Syria authorities arrest official behind Saydnaya death penalties

In his first interview following a significant agreement with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, SDF commander General Mazloum Kobane discusses the evolving relationship with the transitional government in Damascus. He addresses the future presence of US troops in the region and highlights an "atmosphere of stability" as a result of improving relations with Turkey. This engagement marks a critical moment in the geopolitical landscape of the area, suggesting potential shifts in alliances and stability. Full...

Iran and the US have held their first round of talks in Oman regarding Tehran's nuclear program, marking the highest-level meeting since 2018. The discussions, described as "constructive," lasted two-and-a-half hours and set the stage for a second round, with both sides indicating a desire for a fair agreement to limit Iran's nuclear ambitions in exchange for sanctions relief. US envoy Steve Witkoff emphasized the importance of dialogue, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reported...

The Lebanese Army has gained control of most Hezbollah military sites in southern Lebanon and has begun taking over sites north of the Litani River, as reported by local media. Hezbollah has reportedly surrendered control of 190 out of 265 positions in the south, with the handover occurring peacefully and further agreements anticipated. President Joseph Aoun condemned rocket launches from southern Lebanon into Israel, emphasizing the need for Hezbollah to disarm and transfer security control...

Alhurra, the US government-funded Arabic-language network established in 2004, announced it would end broadcasts and lay off most staff after funding was cut by the Trump administration. Jeffrey Gedmin, CEO of Middle East Broadcasting Networks, criticized this decision, stating it undermines US media efforts in the Middle East and leaves a gap for adversaries. Despite reaching over 30 million viewers weekly, Alhurra will shift to digital updates with a significantly reduced staff due to fierce...

SummaryIsrael's Defence Minister Israel Katz announced a vigorous expansion of military operations throughout Gaza, following the IDF's takeover of a security zone between Rafah and Khan Younis and evacuation orders for the latter area. The ongoing offensive aims to pressure Hamas into releasing 59 hostages while displacing hundreds of thousands of Gazans. Since resuming its campaign against Hamas on March 18, over 50,933 people have reportedly been killed in Gaza, with 1,563 fatalities occurring since...

Yemen's government is gearing up to launch a significant offensive to reclaim Hodeidah Port from the Houthis, mobilizing nearly 80,000 troops for what could be the largest operation of the civil war. Renewed airstrikes have reportedly facilitated this assault, with US support for air cover and drone surveillance. However, concerns about humanitarian consequences and international scrutiny loom, as previous offensives led to severe humanitarian crises and pressure for ceasefires, exemplified by the 2018 Stockholm Agreement....