The conflict between Sunni and Shia is deeply rooted and intractable, it has existed for almost 1400 years. The divide was traced to 632 A. D, when Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) died and a debate emerged about who should be his successor. One group (which eventually became the Shiites) felt that the Prophet’s successor should be … Read more
Air strikes and artillery have pounded rebel-held districts of eastern Aleppo for a second day, killing dozens of people, damaging medical facilities and flattening residential buildings. Sources told Al Jazeera on Wednesday that more than 50 people had been killed and dozens wounded in the past 48 hours, as air raids launched by Syrian jets … Read more
In early 2011, as the Arab Spring was moving across North Africa and the Middle East, small groups of nonviolent activists in Syria, which has been under martial law since 1963, started protesting against the brutal dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad and demanding democratic reforms, the release of political prisoners, an increase in freedoms, abolition of … Read more
US legislators have passed a bill that would sanction the government of Syria and its supporters, including Russia and Iran, for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the country. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives on Tuesday, imposing new sanctions on Syria and underscoring US determination to play a strong role … Read more
MOGADISHU — The Somali National Army (SNA), backed by troops from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), on Tuesday captured Mir-tugo village in the central Somali region of Middle Shabelle from Al-Shabaab militants. Army official Abdullahi Mohamed told reporters the joint forces captured the area without any resistance from the militants. (Somali-Battle) PARIS — … Read more
Syria’s leader has said he hopes US President-elect Donald Trump will be an ally in fighting terrorism but remains “cautious in judging him”. Bashar al-Assad said Mr Trump would be a “natural ally” if he fulfilled a campaign pledge to fight terrorism. But he said it was “dubious” whether Mr Trump could “live up to … Read more
The last remaining food rations are being distributed in besieged rebel-held eastern districts of the Syrian city of Aleppo, the UN has said. Humanitarian adviser Jan Egeland warned that without a resupply there would be no food left to hand out next week to the 275,000 people living there. Mr Egeland ruled out airdrops of … Read more
The Syrian army says it has taken a strategic district of Aleppo in what would mark the most important advance in the divided city by the government and its allies in weeks. However, anti-government fighters say the battle is not over. The 1070 Apartments district is located on the southwestern outskirts of Aleppo and lies … Read more
POTUS 45 won’t have much time to celebrate. After a bruising brawl of a campaign, the next US commander in chief will inherit a world with the toughest array of foreign policy challenges in decades. The President’s Situation Room meetings will focus on hot, cold and simmering conflicts around the globe, all playing out as … Read more
Russia’s seat on the UN Human Rights Council is under threat due to its support of the Syrian government’s air campaign in Aleppo. More than 80 human rights and aid organisations, including Human Rights Watch, CARE International and Refugees International, have urged UN member states to drop Russia from the Human Rights Council over its … Read more
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has said his rival Hillary Clinton’s foreign policy plan in Syria would trigger World War Three. He also said the US should focus on defeating so-called Islamic State (IS) rather than removing Syria’s president. Mrs Clinton has proposed a no-fly zone over Syria. The top US military chief has said … Read more
Heavy clashes have been reported in the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo after a three-day ceasefire ended on Saturday. The unilateral ceasefire was announced last week by Russia, which has been carrying out air strikes in support of the Syrian government. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said fighting and air strikes took place … Read more
European Union leaders warned Russia at a summit on Thursday that they will consider sanctions over its role in the Syrian conflict if Moscow does not stop “crimes” in the devastated city of Aleppo. As the bloc’s 28 leaders met in Brussels for a crucial discussion on their future strategy to deal with Moscow, EU … Read more
Julian Zelizer: A stunning moment in the debate The most troubling part of the debate for many observers came when Donald Trump would not say that he will accept the results of the election. “I’ll tell you at the time—I’ll keep you in suspense, OK?” he said, words that will provoke great concern among those … Read more
With just under three weeks until Election Day, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton met Wednesday night for their third and final presidential debate. Trump entered the Las Vegas showdown hoping to reverse his desperate slide in the polls — and broaden his loyal but narrow base of support. For Clinton, the 90 minutes were a … Read more
A “humanitarian pause” announced by Russia is to formally come into effect in Syria’s city of Aleppo to allow civilians and rebels leave the city. Moscow earlier said air strikes by Russia and Syria’s government had been halted two days ahead of schedule. It also extended the pause by three hours, and suggested it could … Read more
US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has said the election is “absolutely rigged” by the “dishonest media” and “at many polling places”. His comments appear to contradict his running mate Mike Pence, who told NBC earlier Mr Trump would “absolutely” accept the election result, despite media “bias”. Mr Trump’s adviser Rudy Giuliani has also accused … Read more
President Vladimir Putin has dismissed suggestions that Russia could face war crimes charges over its bombardment of Syria’s second city Aleppo. He told French media the accusations were “rhetoric” that did not take into account the realities in Syria. French President Francois Hollande had suggested Russian air strikes on Aleppo could amount to war crimes. … Read more
A full year after Russia stepped into the Syrian quagmire on behalf of Syrian President Bashar Assad, Moscow has come to rival and challenge the US and NATO in virtually every arena possible. Here’s a quick glance at what Russia has accomplished just in the last month or so: Likely bombed a UN humanitarian aide … Read more
U. S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump backed off from praising Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, saying he was unsure of his relationship with the Russian president who he has described as a better leader than President Barack Obama. The day after running mate Mike Pence appeared to break ranks with Trump during a vice presidential … Read more