Tag Archives: Middle East

Syrian forces have thwarted a major attack by Daesh terrorists against the central province of Homs, killing some 22 of the terrorists in fierce clashes. The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said government forces backed by Russian airstrikes were battling the Takfiri terrorists to prevent them from entering the …

The Saudi-led coalition, which had declared what it called a “ceasefire” in its devastating war against Yemen a few hours ago, targeted several Yemeni positions shortly after the announcement. On Wednesday night, the coalition claimed it was halting military operations in Yemen in support of UN efforts to end its …

Iranian authorities have called on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to accelerate processing Tehran’s request for an emergency loan which requires fighting a pandemic. The governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) Abdolnasser Hemmati said on Thursday that the IMF is expected to consider Iran’s request for a $5 …

Iran has urged the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to approve a $5bn (£4bn) emergency loan to help fight the coronavirus, as its death toll passed 4,000. President Hassan Rouhani warned that “there should be no discrimination” in approving requests. The US reportedly opposes the loan, with officials saying Iran has …

Another US military convoy has been forced to retreat from an area in Syria’s northeastern province of Hasakah after local residents, in coordination with government forces, prevented the foreign forces from passing through the community. Local sources, requesting not to be named, reported that a US convoy of five armored …

At a Tehran mosque converted into a factory, women volunteers who would normally attend to visitors to the old battlefields of the Iran-Iraq war have joined the fight against the coronavirus. Lined up like factory workers, around 15 women have taken up positions in front of table-top sewing machines to …

Iran’s Foreign Ministry says more than 30 countries, as well as a number of international organizations, have provided it with assistance in its battle against the new coronavirus outbreak. Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi made the remarks during a press conference held via video link in Tehran on Monday, expressing gratitude …

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani says low-risk economic activities, which have been suspended over the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, will resume from April 11. In a Sunday address to the National Headquarters for Managing and Fighting the Coronavirus, Rouhani announced that medium- and low-risk businesses can recommence next week, except those …

Saudi Arabia and the UAE have adopted fresh measures to tackle the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic amid an uptick in the number of patients in both Persian Gulf countries. Saudi Interior Ministry announced a lockdown and a partial curfew in seven neighborhoods of the port city of Jeddah starting on …

A police robot has been deployed to patrol areas of Tunisia’s capital, Tunis, to ensure that people are observing a coronavirus lockdown. If it spies anyone walking in the largely deserted streets, it approaches them and asks why they are out. They must then show their ID and other papers …

Iran’s health minister has said that the country’s international standing in regards to containing the coronavirus outbreak will “greatly change” in the coming days. “Due to advances in our diagnosis capability, we have been able to identify more COVID-19 cases in the country,” Saeed Namaki said late Thursday. “Signs of …

Iran’s top diplomat has dismissed US President Donald Trump’s claim that Tehran is about to launch an attack on American troops in Iraq, reaffirming the stance that the Islamic Republic will not initiate any war but it will decisively respond to aggression. “Iran starts no wars, but teaches lessons to …

Up to 40,000 people may lose their lives due to the COVID-19 disease in Israel, the regime’s health ministry predicted, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu boasted that Israelis were fully protected against the pandemic. Israel’s leading daily Haaretz on Thursday reported the results of a study conducted by the regime’s …

Egypt began deep cleaning the area around the Giza pyramids on Wednesday as authorities work to disinfect tourist spots closed down by the coronavirus outbreak. Workers wearing face masks and gloves swept and sprayed the walkways around the bases of the pyramids, as well as the ticket office and a …

Heavy downpours have caused flooding in several Iranian provinces, mainly in the southern parts of the country, killing at least 11 people and leaving two others missing. A spokesman for Iran’s emergency services Mojtaba Khaledi said on Monday that over 17 people have also been injured by the flooding in …

Iran President Hassan Rouhani says the US offer to help Iran in its fight against the coronavirus is “one of the biggest lies in history” where American sanctions are hindering Tehran’s access to medical supplies. Rouhani on Monday noted that Washington’s “unjust, illegal and terrorist” sanctions against Iran as well …

Saudi Arabia will impose a nationwide curfew starting on Monday after reporting a jump of almost a quarter in coronavirus cases, while the United Arab Emirates will suspend all passenger and transit flights to and from the country. Saudi King Salman ordered a curfew – from 7 pm to 6 …

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani says social distancing will continue for two or three weeks as the coronavirus pandemic in the country is expected to slow down by then. Social distancing measures to stop the outbreak of the coronavirus in the country would be needed for two or three weeks as …

Palestinian worshippers scuffled with Israeli police in East Jerusalem on Friday as crowds headed to Al-Aqsa Mosque to pray, amid a partial lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Police in riot gear and wearing face masks put barricades up outside Damascus Gate and other entrances to the …

Bahrain reported the Gulf’s first death from the new coronavirus on Monday, as the total number of confirmed infections in the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) stood at 965. The deceased woman was a 65-year-old Bahraini citizen who had underlying health conditions, the health ministry said on Twitter. Bahrain has …