Greater Middle East
Saudi Arabia: seven years for tweeting
Saudi Arabia's specialized anti-terrorist court handed down a seven-year term for a Twitter post deemed insulting to the ruling al-Saud family.
Tag: Greater Middle East
Greater Middle East
Turkey: plan to expand presidential power advances
The Turkish Parliament approved a plan which, if approved by popular vote, would increase presidential powers and allow Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to stay in office until 2029.
Greater Middle East
Turkey: life term for Kurdish opposition leader?
Turkish prosecutors are seeking a life sentence for Figen Yüksekdağ, co-chair of the Kurdish-led Peoples’ Democratic Party, on charges of “terrorism” for her alleged ties to PKK.
Greater Middle East
Russia betrays Kurds as Syria alliance shifts
After initiating talks that exclude Washington, Turkey and Russia each accused the US of backing "terrorist groups" in Syria—obviously meaning the Kurds.
Greater Middle East
Assad delivers ultimatum to Aleppo Kurds
Kurdish forces will have to hand over control of their enclave of Sheikh Maqsoud in Aleppo to the Damascus regime by the end of the year, according to an Assad military advisor.
Greater Middle East
UN approves investigation of Syria war crimes
With action blocked by Russia's veto in the Security Council, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution establishing an independent investigation into war crimes in Syria.
Greater Middle East
UN approves monitors for Aleppo evacuation
Alarmed at the "devastating" humanitarian crisis in Aleppo, the Security Council called on the UN to carry out "neutral monitoring" of evacuations from the war-ravaged city.
Greater Middle East
Turkish government silencing media: HRW
The Turkish government is silencing the media on a massive scale to prevent scrutiny or criticism the government's "ruthless crackdown," Human Rights Watch charges.
Greater Middle East
Aleppo evacuation begins …to another war zone
The evacuation of eastern Aleppo is underway, but most will be taken to rebel-controlled areas in neighboring Idlib governorate—likely the regime’s next target for recapture.
Greater Middle East
Regime breaks deal on Aleppo evacuation
A fragile ceasefire has taken effect in Aleppo as pro-Assad forces seize most of the city, but the regime is failing to follow through on a pledge to evacuate residents to a "safe zone."
Greater Middle East
UN rights chief: ‘terror and slaughter’ in Aleppo
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights accused Syrian pro-government forces of going door-to-door and systematically killing civilians in the re-taken city of Aleppo.
Greater Middle East
General massacre feared with fall of Aleppo
As pro-Assad forces close in on the last opposition-held areas of Aleppo, reports are coming out of the stricken city that residents face mass detention and atrocities.