BIZARRE: 25 - What They Never Told You

Ten Challenges that Will Determine Syria’s Fate in 2023

Ten developments and files, both local and foreign, will determine the fate of Syria in 2023. The resolution of these files will have implications for years and perhaps even decades to come. They will determine the fate of the three “statelets” in Syria after they remained largely unchanged in the…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 3, 2023

Exiled Iran Opposition Figures in United ‘Victory’ Message

A group of prominent exiled Iranian pro-opposition figures have issued a coordinated message predicting 2023 will be a year of "victory" with the regime shaken by protests. Those sending the message include leaders from the fields of culture, human rights and sports. The Iranian diaspora has long been seen as…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 2, 2023

Turkey, Syria, Russia to hold new talks on civil war, terrorism

Foreign ministers from Russia, Syria and Turkey will meet in the second half of January after last week holding the highest-level gathering since the Syrian civil war erupted in 2011.

Tribune News Service · Jan 1, 2023

Turkey denounces French politicians for attending protest at killing of Kurds

Turkey on Thursday denounced French politicians for attending a Paris protest at the killing of three Kurds, in which demonstrators waved flags of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

Reuters · Dec 29, 2022

Border security discussed at landmark Syrian-Turkish talks-Turkish official

Landmark talks between the Syrian and Turkish defence ministers in Moscow included border security and how Turkey can act jointly against Kurdish militants, a senior Turkish official said, after a meeting underlining thawing ties between the foes.

Reuters · Dec 29, 2022

Iranian Woman Competes at Chess Tournament Without Hijab

An Iranian chess player has taken part in an international tournament without a hijab, according to media reports, the latest of several Iranian sportswomen to appear at competitions without one since anti-government protests began. Iran has been swept by demonstrations against the country's clerical leadership since mid-September, when 22-year-old Iranian…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Dec 28, 2022

Syria's Kurdish-led Forces 'on Alert' for ISIS Attacks, Says Official

Syrian Kurdish-led forces boosted security Tuesday a day after foiling a deadly ISIS group assault on a prison fearing that the extremists will strike again, a spokesman said. Authorities on Monday declared a state of emergency in Raqa, the extremists’ former de facto capital in northern Syria, after gunmen launched…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Dec 27, 2022

Iran President Blames US for Stoking Anti-Govt Protests

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi lashed out at the United States and its allies on Tuesday, accusing them of fomenting anti-government protests that have been underway in Iran for over three months. Iran has been shaken by mass protests since mid-September over the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Dec 27, 2022

French prosecutors charge man with murder after killing of three Kurds in Paris

Judicial authorities in France charged a suspected gunman on Monday with last week's murder of three Kurds in the French capital. Hundreds of people marched in Paris to pay tribute to the victims. The Turkish foreign ministry on Monday summoned France's ambassador over "anti-Turkey propaganda".

Radio France Internationale · Dec 27, 2022

Kurdish Forces: Deadly ISIS Assault Targeting Syria Prison 'Thwarted'

ISIS militants in northern Syria launched a failed attack targeting a prison holding fellow extremists in a clash that killed six Kurdish fighters, local authorities and a war monitor said. The Kurdish fighters were killed in the assault on a security complex near a prison with ISIS inmates in Raqqa,…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Dec 26, 2022