Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Media ID: 55365852
Caption:

A rebel fighter carries his weapons on the outskirts of the northern Syrian town of al-Bab, Syria January 15, 2017. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi

Ahrar al-Sham to Sit out Astana Talks, 25 to Represent Syrian Opposition

by Caroline Akoum | Jan 19, 2017 | Middle East

Beirut- Syrian Opposition factions continue to express growing fears of what would become of the Kazakhstan-held Syria peace talks, scheduled for Jan 23. Ahrar al-Sham, an opposition group in Syria, officially announced that it would not be partaking in the...

Media ID: 55365847
Caption:

Turkish police stand guard outside the Reina nightclub by the Bosphorus, which was attacked by a gunman, in Istanbul, Turkey, January 2, 2017. REUTERS/Yagiz Karahan

Istanbul Murderer Changed Plans at Last Minute

by Said Abdul Razzak | Jan 19, 2017 | Middle East

Ankara – The confessions of New Year’s Eve murderer, executor of Istanbul Reina nightclub attack, Abdulgadir Masharipov has revealed that he is a member of ISIS and was trained in al-Qaeda camps in Iraq. Masharipov admitted that his main target was Taksim Square but...

Media ID: 55362747
Caption:

Boys who are part of the Houthi rebels hold weapons as they ride on the back of a patrol truck in Sana’a March 13, 2015. Reuters

Houthi Minister: Saleh Granted Military Ranks to Qaeda Members

by Abdul Hadi Habtor | Jan 19, 2017 | Middle East

Riyadh- The pro-Houthi Minister of Youth and Sport in Yemen’s insurgent government, Hassan Mohammed Zaid, has revealed that former President Ali Abdullah Saleh used to grant military ranks to al-Qaeda members and other bandits. Zaid accused Saleh of benefiting from...

Media ID: 55365844
Caption:

Lebanon’s Druze leader Walid Jumblat (2nd R) and Druze Highest Sheikh al-Aql Naim Hassan (2nd L) accept condolences for the death of Druze Sheikh Wahid al-Balous, a leader of the minority Druze community in Syria, at the House of the Druze Community in Beirut, Lebanon, September 10, 2015. (REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir)

Lebanon: Jumblat Rejects all Electoral Laws that Threaten Druze Representation

by Youssef Diab | Jan 19, 2017 | Middle East

Beirut – As the date of Lebanon’s parliamentary elections approaches, chances to agree on a new electoral law are waning, as each political party is seeking to have a law that would be tailored according to its interests. Despite a variety of draft-laws referred to...

Media ID: 55365841
Caption:

Boys ride bicycles past damaged buildings along a deserted street in Deir al-Zor, eastern Syria March 7, 2014. Picture taken March 7, 2014. REUTERS/Mohamed al-Khalif

Hezbollah, Russia Raise Alertness in Deir al-Zor

by Caroline Akoum and Jordan Dakamseh | Jan 19, 2017 | Middle East

Beirut – Forces backing the Syrian regime, Russia and Iran-proxy Hezbollah, stepped up the alertness of its units based in eastern Syria. The sharpened presence is poured in an effort to counter an expansive attack staged by ISIS hardliners desiring to take over...