Russia declares its support for the Orthodox Christian militias fighting alongside the Syrian regime, as it shows great interest in the ideological factor within its expansion and domination strategy in Syria
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Russia plays up ties to Syrian Christians
Saudi Arabia condemns ‘terrorist’ attack targeting Iraq’s Erbil: SPA
Saudi Arabia on Tuesday condemned the “terrorist attack” that targeted Erbil International Airport in Iraq, the Saudi Press Agency reported, citing the Kingdom’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.A civilian contractor was killed and six others, including a US service member, were injured on Monday night when multiple rockets hit Erbil and its surrounding area at 9:30 p.m. local time.The Saudi foreign ministry strongly condemned the “cowardly attacks that threaten the security and stability of Iraq and the region,” SPA said.SPA added that the Kingdom affirmed that it stands in solidarity with Iraq and its people, and supports “all the steps and measures it takes to preserve its security.”The United Arab Emirates also strongly condemned the terrorist attack that targeted several locations in the city of Erbil and its suburbs in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a statement that the “UAE strongly condemns these criminal acts and rejects of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at destabilizing security and stability.”The United Nations deplores the deadly rocket attacks on Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region that left one person dead and several others injured, UN Special Envoy to Iraq Jeanine Hennis said on Tuesday.The United States said it was “outraged” by the attacks that left one dead and injured several members of the US Coalition on the Kurdistan region in northern Iraq, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said early on Tuesday.Read more:Mortars land near Erbil airport, Iraqi Kurdish security sources sayUN, UK condemn deadly attack on Iraq’s Erbil, demand action against those responsibleRocket attack on Kurdish northern Iraq kills civilian, injures 6 people: US coalition
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia condemns ‘terrorist’ attack targeting Iraq’s Erbil: SPA
Iran, Russia begin joint naval drill in northern Indian Ocean: Report
Iranian and Russian militaries have kicked off a joint naval drill in the Indian Ocean aimed at boosting security of maritime trade in the region, Iran’s state TV reported on Tuesday.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The TV said units from Iran’s Navy and the powerful Revolutionary Guard’s navy will take part in the exercise dubbed “Iran-Russia Maritime Security Belt 2021” in the northern part of Indian Ocean, spanning a stretch of about a 17,000 kilometers (10,600 miles).According to Iranian Adm. Gholamreza Tahani, the drill spokesman, a Russian destroyer, logistics ship and a helicopter were to participate in the drill. This is the second such joint Russia-Iran exercise since 2019, when the two nations plus China held a four-day exercise.Tehran has been seeking to step up military cooperation with Beijing and Moscow amid regional tensions with the US. Visits to Iran by Russian and Chinese naval representatives have also increased in recent years.In the last few months, Iran has stepped up military drills as the country tries to pressure President Joe Biden over the nuclear accord, which he has said America could reenter.Last Thursday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard conducted a ground forces drill near the border with Iraq in which drones, helicopters and military tanks were used.Former President Donald Trump in 2018 unilaterally withdrew the US from Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers. Under the accord, Tehran had agreed to limit its uranium enrichment in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.When the Trump administration subsequently imposed severe sanctions on Tehran, Iran gradually and publicly abandoned the deal’s limits on its nuclear development.Read more: Iran’s militias pose a threat to Arab countries’ stability: Saudi Arabia’s FMIran will ‘demolish’ Tel Aviv, Haifa if attacked by Israel, warns top IRGC commanderIran nuclear deal, easing sanctions did not curb Iran-backed militancy: Report
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran, Russia begin joint naval drill in northern Indian Ocean: Report
New shipment of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine arrives in Dubai
A new shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has arrived in Dubai, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has announced.The DHA has distributed the new batch across DHA health centers, which are dedicated to administering the COVID-19 vaccine in Dubai, according to a statement from the health body.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The DHA did not confirm how many many doses were in the new shipment.In January, the DHA announced that Dubai had postponed its Pfizer-BioNtech vaccination campaign for people scheduled to receive their first dose of the vaccine, amid a global supply shortage of the dose.The DHA begun its vaccination campaign last December, where it started administering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.As the campaign expanded, the authority began providing the Sinopharm and Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccines as well, in order to provide the public with an opportunity to choose between various types of vaccinations.Dr Farida Al Khaja, CEO of DHA’s clinical support services and nursing sector and chairperson of the COVID-19 vaccination steering committee, said that the vaccination campaign is currently targeting Emirati and resident elders, people with chronic disease who have a valid Dubai visa, frontliners and vital sector workers in both the public and private sector.She stressed that priority will be given to elders who are above 60-years-old.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Al Khaja said that targeted groups can book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment by calling the DHA Contact center on 800342. She pointed out that appointments for frontliners and vital sector workers will be scheduled in coordination and cooperation with government departments and the institutions in which they work.Dr Al Khaja stressed the DHA’s great interest in simplifying all procedures for obtaining the vaccines and facilitating the journey of those targeted for vaccination, in addition to its keenness to provide a safe and healthy environment in all its medical centers and facilities.Read more:Coronavirus: Dubai temporarily postpones Pfizer vaccine campaign amid global shortageUAE surpasses 5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, rate of 50.61 doses per 100 peopleDubai airport sees passenger traffic drop 70 percent amid COVID-19 pandemic
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: New shipment of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine arrives in Dubai
Investigation into attack on Iraq’s Erbil underway: Iraqi PM
An investigation into the deadly attack on Iraq’s Erbil region is underway with the regional government, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said on Tuesday.A civilian contractor was killed and six others, including a US service member, were injured on Monday night when multiple rockets hit Erbil and its surrounding area at 9:30 p.m. local time.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“The terrorist act that targeted the Kurdistan region aims to create chaos,” Iraqi News Agency cited the prime minister as saying. The Iraqi government is determined to ensure that the situation in the region is conflict-free and that Iraq will not turn into a conflict zone, he said. At least three rockets landed near the Erbil International Airport, according to Reuters. Several loud explosions were reportedly heard at the scene and a fire broke out near the airport.Monday’s attack was claimed by the Saraya Awliya al-Dam group, who said that they were targeting the “American occupation” in Iraq.Iraqi officials say the group is linked to Iran. Several groups with ties to the Iranian regime have claimed a series of rocket and roadside bomb attacks against coalition forces, contractors working for the coalition and US installations - including the embassy in Baghdad - in recent months.Iran denies any links to the attack.Read more:UN, UK condemn deadly attack on Iraq’s Erbil, demand action against those responsibleUS ‘outraged’ by attacks on Iraq’s Kurdistan region: Blinken Saudi Arabia condemns ‘terrorist’ attack targeting Iraq’s Erbil: SPA
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Investigation into attack on Iraq’s Erbil underway: Iraqi PM
US urges Iran-backed Houthis to halt ‘assault’ on Yemen’s Marib
The United States Tuesday called on the Iran-backed Houthi militia to halt its “assault” on Yemen’s Marib.“The Houthis’ assault on Marib is the action of a group not committed to peace or to ending the war afflicting the people of Yemen,” State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Price’s statement comes on the same day that Washington officially revoked the terrorist designation of the Houthis.Marib is one of the Yemeni government’s last strongholds in the north and Washington said Tuesday that the Houthi assault would “only increase the number of internally displaced persons and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis.”“The United States urges the Houthis to halt their advance on Marib and cease all military operations and turn to negotiations,” Price said.Despite the US move to remove the Houthis and their leaders from the terror list, the group has continued to attack Saudi Arabia and government-held areas in Yemen. Last week, the Houthis claimed a rocket attack that struck a civilian airplane at Saudi Arabia’s Abha airport.The Biden administration believes that its move to revoke the terror designation will facilitate Yemen’s peace process. Analysts and former US officials dealing with Yemen over the last four years are skeptical.On Tuesday, Price said: “If the Houthis are serious about a negotiated political solution, they must cease all military advances and refrain from other destabilizing and potentially lethal actions, including cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia.”A senior UN official warned Tuesday that around two million civilians were at risk due to the Houthi offensive. UN Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock said that “hundreds of thousands potentially” would be forced to flee “with unimaginable humanitarian consequences.”Read more: Biden’s rushed US policy moves on Yemen could backfire, analysts sayUS to remove Yemen’s Houthis from terror list next week: State Department
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US urges Iran-backed Houthis to halt ‘assault’ on Yemen’s Marib
Netanyahu’s pick of Iran file envoy signals confrontation with US
Picking national security adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat over real Iran experts such as Mossad Chief Yossi Cohen or retired Gen. Amos Yadlin means that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not believe dialoguing with the Biden administration on Iran will do any good.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Netanyahu’s pick of Iran file envoy signals confrontation with US
Despite tough speech, Hariri leaves door open to Cabinet solution: Future MP
Despite a tough speech in which he accused President Michel Aoun of blocking the formation of a new government with his demand for veto power, Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri has left the door open to a possible solution to the monthslong Cabinet crisis, a Future Movement MP said Monday..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Despite tough speech, Hariri leaves door open to Cabinet solution: Future MP
UN warns battle for Marib threatens millions of Yemenis
Mark Lowcock, the UN undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs,….
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: UN warns battle for Marib threatens millions of Yemenis
Many fear Slim’s slaying could imperil freedoms in Lebanon
Following the murder of staunch Hezbollah critic and Shia activist Lokman Slim on February 4, many like-minded journalists, activists and intellectuals fear Lebanon has entered a new phase of spiraling tensions that could be marred by similar assassinations..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Many fear Slim’s slaying could imperil freedoms in Lebanon