan against intervention on Saudi Arabia’s side

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  Senior Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti has warned Turkey and Pakistan against intervening in support of Saudi Arabia in its confrontation with the Yemen-based group, following a defence agreement involving Riyadh, Ankara and Islamabad. Israeli newspaper Maariv quoted al-Bukhaiti as dismissing the defence arrangement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan as largely “symbolic.” At the same time, he warned that any direct Turkish or Pakistani intervention on Saudi Arabia’s behalf would carry a “heavy price.” READ: Yemen’s Houthis claim strikes on Saudi oil tanker, troop concentrations The remarks come amid heightened tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia and concerns that further involvement by regional powers could broaden the confrontation. Turkey and Pakistan have strengthened defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia, although al-Bukhaiti’s

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  Israeli reserve General Ofer Winter criticises Netanyahu, says Hamas ‘still standing’

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  Israeli reserve Brigadier General Ofer Winter has criticised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, arguing that Hamas remains active despite the war and that significant challenges continue to confront Israel, according to a report by Maariv. Winter made the remarks amid growing political debate in Israel ahead of upcoming elections and continuing scrutiny of the government’s handling of the wars in Gaza and on the northern front. “Instead of worrying about the people of Israel, it would be better to worry about the fact that Hamas is still standing, that the Israeli media is not functioning, and that the North is not recovering,” Maariv quoted Winter as saying. READ: Hamas says Israel exploits Board of Peace silence to step up Gaza attacks His

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  How 9/11 remade the Middle East

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  Few events have altered the geopolitical trajectory of the Middle East as profoundly as 11 September 2001. The attacks on New York and Washington did not merely trigger an American military response. They transformed the way power, sovereignty and security were understood across the region.  The United States responded by declaring a global “War on Terror”, initially targeting Al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. But the campaign soon expanded into a broader doctrine of preventive war, regime change and military intervention. The Middle East became the principal theatre in which Washington tested a new conception of American power. The consequences were far more complex than the architects of the post-9/11 strategy anticipated. Military superiority proved capable of destroying regimes, but

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  Ismail Haniyeh’s sister appears in Israeli court on incitement charges

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  Sabah Haniyeh, sister of the late Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, appeared before an Israeli court in Beir Al-Saba on Thursday on charges related to alleged incitement and identification with Hamas. Haniyeh, a resident of Tel Al-Saba in southern Israel’s Negev region, faces charges stemming from WhatsApp messages she allegedly sent to relatives following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7th October 2023. According to Israeli authorities, Haniyeh posted a message in a family WhatsApp group on the morning of 7th October stating, “The war has begun.” Prosecutors also allege that on 10th October she sent another message containing a prayer calling for the destruction of people she described as enemies. READ: Israel court extends detention of Hamas chief Ismail

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  Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Retired Col. Bill Keegan: Trump: We have defeated Iran, so why is the IRGC keep fighting?

  by Mehdi Editor on September 11, 2026

  WATCH: Podcast by Jasim Al-Azzawi with Dr. Ali Akbal Dareini: Iran is Changing its Military Strategy, Will it Work?

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  We must challenge the UAE’s role as a haven for hostile state activity

  by Mehdi Editor on September 10, 2026

  The international community has rightly become more alert to the threat posed by hostile states beyond their own borders. Putin’s war machine depends on networks that circumvent Western sanctions. Beijing’s repression does not stop at China’s borders. And dirty money and cross-border financial crime undermine the rule of law at home. Concerningly, the UAE has become a haven for all three problems at once. Addressing this now matters because as the West is deepening its economic relationship with the UAE. The European Union is considering a bilateral free trade agreement, while the UAE is also pursuing accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). A closer relationship may bring economic opportunities, but the West should not avoid

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  Irish PM says ‘settler terrorists’ in West Bank undermining prospect for 2-state solution

  by Mehdi Editor on September 10, 2026

  The Irish prime minister on Thursday rejected the Israeli government’s “overreaction” to the UK following sanctions on illegal settlements, Anadolu reports. He said “terrorist settlers” are undermining the prospects of a two-state solution in the occupied Palestinian territory. “I welcome the decision by the United Kingdom in the first instance. Secondly, I believe the reaction from the Israeli government is completely unnecessary,” Micheal Martin said at a news conference with leaders of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia at a Visegrad Group Leaders meeting in Bratislava. Calling Israeli statements an “overreaction,” the prime minister said Tel Aviv should respect democratic governments that come to decisions, “primarily driven by humanitarian considerations and by our commitment to a two-state solution.” Israel

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  Algeria to close airspace to UAE-registered aircraft after severing diplomatic ties

  by Mehdi Editor on September 10, 2026

  Algeria announced Thursday that it will close its airspace to UAE-registered civilian and military aircraft from midnight Sept. 11, following a decision to sever diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates, Anadolu reports. The Defense Ministry said the measure applies to all UAE-registered civilian and military aircraft flying to or from the country. The decision exempts Emirati commercial civilian flights operating to and from Houari Boumediene International Airport in Algiers, which will be allowed to continue until the end of 2026, when the contract expires. Algeria announced earlier Thursday that it was severing relations with the UAE and gave the Emirati ambassador 48 hours to comply with the decision. READ: Algeria severs diplomatic ties with UAE, gives ambassador 48 hours to comply

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  London police arrest 2 over suspected Iran intelligence service links

  by Mehdi Editor on September 10, 2026

  Two people were arrested in London on suspicion of assisting Iran’s intelligence service as part of an investigation into suspected National Security Act (NSA) offences, police said Thursday, Anadolu reports. A 42-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man were arrested Wednesday at an address in north-west London by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing London, as part of an investigation into suspected NSA offences, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. “Both were arrested on suspicion of an offence under section 3 of the NSA, 2023 – assisting a foreign intelligence service. The country to which the investigation is linked is Iran,” it added. Police noted that the arrests were made following two searches that were carried out June 24 at residential

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  4 members of same family killed in Israeli strike on Gaza home despite ceasefire

  by Mehdi Editor on September 10, 2026

  Four Palestinians from the same family were killed on Thursday in an Israeli airstrike targeting a home in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, despite an ongoing ceasefire, according to a medical source, Anadolu reports. The source told Anadolu that the four bodies were taken to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City after the strike hit a house belonging to the Ahmed family in Beit Lahia Project. Several others were also injured in the attack, while many were missing under the rubble, the source said. Meanwhile, several injured were taken to Al-Shifa Hospital early Thursday after Israeli military vehicles and a drone opened fire on shelters and tents housing the displaced in Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, WAFA news agency reported. Israeli

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  Trump says Iran war could end before US midterms, revising forecast

  by Mehdi Editor on September 10, 2026

  US President Donald Trump suggested Thursday that the war with Iran could end before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, a day after predicting it would conclude immediately afterward. “I don’t know that they’re gonna be able to hold out. But it’ll get settled after the elections. Or maybe sooner,” Trump reportedly told broadcaster NewsNation over the phone, referring to mounting US economic pressure on Iran. Trump also denied reports that Iran’s latest retaliatory strikes on a US base in Jordan damaged US aircraft in the region. “Nope… None whatsoever. No damage. No nothing.” On Wednesday, Trump had said the war would “end immediately” after the midterms. “I think the war will end immediately after the election because they can’t hold

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  Qatar in talks to buy US LNG as Iran war disrupts exports: Report

  by Mehdi Editor on September 10, 2026

  Qatar is holding talks to purchase liquefied natural gas (LNG) from US suppliers under long-term agreements as the Iran war severely disrupts its ability to serve customers, Bloomberg reported Thursday. State-owned QatarEnergy is considering supplies from both operating and under-construction US export projects, the report said, citing people familiar with the private negotiations. The potential agreements would mark the first indication since the war began that Qatar is looking beyond the Middle East to expand its LNG portfolio and secure alternative supplies for its customers. Qatar previously accounted for around one-fifth of global LNG supplies, but its shipments have almost entirely stopped because of the risks associated with moving gas tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. QatarEnergy did not respond

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  Permanent 5 members clash in UN Security Council over Iran sanctions snapback

  by Mehdi Editor on September 10, 2026

  The five permanent members of the UN Security Council clashed Thursday during a high-stakes session about the legal validity of international sanctions against Iran and the reimposition of UN sanctions under the 2015 nuclear accord’s “snapback” provision, Anadolu reports. The snapback clause, established under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was designed to automatically reinstate UN Chapter VII sanctions if Iran breached the deal, intentionally bypassing the veto power of permanent council members. “The mechanism for reinstating previously adopted Security Council resolutions on Iran, a mechanism set forth in Resolution 2231, was not activated, and this for a whole host of legal and procedural reasons,” said the Russian representative, demanding a procedural vote to block a scheduled briefing

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  International Quintet Mechanism rejects parallel governing structures in Sudan, says no military solution

  by Mehdi Editor on September 10, 2026

  The international Quintet Mechanism on Sudan reaffirmed Thursday its respect for the country’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and rejected parallel governing structures as it concluded a good-office mission to Khartoum, according to Sudan News. The mechanism, comprising the UN, African Union, EU, Arab League and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), stressed that there is no military solution to the war. The Quintet said in a statement cited by Sudan News that any sustainable political process must include concrete steps to protect civilians and end hostilities. It said its efforts are aimed at advancing an inclusive and credible Sudanese-led and Sudanese-owned political process leading to a transition toward a democratic civilian government reflecting the aspirations of the Sudanese people. The

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  Arab states condemn Netanyahu’s incursion into Mount Hermon in Syria

  by Mehdi Editor on September 10, 2026

  Several Arab countries on Thursday condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s illegal entry into Syria’s Mount Hermon and urged the UN Security Council to take action to halt attacks on the sovereignty of the Arab country, Anadolu reports. Netanyahu entered the occupied Syrian area of Mount Hermon on Wednesday accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz, in a move that observers viewed as part of his campaign ahead of Knesset elections scheduled for Oct. 27. In a statement, the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry strongly condemned Netanyahu’s “illegal entry” into Syrian territory, describing it as a “flagrant violation” of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a “blatant breach” of international law. It said continued Israeli incursions and attacks inside Syrian territory represented an

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  Israeli attacks damage 22.5% of agricultural land in southern Lebanon

  by Mehdi Editor on September 10, 2026

  Israel’s attacks have damaged more than 22.5% of agricultural land in southern Lebanon, Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani said Thursday, Anadolu reports. Hani made the remarks after meeting President Joseph Aoun at the presidential palace east of Beirut, according to a statement from the presidency. The minister said he briefed Aoun on the “significant agricultural damage in the south, which exceeded 22.5% of agricultural land, or more than 56,000 hectares.” Israeli attacks have intensified in southern Lebanon in recent days despite a framework agreement signed by Beirut and Tel Aviv under US sponsorship in late June, providing for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied territory in exchange for the deployment of the Lebanese army there. The developments come as preparations are underway

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  Iraqi premier to visit France, Germany next week to bolster economic ties

  by Mehdi Editor on September 10, 2026

  Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi is set to pay an official visit to France and Germany early next week as Baghdad seeks to strengthen its relations with Europe, an official said Thursday. Government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the prime minister will lead a high-level official delegation during the European tour. Al-Aboudi said the visit will include high-level talks aimed at developing bilateral cooperation in the economic, investment, trade, energy, industrial, technological, cultural and educational fields. The talks will also address political and security issues as well as regional and international developments, he added. The spokesman said al-Zaidi is seeking to strengthen Baghdad’s relations with Paris and Berlin and advance them toward higher levels

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  Israeli defense minister renews threat to strike Iran’s energy facilities

  by Mehdi Editor on September 10, 2026

  Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz renewed his threat Thursday to strike Iranian energy facilities if Tehran launches an attack against Israel, Anadolu reports. “Given the possibility that Iran may decide to take action against Israel, I repeat my warning to the Iranian leadership,” said Katz. “Any attack on Israel, for any reason and from any location, will be met with a strong response.” “This includes strikes against vital energy facilities,” Katz said. He added that “in accordance with the instructions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and my own instructions, the military is prepared to carry out this mission.” Katz made the threat in a recorded video marking the Jewish New Year, which begins Friday, a week after issuing a similar

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  Israeli newspaper rejects Netanyahu’s demands, vows to reveal truth in court after lawsuit threat

  by Mehdi Editor on September 10, 2026

  Israeli left-wing newspaper Haaretz rejected three demands Thursday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid being sued and vowed to reveal the truth in court, Anadolu reports. The dispute concerns a report published Tuesday by the newspaper that said Netanyahu received a warning from United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in a call before Oct. 7, 2023, that Hamas was planning to launch an attack. Netanyahu denied having any contact with the UAE president or receiving any warning from him. The UAE Foreign Ministry said it does not comment on reports of talks between government leaders. Haaretz said in a statement that it recently sent a response to Netanyahu’s lawyers rejecting his threat to sue the newspaper and

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  Brent crude tops $105 as US-Iran conflict fuels supply concerns

  by Mehdi Editor on September 10, 2026

  Brent crude rose above $105 per barrel on Thursday as the escalating US-Iran conflict heightened concerns over prolonged disruptions to global energy supplies, Anadolu reports. The international benchmark climbed 4% to $105.24 per barrel, reaching levels last seen in May. The US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) increased 4.4% to $100.27 per barrel, surpassing the $100 threshold for the first time since May. The gains came as the US-Iran conflict entered its seventh month, with intensifying attacks on shipping raising fears of further disruption to oil flows from the Middle East. READ: Netanyahu says Israel ‘very close’ to achieving goals against Iran during southern Syria visit Meanwhile, senior White House advisers have privately discussed with US President Donald Trump the possibility

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  Turkiye’s Havelsan, Egyptian AOI ink sales deal for jointly developed drone

  by Mehdi Editor on September 10, 2026

  Turkish Havelsan and Egyptian Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) signed a deal to start sales of their jointly developed Hamza-1 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Anadolu reports. The contract was finalized during the El Alamein International Airshow 2026, marking a new milestone in the two firms’ collaboration. The deal followed a cooperation agreement signed in August 2025 to establish the framework to manufacture vertical takeoff and landing drones in Egypt. Havelsan’s autonomous systems engineering and AOI’s localized manufacturing infrastructure were combined in the making of the Hamza-1 platform. READ: Israeli report: Egypt may acquire Russian S-400 missiles through deal with Turkey Havelsan drew upon its technological expertise developed in its own domestic drone platforms, including the Baha, Bozbey, Poyraz and Bulut drones. The

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  US pushes NATO allies to dismantle ICC, withdraw from founding treaty: Politico

  by Mehdi Editor on September 10, 2026

  The US has launched a diplomatic push pressing its NATO allies to help dismantle the International Criminal Court (ICC) and withdraw from its founding Rome Statute, Politico reported on Thursday. At a closed-door meeting in Brussels in mid-July, US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker urged member states to abandon the tribunal and immediately halt all material assistance. “The United States will systematically dismantle the capabilities of the ICC … we firmly request that you immediately take steps to withdraw,” the US Mission to NATO wrote in a diplomatic paper. “Let us end the charade of the ICC once and for all.” Whitaker warned allied nations that Washington “will be watching closely who stands with America,” while American envoys simultaneously raised

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  Israeli army arrests 33 Palestinians in occupied West Bank, including 2 journalists

  by Mehdi Editor on September 10, 2026

  The Israeli army arrested 33 Palestinians, including two journalists, two minors and former prisoners, during raids Thursday in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Media Office. The non-governmental group said Israeli forces raided dozens of homes and searched them, damaging the contents of some properties during the operation, which was concentrated in the provinces of Nablus, Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Tubas and Tulkarem. It said 17 Palestinians were arrested in Nablus, seven in Bethlehem, three in Hebron, one in Jenin, two in Tubas and three in Tulkarem. The group identified two journalists among those arrested as Sabri Mousa Jibril and Muath Ammarna — both from Bethlehem. In Jenin, an Israeli special forces unit infiltrated the area around the

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  Bangladesh protests Israeli plan to advance settlement construction in occupied West Bank

  by Mehdi Editor on September 10, 2026

  Bangladesh on Thursday strongly protested Israel’s plan to advance settlement construction in the occupied West Bank, urging the international community to intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent actions that undermine Palestinian statehood, Anadolu reports. “Bangladesh strongly condemns Israel’s plan to advance settlement construction in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “Such actions are contrary to international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and further undermine the territorial integrity of the occupied Palestinian territory and prospects for a viable two-state solution,” it added. Dhaka also called on Israel to immediately halt all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory. Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation of 175 million people that does not recognize Israel,

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  Morocco kicks off parliamentary election campaign with 27 parties in race

  by Mehdi Editor on September 10, 2026

  Morocco’s campaign for parliamentary elections kicked off Thursday, with 27 political parties vying for 395 seats in the House of Representatives ahead of a Sept. 23 vote, Anadolu reports. More than 15.8 million voters are registered for the elections, which will determine the makeup of the lower chamber of Parliament. Campaigning will continue until midnight Tuesday, Sept. 22, with voters heading to the polls the following day. According to official data, 15,801,162 voters were registered on electoral rolls as of July. The elections will test the standing of the parties that have governed Morocco since the last parliamentary vote in 2021, when Aziz Akhannouch’s National Rally of Independents (RNI) emerged as the largest party with 102 seats. The Authenticity and

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  BDS co-founder dismisses as ’empty talk’ Adidas apology over Israeli soldier campaign

  by Mehdi Editor on September 10, 2026

  The Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement has dismissed as “empty talk” an apology posted by Adidas over an ad campaign featuring an amputee Israeli soldier, Anadolu reports. Speaking to Anadolu Agency, BDS co-founder Omar Barghouti said: “The fact that Palestine is home to the highest number of child amputees in the world makes this marketing choice even more obscene; it celebrates the very instrument of that suffering.” The German sportswear brand has faced growing criticism and calls for a boycott after choosing retired Israeli soldier Shalev Biton as the face of its “single shoe service” campaign. Critics have called the campaign tone-deaf, saying it ignores the large number of Palestinians who have lost limbs as a result of