As end of ceasefire between Syrian gov’t and Kurds approaches, region asks if it will continue
An extension of the ceasefire would be in the interest of most groups involved.
Middle East
Iran says two Islamic State‑linked men executed for 2023 bus bombing
Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei moves to underground bunker amid fears of US strike - report
Trump says 'US has lots of ships on their way to Iran, I hope we don't have to use them'
As Syrian forces push northeast, Kurds mobilize against new jihadi assault
BEHIND THE LINES: As Syrian forces push into Kurdish regions, the Syrian Democratic Council calls for urgent global intervention to prevent a massacre.
US considering complete withdrawal of troops from Syria - WSJ
Around 1,000 US troops are stationed in Syria, the Wall Street Journal reported, and are mainly co-stationed with Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) troops.
Iran will treat any attack as 'all-out war', says senior Iran official
"Everything is on high alert in Iran," a senior Iranian official said ahead of the arrival of a US military aircraft carrier strike group in the Middle East.
Turkey's foreign minister says Israel still seeking opportunity to attack Iran
"I hope they find a different path, but the reality is that Israel, in particular, is looking for an opportunity to strike Iran," Fidan said in a televised interview on Friday.
Yemeni experts support allegations of secret UAE prisons, despite Emirati denial
After STC setbacks in the east, Saudi Arabia corrals southern factions into talks while allegations of secret prisons run by UAE forces in Yemen regain attention.
Rafah border crossing to reopen next week with Israeli oversight, advanced screening
Israel plans to oversee the Rafah border reopening next week, using remote monitoring and advanced screening to prevent weapons smuggling while ensuring security for travelers.
Georgia senator calls for removal of Iranian official's daughter from Emory university faculty
Dr. Ardeshir-Larijani is the daughter of Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. The Emory University School of Medicine lists her as an assistant professor.
Iran disputes claim that Trump stopped over 800 executions, say none were scheduled - report
"I stopped 837 hangings on Thursday," Trump told the press on Friday morning. "And I said, 'if you hang those people, you're gonna be hit harder than you've ever been hit.'"
'Nuremberg moment': UN Human Rights Council adopts motion for probe into Iran protest violence
The motion's approval extends an independent probe into human rights abuses in Iran and calls for an urgent inquiry into the violent crackdown by authorities on protesters.
Trump withdraws Canada Board of Peace invitation, Spain declines offer
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez cited consistency with Madrid's commitment to international law, the UN and multilateralism as the main reasons it was declining to participate.
