North Africa
Meanwhile in, um, Benghazi…
Missiles and mortar rounds were fired into a crowd of anti-Islamist demonstrators in central Benghazi, killing six and injuring many more.
Tag: Arab Revolution
Greater Middle East
Bahrain sentences political activist to prison
Bahrain's Court of Appeals convicted rights activist Zainab al-Khawaja on charges related to her ripping up a photo of the country's king during a court hearing in 2014.
Greater Middle East
Saudi activist sentenced to 10 years in prison
Abdel-Karim al-Khadar, a rights advocate and opponent of Islamist extremism, was senteced to 10 years by a Saudi "anti-terrorist" court for criticizing the regime.
Greater Middle East
New Syrian rebel coalition unites Kurds, Arabs
A new coalition of 13 armed organizations announced the formation of the Democratic Forces of Syria, which is now planning a major offensive against ISIS.
North Africa
Tunisia: progressive forces still under attack
The same day the Tunisia Quartet civil activist group was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, a parliamentarian from the center-left ruling coalition survived an assassination attempt.
Greater Middle East
Egypt passes draconian anti-terror law
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi approved a counter-terrorism law assailed by rights groups as making permanent powers usually reserved for a state of emergency.
Iraq
Mass protests shake Baghdad regime
Tens of thousands took to the streets of Baghdad to protest economic conditions and corruption. The demonstrations are bringing together Sunnis, Shi'ites and leftists.
Greater Middle East
Bahrain releases ailing rights advocate
Bahrain's king released the president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, Nabeel Rajab, citing health reasons. He is charged with insulting authorities on Twitter.
Greater Middle East
Bahrain sentences Shi’ite opposition leader
A Bahraini court sentenced prominent Shi'ite leader Sheikh Ali Salman to four years in prison for insulting the Interior Ministry and inciting hatred against Sunnis.
Greater Middle East
White House criticizes Egypt, supports military aid
The Obama administration sent a report to Congress criticizing Egypt for human rights abuses and lack of progress toward democracy but still supporting $1.3 billion in mostly military aid.
Greater Middle East
Saudi Court upholds lashing for blogger
A Saudi court upheld the sentence of 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes for pro-secular blogger Raif Badawi for "insulting Islam through electronic channels."
Greater Middle East
Egypt: court orders Mubarak retrial in 2011 killings
An Egyptian court ordered a retrial for former president Hosni Mubarak, who was acquitted in the killings of hundreds of protestors during the 2011 uprising that ousted his regime.