Daily News Brief - 01/09/2022
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Please find below today’s daily news brief.
Iran: Foreign minister says Tehran wants a more robust text in the nuclear deal than the one proposed by the US
In a press conference in Moscow, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian stated that Tehran is still studying the American proposals for a new nuclear deal, but warned that his country wants a stronger text. He added that if the US acts realistically and agrees to strengthen the current draft, an agreement will be at hand. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Thursday that he hopes a deal with Iran would be concluded in the coming days.
Iraq: Clashes between rival Shia militias erupted in the Iraqi city of Basra
At least four people were killed in armed confrontations between rival Shia militias in the Iraqi city of Basra, according to a statement by security forces on Thursday. One official described the situation in the city as “really bad,” adding that it could escalate at any moment. Gunmen attacked Thursday morning several government buildings where security forces and paramilitary groups linked to Iran are stationed. According to the officials, the perpetrators could not be immediately identified.
Iraq | US: Iraqi prime minister receives a phone call from the US president
Following a worrying escalation of the political situation in the capital of Baghdad that saw armed confrontations between rival groups and amid threats by the Iraqi leader that he will resign if the situation becomes more complex, US President Joe Biden called Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Wednesday to discuss the latest developments in the country. Biden called on Iraqis to seek dialogue to resolve the political crisis and commended al-Kadhimi’s role and wise leadership during the escalation in Baghdad. He further encouraged all leaders to engage in a national dialogue to lay out a road map for the current crisis. Meanwhile, the Joint Operations Command announced that it lifted the curfew imposed in Iraq and that the roads around the Green Zone are now open.
Israel | Palestine: Palestinian prisoner to end hunger strike on the promise of release
Palestinian prisoner Khalil Awawdeh ended on Wednesday his nearly six-month hunger strike after reaching an agreement that will see him released in October. In a video showing Awawdeh in a hospital bed, he announced the deal, calling it a “resounding victory” for the Palestinian people. Israel accused him of being a member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group and arrested him in December 2021. Since then, Awawdeh has been detained without charge or trial.
Israel | Palestine: Two Palestinians were killed by Israel during two separate military raids in the occupied West Bank
The Palestinian health ministry reported on Thursday that two Palestinians were killed during separate military operations conducted by Israel in the occupied West Bank. The first, identified as Samer Khaled, 25, was shot in the neck during a fire exchange with the Israeli forces in Nablus’s Balata refugee camp. The second, Yazan Afaneh, 26, was reportedly shot in the chest during confrontations in the city of al-Bireh, next to Ramallah. The latest deaths come as Israel continues its military operations throughout the occupied West Bank as part of a larger response to a series of attacks that killed 19 Israelis earlier this year.
Israel | Syria: Israel strikes the airport in Aleppo according to Syrian state media
Syria’s state news agency SANA reported that Israeli strikes targeted areas near the capital Damascus and the airport in Aleppo late on Wednesday. According to local sources cited by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, four missiles targeted the runway and depots at the airport believed to store rockets supplied by Iran.
Israel | US | Iran: Israeli prime minister holds phone conversation with US president over Iran deal
Israel’s Prime Minister Yair Lapid received a phone call from US President Joe Biden on Wednesday during which the two leaders discussed the latest developments in the negotiations with Iran over a new nuclear deal. Lapid expressed Israel’s concerns with regard to a new agreement, while Biden assured him of the US commitment to Israel’s security, adding that Washington would not compromise on matters outside the original agreement, including the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections.
Lebanon | Israel: Maritime border delimitation talks to resume in the coming days
The US mediator Amos Hochstein announced on Wednesday that he will resume his meetings over the maritime border demarcation file in the next few days. He informed the Lebanese officials that an answer regarding Lebanon’s proposal will not come earlier than the end of this week. Hochstein had reportedly discussed with an adviser to the French President Emmanuel Macron the role TotalEnergies company will play in the exploration of gas resources from Beirut’s fields. Moreover, he dismissed reports about an “emerging agreement” issued by Israeli media.
Lebanon | UN: UN Security Council extends peacekeeping mission’s mandate for one more year
The UN Security Council extended on Wednesday, at the request of the Lebanese government, the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), a peacekeeping mission operating at the border with Israel. The mission is mandated to monitor the cessation of hostilities between the two countries and support the Lebanese authorities in keeping the area south of the Litani River free of unauthorized armed personnel, weapons, and other related assets.
Libya | Turkey: Turkish foreign minister meets Libyan deputy prime minister in Ankara
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu welcomed Libya’s Deputy Prime Minister Ramadan Abu Janah in Ankara on Wednesday. According to the Turkish foreign ministry, the two officials discussed the recent developments in the North African country and the Libyan election process.
Saudi Arabia | Yemen: Riyadh designates five Yemenis for their relations with the Houthi rebels
Saudi Arabia’s Presidency of State Security announced on Wednesday that it has designated five Yemenis for their ties with the Houthi rebels and their activities. The individuals are active in smuggling Iranian weapons to Yemen and have responsibilities within Tehran’s drone and ballistic missiles projects.