Middle East

Netanyahu confirms ceasefire, Syrian withdrawal from Sweida due to 'forceful action'

"I instructed the IDF to act with force because the Damascus regime sent its army south of the capital and massacred the Druze," Netanyahu said.

 An Israeli soldier holds a megaphone as Israeli-Druze gather, near the ceasefire line amid the conflict in the Druze areas in Syria, July 16, 2025.

Syrian detente hopes dim as president accuses Israel of sowing ‘chaos and destruction’ with strikes

 Druze residents protest near the Israeli-Syrian border fence in solidarity with their community in Syria, July 16, 2025.

US strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites - NBC

 Fire of Israeli attack on Shahran Oil depot is seen following the Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2025.

Israel's attacks on Damascus hinder chemical weapons search, Syrian official says

 Damage around Qamishli International Airport area, in Syria, December 10, 2024

Drone attack targets Tawke oilfield in Iraq's Kurdistan

A drone attack targeted an oilfield in Iraqi Kurdistan this Thursday, in what represents a big hit that lowers oil output between 140,000 and 150,000 barrels per day.

Smoke rises after a drone attack targeted oil facilities in the Zakho area of Iraq's Kurdistan region, Iraq July 16, 2025.

Western diplomats were within meters of Israeli strikes in Damascus, sources say

No one in the convoy was injured, and it continued on its way, the people said, declining to give further details on the nationalities or number of those involved.

 Smoke rises after strikes on Syria's defense ministry in Damascus, according to Al Jazeera TV, in Damascus, Syria July 16, 2025.

Russia says Israeli strikes are 'gross violation' of Syria's sovereignty

The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the attacks against the Druze Community in Syria were "deeply concerning."

 A person stands near the ceasefire line between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Syria, amid the ongoing conflict in the Druze areas in Syria, in Majdal Shams, July 17, 2025.

Israel's decisive Syria strikes highlight need for intervention in preventing genocides - analysis

For many Jews, the images of Druze men having their mustaches forcibly shaved conjure up memories of the Holocaust.

 Members of Syrian security forces ride on a back of a truck after Syrian troops entered the predominantly Druze city of Sweida on Tuesday following two days of clashes, in Sweida, Syria July 15, 2025.

Fire at mall in Iraq leaves at least 60 dead, officials say

The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but the governor said initial results from an investigation would be announced within 48 hours, INA reported.

 Kut, Iraq, October, 2019.

Syria's interim president says protecting Druze a 'priority'

In his first televised statement Sharaa addressed Druze citizens saying "we reject any attempt to drag you into hands of an external party."

 President Ahmed al-Shara'a speaks during the formation of the new Syrian government. March 29, 2025.

Elderly Druze Sheikh dies after humiliation by Syrian HTS

Sources close to the Sheikh confirm his death after a viral video circulated the internet showing Shahine, 80, being publicly humiliated by members of HTS in al-Tha'la.

Syrian security forces walk together along a street, after clashes between Syrian government troops and local Druze fighters resumed in the southern Druze city of Sweida early on Wednesday, in Sweida, Syria July 16, 2025.

Rubio: US has engaged with all parties in Syria clashes, agreed on steps to end situation

Rubio said that steps must be taken by "all parties to deliver on commitments they have made and this is what we fully expect them to do."

 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio takes part in a media briefing during the 58th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' meeting and related meetings at the Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 10, 2025.

Drone strikes shut oilfields in Iraq's Kurdistan, cut output by up to 150,000 bpd

Several oilfields halted operations due to significant infrastructure damage, the Kurdistan region's Natural Resources Ministry said.

 Smoke rises after a drone attack targeted oil facilities in the Zakho area of Iraq's Kurdistan region, Iraq July 16, 2025.

Iran has become the paper tiger in the room: Even when cornered, it can still lash out - analysis

For over three decades, Iran has carefully cultivated the image of a fierce regional power with unstoppable momentum, but during the 12-Day War, its image took a major blow.

 Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting in Tehran, March 8, 2025