Daily News Brief - 31/08/2022
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Please find below today’s daily news brief.
Iran | Russia: The Iranian foreign minister arrives in Moscow to discuss bilateral ties and the situation in Ukraine
Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian arrived in Moscow on Wednesday morning heading a delegation for talks with Russian officials to discuss possibilities of ending the war in Ukraine. In a statement before leaving Tehran, Amir Abdollahian said that “the main purpose of the trip is to try to resolve the Ukraine crisis based on a request made to the Islamic Republic of Iran,” adding that “some Western parties want Tehran to play an active role in this regard.” The foreign minister is expected to meet with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.
Iran | US: US Navy thwarts Iranian attempt to capture sea drone in the Persian Gulf
According to the US Navy Fifth Fleet’s spokesperson Cdr. Timothy Hawkins, the crew of a ship affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attached a cable to a US Navy drone on Monday night and attempted to tow it away. The unmanned aircraft was later released after the USS Thunderbolt patrol ship, an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, and an inflatable US boat approached the Iranian vessel. Hawkins added that four IRGC fast-attack boats were spotted in the area and that the incident occurred in international waters.
Iraq: Prime minister threatens to resign if the political deadlock continues
Iraq’s caretaker prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi stated on Tuesday that he will “vacate his post” if the complicated political situation in the country continues. The statement comes after supporters of Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr engaged in armed confrontations with the Iraqi security forces and rival militias in the capital of Baghdad, leaving at least 30 people dead.
Iraq | Saudi Arabia: Foreign ministers hold phone conversation amid efforts to improve ties between the kingdom and Iran
Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein held a phone conversation on Tuesday with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud following the former’s visit to Tehran. The discussion focused on the efforts to improve the ties between Riyadh and Tehran, an endeavor mediated by Baghdad. Iraq’s top diplomat met in Iran with his counterpart and President Ebrahim Raisi.
Israel | Palestine: Three Palestinians were arrested by Israeli forces in connection to shooting attacks
The Israeli Defense Forces arrested on Wednesday three Palestinians linked to shooting attacks near the village of Silwad. According to the Israeli forces, a suspect was shot while attempting to flee, adding that the soldiers also confiscated “military equipment” during the operation.
Libya: The prime minister of the internationally-recognized government says Libya’s goal is to organize elections
The head of the Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, stated during a meeting with the Misrata Council of Notables that his cabinet’s goal is holding elections, adding that “our hands are still extended to our opponents.” The meeting on Tuesday comes after a group of locals from Misrata, where Fathi Bashagha is originary from, gave his forces 24 hours to evacuate all armed vehicles and fighters affiliated with him from the area and keep it outside the conflict, condemning his violent actions in Tripoli.
Tunisia | US: Washington dispatches a top diplomat to defuse tensions with Tunis
The US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern affairs Barbara Leaf met on Tuesday with Tunisia’s President Kais Saied in an attempt to defuse the tensions between the two countries following criticism by the US regarding the internal situation in Tunisia. During the meeting, Saied said that his country firmly rejects any foreign interference in internal affairs, adding that the US should listen to their Tunisian counterpart “to know everything about the real situation in Tunisia.”
UAE | Iraq: Foreign ministers discuss the latest developments in Iraq
In a phone conversation on Tuesday, the UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein discussed the latest developments in Baghdad after armed confrontations shook the Iraqi capital. The Emirati minister expressed his country’s support for Iraq’s security, stability, unity, and territorial integrity.
Yemen | Ukraine: First grain shipment leaves Ukraine for Yemen, according to the UN food agency
The UN’s World Food Program announced that MV Karteria departed Ukraine on Tuesday, carrying 37,000 metric tons of wheat grain to Yemen. Before sailing to the war-torn country, the vessel will first stop in Turkey, where the grain will be milled into flour. According to the UN agency, the grain will provide a 50-kilogram bag of wheat flour to nearly 4 million people and will help address immediate gaps in assistance. An estimated 46% of Yemen’s 2021 wheat imports came from Ukraine and Russia.