Middle East – Page 36 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

As Taliban runs riot in Afghanistan, new commander of withdrawing US & NATO troops vows to support ‘abandoned’ Afghan forces

Posted on July 14, 2021July 14, 2021By Editor

The commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan has stepped down, and his Florida-based successor is pledging to support local allies – even as the withdrawal of Western troops sees the Taliban overrunning Afghan fighters. … Read More >As Taliban runs riot in Afghanistan, new commander of withdrawing US & NATO troops vows to support ‘abandoned’ Afghan forces

2 Jordanians given 15-year prison sentence for trying to destabilize the monarchy

Posted on July 13, 2021July 13, 2021By Editor

A court in Jordan has sentenced an ex-finance minister and the King’s distant relative to 15 years in prison for their role in a plot involving former crown prince Hamzah, the King’s half-brother, to unseat the country’s monarch. … Read More >2 Jordanians given 15-year prison sentence for trying to destabilize the monarchy

US forces come under ‘indirect’ rocket attack near occupied gas field in Syria

Posted on July 11, 2021July 11, 2021By Editor

At least one explosion has rocked the Conoco gas field in Deir ez-Zor province, which is occupied by Washington-backed SDF forces, with initial reports suggesting no casualties among American troops stationed in the area. … Read More >US forces come under ‘indirect’ rocket attack near occupied gas field in Syria

UN special rapporteur says Israeli settlements ‘amount to war crime,’ drawing ire from Tel Aviv

Posted on July 11, 2021July 11, 2021By Editor

The world should finally hold Israel accountable for its continuous settlement policy in the occupied Palestinian territories, a UN human rights rapporteur has said, provoking criticism from Jewish officials and activists. … Read More >UN special rapporteur says Israeli settlements ‘amount to war crime,’ drawing ire from Tel Aviv

Turkey will not be silent about Israel’s ‘atrocities’, Erdogan tells Palestinian President Abbas

Posted on July 11, 2021July 11, 2021By Editor

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during a meeting on Saturday that he would not be silent about “Israel’s atrocities” in Palestine. … Read More >Turkey will not be silent about Israel’s ‘atrocities’, Erdogan tells Palestinian President Abbas

Lebanon’s Pfizer & AstraZeneca vaccination marathon canceled due to lack of electricity and internet connection at sites

Posted on July 11, 2021July 11, 2021By Editor

A weekend vaccination drive in Lebanon was postponed due to a blackout at the majority of vaccination centers. The country has been battling with a fuel crisis that caused the power outages. … Read More >Lebanon’s Pfizer & AstraZeneca vaccination marathon canceled due to lack of electricity and internet connection at sites

Beirut port blast investigator denied request to question Lebanon security chief over devastating explosion

Posted on July 11, 2021July 11, 2021By Editor

A request by the lead investigator into the explosion in the Port of Beirut last year to interrogate Lebanon’s security chief over the disaster has been turned down by a minister, a spokesperson and local reports have said. … Read More >Beirut port blast investigator denied request to question Lebanon security chief over devastating explosion

Israeli government fumes as Arab cast of Cannes-screened movie about IDF-blockaded village skip festival in protest

Posted on July 10, 2021July 10, 2021By Editor

Israel’s culture minister blasted as hypocritical the decision of Palestinian actors starring in the film ‘Let There Be Morning’ to protest “apartheid in Israel” by not attending its first screening at the Cannes Film Festival. … Read More >Israeli government fumes as Arab cast of Cannes-screened movie about IDF-blockaded village skip festival in protest

Taliban declare ‘full control’ of Afghan’s key border crossing with Iran

Posted on July 9, 2021July 9, 2021By Editor

The Taliban said they have completely seized Islam Qala, a border town in the western Herat province through which lucrative trade with neighboring Iran flows. Afghan officials there reportedly fled to Iran for safety. … Read More >Taliban declare ‘full control’ of Afghan’s key border crossing with Iran

Taliban continues crushing offensive with assault on northwestern provincial capital as US nears full withdrawal from Afghanistan

Posted on July 9, 2021July 9, 2021By Editor

The Taliban has entered the western Afghan city of Qala-i-Naw, marking the first time the militant group has attacked a provincial capital since launching a large-scale offensive coinciding with the US’ exit from the country. … Read More >Taliban continues crushing offensive with assault on northwestern provincial capital as US nears full withdrawal from Afghanistan