Middle East Experience

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday that the United States gave Russia several minutes of advance warning before it carried out a strike in Syria, a timeframe he described as inadequate, the RIA news agency reported.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the appLavrov also called on the United States to renew contacts with Moscow over Syria to clarify US President Joe Biden's position on Syria, the Interfax news agency reported.Biden on Thursday directed US military air strikes in eastern Syria against facilities belonging to what the Pentagon said were Iran-backed militia, in a calibrated response to rocket attacks against US targets in Iraq.“At President (Joe) Biden’s direction, US military forces earlier this evening conducted airstrikes against infrastructure utilized by Iranian-backed militant groups in eastern Syria,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.“President Biden will act to protect American and Coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both eastern Syria and Iraq,” Kirby said.He added that the strikes destroyed multiple facilities at a border control point used by a number of Iranian-backed militant groups, including Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH) and Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS).A US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the decision to carry out these strikes was meant to send a signal that while the United States wanted to punish the militias, it did not want the situation to spiral into a bigger conflict.The official added that Biden was presented with a range of options and one of the most limited responses was chosen.It was not clear how, or whether, the strike might affect US efforts to coax Iran back into a negotiation about both sides resuming compliance with the agreement.Read more:President Putin accuses West of wanting to ‘shackle’ RussiaRussia’s FM Lavrov holds climate talks with US envoy Kerry amid sanctions concernsRussia’s Lavrov says ready to mend relations with EU despite chill
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Russia's Lavrov says US gave Russia several minutes of warning prior to Syria strike

The United Kingdom supports the United States’ response against Iranian-backed groups, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Friday following overnight airstrikes by Washington on Syria.US President Joe Biden had ordered military forces to carry out strikes against Iran-backed in the Middle Eastern country, including Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH) and Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS).For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app“The UK supports the US targeted response against militia groups which attack coalition bases in an effort to destabilize the region. We recognize the threat posed by the militia and share the US aim to work together with partners to de-escalate the situation,” Raab tweeted on Friday.Syrian state-owned Ekhbariya TV said the strikes had been at dawn against several targets near the Syrian-Iraqi border, and quoted a medical source at a hospital in the area and other unspecified local sources as saying 17 people had been killed. Reuters could not be independently confirmed.Syria has yet to make an official comment.Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday said that the US gave Russia several minutes of advance warning before it carried out a strike in Syria, the RIA news agency reported.Lavrov also called on Biden to renew contacts with Moscow over Syria to clarify the new administration’s position on Syria, the Interfax news agency reported.(With Agencies)Read more:Russia's Lavrov says US gave Russia several minutes of warning prior to Syria strikeUS strikes on Iran-backed militia in Syria hit several areas on Iraqi border: ReportBiden orders US strikes on Iran-backed militia in Syria: Pentagon
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UK supports US response against Iran-backed militias in Syria: Foreign Secretary

Saudi Arabia recorded 346 new cases of the coronavirus disease in the past 24 hours, which raises the total number of confirmed infections in the Kingdom to 376,723, the Ministry of Health announced on Friday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page. Only 2,549 COVID-19 cases are currently active, out of which 477 are critical, according to the ministry.Three people died due to complications caused by the coronavirus disease. This brings the virus-related death toll in Saudi Arabia to 6,483.Meanwhile, the total number of recoveries rose to 367,691 after 368 people recovered from the virus in the past 24 hours, the ministry said.Read more:Saudi citizens married to non-Saudis can now travel abroad: Government directiveSaudi Arabia’s inaugural Red Sea International Film Festival unveils new dates
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia records 346 COVID0-19 cases, three deaths, 368 recoveries in 24 hours

Syria condemned on Friday US air strikes against Iran-backed militias in eastern Syria, describing them as a negative indication for the policies of the new US administration.The “cowardly” attack is against international law, Syria’s foreign ministry said. It warned that it would lead to an escalation in the region. For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.-DevelopingRead more:US strikes on Iran-backed militia in Syria hit several areas on Iraqi border: ReportUK supports US response against Iran-backed militias in Syria: Foreign SecretaryRussia's Lavrov says US gave Russia several minutes of warning prior to Syria strike
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Syria condemns ‘cowardly’ US airstrikes near Syrian-Iraqi border: FM 

Dubai will be extending coronavirus countermeasures it currently has in place until the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, the Dubai Media Office announced on Friday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The maximum capacity allowed in venues with indoor seating, including cinemas, entertainment and sports venues, will remain at 50 percent, the emirate’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management said.Shopping malls, hotels, swimming pools and private beaches in hotels are permitted to only operate at 70 percent capacity, the committee said. Restaurants and cafes across the city must close by 1 a.m., it added.Monitoring and inspection campaigns will be intensified across Dubai to ensure that all establishments follow safety protocols, according to the committee.Health officials introduced new restrictions earlier this month after the country began seeing the rate of infections rise rapidly due to an influx of vacationers arriving at the tourist-hub.The United Arab Emirates has been reporting over 3,000 new cases every day this month, despite the government intensifying its inoculation campaign and urging its citizens and residents to take a vaccine.The country plans to have inoculated 50 percent of its population by March.Read more:Emirates Airlines and DHA to launch system to digitally link, verify COVID-19 recordsAbu Dhabi labs processing PCR samples from all over the world
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Dubai extends COVID-19 precautionary measures until mid-April

Upon arrival, the new ambassador is expected to undergo a coronavirus test and await results.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: UAE's ambassador to Israel expected to arrive Monday for first visit

Turkey’s increasing focus on Iraq’s Sinjar region is linked to a broader rivalry with Iran for influence over Mosul.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Turkish-Iranian rivalry heats up over Mosul

Officials suggested the late-night precision bombing was designed to minimize casualties while avoiding backlash from the Iraqi government.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Biden approves airstrike on Iran-backed militias in Syria following Iraq attacks

The authority further announced it had issued eight fines and 15 warnings as part of its daily inspections..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Covid safety: Dubai shuts shisha cafe, salon for overcrowding

The weekly protests usually attract hundreds of participants. And while clashes with police are not uncommon, this week's protest was exceptional in their scope.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Joint List MK injured during weekly Umm al-Fahm protests, four arrested