Politics 2019-12-31 US sanctions aim to enhance Iraq's sovereignty: Iraqi politician Former MP Entifadh Qanbar said sanctions are an effective tool to help undermine Iran's 'harmful influence' in Iraq.
Crime & Justice 2019-12-30 Saudi sentences Yemeni to death over theatre stabbing A criminal court has sentenced a Yemeni man to death for the attack, which Riyadh has linked to al-Qaeda, and sent an accomplice to prison.
Terrorism 2019-12-30 Houthi-planted mines target Yemeni families in al-Dhale A child was recently killed by a landmine while herding sheep, the latest in a series of similar incidents that have plagued Yemen in recent years.
Politics 2019-12-27 Lebanon's Hizbullah-backed PM still lacks popular support The protestors have voiced rejection of prime minister-designate Hassan Diab on the grounds that he was put forward by Hizbullah and its allies in the Lebanese parliament.
Refugees 2019-12-26 Syrian refugees repatriated from Lebanon The UNHCR and Lebanese security forces have been on hand to assist Syrian refugees who choose to return to their homeland.
Security 2019-12-26 Aid groups suspend operations in southern Yemen after attacks The offices of three humanitarian organisations came under attack in al-Dhale province, forcing 12 aid groups to suspend their operations.
Terrorism 2019-12-26 Iran limits internet access as authorities brace for fresh protests More than 300 people were killed in Iran during a three-day crackdown on protestors in November, according to an international rights group.
Security 2019-12-25 USS Abraham Lincoln safeguarding maritime navigation in the Gulf The presence of the US aircraft carrier in Bahrain enhances security in the region and exerts pressure on Iran, political analysts say.
Analysis 2019-12-24 New ISIS leader remains shrouded in mystery If Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's successor is to avoid an internal leadership challenge, he will be forced to step out of the shadows, experts say.
Protests 2019-12-23 Lebanon protestors shun PM-designate's call for talks Leaders of the grassroots protest movement say they are not ready to extend their support to Hizbullah-backed prime minister-designate Hassan Diab.
Education 2019-12-23 Children pay price of war in Houthi-controlled areas Schools have been converted into military barracks and recruitment centres, and qualified teachers have been replaced by party loyalists.
Human Rights 2019-12-23 Houthis recruit schoolgirls to boost their ranks The militia has been subjecting girls to ideological courses and recruiting them into the ranks of its all-female battalion, Yemen's information minister warned.
Politics 2019-12-20 US slaps sanctions on Iran judges, vows more punishment The US Treasury has designated two judges presiding over branches of the Iranian regime's Revolutionary Court for their punitive actions.
Protests 2019-12-20 Sanctions imposed on Hizbullah financiers The latest round of sanctions targets three Lebanese businessmen who are accused of engaging in money laundering to support the party.
Terrorism 2019-12-20 ISIS elements express shame, regret post-capture A former ISIS element who is expected to receive a life sentence spoke with Diyaruna about how joining the extremist group destroyed his life.
Politics 2019-12-20 Yemen forces, Houthis free 135 in prisoner swap The Houthis freed 75 hostages in exchange for pro-government forces releasing 60 of their fighters in the south-western city of Taez.
Politics 2019-12-20 Roadblocks across Lebanon as anger rises over PM pick Supporters of outgoing Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri held protests across Beirut Thursday night and also gathered in front of new premier Hassan Diab's house.
Security 2019-12-20 Yemen's Security Belt Forces raid explosives workshop in Aden The operation, which uncovered a hideout comprising surveillance equipment and a workshop for making explosives, led to the arrest of seven militants.
Security 2019-12-19 Kuwait, NATO partnership strengthens regional security NATO's Istanbul Co-operation Initiative aims to contribute to long-term global and regional security by offering countries security co-operation.
Terrorism 2019-12-19 Al-Qaeda behind Saudi theatre stabbing: state media The November attack on a Spanish theatre group in Riyadh was carried out by a Yemeni national under the orders of an AQAP leader in Yemen.
Security 2019-12-19 Yemen calls for end to Houthi practices against aid workers The militia has been restricting the work of UN and other aid organisations in order to divert assistance to its own coffers, Yemen's foreign minister said.
Politics 2019-12-19 Lebanese president says to appoint Hizbullah-backed former minister as PM The appointment of Hassan Diab would yield a lopsided government that might fuel sectarian tensions and complicate efforts to secure international aid, observers said.
Politics 2019-12-18 US indicts Indonesian for breaking Iran sanctions US sanctions and a trade embargo ban the supply of US products to Iran without specific permission from the US Treasury.
Security 2019-12-18 Houthis did not honour Stockholm agreement: PM Yemen's prime minister says the Iran-backed militia has failed to abide by the terms of the 2018 ceasefire agreement forged in Sweden.
Refugees 2019-12-18 UN issues winter aid to refugees in Lebanon The UNHCR is distributing aid to Syrian and Iraqi refugees in Lebanon for the winter season, amid economic challenges.
Protests 2019-12-18 Lebanon ups security at protest sites after violence Security has been stepped up in the Lebanese capital following a night of violence involving Hizbullah and Amal supporters.
Protests 2019-12-17 Dozens wounded as Hizbullah, Amal supporters clash with Lebanese police Supporters of Hizbullah and Amal tried to attack the main anti-government protest camp in central Beirut, in an attempt to undermine the largely peaceful protests.
Politics 2019-12-17 Time is ripe for Houthis to pursue peace, observers say The militia must make the most of recent peace overtures by severing its ties with Iran and pursuing a reconciliation agreement.
Protests 2019-12-16 Amnesty raises Iran protest crackdown toll The rights watchdog accuses the Iranian authorities of carrying out a 'vicious crackdown' following the outbreak of nationwide protests.
Security 2019-12-16 UAE to host European-led mission to monitor Gulf waters The mission will work in close co-ordination with the US-led mission to maintain international freedom of navigation in the Gulf region.
Politics 2019-12-16 Houthis' belligerence will cost them lives, observers say If the militia does not engage in the peace process more seriously, the people and achievements of Yemen will continue to be at risk.
Security 2019-12-16 Fire torches Russia's only aircraft carrier in latest military setback In 2019, a string of disasters and accidents has plagued Russia's military, fanning growing concerns over the country's aging defence systems.
Politics 2019-12-13 Iran hands over Yemen embassy in Tehran to Houthis, triggering backlash The move represents a flagrant violation of diplomatic norms and Yemen's sovereignty, according to Arab officials.
Human Rights 2019-12-13 Houthi attacks compound displacement crisis in Yemen The militia's violent attacks against residential areas have been driving families to flee their neighbourhoods for safer areas.
Business 2019-12-12 Iran support to Houthis prolongs Yemen war Front companies and smuggling operations have enabled 'Iran's tails' in Yemen to continue to fight, analysts say.
Politics 2019-12-11 US hopeful for Iran prisoner talks, but imposes new sanctions Sanctions have been imposed on Mahan Air offices and companies used by the IRGC's Quds Force to send weapons to Yemen's Houthis.
Education 2019-12-11 In Lebanon, Syrian refugees return to school despite challenges Schools were closed for a month because of the unrest in Lebanon, affecting both Lebanese students and the thousands of refugees enrolled in formal public education.
Politics 2019-12-11 GCC affirms unity against Iran 'aggression' The two-day annual summit brought together rulers and representatives of the six GCC member states in the Saudi capital Riyadh.
Politics 2019-12-11 Houthi violations undermine Stockholm Agreement: analysts In the year since the agreement was signed, the Iran-backed militia has committed some 12,000 violations in order to further Iran's agenda.
Energy 2019-12-10 Yemen government to end oil import monopoly Breaking the monopoly will improve living conditions, which was a goal of the power-sharing agreement between the government and southern separatists.
Protests 2019-12-09 Iran's 'conspiracy' claims insult its people: analysts The regime's attempts to blame the popular uprising on foreign interference undermines the intelligence of the Iranian people.
Security 2019-12-06 Military experts note decline in IRGC's performance The IRGC is riddled with internal issues that experts say are weakening its efforts to perform at a level equal to the challenges it faces.
Economy 2019-12-06 Yemen’s al-Riyan airport resumes operations Restarting operations at the airport in al-Mukalla is critical to economic growth and will ease the burden of traveling on the sick and elderly.
Security 2019-12-06 Iran working on nuclear-capable missiles: European powers In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, three European powers accused Iran of developing nuclear-capable ballistic missiles.
Protests 2019-12-06 Exiled actress Farahani decries 'massacre' in Iran Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani says the Iranian people are 'suffering economically, politically and democratically'.
Security 2019-12-06 US considering troop boost to counter Iran The US is observing Iran's behaviour 'with concern' and has been considering plans to move up to 7,000 additional troops to the Middle East.
Terrorism 2019-12-06 Iran has crossed all red lines: Yemeni government The government met Thursday to discuss Iran's belligerent actions and its continued support for the Houthis with weapons at a time when peace talks are making progress.
Security 2019-12-05 Iran threat takes centre stage at Manama Dialogue 2019 The conference brought together global leaders who discussed the importance of strategic alliances to counter Iran's malign actions.
Crime & Justice 2019-12-04 US court sentences Hizbullah operative to 40 years in jail A federal court in New York convicted Ali Kourani on eight charges, including conspiracy to use weapons in a violent crime.
Security 2019-12-04 US-Qatar military co-operation key to regional security The joint military drills are 'an important component in deterring aggression from regional adversaries', a US Army commander said.
Politics 2019-12-04 IAEA warns against intimidation after Iran incident New International Atomic Energy Agency director general warns that the agency's inspectors 'should not be intimidated... in any way'.
Protests 2019-12-04 Houthis increase recruitment efforts as tensions rise The move comes amid fears of a mass popular uprising connected with the anniversary of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh's death.
Human Rights 2019-12-03 Yemen war hits people with disabilities hardest: Amnesty Many people with disabilities were forced to flee the violence without their crutches or wheelchairs, while others were left behind by their families.
Protests 2019-12-03 Iran videos hit internet, revealing scope of crackdown Protests that broke out across the country in mid-November following a price hike on fuel prompted an 'unprecedented use of lethal force' by the Iranian regime.
Human Rights 2019-12-03 Report shows thousands of Houthi violations in Sanaa The militia's violations include killings, torture, detentions, looting of public and private property and the recruitment of child soldiers.
Protests 2019-12-02 Iran unrest has killed 'at least 208': Amnesty Top Amnesty International official says the number of deaths present 'evidence that Iran’s security forces went on a horrific killing spree'.
Security 2019-12-02 Saudi forum focuses on Gulf maritime security The Saudi International Maritime Forum (SIM 2019) drew high-level participants from around the world to discuss maritime security in the Gulf.
Politics 2019-12-02 Fearing local unrest, Houthis tighten security in Sanaa The Iran-backed militia fears an outbreak of street protests similar to those that have rocked Iraq and Lebanon in recent weeks.
Crime & Justice 2019-12-02 Egypt military court condemns Ashmawi to death Egypt's 'most wanted man' Hesham Ashmawi formed al-Qaeda-aligned al-Mourabitoun in Libya and has been convicted of numerous crimes.
Diplomacy 2019-12-02 Oman top diplomat visits Iran after US trip Oman's minister of state for foreign affairs Yusuf bin Alawi visited Tehran to discuss 'bilateral relations and regional issues'.