Middle Orient

Iraqi PM calls for unity in the final stages of liberation from ISIL

The Iraqi prime minister says the country is in its final stages of liberation from ISIL militants. As Iraqi forces battled to push the extemists out of their last remaining pockets of territory, Haider al Abadi attributed the forthcoming victory over ISIL to iraqi unity and solidarity. “Iraq was at …

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Iraqi jets strike ISIL convoy in Diyala

Iraqi army warplanes destroyed on Wednesday a convoy of Islamic State militants in northeastern Diyala, a security commander was quoted saying. Maher al-Ezzawi, commander of Dijlah Operations, said that army fighter jets bombarded the convoy at Wadi Thallab (80 km northeast of Baqubah), killing al militants in it. Ezzawi said …

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US affirms continued support for Lebanon's army

Major General George Smith, the CENTCOM Director of Strategy, Plans, and Policy reiterated the United States support for the Lebanese army during a short visit he paid to Beirut, a US embassy statement said on Saturday. Smith met with General Joseph Aoun on Thursday, September 7, the press release said.

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US-backed forces, Syrian army advance separately on ISIL in Deir Ezzor

US-backed forces and the Syrian army advanced in separate offensives against ISIL in eastern Syria on Saturday. The Syrian Democratic Forces, a US-backed coalition, aimed to push out the jihadists from territory east of the Euphrates River, while Syrian government forces — supported by Lebanese group Hizbollah and Russian air …

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Iraq, Jordan reopen Trebil border crossing

The Kingdom of Jordan and Iraq have reopened the Turaibil border crossing, as part of their efforts to forge closer bilateral ties. A joint statement by the Jordanian and Iraqi government said that the border crossing was reopened after the international highway was secured, adding that the measure will further …

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