ARAB LEAGUE
Arab League Summit Magnifies Division over Syria, Refuses to Recognize Israel as Jewish Nation
A two-day (March 25-26, 2014) Arab League Summit at Kuwait City exposed a visible rift over which rebel sides to support on Syrian conflict. Saudi Arabia, alarmed over growing radicalization of the conflict that might return to haunt the Kingdom later, wanted to back more moderate groups such a Free Syrian Army while Qatar threw its monetary and arms support behind more radical groups. However, on Israel, the league took an unanimous stand of rejecting an Israeli proposal to recognize it as a "Jewish" nation.
Arab League to Form a Joint Force for the Region
In the backdrop of a continuing Saudi-led airstrike campaign against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, Arab League held its latest summit in Egypt. The Arab leaders on March 29, 2015 announced that they would form a 40,000-strong joint force that would be deployed upon request by member nations to quell violence and rebellion.
Arab League Condemns Iran
Arab League foreign ministers, barring Lebanon's, on January 10, 2016 condemned Iran's meddling in the regional affairs and failure to protect Saudi diplomatic missions.
Arab League's Foreign Ministers' Meet Blasts Iran, Hezbollah
Prodded by Saudi Arabia over a November 4, 2017, failed ballistic missile attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels that had targeted the Riyadh's international airport, Arab League foreign ministers, meeting at Cairo, issued a draft on November 19, 2017 blasting the destabilizing effect in the region being caused by Iran and its regional proxy Hezbollah. Arab League's Cairo meet was not without its own internal tension as Lebanese envoy to Arab League, Antoine Azzam, was more cautious to be any party to the harsh rhetoric of the meet. Iraq had also reservation. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said during the day that he would brief the U.N. Security Council, but, at this moment, was not calling for a U.N. Security Council session. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir was more direct, saying no Arab capitals were safe by placating Iran.
ARAB LEAGUE SUMMIT AT DHAHRAN
Arab League Fails to Issue a Statement on U.S.-led Airstrikes in Syria
Although Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar separately issued statements supporting U.S.-led airstrikes on three Syrian targets on April 13, 2018 (April 14 early morning Damascus time), 22-nation Arab League was deeply divided over the merit of the western airstrikes. As a result, the Arab umbrella group failed to come up with a unified statement on April 15, 2018 at the summit held in the Saudi Arabian city of Dhahran. However, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said during the day that Bashar Assad regime bore the responsibility for the situation that had led to the U.S.-led airstrikes. The summit also took a strong view on Iran's interference in the region, especially the Yemeni Civil War that had led to several missiles launched deep inside Saudi Arabia by Houthi rebels. The venue of the summit itself reflected the reality of avoiding any risk that might have posed threat to the meeting if it was held in Riyadh. The host, Saudi Arabia, pledged $150 million to the religious body with oversight powers of Jerusalem's Muslim religious places. The kingdom announced an additional $50 million donation to U.N. relief agency that provided aids to Palestinians in the wake of Trump administration's decision to block grants of similar amount.
Arab League Summit Magnifies Division over Syria, Refuses to Recognize Israel as Jewish Nation
A two-day (March 25-26, 2014) Arab League Summit at Kuwait City exposed a visible rift over which rebel sides to support on Syrian conflict. Saudi Arabia, alarmed over growing radicalization of the conflict that might return to haunt the Kingdom later, wanted to back more moderate groups such a Free Syrian Army while Qatar threw its monetary and arms support behind more radical groups. However, on Israel, the league took an unanimous stand of rejecting an Israeli proposal to recognize it as a "Jewish" nation.
Arab League to Form a Joint Force for the Region
In the backdrop of a continuing Saudi-led airstrike campaign against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, Arab League held its latest summit in Egypt. The Arab leaders on March 29, 2015 announced that they would form a 40,000-strong joint force that would be deployed upon request by member nations to quell violence and rebellion.
Arab League Condemns Iran
Arab League foreign ministers, barring Lebanon's, on January 10, 2016 condemned Iran's meddling in the regional affairs and failure to protect Saudi diplomatic missions.
Arab League's Foreign Ministers' Meet Blasts Iran, Hezbollah
Prodded by Saudi Arabia over a November 4, 2017, failed ballistic missile attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels that had targeted the Riyadh's international airport, Arab League foreign ministers, meeting at Cairo, issued a draft on November 19, 2017 blasting the destabilizing effect in the region being caused by Iran and its regional proxy Hezbollah. Arab League's Cairo meet was not without its own internal tension as Lebanese envoy to Arab League, Antoine Azzam, was more cautious to be any party to the harsh rhetoric of the meet. Iraq had also reservation. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said during the day that he would brief the U.N. Security Council, but, at this moment, was not calling for a U.N. Security Council session. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir was more direct, saying no Arab capitals were safe by placating Iran.
ARAB LEAGUE SUMMIT AT DHAHRAN
Arab League Fails to Issue a Statement on U.S.-led Airstrikes in Syria
Although Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar separately issued statements supporting U.S.-led airstrikes on three Syrian targets on April 13, 2018 (April 14 early morning Damascus time), 22-nation Arab League was deeply divided over the merit of the western airstrikes. As a result, the Arab umbrella group failed to come up with a unified statement on April 15, 2018 at the summit held in the Saudi Arabian city of Dhahran. However, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said during the day that Bashar Assad regime bore the responsibility for the situation that had led to the U.S.-led airstrikes. The summit also took a strong view on Iran's interference in the region, especially the Yemeni Civil War that had led to several missiles launched deep inside Saudi Arabia by Houthi rebels. The venue of the summit itself reflected the reality of avoiding any risk that might have posed threat to the meeting if it was held in Riyadh. The host, Saudi Arabia, pledged $150 million to the religious body with oversight powers of Jerusalem's Muslim religious places. The kingdom announced an additional $50 million donation to U.N. relief agency that provided aids to Palestinians in the wake of Trump administration's decision to block grants of similar amount.
Arab League Ends Syrian Suspension
Arab League on May 7, 2023 took a historic decision to end the suspension
of Syria’s membership, paving the way for Bashar Assad’s victorious
return to the regional powerhouse. However, the decision is not without
opposition as Qatar remains opposed to the withdrawal of Syria’s membership suspension,
a decision taken at the outset of the Arab Spring dozen years ago, and
has not sent its foreign minister to the Arab League meeting in Cairo. Foreign
Ministers of 13 of 22 member states attended the crucial session. However,
the decision is symbolic, but significant, as there will not be any
reconstruction funds for Syria because of western sanctions, but the decision
gives Assad the recognition and credibility that he has lost among some crucial
Arab nations after harshly clamping down on political dissent.
Assad Arrives at Jeddah for Arab League Summit for the Big Embrace
That political fortunes can take a U-turn over the time manifests itself
as Syrian President Bashar Assad, once a regional pariah after his
nation’s ouster from Arab League in 2012, arrived at Jeddah on May
18, 2023 to attend a summit of the 22-nation premier Arab alliance,
marking the first time that he had set his feet on Saudi Arabia since the civil
war had erupted more than a decade ago. Recently, Arab League decided to let
Syria rejoin the regional group. At the airport tarmac in Jeddah, Assad
was greeted on May 18, 2023 by Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed
Aboul Gheit, Prince Badr Bin Sultan, deputy governor of Mecca, and other
local officials.
ALGERIA
French Tourist Beheaded by Algerian Terrorist Group
Meanwhile, an Islamic State-linked Algerian terrorist group, Jund al-Khilafah, or Soldiers of the Caliphate, on September 24, 2014 decapitated a French mountaineering guide from Nice, Herve Gourdel, 55. Gourdel was kidnapped during the weekend (September 20-21) after Islamic State followers called on its supporters to kidnap Europeans to take revenge against west's bombing campaign against the group in Iraq and Syria.
Authorities Kill the Beheading Mastermind
Algerian Defense Ministry said on December 23, 2014 that its troops had tracked down and eliminated the mastermind of the killing of the French mountaineering guide Herve Gourdel, 55, who was beheaded in September, ending a three-month period of a massive crackdown to nab Abdelmalek Gouri, a leader of Jund al-Khilafah, or Soldiers of the Caliphate.
President's Bid to Seek Re-election Sparks Massive Protest
Brewing under the surface over corruption, soaring unemployment and lack of opportunities, Algerians couldn't take anymore after their long-term, iron-clad and aging ruler, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, had announced on February 10, 2019 that he would seek a fifth presidential term. After being seriously ill for the past six years, Bouteflika, not seen in public since 2013, took the gamble, but it worked as a catalyst to launch a concerted move by the people--not political parties--to seek 82-year-old's resignation. Protests had immediately begun, but the first large-scale, organized protest was held on February 22, 2019. The protest turned intensive on March 9, 2019, with a huge turnout choking the streets of Algiers, capital, as the president was in Geneva for medical treatment. What irked many of the protesters that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's candidacy had been filed on March 3, 2019 in his absence.
General Strike Observed as Ruling Party Tries to Find a Face-saving Exit
Totally surprised by the scale of people's revolt against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's bid to seek a fifth term, the ruling party, National Liberation Front, or FLN, on March 10, 2019 issued a statement, saying that it would try to find a solution "with the least cost to the country". Meanwhile, a general strike took firm hold on the nation as another day of protest was held at Algiers and other cities. In a seemingly conciliatory tone, Algeria's top army commander, Chief of Staff Ahmed Gaid Salah said on March 10, 2019 that the army and people had the same "vision of the future".
President Makes Concession; Will not Seek Re-election
Tens of thousands of Algerians poured onto streets on March 11, 2019 in a celebratory mood after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika wrote a letter to the nation a day after his March 10, 2019, return from Geneva, where he had been for the past two weeks on medical grounds, saying that he would not seek a fifth term. The letter also said that the April 18, 2019, presidential election would be postponed and a "national conference" would plan the vote as well as draft a new constitution. In the letter, President Bouteflika asserted that he would name a new administration, and within hours, cabinet reshuffle took place, with Interior Minister Noureddine Bedoui taking the helms of the administration as premier at the critical juncture of the Algerian history. Although on the streets, the popular mood was joyful, but demonstrators demanded that Bouteflika step down immediately. A general strike continued for the second day on March 11, 2019.
Lawyers Rally for Protesters, Demand President's Ouster
A rally was held in Algiers on March 23, 2019 by the country's lawyers in support of the near-daily protest movement that had begun on February 22, 2019 to demand that aging President Abdelaziz Bouteflika step down.
Rallies Held for the Sixth Straight Friday
Anti-government rallies were held for the sixth straight Friday on March 29, 2019 to demand that their ailing, and increasingly isolated, president step down. The protest on March 29, 2019 was different from earlier protests on one aspect. The day's protest was shown live by all three state-owned television stations.
Bouteflika Resigns Immediately
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's office issued a statement on April 1, 2019, saying that longtime ruler would resign by the end to his current term, April 28, 2019. The statement angered not only the protesters, but powerful military chief, Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah, who went issued a stern message on April 2, 2019 for Bouteflika to resign now. Earlier in the day, Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah held meeting with the country's military hierarchy. Later on April 2, 2019, Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced his resignation, ending one of the longest rules in the region. Immediately aftermath of his resignation, a large group of protesters turned the capital streets into a boisterous victory party venue. Under the Algerian constitution, Algeria's Constitutional Council will convene on April 3, 2019, and accept the resignation. Only after that, the resignation will become official. Under the constitution, the head of upper house of parliament, Abdelkader Bensalah, a Bouteflika ally, will become an interim president for up to 90 days and hold presidential elections as soon as feasible. During nearly last seven-week protest, country's military has shown apparent neutrality, and one of the defense department statement issued on April 3, 2019 is noteworthy for its unusual harshness to Bouteflika entourage whom it has labeled "gang" and accused of "fraud, embezzlement and duplicity".
Bouteflika Seeks Apology
In a farewell letter to the nation, outgoing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on April 3, 2019 asked for forgiveness for any perceived mistakes and called for national unity.
First Friday Rally after President's Resignation Brings New Demand
Protesters held their first Friday rally on April 5, 2019, three days after longtime ruler Abdelaziz Bouteflika had stepped down, now their demand was to oust remnant of political machinery of former leader. They demanded resignations of three top officials: premier, head of upper house of parliament and chief of Constitutional Council.
Algerian Protest Continues over New Leader
Algerians on April 9, 2019 held protest in Algiers hours after head of the upper house of Algerian parliament, Abdelkader Bensalah, was sworn in as the new president. Protesters are unhappy over the replacement as Bensalah is too closely tied to former ruler, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, to make any meaningful reforms.
Police Beats Protesters
As the anti-government protest that began on February 22, 2019 and had forced Abdelaziz Bouteflika from power morphed into more than just demonstrating against the longtime ruler and raising issues related to broader corruption and demanding for his inner coterie, including the interim president, Abdelkader Bensalah, to go, security forces might be losing patience. On April 12, 2019, scuffle erupted between police and protesters in Algiers and dozens were injured. Under constitution, new election will be held in 90 days and now election is slated for July 4, 2019.
Protesters Now Target Powerful Army Chief
Unhappy over any meaningful transition of powers, protesters took to streets on Friday April 26, 2019, and this time, they vented out anger against Army chief, Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah, demanding his resignation too.
Brother of Former Strongman Arrested
The powerful younger brother of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika was arrested on May 4, 2019. Algerian authorities arrested Said Bouteflika, 61, and two other generals.
Prominent Leftist Politician Arrested
Five days after brother of Former Algerian President Abdel Aziz Bouteflika had been arrested, Workers Party General Secretary Louisa Hanoune, a prominent Left politician, was arrested on May 9, 2019 as part of the inquiry into the corruption case related to Said Bouteflika and two other top ex-intelligence officials.
40th Straight Friday of Protest Marked
Algerian protesters took their anti-government demonstration to a new level by training their gun not at individuals, but the system itself, and held their 40th Friday protest without interruptions on November 22, 2019. Thousands of Algerians turned out to mark the occasion at Algiers and other cities. Their remarkable protest, which shows no fatigue, is all the more emulative because it is geared toward rooting out the systemic injustice, not just removing the symbol of that injustice, which was Former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Army Loyalist, Establishment Figure Wins Presidential Poll
Despite months of anti-government protest that brought intense anti-establishment fervor, when it came to election time, most of the voters chose a seasoned hand rather than an anti-establishment figure. The December 12, 2019, presidential election sent the former Prime Minister Abdelmadjid Tebboune cruising to victory with 58.15 percent of the popular vote, according to the head of the National Independent Electoral Authority, Mohamed Charfi, who released the official figures on December 13, 2019.
Algerian Strongman Dies
79-year-old military chief of Algeria, Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah, who was instrumental in forcing out Former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in early April 2019 to pacify anti-government protest movement, unexpectedly passed away on December 23, 2019. The country was plunged into deep mourning. Two days later, December 25, 2019, tens of thousands of mourners lined along the route of his last journey to pay homage to a strongman known for little tolerance for dissidence but also respected for bringing stability to the North African nation.
Diplomat Named to Lead the Government
Algeria's new president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, on December 28, 2019 reached out beyond the political orbit and chose an educator and diplomat, Abdelaziz Djerad, to become the nation's next premier. Abdelaziz Djerad, responding to his naming for premiership, added that his main goal was to recover "confidence in our society".
ALGERIA
French Tourist Beheaded by Algerian Terrorist Group
Meanwhile, an Islamic State-linked Algerian terrorist group, Jund al-Khilafah, or Soldiers of the Caliphate, on September 24, 2014 decapitated a French mountaineering guide from Nice, Herve Gourdel, 55. Gourdel was kidnapped during the weekend (September 20-21) after Islamic State followers called on its supporters to kidnap Europeans to take revenge against west's bombing campaign against the group in Iraq and Syria.
Authorities Kill the Beheading Mastermind
Algerian Defense Ministry said on December 23, 2014 that its troops had tracked down and eliminated the mastermind of the killing of the French mountaineering guide Herve Gourdel, 55, who was beheaded in September, ending a three-month period of a massive crackdown to nab Abdelmalek Gouri, a leader of Jund al-Khilafah, or Soldiers of the Caliphate.
President's Bid to Seek Re-election Sparks Massive Protest
Brewing under the surface over corruption, soaring unemployment and lack of opportunities, Algerians couldn't take anymore after their long-term, iron-clad and aging ruler, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, had announced on February 10, 2019 that he would seek a fifth presidential term. After being seriously ill for the past six years, Bouteflika, not seen in public since 2013, took the gamble, but it worked as a catalyst to launch a concerted move by the people--not political parties--to seek 82-year-old's resignation. Protests had immediately begun, but the first large-scale, organized protest was held on February 22, 2019. The protest turned intensive on March 9, 2019, with a huge turnout choking the streets of Algiers, capital, as the president was in Geneva for medical treatment. What irked many of the protesters that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's candidacy had been filed on March 3, 2019 in his absence.
General Strike Observed as Ruling Party Tries to Find a Face-saving Exit
Totally surprised by the scale of people's revolt against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's bid to seek a fifth term, the ruling party, National Liberation Front, or FLN, on March 10, 2019 issued a statement, saying that it would try to find a solution "with the least cost to the country". Meanwhile, a general strike took firm hold on the nation as another day of protest was held at Algiers and other cities. In a seemingly conciliatory tone, Algeria's top army commander, Chief of Staff Ahmed Gaid Salah said on March 10, 2019 that the army and people had the same "vision of the future".
President Makes Concession; Will not Seek Re-election
Tens of thousands of Algerians poured onto streets on March 11, 2019 in a celebratory mood after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika wrote a letter to the nation a day after his March 10, 2019, return from Geneva, where he had been for the past two weeks on medical grounds, saying that he would not seek a fifth term. The letter also said that the April 18, 2019, presidential election would be postponed and a "national conference" would plan the vote as well as draft a new constitution. In the letter, President Bouteflika asserted that he would name a new administration, and within hours, cabinet reshuffle took place, with Interior Minister Noureddine Bedoui taking the helms of the administration as premier at the critical juncture of the Algerian history. Although on the streets, the popular mood was joyful, but demonstrators demanded that Bouteflika step down immediately. A general strike continued for the second day on March 11, 2019.
Lawyers Rally for Protesters, Demand President's Ouster
A rally was held in Algiers on March 23, 2019 by the country's lawyers in support of the near-daily protest movement that had begun on February 22, 2019 to demand that aging President Abdelaziz Bouteflika step down.
Rallies Held for the Sixth Straight Friday
Anti-government rallies were held for the sixth straight Friday on March 29, 2019 to demand that their ailing, and increasingly isolated, president step down. The protest on March 29, 2019 was different from earlier protests on one aspect. The day's protest was shown live by all three state-owned television stations.
Bouteflika Resigns Immediately
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's office issued a statement on April 1, 2019, saying that longtime ruler would resign by the end to his current term, April 28, 2019. The statement angered not only the protesters, but powerful military chief, Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah, who went issued a stern message on April 2, 2019 for Bouteflika to resign now. Earlier in the day, Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah held meeting with the country's military hierarchy. Later on April 2, 2019, Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced his resignation, ending one of the longest rules in the region. Immediately aftermath of his resignation, a large group of protesters turned the capital streets into a boisterous victory party venue. Under the Algerian constitution, Algeria's Constitutional Council will convene on April 3, 2019, and accept the resignation. Only after that, the resignation will become official. Under the constitution, the head of upper house of parliament, Abdelkader Bensalah, a Bouteflika ally, will become an interim president for up to 90 days and hold presidential elections as soon as feasible. During nearly last seven-week protest, country's military has shown apparent neutrality, and one of the defense department statement issued on April 3, 2019 is noteworthy for its unusual harshness to Bouteflika entourage whom it has labeled "gang" and accused of "fraud, embezzlement and duplicity".
Bouteflika Seeks Apology
In a farewell letter to the nation, outgoing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on April 3, 2019 asked for forgiveness for any perceived mistakes and called for national unity.
First Friday Rally after President's Resignation Brings New Demand
Protesters held their first Friday rally on April 5, 2019, three days after longtime ruler Abdelaziz Bouteflika had stepped down, now their demand was to oust remnant of political machinery of former leader. They demanded resignations of three top officials: premier, head of upper house of parliament and chief of Constitutional Council.
Algerian Protest Continues over New Leader
Algerians on April 9, 2019 held protest in Algiers hours after head of the upper house of Algerian parliament, Abdelkader Bensalah, was sworn in as the new president. Protesters are unhappy over the replacement as Bensalah is too closely tied to former ruler, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, to make any meaningful reforms.
Police Beats Protesters
As the anti-government protest that began on February 22, 2019 and had forced Abdelaziz Bouteflika from power morphed into more than just demonstrating against the longtime ruler and raising issues related to broader corruption and demanding for his inner coterie, including the interim president, Abdelkader Bensalah, to go, security forces might be losing patience. On April 12, 2019, scuffle erupted between police and protesters in Algiers and dozens were injured. Under constitution, new election will be held in 90 days and now election is slated for July 4, 2019.
Protesters Now Target Powerful Army Chief
Unhappy over any meaningful transition of powers, protesters took to streets on Friday April 26, 2019, and this time, they vented out anger against Army chief, Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah, demanding his resignation too.
Brother of Former Strongman Arrested
The powerful younger brother of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika was arrested on May 4, 2019. Algerian authorities arrested Said Bouteflika, 61, and two other generals.
Prominent Leftist Politician Arrested
Five days after brother of Former Algerian President Abdel Aziz Bouteflika had been arrested, Workers Party General Secretary Louisa Hanoune, a prominent Left politician, was arrested on May 9, 2019 as part of the inquiry into the corruption case related to Said Bouteflika and two other top ex-intelligence officials.
40th Straight Friday of Protest Marked
Algerian protesters took their anti-government demonstration to a new level by training their gun not at individuals, but the system itself, and held their 40th Friday protest without interruptions on November 22, 2019. Thousands of Algerians turned out to mark the occasion at Algiers and other cities. Their remarkable protest, which shows no fatigue, is all the more emulative because it is geared toward rooting out the systemic injustice, not just removing the symbol of that injustice, which was Former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Army Loyalist, Establishment Figure Wins Presidential Poll
Despite months of anti-government protest that brought intense anti-establishment fervor, when it came to election time, most of the voters chose a seasoned hand rather than an anti-establishment figure. The December 12, 2019, presidential election sent the former Prime Minister Abdelmadjid Tebboune cruising to victory with 58.15 percent of the popular vote, according to the head of the National Independent Electoral Authority, Mohamed Charfi, who released the official figures on December 13, 2019.
Algerian Strongman Dies
79-year-old military chief of Algeria, Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah, who was instrumental in forcing out Former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in early April 2019 to pacify anti-government protest movement, unexpectedly passed away on December 23, 2019. The country was plunged into deep mourning. Two days later, December 25, 2019, tens of thousands of mourners lined along the route of his last journey to pay homage to a strongman known for little tolerance for dissidence but also respected for bringing stability to the North African nation.
Diplomat Named to Lead the Government
Algeria's new president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, on December 28, 2019 reached out beyond the political orbit and chose an educator and diplomat, Abdelaziz Djerad, to become the nation's next premier. Abdelaziz Djerad, responding to his naming for premiership, added that his main goal was to recover "confidence in our society".
Algeria’s Premier Dismissed a Year before Presidential Poll
On November 12, 2023, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune
fired his premier, Aimene Benabdehramne, just over one year before the
December 2024 presidential election. The new premier is the head of the
Tebboune cabinet, Mohamed Labaoui.
BAHRAIN
Persian Sunni Monarchy Charges Shiite Opposition Leader
Bahrain's Public Prosecution unit on January 4, 2015 indicted the opposition Shiite leader Sheikh Ali Salman on four counts of charges--incitement with motive to change the government, hatred of a segment of society, provoking others to break the law and disrespect to interior ministry--pertaining to his speeches he had made since 2012.
Five Bahraini Soldiers Killed
Bahrain's state news agency said on September 4, 2015 that five of its soldiers were killed defending the southern borders of Saudi Arabia without divulging the details. Bahrain is part of Saudi Arabia-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Shiite Party Dissolved
As part of continuing effort by the island nation's Sunni rulers to put down democratic opposition, a Bahraini court on July 17, 2016 ordered the main Shiite party that had led the Arab Spring uprising dissolved. The court verdict is going to add the marginalization and alienation of majority Shiite population.
Protesters Clash with Police to Mark Sixth Anniversary of Uprising
Hundreds of protesters on February 14, 2017 marked the sixth anniversary of Arab Spring in Bahrain. The protest turned violent, with masked youths shown on video clip hurling stones at police force and security forces resorting to force to quell the violence. On February 14, 2011, thousands of Bahrainis erupted in uprising to protest long-entrenched discrimination against Shiite majority by Sunni monarchy, and Pearl Square in the heart of the tiny kingdom was turned into an epicenter of resistance.
Human Rights Activist Sentenced to Five Years for Anti-Regime Tweets
Nabeel Rajab on February 21, 2018 was sentenced by a Bahraini court to a 5-year sentence for twitting that authorities did perpetrate torture in jails.
Bahrain, Israel Agree to Normalize Relations
In another foreign policy win, President Donald Trump on September 11, 2020 announced a landmark agreement between Bahrain and Israel that would make small, rich Sunni Sheikhdom to become the fourth Arab nation--after Egypt, Jordan and U.A.E.--to recognize Israel. Earlier in the day, Trump held calls with Bahrain's top ruler, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Later, three nations issued a joint statement for committing to this "historic breakthrough to further peace in the Middle East". The agreement, coming days before Trump is to hold a meeting between Israel and U.A.E. to mark their normalization deal, cements a growing coalition of mostly Sunni states in Arab Peninsula against their common enemy Iran, and in this process, both Saudi Arabia and U.S. are playing a critical role to promote a stronger bond with Israel, undermining the Arab unity for Palestinian cause.
Trump Leads White House Ceremony to Mark Peace Deals between Israel and Two Arab Nations
High-ranking officials from Israel and two Arab nations--Bahrain and United Arab Emirates--on September 15, 2020 joined hands with Trump and hundreds of guests at the White House's South Lawn to mark the formal signing of peace pacts at the highest level, handing Mr. Trump a significant foreign policy win less than two months before the presidential election. President Trump called the peace agreements as the "dawn of a new Middle East". Hundreds of attendees in the South Lawn didn't maintain social distancing and wear face coverings. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined with Trump along with foreign ministers of UAE and Bahrain, Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, brother of Abu Dhabi's powerful crown price, and Abdullatif al-Zayani, respectively, at the White House ceremony. Almost in the same time, Palestinian militants from Gaza Strip launched two rockets into Israel.
In addition to two separate deals signed by UAE and Israel on one hand and Bahrain and Israel on the other, a third agreement was signed by the U.S., Israel, UAE and Bahrain. This third accord is called the "Abraham Accord", named after the common origin of three monotheistic religions.
BAHRAIN
Persian Sunni Monarchy Charges Shiite Opposition Leader
Bahrain's Public Prosecution unit on January 4, 2015 indicted the opposition Shiite leader Sheikh Ali Salman on four counts of charges--incitement with motive to change the government, hatred of a segment of society, provoking others to break the law and disrespect to interior ministry--pertaining to his speeches he had made since 2012.
Five Bahraini Soldiers Killed
Bahrain's state news agency said on September 4, 2015 that five of its soldiers were killed defending the southern borders of Saudi Arabia without divulging the details. Bahrain is part of Saudi Arabia-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Shiite Party Dissolved
As part of continuing effort by the island nation's Sunni rulers to put down democratic opposition, a Bahraini court on July 17, 2016 ordered the main Shiite party that had led the Arab Spring uprising dissolved. The court verdict is going to add the marginalization and alienation of majority Shiite population.
Protesters Clash with Police to Mark Sixth Anniversary of Uprising
Hundreds of protesters on February 14, 2017 marked the sixth anniversary of Arab Spring in Bahrain. The protest turned violent, with masked youths shown on video clip hurling stones at police force and security forces resorting to force to quell the violence. On February 14, 2011, thousands of Bahrainis erupted in uprising to protest long-entrenched discrimination against Shiite majority by Sunni monarchy, and Pearl Square in the heart of the tiny kingdom was turned into an epicenter of resistance.
Human Rights Activist Sentenced to Five Years for Anti-Regime Tweets
Nabeel Rajab on February 21, 2018 was sentenced by a Bahraini court to a 5-year sentence for twitting that authorities did perpetrate torture in jails.
Bahrain, Israel Agree to Normalize Relations
In another foreign policy win, President Donald Trump on September 11, 2020 announced a landmark agreement between Bahrain and Israel that would make small, rich Sunni Sheikhdom to become the fourth Arab nation--after Egypt, Jordan and U.A.E.--to recognize Israel. Earlier in the day, Trump held calls with Bahrain's top ruler, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Later, three nations issued a joint statement for committing to this "historic breakthrough to further peace in the Middle East". The agreement, coming days before Trump is to hold a meeting between Israel and U.A.E. to mark their normalization deal, cements a growing coalition of mostly Sunni states in Arab Peninsula against their common enemy Iran, and in this process, both Saudi Arabia and U.S. are playing a critical role to promote a stronger bond with Israel, undermining the Arab unity for Palestinian cause.
Trump Leads White House Ceremony to Mark Peace Deals between Israel and Two Arab Nations
High-ranking officials from Israel and two Arab nations--Bahrain and United Arab Emirates--on September 15, 2020 joined hands with Trump and hundreds of guests at the White House's South Lawn to mark the formal signing of peace pacts at the highest level, handing Mr. Trump a significant foreign policy win less than two months before the presidential election. President Trump called the peace agreements as the "dawn of a new Middle East". Hundreds of attendees in the South Lawn didn't maintain social distancing and wear face coverings. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined with Trump along with foreign ministers of UAE and Bahrain, Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, brother of Abu Dhabi's powerful crown price, and Abdullatif al-Zayani, respectively, at the White House ceremony. Almost in the same time, Palestinian militants from Gaza Strip launched two rockets into Israel.
In addition to two separate deals signed by UAE and Israel on one hand and Bahrain and Israel on the other, a third agreement was signed by the U.S., Israel, UAE and Bahrain. This third accord is called the "Abraham Accord", named after the common origin of three monotheistic religions.
U.S., Allies to Launch Marine Drones to Protect Waterways in Middle East
Bahrain-based U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet on February 21, 2022
announced that it would deploy 100 unmanned drones that would sail on the
surface and underwater to serve as ears and eyes for the U.S. and regional
allies to protect free trade and commerce in the key navigational routes of Hormuz
Strait, a narrow strip of waterways supporting 20% of the world’s oil
shipment, Bab al-Mandab Strait off the coast of Yemen and Suez Canal.
Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, head of Navy’s 5th Fleet,
said during the day, while making the announcement, that 100 unmanned submersible
and sailing drones “can just see simply more".
New Alliance Formed to Ward off Houthi Attack
As Houthi rebels are targeting with increasing frequency the commercial
vessels amidst Israeli offensive in Gaza Strip, many of the shipping companies
stopped moving their vessels through the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
To continue this strategic navigational operation normally functioning to
sustain already a frail global supply-chain ecosystem, U.S. formed a strategic
alliance called the Operation Prosperity Guardian. In a midnight press release
on December 19, 2023 (U.S. time December 18, 2023) in Bahrain, U.S.
Defense Secretary Llyod Austin announced the formation of Operation Prosperity
Guardian. Bahrain, the U.S., the U.K., Canada, France, Italy, Norway,
Netherlands, Seychelles, and Spain are currently members of Operation
Prosperity Guardian.
The Operation Prosperity Guardian will run their maritime
operation in close collaboration with another alliance, Combined Task Force
153, or CTF 153, formed in April 2022 to enhance maritime security in the Red
Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden.
EGYPT
The 50-member Constituent Assembly began voting on about 250 proposed changes to the constitution on November 30, 2013 to replace an Islamist-drafted constitution that was suspended in the aftermath of July 3, 2013, military move that had deposed the first democratically elected President Mohammed Morsi. Since July 3, 2013, Egyptian political landscape became increasingly polarized with one spectrum of political end dominated by Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists, while the other end of the spectrum was led by secularists who at the beginning of Arab Spring led the fight against Hosni Mubarak, leading to his ouster, bringing back Morsi to powers only to be disgusted by the high-handed attitude of Muslim Brotherhood. The large part of the secularist segment of the society was aligned with the interim government led by President Adly Mansour and, especially, with the charismatic military head of the country, Defense Minister Gen. Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. However, political dynamic changed significantly after Adly Mansour administration issued a decree on November 24, 2013 that it won't tolerate gathering of more than ten people without prior permission. The government's ban on assembly hit the core of the secularist groups so much that they proclaimed that the situation had worsened compared to Mubarak era.
On December 1, 2013, the Constituent Assembly approved the 247-article new constitution. The new document includes:
* Provision to abolish the upper house of parliament, or Shura Council
* Definition of Egypt as a "civilian" government
* Allowing lawmakers to oust a president and call for early elections with threshold as high as two-third of majority
* Giving lawmakers powers to prosecute president if constitutional violation occurs
* Prohibition of creating political parties based on religion
* Giving military the right to choose its own military chief, who will become the country's Defense Minister
* Giving military the right to try people in military tribunals
The head of the draft panel, Amr Moussa, on December 10, 2013 defended his panel's work as well as 247-article new constitution that was passed on December 1, 2013.
Egyptian government on December 14, 2013 announced January 14, 2014 as the start day of two-day referendum on the new constitution that was passed on December 1, 2013.
On December 24, 2013, an explosion targeting the police headquarters at Nile Delta city Mansoura, 75 miles north of Cairo, marked the most devastating attack outside Sinai Peninsula since July, killing at least 15 people, most of them were police personnel, and wounding more than 100. A government spokesman initially blamed Muslim Brotherhood for the attack, but the group itself issued a condemnation, calling it a "direct attack on the unity of the Egyptian people". Senior military and security officials said that the December 24, 2013, explosions bore the imprint of a Sinai-based militant group called the Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, or the Champions of Jerusalem. In September, the group was blamed for an assassination attempt on the Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim. (Source: The Dallas Morning News; The New York Times; The Associated Press)
On December 25, 2013, Egyptian government declared Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist group, a move that immediately drew criticism from many human rights activists. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
In a break from previous administration's practice of alienating country's minorities, interim President Adly Mansour reached out to country's Coptic Christian community, which is estimated to represent 10 percent of the population, by visiting Cairo's St. Mark Cathedral on January 5, 2014 to meet with Pope Tawadros II in the week Orthodox Christians worldwide will celebrate Christmas.
In January 14-15, 2014 plebiscite, Egypt's new constitution was passed by an overwhelming margin amid scattered violence across the nation and poll boycott by Muslim Brotherhood. According to figures released by the government, 98.1 percent of the voters approved the new constitution amid a turnout of 38.6 percent as opposed to 64 percent voters, who had approved a previous constitution drafted under Mohammed Morsi rule, amid a turnout of one-third in a December 2012 referendum. However, what raised consternation among rights activists was beginning of a new round of crackdown by Egyptian security forces in the aftermath of the referendum that took place on January 14 and January 15.
On January 18, 2014, US Secretary of State John Kerry raised doubt about the bona fide of the January 14-15, 2014, referendum in which a revised of draft of constitution was passed with 98.1 percent of the vote cast.
Morsi's Trial Saga
On January 19, 2014, prosecutors added defamation (against the judiciary) charge against jailed former President Mohammed Morsi. Morsi is already facing three separate trials on charges of murdering his opponents, jailbreak and conspiring with foreign forces.
On January 24, 2014, a string of explosions rocked Cairo, sending an air of fear psychosis that extremism might be occupying the space created by Morsi backers, who had to retreat in the backdrop of military-led government declaring last month the Brotherhood and related organizations as "terrorist". Six people were killed on January 24, 2014 in the explosions targeted against the security buildings. However, the most tragic outcome, beside six deaths and dozens of injuries, of the January 24, 2014, explosions is the destruction of a number of invaluable and antic collections in the Cairo Museum of Islamic Art, world's richest collection of Islamic artifacts and arts. Built in 1881, the Cairo Museum of Islamic Art holds rare items ranging from Ceramic and gypsum pieces from the era Fatimid and Mamluk to ancient lanterns. Many of these items were destroyed. The UNESCO Secretary-General Irina Bokova pledged to restore many of these items.
The third anniversary of beginning of anti-Mubarak uprising was marked on January 25, 2014 with violence in Cairo and various other cities. Clashes around the country killed at least 29 people and wounded 170.
On January 27, 2014, Gen. Abdel Fattah el-Sissi was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal by the country's Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF). Field Marshal Abdel Fattah el-Sissi also edged closer to contesting for presidency as SCAF on January 27, 2014 approved him the authority to run for elections.
Morsi's Trial Saga
On January 28, 2014, former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi was brought to a Cairo courtroom in a sound-proof cage to avoid the drama of November 2013 proceeding when Morsi raised his voice and dismissed the authority of prosecutors to try him. Morsi and his 20 fellow defendants were brought to the court on January 28, 2014 to face charges of jailbreak during 2011 uprising against Hosni Mubarak. In November 2013, Mubarak used the court to launch a high-octane political attack against the military-installed regime.
Al-Jazeera on Trial
In a controversial push, Egyptian prosecutors on January 29, 2014 charged 20 Al-Jazeera journalists for links to a terrorist group and spreading false information. Among the journalists, 16 Egyptians were charged on terrorism count, while an Australian, one Dutch and two Britons were charged on spreading false information that had assisted a terrorist group. The authorities have been holding five Al-Jazeera journalists---including Mohamed Fahmy, an Egyptian-Canadian, and Peter Greste, an Australian---without charges.
Terrorist Attacks on Tour Bus
On February 16, 2014, a bomb placed at a tour bus exploded in the southern Sinai town of Taba, killing two South Korean tourists and the Egyptian bus driver. The tour bus was carrying more than 30 people, and most of the tourists were from South Korea. The usual suspicion fell on the Sinai-based militant group Ansar Beit al-Maqdis.
Morsi's Lawyers Walked out of the Court Room
On February 16, 2014, lawyers for deposed President Mohammad Morsi walked out the court room in protest against bringing Morsi to the courtroom in a sound-proof cage. Morsi and his co-defendants were brought to the court amid tight security to face trial on charges slapped against Morsi and 35 others on working with foreign groups and against national interest. The judge ordered nation's lawyers' union to appoint 10 public defenders for Morsi and his co-defendants, and adjourned the trial until February 23, 2014.
Egyptian Cabinet Resigns
Faced with repeated labor strikes and deteriorating economic conditions, the interim administration of PM Hazem el-Beblawi resigned on February 24, 2014. As the country's military chief Field Marshal Abdel Fattah el-Sissi is considering a run in the coming presidential polls, popular disenchantment with the government's functioning may turn out to be a political liability in the polls, thus forcing, according to many political observers, the Beblawi administration out.
New Premier Named
A new premier was named on February 25, 2014, a day after Hazem el-Beblawi-led cabinet had resigned over growing labor unrest and deteriorating national economy. Ibrahim Mehlib, an industrialist and a former housing minister, said on February 25, 2014 that he would name a new cabinet within days and vowed to offer solutions to everyday problems of common people.
Egyptian Security Forces Raids Weapons Cache
Egyptian forces on March 19, 2014 raided a weapons cache and hideout north of Cairo, ensuing an hours-long firefight that had killed two high-ranking generals and six militants. The hideout was reported to be run by Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, who was behind on an assassination attempt against Egyptian Interior Minister last year, January 24, 2014, attacks on Islamic heritage sites and museums in Cairo and February 16, 2014, bomb blast on a tour bus in Sinai Peninsula. Although Ansar Beit al-Maqdis was based in Sinai Peninsula, its reach and retribution has crossed Sinai borders in recent weeks.
Egyptian Court Hands Out Mass Death Sentences
In a rare case of handing out mass death sentences to mostly Muslim Brotherhood supporters, a court in Minya, south of Cairo, on March 24, 2014 handed out death sentences to 529 defendants on charges of killing a police official during violence in the aftermath of ouster of former President Mohammed Morsi. Many legal scholars consider the mass trial as the largest mass trial in Egypt's history. About 400 of the defendants were tried in absentia. If these defendants are apprehended, retrials will be held, according to the Egyptian laws, and for those who are already under detention, appeals are most likely to happen.
UN Alarmed over Minya Trial, Another Mass Trial Begins
Geneva-based office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on March 25, 2014 expressed deep alarm over the mass trial of 529 people and resulting death sentences to all of them by a three-judge panel a day earlier in Minya. Meanwhile, another mass trial of 683 people began on March 25, 2014 at an Egyptian court. Most of the defendants are Muslim Brotherhood supporters accused of murders and incitement of violence.
Military Chief to Run for Presidency
As expected, Egypt's military chief Field Marshall Abdel Fattah el-Sissi on March 26, 2014 announced his resignation from military as well as Defense Minister to run for presidential elections. He handpicked his deputy Gen. Sedki Sobhi as his successor. In the upcoming presidential polls, only other candidate who announced to run was a left-leaning populist, Hamdeen Sabahy.
Violence Returns to Cairo
A series of three bombs targeted the Interior Ministry Buildings on April 2, 2014 at the heart of Cairo, killing a senior police official, Brig. Gen. Tareq el-Margawy, whom many Islamists accused of leading the security crackdown on Morsi backers at one of the two major Cairo sit-in camps--camp at Nahda--on August 14, 2013 that had killed more than 1,100 people, the largest single day death toll. The other better known camp at Cairo's Rabaa district had borne the brunt of security crackdown on the fateful day of August 14, 2013. A hitherto not so much known group, Ajnad Misr, Soldiers of Egypt, took responsibility for the bombing one-and-half months before May 26-27, 2014 presidential polls.
Another Wave of Death Penalties Handed out; A Pro-Reform Group Banned
A judge in Minya who had handed out death penalties to 529 defendants on March 26, 2014 issued death sentences on April 28, 2014 to more than 680 people in a minutes-long hearing. Judge Sayedd Yousef earned international derision last month for his harsh verdict last time. A separate Cairo court on April 28, 2014 banned the pro-reform April 6 Group, a liberal bloc that was at the forefront of both 2011 Arab Spring that had ousted Hosni Mubarak and later anti-Morsi movement in 2013. However, in recent months the group and its leaders had drawn wraths from the military-backed government. The group's lader, Ahmed Maher, and the co-founder, Mohamed Adel, were serving three-year jail time for oranizing unauthorized protest against the military-backed government.
Mass Sentences Handed Out to More than 170 Morsi Backers
It's another pair of trials on May 18, 2014 in the latest trend of handing out mass sentences to dozens of Muslim Brothehood demonstrators caught in the crossroads of political turmoil last year after Mohammad Morsi was ousted by military. A court at Kafr el-Sheikh convicted 127 people for torching a church, a police station and a sports stadium. Protesters were sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. A second court at Cairo sentenced 37 people to jail terms of up to 15 years.
First Day of Polling a Mixed bag
Voters went to polling stations on the first day of the two-day (May 26-27, 2014) polls in which former army chief Abdel Fattah el-Sissi is expected to handily beat the lone opposition candidate, left-leaning Hamdeen Sabahy.
A Third Day Added to Polling to Boost Turnout
As the voter turnout was dismal and the credibility of polling process seemed at stake, the authorities at the end of the second day of polling on May 27, 2014 extended the voting for a third day. The only opposition candidate who had challenged Abdel Fattah el-Sissi withdrew party volunteers at the end of second day, accusing vote fixing and manipulation. After the polls were closed on the third day, May 28, 2014, some government sources claimed that voting percentage was as high as 46 percent and el-Sissi won with a landslide margin by getting 93 percent vote.
Election Commission Confirms El-Sissi as winner
In an official notification issued on June 3, 2014, Egypt's Election Commission declared Abdel Fattah el-Sissi winner of May 26-28, 2014, presidential polls. According to the official estimate, the voter turnout was 47 percent, and Abdel Fattah el-Sissi received 97 percent vote.
El-Sissi Sworn in
Abdel Fattah el-Sissi was sworn in as Egypt's president on June 8, 2014.
Wave of Death Sentences Handed Out
In a matter of two hours, a southern Minya Criminal Court on June 21, 2014 handed out death penalty to at least 180 Muslim Brotherhood protesters, including their supreme guide, Mohammad Badie, in what was seen as the largest number of people sentenced to death by a single ruling. The defendants were accused of attacking a police station in a nearby town, el-Adwa, on August 14, 2013 that had killed one police officer.
Three Al-Jazeera Journalists Sentenced to Jail
In a remarkable crackdown on journalists, an Egyptian court on June 23, 2014 sentenced three Al-Jazeera reporters to at least seven years in prison, accusing them of colluding with terrorists. The court sentenced Australian journalist Peter Greste and Canadian-Egyptian journalist Mohamed Fahmy to seven years in prison. The third journalist, Baher Mohammed, an Egyptian, was given three more years in addition to seven years for carrying ammunition, which Mohammed claimed to have collected from the conflict zone to keep it as a piece of memorabilia. The verdict was issued a day after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry pressed the new Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi for more democracy. All three had been detained in December 2013. A freelance Dutch journalist and two other Britons who worked for Al-Jazeera were tried in absentia and was given jail terms of 10 years. On June 24, 2014, President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi delivering an address to a graduating army cadet class made clear that he won't interfere in the judicial process, obviating any possibility for any presidential pardon.
Skeleton of Protests Marks the First Anniversary of Morsi's Ouster
Amid sealing of Tahrir Square, clamping a dragnet of security cordon and more than 22,000 Muslim Brotherhood supporters already in jails, the first anniversary of former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi's ouster was marked on July 3, 2014 with thinly attended, but spirited, rallies and scattered violence. The anti-government protest continued for the second day on July 4, 2014. During two days (July 3-4, 2014) of rallies and protest marches, pro-Morsi supporters fought with security forces at some places, leading to the death of two people.
Egypt Reduces Subsidy, Fueling Price Hikes of Fuel and Food
In a bold, but belligerent decision, with likelihood of evoking protests and provocations from a restive populace, Egyptian government on July 5, 2014 announced to hike fuel and food prices across the board. Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab said that partial withdrawal of subsidy would free up to $7 billion in funds that could be invested in expanding and improving public education, healthcare and other infrastructural developments.
Sinai Violence Returns with Shelling on Military Post
Mortar rounds landed on an army post in the capital city of el-Arish in Sinai Peninsula on July 13, 2014, killing one military personnel and seven civilians.
Human Rights Group's Report Blasts Government Handling of Summer 2013 Protest
A 188-page report issued on August 12, 2014 said that the military-backed government had committed crimes against humanity during last year's protest that had flared up after July 3, 2013 ouster of democratically elected President Mohammad Morsi, and the then-army chief and current President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi should be investigated for his role in protest suppression. Two top officials of the New York-based Human Rights Watch, the group that had written the report, Executive Director Kenneth Roth and organization's regional chief Sarah Leah Whitson, were originally scheduled to come to Cairo for the official publication of the report. Egyptian authorities barred the two on August 9, 2014 from entering Egypt on the ground that they were committing illegal work. As a result, the duo issued the report via a video conference. The report, based on interviews by more than 200 witnesses, on-site investigations, video footage and government statements, chronicled incidents between July 5, 2013 and August 16, 2013 during which more than 1,000 demonstrators were killed. The worst one-day mayhem in recent history was cited to have occurred on August 14, 2013 when security forces broke up two large sit-ins by Morsi supporters, killing between 800 and 1,100 people.
Top Muslims Decry Islamic State
Throwing their religious and moral weight behind the fight against Islamic State, Egypt's top Islamic institution, Dar al-Ifta, on August 24, 2014 launched an internet-based campaign to condemn the atrocities and murder spree of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Egypt's Grand Mufti Shawki Allam led the campaign as the leader of Dar al-Ifta, a revered Islamic institution Millions of Muslims across the world look up to for religious guidance.
30 Army Personnel Killed in Sinai Attack
A coordinated and organized attack on a military checkpoint near the Northern Sinai Peninsula town of el-Arish killed 30 army personnel on October 24, 2014. The attack, suspected to be perpetrated by Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, or Champions of Jerusalem, triggered a massive military crackdown in the peninsula and closure of only non-Israeli border checkpoint of Gaza Strip. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi held an emergency session of National Defense Council, and the council subsequently imposed state of emergency for three-month period in northern parts of Sinai Peninsula.
Protest by Salafis Fails to Get Popular Support
A call to protest against the regime of President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi failed to materialize into a sizable anti-government demonstration on November 28, 2014. The nation-wide protest was called by the ultra-conservative Salafis and supported by now-crippled Muslim Brotherhood.
Court Drops All Charges against Mubarak
An Egyptian court on November 29, 2014 dropped all charges against former Egyptian ruler Hosni Mubarak, leading to the possibility of the release of octogenarian leader's release from jail in coming days. The Cairo court dismissed all charges against Mubarak, his infamous security chief and at least six security officials in the killing of at least 30 demonstrators at Tahrir Square in the waning days of mubarak era in 2011. The Chief Judge of the Cairo Court Mahmoud al-Rashidi read the verdict as Mubarak inside a cage in court. The court also cleared Mubarak, his two sons--Alaa and Gamal--and businessman Hussein Salem, who had fled to Spain in 2011 and was tried in absentia, on corruption and bribery charges. In May 2012, Mubarak was sentenced to three years in jail in a separate corruption trial. By now, Mubarak would have spent more than that in jail. The trail of the trial that produced the November 29, 2014, ruling by the Cairo Court originated in 2012 when a judge had sentenced Mubarak to life in prison while acquitting all others lower in command structure below Mubarak. An appeals court later threw out the verdict, setting off a new trial and November 29, 2014, ruling.
Egyptian Leader Accepts Court's Ruling, Says It's Time to Move Forward
Despite scattered protests and grumblings, a nation that had transformed so much over the past two-and-half years seemed to take in stride a Cairo court's decision to clear former ruler Hosni Mubarak of all charges. Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi stepping in the controversy said on November 30, 2014 that his government would accept the ruling and move forward. For secular pro-democracy activists, who spearheaded the anti-Mubarak movement during the heyday of Arab Spring, the ruling couldn't come at any worse time as they were being increasingly squeezed between political Islam and an ever increasing aggressive government bent on muzzling protests.
Eminent American Scholar Denied Entry to Egypt
An eminent American scholar, Michelle Dunne, a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, who had been often critical to Egypt's human rights records since a 2013 coup had ousted the country's first democratically elected President Mohammad Morsi, was not allowed to enter the country and was returned from the Cairo International Airport to Frankfurt in Germany. Dunne arrived at Cairo on December 13, 2014 at the invitation of the Egyptian Council on Foreign Affairs. Four months ago, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch Kenneth Roth and regional director Sarah Leah Whitson were also denied entry just before a critical report on Egypt's human rights condition was released the Watch.
Retrial Granted for Three Al-Jazeera Journalists
Egypt's highest appeals court, Court of Cassation, on January 1, 2015 granted retrial of three journalists---Australian journalist Peter Greste, Canadian-Egyptian journalist Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohammed---tied to English language service of Al-Jazeera. On June 23, 2014, all three were convicted by an Egyptian court on charges that include supporting terrorism.
Protesters Mark Anniversary of Uprising, Clash with State Security
Scores of protesters marked during weekend (January 23-25, 2015) the beginning of the fourth anniversary of Arab Spring in Egypt that forced former strongman Hosni Mubarak off the power. On January 24, 2015, a throng of protesters were passing the downtown Cairo under the banner of a leftist party, Popular Alliance Party, when security forces opened fire, killing a female activist, Shaimaa el-Sabagh, 32, a mother of one from Alexandria. The protesters were reported to be unarmed, and chanting: "Bread, freedom and social justice".
On January 25, 2015, disparate groups of secularists and Islamists staged protests in Cairo and other Egyptian cities, and engaged with fighting the security personnel. At least 15 people were killed in the melee.
Mubarak's Sons Released from Jail
Former dictator Hosni Mubarak's two sons--Alaa and Gamal Mubarak--were released from prisons on January 26, 2015.
Egypt Releases Australian Journalist
In reflection of thawing of relationship between Qatar and Egypt, Australian journalist Peter Greste was released from Egyptian jail on February 1, 2015 after languishing more than a year behind the bar. Greste along with his two other Al-Jazeera colleagues, Canadian-Egyptian Mohammad Fahmy and Egyptian Baher Mohammad, were arrested in December 2013 on charges that they were supporting the Islamic extremists, charges human rights organizations had dismissed as a smoking gun to muzzle the working of free press to bring light on the military repression let loose on the supporters of Muslim Brotherhood. Although Greste was released on February 1, 2015, the fate of his other two colleagues remained uncertain. On January 1, 2015, an appeals court tossed out the earlier conviction issued in June 2014, and granted a new trial for all three.
Egyptian Court Sends Close to 200 Supporters of Former President to Death Row
An Egyptian court, using the same playbook of meeting out collective the harsh punishment, on February 2, 2015 sentenced 183 supporters of former President Mohammad Morsi to death, implicating them in ransacking a police station in the city of Kerdassah, near Cairo in August 2013 in the midst of an anti-military violent demonstration in the aftermath of ouster of the former president.
Two Remaining Al-Jazeera Journalists Freed from Egyptian Jail
Ten days after their Australian peer was freed from an Egyptian prison, two Al-Jazeera journalists--Canadian-Egyptian Mohammad Fahmy and Egyptian Baher Mohammad--languishing in Egyptian jail for more than a year for what many western rights groups claimed doing their job were eventually freed on February 11, 2015.
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Morsi to Face a Trial on Espionage
Egypt's democratically elected, and subsequently deposed, President Mohammad Morsi was brought to an Egyptian court on February 15, 2015 to face charges of espionage and leaking state secret to Qatar. The hearing was swiftly re-scheduled to February 28, 2015. A defiant Morsi, pronouncing himself as the country's legitimate president, called the trial "a farce".
Morsi Receives 20-Year Jail Term
An Egyptian court on April 21, 2015 handed out former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi to a 20-year jail term. The court convicted him and 14 other Muslim Brotherhood leaders, including Mohammed el-Beltagy and Essam el-Erian, for inciting violence during a 2013 protest sit-in when Morsi was still in power, but acquitted them on a far more serious charge of premeditated murder that carries death penalty.
Morsi Sentenced to Death
Egypt's former President Mohammed Morsi on May 16, 2015 was sentenced to death on charges of jail break at the height Arab Spring movement in 2011 that had led to the ouster of former dictator Hosni Mubarak. Beside Morsi, who was detained for two days at Wadi Natroun Prison during the uprising of Spring 2011, the court sentenced more than 100 other Muslim Brotherhood leaders--including organization's top spiritual guide Mohammed Badie and former speaker of parliament, Saad el-Katani--and activists to death.
Judge Upholds Morsi's Death Sentence
An Egyptian judge, Judge Shaaban al-Shami, on June 16, 2015 gave a blistering critique to former President Mohammed Morsi's guilt, and upheld a May verdict to send the Muslim Brotherhood leader to death. As per the Egyptian law, the court had to seek the approval of Egypt's Grand Mufti to carry forward the death penalty against Morsi. Judge al-Shami said on June 16, 2015 that the Grand Mufti had sanctioned the penalty. Morsi appeared at the court in a glass cage, and maintained a smiling posture all through the proceeding. Morsi faced two separate cases: one pertaining to his jail break at the height of Arab Spring, and the second case related to espionage.
Appeals Court Tosses out Morsi's Death Sentence
The Court of Cassation on November 15, 2016 struck down the death sentence handed down to former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi. In addition to Morsi, who is serving life sentence for espionage and incitement of violence among other charges, the appeals court overturned the death sentence of five other Muslim Brotherhood leaders. Morsi is also appealing is life term.
Morsi Collapses in the Courtroom, Dies
Egypt's last democratically elected president and Muslim Brotherhood leader, Mohammad Morsi, collapsed in the courtroom on June 17, 2019 minutes after he addressed from his holding glass pen that he had "many secrets" he could reveal. Morsi was immediately pronounced dead. Muslim Brotherhood called Morsi's death as assassination, and called for an international investigation. Mohammad Morsi's body was brought early morning on June 18, 2019 to a cemetery in Cairo's eastern district of Nasr City, a designated cemetery for Muslim Brotherhood members. His family members, including his son, Ossama, who is serving a 10-year sentence following a September 2018 verdict, was allowed to be present at the funeral. Earlier authorities declined Mohammad Morsi's funeral request at his family's cemetery in his hometown in Sharqia province.
On June 18, 2019, special prayers were held at various mosques in Turkey, whose president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan shared a special bond with Mohammad Morsi. Reacting to Mohammad Morsi's June 17, 2019, death inside a Cairo courtroom, Erdogan said that former Egyptian president's death was not natural, without elaborating further but stoking speculation.
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Video of Coptic Beheadings Appears
A Libyan local affiliate of Islamic State on February 15, 2015 were shown on a video to have beheaded 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians kidnapped in Libya. The local affiliate, Tripolitania Province of Islamic State, was one of three Libya-based franchises of Islamic State. The other two local ISIL franchises are based in Barqa in the east and Fezzan in the south. The setting in the video indicated that the beheadings seemed to have taken place on a rocky Mediterranean coast in western Libya. Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi announced a seven-day mourning, called his emergency security cabinet meeting and vowed to take avenge by "necessary means and timing" for the killing of his countrymen, who had gone to Libya to make a living.
Egypt Bombs Libya amid a Flurry of Diplomacy
Egyptian Air Force on February 16, 2015, a day after a gruesome video showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians circulated over the internet, bombed targets in the eastern Libyan city of Derna amid hectic diplomatic activities at the behest of Cairo to form an international coalition in the mold of U.S.-led air coalition in Syria and Iraq. Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi had talks on February 16, 2015 with French President Francois Hollande and Italian premier to coordinate their common battle against ISIL that now, for the first time, had expanded its reach beyond its traditional strongholds of Iraq and Syria. France on February 16, 2015 announced a deal to sell fighter jets to Egypt and maintain preparedness of its troops already stationed outside Libya's southern border in Niger, an African nation it had ruled during the era of colonization. Italy's Defense Minister Ms. Roberta Pinotti said in an interview published in February 15, 2015, edition of Il Messaggero that Italy had geographic, historic and security compulsion to intervene, if needed, in Libya. El-Sisi, who had visited during the day (February 16) to offer condolence to Pope Tawadros II of Egyptian Coptic Church, sent his Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri to New York to consult at the U.N. before an international conference on terrorism opened on February 18, 2015.
Five Brotherhood Leaders Sentenced for Life
Continuing the trend of handing out harsh sentences to protesters, including Islamists and secularists, an Egyptian court on February 28, 2015 sentenced five Muslim Brotherhood leaders--supreme guide Mohammed Badie, his deputy Khairat al-Shater, former lawmaker Mohammad el-Beltagy, party head Saad el-Katatni and his deputy Essam el-Erian-- to life imprisonment on charges of orchestrating violence at their headquarters in 2013. Nine others also received life in prison. Four others in this case received death penalty by the same court on February 28, 2015. The supreme guide of Muslim Brotherhood, Badie, had already received death penalty in a separate case.
Egyptian Court Labels Hamas a Terrorist Organization
An Egyptian court on February 28, 2015 ruled that Hamas was a terrorist organization, leading to the possible rupture in relations between the rulers of Gaza and Egypt on the political level and likely end of Egyptian role as a primary mediator in Palestinian-Israeli talks on the diplomatic level. The same court earlier labeled the military wing of Hamas, Izzidin al-Qassam Brigade, a terrorist organization.
Egypt Gets Pledge of $12 billion in Aid at a Conference
A three-day conference (March 13-15, 2015) aimed at burnishing the investment, social, political and tourism credentials began with a big bang on March 13, 2015 at the Sinai resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, with some 1,500 delegates from more than 50 nations attending it. Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi used the conference to drive home his oft-repeated points that his government was on the forefront of a battle against a deadly Islamic terrorism, and portrayed the struggle crucial to regional stability. The U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry gave an impassioned speech on March 13, 2015, defending the Egyptian government. Egypt received the pledge of a hopping $12 billion in aid at the conference, mostly from Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and UAE. The latest pledge from Gulf nations continued the streak of a total of $30 billion they had already committed to Egypt.
Activist's Slenderness Blamed for Her Death
January 24, 2015, death of Shaimaa el-Sabagh after being hit by birdshot by security forces was the fallout of her having a slender body, according to the Medical Forensic Authority spokesman Hisham Abdel Hamid, who said during a TV interview on March 22, 2015.
Doctor Who Blames Protester's Slenderness for Her Death Fired
Two days after a doctor, Hisham Abdel Hamid, who as a spokesman of the Medical Forensic Authority, went on TV to say that the January 24, 2015, death of a female activist, Shaimaa el-Sabagh, was caused by her lean physique, was on March 24, 2015 fired from his job at the forensic authority for his insensitive comments.
US Lifts Arms Freeze against Egypt
Obama administration on March 31, 2015 lifted a freeze on $1.3 billion in defense aid to Egypt that was imposed after the military had ousted the country's first democratically elected President in the summer of 2013. Lifting of the arms freeze will pave the way for shipment of F-16 warplanes, Harpoon missiles and M1A1 tank kits. Obama called Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on March 31, 2015 to inform his administration's decision.
Two Separate Attacks in Sinai Roils Egypt
Two separate attacks on two Sinai checkpoints orchestrated by ISIL-affiliated Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, or Champions of Jerusalem on April 2, 2015 killed at least 13 soldiers. At least 15 suicide attackers, who carried out the attacks using car bombs and assault weapons, were also killed.
Charges against Mubarak Re-instated
Egypt's top appeals court on June 4, 2015 reinstated the charges against Mubarak that he didn't do enough to prevent the security forces' excesses during Arab Spring leading to deaths of dozens of protesters. The new ruling that has come six months after a lower court tossed out the charges will set a new trial to begin on November 5, 2015.
Egypt's Top Prosecutor Assassinated
Egypt's top prosecutor, Hisham Barakat, was killed on June 29, 2015 as, on his way to office in the morning, he got in the car that started off the driveway at his Cairo home and, suddenly, a remote-controlled bomb blew up the vehicle.
El-Sissi Pledges to Crack Down Brotherhood and Militants
In response to the assassination of Egypt's top prosecutor, Hisham Barakat, a day earlier using a remote controlled bomb, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on June 30, 2015 pledged to bring the killers to justice and hinted a stronger crackdown against Muslim Brotherhood.
Islamic Militants Wreak Havoc in Sinai, Security Forces Kill 9 at Cairo
Islamic State-allied militants on July 1, 2015 mounted a series of ferocious attacks at Sheikh Zuweid, a town of 60,000 people in Sinai Peninsula, briefly seizing several checkpoints and town center. Initially the surprise multi-front attacks overwhelmed the Egyptian security forces, but within hours a determined pushback by the military helped liberate the town from the clutch of insurgents. By the end of the day, at least 100 militants and 17 soldiers were killed.
In a separate incident, Egypt's special security forces on July 1, 2015 raided a hideout in Cairo, and killed nine Muslim Brotherhood fugitives. Later Brotherhood supporters and leaders called for open rebellion against the Egyptian regime, labeling the death of 9 of their brethren as nothing less than cold blooded murders.
Egyptian Military Bombs Militant Targets in Sinai Peninsula
Responding to an audacious series of attacks mounted by Islamic insurgents allied to ISIL a day earlier, Egyptian warplanes ran sorties on July 2, 2015 and bombed militant targets south of border town of Rafah. At least 23 militants were killed. Military also began neighborhood-to-neighborhood searches in the town that ISIL-allied militants tried to seize a day earlier, Sheikh Zuweid.
Egypt's President: Militants Tried to Set up an Islamic State in Sinai
Addressing the ferocious and fearsome attack on July 1, 2015 at the Sinai town of Sheikh Zuweid that had killed 17 soldiers and more than 100 militants in the hours-long clash, Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on July 4, 2015 said that the Islamic State-allied militants that day tried to establish a separate Islamic-dominated state in Sinai Peninsula.
Explosion Targets Italian Consulate in Cairo
A statement attributed to the Islamic State in Egypt on July 11, 2015 claimed the responsibility for a massive explosion early in the morning that brought down a large part of outer walls of the Italian Consulate at Cairo. One Egyptian passer-by was killed. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi later in the day spoke with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, and issued a press statement reiterating the commitment for joint effort to "fight against terrorism".
U.S. to Resume Joint Military Exercise with Egypt
Coming to the terms of ground reality of neutering the influence of ISIL on one hand and bringing much-needed stability to the region on the other, Obama administration is working toward resuming the Bright Star, the U.S.-Egyptian joint military exercise, suspended since August 2013 in the aftermath of the overthrow of the first democratically elected president of Egypt, according to the visiting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. Kerry also reiterated to reporters at Cairo on August 2, 2015 that Egypt won't be able to defeat extremism without respecting human and democratic rights of the people.
Egypt to Burnish its Image on Suez Canal Extension
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi is all set to take advantage of the August 6, 2015, unveiling of $8.5 billion Suez Canal extension to showcase the re-emergence of his country as regional behemoth and economic powerhouse. In the run-up to August 6, 2015, official unveiling, the government-controlled media is making non-stop drumbeats of the event to stoke up national pride and bill it the third most historic event in the 120-mile-long canal's life after (a) 1869 inauguration of the canal that created a shipping link between Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea and (b) 1956 nationalization of the canal, until then run by French- and British-run authorities, by the then-President Gamal Abdel-Nasser. This time all of $8.5 billion was provided by the Egyptian taxpayers. The extension involved digging and dredging 45-mile of the 120-mile waterway to make room for two-way movement in the middle.
Egypt Boasts of Suez Canal Extension
In presence of a phalanx of international leaders, including French President Francois Hollande, Jordanian King Abdullah and Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on August 6, 2015 unveiled the $8.5 billion extension of the Suez Canal. The event took place in the midst of an air filled with pomp and prestige at the canal city of Ismailia.
Judge Sentences Three Journalists to Jail
To the surprise of many who had thought that the case was over, an Egyptian judge, Judge Hassan Farid, on August 29, 2015 sentenced three al-Jazeera journalists to three-year prison terms. Australian Peter Greste was released from jail on February 1, 2015, and deported to Australia immediately. Baher Mohamed is in Egypt albeit out of prison. Greste was deported under presidential decree that made foreigners convicted of crime forced to leave. After Judge Hassan's verdict was handed down, Peter Greste on August 30, 2015 called the Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to issue pardon to him and two of his colleagues.
************* EGYPTIAN PARLIAMENTARY AND REGIONAL POLLS ***************
Egypt Announces Poll Schedules
Egyptian government on August 30, 2015 announced that parliamentary and gubernatorial polls would be held in October and November. Half of the 27 states will go to polls during October 18-19, 2015, and the rest during November 22-23, 2015.
Egyptian Cabinet Resigns
Just weeks before parliamentary polls, the cabinet of Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb resigned on September 12, 2105 after corruption charges had bedeviled the government and just five days after September 7, 2015, arrest of the country's agricultural minister, Salah Helal, in connection with a corruption investigation. President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi asked the Petroleum Minister Sherif Ismail of the outgoing cabinet to form an interim government within a week.
14 Egyptian Provinces Go to Polls
Voter apathy, high security measures and boycott by a number of political parties marked a low voter turnout in the first phase of the Egyptian parliamentary polls on October 18, 2015 and October 19, 2015. Voters from 14 provinces cast their ballots in the parliamentary polls.
Egypt's Second Round of Polls Show Little Enthusiasm among Voters
The first day of two-day second round of national elections went off smoothly on November 22, 2015, with Egyptians by and large staying away from the polling process. Most the booths looked empty, and there was no palpable sign of voter enthusiasm. 596-member Egyptian parliament will sit in next month, and is definitely going to be tilted toward President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi.
New Parliament Convened
Elected members of the 596-seat Egyptian parliament convened on January 10, 2016 for the first time in three years, and members took oath of office under the new constitution adopted in 2014. The first order of the tasks, will be to ratify some 300 decrees issued by former President Adly Mansour and his successor, current President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi.
************* EGYPTIAN PARLIAMENTARY AND REGIONAL POLLS ***************
Mexican Tourists Killed in Accidental Fire
Egyptian security forces carried out an accidental airstrike on a four-SUV convoy on September 13, 2015, killing 12 people, including eight Mexican tourists. The convoy was passing through the White Desert, and about 230 miles south of Cairo near Bahariya Oasis. Egyptian authorities said that the convoy was in a restricted area. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto tweeted later in the day demanding for a thorough probe into the "tragedy".
Egypt Imposes a Blanket Ban on Press Coverage of the Accident
Hours after Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met with his Mexican counterpart Claudia Ruiz Massieu at Cairo and promised a thorough, transparent and truthful investigation into September 13, 2015, accidental airstrike that had killed eight Mexican tourists, country's chief prosecutor on September 16, 2015 banned news coverage of the incident.
Egypt's President Pardons Two Al-Jazeera Journalists
On the eve of his address at the U.N. General Assembly, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on September 23, 2015 issued official pardon to hundreds, including two journalists--Canadian-Egyptian journalist Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohammed---tied to English language service of Al Jazeera. Most of the pardoned prisoners are leftists and secularists nabbed during anti-government protest in recent months. Fahmy was dropped off at a Cairo suburb by authorities after the pardon was announced.
Egypt to Buy Two French Warships Originally Built for Russia
After scrapping the deal to hand over the delivery of two French aircraft carriers over the Ukrainian crisis and reimbursing Moscow $1 billion, France announced on September 23, 2015 that Egypt had agreed to buy those two ships. Egypt has become one of the top arms customers from France in recent years, including this year's purchase of 24 advanced fighter jets worth $6 billion.
*********************** RUSSIAN PLANE CRASH IN EGYPT ******************
Russian Plane Crash Suspected to be an Act of Terrorism
A Russian plane carrying 224 passengers and crew members crashed minutes after its take-off from Sharm el-Sheikh in Sinai Peninsula on October 31, 2015. The Metrojet Airbus A321-200 was bound for St. Petersburg, and full of Russian tourists. In the aftermath of the crash, there was strong speculation that the plane was blown up midair by a bomb. Within 24 hours of the crash, Emirates, Lufthansa and Air France suspended their service to Sinai Peninsula. Hours after the crash, ISIL-affiliated Sinai Province claimed responsibility for blowing up the Metrojet flight.
Egyptian Leader Dismisses ISIL Claim
Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi on November 3, 2015 dismissed the claim of Sinai Province during an interview with BBC. Meanwhile, five nations are helping in the investigation into the crash, including disseminating information from the plane's Black Box.
British Foreign Minister Says that the Plane Crash May be due to a Bomb Explosion
Raising the possibility that a bomb planted in the Metrojet Airbus 321-200 downed the ill-fated flight, British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond said on November 4, 2015 that there was a strong likelihood that a bomb might be the reason for the crash.
Britain to Arrange Special Flights to Bring Back Tourists; Russia, Egypt Play down Bomb Theory
A day after British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond floated the idea of a bomb that might have brought down a Russian plane in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, British Prime Minister David Cameron on November 5, 2015 echoed Hammond in explaining the likely reason for the October 31, 2015, crash of a Russian jetliner minutes after take-off from Sharm el-Sheikh. Meanwhile, British government announced plan during the day to resume one-way flights effective November 6, 2015 from Sharm el-Sheikh to bring back thousands of British tourists stuck in Sinai Peninsula. However, the commercial flights to Sinai will remain suspended. Meanwhile, both Moscow and Cairo on November 5, 2015 remained in denial mode on linking a planted bomb to October 31, 2015, crash.
Russia Suspends Flights to Sinai
Despite denying that a bomb might have downed the Russian Metrojet Airbus A321-200 over Sinai Peninsula on October 31, 2015, Russia's federal agency on November 6, 2015 suspended all commercial flights to Sinai with immediate effect, deepening the fear that terrorism was behind the crash as suspected by Britain and the USA.
Flight Suspension to Last for Several Months
Strengthening the doubt that in fact a bomb might have brought down a Russian Metrojet from the sky of Sinai Peninsula, Russian President Vladimir Putin's Chief of Staff Sergei Ivanov said on November 10, 2015 that the suspension of flights to Sinai Peninsula announced four days ago would likely to stay in place for several more months.
ISIL Shows the Photo of a Bomb that Downs the Russian Jet, Bodies of Two Prisoners
On November 18, 2015, ISIL in its online magazine displayed the photo of a bomb that might have downed the ill-fated Russian Metrojet Airbus A321-200 over Sinai Peninsula on October 31, 2015. Also, in a separate announcement, ISIL showed the bodies of two of its captives, 48-year-old Ole Johan Grimsgaard-Ofstad of Oslo and a Chinese freelance consultant, Fan Jinghui, 50.
Russia to Resume Flight to Cairo
After it severed aviation with Cairo two years ago in the aftermath of October 31, 2015, blowing of a Russian Metrojet Airbus A321-200 over Sinai Peninsula, Russian and Egyptian transportation ministers signed an agreement on December 15, 2017 at Cairo to resume direct Russian flights between Moscow and Cairo. The agreement, signed by Russian Transportation Minister Maxim Sokolov and his Egyptian counterpart, Sherif Fathi, laid out the safety protocol and mechanism to ensure aviation security as the Russian flights would resume in February 2018.
*********************** RUSSIAN PLANE CRASH IN EGYPT ******************
Egypt Detains a Respected Investigative Journalist
Egypt's military intelligence on November 8, 2015 detained a world-renowned investigative journalist, Hossam Bahgat, 36, who in 2002 founded a venerable human rights organization, Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights.
ISIL Affiliate Attacks Hotel Housing Election Monitors
ISIL affiliate in Sinai, Sinai Province, on November 24, 2015 claimed responsibility for launching attack on the Swiss Inn Resort in El Arish hours earlier with a explosive-ridden car bomb and a follow-up shooting spree by a gunman that had killed at least 7 people, including a judge who was among a group government officials staying at the hotel to monitor Egypt's second round of parliamentary and regional elections.
Coptic Leader Sets Foot in Israel in a Precedent-setting Visit
Pope Tawadros II of Egypt's Coptic Church on November 28, 2015 set feet on Israel to attend the funeral of Coptic Archbishop Abraham of Jerusalem despite a ban on Coptic travel to Israel as imposed by Tawadros' predecessor, Pope Shenouda III. Clarifying his visit, Pope Tawadros II said that he was visiting in his personal capacity to "bid farewell to an important person", not in his official capacity.
El Sissi Lauds Arab Spring Uprising in Egypt
On the eve of fifth anniversary of the 18-day uprising (January 25-February 11, 2011) that had ousted former dictator Hosni Mubarak, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on January 24, 2016 paid rich tribute to the uprising five years ago, and called the uprising based on "noble principles". El-Sissi also noted that the June 30 Revolution, a reference to massive demonstration on June 30, 2013 that had backed the then-military chief el-Sissi to overthrow a democratically elected, though unpopular, president, Mohammed Morsi, had corrected the subsequent course that had arisen out of 2011 uprising.
Low Turnout to Mark Fifth Anniversary
Heavy security presence at key areas in Cairo and other major cities with significantly lower turnout compared to preceding years were the hallmark on January 25, 2016 to mark the fifth anniversary of the Arab Spring in Egypt (January 25-February 11, 2011).
Body of Missing Italian Student Found
An Italian student, Giulio Regeni, 28, pursuing his doctorate degree at Cambridge University who went to Egypt to research on the country's labor right disappeared on January 25, 2016, the fifth anniversary of the Arab Spring in Egypt. Regeni's body that bore the marks of torture was found on February 3, 2016 on the outskirt of Cairo. Italian government on February 4, 2016 summoned Egypt's ambassador to Italy, and demanded an impartial and thorough investigation into Giulio Regeni's death with participation by Italian law enforcement agencies. The Italian media called Regeni's death a murder, and speculated Egyptian security as perpetrator. The Il Sole 24 Ore newspaper was very categorical on "strong suspicion" that the Italian doctorate student had been killed "by the system, by the security apparatus".
Egypt Implicates Muslim Brotherhood in Top Prosecutor's Assassination
After months of investigation, Egyptian government on March 6, 2016 said that the June 29, 2015, assassination of Egypt's top prosecutor Hisham Barakat had been carried out by Muslim Brotherhood in connivance with Hamas, ruler of Gaza Strip. The assassins were trained in Gaza, according to Egypt's Interior Minister Magdy Abdel-Ghaffar. 14 people were so far taken to custody related to assassination of Hisham Barakat, the first such high-profile official's assassination in the past 25 years. Egypt's Interior Minister Magdy Abdel-Ghaffar also said that a former Mohammad Morsi-era Health Ministry official, Yahia Moussa, had planned Barakat's assassination from Turkey, where he and other Muslim Brotherhood officials had fled after the ouster of former President Mohammad Morsi.
13 Egyptian Police Officers Killed
An Islamic State-affiliated group, Sinai Province, on March 19, 2016 claimed to have carried out an attack on a security checkpoint south of el-Arish, provincial capital of Sinai, earlier in the day, killing at least 13 Egyptian police personnel.
The death toll was later raised to 15.
Crackdown Kills 60 Militants
A week after an Islamic State-affiliated group, Sinai Province, attacked a checkpoint south of el-Arish, provincial capital of Sinai, killing 15 police personnel, Egyptian military said on March 25, 2016 that it had carried out security raids, killing at least 60 militants.
Attack Kills 8 Police Personnel
In a predawn raid on a police convoy on May 8, 2016, gunmen killed eight police personnel at Cairo, an attack later in the day was claimed by ISIL.
51 Protesters Receive 2-Year Term
An Egyptian court on May 14, 2016 handed down a 2-year imprisonment to each of 51 demonstrators who had participated in an April 25, 2016, protest against the transfer of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia.
*************** EGYPTIAN PLANE CRASH INTO MEDITERRANEAN ***************
Egyptian Plane from Paris to Cairo Disappears
Under mysterious circumstances, an EgyptAir flight, Flight 804, from Paris to Cairo lost contact around 2:50AM local time on May 19, 2016 right after entering into Egyptian airspace, and appeared to have crashed into choppy waters of Mediterranean Sea. The Airbus A320 was flying at 38,000-foot-altitude as it entered into the Egyptian airspace over Mediterranean when it made a sudden 90-degree left turn, followed by another 360-turn before dropping to about 15,000 feet, according to Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos. The plane, which was carrying 56 passengers and 10 crew members, then dropped to 10,000 feet above ground and lost contact with controllers. As the day light broke, Greek and Egyptian ships scoured Mediterranean for traces of missing planes. Meanwhile, U.S., France and Britain are all reported to be joining the search effort. At the Cairo airport, it was a scene of anguish, frustration and patience with distraught family members trying to reach appropriate authorities to know information about the ill-fated flight.
Body Remains, Luggage, Plane Seats Found in Sea
Searchers from a multinational team on May 20, 2016 found floating debris such as plane seats and luggage as well as passenger bodies from the ill-fated EgyptAir Flight 804 that had crashed into Mediterranean Sea a day ago with 66 people on board. Meanwhile, investigators pored over the passenger list and interviewed the ground crews during the day.
Smoke in Cabin Reported
French investigators on May 21, 2016 divulged new details on the disappearance of EgyptAir Flight 804 as they reported that there were indication of smoke inside the cabin before the Airbus A320 lost contact with controllers. However, the officials from France's Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis said that it was premature to conclude what had caused the smoke in cabin.
Theory of Blast Floated, then Rejected
As ships and planes from the U.S., Greece, France and Egypt were scouring the Mediterranean in the north of Alexandria, Egypt, more body parts, luggage and aircraft remains began to float in and were recovered by the search crew. A member of the Egyptian forensic team anonymously said that the remains found so far had strongly linked to an explosion in the flight, a theory within hours repudiated by the head of Egyptian forensic team, Hisham Abdel-Hamid on May 24, 2016.
Egypt Finds Plane Debris
Egyptian authorities said on June 15, 2016 that they had found the debris of EgyptAir Flight 804 in the Mediterranean Sea.
Plane's Black Box Component Found
Egyptian authorities on June 16, 2016 reported to have recovered the cockpit voice recorder from the seabed of Mediterranean. A second black box, flight data recorder, of the ill-fated Flight 804 is still being sought.
Second Black Box Retrieved
The flight data recorder of the EgyptAir Flight 804 was retrieved from the seabed on June 17, 2016 and was sent, like the cockpit voice recorder, to an aviation lab in Cairo. Apparently, both the black boxes were reported to have suffered significant damage.
CVR messages Downloaded
French technicians reported on July 2, 2016 that they were able to successfully download the messages from the cockpit voice recorder of the ill-fated EgyptAir Flight 804.
*************** EGYPTIAN PLANE CRASH INTO MEDITERRANEAN ***************
Egyptian Court Rules against the Island Transfer
An Egyptian court on June 21, 2016 issued a ruling against a recent move by Egyptian government to transfer the control of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia. Egyptian government of President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, which had received significant amount of aid and investment after the overthrow of Mohammed Morsi, contended that the islands belonged to Saudis and they were put under the Egyptian control in 1950 for protection from Israel.
Egypt's Internal Human Rights Arm Critical of Detention Practices
Adding pressure on President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi to improve the human rights record and democratic rights in the country, Egypt's own human rights organization, National Council for Human Rights, on July 3, 2016 joined the chorus with other international bodies on the poor state of rights in the country's prison system. The head of the council, Mohammed Fayek, said that his group had received several dozens of complaints of abuse and torture in detention.
Egypt Seeks Nearly $19 billion in Aid
An IMF delegation held talks with Egyptian officials on July 30, 2016 on Cairo's request for $12 billion loan from the monetary fund. Egypt is also seeking an additional $7 billion from other sources to tackle its economic problems.
ISIL Head of Sinai Killed
Egyptian authorities on August 4, 2016 announced that ISIL head of Sinai Peninsula, Abu Doaa al-Ansari, and at least 45 other militants had been killed in a security operation south of coastal city of el-Arish.
Rights Lawyer Detained without Charges Ordered to be Released
A human rights lawyer, Malek Adly, who had invited ire of Egyptian government after giving a TV interview in April 2016 opposing the transfer of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, was ordered to be released by an Egyptian court on August 27, 2016. Adly was jailed in a solitary confinement under a rolling series of administrative detention.
Rights Lawyer Released
A day after an Egyptian court ordered for his release, the human rights lawyer Malek Adly was released on August 28, 2016 after more than hundred days of solitary confinement.
Egypt Floats its Currency as a Condition to Seek $12 billion in IMF Loan
Given the deteriorating economic situation and the reluctance by the rich Persian Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, to offer additional help to Cairo, Egyptian government might have run out of all options, leading it to knocking the door of International Monetary Fund. As part of the $12 billion in IMF loan, Egypt was given a choice: float its currency. Egypt's central bank on November 3, 2016 announced that it would float the country's currency, but prior to floating, devalued the currency by almost 50 percent, a high-risk strategy that might push the nation further in economic precipice.
IMF Approves $12 billion in Aid
International Monetary Fund on November 11, 2016 okayed disbursement of $12 billion in aid to help rescue Egypt from a severe economic crisis. The decision of the IMF aid package came after Cairo had floated its currency and reduced the fuel subsidies.
Egypt-Saudi Rift Widening
After last month's support of a U.N. Security Council resolution that was opposed by Saudi Arabia, Cairo faced bitter taste of economic backlash as Riyadh suspended its fuel shipment to Egypt. Undeterred by Saudi action, Egypt played its own cards by allying with Russia-Iran-Assad axis. On November 23, 2016, Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi strongly backed Syrian leader Bashar Assad in a move that would surely sour the once-bonhomie between Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Bomb Kills Six Police Personnel
A bomb near a police checkpoint at Talbiya neighborhood of Cairo's twin city of Giza on December 9, 2016 killed six police personnel and injured three others. The day's explosion targeting the police came almost seven months after the May 8, 2016, attack on a bus carrying plainclothes police personnel in Giza's Helwan suburb that had killed eight. The December 9, 2016, bomb explosion near a mosque was claimed by the militant group Hasm, or Decisiveness.
25 Killed in Church Blast
An explosion at a chapel, part of Cairo's St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, reserved for women and children killed at least 25 and wounded 49 on December 11, 2016. President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi announced a three-day national mourning.
Mubarak Cleared of Charges
To the sadness, but not to the surprise, of the broader Egyptian civil society and rights group, country's top appeals court on March 2, 2017 cleared former dictator Hosni Mubarak of charges of murder and massacre of protesters during the 18-day February 2011 uprising that had toppled Mubarak and brought the first democratically elected president Mohammed Morsi to power. It's now a matter of days when Mubarak will be freed from the military hospital at Cairo, Maadi Military Hospital, to be taken to his home.
Mubarak Released from Prison
Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was released from jail on March 24, 2017, and he was taken to his mansion in Cairo suburb of Heliopolis. Mubarak was indicted in the killing of 239 demonstrators in 2011 uprising in Cairo's Tahrir Square and siphoning off money from state coffers, but Mubarak and his sons were later cleared. But one charge stuck: they had used millions of dollars from state exchequer to refurbish their Cairo suburban mansion and offices, but they had already served 3 years handed down to them.
Bloody Palm Sunday: Coptic Christians Attacked
As tens of thousands of Coptic Christians were getting ready for celebrating one of the Christianity's holiest days, twin blasts left Egypt's two historic churches shattered, left dozens dead and wounded hundreds more on April 9, 2017. First, it was St. George's Church in Tanta, 80 miles north of Cairo when an explosion in the midst of a morning mass killed at least 27 parishioners. A few hours later, a second explosion rocked a prominent church, St. Mark's Cathedral, in Alexandria as a bomb blew up at its entrance. The explosion in Alexandria killed at least 17. The twin bombings on April 9, 2017 wounded more than 100 people, many of them critically. Responding to the April 9, 2017, twin blasts, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi declared a three-month state of emergency across the nation. U.S. President Donald Trump and Pope Francis expressed condolences over the heinous terrorist acts. Meanwhile, Islamic State claimed responsibility for April 9, 2017, Palm Sunday twin bombings in Egypt.
Coptic Christians Bury their Dead, Israel Closes the Borders
A day after one of the worst attacks on the country's Coptic Christians, Egypt on April 10, 2017 tried to return to an air of sensibility as Coptic community buried their dead. During the day, Israel closed the Taba border crossing with Egypt as it had intelligence information of an imminent attack there.
Egyptian-American Aid Worker Released
An Egyptian-American aid worker who had languished almost three years in Egyptian jail without trial was ordered released by a Cairo court on April 16, 2017. The case of Aya Hijazi, a dual citizen, was championed by prominent U.S. politicians, including the 2016 Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton. Ms. Hijazi and her Egyptian husband, Mohammed Hassanein, founded the Belady Foundation to provide services like health care, education and food to Cairo's street children. In May 2014, Aya Hijazi, Mohammed Hassanein, and six others were arrested on charges of child trafficking, kidnapping, child endangerment and exploitation among others. On April 15, 2017, Cairo Criminal Court dropped all charges against all the defendants and ordered them released. On April 16, 2017, Judge Mohamed el-Feqqi, formally read the verdict, and the courtroom erupted in cheers.
Pope's Visit to Arab World's Most Populous Nation Provides Key Support to El-Sissi
Pope Francis became only the second Pope--Pope St. John Paul II visited Egypt in 2000--to visit Egypt as the Holy Father had embarked upon one of the most politically rife trip to Egypt on April 28, 2017. On April 28, 2017, Pope Francis strongly backed the government of President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi in its fight against Islamic extremism. On April 29, 2017, Pope wrapped up his two-day visit by addressing a mammoth crowd at the Air Defense Stadium.
Egypt, Saudi Arabia to Strengthen Ties
Despite some hiccup over Yemen and Syria, Egypt and Saudi Arabia took some concrete steps in recent months to improve their bilateral relations, especially over counterterrorism efforts. At a press brief on June 4, 2017 at Cairo, both nations' foreign ministers--Adel al-Jubeir of Saudi Arabia and Sameh Shoukry of Egypt--expressed satisfaction over their new-found bonhomie and vowed to improve upon it.
23 Soldiers Killed in Sinai Attack
In the deadliest attack in almost two years, a suicide car bomber rammed explosives-filled vehicle into a remote outpost in Sinai Peninsula and masked gunmen then followed up with machine gun fires on July 7, 2017, killing 23 Egyptian soldiers. Islamic State claimed the responsibility for the gruesome attack on the Egyptian military.
Kushner Meets with Egyptian President a Day After U.S. Cuts Military Aid over Rights Abuse
On August 22, 2017, Trump administration cut off $100 million in economic and military aid and an additional $200 million in military financing to Egypt over deteriorating human rights in the country. The August 22, 2017, decision was a surprise to many as the relations between the two allies grew warmer under the Trump administration. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry issued a statement, calling the decision a "misjudgment of the nature of strategic relations that have bound the two countries for decades".
On August 23, 2017, White House adviser for Middle-East Jared Kushner met with Egyptian President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. The U.S. delegation also included Jason Greenblatt, the U.S. envoy for international negotiation, and Dina Powell, the deputy National Security Adviser.
235 Killed in Attack on a Sufi Mosque
In one of the worst attacks on religious institutions, curtains of death fell allover on November 24, 2017 at a Sufi mosque in the northern Sinai town of Bir al-Abd, killing at least 235 people and wounding more than 109. A bomb was detonated inside the mosque, teeming with Friday congregants, followed by armed mercenaries opening fire on fearful civilians who began to run helter-skelter. The militants then tried to flee the scene in vehicle, but Egyptian military carried out several airstrikes. Although no group took responsibility for the November 24, 2017, attack, suspicion immediately fell on Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, a Sinai-based Islamic militant group that had pledged to ISIL in 2014. Hours after the attack, Egyptian President Abdel-Fatah e-Sissi convened an emergency cabinet meeting, and vowed in a televised address that "the military and police will take the revenge". U.S. President Donald Trump muddied his message by rationalizing why he wanted to build a wall as a way to prevent this type of "horrible and cowardly" attack.
Death Toll Mounts
As Egyptians were slowly coming to the grips a day after the worst single deadliest attack in years, the death toll in the massacre of a Sufi mosque at Bir al-Abd in northern Sinai Peninsula increased on November 25, 2017 to 305, including at least 27 children.
Egypt Hangs 15 Islamists
On December 26, 2017, Egypt executed one of the largest number of people in recent memory by hanging 15 people convicted last month of attacking on a checkpoint in 2013 in Sinai Peninsula in the early days of an Islamist uprising to protest the ouster of democratically elected President Mohammed Morsi that took lives of one military officer and eight other soldiers. Egypt in 2015 hanged six Jihadis, largest such execution before December 26, 2017, mass execution.
At Least Nine People Killed in Church Shooting
A lone gunman calmly opened fire outside a Coptic church, Mar Mina Church, and an adjacent Coptic gift store on December 29, 2017, killing at least nine people and wounding dozens. The shooting took place amid heightened security on the eve of New Year and the Coptic Christmas on January 7, 2018.
Egypt Executes Four Militants; State of Emergency Extended
A week after the largest number of executions on a single day in recent history, Egypt on January 2, 2018 executed four militants convicted of killing three military academy students in 2015 in the Nile Delta city of Kafr el-Sheikh. Meanwhile, Egyptian President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi issued a decree during the day to extend the state of emergency, initially declared after the April 2017 attack on Coptic Christians, by another three months.
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Top Opposition Contender Arrested
A top opposition candidate in the upcoming presidential polls in which President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi is all but assured to be elected has been arrested by security forces on January 23, 2018. Lt. Gen. Sami Anan was taken by Egyptian security forces near his Cairo home. He was detained, according to statement issued during the day by the country's military, on charges of not taking appropriate "approval from the armed forces" before deciding to run in the presidential election as well as "forging documents".
Last of Rivals Quits Race
A day after former army chief, Sami Anan, was arrested, the last rival to President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi in the March 26-28, 2018, presidential polls quit the race on January 24, 2018, alleging that it was very hard to run a fair election campaign amid aides and associates of the noted human rights lawyer Khaled Ali had been arrested and hurdles had been placed at every turn of the campaign. With Khaled Ali's exit from the race that mirrors the footsteps of early quitters such as former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq, Mohamad Anwar Sadat, nephew of former President Anwar Sadat, and Lt. Gen. Sami Anan, the question is now how to motivate voters to turn out in a respectable numbers.
Early Voting Begins with President el-Sissi all but 100 percent Assured of Victory
Early voting in Egyptian presidential polls began on March 26, 2018 as President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi assured to be re-elected with overwhelming margin after most of the prominent opposition candidates had either been jailed or dropped out of the race. Only candidate who remained in the fray is Moussa Mustafa Moussa who has virtually no chance put up even a semblance of electoral competition, leave alone victory.
El-Sissi Surprises None by Winning Big
Early results released on March 29, 2018 indicated that President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi had been headed to a landslide by winning nearly 92 percent of the votes, with the nearest challenger Moussa Mustafa Moussa garnering a meager 3 percent. About 40 percent of the Egyptian voters cast their ballots, down by 7 percent compared to 2014.
El-Sissi Re-elected
Egypt's election commission on April 2, 2018 announced President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi the victor of March 26-28, 2018, presidential election, with more than 97 percent votes tallied and the panel officially releasing the turnout to be 41.05 percent. In separate calls, leaders of Egypt's two patrons, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, congratulated el-Sissi during the day.
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Egypt Launches Series of Strikes in Northern Sinai
As the nation had yet to come to the full grip of November 24, 2017, attack on a Sufi mosque in the northern Sinai town of Bir al-Abd that had killed at least 311 people and wounded hundreds more, President Abdul-Fatah El-Sissi on February 10, 2018 ordered aerial attack against extremist targets in Northern Sinai, thus fulfilling his three-month timeline he had issued in the aftermath of November 24, 2017, attack that he would begin flushing out terrorists.
Egyptian Court Finalizes Death Sentences for 10
After due consultation with the country's head mufti, an Egyptian court on March 10, 2018 upheld the preliminary rulings against 15 who had been tied to now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood and formed a clandestine "terror cell". 10 of the defendants were sentenced to death while the remaining five received life imprisonment.
U.N. Condemns Mass Trial, Dozens of Death Sentences
Reacting to September 8, 2018, verdict by an Egyptian court that was holding a mass trial of 739 defendants on various degrees of charges stemming from 2013 sit-ins in the aftermath of then-President Mohammad Morsi being deposed to hand out death sentences to 75 and life terms to 47 more, U.N. Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet on September 9, 2018 issued a statement, calling it "an irreversible miscarriage of justice".
ISIL-affiliate Attacks Christians Pilgrims, Kills 7
A convoy of three buses en route a remote desert monastery, St. Samuel the Confessor Monastery, south of Cairo came under volley of fire on November 2, 2018, killing seven people, including a 15-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl. The Egyptian franchise of ISIL claimed later in the day that ambush had been carried out as a revenge of continued detention of "our chaste sisters", not specifying which women were being detained. Egyptian President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi, who is to showcase a resurgent Egypt at the World Youth Forum scheduled to open on November 3, 2018 at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, has received a political black eye and called on November 2, 2018 the Orthodox Church Pope Tawadros II to offer his condolence.
19 Militants Tied to Ambush of Christians Killed
Egyptian military announced on November 4, 2018 that it had tracked, isolated and killed 19 militants in the mountainous desert west of St. Samuel the Confessor Monastery two days after the militants, allied with ISIL-affiliate, had ambushed a convoy of three buses carrying Coptic Christians to the desert monastery south of Cairo, killing seven.
Vietnamese Tourists Targeted in Bomb Attack
A bus full of Vietnamese tourists came under attack on December 28, 2018 in Mariotiyah area near Giza pyramid as a crude roadside bomb exploded, killing at least 4 people, including three Vietnamese tourists, and wounding 10. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said that the bus had left its designated area without notifying authorities.
Raids Kill 40 Militants
A day after an improvised bomb killed three Vietnamese tourists and their Egyptian guide near Giza Pyramid, Egyptian military carried out separate raids in areas near Giza and el-Arish in the Northern Sinai Peninsula on December 29, 2018. The Giza raid killed at least 30 militants and Sinai raid another 10. Although the authorities were mum over whether any of the 40 killed were behind the December 28, 2018, bomb attack on the Vietnamese tour bus, the trigger for the government raid a day after could not be just coincident.
Egyptian President Opens a New Coptic Church, one the Region's Largest Mosques
Egypt's President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi on January 6, 2019 played the role of a unifying leader in a country constantly being afflicted by sectarian and religious violence. Egypt's President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi was on hand beside Coptic Pope Tawadros II in dedicating the sprawling Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ during the inaugural mass. President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi said that "we still have to protect the tree of love", and the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, world's primary seat of learning for Sunni Islam, who was also present, seconded the president's statement. Egypt's President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi also inaugurated one of the largest mosques close to the cathedral in the country's New Administrative Capital, east of Cairo.
Pompeo Rips into Obama's Middle-East Legacy
In an unusually harsh speech, even in the era of a bitter partisan division as it's now, targeting a former president on the foreign soil, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on January 10, 2019 blasted Barack Obama's international policy in general and Middle-East policy in particular. Pompeo called the Obama administration's policy "naïve" and "timid", and held his policy indirectly responsible for the rise of "radical Islam". Mike Pompeo gave the speech, blasting former President Barack Obama's "misguided" policy, at the same place, American University in Cairo, 10 years after President Obama made a historic speech in 2009, extending a message of olive branch and reconciliation with the Muslim world and the region. Meanwhile, the response to Mike Pompeo's speech was swift and strong, with a group of former officials, National Security Action, calling the Pompeo speech as reflection of Trump administration's "pettiness" and "lack of a strategic vision for America's role in the region and its abdication of America's values".
Egyptian Parliament Paves the Way for El-Sissi to Rule Until 2034
Egypt's 596-seat parliament on February 14, 2019 approved a measure, backed by 485 lawmakers, that would be put to nationwide referendum to amend the 2014 constitution that had limited the president to two 4-year terms. Under the measure passed on February 14, 2019, that needs to be passed one final time and most likely to be approved in a nationwide referendum, the presidential term limit will be two six-year terms. President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's current two four-year terms will end in 2022, but under the proposed constitutional amendment he can stay in power through 2034.
Parliament Passes the Final Constitutional Amendment Bill, El-Sissi May Stay until 2030
Egyptian parliament on April 16, 2019 has approved the final version of the constitutional amendment bill by an overwhelming margin that will elongate President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's current tenure from four to six years through 2024 and qualify him to run for another six-year term, thus theoretically allowing him to stay in power through 2030. In addition, president will receive additional enhanced authority to appoint and dismiss judges. The constitutional amendment will be put to a referendum in the coming days.
Three-day Referendum Called
Egypt's electoral commission head, Lasheen Ibrahim, on April 17, 2019 called a three-day (April 20-22, 2019) referendum for the just-approved constitutional amendments that would embolden and extend the presidency of Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi.
Poll on Constitutional Amendments Begins
The three-day (April 20-22, 2019) referendum on constitutional amendments that would expand the power and extend the presidency of Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi significantly began on April 20, 2019 as poll places had been set up across the nation.
Voters Approve Constitutional Amendments
Egyptian voters approved the constitutional amendments with 88.83% favoring them. Egypt's National Election Authority head Lasheen Ibrahim said on April 23, 2019 that the turnout in the April 20-22, 2019 referendum was a meager 44.33%.
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Al-Jazeera Journalist Ordered Released
An Egyptian court on May 23, 2019 ordered an Egyptian journalist, Mahmoud Hussein, working for Doha-based Al-Jazeera freed. Hussein was arrested in December 2016 upon arrival at Cairo international airport after a family vacation on charges of spreading false news and defamation. The case showed the injustice that was enshrined in the country's pre-trial detention, and the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information Executive Director Gamal Eid called the pre-trial detention as "a form of punishment in Egypt" indiscriminately used by the government of President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi.
EGYPT
The 50-member Constituent Assembly began voting on about 250 proposed changes to the constitution on November 30, 2013 to replace an Islamist-drafted constitution that was suspended in the aftermath of July 3, 2013, military move that had deposed the first democratically elected President Mohammed Morsi. Since July 3, 2013, Egyptian political landscape became increasingly polarized with one spectrum of political end dominated by Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists, while the other end of the spectrum was led by secularists who at the beginning of Arab Spring led the fight against Hosni Mubarak, leading to his ouster, bringing back Morsi to powers only to be disgusted by the high-handed attitude of Muslim Brotherhood. The large part of the secularist segment of the society was aligned with the interim government led by President Adly Mansour and, especially, with the charismatic military head of the country, Defense Minister Gen. Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. However, political dynamic changed significantly after Adly Mansour administration issued a decree on November 24, 2013 that it won't tolerate gathering of more than ten people without prior permission. The government's ban on assembly hit the core of the secularist groups so much that they proclaimed that the situation had worsened compared to Mubarak era.
On December 1, 2013, the Constituent Assembly approved the 247-article new constitution. The new document includes:
* Provision to abolish the upper house of parliament, or Shura Council
* Definition of Egypt as a "civilian" government
* Allowing lawmakers to oust a president and call for early elections with threshold as high as two-third of majority
* Giving lawmakers powers to prosecute president if constitutional violation occurs
* Prohibition of creating political parties based on religion
* Giving military the right to choose its own military chief, who will become the country's Defense Minister
* Giving military the right to try people in military tribunals
The head of the draft panel, Amr Moussa, on December 10, 2013 defended his panel's work as well as 247-article new constitution that was passed on December 1, 2013.
Egyptian government on December 14, 2013 announced January 14, 2014 as the start day of two-day referendum on the new constitution that was passed on December 1, 2013.
On December 24, 2013, an explosion targeting the police headquarters at Nile Delta city Mansoura, 75 miles north of Cairo, marked the most devastating attack outside Sinai Peninsula since July, killing at least 15 people, most of them were police personnel, and wounding more than 100. A government spokesman initially blamed Muslim Brotherhood for the attack, but the group itself issued a condemnation, calling it a "direct attack on the unity of the Egyptian people". Senior military and security officials said that the December 24, 2013, explosions bore the imprint of a Sinai-based militant group called the Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, or the Champions of Jerusalem. In September, the group was blamed for an assassination attempt on the Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim. (Source: The Dallas Morning News; The New York Times; The Associated Press)
On December 25, 2013, Egyptian government declared Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist group, a move that immediately drew criticism from many human rights activists. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
In a break from previous administration's practice of alienating country's minorities, interim President Adly Mansour reached out to country's Coptic Christian community, which is estimated to represent 10 percent of the population, by visiting Cairo's St. Mark Cathedral on January 5, 2014 to meet with Pope Tawadros II in the week Orthodox Christians worldwide will celebrate Christmas.
In January 14-15, 2014 plebiscite, Egypt's new constitution was passed by an overwhelming margin amid scattered violence across the nation and poll boycott by Muslim Brotherhood. According to figures released by the government, 98.1 percent of the voters approved the new constitution amid a turnout of 38.6 percent as opposed to 64 percent voters, who had approved a previous constitution drafted under Mohammed Morsi rule, amid a turnout of one-third in a December 2012 referendum. However, what raised consternation among rights activists was beginning of a new round of crackdown by Egyptian security forces in the aftermath of the referendum that took place on January 14 and January 15.
On January 18, 2014, US Secretary of State John Kerry raised doubt about the bona fide of the January 14-15, 2014, referendum in which a revised of draft of constitution was passed with 98.1 percent of the vote cast.
Morsi's Trial Saga
On January 19, 2014, prosecutors added defamation (against the judiciary) charge against jailed former President Mohammed Morsi. Morsi is already facing three separate trials on charges of murdering his opponents, jailbreak and conspiring with foreign forces.
On January 24, 2014, a string of explosions rocked Cairo, sending an air of fear psychosis that extremism might be occupying the space created by Morsi backers, who had to retreat in the backdrop of military-led government declaring last month the Brotherhood and related organizations as "terrorist". Six people were killed on January 24, 2014 in the explosions targeted against the security buildings. However, the most tragic outcome, beside six deaths and dozens of injuries, of the January 24, 2014, explosions is the destruction of a number of invaluable and antic collections in the Cairo Museum of Islamic Art, world's richest collection of Islamic artifacts and arts. Built in 1881, the Cairo Museum of Islamic Art holds rare items ranging from Ceramic and gypsum pieces from the era Fatimid and Mamluk to ancient lanterns. Many of these items were destroyed. The UNESCO Secretary-General Irina Bokova pledged to restore many of these items.
The third anniversary of beginning of anti-Mubarak uprising was marked on January 25, 2014 with violence in Cairo and various other cities. Clashes around the country killed at least 29 people and wounded 170.
On January 27, 2014, Gen. Abdel Fattah el-Sissi was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal by the country's Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF). Field Marshal Abdel Fattah el-Sissi also edged closer to contesting for presidency as SCAF on January 27, 2014 approved him the authority to run for elections.
Morsi's Trial Saga
On January 28, 2014, former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi was brought to a Cairo courtroom in a sound-proof cage to avoid the drama of November 2013 proceeding when Morsi raised his voice and dismissed the authority of prosecutors to try him. Morsi and his 20 fellow defendants were brought to the court on January 28, 2014 to face charges of jailbreak during 2011 uprising against Hosni Mubarak. In November 2013, Mubarak used the court to launch a high-octane political attack against the military-installed regime.
Al-Jazeera on Trial
In a controversial push, Egyptian prosecutors on January 29, 2014 charged 20 Al-Jazeera journalists for links to a terrorist group and spreading false information. Among the journalists, 16 Egyptians were charged on terrorism count, while an Australian, one Dutch and two Britons were charged on spreading false information that had assisted a terrorist group. The authorities have been holding five Al-Jazeera journalists---including Mohamed Fahmy, an Egyptian-Canadian, and Peter Greste, an Australian---without charges.
Terrorist Attacks on Tour Bus
On February 16, 2014, a bomb placed at a tour bus exploded in the southern Sinai town of Taba, killing two South Korean tourists and the Egyptian bus driver. The tour bus was carrying more than 30 people, and most of the tourists were from South Korea. The usual suspicion fell on the Sinai-based militant group Ansar Beit al-Maqdis.
Morsi's Lawyers Walked out of the Court Room
On February 16, 2014, lawyers for deposed President Mohammad Morsi walked out the court room in protest against bringing Morsi to the courtroom in a sound-proof cage. Morsi and his co-defendants were brought to the court amid tight security to face trial on charges slapped against Morsi and 35 others on working with foreign groups and against national interest. The judge ordered nation's lawyers' union to appoint 10 public defenders for Morsi and his co-defendants, and adjourned the trial until February 23, 2014.
Egyptian Cabinet Resigns
Faced with repeated labor strikes and deteriorating economic conditions, the interim administration of PM Hazem el-Beblawi resigned on February 24, 2014. As the country's military chief Field Marshal Abdel Fattah el-Sissi is considering a run in the coming presidential polls, popular disenchantment with the government's functioning may turn out to be a political liability in the polls, thus forcing, according to many political observers, the Beblawi administration out.
New Premier Named
A new premier was named on February 25, 2014, a day after Hazem el-Beblawi-led cabinet had resigned over growing labor unrest and deteriorating national economy. Ibrahim Mehlib, an industrialist and a former housing minister, said on February 25, 2014 that he would name a new cabinet within days and vowed to offer solutions to everyday problems of common people.
Egyptian Security Forces Raids Weapons Cache
Egyptian forces on March 19, 2014 raided a weapons cache and hideout north of Cairo, ensuing an hours-long firefight that had killed two high-ranking generals and six militants. The hideout was reported to be run by Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, who was behind on an assassination attempt against Egyptian Interior Minister last year, January 24, 2014, attacks on Islamic heritage sites and museums in Cairo and February 16, 2014, bomb blast on a tour bus in Sinai Peninsula. Although Ansar Beit al-Maqdis was based in Sinai Peninsula, its reach and retribution has crossed Sinai borders in recent weeks.
Egyptian Court Hands Out Mass Death Sentences
In a rare case of handing out mass death sentences to mostly Muslim Brotherhood supporters, a court in Minya, south of Cairo, on March 24, 2014 handed out death sentences to 529 defendants on charges of killing a police official during violence in the aftermath of ouster of former President Mohammed Morsi. Many legal scholars consider the mass trial as the largest mass trial in Egypt's history. About 400 of the defendants were tried in absentia. If these defendants are apprehended, retrials will be held, according to the Egyptian laws, and for those who are already under detention, appeals are most likely to happen.
UN Alarmed over Minya Trial, Another Mass Trial Begins
Geneva-based office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on March 25, 2014 expressed deep alarm over the mass trial of 529 people and resulting death sentences to all of them by a three-judge panel a day earlier in Minya. Meanwhile, another mass trial of 683 people began on March 25, 2014 at an Egyptian court. Most of the defendants are Muslim Brotherhood supporters accused of murders and incitement of violence.
Military Chief to Run for Presidency
As expected, Egypt's military chief Field Marshall Abdel Fattah el-Sissi on March 26, 2014 announced his resignation from military as well as Defense Minister to run for presidential elections. He handpicked his deputy Gen. Sedki Sobhi as his successor. In the upcoming presidential polls, only other candidate who announced to run was a left-leaning populist, Hamdeen Sabahy.
Violence Returns to Cairo
A series of three bombs targeted the Interior Ministry Buildings on April 2, 2014 at the heart of Cairo, killing a senior police official, Brig. Gen. Tareq el-Margawy, whom many Islamists accused of leading the security crackdown on Morsi backers at one of the two major Cairo sit-in camps--camp at Nahda--on August 14, 2013 that had killed more than 1,100 people, the largest single day death toll. The other better known camp at Cairo's Rabaa district had borne the brunt of security crackdown on the fateful day of August 14, 2013. A hitherto not so much known group, Ajnad Misr, Soldiers of Egypt, took responsibility for the bombing one-and-half months before May 26-27, 2014 presidential polls.
Another Wave of Death Penalties Handed out; A Pro-Reform Group Banned
A judge in Minya who had handed out death penalties to 529 defendants on March 26, 2014 issued death sentences on April 28, 2014 to more than 680 people in a minutes-long hearing. Judge Sayedd Yousef earned international derision last month for his harsh verdict last time. A separate Cairo court on April 28, 2014 banned the pro-reform April 6 Group, a liberal bloc that was at the forefront of both 2011 Arab Spring that had ousted Hosni Mubarak and later anti-Morsi movement in 2013. However, in recent months the group and its leaders had drawn wraths from the military-backed government. The group's lader, Ahmed Maher, and the co-founder, Mohamed Adel, were serving three-year jail time for oranizing unauthorized protest against the military-backed government.
Mass Sentences Handed Out to More than 170 Morsi Backers
It's another pair of trials on May 18, 2014 in the latest trend of handing out mass sentences to dozens of Muslim Brothehood demonstrators caught in the crossroads of political turmoil last year after Mohammad Morsi was ousted by military. A court at Kafr el-Sheikh convicted 127 people for torching a church, a police station and a sports stadium. Protesters were sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. A second court at Cairo sentenced 37 people to jail terms of up to 15 years.
First Day of Polling a Mixed bag
Voters went to polling stations on the first day of the two-day (May 26-27, 2014) polls in which former army chief Abdel Fattah el-Sissi is expected to handily beat the lone opposition candidate, left-leaning Hamdeen Sabahy.
A Third Day Added to Polling to Boost Turnout
As the voter turnout was dismal and the credibility of polling process seemed at stake, the authorities at the end of the second day of polling on May 27, 2014 extended the voting for a third day. The only opposition candidate who had challenged Abdel Fattah el-Sissi withdrew party volunteers at the end of second day, accusing vote fixing and manipulation. After the polls were closed on the third day, May 28, 2014, some government sources claimed that voting percentage was as high as 46 percent and el-Sissi won with a landslide margin by getting 93 percent vote.
Election Commission Confirms El-Sissi as winner
In an official notification issued on June 3, 2014, Egypt's Election Commission declared Abdel Fattah el-Sissi winner of May 26-28, 2014, presidential polls. According to the official estimate, the voter turnout was 47 percent, and Abdel Fattah el-Sissi received 97 percent vote.
El-Sissi Sworn in
Abdel Fattah el-Sissi was sworn in as Egypt's president on June 8, 2014.
Wave of Death Sentences Handed Out
In a matter of two hours, a southern Minya Criminal Court on June 21, 2014 handed out death penalty to at least 180 Muslim Brotherhood protesters, including their supreme guide, Mohammad Badie, in what was seen as the largest number of people sentenced to death by a single ruling. The defendants were accused of attacking a police station in a nearby town, el-Adwa, on August 14, 2013 that had killed one police officer.
Three Al-Jazeera Journalists Sentenced to Jail
In a remarkable crackdown on journalists, an Egyptian court on June 23, 2014 sentenced three Al-Jazeera reporters to at least seven years in prison, accusing them of colluding with terrorists. The court sentenced Australian journalist Peter Greste and Canadian-Egyptian journalist Mohamed Fahmy to seven years in prison. The third journalist, Baher Mohammed, an Egyptian, was given three more years in addition to seven years for carrying ammunition, which Mohammed claimed to have collected from the conflict zone to keep it as a piece of memorabilia. The verdict was issued a day after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry pressed the new Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi for more democracy. All three had been detained in December 2013. A freelance Dutch journalist and two other Britons who worked for Al-Jazeera were tried in absentia and was given jail terms of 10 years. On June 24, 2014, President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi delivering an address to a graduating army cadet class made clear that he won't interfere in the judicial process, obviating any possibility for any presidential pardon.
Skeleton of Protests Marks the First Anniversary of Morsi's Ouster
Amid sealing of Tahrir Square, clamping a dragnet of security cordon and more than 22,000 Muslim Brotherhood supporters already in jails, the first anniversary of former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi's ouster was marked on July 3, 2014 with thinly attended, but spirited, rallies and scattered violence. The anti-government protest continued for the second day on July 4, 2014. During two days (July 3-4, 2014) of rallies and protest marches, pro-Morsi supporters fought with security forces at some places, leading to the death of two people.
Egypt Reduces Subsidy, Fueling Price Hikes of Fuel and Food
In a bold, but belligerent decision, with likelihood of evoking protests and provocations from a restive populace, Egyptian government on July 5, 2014 announced to hike fuel and food prices across the board. Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab said that partial withdrawal of subsidy would free up to $7 billion in funds that could be invested in expanding and improving public education, healthcare and other infrastructural developments.
Sinai Violence Returns with Shelling on Military Post
Mortar rounds landed on an army post in the capital city of el-Arish in Sinai Peninsula on July 13, 2014, killing one military personnel and seven civilians.
Human Rights Group's Report Blasts Government Handling of Summer 2013 Protest
A 188-page report issued on August 12, 2014 said that the military-backed government had committed crimes against humanity during last year's protest that had flared up after July 3, 2013 ouster of democratically elected President Mohammad Morsi, and the then-army chief and current President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi should be investigated for his role in protest suppression. Two top officials of the New York-based Human Rights Watch, the group that had written the report, Executive Director Kenneth Roth and organization's regional chief Sarah Leah Whitson, were originally scheduled to come to Cairo for the official publication of the report. Egyptian authorities barred the two on August 9, 2014 from entering Egypt on the ground that they were committing illegal work. As a result, the duo issued the report via a video conference. The report, based on interviews by more than 200 witnesses, on-site investigations, video footage and government statements, chronicled incidents between July 5, 2013 and August 16, 2013 during which more than 1,000 demonstrators were killed. The worst one-day mayhem in recent history was cited to have occurred on August 14, 2013 when security forces broke up two large sit-ins by Morsi supporters, killing between 800 and 1,100 people.
Top Muslims Decry Islamic State
Throwing their religious and moral weight behind the fight against Islamic State, Egypt's top Islamic institution, Dar al-Ifta, on August 24, 2014 launched an internet-based campaign to condemn the atrocities and murder spree of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Egypt's Grand Mufti Shawki Allam led the campaign as the leader of Dar al-Ifta, a revered Islamic institution Millions of Muslims across the world look up to for religious guidance.
30 Army Personnel Killed in Sinai Attack
A coordinated and organized attack on a military checkpoint near the Northern Sinai Peninsula town of el-Arish killed 30 army personnel on October 24, 2014. The attack, suspected to be perpetrated by Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, or Champions of Jerusalem, triggered a massive military crackdown in the peninsula and closure of only non-Israeli border checkpoint of Gaza Strip. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi held an emergency session of National Defense Council, and the council subsequently imposed state of emergency for three-month period in northern parts of Sinai Peninsula.
Protest by Salafis Fails to Get Popular Support
A call to protest against the regime of President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi failed to materialize into a sizable anti-government demonstration on November 28, 2014. The nation-wide protest was called by the ultra-conservative Salafis and supported by now-crippled Muslim Brotherhood.
Court Drops All Charges against Mubarak
An Egyptian court on November 29, 2014 dropped all charges against former Egyptian ruler Hosni Mubarak, leading to the possibility of the release of octogenarian leader's release from jail in coming days. The Cairo court dismissed all charges against Mubarak, his infamous security chief and at least six security officials in the killing of at least 30 demonstrators at Tahrir Square in the waning days of mubarak era in 2011. The Chief Judge of the Cairo Court Mahmoud al-Rashidi read the verdict as Mubarak inside a cage in court. The court also cleared Mubarak, his two sons--Alaa and Gamal--and businessman Hussein Salem, who had fled to Spain in 2011 and was tried in absentia, on corruption and bribery charges. In May 2012, Mubarak was sentenced to three years in jail in a separate corruption trial. By now, Mubarak would have spent more than that in jail. The trail of the trial that produced the November 29, 2014, ruling by the Cairo Court originated in 2012 when a judge had sentenced Mubarak to life in prison while acquitting all others lower in command structure below Mubarak. An appeals court later threw out the verdict, setting off a new trial and November 29, 2014, ruling.
Egyptian Leader Accepts Court's Ruling, Says It's Time to Move Forward
Despite scattered protests and grumblings, a nation that had transformed so much over the past two-and-half years seemed to take in stride a Cairo court's decision to clear former ruler Hosni Mubarak of all charges. Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi stepping in the controversy said on November 30, 2014 that his government would accept the ruling and move forward. For secular pro-democracy activists, who spearheaded the anti-Mubarak movement during the heyday of Arab Spring, the ruling couldn't come at any worse time as they were being increasingly squeezed between political Islam and an ever increasing aggressive government bent on muzzling protests.
Eminent American Scholar Denied Entry to Egypt
An eminent American scholar, Michelle Dunne, a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, who had been often critical to Egypt's human rights records since a 2013 coup had ousted the country's first democratically elected President Mohammad Morsi, was not allowed to enter the country and was returned from the Cairo International Airport to Frankfurt in Germany. Dunne arrived at Cairo on December 13, 2014 at the invitation of the Egyptian Council on Foreign Affairs. Four months ago, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch Kenneth Roth and regional director Sarah Leah Whitson were also denied entry just before a critical report on Egypt's human rights condition was released the Watch.
Retrial Granted for Three Al-Jazeera Journalists
Egypt's highest appeals court, Court of Cassation, on January 1, 2015 granted retrial of three journalists---Australian journalist Peter Greste, Canadian-Egyptian journalist Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohammed---tied to English language service of Al-Jazeera. On June 23, 2014, all three were convicted by an Egyptian court on charges that include supporting terrorism.
Protesters Mark Anniversary of Uprising, Clash with State Security
Scores of protesters marked during weekend (January 23-25, 2015) the beginning of the fourth anniversary of Arab Spring in Egypt that forced former strongman Hosni Mubarak off the power. On January 24, 2015, a throng of protesters were passing the downtown Cairo under the banner of a leftist party, Popular Alliance Party, when security forces opened fire, killing a female activist, Shaimaa el-Sabagh, 32, a mother of one from Alexandria. The protesters were reported to be unarmed, and chanting: "Bread, freedom and social justice".
On January 25, 2015, disparate groups of secularists and Islamists staged protests in Cairo and other Egyptian cities, and engaged with fighting the security personnel. At least 15 people were killed in the melee.
Mubarak's Sons Released from Jail
Former dictator Hosni Mubarak's two sons--Alaa and Gamal Mubarak--were released from prisons on January 26, 2015.
Egypt Releases Australian Journalist
In reflection of thawing of relationship between Qatar and Egypt, Australian journalist Peter Greste was released from Egyptian jail on February 1, 2015 after languishing more than a year behind the bar. Greste along with his two other Al-Jazeera colleagues, Canadian-Egyptian Mohammad Fahmy and Egyptian Baher Mohammad, were arrested in December 2013 on charges that they were supporting the Islamic extremists, charges human rights organizations had dismissed as a smoking gun to muzzle the working of free press to bring light on the military repression let loose on the supporters of Muslim Brotherhood. Although Greste was released on February 1, 2015, the fate of his other two colleagues remained uncertain. On January 1, 2015, an appeals court tossed out the earlier conviction issued in June 2014, and granted a new trial for all three.
Egyptian Court Sends Close to 200 Supporters of Former President to Death Row
An Egyptian court, using the same playbook of meeting out collective the harsh punishment, on February 2, 2015 sentenced 183 supporters of former President Mohammad Morsi to death, implicating them in ransacking a police station in the city of Kerdassah, near Cairo in August 2013 in the midst of an anti-military violent demonstration in the aftermath of ouster of the former president.
Two Remaining Al-Jazeera Journalists Freed from Egyptian Jail
Ten days after their Australian peer was freed from an Egyptian prison, two Al-Jazeera journalists--Canadian-Egyptian Mohammad Fahmy and Egyptian Baher Mohammad--languishing in Egyptian jail for more than a year for what many western rights groups claimed doing their job were eventually freed on February 11, 2015.
******************************* SAGA OF MORSI TRIAL **************************
Morsi to Face a Trial on Espionage
Egypt's democratically elected, and subsequently deposed, President Mohammad Morsi was brought to an Egyptian court on February 15, 2015 to face charges of espionage and leaking state secret to Qatar. The hearing was swiftly re-scheduled to February 28, 2015. A defiant Morsi, pronouncing himself as the country's legitimate president, called the trial "a farce".
Morsi Receives 20-Year Jail Term
An Egyptian court on April 21, 2015 handed out former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi to a 20-year jail term. The court convicted him and 14 other Muslim Brotherhood leaders, including Mohammed el-Beltagy and Essam el-Erian, for inciting violence during a 2013 protest sit-in when Morsi was still in power, but acquitted them on a far more serious charge of premeditated murder that carries death penalty.
Morsi Sentenced to Death
Egypt's former President Mohammed Morsi on May 16, 2015 was sentenced to death on charges of jail break at the height Arab Spring movement in 2011 that had led to the ouster of former dictator Hosni Mubarak. Beside Morsi, who was detained for two days at Wadi Natroun Prison during the uprising of Spring 2011, the court sentenced more than 100 other Muslim Brotherhood leaders--including organization's top spiritual guide Mohammed Badie and former speaker of parliament, Saad el-Katani--and activists to death.
Judge Upholds Morsi's Death Sentence
An Egyptian judge, Judge Shaaban al-Shami, on June 16, 2015 gave a blistering critique to former President Mohammed Morsi's guilt, and upheld a May verdict to send the Muslim Brotherhood leader to death. As per the Egyptian law, the court had to seek the approval of Egypt's Grand Mufti to carry forward the death penalty against Morsi. Judge al-Shami said on June 16, 2015 that the Grand Mufti had sanctioned the penalty. Morsi appeared at the court in a glass cage, and maintained a smiling posture all through the proceeding. Morsi faced two separate cases: one pertaining to his jail break at the height of Arab Spring, and the second case related to espionage.
Appeals Court Tosses out Morsi's Death Sentence
The Court of Cassation on November 15, 2016 struck down the death sentence handed down to former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi. In addition to Morsi, who is serving life sentence for espionage and incitement of violence among other charges, the appeals court overturned the death sentence of five other Muslim Brotherhood leaders. Morsi is also appealing is life term.
Morsi Collapses in the Courtroom, Dies
Egypt's last democratically elected president and Muslim Brotherhood leader, Mohammad Morsi, collapsed in the courtroom on June 17, 2019 minutes after he addressed from his holding glass pen that he had "many secrets" he could reveal. Morsi was immediately pronounced dead. Muslim Brotherhood called Morsi's death as assassination, and called for an international investigation. Mohammad Morsi's body was brought early morning on June 18, 2019 to a cemetery in Cairo's eastern district of Nasr City, a designated cemetery for Muslim Brotherhood members. His family members, including his son, Ossama, who is serving a 10-year sentence following a September 2018 verdict, was allowed to be present at the funeral. Earlier authorities declined Mohammad Morsi's funeral request at his family's cemetery in his hometown in Sharqia province.
On June 18, 2019, special prayers were held at various mosques in Turkey, whose president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan shared a special bond with Mohammad Morsi. Reacting to Mohammad Morsi's June 17, 2019, death inside a Cairo courtroom, Erdogan said that former Egyptian president's death was not natural, without elaborating further but stoking speculation.
******************************* SAGA OF MORSI TRIAL **************************
Video of Coptic Beheadings Appears
A Libyan local affiliate of Islamic State on February 15, 2015 were shown on a video to have beheaded 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians kidnapped in Libya. The local affiliate, Tripolitania Province of Islamic State, was one of three Libya-based franchises of Islamic State. The other two local ISIL franchises are based in Barqa in the east and Fezzan in the south. The setting in the video indicated that the beheadings seemed to have taken place on a rocky Mediterranean coast in western Libya. Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi announced a seven-day mourning, called his emergency security cabinet meeting and vowed to take avenge by "necessary means and timing" for the killing of his countrymen, who had gone to Libya to make a living.
Egypt Bombs Libya amid a Flurry of Diplomacy
Egyptian Air Force on February 16, 2015, a day after a gruesome video showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians circulated over the internet, bombed targets in the eastern Libyan city of Derna amid hectic diplomatic activities at the behest of Cairo to form an international coalition in the mold of U.S.-led air coalition in Syria and Iraq. Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi had talks on February 16, 2015 with French President Francois Hollande and Italian premier to coordinate their common battle against ISIL that now, for the first time, had expanded its reach beyond its traditional strongholds of Iraq and Syria. France on February 16, 2015 announced a deal to sell fighter jets to Egypt and maintain preparedness of its troops already stationed outside Libya's southern border in Niger, an African nation it had ruled during the era of colonization. Italy's Defense Minister Ms. Roberta Pinotti said in an interview published in February 15, 2015, edition of Il Messaggero that Italy had geographic, historic and security compulsion to intervene, if needed, in Libya. El-Sisi, who had visited during the day (February 16) to offer condolence to Pope Tawadros II of Egyptian Coptic Church, sent his Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri to New York to consult at the U.N. before an international conference on terrorism opened on February 18, 2015.
Five Brotherhood Leaders Sentenced for Life
Continuing the trend of handing out harsh sentences to protesters, including Islamists and secularists, an Egyptian court on February 28, 2015 sentenced five Muslim Brotherhood leaders--supreme guide Mohammed Badie, his deputy Khairat al-Shater, former lawmaker Mohammad el-Beltagy, party head Saad el-Katatni and his deputy Essam el-Erian-- to life imprisonment on charges of orchestrating violence at their headquarters in 2013. Nine others also received life in prison. Four others in this case received death penalty by the same court on February 28, 2015. The supreme guide of Muslim Brotherhood, Badie, had already received death penalty in a separate case.
Egyptian Court Labels Hamas a Terrorist Organization
An Egyptian court on February 28, 2015 ruled that Hamas was a terrorist organization, leading to the possible rupture in relations between the rulers of Gaza and Egypt on the political level and likely end of Egyptian role as a primary mediator in Palestinian-Israeli talks on the diplomatic level. The same court earlier labeled the military wing of Hamas, Izzidin al-Qassam Brigade, a terrorist organization.
Egypt Gets Pledge of $12 billion in Aid at a Conference
A three-day conference (March 13-15, 2015) aimed at burnishing the investment, social, political and tourism credentials began with a big bang on March 13, 2015 at the Sinai resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, with some 1,500 delegates from more than 50 nations attending it. Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi used the conference to drive home his oft-repeated points that his government was on the forefront of a battle against a deadly Islamic terrorism, and portrayed the struggle crucial to regional stability. The U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry gave an impassioned speech on March 13, 2015, defending the Egyptian government. Egypt received the pledge of a hopping $12 billion in aid at the conference, mostly from Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and UAE. The latest pledge from Gulf nations continued the streak of a total of $30 billion they had already committed to Egypt.
Activist's Slenderness Blamed for Her Death
January 24, 2015, death of Shaimaa el-Sabagh after being hit by birdshot by security forces was the fallout of her having a slender body, according to the Medical Forensic Authority spokesman Hisham Abdel Hamid, who said during a TV interview on March 22, 2015.
Doctor Who Blames Protester's Slenderness for Her Death Fired
Two days after a doctor, Hisham Abdel Hamid, who as a spokesman of the Medical Forensic Authority, went on TV to say that the January 24, 2015, death of a female activist, Shaimaa el-Sabagh, was caused by her lean physique, was on March 24, 2015 fired from his job at the forensic authority for his insensitive comments.
US Lifts Arms Freeze against Egypt
Obama administration on March 31, 2015 lifted a freeze on $1.3 billion in defense aid to Egypt that was imposed after the military had ousted the country's first democratically elected President in the summer of 2013. Lifting of the arms freeze will pave the way for shipment of F-16 warplanes, Harpoon missiles and M1A1 tank kits. Obama called Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on March 31, 2015 to inform his administration's decision.
Two Separate Attacks in Sinai Roils Egypt
Two separate attacks on two Sinai checkpoints orchestrated by ISIL-affiliated Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, or Champions of Jerusalem on April 2, 2015 killed at least 13 soldiers. At least 15 suicide attackers, who carried out the attacks using car bombs and assault weapons, were also killed.
Charges against Mubarak Re-instated
Egypt's top appeals court on June 4, 2015 reinstated the charges against Mubarak that he didn't do enough to prevent the security forces' excesses during Arab Spring leading to deaths of dozens of protesters. The new ruling that has come six months after a lower court tossed out the charges will set a new trial to begin on November 5, 2015.
Egypt's Top Prosecutor Assassinated
Egypt's top prosecutor, Hisham Barakat, was killed on June 29, 2015 as, on his way to office in the morning, he got in the car that started off the driveway at his Cairo home and, suddenly, a remote-controlled bomb blew up the vehicle.
El-Sissi Pledges to Crack Down Brotherhood and Militants
In response to the assassination of Egypt's top prosecutor, Hisham Barakat, a day earlier using a remote controlled bomb, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on June 30, 2015 pledged to bring the killers to justice and hinted a stronger crackdown against Muslim Brotherhood.
Islamic Militants Wreak Havoc in Sinai, Security Forces Kill 9 at Cairo
Islamic State-allied militants on July 1, 2015 mounted a series of ferocious attacks at Sheikh Zuweid, a town of 60,000 people in Sinai Peninsula, briefly seizing several checkpoints and town center. Initially the surprise multi-front attacks overwhelmed the Egyptian security forces, but within hours a determined pushback by the military helped liberate the town from the clutch of insurgents. By the end of the day, at least 100 militants and 17 soldiers were killed.
In a separate incident, Egypt's special security forces on July 1, 2015 raided a hideout in Cairo, and killed nine Muslim Brotherhood fugitives. Later Brotherhood supporters and leaders called for open rebellion against the Egyptian regime, labeling the death of 9 of their brethren as nothing less than cold blooded murders.
Egyptian Military Bombs Militant Targets in Sinai Peninsula
Responding to an audacious series of attacks mounted by Islamic insurgents allied to ISIL a day earlier, Egyptian warplanes ran sorties on July 2, 2015 and bombed militant targets south of border town of Rafah. At least 23 militants were killed. Military also began neighborhood-to-neighborhood searches in the town that ISIL-allied militants tried to seize a day earlier, Sheikh Zuweid.
Egypt's President: Militants Tried to Set up an Islamic State in Sinai
Addressing the ferocious and fearsome attack on July 1, 2015 at the Sinai town of Sheikh Zuweid that had killed 17 soldiers and more than 100 militants in the hours-long clash, Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on July 4, 2015 said that the Islamic State-allied militants that day tried to establish a separate Islamic-dominated state in Sinai Peninsula.
Explosion Targets Italian Consulate in Cairo
A statement attributed to the Islamic State in Egypt on July 11, 2015 claimed the responsibility for a massive explosion early in the morning that brought down a large part of outer walls of the Italian Consulate at Cairo. One Egyptian passer-by was killed. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi later in the day spoke with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, and issued a press statement reiterating the commitment for joint effort to "fight against terrorism".
U.S. to Resume Joint Military Exercise with Egypt
Coming to the terms of ground reality of neutering the influence of ISIL on one hand and bringing much-needed stability to the region on the other, Obama administration is working toward resuming the Bright Star, the U.S.-Egyptian joint military exercise, suspended since August 2013 in the aftermath of the overthrow of the first democratically elected president of Egypt, according to the visiting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. Kerry also reiterated to reporters at Cairo on August 2, 2015 that Egypt won't be able to defeat extremism without respecting human and democratic rights of the people.
Egypt to Burnish its Image on Suez Canal Extension
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi is all set to take advantage of the August 6, 2015, unveiling of $8.5 billion Suez Canal extension to showcase the re-emergence of his country as regional behemoth and economic powerhouse. In the run-up to August 6, 2015, official unveiling, the government-controlled media is making non-stop drumbeats of the event to stoke up national pride and bill it the third most historic event in the 120-mile-long canal's life after (a) 1869 inauguration of the canal that created a shipping link between Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea and (b) 1956 nationalization of the canal, until then run by French- and British-run authorities, by the then-President Gamal Abdel-Nasser. This time all of $8.5 billion was provided by the Egyptian taxpayers. The extension involved digging and dredging 45-mile of the 120-mile waterway to make room for two-way movement in the middle.
Egypt Boasts of Suez Canal Extension
In presence of a phalanx of international leaders, including French President Francois Hollande, Jordanian King Abdullah and Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on August 6, 2015 unveiled the $8.5 billion extension of the Suez Canal. The event took place in the midst of an air filled with pomp and prestige at the canal city of Ismailia.
Judge Sentences Three Journalists to Jail
To the surprise of many who had thought that the case was over, an Egyptian judge, Judge Hassan Farid, on August 29, 2015 sentenced three al-Jazeera journalists to three-year prison terms. Australian Peter Greste was released from jail on February 1, 2015, and deported to Australia immediately. Baher Mohamed is in Egypt albeit out of prison. Greste was deported under presidential decree that made foreigners convicted of crime forced to leave. After Judge Hassan's verdict was handed down, Peter Greste on August 30, 2015 called the Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to issue pardon to him and two of his colleagues.
************* EGYPTIAN PARLIAMENTARY AND REGIONAL POLLS ***************
Egypt Announces Poll Schedules
Egyptian government on August 30, 2015 announced that parliamentary and gubernatorial polls would be held in October and November. Half of the 27 states will go to polls during October 18-19, 2015, and the rest during November 22-23, 2015.
Egyptian Cabinet Resigns
Just weeks before parliamentary polls, the cabinet of Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb resigned on September 12, 2105 after corruption charges had bedeviled the government and just five days after September 7, 2015, arrest of the country's agricultural minister, Salah Helal, in connection with a corruption investigation. President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi asked the Petroleum Minister Sherif Ismail of the outgoing cabinet to form an interim government within a week.
14 Egyptian Provinces Go to Polls
Voter apathy, high security measures and boycott by a number of political parties marked a low voter turnout in the first phase of the Egyptian parliamentary polls on October 18, 2015 and October 19, 2015. Voters from 14 provinces cast their ballots in the parliamentary polls.
Egypt's Second Round of Polls Show Little Enthusiasm among Voters
The first day of two-day second round of national elections went off smoothly on November 22, 2015, with Egyptians by and large staying away from the polling process. Most the booths looked empty, and there was no palpable sign of voter enthusiasm. 596-member Egyptian parliament will sit in next month, and is definitely going to be tilted toward President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi.
New Parliament Convened
Elected members of the 596-seat Egyptian parliament convened on January 10, 2016 for the first time in three years, and members took oath of office under the new constitution adopted in 2014. The first order of the tasks, will be to ratify some 300 decrees issued by former President Adly Mansour and his successor, current President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi.
************* EGYPTIAN PARLIAMENTARY AND REGIONAL POLLS ***************
Mexican Tourists Killed in Accidental Fire
Egyptian security forces carried out an accidental airstrike on a four-SUV convoy on September 13, 2015, killing 12 people, including eight Mexican tourists. The convoy was passing through the White Desert, and about 230 miles south of Cairo near Bahariya Oasis. Egyptian authorities said that the convoy was in a restricted area. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto tweeted later in the day demanding for a thorough probe into the "tragedy".
Egypt Imposes a Blanket Ban on Press Coverage of the Accident
Hours after Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met with his Mexican counterpart Claudia Ruiz Massieu at Cairo and promised a thorough, transparent and truthful investigation into September 13, 2015, accidental airstrike that had killed eight Mexican tourists, country's chief prosecutor on September 16, 2015 banned news coverage of the incident.
Egypt's President Pardons Two Al-Jazeera Journalists
On the eve of his address at the U.N. General Assembly, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on September 23, 2015 issued official pardon to hundreds, including two journalists--Canadian-Egyptian journalist Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohammed---tied to English language service of Al Jazeera. Most of the pardoned prisoners are leftists and secularists nabbed during anti-government protest in recent months. Fahmy was dropped off at a Cairo suburb by authorities after the pardon was announced.
Egypt to Buy Two French Warships Originally Built for Russia
After scrapping the deal to hand over the delivery of two French aircraft carriers over the Ukrainian crisis and reimbursing Moscow $1 billion, France announced on September 23, 2015 that Egypt had agreed to buy those two ships. Egypt has become one of the top arms customers from France in recent years, including this year's purchase of 24 advanced fighter jets worth $6 billion.
*********************** RUSSIAN PLANE CRASH IN EGYPT ******************
Russian Plane Crash Suspected to be an Act of Terrorism
A Russian plane carrying 224 passengers and crew members crashed minutes after its take-off from Sharm el-Sheikh in Sinai Peninsula on October 31, 2015. The Metrojet Airbus A321-200 was bound for St. Petersburg, and full of Russian tourists. In the aftermath of the crash, there was strong speculation that the plane was blown up midair by a bomb. Within 24 hours of the crash, Emirates, Lufthansa and Air France suspended their service to Sinai Peninsula. Hours after the crash, ISIL-affiliated Sinai Province claimed responsibility for blowing up the Metrojet flight.
Egyptian Leader Dismisses ISIL Claim
Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi on November 3, 2015 dismissed the claim of Sinai Province during an interview with BBC. Meanwhile, five nations are helping in the investigation into the crash, including disseminating information from the plane's Black Box.
British Foreign Minister Says that the Plane Crash May be due to a Bomb Explosion
Raising the possibility that a bomb planted in the Metrojet Airbus 321-200 downed the ill-fated flight, British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond said on November 4, 2015 that there was a strong likelihood that a bomb might be the reason for the crash.
Britain to Arrange Special Flights to Bring Back Tourists; Russia, Egypt Play down Bomb Theory
A day after British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond floated the idea of a bomb that might have brought down a Russian plane in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, British Prime Minister David Cameron on November 5, 2015 echoed Hammond in explaining the likely reason for the October 31, 2015, crash of a Russian jetliner minutes after take-off from Sharm el-Sheikh. Meanwhile, British government announced plan during the day to resume one-way flights effective November 6, 2015 from Sharm el-Sheikh to bring back thousands of British tourists stuck in Sinai Peninsula. However, the commercial flights to Sinai will remain suspended. Meanwhile, both Moscow and Cairo on November 5, 2015 remained in denial mode on linking a planted bomb to October 31, 2015, crash.
Russia Suspends Flights to Sinai
Despite denying that a bomb might have downed the Russian Metrojet Airbus A321-200 over Sinai Peninsula on October 31, 2015, Russia's federal agency on November 6, 2015 suspended all commercial flights to Sinai with immediate effect, deepening the fear that terrorism was behind the crash as suspected by Britain and the USA.
Flight Suspension to Last for Several Months
Strengthening the doubt that in fact a bomb might have brought down a Russian Metrojet from the sky of Sinai Peninsula, Russian President Vladimir Putin's Chief of Staff Sergei Ivanov said on November 10, 2015 that the suspension of flights to Sinai Peninsula announced four days ago would likely to stay in place for several more months.
ISIL Shows the Photo of a Bomb that Downs the Russian Jet, Bodies of Two Prisoners
On November 18, 2015, ISIL in its online magazine displayed the photo of a bomb that might have downed the ill-fated Russian Metrojet Airbus A321-200 over Sinai Peninsula on October 31, 2015. Also, in a separate announcement, ISIL showed the bodies of two of its captives, 48-year-old Ole Johan Grimsgaard-Ofstad of Oslo and a Chinese freelance consultant, Fan Jinghui, 50.
Russia to Resume Flight to Cairo
After it severed aviation with Cairo two years ago in the aftermath of October 31, 2015, blowing of a Russian Metrojet Airbus A321-200 over Sinai Peninsula, Russian and Egyptian transportation ministers signed an agreement on December 15, 2017 at Cairo to resume direct Russian flights between Moscow and Cairo. The agreement, signed by Russian Transportation Minister Maxim Sokolov and his Egyptian counterpart, Sherif Fathi, laid out the safety protocol and mechanism to ensure aviation security as the Russian flights would resume in February 2018.
*********************** RUSSIAN PLANE CRASH IN EGYPT ******************
Egypt Detains a Respected Investigative Journalist
Egypt's military intelligence on November 8, 2015 detained a world-renowned investigative journalist, Hossam Bahgat, 36, who in 2002 founded a venerable human rights organization, Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights.
ISIL Affiliate Attacks Hotel Housing Election Monitors
ISIL affiliate in Sinai, Sinai Province, on November 24, 2015 claimed responsibility for launching attack on the Swiss Inn Resort in El Arish hours earlier with a explosive-ridden car bomb and a follow-up shooting spree by a gunman that had killed at least 7 people, including a judge who was among a group government officials staying at the hotel to monitor Egypt's second round of parliamentary and regional elections.
Coptic Leader Sets Foot in Israel in a Precedent-setting Visit
Pope Tawadros II of Egypt's Coptic Church on November 28, 2015 set feet on Israel to attend the funeral of Coptic Archbishop Abraham of Jerusalem despite a ban on Coptic travel to Israel as imposed by Tawadros' predecessor, Pope Shenouda III. Clarifying his visit, Pope Tawadros II said that he was visiting in his personal capacity to "bid farewell to an important person", not in his official capacity.
El Sissi Lauds Arab Spring Uprising in Egypt
On the eve of fifth anniversary of the 18-day uprising (January 25-February 11, 2011) that had ousted former dictator Hosni Mubarak, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on January 24, 2016 paid rich tribute to the uprising five years ago, and called the uprising based on "noble principles". El-Sissi also noted that the June 30 Revolution, a reference to massive demonstration on June 30, 2013 that had backed the then-military chief el-Sissi to overthrow a democratically elected, though unpopular, president, Mohammed Morsi, had corrected the subsequent course that had arisen out of 2011 uprising.
Low Turnout to Mark Fifth Anniversary
Heavy security presence at key areas in Cairo and other major cities with significantly lower turnout compared to preceding years were the hallmark on January 25, 2016 to mark the fifth anniversary of the Arab Spring in Egypt (January 25-February 11, 2011).
Body of Missing Italian Student Found
An Italian student, Giulio Regeni, 28, pursuing his doctorate degree at Cambridge University who went to Egypt to research on the country's labor right disappeared on January 25, 2016, the fifth anniversary of the Arab Spring in Egypt. Regeni's body that bore the marks of torture was found on February 3, 2016 on the outskirt of Cairo. Italian government on February 4, 2016 summoned Egypt's ambassador to Italy, and demanded an impartial and thorough investigation into Giulio Regeni's death with participation by Italian law enforcement agencies. The Italian media called Regeni's death a murder, and speculated Egyptian security as perpetrator. The Il Sole 24 Ore newspaper was very categorical on "strong suspicion" that the Italian doctorate student had been killed "by the system, by the security apparatus".
Egypt Implicates Muslim Brotherhood in Top Prosecutor's Assassination
After months of investigation, Egyptian government on March 6, 2016 said that the June 29, 2015, assassination of Egypt's top prosecutor Hisham Barakat had been carried out by Muslim Brotherhood in connivance with Hamas, ruler of Gaza Strip. The assassins were trained in Gaza, according to Egypt's Interior Minister Magdy Abdel-Ghaffar. 14 people were so far taken to custody related to assassination of Hisham Barakat, the first such high-profile official's assassination in the past 25 years. Egypt's Interior Minister Magdy Abdel-Ghaffar also said that a former Mohammad Morsi-era Health Ministry official, Yahia Moussa, had planned Barakat's assassination from Turkey, where he and other Muslim Brotherhood officials had fled after the ouster of former President Mohammad Morsi.
13 Egyptian Police Officers Killed
An Islamic State-affiliated group, Sinai Province, on March 19, 2016 claimed to have carried out an attack on a security checkpoint south of el-Arish, provincial capital of Sinai, earlier in the day, killing at least 13 Egyptian police personnel.
The death toll was later raised to 15.
Crackdown Kills 60 Militants
A week after an Islamic State-affiliated group, Sinai Province, attacked a checkpoint south of el-Arish, provincial capital of Sinai, killing 15 police personnel, Egyptian military said on March 25, 2016 that it had carried out security raids, killing at least 60 militants.
Attack Kills 8 Police Personnel
In a predawn raid on a police convoy on May 8, 2016, gunmen killed eight police personnel at Cairo, an attack later in the day was claimed by ISIL.
51 Protesters Receive 2-Year Term
An Egyptian court on May 14, 2016 handed down a 2-year imprisonment to each of 51 demonstrators who had participated in an April 25, 2016, protest against the transfer of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia.
*************** EGYPTIAN PLANE CRASH INTO MEDITERRANEAN ***************
Egyptian Plane from Paris to Cairo Disappears
Under mysterious circumstances, an EgyptAir flight, Flight 804, from Paris to Cairo lost contact around 2:50AM local time on May 19, 2016 right after entering into Egyptian airspace, and appeared to have crashed into choppy waters of Mediterranean Sea. The Airbus A320 was flying at 38,000-foot-altitude as it entered into the Egyptian airspace over Mediterranean when it made a sudden 90-degree left turn, followed by another 360-turn before dropping to about 15,000 feet, according to Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos. The plane, which was carrying 56 passengers and 10 crew members, then dropped to 10,000 feet above ground and lost contact with controllers. As the day light broke, Greek and Egyptian ships scoured Mediterranean for traces of missing planes. Meanwhile, U.S., France and Britain are all reported to be joining the search effort. At the Cairo airport, it was a scene of anguish, frustration and patience with distraught family members trying to reach appropriate authorities to know information about the ill-fated flight.
Body Remains, Luggage, Plane Seats Found in Sea
Searchers from a multinational team on May 20, 2016 found floating debris such as plane seats and luggage as well as passenger bodies from the ill-fated EgyptAir Flight 804 that had crashed into Mediterranean Sea a day ago with 66 people on board. Meanwhile, investigators pored over the passenger list and interviewed the ground crews during the day.
Smoke in Cabin Reported
French investigators on May 21, 2016 divulged new details on the disappearance of EgyptAir Flight 804 as they reported that there were indication of smoke inside the cabin before the Airbus A320 lost contact with controllers. However, the officials from France's Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis said that it was premature to conclude what had caused the smoke in cabin.
Theory of Blast Floated, then Rejected
As ships and planes from the U.S., Greece, France and Egypt were scouring the Mediterranean in the north of Alexandria, Egypt, more body parts, luggage and aircraft remains began to float in and were recovered by the search crew. A member of the Egyptian forensic team anonymously said that the remains found so far had strongly linked to an explosion in the flight, a theory within hours repudiated by the head of Egyptian forensic team, Hisham Abdel-Hamid on May 24, 2016.
Egypt Finds Plane Debris
Egyptian authorities said on June 15, 2016 that they had found the debris of EgyptAir Flight 804 in the Mediterranean Sea.
Plane's Black Box Component Found
Egyptian authorities on June 16, 2016 reported to have recovered the cockpit voice recorder from the seabed of Mediterranean. A second black box, flight data recorder, of the ill-fated Flight 804 is still being sought.
Second Black Box Retrieved
The flight data recorder of the EgyptAir Flight 804 was retrieved from the seabed on June 17, 2016 and was sent, like the cockpit voice recorder, to an aviation lab in Cairo. Apparently, both the black boxes were reported to have suffered significant damage.
CVR messages Downloaded
French technicians reported on July 2, 2016 that they were able to successfully download the messages from the cockpit voice recorder of the ill-fated EgyptAir Flight 804.
*************** EGYPTIAN PLANE CRASH INTO MEDITERRANEAN ***************
Egyptian Court Rules against the Island Transfer
An Egyptian court on June 21, 2016 issued a ruling against a recent move by Egyptian government to transfer the control of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia. Egyptian government of President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, which had received significant amount of aid and investment after the overthrow of Mohammed Morsi, contended that the islands belonged to Saudis and they were put under the Egyptian control in 1950 for protection from Israel.
Egypt's Internal Human Rights Arm Critical of Detention Practices
Adding pressure on President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi to improve the human rights record and democratic rights in the country, Egypt's own human rights organization, National Council for Human Rights, on July 3, 2016 joined the chorus with other international bodies on the poor state of rights in the country's prison system. The head of the council, Mohammed Fayek, said that his group had received several dozens of complaints of abuse and torture in detention.
Egypt Seeks Nearly $19 billion in Aid
An IMF delegation held talks with Egyptian officials on July 30, 2016 on Cairo's request for $12 billion loan from the monetary fund. Egypt is also seeking an additional $7 billion from other sources to tackle its economic problems.
ISIL Head of Sinai Killed
Egyptian authorities on August 4, 2016 announced that ISIL head of Sinai Peninsula, Abu Doaa al-Ansari, and at least 45 other militants had been killed in a security operation south of coastal city of el-Arish.
Rights Lawyer Detained without Charges Ordered to be Released
A human rights lawyer, Malek Adly, who had invited ire of Egyptian government after giving a TV interview in April 2016 opposing the transfer of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, was ordered to be released by an Egyptian court on August 27, 2016. Adly was jailed in a solitary confinement under a rolling series of administrative detention.
Rights Lawyer Released
A day after an Egyptian court ordered for his release, the human rights lawyer Malek Adly was released on August 28, 2016 after more than hundred days of solitary confinement.
Egypt Floats its Currency as a Condition to Seek $12 billion in IMF Loan
Given the deteriorating economic situation and the reluctance by the rich Persian Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, to offer additional help to Cairo, Egyptian government might have run out of all options, leading it to knocking the door of International Monetary Fund. As part of the $12 billion in IMF loan, Egypt was given a choice: float its currency. Egypt's central bank on November 3, 2016 announced that it would float the country's currency, but prior to floating, devalued the currency by almost 50 percent, a high-risk strategy that might push the nation further in economic precipice.
IMF Approves $12 billion in Aid
International Monetary Fund on November 11, 2016 okayed disbursement of $12 billion in aid to help rescue Egypt from a severe economic crisis. The decision of the IMF aid package came after Cairo had floated its currency and reduced the fuel subsidies.
Egypt-Saudi Rift Widening
After last month's support of a U.N. Security Council resolution that was opposed by Saudi Arabia, Cairo faced bitter taste of economic backlash as Riyadh suspended its fuel shipment to Egypt. Undeterred by Saudi action, Egypt played its own cards by allying with Russia-Iran-Assad axis. On November 23, 2016, Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi strongly backed Syrian leader Bashar Assad in a move that would surely sour the once-bonhomie between Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Bomb Kills Six Police Personnel
A bomb near a police checkpoint at Talbiya neighborhood of Cairo's twin city of Giza on December 9, 2016 killed six police personnel and injured three others. The day's explosion targeting the police came almost seven months after the May 8, 2016, attack on a bus carrying plainclothes police personnel in Giza's Helwan suburb that had killed eight. The December 9, 2016, bomb explosion near a mosque was claimed by the militant group Hasm, or Decisiveness.
25 Killed in Church Blast
An explosion at a chapel, part of Cairo's St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, reserved for women and children killed at least 25 and wounded 49 on December 11, 2016. President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi announced a three-day national mourning.
Mubarak Cleared of Charges
To the sadness, but not to the surprise, of the broader Egyptian civil society and rights group, country's top appeals court on March 2, 2017 cleared former dictator Hosni Mubarak of charges of murder and massacre of protesters during the 18-day February 2011 uprising that had toppled Mubarak and brought the first democratically elected president Mohammed Morsi to power. It's now a matter of days when Mubarak will be freed from the military hospital at Cairo, Maadi Military Hospital, to be taken to his home.
Mubarak Released from Prison
Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was released from jail on March 24, 2017, and he was taken to his mansion in Cairo suburb of Heliopolis. Mubarak was indicted in the killing of 239 demonstrators in 2011 uprising in Cairo's Tahrir Square and siphoning off money from state coffers, but Mubarak and his sons were later cleared. But one charge stuck: they had used millions of dollars from state exchequer to refurbish their Cairo suburban mansion and offices, but they had already served 3 years handed down to them.
Bloody Palm Sunday: Coptic Christians Attacked
As tens of thousands of Coptic Christians were getting ready for celebrating one of the Christianity's holiest days, twin blasts left Egypt's two historic churches shattered, left dozens dead and wounded hundreds more on April 9, 2017. First, it was St. George's Church in Tanta, 80 miles north of Cairo when an explosion in the midst of a morning mass killed at least 27 parishioners. A few hours later, a second explosion rocked a prominent church, St. Mark's Cathedral, in Alexandria as a bomb blew up at its entrance. The explosion in Alexandria killed at least 17. The twin bombings on April 9, 2017 wounded more than 100 people, many of them critically. Responding to the April 9, 2017, twin blasts, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi declared a three-month state of emergency across the nation. U.S. President Donald Trump and Pope Francis expressed condolences over the heinous terrorist acts. Meanwhile, Islamic State claimed responsibility for April 9, 2017, Palm Sunday twin bombings in Egypt.
Coptic Christians Bury their Dead, Israel Closes the Borders
A day after one of the worst attacks on the country's Coptic Christians, Egypt on April 10, 2017 tried to return to an air of sensibility as Coptic community buried their dead. During the day, Israel closed the Taba border crossing with Egypt as it had intelligence information of an imminent attack there.
Egyptian-American Aid Worker Released
An Egyptian-American aid worker who had languished almost three years in Egyptian jail without trial was ordered released by a Cairo court on April 16, 2017. The case of Aya Hijazi, a dual citizen, was championed by prominent U.S. politicians, including the 2016 Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton. Ms. Hijazi and her Egyptian husband, Mohammed Hassanein, founded the Belady Foundation to provide services like health care, education and food to Cairo's street children. In May 2014, Aya Hijazi, Mohammed Hassanein, and six others were arrested on charges of child trafficking, kidnapping, child endangerment and exploitation among others. On April 15, 2017, Cairo Criminal Court dropped all charges against all the defendants and ordered them released. On April 16, 2017, Judge Mohamed el-Feqqi, formally read the verdict, and the courtroom erupted in cheers.
Pope's Visit to Arab World's Most Populous Nation Provides Key Support to El-Sissi
Pope Francis became only the second Pope--Pope St. John Paul II visited Egypt in 2000--to visit Egypt as the Holy Father had embarked upon one of the most politically rife trip to Egypt on April 28, 2017. On April 28, 2017, Pope Francis strongly backed the government of President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi in its fight against Islamic extremism. On April 29, 2017, Pope wrapped up his two-day visit by addressing a mammoth crowd at the Air Defense Stadium.
Egypt, Saudi Arabia to Strengthen Ties
Despite some hiccup over Yemen and Syria, Egypt and Saudi Arabia took some concrete steps in recent months to improve their bilateral relations, especially over counterterrorism efforts. At a press brief on June 4, 2017 at Cairo, both nations' foreign ministers--Adel al-Jubeir of Saudi Arabia and Sameh Shoukry of Egypt--expressed satisfaction over their new-found bonhomie and vowed to improve upon it.
23 Soldiers Killed in Sinai Attack
In the deadliest attack in almost two years, a suicide car bomber rammed explosives-filled vehicle into a remote outpost in Sinai Peninsula and masked gunmen then followed up with machine gun fires on July 7, 2017, killing 23 Egyptian soldiers. Islamic State claimed the responsibility for the gruesome attack on the Egyptian military.
Kushner Meets with Egyptian President a Day After U.S. Cuts Military Aid over Rights Abuse
On August 22, 2017, Trump administration cut off $100 million in economic and military aid and an additional $200 million in military financing to Egypt over deteriorating human rights in the country. The August 22, 2017, decision was a surprise to many as the relations between the two allies grew warmer under the Trump administration. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry issued a statement, calling the decision a "misjudgment of the nature of strategic relations that have bound the two countries for decades".
On August 23, 2017, White House adviser for Middle-East Jared Kushner met with Egyptian President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. The U.S. delegation also included Jason Greenblatt, the U.S. envoy for international negotiation, and Dina Powell, the deputy National Security Adviser.
235 Killed in Attack on a Sufi Mosque
In one of the worst attacks on religious institutions, curtains of death fell allover on November 24, 2017 at a Sufi mosque in the northern Sinai town of Bir al-Abd, killing at least 235 people and wounding more than 109. A bomb was detonated inside the mosque, teeming with Friday congregants, followed by armed mercenaries opening fire on fearful civilians who began to run helter-skelter. The militants then tried to flee the scene in vehicle, but Egyptian military carried out several airstrikes. Although no group took responsibility for the November 24, 2017, attack, suspicion immediately fell on Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, a Sinai-based Islamic militant group that had pledged to ISIL in 2014. Hours after the attack, Egyptian President Abdel-Fatah e-Sissi convened an emergency cabinet meeting, and vowed in a televised address that "the military and police will take the revenge". U.S. President Donald Trump muddied his message by rationalizing why he wanted to build a wall as a way to prevent this type of "horrible and cowardly" attack.
Death Toll Mounts
As Egyptians were slowly coming to the grips a day after the worst single deadliest attack in years, the death toll in the massacre of a Sufi mosque at Bir al-Abd in northern Sinai Peninsula increased on November 25, 2017 to 305, including at least 27 children.
Egypt Hangs 15 Islamists
On December 26, 2017, Egypt executed one of the largest number of people in recent memory by hanging 15 people convicted last month of attacking on a checkpoint in 2013 in Sinai Peninsula in the early days of an Islamist uprising to protest the ouster of democratically elected President Mohammed Morsi that took lives of one military officer and eight other soldiers. Egypt in 2015 hanged six Jihadis, largest such execution before December 26, 2017, mass execution.
At Least Nine People Killed in Church Shooting
A lone gunman calmly opened fire outside a Coptic church, Mar Mina Church, and an adjacent Coptic gift store on December 29, 2017, killing at least nine people and wounding dozens. The shooting took place amid heightened security on the eve of New Year and the Coptic Christmas on January 7, 2018.
Egypt Executes Four Militants; State of Emergency Extended
A week after the largest number of executions on a single day in recent history, Egypt on January 2, 2018 executed four militants convicted of killing three military academy students in 2015 in the Nile Delta city of Kafr el-Sheikh. Meanwhile, Egyptian President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi issued a decree during the day to extend the state of emergency, initially declared after the April 2017 attack on Coptic Christians, by another three months.
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Top Opposition Contender Arrested
A top opposition candidate in the upcoming presidential polls in which President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi is all but assured to be elected has been arrested by security forces on January 23, 2018. Lt. Gen. Sami Anan was taken by Egyptian security forces near his Cairo home. He was detained, according to statement issued during the day by the country's military, on charges of not taking appropriate "approval from the armed forces" before deciding to run in the presidential election as well as "forging documents".
Last of Rivals Quits Race
A day after former army chief, Sami Anan, was arrested, the last rival to President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi in the March 26-28, 2018, presidential polls quit the race on January 24, 2018, alleging that it was very hard to run a fair election campaign amid aides and associates of the noted human rights lawyer Khaled Ali had been arrested and hurdles had been placed at every turn of the campaign. With Khaled Ali's exit from the race that mirrors the footsteps of early quitters such as former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq, Mohamad Anwar Sadat, nephew of former President Anwar Sadat, and Lt. Gen. Sami Anan, the question is now how to motivate voters to turn out in a respectable numbers.
Early Voting Begins with President el-Sissi all but 100 percent Assured of Victory
Early voting in Egyptian presidential polls began on March 26, 2018 as President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi assured to be re-elected with overwhelming margin after most of the prominent opposition candidates had either been jailed or dropped out of the race. Only candidate who remained in the fray is Moussa Mustafa Moussa who has virtually no chance put up even a semblance of electoral competition, leave alone victory.
El-Sissi Surprises None by Winning Big
Early results released on March 29, 2018 indicated that President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi had been headed to a landslide by winning nearly 92 percent of the votes, with the nearest challenger Moussa Mustafa Moussa garnering a meager 3 percent. About 40 percent of the Egyptian voters cast their ballots, down by 7 percent compared to 2014.
El-Sissi Re-elected
Egypt's election commission on April 2, 2018 announced President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi the victor of March 26-28, 2018, presidential election, with more than 97 percent votes tallied and the panel officially releasing the turnout to be 41.05 percent. In separate calls, leaders of Egypt's two patrons, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, congratulated el-Sissi during the day.
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Egypt Launches Series of Strikes in Northern Sinai
As the nation had yet to come to the full grip of November 24, 2017, attack on a Sufi mosque in the northern Sinai town of Bir al-Abd that had killed at least 311 people and wounded hundreds more, President Abdul-Fatah El-Sissi on February 10, 2018 ordered aerial attack against extremist targets in Northern Sinai, thus fulfilling his three-month timeline he had issued in the aftermath of November 24, 2017, attack that he would begin flushing out terrorists.
Egyptian Court Finalizes Death Sentences for 10
After due consultation with the country's head mufti, an Egyptian court on March 10, 2018 upheld the preliminary rulings against 15 who had been tied to now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood and formed a clandestine "terror cell". 10 of the defendants were sentenced to death while the remaining five received life imprisonment.
U.N. Condemns Mass Trial, Dozens of Death Sentences
Reacting to September 8, 2018, verdict by an Egyptian court that was holding a mass trial of 739 defendants on various degrees of charges stemming from 2013 sit-ins in the aftermath of then-President Mohammad Morsi being deposed to hand out death sentences to 75 and life terms to 47 more, U.N. Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet on September 9, 2018 issued a statement, calling it "an irreversible miscarriage of justice".
ISIL-affiliate Attacks Christians Pilgrims, Kills 7
A convoy of three buses en route a remote desert monastery, St. Samuel the Confessor Monastery, south of Cairo came under volley of fire on November 2, 2018, killing seven people, including a 15-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl. The Egyptian franchise of ISIL claimed later in the day that ambush had been carried out as a revenge of continued detention of "our chaste sisters", not specifying which women were being detained. Egyptian President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi, who is to showcase a resurgent Egypt at the World Youth Forum scheduled to open on November 3, 2018 at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, has received a political black eye and called on November 2, 2018 the Orthodox Church Pope Tawadros II to offer his condolence.
19 Militants Tied to Ambush of Christians Killed
Egyptian military announced on November 4, 2018 that it had tracked, isolated and killed 19 militants in the mountainous desert west of St. Samuel the Confessor Monastery two days after the militants, allied with ISIL-affiliate, had ambushed a convoy of three buses carrying Coptic Christians to the desert monastery south of Cairo, killing seven.
Vietnamese Tourists Targeted in Bomb Attack
A bus full of Vietnamese tourists came under attack on December 28, 2018 in Mariotiyah area near Giza pyramid as a crude roadside bomb exploded, killing at least 4 people, including three Vietnamese tourists, and wounding 10. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said that the bus had left its designated area without notifying authorities.
Raids Kill 40 Militants
A day after an improvised bomb killed three Vietnamese tourists and their Egyptian guide near Giza Pyramid, Egyptian military carried out separate raids in areas near Giza and el-Arish in the Northern Sinai Peninsula on December 29, 2018. The Giza raid killed at least 30 militants and Sinai raid another 10. Although the authorities were mum over whether any of the 40 killed were behind the December 28, 2018, bomb attack on the Vietnamese tour bus, the trigger for the government raid a day after could not be just coincident.
Egyptian President Opens a New Coptic Church, one the Region's Largest Mosques
Egypt's President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi on January 6, 2019 played the role of a unifying leader in a country constantly being afflicted by sectarian and religious violence. Egypt's President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi was on hand beside Coptic Pope Tawadros II in dedicating the sprawling Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ during the inaugural mass. President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi said that "we still have to protect the tree of love", and the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, world's primary seat of learning for Sunni Islam, who was also present, seconded the president's statement. Egypt's President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi also inaugurated one of the largest mosques close to the cathedral in the country's New Administrative Capital, east of Cairo.
Pompeo Rips into Obama's Middle-East Legacy
In an unusually harsh speech, even in the era of a bitter partisan division as it's now, targeting a former president on the foreign soil, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on January 10, 2019 blasted Barack Obama's international policy in general and Middle-East policy in particular. Pompeo called the Obama administration's policy "naïve" and "timid", and held his policy indirectly responsible for the rise of "radical Islam". Mike Pompeo gave the speech, blasting former President Barack Obama's "misguided" policy, at the same place, American University in Cairo, 10 years after President Obama made a historic speech in 2009, extending a message of olive branch and reconciliation with the Muslim world and the region. Meanwhile, the response to Mike Pompeo's speech was swift and strong, with a group of former officials, National Security Action, calling the Pompeo speech as reflection of Trump administration's "pettiness" and "lack of a strategic vision for America's role in the region and its abdication of America's values".
Egyptian Parliament Paves the Way for El-Sissi to Rule Until 2034
Egypt's 596-seat parliament on February 14, 2019 approved a measure, backed by 485 lawmakers, that would be put to nationwide referendum to amend the 2014 constitution that had limited the president to two 4-year terms. Under the measure passed on February 14, 2019, that needs to be passed one final time and most likely to be approved in a nationwide referendum, the presidential term limit will be two six-year terms. President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's current two four-year terms will end in 2022, but under the proposed constitutional amendment he can stay in power through 2034.
Parliament Passes the Final Constitutional Amendment Bill, El-Sissi May Stay until 2030
Egyptian parliament on April 16, 2019 has approved the final version of the constitutional amendment bill by an overwhelming margin that will elongate President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's current tenure from four to six years through 2024 and qualify him to run for another six-year term, thus theoretically allowing him to stay in power through 2030. In addition, president will receive additional enhanced authority to appoint and dismiss judges. The constitutional amendment will be put to a referendum in the coming days.
Three-day Referendum Called
Egypt's electoral commission head, Lasheen Ibrahim, on April 17, 2019 called a three-day (April 20-22, 2019) referendum for the just-approved constitutional amendments that would embolden and extend the presidency of Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi.
Poll on Constitutional Amendments Begins
The three-day (April 20-22, 2019) referendum on constitutional amendments that would expand the power and extend the presidency of Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi significantly began on April 20, 2019 as poll places had been set up across the nation.
Voters Approve Constitutional Amendments
Egyptian voters approved the constitutional amendments with 88.83% favoring them. Egypt's National Election Authority head Lasheen Ibrahim said on April 23, 2019 that the turnout in the April 20-22, 2019 referendum was a meager 44.33%.
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Al-Jazeera Journalist Ordered Released
An Egyptian court on May 23, 2019 ordered an Egyptian journalist, Mahmoud Hussein, working for Doha-based Al-Jazeera freed. Hussein was arrested in December 2016 upon arrival at Cairo international airport after a family vacation on charges of spreading false news and defamation. The case showed the injustice that was enshrined in the country's pre-trial detention, and the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information Executive Director Gamal Eid called the pre-trial detention as "a form of punishment in Egypt" indiscriminately used by the government of President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi.
Al-Jazeera Journalist Freed at Last
Al-Jazeera journalist Mahmoud Hussein, whose legal travail began in December 2016 after he had been detained after his arrival from Doha and continued through ups and downs of prison lives amidst a series of verdicts that apparently made no difference in his release, at last tasted freedom on February 6, 2021 as he was freed a few days after a Cairo judge ordered his release pending investigation.
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Car Bomb Collides, Explosion Kills 20
A car bomb en route its target exploded prematurely after an accident on a Cairo street on August 5, 2019, killing at least 20.
Arab Spring Leader Released from Egyptian Jail
An Egyptian youth leader who had organized the part of the Arab Spring Movement in 2011 against the then-dictator Hosni Mubarak under the banner of April 6 Youth Movement was released from the Egyptian prison on February 7, 2020. In October 2015, Ramy Sayed was convicted of taking part in an unauthorized demonstration, and sentenced to 10-year term. However, Sayed, 31, rose to prominence and there was an international pressure mounting on the government of President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to release him. Eventually Ramy Sayed was released from a prison in Cairo on February 7, 2020.
Mubarak Passes away at 91
Hosni Mubarak, a reported military dictator who made peace with Israel, brought much needed stability to Egypt, crushed Islamic extremism and became an African and Middle East icon during his heydays, but eventually crumbled under a torrent of political tumult in 2011 Arab Spring, passed away at the age of 91 on February 25, 2020.
Seven
Peacekeepers Killed in Helicopter Crash in Sinai
A military
helicopter crashed in the Red Sea close to Sharm el-Sheikh, a Red
Sea resort town in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, on November 12, 2020 during
a routine peacekeeping mission, killing five American troops and one soldier
each from France and the Czech Republic. An eighth soldier, an American, was
rescued and flown to an Israeli hospital. The mission is part of Multinational
Force and Observers, or MFO, mission that has been overseeing the
Israeli-Egypt peace agreement over more than four decades. About 13 nations
contribute soldiers to MFO, but the largest contributor is the U.S. Hours after
the crash, MFO issued a statement and said that the crash was accidental. MFO
remains a successful international endeavor with goals focused on maintaining
peace, keeping a tab on troops levels on both sides of the border and
continuing free navigational access to Strait of Tiran.
30 Political Activists Freed in Egypt
30 Political Activists Freed in Egypt
Days after an international climate conference concluded at the Red
Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh amidst various media reports highlighting the
hunger of a jailed dissident, Alaa Abdel-Fatah, Egyptian government on November
24, 2022 announced the release of 30 political activists who were under
pre-trial detention. Their release may have been influenced by the media
highlight of Alaa Abdel-Fatah that has taken some of the shining light off
the COP-27 conference. The list of the activists freed is not publicly shared
by the government.
Iconic Activist of Arab Spring Freed
The name Ahmed Douma is sketched in every democracy-loving
Egyptian’s mind. Ahmed Douma was at the forefront of the Arab Spring
that had eventually toppled longtime military ruler Hosni Mubarak. He
was sentenced to life in prison for leading a protest movement that had become immortal
with River Nile’s flowing water as the prime witness. Douma’s sentence was
letter reduced to a 15-year term. At last, a presidential pardon released Ahmed
Douma from jail on August 19, 2023.
GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL
Defense Chief assures Allies that US will not Leave Region
On the day crucial talks between Iran and P5+Germany began in Vienna, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel assured his GCC counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and UAE that USA won't leave the region. Hagel addressed a meeting of the six-nation council on May 14, 2014 at Jeddah.
Gulf Summit with Obama Embroiled by Distrust and Absence
A much touted summit involving Gulf heads of state and the US President Barack Obama to showcase the long tradition of a worthy alliance instead is turning out to be a whimper as Saudi Arabia on May 10, 2015 has announced that King Salman will not after all go to Washington to meet the president and instead send Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef to take his place. The official narrative provided by the state-run Saudi Press Agency was that because of a five-fay cease-fire in Yemen that's scheduled to begin on May 12, 2015 the King had to stay back to oversee its implementation and execution. However, many middle-east political analysts believe that it's a snub to President Obama as the Gulf states are increasingly nervous over a potential nuclear agreement between Iran and the west. Meanwhile, two other heads of state--Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said and the Emirati President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan--are also not coming because of their ill health. Beside the contentious potential nuclear deal, Gulf states wanted a far more expansive written deal with Washington that would get USA involved to protect the Gulf states in case of any future external attack. USA has such deals with Japan and South Korea, but President Obama was reluctant to sign such a formal deal with the Gulf States because its approval in Congress was unlikely and the president won't offer anything beyond verbal assurance to protect Gulf states.
USA's Gulf Allies Extend Careful Endorsement to Iran Nuclear Deal
Constrained by lack of alternative options, Gulf Cooperation Council at a meeting in Doha, Qatar, attended by the US Secretary of State John Kerry, on August 3, 2015 issued a statement giving a cautious endorsement to the July 14, 2015, agreement on Iran's nuclear program. The nervousness of the Sunni Gulf monarchies was palpable, with the host and Qatar's Foreign Minister Khalid al-Attiyah summarizing the rationale behind the support as the deal was "the best option among other options".
IRAQ
In worsening sign of more frequent anti-Christian attacks, four explosions rocked the Christian targets in Baghdad on the Christmas Day (December 25, 2013), killing at least 37 people and wounding dozens. The death toll brought the total number of people killed so far this month to 441, and more than 8,000 since the beginning of the year. A car bomb exploded near the St. John Roman Catholic Church in the capital's Dora neighborhood, killing at least 26 people. Three other explosions shook a market in an Assyrian Christian neighborhood, killing 11 people. (Source: The Dallas Morning News).
On December 28, 2013, Iraqi security forces arrested a Sunni lawmaker from Anbar on charges of terrorism, leading to clashes between enraged Sunnis and security forces.
On December 30, 2013, Iraqi security forces moved in and dismantled a Sunni protest camps at Ramadi and Falluja in Anbar province, triggering clashes with tribal militias that had killed at least 17 people. The ongoing violence in Iraq reminisced a bloody sectarian downhill trend that was all too familiar back in 2006 and 2007, and raised renewed consternation in the international community, leading UN representative to Iraq, Nikolay Mladenov, to issue a call on December 30, 2013 to all Iraqi political leaders "to immediately come together to discuss the serious challenges facing the country". (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
UN Mission Chief Nikolay Mladenov on January 1, 2014 called attention of all Iraqis to the grim figures of death toll for the month of December as well as for the rest of the year 2013. According to UN, a total of 759 people were killed in December 2013 alone, with 661 civilians and 98 members of security forces. The yearly figure stood at 8,868, including 7,818 civilians.
Three days after government security forces dismantled protest encampments in volatile Anbar province and two days after December 31, 2013, decision of PM Nouri al-Maliki to withdraw government troops from Anbar as a way to placate Sunni feeling of mistreatment and isolation, al-Qaeda-linked militants took advantage of the security vacuum in the province, and moved in in armed convoy on January 2, 2014 to Fallujah and Ramadi, setting fire to numerous police stations, setting free prisoners from jails and occupying mosques to urge residents to join the anti-government fight. This turn of event, according to many political observers, was an outcome of sectarian character of Syrian civil war that had been spilling over to Lebanon, and now began to leave its imprint inside Iraq. The central government in Baghdad sent in reinforcement to help tribal fighters putting up a fight against the militants. In four days since fighting began on December 30, 2013, at least 108 people were killed, including at least 35 on January 2, fourth day of the fighting. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
In what is being viewed as resurgence of al-Qaeda-linked forces through out the region because of Syrian civil war, the newly merged franchises of al-Qaeda in both Iraq and Syria has been fighting against Damascus and Baghdad under the umbrella of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant with leveraging resources on both sides of the borders and taking advantage of growing alienation of Sunnis in Iraq. The fighting in Anbar that began on December 30, 2013 continued on January 3, 2014 with al-Qaeda-linked fighters seizing most parts of Fallujah by the end of the day. Government forces along with tribal fighters were fighting a stiff war against the rebels. However, government forces still had control over the capital city of Ramadi.
On January 4, 2014, al-Qaeda-linked rebels consolidated their control over Fallujah, pushing government troops and allied tribal fighters to the outskirts. In addition, rebels seized a strategic town, Karma, in the province. Government troops shelled the city of Fallujah from the outskirt, killing 19 people. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
On January 5, 2014, Iraqi government carried out airstrikes in Anbar province to dislodge resurgent al-Qaeda-linked rebel forces that had killed at least 34 people, including 22 military personnel, 10 civilians and an unknown number of civilians. Meanwhile, a series of car bombs rocked Shiite areas of Baghdad, including Shaab neighborhood, on January 5, 2014, killing at least 20. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
On January 6, 2014, Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki urged Anbar residents to oust al-Qaeda-linked militants, who, in recent days, seized almost all of Fallujah and parts of provincial capital of Ramadi. Meanwhile, Iran during the day offered to help Maliki regime combat al-Qaeda-linked militants by providing military gears and equipment. Iran's offer of help on January 6, 2014 came directly from the country's Deputy Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mohammad Hejazi, who ruled out sending military personnel to Iraq. Meanwhile, Pentagon is expediting the pre-scheduled shipment of 10 Scan Eagle drones and 100 Hellfire missiles to boost the strength of Iraqi military in its battle against resurgent al-Qaeda-linked militants under the umbrella of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Meanwhile, the US Vice President Joe Biden on January 6, 2014 called Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki and Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi, a Sunni, of Iraqi parliament, and stressed the need to work collaboratively to fight against the menace of al-Qaeda-linked militants in Anbar province. The latest crisis began on December 28, 2013 with the arrest of a Sunni lawmaker from Anbar, precipitating a crisis that had spiraled downward with such menace that threatened to tear apart the fabric a still existing fragile sectarian bond between Sunni and Shiite communities.
Iraqi security forces and allied Sunni tribal fighters fought fierce battle against militants from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant who took control of most of Fallujah and parts of Ramadi on January 7, 2014 as an Iraqi airstrike against militant operational center on the outskirts of Ramadi killed at least 25 fighters.
Meanwhile, enraged by the militants' aggressiveness to turn Anbar into a new civil war battlefield, Sunni tribal leaders on January 8, 2014 demanded that fighters from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant leave the province. Also, on January 8, 2014, Red Cross and the UN expressed concern about a looming humanitarian crisis in and around Fallujah as food and water supplies began to run short. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
Addressing the U.S Peace Institute in Washington on January 14, 2014, Iraq's Deputy PM Saleh Multaq, top ranking Sunni in the Nouri al-Maliki administration, called for U.S help to battle the twin evil of Iraqi politics: rising sectarianism and growing threat of terrorism.
As the standoff with al-Qaeda-linked militants continued in Anbar province on January 15, 2014, violence flared up in and around Baghdad killing dozens of people, raising the death toll over the past three days to at least 80. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
Government forces and allied tribesmen launched an offensive on January 19, 2014 to push out rebels with Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant from Anbar capital of Ramadi. By the nightfall, according to a tribal elder, most of Ramadi came under the government control. However, as Nouri al-Maliki government pushed hard to seize Anbar from rebel control, Baghdad and other parts of Iraq were coming under sectarian attack almost on daily basis. On January 20, 2014, seven car bombs exploded in Shiite neighborhoods in Baghdad, killing more than 27 people and injuring more than 70 as the joint offensive in Anbar by Iraqi security forces and allied tribal fighters continued on January 20, 2014 for the second day. The offensive was mostly focused on clearing Ramadi of fighters with Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. According to reports, 67 militia fighters were killed in Anbar during two-day (January 19-20, 2014) fighting.
As car bombings and shootings across Iraq, including Kirkuk and Baghdad, killed at least 13 people on January 26, 2014, five soldiers were seized near Fallujah during the day by militants tied to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in the second such incident in three weeks since four Iraqi soldiers were kidnapped on January 6, 2014 near Fallujah and subsequently found dead. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
As violence continued in Baghdad on January 29, 2014, fighters tied to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and government forces were at a stand-off in Anbar. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called Sunni tribesmen in Anbar to join government forces to defeat Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant militants. Meanwhile, on January 29, 2014, a 7-member suicide attack team carried out a mayhem in the Department of Transportation headquarters in Baghdad, killing 3 civilians, 3 police officers and one camera operator before being killed. Two car bombs also targeted crowded marketplaces in Baghdad on January 29, 2014, killing 10 people. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
Storm of Violence Continues Unabated
As a more than month-long intense fighting in Anbar has reached at a point of military quagmire, violence has been stoking fear of an all-out eruption of sectarian warfare. On February 3, 2014, a string of car bomb explosions at various suburbs of Baghdad and Mahmoudiya, 20 miles south of Baghdad, killed at least 23 people.
Even Al-Qaeda Breaks Ties to Syrian Rebel Group
In its February 4, 2014, edition, The Dallas Morning News reported that al-Qaeda's central leader Ayman al-Zawahiri distanced his group from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and instead, threw his support to a rival group, Jabhat al-Nusra, or Nusra Front. Even when the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant was created in the spring of 2013 by merging the Syrian and Iraqi franchises of al-Qaeda and being led subsequently by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of the former branch, al-Zawahiri didn't approve the merger as it was deemed a direct challenge to his central authority. With February 3, 2014, announcement as reported by February 4, 2014, edition of The Dallas Morning News, Zawahiri put the last nail in the coffin of any hope for re-conciliation.
Car Bomb Making Trial Turns Fatal
In an ominous sign of al-Qaeda-led insurgent' push to regroup, reengage and recruit disenchanted Sunni youths, not only in Anbar, but also in the country's hinterland, a car bomb manufacturing training session turned fatal in the orchid-covered village of al-Jalam, 60 miles north of Baghdad, near the city of Samarra, on February 10, 2014, killing at least 21 militants and wounding dozens. Iraqi authorities arrested more than two dozens suspects, including many who had been injured in the blast. The blast happened on the same day as the speaker of parliament, Osama al-Nujaifi, a prominent sunni politician, escaped unhurt from a roadside bombing that targeted his convoy in the northern city of Mosul. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
Iraq Closes Notorious Abu Ghraib Prison
On April 15, 2014, Iraqi government announced that it would close the Abu Ghraib prison, a jail that was linked to a prisoner abuse scandal a decade ago, and shift the prison's more than 2,400 prisoners to other facilities. It's not clear if the Abu Ghraib shutdown was temporary or permanent.
Violence in Iraq Continues in the Run-up to Parliamentary Polls
As the April 30, 2014, parliamentary elections are nearing fast, insurgents have intensified their attacks to scare away the voters as evidenced in recent days, including the ones on April 21, 2014 in which at least 33 people have been killed across the nation.
Attack Hits a Shiite Political Party Campaign Rally
In a serious trend of sectarian escalation prior to April 30, 2014, parliamentary polls, three bombs exploded at a campaign rally of the Shiite-dominated, Iranian-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq political party at a stadium in eastern Baghdad, killing at least 31 and wounding several dozens. Polls will be held in 328 seats in the parliament. Parts of the Anbar province are exempt from parliamentary polls as the rebels from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant continued to seize them.
By and Large Peaceful Polls in Iraq
On April 30, 2014, Iraqis from all walks of life braved fear and frustration, and participated in the much cherished democratic process to elect representatives to 328 seats of parliament. The voter turnout was estimated to be about 60 percent out of 22 million eligible voters.
Premier Calls the Vote a Slap to Terrorists
A day after polls were held in a general peaceful atmosphere, an ebullient premier, Nouri al-Maliki, on May 1, 2014 dubbed the polls as a "slap in the face of terrorism". The US President Barack Obama also issued a congratulatory statement to Iraqis on May 1 for holding peaceful elections. However, in a grim reminder of volatile security situation in the country, the UN Mission in Iraq said on May 1, 2014 that 8,868 people had died in violence in 2013. That was the worst since a sectarian strife raged in Iraq in 2006 and 2007.
Violence Continues Despite a Peaceful Vote
Thwarted by the popular will to exercise the democratic right despite threats and terrors, the militants adopted more desperate strategies to inflict an air of fear psychosis in the post-poll aftermath by targeting security forces and Sahwa militia, a Sunni group that had revolted against al-Qaeda-linked militants and aligned with US troops, as witnessed on May 10 and May 11, 2014. The May 10, 2014, overnight attack on a military barrack at the village of Ayn al-Jahish outside of Mosul bore the hallmark of al-Qaeda atrocities as most of the 20 troops were found dead with hands tied and gunshot wounds from close range. On May 11, 2014, gunmen attacked a checkpoint manned by the Sahwa militia in the town of Adeim, about 60 miles north of Baghdad, killing 7 people.
Mayhem Looming Large in Iraq
In reminiscence of 2006-07 sectarian violence that had engulfed large parts of Iraq, a brewing insurgency began to expand its brutal reach to more areas and close in on the capital itself. The recent horrific surge in violence began on June 5, 2014 in Mosul that saw a subsequent three-day (June 5-7, 2014) fierce fighting between Islamic insurgents and security forces, killing almost 200 people. On June 7, 2014, a series of explosions in Baghdad claimed at least 52 people.
Islamist Rebels Seize most of the Second Largest City
In a setback to central government at Baghdad, a surging insurgency led by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant seized most of Ninevah province and its provincial capital, Mosul, on June 10, 2014.
Islamist Rebels Take Large Swath of Iraq, Advance toward Baghdad
In an alarming pace, a regional insurgent group that had been waging a bloody battle in neighboring Syria and seized control of vast majority of Iraq's Anbar province, including most of Fallujah and parts of provincial capital of Ramadi, sent a wave of panic and paranoia throughout the region by overrunning all the security establishment in Ninevah province and seizing the provincial capital, Mosul, the second-largest Iraqi city. The fall of Mosul on June 10, 2014 caught Baghdad and world capitals by surprise. Tens of thousands of people have been fleeing Mosul, and reports indicated that rebels from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant had been joined by former Baathists and other disgruntled Sunni groups.
Any remaining vestiges of Iraqi security presence in Mosul was gone by June 11, 2014. Reports indicated summary executions and extrajudicial killings perpetrated by occupying insurgents in Mosul. On June 11, 2014, the fast moving insurgency captured Saddam Hussein's birthplace city of Tikrit, and were closing in on Samarra, site to a sacred Shiite shrine, 70 miles north of capital.
On June 12, 2014, Iraqi security forces abandoned their bases, facilities and barracks in the ethnically mixed, volatile city of Kirkuk, leading the Kurdish authorities in the north to scramble operations to ensure that the city didn't fall in insurgent hands. By the end of the day on June 12, 2014, the security vacuum in Kirkuk was filled in by Kurdish regional troops. During the day (June 12), the U.N. Security Council met to discuss on the fast evolving crisis in Iraq and how to deal with it. In Baghdad, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had asked the parliament to declare a state of emergency to tackle the insurgency, but the august body failed to act as it lacked quorum. Meanwhile, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant on June 12, 2014 announced imposition of Shariah in Mosul and the surrounding regions it already controlled.
Obama Mulls Action, Shiite Religious Leader Calls for Armed Resistance
US President Barack Obama on June 13, 2014 made it clear that there would not be any American boots in Iraq. However, he didn't rule out airstrikes on rebel targets. Obama also said that his administration would consider aid--both lethal and non-lethal--to Iraqi government. During the day, Iraqi premier visited Samarra, a religious holy site for Shiites that was on the brink of falling into rebel hands. Amid Nouri al-Maliki's visit to Samarra on June 13, reports poured in that both the holy city and the refining town of Beiji were under the government control. On June 13, 2014, a key representative of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani, Sheik Abdul-Mahdi al-Karbalaie, issued call for all Iraqis to take up arms to defend their beloved country. As the situation on the ground was becoming more complex and challenging by day, the chief of U.N. human rights, Navi Pillay, expressed alarm over "murder of all kinds".
Another Northern City Falls, U.S. and Iran Mulling Joint Action
The compulsion on the ground may bring Washington and Teheran closer together as has been the case in the aftermath of 9-11, this time the common foe is a surging Sunni insurgency that had seized a large part of northern and western parts of Iraq. Meanwhile, insurgents from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant captured the northern city of Tal Afar on June 16, 2014 after a two-day battle. The fall of Tal Afar came hours after late June 15, 2014, ambush of a convoy of the shiite recruits that was enroute to northern conflict zone killed at least 29. The ambush took place near Samarra. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama on June 16 ordered up to 275 military personnel to Baghdad to protect the U.S. embassy there.
Sectarian Killings Likely to Precipitate Crisis in Iraq into a Tailspin
As rebels from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant continued their rampage through north of the country, Shiite militia began to take things into their hands as government defense had begun to crumble. At least 44 Sunni prisoners were found shot dead outside a government detention facility in Baqouba on late June 16, 2014. As a revenge, a car bomb exploded in Shiite-dominated Sadr City neighborhood on June 17, 2014, killing at least 14 people.
Fighting Over the Largest Refinery Raging as Obama Sending 300 Advisors to Train Iraqi Forces
A three-day fierce fight over the control of the country's largest refinery at Beiji, about 150 miles north of Baghdad, began on June 17, 2014 and still continued as of June 19, 2014 as the government soldiers and gunship helicopters were able to keep the insurgents from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant at bay. The fall of the sprawling refinery at Beiji will be a major setback to the Nouri al-Maliki regime. Meanwhile, U.S. President Barack Obama announced on June 19, 2014 that his administration would send up to 300 advisors to Iraq to train its beleaguered security personnel.
ISIL Seizes All Major Checkpoints Along Syrian and Jordanian Borders
In a major setback to Iraqi central government, the raging Sunni insurgency that seized a large swath of area in country's west and north had captured Iraq's only land crossing to Jordan, Tirbil, on June 23, 2014. The fall of Tirbil came after two major border checkpoints with Syria, Qaim and Walid, were also seized by the rebels tied to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. As a result, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant was able to open a cross-border conduit and corridor through which its armed militants would go back and forth between Syria and Iraq. The group, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, is increasingly treating the Syrian civil war as part of a broader campaign to defeat ruling Shiites and empower an oppressed Sunni populace on the both sides of the borders from tactical perspective. From a much more strategic viewpoint, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is focused on establishing an Islamic caliphate spanning vast swath of Iraq and Syria. Underpinning the grave situation, Syria was dragged into launching airstrikes on the insurgent targets at Qaim on June 24, 2014, killing at least 20 people.
Iraqi Premier at Loggerhead over Formation of National Unity Government
As there was increasing clamor to form a more inclusive national unity government, including the possibility of replacing Nouri al-Maliki at the helms of affairs, al-Maliki took a hard stance on June 25, 2014 over formation of so-called "national salvation" government. He opposed the concept from the outset, and instead asked Iraqis to close ranks to defend the sovereignty of the country against a menacing Sunni insurgency. Meanwhile, the insurgents from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant the on June 25 were closing on one of the largest dams on the Euphrates River near Haditha.
Iraqi Troops Take Back Saddam Hussein's Birthplace
In a dramatic comeback helped by involvement of U.S. military advisers and infusion of Iranian-backed militants, Iraqi troops on June 28, 2014 seized parts of Tikrit, birthplace of Saddam Hussein, after three days of fierce fighting.
Group Declares Islamic Caliphate, Names its Leader as New Caliph
In a dramatic announcement, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant on June 29, 2014 rebranded itself as Islamic State, claiming that it was able to erase the borders between Iraq and Syria, and named its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as Caliph, or the Supreme Leader, asking world's Muslim to consider him as their only leader. Meanwhile, fierce fighting was raging at Tikrit for the fourth straight day, with a newly vigorous Iraqi troops maintaining a firm grip on all inbound routes to the city as well as the Salahuddin University in Tikrit and a military base, Camp Speicher, on the outskirts of the city. Meanwhile, Russia was sending 12 warplanes to Iraq for aerial attack on the insurgent who seized a vast area across Iraq and Syria, erasing national boundaries. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu jumped into the Iraqi crisis on June 29 as he called for creation of independent Kurdistan and expanded presence of Israeli forces in the West Bank to prevent any advance of Islamic State fighters.
June Deadliest Month Ever Amid a Cacophonous Assembly of Iraqi Parliament and Saudi Help
The United Nations on July 1, 2014 estimated that more than 2,400 Iraqi civilians were killed in June 2014 as a raging Sunni insurgency was breathing near Baghdad. The toll was the highest monthly figure since at least April 2005. Meanwhile, Iraqi parliament convened on July 1 to choose a new cabinet, but devolved into chaos and cliquishness with Sunni and Kurd lawmakers walking out of the parliament. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia on July 1, 2014 announced a $500 million aid package to help tens of thousands of displaced Iraqis as the month-long Islamic ritual of Ramadan began.
Islamic State Leader Appears to be Preaching on a Video
A video seen on July 5, 2014 was a first sign of Islamic State's leader appearing in the besieged city of Mosul. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was seen on the first Friday (July 4, 2014) of Ramadan as preaching to the crowd at a famous mosque in Mosul. The video introduced Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as Caliph Ibrahim. The presence of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi at the Great Nurridin Mosque, which dates back to 1142, marked a propaganda brownie for the Islamic State as it showed not only the ability of the insurgents to project their new Caliph from the second-largest city of Iraq, but also used a revered mosque as a background for preaching and platform.
War Planes Carry out Bombing of Parts of Mosul
War planes launched at least three airstrikes on targets in Mosul on July 6, 2014. However, it was not known whose war planes they were. However, U.S. categorically denied that it had any air operation in the region during the time.
More than Four Dozen Bodies Found; Premier Blames Kurds of Sheltering Sunni Insurgency
In reminiscence and recall of the sectarian killings during 2006-07, fifty bodies were found on July 9, 2014 at Khamisiyah, 60 miles south of Baghdad. It was yet to be known which ethnic group or groups were the dead from. Meanwhile, Iraqi premier Nouri al-Maliki on July 9, 2014 accused Iraqi Kurdish region of being insurgent haven, a charge dismissed immediately by Kurdish Presidency. The official website for the Kurdish Presidency read a statement, accusing al-Maliki of "doing everything he can to justify failures and put the blame on others". A day later on July 10, 2014, authorities in Baghdad suspended all flights to Kurdish region, citing security risks, and the highest ranking Kurdish politician in the Nouri al-Maliki's cabinet, Roz Nouri Shawez, said that Kurdish cabinet members won't participate in cabinet meeting anymore.
Kurds Seize two Oil Fields; al-Maliki Replaces Kurd Foreign Minister
In a dangerous parting between Shiite premier and Kurds, Kurdish security forces on July 11, 2014 seized two key oilfields outside Kirkuk, and in Baghdad, PM Nouri al-Maliki replaced Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, a respected Kurd official, by a Shiite, Hussain Shahristani.
Gunmen Kill 33 in Baghdad
Amid a gloomy Ramadan month, gunmen entered into a housing complex on July 12, 2014, and opened fire, killing at least 33 people, including 29 women. It was not clear who were the perpetrators in the shooting at Zayounah neighbourhood in eastern Baghdad, or whether the shooting deaths were linked to sectarian revenge attacks.
Iraqi Parliament Elects a Moderate Sunni as Speaker
Two weeks after Kurd and Sunni lawmakers walked out of parliament in protest against Shiite high-handedness and PM Nouri al-Maliki's sectarian style of leading, Iraqi parliament scored brownie points on July 15, 2014 by electing a moderate Sunni, Salim al-Jubouri, as parliament's new speaker.
Christians Fled Mosul Ahead of Deadline
As Islamic State gradually began to impose its harsh interpretation of Islam in Ninevah province, including Mosul, the group on July 17, 2014 through leaflet and public announcement gave Mosul's Christians 48-hour timeline to convert to Islam, pay a fine or get executed. Fearful of their lives, thousands of Christian families fled their ancestral homes, businesses, churches and neighborhoods for safer places in nearby Kurdish-controlled territory. By July 19, 2014, Mosul's Christian community, which dated back to the first century of Chaldean, Assyrian and Armenian tradition, was emptied out of the second-largest city as well as surrounding region in Ninevah province.
Kurdish Elected as Iraq's New President As Militants Blew up An Ancient Shrine
Iraqi parliament on July 24, 2014 elected a veteran Kurdish politician, Fouad Massoum, 76, one of the founders of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, to replace outgoing President Jalal Talabani. Massoum joined politics when he was 16, participating in Kurdish-organized demonstrations, and joining the Kurdistan Democratic Party in 1964. Massoum said afterwards that the country faced a list of "huge security, political and economic tasks".
As Fouad Massoum was being named as country's president, militants from Islamic State blew up an eighth century B.C. shrine, known as the Mosque of the Prophet Younis, a revered site known to be built on the burial ground of Prophet Jonah. According to the Bible and Quran, Jonah was swallowed by a whale or big fish. As the mosque was being reduced to the rubble, several homes nearby were also damaged.
Militants Continue Mosque Destruction Spree in Ninevah Province
As if the demolition of the Mosque of the Prophet Younis was not enough to fight the so-called apostasy, militants from Islamic State on July 27, 2014 carried out its rampage by destroying another historic, 14th century shrine in Mosul. This time the ill-fated shrine was Prophet Jirjis Mosque and Shrine, named after Nabi Jerjis, or Prophet George, and was built in the late 14th century. Last week, militants had bombed the Mosque of the Prophet Younis or Prophet Jonah, and Mosque of the Prophet Sheeth (Seth).
Sunni Insurgents Maraud Three Iraqi Towns in the North
In a broadening of the current conflict and a likelihood of fighting with Kurdish pesh megra, Islamic State rebels invaded the town of Sinjar in the middle of darkness on August 3, 2014, decimating the Shiite shrines of the town, executing the resistance fighters, overrunning the security buildings and hoisting their trademark black flag. Later in the day, the rebels captured two more towns in the region, including Wana on the Tigris River that had put the insurgents at a stone's throw from the Mosul Dam, a possibility that raised immediate scare that insurgents might use the devious tactic of flooding the downstream villages and towns as part of inflicting serious damage to the state of Iraq and bringing disrepute to the Nouri al-Maliki regime in Baghdad. The U.N. representative to Baghdad, Nickolay Mladenov, referring to the situation in Sinjar, said that a "humanitarian tragedy" unfolding in the town and up to 200,000 civilians, especially from the Yazidi community, from the surrounding regions had fled to the mountain hideouts.
Iraqi Premier Offers Air Support as Kurds Vow to Repel Islamic Militants
What years of political process couldn't achieve Islamic State rebels were able to achieve in a couple of days as Iraq's premier, Nouri al-Maliki, on August 4, 2014 offered air support to Kurdish forces in the north. Much of al-Maliki's tenure was fraught with tension with Kurds, and Kurds were also skeptical of any gesture from Baghdad's Shiite political establishment. However, given the sorry state of Iraqi Air Force, it's not sure how the Kurds will respond to al-Maliki's offer of air support as Kurds have already battle-hardened pesh merga. Also, on August 4, 2014, in another sign of broader escalation of the conflict, Turkey's main Kurdish militant group, Kurdistan Worker's Party, announced mobilization of its own militants to fight against Islamic State insurgents.
Kurds Launch Offensive to Regain Territory from Sunni Insurgents
Syrian and Turkish Kurds on August 5, 2014 joined the fray in Iraq to untangle the grip of Islamic State in northern Iraq and to eliminate the rebel siege on Mosul Dam. The joining of hands by Syrian and Turkish Kurds with pesh merga added new twist to the conflict in Iraq.
Obama Orders Air Strikes Against Rebel Strongholds
As Islamic State rebels had made a concerted effort to push toward Irbil, the administrative capital of Kurdish Regional Government, over the past week or so by capturing strategic towns and routing pesh merga forces, it became evident that U.S. had to get involved in one way or the other to help Kurdish forces to fend off Islamic State rebels from arriving at the doorstep of Irbil, where a large number of American diplomats and Joint Operation Command's Iraq operation were present, and tens of thousands of Yazidis, who had fled to Mount Sinjar. As the rebels were marauding towns and villages close to Irbil, the apparent insecurity of Kurdish forces was all too palpable, and the U.S. President Barack Obama on August 7, 2014 ordered U.S. airstrikes against Islamic State positions. Obama also said that US had airdropped food and water for tens of thousands of Yazidi refugees holed up in and around barren Sinjar Mountains. There were reports that many Yazidis, who were able to flee, were dying of hunger and thirst, and of those unfortunates who were not able to flee, men were butchered and women were enslaved by rebels. Obama said during the news conference that threat to Irbil, where a large number of American security personnel and diplomats were present, and potential humanitarian disaster looming over Yazidi community in the rugged mountains met his criteria for intervention. Meanwhile, panic ran high on August 7, 2014 as Islamic State rebels had now complete control over Mosul Dam after they had routed pesh merga.
US War Planes Pound Islamic Rebel Positions
US carried out three sorties on August 8, 2014, flying war planes and drones in the sky over northern Iraq and pounding positions of Islamic State rebels on the ground. Then in early August 9, 2014, US has carried out its second humanitarian mission to help Yazidis holed up in the Sinjar Mountains in dire conditions by dropping 72 bundles of supplies, including 28,000 meals and 1,500 gallons of water.
Kurds Claim to Have Retaken Two Strategic Towns Outside Irbil
Backed by US airstrikes since President Barack Obama okayed limited aerial assault on late August 7, 2014, Kurds began to reassert their military might against Islamic State rebels. On August 10, 2014, Kurdish forces ousted Islamic State rebels, and retook control over two strategic towns, Gwer and Mahmour, respectively. However, the political contour surrounding the election of a new premier turned muddier as incumbent Nouri al-Maliki hit the air wave by means of state TV just before midnight on August 11, 2014, asserting his right to remain premier and determination to take measures to stay in powers.
New Face Named as Premier Amid Defiance by al-Maliki
In a shift in Iraqi political landscape, country's President Fouad Massoum on August 11, 2014 invited Shiite-dominated Dawa Party leader and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Haider al-Abadi to form government. Al-Abadi has 30 days to form government. The move was immediately opposed by the incumbent Nouri al-Maliki, who dubbed the move as unconstitutional. Complicating the political equation in Baghdad, US President Barack Obama, taking a break from his vacation in the Martha's Vineyard, said on August 11 that he and Vice President Joe Biden had congratulated al-Abadi on the phone. Obama called the nomination of Haider al-Abadi for premiership an "important step towards forming a new government that can unite Iraq's different communities".
US Reported to be Arming Kurds amid Aerial Drop of Relief Supplies
On August 11, 2014, U.S. carried out fifth aerial drop of relief supplies for tens of thousands of Yazidis who had sought refuge in Mount Sinjar. So far, US had provided 85,000 meals and 20,000 gallons of fresh water to the Yazidi refugees, according the US Central Command. Meanwhile, according to The Associated Press, US agencies are supplying arms directly to Kurdish forces, bypassing Baghdad. However, it's not clear yet which agency or what kinds of arms are being shipped to Kurds.
Islamic State's Siege on Mount Sinjar Broken, US Claims
US airstrikes coupled with Kurdish offensive broke a stubborn siege by Islamic State rebels on Mount Sinjar in northern Iraq, and many Yazidi refugees took that opportunity to get out of mountains to Kurds-controlled areas in Iraq and Syria. As a result, few thousands, not tens of thousands, of Yazidis were on the top of the mountain. That was the assessment of about 20 US special operations troops and aid workers, who landed on the top of the mountain on August 13, 2014 to assess the humanitarian situation there. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama this week sent an additional 130 troops to Irbil, bringing the total number of troops Obama sent to Iraq since the fall of Mosul to more than 900.
Gridlock in Baghdad Adds to Political Woes in Iraq
A defiant Nouri al-Maliki said on August 13, 2014 that he would not go down without a fight although he nearly lost all of his allies including USA, Iran, Shiite politicians and international community.
Al-Maliki Budges, Now Favors New Premier Pick
As it became evident that he was getting increasinly isolated even among his allies, PM Nouri al-Maliki devoured from the brinkmanship on August 14, 2014, and backed the candidate picked by President Fouad Massoum on August 11, 2014. Al-Maliki appeared before news correspondents with the candidate and his fellow Dawa Party member, Haider al-Abadi, and asked the military to stay away from the political process. However, al-Maliki himself was suspected to be reaching out to military to keep his post.
Yazidi Leader Refutes US Stand on Breaking up Islamic State Siege on Moutn Sinjar
A Yazidi parliamentarian who was injured in an Iraqi relief helicopter crash while trying to reach Mount Sinjar on August 12, 2014 rejected the US stand that the siege of Mount Sinjar by Islamic State rebels was broken and threat to Yazidi refugees holed up in the mountains had diminshed significantly. US officials made that assessment after a team of 18 Marines and special operations troops landed on the mountain top on August 13, 2014 to have an on-the-spot survey of the situation. The parliamentarian, Vian Dakhil, commented on the US stand from the hospital bed on August 14, 2014. Ms. Dakhil estimated that between 70,000 and 80,000 Yazidis are still entrapped in Mount Sinjar. Also, her assessment that the humanitarian crisis there was far from over was also corroborated by David Swanson, the spokesman for the U.N. coordinator of the humanitarian affairs in northern Iraq.
US Expands Airstrikes against Rebels
In an expanding scope of airstrikes by warplanes and drones, US on August 16, 2014 provided air cover for a joint Kurdish-Iraqi ground operation to break the gridlock around Iraq's largest hydroelectric power source and a strategic dam, Mosul Dam, amid reports of hundreds of young Yazidi girls taken captive by Islamic State rebels and forcefully married with rebel fighters.
Obama Justifies Expanded Aerial Campaign that Helps Iraqi, Kurdish Forces to Retake Mosul Dam
Taking a break from his summer vacation at the Martha's Vineyard to attend a meeting of his national security team at Washington, D.C. on August 18, 2014, US President Barack Obama said that USA's expanded aerial campaign that had helped Kurdish-Iraqi forces to seize Mosul Dam during the day didn't constitute broadening of the scope of U.S. campaign in Iraq. President Obama stood behind the rationale of the expanded aerial campaign he had penned in a letter sent to Congress on August 17, 2014 in which the president had emphasized the security of U.S. personnel in the embassy at Baghdad in case the dam failed. Also, on August 18, 2014, Pope Francis weighed in the fluid political and military scene of Iraq by saying, during his flight back from a trip to South Korea, that any action should have been tailored at the auspices of U.N., not by a single nation.
Video Shows Beheading of an American Journalist
According to a video uploaded on August 19, 2014, Islamic State beheaded an American journalist, James Foley, who was last seen in Binesh, Syria and had disappeared on November 22, 2012, for what it had described as revenge for US airstrikes against the group. The masked militant who beheaded the American journalist seemed to be of British origin as evident from his accent. He also warned that the fate of a second American journalist, Steven Sotloff, depended on the next move of President Obama. Foley was a freelance journalist for Boston-based online publication GlobalPost as well as Agence France-Presse.
Obama Vows to Carry on Airstrikes against Islamic State
Reacting to the gruesome video of beheading of an American journalist, James Foley, U.S. President Barack Obama said on August 20, 2014 at the Martha's Vineyard, where he was vacationing, that the world was appalled by the videotaped beheading and vowed to be "vigilant" and "relentless". U.S. warplanes during the day carried out 14 airstrikes, refusing to pay any attention to Islamic State threat to execute a second American journalist, Steven Sotloff. President Obama also spoke with Foley's parents--John and Diane Foley--during the day, saying that Americans "are all heartbroken at their loss". Also, on August 20, 2014, British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond said that the alleged butcherer of Foley might be a British.
Dempsey Calls for Strikes against Islamic Militants within Syria
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey said on August 21, 2014 that Islamic State won't be dismantled without going after the group within Syria, espousing a broader aerial campaign against the group than the one with narrowly tailored scope the Obama administration was pursuing since August 8, 2014.
Bombing at a Sunni Mosque in Diyala Kills Dozens
In what might be a sign of vengeance, an attack on a Sunni mosque during Friday prayer at a village, Imam Wais Village, in Diyala province on August 22, 2014 killed more than 60 people. This happened during a day when Prime Minister designate Haider al-Abadi appeared first time before press corps and urged for national unity.
Bombings Kill Dozens in Kirkuk and Baghdad
A series of three bombs exploded in Kirkuk on August 23, 2014, killing 31 people. In Baghdad, a car bomb killed near an intelligence complex at Karradah district, killing more than 11 people. Also, during the day, Iraq's Sunni Speaker of parliament, Salim al-Jabouri, said that lawmakers were investigating the attack on a Sunni mosque at the village of Imam Wais Village in Diyala province a day earlier, and the report was due in two days.
Second American Journalist Beheaded
A second American journalist, Steven Sotloff, 31, captured last year in northern Syria, was seen on a video to have been beheaded by a masked Islamic State militant, who had proclaimed, addressing Barack Obama, that he was back and "our knife will continue to strike the necks of your people". The gruesome video surfaced on September 2, 2014. The video showed a British hostage, David Cawthorne Haynes, just like the Foley video had also shown Sotloff during James Foley's beheading.
Obama Vows to "Degrade, Dismantle" the Islamic State
At the start of his three-day sweep through Europe, U.S. President Barack Obama, standing beside Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves at Tallinn, said on September 3, 2014, a day after a video showing the beheading of a second American journalist was posted, that US collectively with allies would degrade and dismantle the curse of Islamic State.
Obama, Cameron Call for NATO Effort to Defeat Islamic State
As leaders from NATO descended on Newport, Wales on September 4, 2014 for a crucial meet, US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron called for a collective NATO strategy to defeat Islamic State as they had opined in a joint article, published on September 4 in the Times of London, that "developments in other parts of the world, particularly Iraq and Syria, threaten our security at home".
Renewed Hope in Iraq after New Premier Takes the Charge
Optimism and message of reconciliation emanated from Baghdad with installation of a new cabinet under a new premier on September 8, 2014. U.S. President Barack Obama called up Haider al-Abadi during the day to convey his congratulations and message of reconciliation among various groups. Al-Abadi took charge of the country at a critical juncture when it was facing a ferocious onslaught by Sunni ingurgent group Islamic State from north and west, a restive population deprived of even basic government services, growing security crisis and stalled economy.
Obama Makes Case for "Sustained and Comprehensive" Campaign Against Islamic State
Days after saying that his administration didn't have any strategy against Islamic State in Syria, American public on September 10, 2014 saw a different Barack Obama, a president who had understood that he could no longer avoid his legacy not being touched by regional war. Addressing the American public in a televised national address, President Obama on September 10, 2014 called for "sustained and comprehensive" counterterrorism strategy to reverse the advance of Islamic State rebels, expand USA's air campaign to strike Islamic State's positions within Syria and form a broad-based international coalition to take on the militants. However, President Obama once again ruled out any possibility to send ground troops for combat role. Instead, Obama administration would work towards arming, assisting and training the pro-western rebel groups in Syria and Kurdish forces and Iraqi security forces in Iraq.
US Struggles to Form a Regional Coalition
Two days after President Barack Obama addressed American people in a primetime TV address espousing sustained and comprehensive campaign against the Islamic State, Washington struggled to form a cohesive regional coalition, especially with Turkey, on September 12, 2014. Turkey had been in a bind as Islamic State was holding 49 Turkish hostages since June when they had swept through northern Iraqi town of Mosul and seized Turks from the consulate there. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, coming out of a session with his Turkish couterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, at Ankara, essentially admitted the dilemma Turkey was facing. Meanwhile, in a show of support for the new Iraqi government headed by Haider al-Abadi, French President Francois Hollande flew to Baghdad on September 12, 2014, and vowed to support the fight against Islamic State. France took a more aggressive stand in fighting against Islamic State by supplying arms to Kurdish fighters and deciding to host an international conference in Paris on a strategy to counter Islamic State on September 15, 2014. Although both France and USA have overall same strategic goal to degrade and dismantle Islamic State, two major areas of difference have emerged in recent days:
* France believes that US announcement of going after Islamic State in Syria with an air campaign will help Bashar Assad regime
* France favors inviting Iran to September 15, 2014, Paris conference, but couldn't do so because of US opposition to inviting Iran
Islamic State Beheads Third Westerner, This Time a Briton
A gruesome video on September 13, 2014 showed horrific beheading of a British aid worker, David Haines, who was kidnapped in March 2013 near the Atmeh Refugee Camp along the Turkish border in the Syrian province of Idlib. The butcher seemed to be the same masked man with heavy eastern London accent, blaming the British premier David Cameron for joining the US to bomb Islamic State positions in Iraq and holding him responsible for Haines' killing. The video ends with the picture of another British hostage, Alan Henning, as the next target for beheading.
U.S. for Limited Collaboration with Iran to Fight against Islamic State
As international community gathered at Paris on September 15, 2014 to formulate a unified and uniform strategy to fight the growing menace of Islamic State in northern and western Iraq as well as vast stretch of land in the east and northeast in Syria, clear difference over forming a sustainable coalition emerged. France and Iraq have strongly favored to rope in Iran for any international coalition to make it viable, while the USA wants a more limited Iranian involvement.
Dempsey Raises Possibility of Ground Troops
During a testimony before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee on September 16, 2014, the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staffs Gen. Martin Dempsey said that boots on ground might be needed in addition to continuous U.S. airstrikes to degrade and dismantle ISIS. Gen. Dempsey's stand contradicts President Barack Obama's repeated assertion that no U.S. ground troops will be redeployed in Iraq. However, Gen. Dempsey didn't specify whether he had meant Iraqi, Kurdish and other regional troops by boots on the ground.
France Joins Airstrike Against Islamic State
France on September 19, 2014 joined the US to hit rebel positions in Iraq, opening a new chapter of active engagement in Iraq. French warplanes struck against logistics centers and command and control operation of the Islamic State on ground. However, France was categorical that its aerial campaign would not extend to Syria. Meanwhile, the U.N Security Council on September 19, 2014 approved a resolution that condemned Islamic State for committing brutalities, rapes and tortures in Iraq.
US Airstrikes Hit Rebel Boat on Euphrates
During September 19, 2014 and September 20, 2014, US carried out five airstrikes, including the one that hit and destroyed a boat on Euphrates River southwest of Baghdad. The boat was allegedly carrying supplies for ISIS rebel group. As of September 20, US carried out a total of 183 airstrikes against ISIS positions across Iraq.
Kurdish Paramilitary Captures a Key Border Crossing
In a sign of assertiveness, Kurdish Peshmerga forces on September 30, 2014 fought bitterly against Islamic State rebels in northern and western Iraq, and ousted them from a key (Iraq-Syria) border crossing, Rabia Border Crossing, that was under the ISIL control since June 2014. In recent weeks, Kurdish forces, aided by western aerial campaign, made a concerted effort to dislodge ISIL fighters on several fronts. For the first time, British Tornado jets carried out bombing campaigns on September 30, 2014 against the Islamic State targets in northern Iraq.
Rising Death Toll Since the Rise of Islamic State
Since the sweep of Islamic State through the north in June, at least 5,500 people were killed, including thousands of Yazidis who were excuted by the Sunnin militants, according to an estimate issued by the U.N. on October 2, 2014. The special UN representative to Iraq, Nickolay Mladenov, called the report "terrifying". Those deaths account for almost half of 9,343 civilian deaths recorded between January and September of 2014, said a joint statement by U.N Mission in Iraq and U.N. Human Rights Office. U.N. Human Rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Zeid al-Hussein called many of the killings to be war crimes.
British Aid Worker Beheaded; Canada and Australia to Join in Airstrikes
A video surfaced on October 3, 2014 showed gruesome beheading of a British aid worker, Alan Henning, 47, kidnapped last year in Syria as he was driving an ambulance to provide lifesaving drugs. The video, continuing the trend shown earlier with the previous beheadings, also showed an American, Peter Kassig, as the next beheading target.
Meanwhile, both Canada and Australia announced on October 3, 2014 that they would join airstrikes campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq. Although Canadian PM Stephen Harper said that his country would extend airstrikes to Syria if asked by the Syrian government of Bashar Assad, Australian premier Tony Abbott ruled out any airstrikes in Syria.
Islamic State Attacks Continue amid Assassination of Anbar Police Chief
Triple suicide bombings rocked Qara Tappah in Diyala province on October 12, 2014, killing at least 58 people a day after a series of car bomb attacks had rocked Shiite-dominated areas of Baghdad and killed at least 45 people. During the day, the provincial police chief of Anbar, Brig. Gen. Ahmed al-Dulaimi, was killed in a roadside bomb attack as his convoy was passing north of the provincial capital, Ramadi.
********************************** Trial of Blackwater Guards **********************
Four Former Blackwater Guards Found Guilty
In a watershed moment for both the credibility of the US criminal justice system and providing justice to the innocent victims of individual hatred, a jury in the U.S. District Court on October 22, 2014 found four ex-guards employed by now-defunct defense contractor Blackwater Worldwide guilty for their roles in September 16, 2007, indiscriminate shooting at Baghdad's Nisoor Square that had killed 14 people--10 men, two women and two boys--beside wounding 18 others and marked a permanent dark spot on the USA-Iraqi relations. The guilty verdict was rendered against Nicholas Slatten, Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty and Paul Slough, respectively, while a fifth guard, Jeremy Ridgeway, pleaded guilty and cooperated with the prosecution team. The case got mired with hurdles and roadblocks from the very beginning, and a federal judge during the first trial tossed out charges in 2009, accusing the prosecution of labeling "reckless charges". Subsequently, the US Justice Department got its act together, and renewed its effort to mete out justice with new zeal. During Iraq and Afghan wars, Blackwater Worldwide, a defense contractor that was established by former Marine Erik Prince, became synonymous of the USA's growing privatization of overseas war.
Ex-Guards Receive Lengthy Jail Terms
On April 13, 2015, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth sentenced Nicholas Slatten to life in prison and other three to 30 years and one day in jail term.
Ex-Guards Appeal Their Sentencing Verdict
Four former guards of Blackwater Worldwide, Nicholas Slatten, Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty and Paul Slough, who were convicted on October 22, 2014 of murder of innocent Iraqis in 2007, on February 1, 2016 filed their long-anticipated appeal against their conviction.
Blackwater Conviction Tossed
The D.C.-based U.S. Court of Appeals on August 4, 2017 overturned the first-degree murder conviction against Nicholas Slatten. The court also ordered re-sentencing for the other three defendants Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty and Paul Slough, calling their 30-year sentences a "cruel and unusual punishment".
Slatten Found Guilty in the Third Trial
Nicholas Slatten was found guilty on December 19, 2018 in his third trial in the September 16, 2007, shooting at Baghdad that had killed 14 people, wounded 18 and strained relationship between the two countries.
Slatten Given Life Term
Nicholas Slatten convicted on December 19, 2018 was sentenced to life imprisonment on August 14, 2019 by a federal judge. The judge, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth of Washington, rejected a petition filed by Slatten's attorneys on his innocence. Nicholas Slatten was found guilty of murder of an Iraqi, Ahmed Haithem Ahmed Al Rubia'y.
GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL
Defense Chief assures Allies that US will not Leave Region
On the day crucial talks between Iran and P5+Germany began in Vienna, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel assured his GCC counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and UAE that USA won't leave the region. Hagel addressed a meeting of the six-nation council on May 14, 2014 at Jeddah.
Gulf Summit with Obama Embroiled by Distrust and Absence
A much touted summit involving Gulf heads of state and the US President Barack Obama to showcase the long tradition of a worthy alliance instead is turning out to be a whimper as Saudi Arabia on May 10, 2015 has announced that King Salman will not after all go to Washington to meet the president and instead send Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef to take his place. The official narrative provided by the state-run Saudi Press Agency was that because of a five-fay cease-fire in Yemen that's scheduled to begin on May 12, 2015 the King had to stay back to oversee its implementation and execution. However, many middle-east political analysts believe that it's a snub to President Obama as the Gulf states are increasingly nervous over a potential nuclear agreement between Iran and the west. Meanwhile, two other heads of state--Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said and the Emirati President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan--are also not coming because of their ill health. Beside the contentious potential nuclear deal, Gulf states wanted a far more expansive written deal with Washington that would get USA involved to protect the Gulf states in case of any future external attack. USA has such deals with Japan and South Korea, but President Obama was reluctant to sign such a formal deal with the Gulf States because its approval in Congress was unlikely and the president won't offer anything beyond verbal assurance to protect Gulf states.
USA's Gulf Allies Extend Careful Endorsement to Iran Nuclear Deal
Constrained by lack of alternative options, Gulf Cooperation Council at a meeting in Doha, Qatar, attended by the US Secretary of State John Kerry, on August 3, 2015 issued a statement giving a cautious endorsement to the July 14, 2015, agreement on Iran's nuclear program. The nervousness of the Sunni Gulf monarchies was palpable, with the host and Qatar's Foreign Minister Khalid al-Attiyah summarizing the rationale behind the support as the deal was "the best option among other options".
IRAQ
In worsening sign of more frequent anti-Christian attacks, four explosions rocked the Christian targets in Baghdad on the Christmas Day (December 25, 2013), killing at least 37 people and wounding dozens. The death toll brought the total number of people killed so far this month to 441, and more than 8,000 since the beginning of the year. A car bomb exploded near the St. John Roman Catholic Church in the capital's Dora neighborhood, killing at least 26 people. Three other explosions shook a market in an Assyrian Christian neighborhood, killing 11 people. (Source: The Dallas Morning News).
On December 28, 2013, Iraqi security forces arrested a Sunni lawmaker from Anbar on charges of terrorism, leading to clashes between enraged Sunnis and security forces.
On December 30, 2013, Iraqi security forces moved in and dismantled a Sunni protest camps at Ramadi and Falluja in Anbar province, triggering clashes with tribal militias that had killed at least 17 people. The ongoing violence in Iraq reminisced a bloody sectarian downhill trend that was all too familiar back in 2006 and 2007, and raised renewed consternation in the international community, leading UN representative to Iraq, Nikolay Mladenov, to issue a call on December 30, 2013 to all Iraqi political leaders "to immediately come together to discuss the serious challenges facing the country". (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
UN Mission Chief Nikolay Mladenov on January 1, 2014 called attention of all Iraqis to the grim figures of death toll for the month of December as well as for the rest of the year 2013. According to UN, a total of 759 people were killed in December 2013 alone, with 661 civilians and 98 members of security forces. The yearly figure stood at 8,868, including 7,818 civilians.
Three days after government security forces dismantled protest encampments in volatile Anbar province and two days after December 31, 2013, decision of PM Nouri al-Maliki to withdraw government troops from Anbar as a way to placate Sunni feeling of mistreatment and isolation, al-Qaeda-linked militants took advantage of the security vacuum in the province, and moved in in armed convoy on January 2, 2014 to Fallujah and Ramadi, setting fire to numerous police stations, setting free prisoners from jails and occupying mosques to urge residents to join the anti-government fight. This turn of event, according to many political observers, was an outcome of sectarian character of Syrian civil war that had been spilling over to Lebanon, and now began to leave its imprint inside Iraq. The central government in Baghdad sent in reinforcement to help tribal fighters putting up a fight against the militants. In four days since fighting began on December 30, 2013, at least 108 people were killed, including at least 35 on January 2, fourth day of the fighting. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
In what is being viewed as resurgence of al-Qaeda-linked forces through out the region because of Syrian civil war, the newly merged franchises of al-Qaeda in both Iraq and Syria has been fighting against Damascus and Baghdad under the umbrella of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant with leveraging resources on both sides of the borders and taking advantage of growing alienation of Sunnis in Iraq. The fighting in Anbar that began on December 30, 2013 continued on January 3, 2014 with al-Qaeda-linked fighters seizing most parts of Fallujah by the end of the day. Government forces along with tribal fighters were fighting a stiff war against the rebels. However, government forces still had control over the capital city of Ramadi.
On January 4, 2014, al-Qaeda-linked rebels consolidated their control over Fallujah, pushing government troops and allied tribal fighters to the outskirts. In addition, rebels seized a strategic town, Karma, in the province. Government troops shelled the city of Fallujah from the outskirt, killing 19 people. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
On January 5, 2014, Iraqi government carried out airstrikes in Anbar province to dislodge resurgent al-Qaeda-linked rebel forces that had killed at least 34 people, including 22 military personnel, 10 civilians and an unknown number of civilians. Meanwhile, a series of car bombs rocked Shiite areas of Baghdad, including Shaab neighborhood, on January 5, 2014, killing at least 20. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
On January 6, 2014, Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki urged Anbar residents to oust al-Qaeda-linked militants, who, in recent days, seized almost all of Fallujah and parts of provincial capital of Ramadi. Meanwhile, Iran during the day offered to help Maliki regime combat al-Qaeda-linked militants by providing military gears and equipment. Iran's offer of help on January 6, 2014 came directly from the country's Deputy Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mohammad Hejazi, who ruled out sending military personnel to Iraq. Meanwhile, Pentagon is expediting the pre-scheduled shipment of 10 Scan Eagle drones and 100 Hellfire missiles to boost the strength of Iraqi military in its battle against resurgent al-Qaeda-linked militants under the umbrella of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Meanwhile, the US Vice President Joe Biden on January 6, 2014 called Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki and Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi, a Sunni, of Iraqi parliament, and stressed the need to work collaboratively to fight against the menace of al-Qaeda-linked militants in Anbar province. The latest crisis began on December 28, 2013 with the arrest of a Sunni lawmaker from Anbar, precipitating a crisis that had spiraled downward with such menace that threatened to tear apart the fabric a still existing fragile sectarian bond between Sunni and Shiite communities.
Iraqi security forces and allied Sunni tribal fighters fought fierce battle against militants from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant who took control of most of Fallujah and parts of Ramadi on January 7, 2014 as an Iraqi airstrike against militant operational center on the outskirts of Ramadi killed at least 25 fighters.
Meanwhile, enraged by the militants' aggressiveness to turn Anbar into a new civil war battlefield, Sunni tribal leaders on January 8, 2014 demanded that fighters from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant leave the province. Also, on January 8, 2014, Red Cross and the UN expressed concern about a looming humanitarian crisis in and around Fallujah as food and water supplies began to run short. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
Addressing the U.S Peace Institute in Washington on January 14, 2014, Iraq's Deputy PM Saleh Multaq, top ranking Sunni in the Nouri al-Maliki administration, called for U.S help to battle the twin evil of Iraqi politics: rising sectarianism and growing threat of terrorism.
As the standoff with al-Qaeda-linked militants continued in Anbar province on January 15, 2014, violence flared up in and around Baghdad killing dozens of people, raising the death toll over the past three days to at least 80. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
Government forces and allied tribesmen launched an offensive on January 19, 2014 to push out rebels with Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant from Anbar capital of Ramadi. By the nightfall, according to a tribal elder, most of Ramadi came under the government control. However, as Nouri al-Maliki government pushed hard to seize Anbar from rebel control, Baghdad and other parts of Iraq were coming under sectarian attack almost on daily basis. On January 20, 2014, seven car bombs exploded in Shiite neighborhoods in Baghdad, killing more than 27 people and injuring more than 70 as the joint offensive in Anbar by Iraqi security forces and allied tribal fighters continued on January 20, 2014 for the second day. The offensive was mostly focused on clearing Ramadi of fighters with Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. According to reports, 67 militia fighters were killed in Anbar during two-day (January 19-20, 2014) fighting.
As car bombings and shootings across Iraq, including Kirkuk and Baghdad, killed at least 13 people on January 26, 2014, five soldiers were seized near Fallujah during the day by militants tied to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in the second such incident in three weeks since four Iraqi soldiers were kidnapped on January 6, 2014 near Fallujah and subsequently found dead. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
As violence continued in Baghdad on January 29, 2014, fighters tied to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and government forces were at a stand-off in Anbar. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called Sunni tribesmen in Anbar to join government forces to defeat Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant militants. Meanwhile, on January 29, 2014, a 7-member suicide attack team carried out a mayhem in the Department of Transportation headquarters in Baghdad, killing 3 civilians, 3 police officers and one camera operator before being killed. Two car bombs also targeted crowded marketplaces in Baghdad on January 29, 2014, killing 10 people. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
Storm of Violence Continues Unabated
As a more than month-long intense fighting in Anbar has reached at a point of military quagmire, violence has been stoking fear of an all-out eruption of sectarian warfare. On February 3, 2014, a string of car bomb explosions at various suburbs of Baghdad and Mahmoudiya, 20 miles south of Baghdad, killed at least 23 people.
Even Al-Qaeda Breaks Ties to Syrian Rebel Group
In its February 4, 2014, edition, The Dallas Morning News reported that al-Qaeda's central leader Ayman al-Zawahiri distanced his group from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and instead, threw his support to a rival group, Jabhat al-Nusra, or Nusra Front. Even when the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant was created in the spring of 2013 by merging the Syrian and Iraqi franchises of al-Qaeda and being led subsequently by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of the former branch, al-Zawahiri didn't approve the merger as it was deemed a direct challenge to his central authority. With February 3, 2014, announcement as reported by February 4, 2014, edition of The Dallas Morning News, Zawahiri put the last nail in the coffin of any hope for re-conciliation.
Car Bomb Making Trial Turns Fatal
In an ominous sign of al-Qaeda-led insurgent' push to regroup, reengage and recruit disenchanted Sunni youths, not only in Anbar, but also in the country's hinterland, a car bomb manufacturing training session turned fatal in the orchid-covered village of al-Jalam, 60 miles north of Baghdad, near the city of Samarra, on February 10, 2014, killing at least 21 militants and wounding dozens. Iraqi authorities arrested more than two dozens suspects, including many who had been injured in the blast. The blast happened on the same day as the speaker of parliament, Osama al-Nujaifi, a prominent sunni politician, escaped unhurt from a roadside bombing that targeted his convoy in the northern city of Mosul. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
Iraq Closes Notorious Abu Ghraib Prison
On April 15, 2014, Iraqi government announced that it would close the Abu Ghraib prison, a jail that was linked to a prisoner abuse scandal a decade ago, and shift the prison's more than 2,400 prisoners to other facilities. It's not clear if the Abu Ghraib shutdown was temporary or permanent.
Violence in Iraq Continues in the Run-up to Parliamentary Polls
As the April 30, 2014, parliamentary elections are nearing fast, insurgents have intensified their attacks to scare away the voters as evidenced in recent days, including the ones on April 21, 2014 in which at least 33 people have been killed across the nation.
Attack Hits a Shiite Political Party Campaign Rally
In a serious trend of sectarian escalation prior to April 30, 2014, parliamentary polls, three bombs exploded at a campaign rally of the Shiite-dominated, Iranian-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq political party at a stadium in eastern Baghdad, killing at least 31 and wounding several dozens. Polls will be held in 328 seats in the parliament. Parts of the Anbar province are exempt from parliamentary polls as the rebels from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant continued to seize them.
By and Large Peaceful Polls in Iraq
On April 30, 2014, Iraqis from all walks of life braved fear and frustration, and participated in the much cherished democratic process to elect representatives to 328 seats of parliament. The voter turnout was estimated to be about 60 percent out of 22 million eligible voters.
Premier Calls the Vote a Slap to Terrorists
A day after polls were held in a general peaceful atmosphere, an ebullient premier, Nouri al-Maliki, on May 1, 2014 dubbed the polls as a "slap in the face of terrorism". The US President Barack Obama also issued a congratulatory statement to Iraqis on May 1 for holding peaceful elections. However, in a grim reminder of volatile security situation in the country, the UN Mission in Iraq said on May 1, 2014 that 8,868 people had died in violence in 2013. That was the worst since a sectarian strife raged in Iraq in 2006 and 2007.
Violence Continues Despite a Peaceful Vote
Thwarted by the popular will to exercise the democratic right despite threats and terrors, the militants adopted more desperate strategies to inflict an air of fear psychosis in the post-poll aftermath by targeting security forces and Sahwa militia, a Sunni group that had revolted against al-Qaeda-linked militants and aligned with US troops, as witnessed on May 10 and May 11, 2014. The May 10, 2014, overnight attack on a military barrack at the village of Ayn al-Jahish outside of Mosul bore the hallmark of al-Qaeda atrocities as most of the 20 troops were found dead with hands tied and gunshot wounds from close range. On May 11, 2014, gunmen attacked a checkpoint manned by the Sahwa militia in the town of Adeim, about 60 miles north of Baghdad, killing 7 people.
Mayhem Looming Large in Iraq
In reminiscence of 2006-07 sectarian violence that had engulfed large parts of Iraq, a brewing insurgency began to expand its brutal reach to more areas and close in on the capital itself. The recent horrific surge in violence began on June 5, 2014 in Mosul that saw a subsequent three-day (June 5-7, 2014) fierce fighting between Islamic insurgents and security forces, killing almost 200 people. On June 7, 2014, a series of explosions in Baghdad claimed at least 52 people.
Islamist Rebels Seize most of the Second Largest City
In a setback to central government at Baghdad, a surging insurgency led by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant seized most of Ninevah province and its provincial capital, Mosul, on June 10, 2014.
Islamist Rebels Take Large Swath of Iraq, Advance toward Baghdad
In an alarming pace, a regional insurgent group that had been waging a bloody battle in neighboring Syria and seized control of vast majority of Iraq's Anbar province, including most of Fallujah and parts of provincial capital of Ramadi, sent a wave of panic and paranoia throughout the region by overrunning all the security establishment in Ninevah province and seizing the provincial capital, Mosul, the second-largest Iraqi city. The fall of Mosul on June 10, 2014 caught Baghdad and world capitals by surprise. Tens of thousands of people have been fleeing Mosul, and reports indicated that rebels from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant had been joined by former Baathists and other disgruntled Sunni groups.
Any remaining vestiges of Iraqi security presence in Mosul was gone by June 11, 2014. Reports indicated summary executions and extrajudicial killings perpetrated by occupying insurgents in Mosul. On June 11, 2014, the fast moving insurgency captured Saddam Hussein's birthplace city of Tikrit, and were closing in on Samarra, site to a sacred Shiite shrine, 70 miles north of capital.
On June 12, 2014, Iraqi security forces abandoned their bases, facilities and barracks in the ethnically mixed, volatile city of Kirkuk, leading the Kurdish authorities in the north to scramble operations to ensure that the city didn't fall in insurgent hands. By the end of the day on June 12, 2014, the security vacuum in Kirkuk was filled in by Kurdish regional troops. During the day (June 12), the U.N. Security Council met to discuss on the fast evolving crisis in Iraq and how to deal with it. In Baghdad, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had asked the parliament to declare a state of emergency to tackle the insurgency, but the august body failed to act as it lacked quorum. Meanwhile, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant on June 12, 2014 announced imposition of Shariah in Mosul and the surrounding regions it already controlled.
Obama Mulls Action, Shiite Religious Leader Calls for Armed Resistance
US President Barack Obama on June 13, 2014 made it clear that there would not be any American boots in Iraq. However, he didn't rule out airstrikes on rebel targets. Obama also said that his administration would consider aid--both lethal and non-lethal--to Iraqi government. During the day, Iraqi premier visited Samarra, a religious holy site for Shiites that was on the brink of falling into rebel hands. Amid Nouri al-Maliki's visit to Samarra on June 13, reports poured in that both the holy city and the refining town of Beiji were under the government control. On June 13, 2014, a key representative of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani, Sheik Abdul-Mahdi al-Karbalaie, issued call for all Iraqis to take up arms to defend their beloved country. As the situation on the ground was becoming more complex and challenging by day, the chief of U.N. human rights, Navi Pillay, expressed alarm over "murder of all kinds".
Another Northern City Falls, U.S. and Iran Mulling Joint Action
The compulsion on the ground may bring Washington and Teheran closer together as has been the case in the aftermath of 9-11, this time the common foe is a surging Sunni insurgency that had seized a large part of northern and western parts of Iraq. Meanwhile, insurgents from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant captured the northern city of Tal Afar on June 16, 2014 after a two-day battle. The fall of Tal Afar came hours after late June 15, 2014, ambush of a convoy of the shiite recruits that was enroute to northern conflict zone killed at least 29. The ambush took place near Samarra. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama on June 16 ordered up to 275 military personnel to Baghdad to protect the U.S. embassy there.
Sectarian Killings Likely to Precipitate Crisis in Iraq into a Tailspin
As rebels from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant continued their rampage through north of the country, Shiite militia began to take things into their hands as government defense had begun to crumble. At least 44 Sunni prisoners were found shot dead outside a government detention facility in Baqouba on late June 16, 2014. As a revenge, a car bomb exploded in Shiite-dominated Sadr City neighborhood on June 17, 2014, killing at least 14 people.
Fighting Over the Largest Refinery Raging as Obama Sending 300 Advisors to Train Iraqi Forces
A three-day fierce fight over the control of the country's largest refinery at Beiji, about 150 miles north of Baghdad, began on June 17, 2014 and still continued as of June 19, 2014 as the government soldiers and gunship helicopters were able to keep the insurgents from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant at bay. The fall of the sprawling refinery at Beiji will be a major setback to the Nouri al-Maliki regime. Meanwhile, U.S. President Barack Obama announced on June 19, 2014 that his administration would send up to 300 advisors to Iraq to train its beleaguered security personnel.
ISIL Seizes All Major Checkpoints Along Syrian and Jordanian Borders
In a major setback to Iraqi central government, the raging Sunni insurgency that seized a large swath of area in country's west and north had captured Iraq's only land crossing to Jordan, Tirbil, on June 23, 2014. The fall of Tirbil came after two major border checkpoints with Syria, Qaim and Walid, were also seized by the rebels tied to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. As a result, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant was able to open a cross-border conduit and corridor through which its armed militants would go back and forth between Syria and Iraq. The group, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, is increasingly treating the Syrian civil war as part of a broader campaign to defeat ruling Shiites and empower an oppressed Sunni populace on the both sides of the borders from tactical perspective. From a much more strategic viewpoint, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is focused on establishing an Islamic caliphate spanning vast swath of Iraq and Syria. Underpinning the grave situation, Syria was dragged into launching airstrikes on the insurgent targets at Qaim on June 24, 2014, killing at least 20 people.
Iraqi Premier at Loggerhead over Formation of National Unity Government
As there was increasing clamor to form a more inclusive national unity government, including the possibility of replacing Nouri al-Maliki at the helms of affairs, al-Maliki took a hard stance on June 25, 2014 over formation of so-called "national salvation" government. He opposed the concept from the outset, and instead asked Iraqis to close ranks to defend the sovereignty of the country against a menacing Sunni insurgency. Meanwhile, the insurgents from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant the on June 25 were closing on one of the largest dams on the Euphrates River near Haditha.
Iraqi Troops Take Back Saddam Hussein's Birthplace
In a dramatic comeback helped by involvement of U.S. military advisers and infusion of Iranian-backed militants, Iraqi troops on June 28, 2014 seized parts of Tikrit, birthplace of Saddam Hussein, after three days of fierce fighting.
Group Declares Islamic Caliphate, Names its Leader as New Caliph
In a dramatic announcement, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant on June 29, 2014 rebranded itself as Islamic State, claiming that it was able to erase the borders between Iraq and Syria, and named its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as Caliph, or the Supreme Leader, asking world's Muslim to consider him as their only leader. Meanwhile, fierce fighting was raging at Tikrit for the fourth straight day, with a newly vigorous Iraqi troops maintaining a firm grip on all inbound routes to the city as well as the Salahuddin University in Tikrit and a military base, Camp Speicher, on the outskirts of the city. Meanwhile, Russia was sending 12 warplanes to Iraq for aerial attack on the insurgent who seized a vast area across Iraq and Syria, erasing national boundaries. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu jumped into the Iraqi crisis on June 29 as he called for creation of independent Kurdistan and expanded presence of Israeli forces in the West Bank to prevent any advance of Islamic State fighters.
June Deadliest Month Ever Amid a Cacophonous Assembly of Iraqi Parliament and Saudi Help
The United Nations on July 1, 2014 estimated that more than 2,400 Iraqi civilians were killed in June 2014 as a raging Sunni insurgency was breathing near Baghdad. The toll was the highest monthly figure since at least April 2005. Meanwhile, Iraqi parliament convened on July 1 to choose a new cabinet, but devolved into chaos and cliquishness with Sunni and Kurd lawmakers walking out of the parliament. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia on July 1, 2014 announced a $500 million aid package to help tens of thousands of displaced Iraqis as the month-long Islamic ritual of Ramadan began.
Islamic State Leader Appears to be Preaching on a Video
A video seen on July 5, 2014 was a first sign of Islamic State's leader appearing in the besieged city of Mosul. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was seen on the first Friday (July 4, 2014) of Ramadan as preaching to the crowd at a famous mosque in Mosul. The video introduced Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as Caliph Ibrahim. The presence of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi at the Great Nurridin Mosque, which dates back to 1142, marked a propaganda brownie for the Islamic State as it showed not only the ability of the insurgents to project their new Caliph from the second-largest city of Iraq, but also used a revered mosque as a background for preaching and platform.
War Planes Carry out Bombing of Parts of Mosul
War planes launched at least three airstrikes on targets in Mosul on July 6, 2014. However, it was not known whose war planes they were. However, U.S. categorically denied that it had any air operation in the region during the time.
More than Four Dozen Bodies Found; Premier Blames Kurds of Sheltering Sunni Insurgency
In reminiscence and recall of the sectarian killings during 2006-07, fifty bodies were found on July 9, 2014 at Khamisiyah, 60 miles south of Baghdad. It was yet to be known which ethnic group or groups were the dead from. Meanwhile, Iraqi premier Nouri al-Maliki on July 9, 2014 accused Iraqi Kurdish region of being insurgent haven, a charge dismissed immediately by Kurdish Presidency. The official website for the Kurdish Presidency read a statement, accusing al-Maliki of "doing everything he can to justify failures and put the blame on others". A day later on July 10, 2014, authorities in Baghdad suspended all flights to Kurdish region, citing security risks, and the highest ranking Kurdish politician in the Nouri al-Maliki's cabinet, Roz Nouri Shawez, said that Kurdish cabinet members won't participate in cabinet meeting anymore.
Kurds Seize two Oil Fields; al-Maliki Replaces Kurd Foreign Minister
In a dangerous parting between Shiite premier and Kurds, Kurdish security forces on July 11, 2014 seized two key oilfields outside Kirkuk, and in Baghdad, PM Nouri al-Maliki replaced Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, a respected Kurd official, by a Shiite, Hussain Shahristani.
Gunmen Kill 33 in Baghdad
Amid a gloomy Ramadan month, gunmen entered into a housing complex on July 12, 2014, and opened fire, killing at least 33 people, including 29 women. It was not clear who were the perpetrators in the shooting at Zayounah neighbourhood in eastern Baghdad, or whether the shooting deaths were linked to sectarian revenge attacks.
Iraqi Parliament Elects a Moderate Sunni as Speaker
Two weeks after Kurd and Sunni lawmakers walked out of parliament in protest against Shiite high-handedness and PM Nouri al-Maliki's sectarian style of leading, Iraqi parliament scored brownie points on July 15, 2014 by electing a moderate Sunni, Salim al-Jubouri, as parliament's new speaker.
Christians Fled Mosul Ahead of Deadline
As Islamic State gradually began to impose its harsh interpretation of Islam in Ninevah province, including Mosul, the group on July 17, 2014 through leaflet and public announcement gave Mosul's Christians 48-hour timeline to convert to Islam, pay a fine or get executed. Fearful of their lives, thousands of Christian families fled their ancestral homes, businesses, churches and neighborhoods for safer places in nearby Kurdish-controlled territory. By July 19, 2014, Mosul's Christian community, which dated back to the first century of Chaldean, Assyrian and Armenian tradition, was emptied out of the second-largest city as well as surrounding region in Ninevah province.
Kurdish Elected as Iraq's New President As Militants Blew up An Ancient Shrine
Iraqi parliament on July 24, 2014 elected a veteran Kurdish politician, Fouad Massoum, 76, one of the founders of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, to replace outgoing President Jalal Talabani. Massoum joined politics when he was 16, participating in Kurdish-organized demonstrations, and joining the Kurdistan Democratic Party in 1964. Massoum said afterwards that the country faced a list of "huge security, political and economic tasks".
As Fouad Massoum was being named as country's president, militants from Islamic State blew up an eighth century B.C. shrine, known as the Mosque of the Prophet Younis, a revered site known to be built on the burial ground of Prophet Jonah. According to the Bible and Quran, Jonah was swallowed by a whale or big fish. As the mosque was being reduced to the rubble, several homes nearby were also damaged.
Militants Continue Mosque Destruction Spree in Ninevah Province
As if the demolition of the Mosque of the Prophet Younis was not enough to fight the so-called apostasy, militants from Islamic State on July 27, 2014 carried out its rampage by destroying another historic, 14th century shrine in Mosul. This time the ill-fated shrine was Prophet Jirjis Mosque and Shrine, named after Nabi Jerjis, or Prophet George, and was built in the late 14th century. Last week, militants had bombed the Mosque of the Prophet Younis or Prophet Jonah, and Mosque of the Prophet Sheeth (Seth).
Sunni Insurgents Maraud Three Iraqi Towns in the North
In a broadening of the current conflict and a likelihood of fighting with Kurdish pesh megra, Islamic State rebels invaded the town of Sinjar in the middle of darkness on August 3, 2014, decimating the Shiite shrines of the town, executing the resistance fighters, overrunning the security buildings and hoisting their trademark black flag. Later in the day, the rebels captured two more towns in the region, including Wana on the Tigris River that had put the insurgents at a stone's throw from the Mosul Dam, a possibility that raised immediate scare that insurgents might use the devious tactic of flooding the downstream villages and towns as part of inflicting serious damage to the state of Iraq and bringing disrepute to the Nouri al-Maliki regime in Baghdad. The U.N. representative to Baghdad, Nickolay Mladenov, referring to the situation in Sinjar, said that a "humanitarian tragedy" unfolding in the town and up to 200,000 civilians, especially from the Yazidi community, from the surrounding regions had fled to the mountain hideouts.
Iraqi Premier Offers Air Support as Kurds Vow to Repel Islamic Militants
What years of political process couldn't achieve Islamic State rebels were able to achieve in a couple of days as Iraq's premier, Nouri al-Maliki, on August 4, 2014 offered air support to Kurdish forces in the north. Much of al-Maliki's tenure was fraught with tension with Kurds, and Kurds were also skeptical of any gesture from Baghdad's Shiite political establishment. However, given the sorry state of Iraqi Air Force, it's not sure how the Kurds will respond to al-Maliki's offer of air support as Kurds have already battle-hardened pesh merga. Also, on August 4, 2014, in another sign of broader escalation of the conflict, Turkey's main Kurdish militant group, Kurdistan Worker's Party, announced mobilization of its own militants to fight against Islamic State insurgents.
Kurds Launch Offensive to Regain Territory from Sunni Insurgents
Syrian and Turkish Kurds on August 5, 2014 joined the fray in Iraq to untangle the grip of Islamic State in northern Iraq and to eliminate the rebel siege on Mosul Dam. The joining of hands by Syrian and Turkish Kurds with pesh merga added new twist to the conflict in Iraq.
Obama Orders Air Strikes Against Rebel Strongholds
As Islamic State rebels had made a concerted effort to push toward Irbil, the administrative capital of Kurdish Regional Government, over the past week or so by capturing strategic towns and routing pesh merga forces, it became evident that U.S. had to get involved in one way or the other to help Kurdish forces to fend off Islamic State rebels from arriving at the doorstep of Irbil, where a large number of American diplomats and Joint Operation Command's Iraq operation were present, and tens of thousands of Yazidis, who had fled to Mount Sinjar. As the rebels were marauding towns and villages close to Irbil, the apparent insecurity of Kurdish forces was all too palpable, and the U.S. President Barack Obama on August 7, 2014 ordered U.S. airstrikes against Islamic State positions. Obama also said that US had airdropped food and water for tens of thousands of Yazidi refugees holed up in and around barren Sinjar Mountains. There were reports that many Yazidis, who were able to flee, were dying of hunger and thirst, and of those unfortunates who were not able to flee, men were butchered and women were enslaved by rebels. Obama said during the news conference that threat to Irbil, where a large number of American security personnel and diplomats were present, and potential humanitarian disaster looming over Yazidi community in the rugged mountains met his criteria for intervention. Meanwhile, panic ran high on August 7, 2014 as Islamic State rebels had now complete control over Mosul Dam after they had routed pesh merga.
US War Planes Pound Islamic Rebel Positions
US carried out three sorties on August 8, 2014, flying war planes and drones in the sky over northern Iraq and pounding positions of Islamic State rebels on the ground. Then in early August 9, 2014, US has carried out its second humanitarian mission to help Yazidis holed up in the Sinjar Mountains in dire conditions by dropping 72 bundles of supplies, including 28,000 meals and 1,500 gallons of water.
Kurds Claim to Have Retaken Two Strategic Towns Outside Irbil
Backed by US airstrikes since President Barack Obama okayed limited aerial assault on late August 7, 2014, Kurds began to reassert their military might against Islamic State rebels. On August 10, 2014, Kurdish forces ousted Islamic State rebels, and retook control over two strategic towns, Gwer and Mahmour, respectively. However, the political contour surrounding the election of a new premier turned muddier as incumbent Nouri al-Maliki hit the air wave by means of state TV just before midnight on August 11, 2014, asserting his right to remain premier and determination to take measures to stay in powers.
New Face Named as Premier Amid Defiance by al-Maliki
In a shift in Iraqi political landscape, country's President Fouad Massoum on August 11, 2014 invited Shiite-dominated Dawa Party leader and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Haider al-Abadi to form government. Al-Abadi has 30 days to form government. The move was immediately opposed by the incumbent Nouri al-Maliki, who dubbed the move as unconstitutional. Complicating the political equation in Baghdad, US President Barack Obama, taking a break from his vacation in the Martha's Vineyard, said on August 11 that he and Vice President Joe Biden had congratulated al-Abadi on the phone. Obama called the nomination of Haider al-Abadi for premiership an "important step towards forming a new government that can unite Iraq's different communities".
US Reported to be Arming Kurds amid Aerial Drop of Relief Supplies
On August 11, 2014, U.S. carried out fifth aerial drop of relief supplies for tens of thousands of Yazidis who had sought refuge in Mount Sinjar. So far, US had provided 85,000 meals and 20,000 gallons of fresh water to the Yazidi refugees, according the US Central Command. Meanwhile, according to The Associated Press, US agencies are supplying arms directly to Kurdish forces, bypassing Baghdad. However, it's not clear yet which agency or what kinds of arms are being shipped to Kurds.
Islamic State's Siege on Mount Sinjar Broken, US Claims
US airstrikes coupled with Kurdish offensive broke a stubborn siege by Islamic State rebels on Mount Sinjar in northern Iraq, and many Yazidi refugees took that opportunity to get out of mountains to Kurds-controlled areas in Iraq and Syria. As a result, few thousands, not tens of thousands, of Yazidis were on the top of the mountain. That was the assessment of about 20 US special operations troops and aid workers, who landed on the top of the mountain on August 13, 2014 to assess the humanitarian situation there. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama this week sent an additional 130 troops to Irbil, bringing the total number of troops Obama sent to Iraq since the fall of Mosul to more than 900.
Gridlock in Baghdad Adds to Political Woes in Iraq
A defiant Nouri al-Maliki said on August 13, 2014 that he would not go down without a fight although he nearly lost all of his allies including USA, Iran, Shiite politicians and international community.
Al-Maliki Budges, Now Favors New Premier Pick
As it became evident that he was getting increasinly isolated even among his allies, PM Nouri al-Maliki devoured from the brinkmanship on August 14, 2014, and backed the candidate picked by President Fouad Massoum on August 11, 2014. Al-Maliki appeared before news correspondents with the candidate and his fellow Dawa Party member, Haider al-Abadi, and asked the military to stay away from the political process. However, al-Maliki himself was suspected to be reaching out to military to keep his post.
Yazidi Leader Refutes US Stand on Breaking up Islamic State Siege on Moutn Sinjar
A Yazidi parliamentarian who was injured in an Iraqi relief helicopter crash while trying to reach Mount Sinjar on August 12, 2014 rejected the US stand that the siege of Mount Sinjar by Islamic State rebels was broken and threat to Yazidi refugees holed up in the mountains had diminshed significantly. US officials made that assessment after a team of 18 Marines and special operations troops landed on the mountain top on August 13, 2014 to have an on-the-spot survey of the situation. The parliamentarian, Vian Dakhil, commented on the US stand from the hospital bed on August 14, 2014. Ms. Dakhil estimated that between 70,000 and 80,000 Yazidis are still entrapped in Mount Sinjar. Also, her assessment that the humanitarian crisis there was far from over was also corroborated by David Swanson, the spokesman for the U.N. coordinator of the humanitarian affairs in northern Iraq.
US Expands Airstrikes against Rebels
In an expanding scope of airstrikes by warplanes and drones, US on August 16, 2014 provided air cover for a joint Kurdish-Iraqi ground operation to break the gridlock around Iraq's largest hydroelectric power source and a strategic dam, Mosul Dam, amid reports of hundreds of young Yazidi girls taken captive by Islamic State rebels and forcefully married with rebel fighters.
Obama Justifies Expanded Aerial Campaign that Helps Iraqi, Kurdish Forces to Retake Mosul Dam
Taking a break from his summer vacation at the Martha's Vineyard to attend a meeting of his national security team at Washington, D.C. on August 18, 2014, US President Barack Obama said that USA's expanded aerial campaign that had helped Kurdish-Iraqi forces to seize Mosul Dam during the day didn't constitute broadening of the scope of U.S. campaign in Iraq. President Obama stood behind the rationale of the expanded aerial campaign he had penned in a letter sent to Congress on August 17, 2014 in which the president had emphasized the security of U.S. personnel in the embassy at Baghdad in case the dam failed. Also, on August 18, 2014, Pope Francis weighed in the fluid political and military scene of Iraq by saying, during his flight back from a trip to South Korea, that any action should have been tailored at the auspices of U.N., not by a single nation.
Video Shows Beheading of an American Journalist
According to a video uploaded on August 19, 2014, Islamic State beheaded an American journalist, James Foley, who was last seen in Binesh, Syria and had disappeared on November 22, 2012, for what it had described as revenge for US airstrikes against the group. The masked militant who beheaded the American journalist seemed to be of British origin as evident from his accent. He also warned that the fate of a second American journalist, Steven Sotloff, depended on the next move of President Obama. Foley was a freelance journalist for Boston-based online publication GlobalPost as well as Agence France-Presse.
Obama Vows to Carry on Airstrikes against Islamic State
Reacting to the gruesome video of beheading of an American journalist, James Foley, U.S. President Barack Obama said on August 20, 2014 at the Martha's Vineyard, where he was vacationing, that the world was appalled by the videotaped beheading and vowed to be "vigilant" and "relentless". U.S. warplanes during the day carried out 14 airstrikes, refusing to pay any attention to Islamic State threat to execute a second American journalist, Steven Sotloff. President Obama also spoke with Foley's parents--John and Diane Foley--during the day, saying that Americans "are all heartbroken at their loss". Also, on August 20, 2014, British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond said that the alleged butcherer of Foley might be a British.
Dempsey Calls for Strikes against Islamic Militants within Syria
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey said on August 21, 2014 that Islamic State won't be dismantled without going after the group within Syria, espousing a broader aerial campaign against the group than the one with narrowly tailored scope the Obama administration was pursuing since August 8, 2014.
Bombing at a Sunni Mosque in Diyala Kills Dozens
In what might be a sign of vengeance, an attack on a Sunni mosque during Friday prayer at a village, Imam Wais Village, in Diyala province on August 22, 2014 killed more than 60 people. This happened during a day when Prime Minister designate Haider al-Abadi appeared first time before press corps and urged for national unity.
Bombings Kill Dozens in Kirkuk and Baghdad
A series of three bombs exploded in Kirkuk on August 23, 2014, killing 31 people. In Baghdad, a car bomb killed near an intelligence complex at Karradah district, killing more than 11 people. Also, during the day, Iraq's Sunni Speaker of parliament, Salim al-Jabouri, said that lawmakers were investigating the attack on a Sunni mosque at the village of Imam Wais Village in Diyala province a day earlier, and the report was due in two days.
Second American Journalist Beheaded
A second American journalist, Steven Sotloff, 31, captured last year in northern Syria, was seen on a video to have been beheaded by a masked Islamic State militant, who had proclaimed, addressing Barack Obama, that he was back and "our knife will continue to strike the necks of your people". The gruesome video surfaced on September 2, 2014. The video showed a British hostage, David Cawthorne Haynes, just like the Foley video had also shown Sotloff during James Foley's beheading.
Obama Vows to "Degrade, Dismantle" the Islamic State
At the start of his three-day sweep through Europe, U.S. President Barack Obama, standing beside Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves at Tallinn, said on September 3, 2014, a day after a video showing the beheading of a second American journalist was posted, that US collectively with allies would degrade and dismantle the curse of Islamic State.
Obama, Cameron Call for NATO Effort to Defeat Islamic State
As leaders from NATO descended on Newport, Wales on September 4, 2014 for a crucial meet, US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron called for a collective NATO strategy to defeat Islamic State as they had opined in a joint article, published on September 4 in the Times of London, that "developments in other parts of the world, particularly Iraq and Syria, threaten our security at home".
Renewed Hope in Iraq after New Premier Takes the Charge
Optimism and message of reconciliation emanated from Baghdad with installation of a new cabinet under a new premier on September 8, 2014. U.S. President Barack Obama called up Haider al-Abadi during the day to convey his congratulations and message of reconciliation among various groups. Al-Abadi took charge of the country at a critical juncture when it was facing a ferocious onslaught by Sunni ingurgent group Islamic State from north and west, a restive population deprived of even basic government services, growing security crisis and stalled economy.
Obama Makes Case for "Sustained and Comprehensive" Campaign Against Islamic State
Days after saying that his administration didn't have any strategy against Islamic State in Syria, American public on September 10, 2014 saw a different Barack Obama, a president who had understood that he could no longer avoid his legacy not being touched by regional war. Addressing the American public in a televised national address, President Obama on September 10, 2014 called for "sustained and comprehensive" counterterrorism strategy to reverse the advance of Islamic State rebels, expand USA's air campaign to strike Islamic State's positions within Syria and form a broad-based international coalition to take on the militants. However, President Obama once again ruled out any possibility to send ground troops for combat role. Instead, Obama administration would work towards arming, assisting and training the pro-western rebel groups in Syria and Kurdish forces and Iraqi security forces in Iraq.
US Struggles to Form a Regional Coalition
Two days after President Barack Obama addressed American people in a primetime TV address espousing sustained and comprehensive campaign against the Islamic State, Washington struggled to form a cohesive regional coalition, especially with Turkey, on September 12, 2014. Turkey had been in a bind as Islamic State was holding 49 Turkish hostages since June when they had swept through northern Iraqi town of Mosul and seized Turks from the consulate there. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, coming out of a session with his Turkish couterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, at Ankara, essentially admitted the dilemma Turkey was facing. Meanwhile, in a show of support for the new Iraqi government headed by Haider al-Abadi, French President Francois Hollande flew to Baghdad on September 12, 2014, and vowed to support the fight against Islamic State. France took a more aggressive stand in fighting against Islamic State by supplying arms to Kurdish fighters and deciding to host an international conference in Paris on a strategy to counter Islamic State on September 15, 2014. Although both France and USA have overall same strategic goal to degrade and dismantle Islamic State, two major areas of difference have emerged in recent days:
* France believes that US announcement of going after Islamic State in Syria with an air campaign will help Bashar Assad regime
* France favors inviting Iran to September 15, 2014, Paris conference, but couldn't do so because of US opposition to inviting Iran
Islamic State Beheads Third Westerner, This Time a Briton
A gruesome video on September 13, 2014 showed horrific beheading of a British aid worker, David Haines, who was kidnapped in March 2013 near the Atmeh Refugee Camp along the Turkish border in the Syrian province of Idlib. The butcher seemed to be the same masked man with heavy eastern London accent, blaming the British premier David Cameron for joining the US to bomb Islamic State positions in Iraq and holding him responsible for Haines' killing. The video ends with the picture of another British hostage, Alan Henning, as the next target for beheading.
U.S. for Limited Collaboration with Iran to Fight against Islamic State
As international community gathered at Paris on September 15, 2014 to formulate a unified and uniform strategy to fight the growing menace of Islamic State in northern and western Iraq as well as vast stretch of land in the east and northeast in Syria, clear difference over forming a sustainable coalition emerged. France and Iraq have strongly favored to rope in Iran for any international coalition to make it viable, while the USA wants a more limited Iranian involvement.
Dempsey Raises Possibility of Ground Troops
During a testimony before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee on September 16, 2014, the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staffs Gen. Martin Dempsey said that boots on ground might be needed in addition to continuous U.S. airstrikes to degrade and dismantle ISIS. Gen. Dempsey's stand contradicts President Barack Obama's repeated assertion that no U.S. ground troops will be redeployed in Iraq. However, Gen. Dempsey didn't specify whether he had meant Iraqi, Kurdish and other regional troops by boots on the ground.
France Joins Airstrike Against Islamic State
France on September 19, 2014 joined the US to hit rebel positions in Iraq, opening a new chapter of active engagement in Iraq. French warplanes struck against logistics centers and command and control operation of the Islamic State on ground. However, France was categorical that its aerial campaign would not extend to Syria. Meanwhile, the U.N Security Council on September 19, 2014 approved a resolution that condemned Islamic State for committing brutalities, rapes and tortures in Iraq.
US Airstrikes Hit Rebel Boat on Euphrates
During September 19, 2014 and September 20, 2014, US carried out five airstrikes, including the one that hit and destroyed a boat on Euphrates River southwest of Baghdad. The boat was allegedly carrying supplies for ISIS rebel group. As of September 20, US carried out a total of 183 airstrikes against ISIS positions across Iraq.
Kurdish Paramilitary Captures a Key Border Crossing
In a sign of assertiveness, Kurdish Peshmerga forces on September 30, 2014 fought bitterly against Islamic State rebels in northern and western Iraq, and ousted them from a key (Iraq-Syria) border crossing, Rabia Border Crossing, that was under the ISIL control since June 2014. In recent weeks, Kurdish forces, aided by western aerial campaign, made a concerted effort to dislodge ISIL fighters on several fronts. For the first time, British Tornado jets carried out bombing campaigns on September 30, 2014 against the Islamic State targets in northern Iraq.
Rising Death Toll Since the Rise of Islamic State
Since the sweep of Islamic State through the north in June, at least 5,500 people were killed, including thousands of Yazidis who were excuted by the Sunnin militants, according to an estimate issued by the U.N. on October 2, 2014. The special UN representative to Iraq, Nickolay Mladenov, called the report "terrifying". Those deaths account for almost half of 9,343 civilian deaths recorded between January and September of 2014, said a joint statement by U.N Mission in Iraq and U.N. Human Rights Office. U.N. Human Rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Zeid al-Hussein called many of the killings to be war crimes.
British Aid Worker Beheaded; Canada and Australia to Join in Airstrikes
A video surfaced on October 3, 2014 showed gruesome beheading of a British aid worker, Alan Henning, 47, kidnapped last year in Syria as he was driving an ambulance to provide lifesaving drugs. The video, continuing the trend shown earlier with the previous beheadings, also showed an American, Peter Kassig, as the next beheading target.
Meanwhile, both Canada and Australia announced on October 3, 2014 that they would join airstrikes campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq. Although Canadian PM Stephen Harper said that his country would extend airstrikes to Syria if asked by the Syrian government of Bashar Assad, Australian premier Tony Abbott ruled out any airstrikes in Syria.
Islamic State Attacks Continue amid Assassination of Anbar Police Chief
Triple suicide bombings rocked Qara Tappah in Diyala province on October 12, 2014, killing at least 58 people a day after a series of car bomb attacks had rocked Shiite-dominated areas of Baghdad and killed at least 45 people. During the day, the provincial police chief of Anbar, Brig. Gen. Ahmed al-Dulaimi, was killed in a roadside bomb attack as his convoy was passing north of the provincial capital, Ramadi.
********************************** Trial of Blackwater Guards **********************
Four Former Blackwater Guards Found Guilty
In a watershed moment for both the credibility of the US criminal justice system and providing justice to the innocent victims of individual hatred, a jury in the U.S. District Court on October 22, 2014 found four ex-guards employed by now-defunct defense contractor Blackwater Worldwide guilty for their roles in September 16, 2007, indiscriminate shooting at Baghdad's Nisoor Square that had killed 14 people--10 men, two women and two boys--beside wounding 18 others and marked a permanent dark spot on the USA-Iraqi relations. The guilty verdict was rendered against Nicholas Slatten, Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty and Paul Slough, respectively, while a fifth guard, Jeremy Ridgeway, pleaded guilty and cooperated with the prosecution team. The case got mired with hurdles and roadblocks from the very beginning, and a federal judge during the first trial tossed out charges in 2009, accusing the prosecution of labeling "reckless charges". Subsequently, the US Justice Department got its act together, and renewed its effort to mete out justice with new zeal. During Iraq and Afghan wars, Blackwater Worldwide, a defense contractor that was established by former Marine Erik Prince, became synonymous of the USA's growing privatization of overseas war.
Ex-Guards Receive Lengthy Jail Terms
On April 13, 2015, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth sentenced Nicholas Slatten to life in prison and other three to 30 years and one day in jail term.
Ex-Guards Appeal Their Sentencing Verdict
Four former guards of Blackwater Worldwide, Nicholas Slatten, Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty and Paul Slough, who were convicted on October 22, 2014 of murder of innocent Iraqis in 2007, on February 1, 2016 filed their long-anticipated appeal against their conviction.
Blackwater Conviction Tossed
The D.C.-based U.S. Court of Appeals on August 4, 2017 overturned the first-degree murder conviction against Nicholas Slatten. The court also ordered re-sentencing for the other three defendants Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty and Paul Slough, calling their 30-year sentences a "cruel and unusual punishment".
Slatten Found Guilty in the Third Trial
Nicholas Slatten was found guilty on December 19, 2018 in his third trial in the September 16, 2007, shooting at Baghdad that had killed 14 people, wounded 18 and strained relationship between the two countries.
Slatten Given Life Term
Nicholas Slatten convicted on December 19, 2018 was sentenced to life imprisonment on August 14, 2019 by a federal judge. The judge, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth of Washington, rejected a petition filed by Slatten's attorneys on his innocence. Nicholas Slatten was found guilty of murder of an Iraqi, Ahmed Haithem Ahmed Al Rubia'y.
Blackwater Guards Pardoned by Trump
Blackwater guards—Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty, Nicholas
Slatten and Paul Slough—received presidential pardon from Donald Trump on December
22, 2020.
********************************** Trial of Blackwater Guards **********************
Islamic State Continues Mayhem in Anbar
Islamic State in recent days turned its eyes on punishing the members of a Sunni tribe in Anbar for its role to put up resistance against the militants who had seized the better parts of Anbar province and large swath of northern Iraq, eastern and northern Syria and created a Shariah-guided protostate. On October 31, 2014, Islamic State militants butchered 50 members of Al Bu Nimr tribe, a day after killing an additional 48 members of the tribe. On November 1, 2014, Islamic State continued its streak of wreaking havoc on the tribe by killing at least 50 men, women and children at a village north of Ramadi.
Obama to Send More than 1,500 More Troops to Iraq
President Barack Obama said on November 7, 2014 that he would order 1,500 additional troops to Iraq for advising, training and assisting Iraqi troops and Kurdish peshmerga paramilitary force in their fight against ISIS. Presidential order will double the US troops presence in Iraq from its current level of 1,400, and will send some of the US troops to Anbar province for the first time since US withdrawal in 2011. Obama asked Congress $5.6 billion to fund his plan. The additional troops ordered by the president on November 7 will not deploy until Congress passes legislation for $5.6 billion and the president signs it.
ISIL's Mysterious Leader Rumored to be Wounded
The Associated Press reported on November 9, 2014 that, based on information from the Iraqi government sources, the reclusive leader of ISIL, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was wounded in an Iraqi airstrike in Anbar on November 8, 2014. However, the news of Baghdadi to be wounded in Iraqi airstrike turned out to be false.
Islamic Militants Ousted from Refinery Town
In the reversal of momentum on ground, Iraqi troops buoyed by Iranian help and western coalition airstrike seized the refinery town of Beiji on the Tigris River on November 14, 2014. The refinery was always under the government control. It was the adjacent town with the same name that was a strategic prize for ISIL. So, with the recapture of the town, Iraqi forces scored a key strategic victory over more organized ISIL militants.
Islamic State Targets Funeral, Former Shiite General Slain in a Separate Incident
Islamic State on December 30, 2014 claimed responsibility for sending a suicide bomber to a funeral north of Baghdad that killed 16 people and wounded 34. The funeral was being held on December 30, 2014 for the father of two Sunni brothers who had joined hands with other Sunnis in revolt against ISIL. Meanwhile, at the town of Duluiyah, about 45 miles north of Baghdad, former Iraqi army Brig. Gen. Abbas Hassan Jabr, who had joined pro-Shiite Badr Brigades, was assassinated by a sniper on December 30, 2014.
Sunni Massacre at the Hands of Shiite Militia Reported in Iraq
At least 72 people from a Sunni-dominated village, Barwanah, in Diyala province were executed in cold blood by Shiite militia around January 26, 2015, according to a January 30, 2015, report by The New York Times. The reported massacre will further undermine Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's effort to foster reconciliation between Shiites and Sunnis and unify the nation to take on the common enemy ISIL.
Islamic State Launches Attack on Oil-Rich Iraqi City
Faced with US-led aerial strikes in both Iraq and Syria on one hand and an assertive push by Iraqi forces and Kurdish forces on the other, ISIL militants grew desperate in recent days and it was reflected on January 30, 2015 as a concerted move was launched to seize oil-rich city of Kirkuk. At present, the city was under the control of peshmerga fighters, and most likely, they will be able to beat back the latest attack on the city by ISIL fighters.
Islamic State Tries to Take over a Key Airbase in the Volatile Iraqi Province
Iraqi soldiers on February 13, 2015 repelled a concerted ISIL attack on the Al-Asad Airbase in the western Anbar province. At least 400 U.S. troops were present in the base during the time of the attack. A total of 2,600 U.S. forces are in Iraq now, and 450 of them are training the Iraqi army.
A Sunni Tribal Sheikh Slain by Shiite Militants
As if the ISIL threat was not enough to undermine the authority of the Haider al-Abadi regime in Baghdad, increasing assassinations and executions of Sunnis at the hand of rival Shiite militia in recent months emerged as a thorn on the side of the regime. The most recent incident occurred on February 13, 2015 evening when the entourage of a prominent Sunni tribal sheikh, Sheikh Qasim al-Janabi, along with eight others in his convoy were assassinated.
Iraq Launches Operation to Retake Saddam's Birthplace
Iraq on March 2, 2015 launched its most determined military campaign to re-seize the city of Tikrit in Salahuddin province, former Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein's birthplace, with regular Iraqi army and Shiite militia. Many western military analysts believe that the Iraqi offensive is being led by Iranian Gen. Ghasem Soleimani, commander of the Revolutionary Guard's Qud Force. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, addressing the Iraqi lawmakers on March 2, 2015 in national parliament, echoed the former U.S. President George W. Bush, saying that the people of Tikrit were either with us (Iraqi government) or with them (ISIL).
Discord Surfaces between Allies as Operation to Take Tikrit Back Goes on in Full Swing
A day after tensions emerged in the U.S.-Iraqi coalition against the ISIL over U.S. officials' repeated public comments that Iraqi Army wasn't up to the task and any effort to retake the city of Mosul won't be successful if launched before April, Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi made it clear on March 4, 2015 that any operation to launch offensive against ISIL to retake Mosul would be "planned, timed and executed by Iraqis". Many western officials, especially U.S. officials, openly expressed reservations over the capability of Iraqi military, Iran's growing military involvement to strengthen Iraqi security forces in fight against ISIL militants and presence of a large number of Shiite militia alongside the regular Iraqi military personnel. Lest the discord would send a wrong message, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Stuart Jones said on March 4, 2015, after meeting with Najaf Governor Adnan al-Zurufi, that "the United States is proud of its partnership with Iraqi forces, which has made huge impacts in weakening Daesh", referring ISIL by its Arab acronym.
Islamic Extremists Destroy Archeological Sites
A week after ISIL militants uploaded a video showing the destruction of artifacts at Mosul Museum using sledgehammers, Islamic State militants used heavy vehicles to rage the historic preservations at the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud, south of Mosul, according to a statement issued by Iraq's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities on March 5, 2015.
Destruction of Archeological Sites Evokes International Outrage
The damage and destruction inflicted on various archeological sites in Iraq that had stood for centuries as testimonial to the evolution of human civilization had evoked worldwide condemnation as UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova on March 6, 2015 called for region's political and religious leaders to stand up to ISIL's "cultural cleansing".
Islamic Militants Thought to Have Ravaged a Second Ancient Site
In another bout of shockwave to global preservationists and their movement for protecting dozens of archeological ruins from the era of beginning of human civilization, Iraqi officials on March 7, 2015 said that Islamic State militants might have razed a second UNESCO world heritage site, Hatra, that was founded in the first century B.C. Hatra is known to have high, thick ancient walls which have been presumed to help the defenders of the ancient city to repulse Roman aggression in A.D. 116 and 198.
Another Antiquities Site at Risk
Iraq's Tourism and Antiquities Minister Adel Shirshab expressed concern on March 8, 2015 that ISIL militants might plunder another ancient site, Khorsabad, 9 miles northeast of Mosul. Khorsabad was the Assyrian capital during the rule of King Sargon II (721-705 BC).
Iraqi Army, Shiite Militia Take Two Strategic Villages Close to Tikrit
The fight for Tikrit is growing intense by day as Iraqi Army and Iran-backed Shiite militia arrived at the doorstep of Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's birthplace. Iraqi Army and allied militia on March 8, 2015, six days after the most intense operation to retake Tikrit had been launched on March 2, seized two key villages, Abu Ajeel, east of Tikrit, and Dawr, south of Tikrit. The scenes from Dawr were ones of desolation, destruction and devastation across the village, with eeriness having covered the rows of empty houses.
Tikrit: Iraq Close to Victory, Iraq Says
Iraqi national television and social networking site were on March 11, 2015 buzzing with Iraqi and Shiite militia flags hoisted at numerous places in and around Tikrit. Iraqi government said that Tikrit, birthplace of former dictator Saddam Hussein, was all but sure to fall under government control in the coming days. As ISIL was all but routed from Tikrit, it launched a massive attack on Ramadi on March 11, 2015.
Premier Claims, Victory 'by Iraqi Hands' Imminent in Tikrit
Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on March 12, 2015 gave a bullish assessment on the progress of Tikrit offensive launched on March 2, 2015 jointly by Iraqi security forces and Shiite militia fighters. The premier confidently said that the victory was imminent and it would be done all by "Iraqi hands".
U.S. Joins Tikrit Fight with Reconnaissance Flight
Defying the Iraqi Prime Minister's March 12, 2015, confident announcement that the victory of Tikrit, all "by Iraqi hands", was imminent, a stubborn resistance by ISIL fighters held off Iraqi troops and allied Shiite militia at bay, leading Baghdad to request U.S. involvement even in some indirect way to break the military logjam. As part of that request, U.S. began aerial surveillance over Tikrit on March 21, 2015.
U.S. Begins Airstrikes in Tikrit
After four days of flying reconnaissance planes, U.S. warplanes began airstrikes against ISIL positions in Tikrit late on March 25, 2015, giving teeth to a stalled offensive by Iraqi forces to recapture Saddam Hussein's birthplace.
Shiite Militias Re-Join Tikrit Fight
In protest against US airstrikes in Tikrit that began on March 25, 2015, Shiite militias who were at the forefront of Iraqi government's campaign to seize Tikrit withdrew from the battlefield on March 26, 2015. However, after hearing a call from Iraq's supreme religious leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani for Shiites to join the fight to help the government of Iraq to rescue Tikrit from the clutch of Islamic State, Popular Mobilization Committees, umbrella organization of Shiite militias, returned to battlefield on March 27, 2015.
Two Revolutionary Guards Officials Die in US Airstrike in Tikrit, Iran Says
Iran's Revolutionary Guard on March 30, 2015 said that its two high-ranking officials who were coordinating Iraqi government-Shiite militia push to seize Tikrit were killed in an American airstrike on March 23, 2015. The announcement was yet another proof in the depth of involvement of Iran's military in assisting Iraqi security forces against ISIL. Ali Yazdani and Hadi Jafari were accorded martyrs' funerals on March 29, 2015. However, the U.S. Central Command on March 30, 2015 categorically denied that Ali Yazdani and Hadi Jafari were killed in U.S. airstrike as there was no airstrike between March 22 and March 24.
Iraqi Leader Rejoices "Liberation of Tikrit"
On March 31, 2015, Iraqi premier Haider al-Abadi announced victory in ousting ISIL from Tikrit, and congratulated the Iraqi security forces for the key military milestone for the "liberation of Tikrit".
Victory Marked in Tikrit
A jubilant and joyful mood descended on the streets of Tikrit on April 1, 2015 as hundreds of people welcomed premier Haider al-Abadi, who walked on a battered street in the liberated city.
ISIL Releases More than 200 Captives
Retreating ISIL militants, who had been dealt a severe setback in Tikrit, on April 8, 2015 released at least 216 Yazidi hostages.
ISIL Seizes Three Villages near Ramadi, Thousands Flee
Routed from Tikrit, ISIL set its bird's eyes on Ramadi, the provincial capital of Anbar province. On April 15, 2015, it seized three villages on the outskirt of Ramadi--Sjariyah, Albu-Ghanim and Soufiya. As Iraqi troop reinforcement was in the offing, including a possible US airstrike campaign, thousands of residents, sensing a state of siege awaiting them, were fleeing Ramadi on April 16, 2015.
Government Forces Oust ISIL from Refinery Complex
Iraqi forces on April 18, 2015 established full control of Iraq's largest refinery, Beiji Refinery Complex, handing the latest setback to ISIL after ousting the militant outfit Tikrit. Government forces had control over the town and parts of the refinery for long, but struggled to have total control over the refinery. That had changed on April 18, 2015.
ISIL Fighters on Comeback Trail in Refinery Complex; Execute 25 Yazidi Captives
In a turnabout in fighting and fate, ISIL fighters now have upper hand in Beiji Refinery Complex. On May 2, 2015, besieged Iraqi soldiers pleaded reinforcement and support from Baghdad. Also, on May 2, 2015, a Yazidi lawmaker, Mahama Khalil, said that ISIL had carried out execution of 25 Yazidi captives at a northern prison camp near Tal Afar.
More than 2 Million Iraqis Displaced in 2014
A respected Norwegian rights group on refugee issues, Norwegian Refugee Council's Internal Displacement Monitoring Center, reported on May 6, 2015 that last year a record 38 million people were displaced from their homes due to conflicts and civil wars, including 2.2 million Iraqis, underlining a trail of devastation let loose by ISIL in its wake. The report was endorsed by the UN's refugee agency.
Islamic Militants on the Verge of Taking a Key Provincial Capital
Surprised by lightning attacks involving dozens of suicide bombers on May 14, 2015 night, Iraqi troops became overwhelmed and began to retreat from the government-controlled parts of Ramadi. A state of confusion reigned supreme in the capital of Anbar province all day on May 15, 2015, and thousands, if not tens of thousands, of residents were reported to be fleeing toward Baghdad. There were unconfirmed reports that ISIL was carrying out mass executions on the streets of Ramadi.
ISIL Militants Carrying out Mass Executions, Ramadi Mayor Alleges
Ramadi Mayor Mohammed Kubaisi said on May 16, 2015 that ISIL now controlled all of Ramadi, was carrying out house-to-house searches to find any police personnel or government employees and killing anyone suspected to have even remotest of links to government at will in broad daylight.
ISIL Takes Full Control of Ramadi
The vestiges of Iraqi resistance evaporated on May 17, 2015, leaving Ramadi under total control of ISIL. The Ramadi fiasco shows that Iraqi troops are not up to the mark, and have decided to flee instead of putting up a resistance.
US Defense Secretary Blames Iraqi "Lack of Will" for Loss of Ramadi
Appearing on CNN's State of the Union on May 24, 2015, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter hit hard on Iraqis for capitulating and ceding to outnumbered ISIL militants in the battle for Ramadi. Carter blamed Iraqi soldiers for lack of courage and willingness to take on ISIL, a charge Iraqi administration strongly rejected.
Biden Calls Iraqi Premier, Assures US Support
A day after US Defense Secretary Ash Carter accused Iraqi forces of lacking the will to take on ISIL that raised a political firestorm in the region, US Vice President Joe Biden on May 25, 2015 called the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, assured US support and assistance in Iraqi bid to defeat the ISIL.
International Group Counts More than 3 Million Displaced People
International group, International Organization for Migration, on June 23, 2015 issued an estimate that at least 3.09 million people were internally displaced within Iraq between January 2014 and June 4, 2015.
Iraq's Top Shiite Religious Leader Asks Regional Leaders to Do More to Prevent Flow of Militants
A representative of Iraq's top religious leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani on July 10, 2015 called for concerted effort by nations in the region to take "decisive measures" to block the flow of ISIL recruits into Iraq. Grand Ayatollah's appeal was made on the same day as ISIL militants tried to seize the government-held town of Khalidiyah by resorting to a coordinated assault of five suicide car bombings and mortar shelling. After hours of fierce battle, government troops and Iraq's Shiite militia fighters held the ISIL at bay.
One of the Worst Bombings to Hit Iraq on the Eve of Eid ul-Fitr
As Iraqis were all set to end the month-long fasting of Ramadan and observe the holy day of Eid, ISIL carried out one of the most dastardly attacks in Iraq on July 17, 2015 killing at least 115 and wounding more than 170. As people flocked at a busy marketplace for last minute shopping before Eid at Khan Beni Saad in Diyala province, the bomb exploded, leaving a scene of mangled body parts, charred vehicles and pool of blood.
ISIL Claims Responsibility for One of the Worst Bombing
A day after the July 17, 2015, gruesome bombing at a busy marketplace at Khan Beni Saad in Diyala province teeming with last-minute Eid shoppers, ISIL staked claim for the explosion that killed at least 115 people, saying that it was in response to a massacre of Sunnis in Hawija, farther north. The reference is most likely related to a sweep through the area in March 2015 as Iraqi military bolstered by Shiite militia had ousted ISIL from Tikrit and surrounding areas. Khan Beni Saad is a predominantly Shiite town.
A Pair of Car Bombs Target Shiite Neighborhoods
Five days after the deadliest attack in Iraq, a pair of car bombs exploded on July 22, 2015, targeting mostly Shiite neighborhoods in Baghdad. The attack killed at least 26 and wounded 58.
Kurdish Regional President Asks Kurdish Militants to Leave the Region
President Massoud Barzani of Kurdistan Regional Government issued a press statement on August 1, 2015 asking the PKK fighters to spare the autonomous northern Iraqi region by leaving the area. His statement also condemned the Turkish airstrikes and called for both parties to return to negotiating table.
Premier Unveils Far-Reaching Reforms
Facing increasing demand from a restive population over inadequate government services and widespread corruption, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi unveiled radical reform plan on August 9, 2015 that had the crucial backing of Ayatollah Ali Sistani. Under the reform plan,
* All three vice presidential posts will be eliminated
* All three positions for Deputy Premier will be eliminated
* Power of Prime Minister will be significantly expanded, including right to
---- Dismiss provincial governors
---- Sack heads of local councils
The reform plan unveiled by Al-Abadi on August 9, 2015 will be introduced to parliament on August 11, 2015.
ISIL Claims Suicide Car Bombing in Diyala
After launching the worst bombing in the province on July 17, 2015 in which at least 115 people were killed at a busy marketplace at Khan Beni Saad in Diyala, ISIL claimed responsibility for the second massive bombing within a month in the province. The suicide car bombing on August 10, 2015 killed at least 34 people at a marketplace in Baqouba, the provincial capital of Diyala.
Parliament Unanimously Approves Premier's Reform Plan
Iraqi parliament on August 11, 2105 unanimously approved the reform plan unveiled by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on August 9, 2015.
Truck Bomb Hits a Shiite Marketplace
A massive truck bomb exploded on August 13, 2015 at a marketplace in the Shiite district of Sadr City, killing at least 67 people and injuring hundreds, re-igniting the fear of sectarian violence that had wrecked the nation during 2006-07.
Fifty Iraqi Soldiers Slain in Anbar
Anbar Provincial Council President Sabah al-Karhout said on August 22, 2015 that ISIL militants had carried out ambushes in two different incidents west of provincial capital, Ramadi, a day earlier, killing at least 50 Iraqi military personnel. Anbar province to a large extent still remained under ISIL control, and Iraqi government initiative to take it back had stalled. Visiting the military's northern command in Anbar on August 22, 2015, Iraqi Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi urged "caution and precision" in military's campaign to oust ISIL from Anbar to save innocent lives.
18 Turks Kidnapped from Baghdad
In an unusual twist of events, 14 workers, 3 engineers and one accountant from Turkey, who were involved in a stadium construction project in Sadr City neighborhood of Baghdad, were kidnapped on September 2, 2015 night.
German Intel Says that ISIL Has Used Mustard Gas against Kurds
German newspaper Bild said on September 7, 2015 that the country's intelligence agency, BND, had collected evidence showing that ISIL had used mustard gas against Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq.
Kidnapped Turkish Workers Released
Construction workers from Turkey kidnapped on September 2, 2015 from the Sadr City neighborhood at Baghdad were freed four weeks later on September 30, 2015. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, however, remained mum whether any ransom had to be paid to win the release.
Green Zone Opened to Public
In a sign of returning normalcy, Iraqi government on October 4, 2015 opened the 4-square-mile sprawling Green Zone, seat of power for Iraqi administration, site for foreign embassies and off-limit to people since the beginning of Iraq War in 2003, to public.
************************** LIBERATION OF SINJAR ******************************
Kurdish Drive to Liberate Key Yazidi City from ISIL Begins
Aided by the U.S. aerial bombing, Kurdish peshmerga and Yazidi fighters joined hands on November 12, 2015 to launch a campaign to liberate Sinjar in northern Iraq that was seized by ISIL militants last summer, leading to a humanitarian disaster, killing of hundreds of Yazidi men and enslavement of Yazidi girls and women. In a strategic move, Kurdish and Yazidi fighters have isolated approximately 700 ISIL militants holed up in Sinjar, by laying siege on a strategic highway, Highway 47, on both east and west of the city, and cutting off a vital link between the ISIL caliphate capital, Raqqa in Syria, and ISIL-held largest city in Iraq, Mosul.
Kurds Liberates Key Iraqi Town
Kurdish peshmerga, aided by US airstrikes, on November 13, 2015 was able to drive ISIL fighters off Sinjar after a two-day operation. The liberation of Sinjar so quickly surprised many political analysts as they thought a fierce resistance to be put up by ISIL militants.
Mass Graves Found
On November 28, 2015, authorities reported to have found the remains of 113 members of Yazidi community at mass grave in and around the town of Sinjar, liberated on November 13, 2015.
************************** LIBERATION OF SINJAR ******************************
26 Killed in Baghdad Attacks
As Sinjar was liberated on November 13, 2015 by an assertive peshmerga force in the north, ISIL had struck another destructive blow to the security and stability of Iraq in the capital during the day. A suicide bomber targeted the memorial service of a Shiite militant, attached to the so-called Popular Mobilization Forces, who was killed in Anbar, killing at least 21 people and wounding more than 46. Beside the suicide bombing at Baghdad's southwestern suburb of Hay al-Amal, a roadside bomb near a Shiite shrine at Sadr City killed 5 more people on November 13, 2015.
********************************* LIBERATION OF RAMADI *********************
Iraqi Forces Make Headway to Take Back Anbar's Provincial Capital
Long deterred by a fierce ISIL resistance and lack of a strategic plan to push deep into Ramadi, Iraqi forces at last began to make some progress aided by U.S. air campaign and American military advisers on ground, culminating in the conquering of Tamim neighborhood, host to an ISIL command center, on the outskirts of the city on December 9, 2015.
U.S. to Help Iraq with Attack Helicopters, Additional Advisers
On the day Iraqi forces seized a Ramadi neighborhood, Tamim neighborhood, that hosted an ISIL command center, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on December 9, 2015 at the Senate Armed Services Committee testimony that U.S. was willing to provide Iraq with attack helicopters and additional military advisers in its quest to take back Ramadi from ISIL fighters.
Iraq Launches Offensive to Take Ramadi
Almost two weeks after ousting ISIL militants from Tamim neighborhood on the outskirts of Ramadi, Iraqi security forces on December 22, 2015 launched what's dubbed as a do-or-die battle to take over the capital city of Anbar province from the clasp of ISIL.
ISIL Launches Counterattacks
Forced by the Iraqi forces to the corner and make a retreat from many parts of Ramadi, a desperate ISIL adopted to a strategy for what it was all along known--launching counterattacks using suicide bombers. On December 24, 2015, five suicide bombers attacked a police headquarters near Ramadi. In a follow-up message, ISIL claimed that its suicide "immersers" had struck the headquarters of the 2nd Regiment of the Federal Police.
Iraqi Forces Capture Main Government Building in Ramadi
Iraqi security forces added another milestone to their military success in the campaign to liberate Anbar's provincial capital, Ramadi, from ISIL as they announced on December 27, 2015 that the main government building at the heart of the city was completely under the government control. Anbar Governor Suhaib al-Rawi summed it up by saying that "the compound has been liberated". The state TV showed an ebullient crowd in Baghdad marking this symbolic, but significant, victory on the streets. Now, comes the more complicated and tortuous tasks of clearing neighborhoods near the main government compound of explosives and booby-traps.
Most of Ramadi Now Cleared of ISIL
A day after capturing the main government compound at the heart of Ramadi, the Iraqi security forces on December 28, 2015 consolidated their battlefield gains by ousting ISIL militants from the most parts of the most populous city of Anbar province and dealing a significant blow to the militant group. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi later in the evening took to Twitter to declare victory on "liberation" of Ramadi, and vowed to move on to liberate Mosul, the third-largest Iraqi city. Part of the contributing factors for Ramadi victory was a combination of U.S. airstrikes, a strategic alliance with the Sunni tribesmen and improved training of Iraqi security forces by American trainers.
Iraqi Premier Sets Foot on Liberated City
Iraqi premier Haider al-Abadi on December 29, 2015 flew to Ramadi, and walked on the streets of the battle-wrecked city with troops amidst a thunderous and spontaneous welcome from the city residents. Abadi hailed the "liberation" of the Anbar provincial capital from the clasp of ISIL, and vowed to launch an offensive to liberate Mosul, the third-largest Iraqi city. Part of the contributing factors for Ramadi victory was a combination of U.S. airstrikes, a strategic alliance with the Sunni tribesmen and improved training of Iraqi security forces by American trainers.
Iraqi Troops Complete Liberation of Ramadi
Iraqi troops launched a major offensive on December 31, 2015 to oust remnants of ISIL fighting force, who, according to Ramadi Mayor Hamid al-Dulaimi, was using the population as human shield, from Ramadi, and by sundown on January 1, 2016, Iraqi security forces were able to have control over the most parts of the city.
ISIL on the Run, US Says
Four days after completing the re-taking of Anbar provincial capital of Ramadi, U.S.-led international coalition's Baghdad-based spokesman Col. Steve Warren said on January 5, 2016 that ISIL had conceded about a third of the territory it had at the peak of its ascendance in 2014 and was on the run. According to the coalition, ISIL lost out 40 percent of its caliphate in Iraq and 20 percent in Syria.
********************************* LIBERATION OF RAMADI *********************
Suicide Bombing at a Shiite Mosque Kills 11
On the same day Iraqi forces seized a Ramadi neighborhood, Tamim neighborhood, that hosted an ISIL command center, a suicide bomber blew up at a Shiite mosque at Baghdad, killing 11 people. At least 20 people were injured in December 9, 2015, suicide bombing at the mosque.
ISIL Ramps up Attacks Elsewhere as It Faces Wrath in Ramadi
With Iraqi forces, aided by American air support, were making progress in fits and starts to take back Anbar provincial capital of Ramadi, ISIL had been adopting its strategy to launch surprising and scaled-up attacks elsewhere. Eight days after a suicide bombing at a Baghdad Shiite mosque killed at least 11 people, hundreds of ISIL fighters launched attacks on areas north and east of Mosul in the night of December 17, 2015. Kurdish peshmerga fighters repelled the nighttime, three-pronged attacks after receiving help from US, French and British aircraft. In the ensuing fight, dozens of peshmerga and hundreds of ISIL fighters were killed.
10 Iraqi Soldier Killed in US Airstrike
Iraqi authorities said on December 19, 2015 that 10 of its soldiers were killed in an American airstrike near Fallujah a day earlier. Initially, only one fatality was reported. Commenting on the incident, the U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter called it an unfortunate incident stemming from "a mistake that involved both sides".
US Special Ops Deployed
Addressing about 200 soldiers at the home of Army's 101st Airborne Division, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on January 13, 2016 that a special elite force has been deployed in Iraq to further the Baghdad's drive to defeat and destroy the ISIL.
U.N. Estimates 19,000 Deaths
U.N. Mission in Iraq and U.N. Human Rights Office in Baghdad jointly issued a report on the scale of catastrophic consequences since ISIL's aggressive footprint had begun to show up in early 2014. According to the report, issued on January 19, 2016, at least 18,802 civilians were killed in the conflict in Iraq between January 2014 and October 2015, and as many as twice that number were wounded. During that time, at least 3 million people, according to the report issued by the U.N. Mission in Iraq and U.N. Human Rights Office in Baghdad, had fled their homes. The U.N. Human Rights Chief Zeid Raad al-Hussein issued a statement on January 19, 2016, saying that "even the obscene casualty figures fail to accurately reflect exactly how terribly civilians are suffering in Iraq". The joint report portrayed some of the brutal incidents perpetrated by ISIL in graphic details. In Mosul, ISIL killed 19 women for refusing to have sex with the group's fighters. The report also pointed to summary executions carried out by pro-government militias and Kurdish fighters.
Two Attacks Kill 59; ISIL Attacks Security Barrack
Two back-to-back explosions on February 28, 2016 wreaked havoc on a crowded market at Sadr City in Baghdad, killing at least 59 people and wounding dozens. First a bomb exploded at the Mredi market, and minutes later, before even the shock from the first explosion had just sunk in the mind of people assembled, a bomber blew up, doubling down on the casualties. Hours earlier, ISIL militants in three cars attacked a spectacular attack on a security barrack at Abu Ghraib, west of Baghdad, triggering hours of clash that had killed a dozen security personnel.
Suicide Bomber Targets a Funeral North of Baghdad
A suicide bomber on February 29, 2016, mingling among a roomful of mourners at a funeral hall in Muqdadiyah, about 60 miles north of Baghdad, blew up, killing at least 38 people and wounding more than 58. Among those who were killed included, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, a Shiite resistance leader of the so-called Popular Mobilization Forces, a potent conglomerate of Shiite militias helping government troops fight against ISIL.
Iraq Begins New Operations to Cut off ISIL Supply Route
Iraq on March 1, 2016 launched a strategic military campaign in and around the agricultural areas northwest of Samarra, about 60 miles north of Baghdad. The objective of this latest campaign, according to Joint Operations Command, is to cut off a key supply route, an important precursor to launching attack to liberate Mosul, Iraq's third-largest city. Iraqi military personnel, backed by coalition air campaign and joined by Popular Mobilization Forces, a potent conglomerate of Shiite militias, were zeroing in dozens of villages in the Jazerat Samarra area. As the campaign in Jazerat Samarra area had been underway, suicide bombers attacked a military barrack at Haditha in western Iraq, killing at least eight military personnel. ISIL claimed the responsibility for March 1, 2016, Haditha attack. Also during the day, separate attacks in and around Baghdad killed at least 13 people and wounded 31.
ISIL Claims Suicide Bombing at Baghdad
As Iraqi operation that had begun on March 1, 2016 to cut off ISIL supply route in the north, in and around Jazerat Samarra, was going smoothly and successfully, ISIL changed its tactics and focus as seen on March 6, 2016 when one of its suicide bomber blew up at a security checkpoint in the south of Baghdad, killing at least 47 people and wounding dozens. The bomber blew up at Hillah, about 60 miles south of Baghdad, around noon when the security checkpoint was teeming with cars, killing at least 39 civilians and eight security personnel.
U.S. Officially Labels ISIL as Committing Genocide
In a symbolic, but significant, move the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on March 17, 2016 officially designated ISIL as a group that had been committing genocide in Iraq and Syria through "eliminating those who do not subscribe its perverse ideology". Kerry's genocide designation came on the eve of a deadline set by Congress for Obama administration to find out whether ISIL was committing genocide. Kerry's announcement came three days after a March 14, 2016, unanimous resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives to condemn ISIL's brutal campaign to eradicate minorities in areas under its control.
Firebrand Cleric's Backers Protest against Inaction over Corruption
Thousands of backers of firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr held sit-in and demonstration near Baghdad's Green Zone on March 18, 2016, demanding government take action to rein in corruption, mismanagement and waste in addition to work on reforms as promised last summer (2015 summer) by premier Haider al-Abadi.
U.S. Marine Killed in Rocket Attack
A Marine was killed at a closely guarded U.S. base in northern Iraq on March 19, 2016 as two rockets launched by ISIL slammed the camp early in the morning near the town of Makhmour, a frontline town controlled by the Kurdish peshmerga. The closely guarded base houses several U.S. advisers who are working with the peshmerga and Iraqi troops for an eventual offensive to liberate Mosul. The Marine, not yet identified, was the second casualty after the USA had totally withdrawn from Iraq, but was subsequently forced to resume air campaign against ISIL beginning in Fall 2014 and send advisors and trainers, including special operations forces, to assist Iraqi forces. The first death was reported after an October 2015 Special Operations raid at a secret ISIL camp to free prisoners. The soldier was identified as 39-year-old Sergeant Joshua Wheeler of Roland, Oklahoma.
Stadium Suicide Bombing Kills at least 31 amid ISIL's Loss of Territories
A suicide bomber on March 25, 2016 blew up in the midst of a soccer game at a stadium south of Baghdad, killing at least 31 and injuring more than 70. ISIL claimed responsibility for the stadium bombing at Iskandariya in Babil province. The game was organized by the Shiite group Asaib Ahl al-Haq, which contributed militia to the fight against ISIL. ISIL is on the retreat in recent months, having lost 40 percent of the territories it has held at its peak in Iraq beside conceding 20 percent in Syria. On the battleground, ISIL suffered another setback during the day (March 25) when it was routed from the Anbar town of Kubeisa, a day after the militant group faced the same fate in a cluster of villages in the northern Nineveh province.
ISIL Gets Blowback at Another Key Town
ISIL was dealt another setback by a determined Iraqi Army on April 11, 2016 as Iraqi troops routed the Islamic militant group at the town of Hit, 100 miles west of Baghdad on the Euphrates River. Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service and Joint Operations Command issued a statement during the day that Iraqi national flags were flying on the government buildings at the heart of the city.
Shiites Fight Kurds at Key Northern City
In what could be seen as fratricidal and frustrating to the U.S. effort to unify all in fight against ISIL, the Shiites militia and Kurdish troops exchanged volleys of fire on April 24, 2016 at the ethnically mixed northern town of Tuz Khurmatu, 120 miles north of Baghdad. The day-long fight over the control of Tuz Khurmatu--seized from ISIL in 2014, but soon to be followed with internecine fights among various groups--killed at least 12 people.
Dozen Die in Iraq Bombing
A suicide car bomb on April 25, 2016 killed at least 12 people and wounded more than three dozens at a Shiite-dominated market in New Baghdad that was teeming with people at the peak of midday.
Biden Prods for Iraqi Unity in an Unannounced Visit
Vice President Joe Biden in an unannounced visit to Iraq on April 28, 2016 met with premier Haider al-Abadi, and urged all Iraqis to unite in the fight against ISIL. As part of unifying sections of Iraqi society in his first visit in almost five years--and most likely his last visit as a VP--Biden later in the day flew to Irbil to meet with KRG President Masoud Barzani.
Militant Shiite Cleric's Followers Occupy Green Zone, Later Withdraw
Showing the world that he still remained a force to be reckoned with, firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr tacitly condoned the action of his followers as thousands of them on April 30, 2016 scaled the high walls of Green Zone and laid a siege on the government seat of power, demanding end to corruption, cronyism, nepotism and favoritism. Demonstrators faced no resistance from the Iraqi security forces, and more than 24-hour sit-in remained peaceful until the protesters withdrew on May 1, 2016.
Third U.S. Soldier Killed since the Beginning of Anti-ISIL Operation
A U.S. Navy Seal was killed on May 3, 2016 as ISIL militants penetrated through a peshmerga defense line in northern Iraq and attacked a camp where the Seal was thought to be present. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey later in the day identified the dead Seal as Charles Keating IV, the grandson of infamous Charles H. Keating Jr., who had served jail terms in Savings and Loan crisis in 1980s.
Charles Keating IV attended the Naval Academy in Coronado. The death brought to public an uneasy, but well known, fact related to involvement of U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria after their complete withdrawal from Iraq in 2011. Charles Keating IV's May 3, 2016, death marked the third time a U.S. personnel was killed since the beginning of U.S-led campaign against ISIL in June 2014. In October 2015, a special ops soldier, Master Sergeant Joshua Wheeler, 39, was killed during a Kurdish-led raid on an ISIL prison in northern Iraq. On March 19, 2016, a Marine artilleryman, Staff Sergeant Louis Cardin, 27, was killed as ISIL militants launched a rocket attack on a newly established firebase outside Mosul. Obama administration recently announced to increase the deployment of U.S. troops in Iraq to assist and advise the Iraqi troops, and last week, the cap was increased from 3,870 to 4,087.
Trio of Car Bombings Kill more than 90
Three car bombs wreaked havoc in Baghdad on May 11, 2016 and sowed fear that as ISIL had been squeezed out the battle zones, its fighters would target soft spots. The most fatal car bomb targeted an open market in Sadr City, killing at least 63 people and wounding more than 85. The other two car bombs exploded in Kadhmiya neighborhood in northwest Baghdad and at a police checkpoint in the Jamiya neighborhood in central Baghdad, killing at least 30 and wounding more than 80.
Attack on Soccer Fans Kills 13
Two days after a trio of bombings killed more than 90 people, a group of suicide attackers on May 13, 2016 launched an audacious attack on a café at Balad, 50 miles north of Baghdad, killing at least 13 people. ISIL claimed the responsibility for the attack on Real Madrid soccer fans. The Spanish soccer club mourned the death of its Iraqi fans in May 13, 2016, attack in Balad.
Attacks on Gas Plant, Other Targets Kill 29
Several militants used a car bomb, then breached the security barriers of a natural gas plant at Taji, 12 miles north of Baghdad and engaged in firefight with security personnel for several hours on May 15, 2016, killing at least 14, including 6 civilians and 8 security personnel. During the day, four more car bombs struck targets in and around Baghdad, taking the lives of at least 15 more people. More than 140 people were killed in attacks claimed by ISIL since May 11, 2016. Reacting to the surge in attacks by ISIL militants, Brett McGurk, the Obama administration's envoy to 66-nation coalition fighting against ISIL, said to journalists in Jordan on May 15, 2016 that the militants had resorted to inhumanly violence against mostly civilian targets because their "perverse caliphate is shrinking".
Four Bombs Kill More than 69, Topping 200 the Past Week's Death Toll
Four separate attacks on May 17, 2016 shook the Iraqi confidence in their government and raised the death toll to more than 200 since May 11, 2016. The worst attack of the day, involving a roadside bomb at an open market in Baghdad's northeastern Shaab neighborhood followed by a suicide bomber blowing among the people who had assembled to help the victims from the initial blast, was claimed by ISIL in which at least 34 people were killed and more than 75 wounded. Later in the afternoon, a suicide car bomb struck an outdoor market at Sadr City, killing 18 people and wounding 35 others. Soon after, fighters loyal to Muqtada al-Sadr's militia, Saraya Salam, had deployed in the streets of Sadr City to take over the security. The firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr later released a statement to his followers, saying that the attacks "are clear evidence that your government has become unable to protect and provide you with the security". In the day's other two incidents,
* a bomb exploded at a fruit-and-vegetable market in Shiite-dominated Dora neighborhood in southern Baghdad, killing 8 people and wounding 22 others
* a suicide bomber targeted a restaurant in northeastern Habibiya neighborhood, killing 9 and wounding 18
Iraqi Forces Seizes a Strategic Desert Town
Dealing another battleground setback to ISIL, Iraqi forces on May 19, 2016 captured Rutba, a desert town in Anbar province 340 miles west of Baghdad that played an "outsize strategic" role, in the words of Col. Steve Warren, a U.S. Spokesman in Iraq, as it served as a supply route with Jordan and Syria.
Protesters again Storm Green Zone
Angry over a deteriorating security situation, nepotism and lack of public services, angry protesters, many of them were disenchanted supporters of firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, on May 21, 2016 stormed the Green Zone, site to several government offices and buildings. They even reached very close to Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's office, leading to security forces to open fire on the violent protesters. Late reports said that two protesters were killed.
Shiite Cleric Condemns Firing
Reacting to opening of fire on protesters who had stormed the Green Zone a day earlier, Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on May 22, 2016 issued a harsh statement against the government of Haider al-Abadi, condemning the firing resorted by the security forces.
*********** IRAQI GOVERNMENT OFFENSIVE TO LIBERATE FALLUJAH **********
Iraq Announces Offensive to Get Fallujah Rid of ISIL
In a nationally televised address, Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on late May 22, 2016 announced the launch of a protracted offensive to liberate the ISIL hotbed of Fallujah. Surrounded by high-ranking generals of Ministry of Defense, Haider al-Abadi exuded confidence that Iraqi forces were "approaching a moment of great victory". The launch of offensive to liberate Fallujah was made a day after a restive crowd stormed into Green Zone and fought against security forces, leading to two deaths and more than hundred injuries.
Iraqi Forces Launch Offensive Aided by US Aerial Strikes
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on May 23, 2016 told the reporters at the operations command center east of Fallujah that the offensive to oust ISIL was going as expected. Iraqi forces and Popular Mobilization Forces, a loose alliance of Shiite militias, were at the outskirt of the southern periphery of Fallujah, and aided by a rash of U.S. aerial assaults, they had taken control of Niaimiyah, south of Fallujah.
Too Soon to Give a Progress Report on Fallujah Offensive, Says American General
As Iraqi forces were encountering stiff resistance from entrenched and battle-hardened fighters of ISIL six days after the launch of Fallujah offensive, the general, Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland, who was leading the U.S. forces in Iraq gave a candid public assessment on May 28, 2016 that it was too early to say when the city, 40 miles west of Baghdad, would be liberated.
Fighting Intensifies amid Concern over Humanitarian Disaster
As Iraqi counterterrorism forces were making incremental progress, it was becoming clear by the day that the offensive to liberate Fallujah would be drawn out and a bloody one. On May 30, 2016 evening, Iraqi forces entered into Fallujah's southern peripheral area of Nuaimiya, and by the night fall, they had control over the most parts of the area. In an early morning surprising attack on May 31, 2016, ISIL fighters tried to take back the Nuaimiya area, an lush agricultural area south of entryway to Fallujah. After more than 4 hours of fighting, Iraqi forces were able to repel the ISIL attack and reported to have killed more than 100 militants. As the fighting razed over the control of Nuaimiya, the head of a global aid group, Jan Egeland of Norwegian Refugee Council, said on May 31, 2016 that "a human catastrophe is unfolding in Fallujah" as an estimated 50,000 civilians, including 20,000 children, were entrapped within the city.
Premier Visits Frontline as Iraqi Progress Stalled
A day after repelling an ISIL attack on Nuaimiya area, Iraqi advance on June 1, 2016 toward Fallujah was forced to a snail's pace as ISIL fighters put up a ferocious resistance. Also during the day, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi visited a frontline command center, Camp Tariq, and noted that although the progress of Iraqi advance was slow, his troops were trying to minimize civilian casualties.
Iraqi Special Ops Begin Operation in Fallujah
Iraqi special operations forces on June 8, 2016 entered Fallujah, and were engaged in street-by-street battle in the city Shuhada neighborhood.
Iraqi Forces Take Main Government Buildings
After days of progress at snail's pace, Iraqi forces on June 17, 2016 reached at the heart of Fallujah, site to the city's main government buildings. Iraqi forces hoisted country's national flags over the government buildings by the end of the day. Iraqi premier Haider al-Abadi said on June 17, 2016 night that Fallujah had come back to the "country's bosom".
Fallujah Fully Liberated, Premier Visits Center of the City
After making gains in fits and starts over the past five weeks, Iraqi forces completed its sweep of Fallujah, culminating in the arrival of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi at the center of the city on June 26, 2016 to the celebratory cheers thousands of troops. The battle for Fallujah was drawn out longer than anticipated, and led to tens of thousands of people fleeing their homes. Now, almost all of them were going through another bout of disaster at government relief camps on the outskirts of city in the midst of a punishing summer month with rampant mismanagement, penury of aid and a looming humanitarian crisis. Many had expressed frustration over the government apathy and openly vented their frustration on whether liberation of Fallujah would bring in any tangible benefit. On the battlefront, Iraqi forces swept through the last vestiges of ISIL holdout in the northwestern neighborhood of al-Julan, consolidating the control over all of the city, according to Lt. Gen. Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi, head of the counterterrorism forces in the operation.
*********** IRAQI GOVERNMENT OFFENSIVE TO LIBERATE FALLUJAH **********
********************************** Trial of Blackwater Guards **********************
Islamic State Continues Mayhem in Anbar
Islamic State in recent days turned its eyes on punishing the members of a Sunni tribe in Anbar for its role to put up resistance against the militants who had seized the better parts of Anbar province and large swath of northern Iraq, eastern and northern Syria and created a Shariah-guided protostate. On October 31, 2014, Islamic State militants butchered 50 members of Al Bu Nimr tribe, a day after killing an additional 48 members of the tribe. On November 1, 2014, Islamic State continued its streak of wreaking havoc on the tribe by killing at least 50 men, women and children at a village north of Ramadi.
Obama to Send More than 1,500 More Troops to Iraq
President Barack Obama said on November 7, 2014 that he would order 1,500 additional troops to Iraq for advising, training and assisting Iraqi troops and Kurdish peshmerga paramilitary force in their fight against ISIS. Presidential order will double the US troops presence in Iraq from its current level of 1,400, and will send some of the US troops to Anbar province for the first time since US withdrawal in 2011. Obama asked Congress $5.6 billion to fund his plan. The additional troops ordered by the president on November 7 will not deploy until Congress passes legislation for $5.6 billion and the president signs it.
ISIL's Mysterious Leader Rumored to be Wounded
The Associated Press reported on November 9, 2014 that, based on information from the Iraqi government sources, the reclusive leader of ISIL, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was wounded in an Iraqi airstrike in Anbar on November 8, 2014. However, the news of Baghdadi to be wounded in Iraqi airstrike turned out to be false.
Islamic Militants Ousted from Refinery Town
In the reversal of momentum on ground, Iraqi troops buoyed by Iranian help and western coalition airstrike seized the refinery town of Beiji on the Tigris River on November 14, 2014. The refinery was always under the government control. It was the adjacent town with the same name that was a strategic prize for ISIL. So, with the recapture of the town, Iraqi forces scored a key strategic victory over more organized ISIL militants.
Islamic State Targets Funeral, Former Shiite General Slain in a Separate Incident
Islamic State on December 30, 2014 claimed responsibility for sending a suicide bomber to a funeral north of Baghdad that killed 16 people and wounded 34. The funeral was being held on December 30, 2014 for the father of two Sunni brothers who had joined hands with other Sunnis in revolt against ISIL. Meanwhile, at the town of Duluiyah, about 45 miles north of Baghdad, former Iraqi army Brig. Gen. Abbas Hassan Jabr, who had joined pro-Shiite Badr Brigades, was assassinated by a sniper on December 30, 2014.
Sunni Massacre at the Hands of Shiite Militia Reported in Iraq
At least 72 people from a Sunni-dominated village, Barwanah, in Diyala province were executed in cold blood by Shiite militia around January 26, 2015, according to a January 30, 2015, report by The New York Times. The reported massacre will further undermine Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's effort to foster reconciliation between Shiites and Sunnis and unify the nation to take on the common enemy ISIL.
Islamic State Launches Attack on Oil-Rich Iraqi City
Faced with US-led aerial strikes in both Iraq and Syria on one hand and an assertive push by Iraqi forces and Kurdish forces on the other, ISIL militants grew desperate in recent days and it was reflected on January 30, 2015 as a concerted move was launched to seize oil-rich city of Kirkuk. At present, the city was under the control of peshmerga fighters, and most likely, they will be able to beat back the latest attack on the city by ISIL fighters.
Islamic State Tries to Take over a Key Airbase in the Volatile Iraqi Province
Iraqi soldiers on February 13, 2015 repelled a concerted ISIL attack on the Al-Asad Airbase in the western Anbar province. At least 400 U.S. troops were present in the base during the time of the attack. A total of 2,600 U.S. forces are in Iraq now, and 450 of them are training the Iraqi army.
A Sunni Tribal Sheikh Slain by Shiite Militants
As if the ISIL threat was not enough to undermine the authority of the Haider al-Abadi regime in Baghdad, increasing assassinations and executions of Sunnis at the hand of rival Shiite militia in recent months emerged as a thorn on the side of the regime. The most recent incident occurred on February 13, 2015 evening when the entourage of a prominent Sunni tribal sheikh, Sheikh Qasim al-Janabi, along with eight others in his convoy were assassinated.
Iraq Launches Operation to Retake Saddam's Birthplace
Iraq on March 2, 2015 launched its most determined military campaign to re-seize the city of Tikrit in Salahuddin province, former Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein's birthplace, with regular Iraqi army and Shiite militia. Many western military analysts believe that the Iraqi offensive is being led by Iranian Gen. Ghasem Soleimani, commander of the Revolutionary Guard's Qud Force. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, addressing the Iraqi lawmakers on March 2, 2015 in national parliament, echoed the former U.S. President George W. Bush, saying that the people of Tikrit were either with us (Iraqi government) or with them (ISIL).
Discord Surfaces between Allies as Operation to Take Tikrit Back Goes on in Full Swing
A day after tensions emerged in the U.S.-Iraqi coalition against the ISIL over U.S. officials' repeated public comments that Iraqi Army wasn't up to the task and any effort to retake the city of Mosul won't be successful if launched before April, Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi made it clear on March 4, 2015 that any operation to launch offensive against ISIL to retake Mosul would be "planned, timed and executed by Iraqis". Many western officials, especially U.S. officials, openly expressed reservations over the capability of Iraqi military, Iran's growing military involvement to strengthen Iraqi security forces in fight against ISIL militants and presence of a large number of Shiite militia alongside the regular Iraqi military personnel. Lest the discord would send a wrong message, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Stuart Jones said on March 4, 2015, after meeting with Najaf Governor Adnan al-Zurufi, that "the United States is proud of its partnership with Iraqi forces, which has made huge impacts in weakening Daesh", referring ISIL by its Arab acronym.
Islamic Extremists Destroy Archeological Sites
A week after ISIL militants uploaded a video showing the destruction of artifacts at Mosul Museum using sledgehammers, Islamic State militants used heavy vehicles to rage the historic preservations at the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud, south of Mosul, according to a statement issued by Iraq's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities on March 5, 2015.
Destruction of Archeological Sites Evokes International Outrage
The damage and destruction inflicted on various archeological sites in Iraq that had stood for centuries as testimonial to the evolution of human civilization had evoked worldwide condemnation as UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova on March 6, 2015 called for region's political and religious leaders to stand up to ISIL's "cultural cleansing".
Islamic Militants Thought to Have Ravaged a Second Ancient Site
In another bout of shockwave to global preservationists and their movement for protecting dozens of archeological ruins from the era of beginning of human civilization, Iraqi officials on March 7, 2015 said that Islamic State militants might have razed a second UNESCO world heritage site, Hatra, that was founded in the first century B.C. Hatra is known to have high, thick ancient walls which have been presumed to help the defenders of the ancient city to repulse Roman aggression in A.D. 116 and 198.
Another Antiquities Site at Risk
Iraq's Tourism and Antiquities Minister Adel Shirshab expressed concern on March 8, 2015 that ISIL militants might plunder another ancient site, Khorsabad, 9 miles northeast of Mosul. Khorsabad was the Assyrian capital during the rule of King Sargon II (721-705 BC).
Iraqi Army, Shiite Militia Take Two Strategic Villages Close to Tikrit
The fight for Tikrit is growing intense by day as Iraqi Army and Iran-backed Shiite militia arrived at the doorstep of Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's birthplace. Iraqi Army and allied militia on March 8, 2015, six days after the most intense operation to retake Tikrit had been launched on March 2, seized two key villages, Abu Ajeel, east of Tikrit, and Dawr, south of Tikrit. The scenes from Dawr were ones of desolation, destruction and devastation across the village, with eeriness having covered the rows of empty houses.
Tikrit: Iraq Close to Victory, Iraq Says
Iraqi national television and social networking site were on March 11, 2015 buzzing with Iraqi and Shiite militia flags hoisted at numerous places in and around Tikrit. Iraqi government said that Tikrit, birthplace of former dictator Saddam Hussein, was all but sure to fall under government control in the coming days. As ISIL was all but routed from Tikrit, it launched a massive attack on Ramadi on March 11, 2015.
Premier Claims, Victory 'by Iraqi Hands' Imminent in Tikrit
Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on March 12, 2015 gave a bullish assessment on the progress of Tikrit offensive launched on March 2, 2015 jointly by Iraqi security forces and Shiite militia fighters. The premier confidently said that the victory was imminent and it would be done all by "Iraqi hands".
U.S. Joins Tikrit Fight with Reconnaissance Flight
Defying the Iraqi Prime Minister's March 12, 2015, confident announcement that the victory of Tikrit, all "by Iraqi hands", was imminent, a stubborn resistance by ISIL fighters held off Iraqi troops and allied Shiite militia at bay, leading Baghdad to request U.S. involvement even in some indirect way to break the military logjam. As part of that request, U.S. began aerial surveillance over Tikrit on March 21, 2015.
U.S. Begins Airstrikes in Tikrit
After four days of flying reconnaissance planes, U.S. warplanes began airstrikes against ISIL positions in Tikrit late on March 25, 2015, giving teeth to a stalled offensive by Iraqi forces to recapture Saddam Hussein's birthplace.
Shiite Militias Re-Join Tikrit Fight
In protest against US airstrikes in Tikrit that began on March 25, 2015, Shiite militias who were at the forefront of Iraqi government's campaign to seize Tikrit withdrew from the battlefield on March 26, 2015. However, after hearing a call from Iraq's supreme religious leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani for Shiites to join the fight to help the government of Iraq to rescue Tikrit from the clutch of Islamic State, Popular Mobilization Committees, umbrella organization of Shiite militias, returned to battlefield on March 27, 2015.
Two Revolutionary Guards Officials Die in US Airstrike in Tikrit, Iran Says
Iran's Revolutionary Guard on March 30, 2015 said that its two high-ranking officials who were coordinating Iraqi government-Shiite militia push to seize Tikrit were killed in an American airstrike on March 23, 2015. The announcement was yet another proof in the depth of involvement of Iran's military in assisting Iraqi security forces against ISIL. Ali Yazdani and Hadi Jafari were accorded martyrs' funerals on March 29, 2015. However, the U.S. Central Command on March 30, 2015 categorically denied that Ali Yazdani and Hadi Jafari were killed in U.S. airstrike as there was no airstrike between March 22 and March 24.
Iraqi Leader Rejoices "Liberation of Tikrit"
On March 31, 2015, Iraqi premier Haider al-Abadi announced victory in ousting ISIL from Tikrit, and congratulated the Iraqi security forces for the key military milestone for the "liberation of Tikrit".
Victory Marked in Tikrit
A jubilant and joyful mood descended on the streets of Tikrit on April 1, 2015 as hundreds of people welcomed premier Haider al-Abadi, who walked on a battered street in the liberated city.
ISIL Releases More than 200 Captives
Retreating ISIL militants, who had been dealt a severe setback in Tikrit, on April 8, 2015 released at least 216 Yazidi hostages.
ISIL Seizes Three Villages near Ramadi, Thousands Flee
Routed from Tikrit, ISIL set its bird's eyes on Ramadi, the provincial capital of Anbar province. On April 15, 2015, it seized three villages on the outskirt of Ramadi--Sjariyah, Albu-Ghanim and Soufiya. As Iraqi troop reinforcement was in the offing, including a possible US airstrike campaign, thousands of residents, sensing a state of siege awaiting them, were fleeing Ramadi on April 16, 2015.
Government Forces Oust ISIL from Refinery Complex
Iraqi forces on April 18, 2015 established full control of Iraq's largest refinery, Beiji Refinery Complex, handing the latest setback to ISIL after ousting the militant outfit Tikrit. Government forces had control over the town and parts of the refinery for long, but struggled to have total control over the refinery. That had changed on April 18, 2015.
ISIL Fighters on Comeback Trail in Refinery Complex; Execute 25 Yazidi Captives
In a turnabout in fighting and fate, ISIL fighters now have upper hand in Beiji Refinery Complex. On May 2, 2015, besieged Iraqi soldiers pleaded reinforcement and support from Baghdad. Also, on May 2, 2015, a Yazidi lawmaker, Mahama Khalil, said that ISIL had carried out execution of 25 Yazidi captives at a northern prison camp near Tal Afar.
More than 2 Million Iraqis Displaced in 2014
A respected Norwegian rights group on refugee issues, Norwegian Refugee Council's Internal Displacement Monitoring Center, reported on May 6, 2015 that last year a record 38 million people were displaced from their homes due to conflicts and civil wars, including 2.2 million Iraqis, underlining a trail of devastation let loose by ISIL in its wake. The report was endorsed by the UN's refugee agency.
Islamic Militants on the Verge of Taking a Key Provincial Capital
Surprised by lightning attacks involving dozens of suicide bombers on May 14, 2015 night, Iraqi troops became overwhelmed and began to retreat from the government-controlled parts of Ramadi. A state of confusion reigned supreme in the capital of Anbar province all day on May 15, 2015, and thousands, if not tens of thousands, of residents were reported to be fleeing toward Baghdad. There were unconfirmed reports that ISIL was carrying out mass executions on the streets of Ramadi.
ISIL Militants Carrying out Mass Executions, Ramadi Mayor Alleges
Ramadi Mayor Mohammed Kubaisi said on May 16, 2015 that ISIL now controlled all of Ramadi, was carrying out house-to-house searches to find any police personnel or government employees and killing anyone suspected to have even remotest of links to government at will in broad daylight.
ISIL Takes Full Control of Ramadi
The vestiges of Iraqi resistance evaporated on May 17, 2015, leaving Ramadi under total control of ISIL. The Ramadi fiasco shows that Iraqi troops are not up to the mark, and have decided to flee instead of putting up a resistance.
US Defense Secretary Blames Iraqi "Lack of Will" for Loss of Ramadi
Appearing on CNN's State of the Union on May 24, 2015, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter hit hard on Iraqis for capitulating and ceding to outnumbered ISIL militants in the battle for Ramadi. Carter blamed Iraqi soldiers for lack of courage and willingness to take on ISIL, a charge Iraqi administration strongly rejected.
Biden Calls Iraqi Premier, Assures US Support
A day after US Defense Secretary Ash Carter accused Iraqi forces of lacking the will to take on ISIL that raised a political firestorm in the region, US Vice President Joe Biden on May 25, 2015 called the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, assured US support and assistance in Iraqi bid to defeat the ISIL.
International Group Counts More than 3 Million Displaced People
International group, International Organization for Migration, on June 23, 2015 issued an estimate that at least 3.09 million people were internally displaced within Iraq between January 2014 and June 4, 2015.
Iraq's Top Shiite Religious Leader Asks Regional Leaders to Do More to Prevent Flow of Militants
A representative of Iraq's top religious leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani on July 10, 2015 called for concerted effort by nations in the region to take "decisive measures" to block the flow of ISIL recruits into Iraq. Grand Ayatollah's appeal was made on the same day as ISIL militants tried to seize the government-held town of Khalidiyah by resorting to a coordinated assault of five suicide car bombings and mortar shelling. After hours of fierce battle, government troops and Iraq's Shiite militia fighters held the ISIL at bay.
One of the Worst Bombings to Hit Iraq on the Eve of Eid ul-Fitr
As Iraqis were all set to end the month-long fasting of Ramadan and observe the holy day of Eid, ISIL carried out one of the most dastardly attacks in Iraq on July 17, 2015 killing at least 115 and wounding more than 170. As people flocked at a busy marketplace for last minute shopping before Eid at Khan Beni Saad in Diyala province, the bomb exploded, leaving a scene of mangled body parts, charred vehicles and pool of blood.
ISIL Claims Responsibility for One of the Worst Bombing
A day after the July 17, 2015, gruesome bombing at a busy marketplace at Khan Beni Saad in Diyala province teeming with last-minute Eid shoppers, ISIL staked claim for the explosion that killed at least 115 people, saying that it was in response to a massacre of Sunnis in Hawija, farther north. The reference is most likely related to a sweep through the area in March 2015 as Iraqi military bolstered by Shiite militia had ousted ISIL from Tikrit and surrounding areas. Khan Beni Saad is a predominantly Shiite town.
A Pair of Car Bombs Target Shiite Neighborhoods
Five days after the deadliest attack in Iraq, a pair of car bombs exploded on July 22, 2015, targeting mostly Shiite neighborhoods in Baghdad. The attack killed at least 26 and wounded 58.
Kurdish Regional President Asks Kurdish Militants to Leave the Region
President Massoud Barzani of Kurdistan Regional Government issued a press statement on August 1, 2015 asking the PKK fighters to spare the autonomous northern Iraqi region by leaving the area. His statement also condemned the Turkish airstrikes and called for both parties to return to negotiating table.
Premier Unveils Far-Reaching Reforms
Facing increasing demand from a restive population over inadequate government services and widespread corruption, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi unveiled radical reform plan on August 9, 2015 that had the crucial backing of Ayatollah Ali Sistani. Under the reform plan,
* All three vice presidential posts will be eliminated
* All three positions for Deputy Premier will be eliminated
* Power of Prime Minister will be significantly expanded, including right to
---- Dismiss provincial governors
---- Sack heads of local councils
The reform plan unveiled by Al-Abadi on August 9, 2015 will be introduced to parliament on August 11, 2015.
ISIL Claims Suicide Car Bombing in Diyala
After launching the worst bombing in the province on July 17, 2015 in which at least 115 people were killed at a busy marketplace at Khan Beni Saad in Diyala, ISIL claimed responsibility for the second massive bombing within a month in the province. The suicide car bombing on August 10, 2015 killed at least 34 people at a marketplace in Baqouba, the provincial capital of Diyala.
Parliament Unanimously Approves Premier's Reform Plan
Iraqi parliament on August 11, 2105 unanimously approved the reform plan unveiled by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on August 9, 2015.
Truck Bomb Hits a Shiite Marketplace
A massive truck bomb exploded on August 13, 2015 at a marketplace in the Shiite district of Sadr City, killing at least 67 people and injuring hundreds, re-igniting the fear of sectarian violence that had wrecked the nation during 2006-07.
Fifty Iraqi Soldiers Slain in Anbar
Anbar Provincial Council President Sabah al-Karhout said on August 22, 2015 that ISIL militants had carried out ambushes in two different incidents west of provincial capital, Ramadi, a day earlier, killing at least 50 Iraqi military personnel. Anbar province to a large extent still remained under ISIL control, and Iraqi government initiative to take it back had stalled. Visiting the military's northern command in Anbar on August 22, 2015, Iraqi Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi urged "caution and precision" in military's campaign to oust ISIL from Anbar to save innocent lives.
18 Turks Kidnapped from Baghdad
In an unusual twist of events, 14 workers, 3 engineers and one accountant from Turkey, who were involved in a stadium construction project in Sadr City neighborhood of Baghdad, were kidnapped on September 2, 2015 night.
German Intel Says that ISIL Has Used Mustard Gas against Kurds
German newspaper Bild said on September 7, 2015 that the country's intelligence agency, BND, had collected evidence showing that ISIL had used mustard gas against Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq.
Kidnapped Turkish Workers Released
Construction workers from Turkey kidnapped on September 2, 2015 from the Sadr City neighborhood at Baghdad were freed four weeks later on September 30, 2015. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, however, remained mum whether any ransom had to be paid to win the release.
Green Zone Opened to Public
In a sign of returning normalcy, Iraqi government on October 4, 2015 opened the 4-square-mile sprawling Green Zone, seat of power for Iraqi administration, site for foreign embassies and off-limit to people since the beginning of Iraq War in 2003, to public.
************************** LIBERATION OF SINJAR ******************************
Kurdish Drive to Liberate Key Yazidi City from ISIL Begins
Aided by the U.S. aerial bombing, Kurdish peshmerga and Yazidi fighters joined hands on November 12, 2015 to launch a campaign to liberate Sinjar in northern Iraq that was seized by ISIL militants last summer, leading to a humanitarian disaster, killing of hundreds of Yazidi men and enslavement of Yazidi girls and women. In a strategic move, Kurdish and Yazidi fighters have isolated approximately 700 ISIL militants holed up in Sinjar, by laying siege on a strategic highway, Highway 47, on both east and west of the city, and cutting off a vital link between the ISIL caliphate capital, Raqqa in Syria, and ISIL-held largest city in Iraq, Mosul.
Kurds Liberates Key Iraqi Town
Kurdish peshmerga, aided by US airstrikes, on November 13, 2015 was able to drive ISIL fighters off Sinjar after a two-day operation. The liberation of Sinjar so quickly surprised many political analysts as they thought a fierce resistance to be put up by ISIL militants.
Mass Graves Found
On November 28, 2015, authorities reported to have found the remains of 113 members of Yazidi community at mass grave in and around the town of Sinjar, liberated on November 13, 2015.
************************** LIBERATION OF SINJAR ******************************
26 Killed in Baghdad Attacks
As Sinjar was liberated on November 13, 2015 by an assertive peshmerga force in the north, ISIL had struck another destructive blow to the security and stability of Iraq in the capital during the day. A suicide bomber targeted the memorial service of a Shiite militant, attached to the so-called Popular Mobilization Forces, who was killed in Anbar, killing at least 21 people and wounding more than 46. Beside the suicide bombing at Baghdad's southwestern suburb of Hay al-Amal, a roadside bomb near a Shiite shrine at Sadr City killed 5 more people on November 13, 2015.
********************************* LIBERATION OF RAMADI *********************
Iraqi Forces Make Headway to Take Back Anbar's Provincial Capital
Long deterred by a fierce ISIL resistance and lack of a strategic plan to push deep into Ramadi, Iraqi forces at last began to make some progress aided by U.S. air campaign and American military advisers on ground, culminating in the conquering of Tamim neighborhood, host to an ISIL command center, on the outskirts of the city on December 9, 2015.
U.S. to Help Iraq with Attack Helicopters, Additional Advisers
On the day Iraqi forces seized a Ramadi neighborhood, Tamim neighborhood, that hosted an ISIL command center, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on December 9, 2015 at the Senate Armed Services Committee testimony that U.S. was willing to provide Iraq with attack helicopters and additional military advisers in its quest to take back Ramadi from ISIL fighters.
Iraq Launches Offensive to Take Ramadi
Almost two weeks after ousting ISIL militants from Tamim neighborhood on the outskirts of Ramadi, Iraqi security forces on December 22, 2015 launched what's dubbed as a do-or-die battle to take over the capital city of Anbar province from the clasp of ISIL.
ISIL Launches Counterattacks
Forced by the Iraqi forces to the corner and make a retreat from many parts of Ramadi, a desperate ISIL adopted to a strategy for what it was all along known--launching counterattacks using suicide bombers. On December 24, 2015, five suicide bombers attacked a police headquarters near Ramadi. In a follow-up message, ISIL claimed that its suicide "immersers" had struck the headquarters of the 2nd Regiment of the Federal Police.
Iraqi Forces Capture Main Government Building in Ramadi
Iraqi security forces added another milestone to their military success in the campaign to liberate Anbar's provincial capital, Ramadi, from ISIL as they announced on December 27, 2015 that the main government building at the heart of the city was completely under the government control. Anbar Governor Suhaib al-Rawi summed it up by saying that "the compound has been liberated". The state TV showed an ebullient crowd in Baghdad marking this symbolic, but significant, victory on the streets. Now, comes the more complicated and tortuous tasks of clearing neighborhoods near the main government compound of explosives and booby-traps.
Most of Ramadi Now Cleared of ISIL
A day after capturing the main government compound at the heart of Ramadi, the Iraqi security forces on December 28, 2015 consolidated their battlefield gains by ousting ISIL militants from the most parts of the most populous city of Anbar province and dealing a significant blow to the militant group. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi later in the evening took to Twitter to declare victory on "liberation" of Ramadi, and vowed to move on to liberate Mosul, the third-largest Iraqi city. Part of the contributing factors for Ramadi victory was a combination of U.S. airstrikes, a strategic alliance with the Sunni tribesmen and improved training of Iraqi security forces by American trainers.
Iraqi Premier Sets Foot on Liberated City
Iraqi premier Haider al-Abadi on December 29, 2015 flew to Ramadi, and walked on the streets of the battle-wrecked city with troops amidst a thunderous and spontaneous welcome from the city residents. Abadi hailed the "liberation" of the Anbar provincial capital from the clasp of ISIL, and vowed to launch an offensive to liberate Mosul, the third-largest Iraqi city. Part of the contributing factors for Ramadi victory was a combination of U.S. airstrikes, a strategic alliance with the Sunni tribesmen and improved training of Iraqi security forces by American trainers.
Iraqi Troops Complete Liberation of Ramadi
Iraqi troops launched a major offensive on December 31, 2015 to oust remnants of ISIL fighting force, who, according to Ramadi Mayor Hamid al-Dulaimi, was using the population as human shield, from Ramadi, and by sundown on January 1, 2016, Iraqi security forces were able to have control over the most parts of the city.
ISIL on the Run, US Says
Four days after completing the re-taking of Anbar provincial capital of Ramadi, U.S.-led international coalition's Baghdad-based spokesman Col. Steve Warren said on January 5, 2016 that ISIL had conceded about a third of the territory it had at the peak of its ascendance in 2014 and was on the run. According to the coalition, ISIL lost out 40 percent of its caliphate in Iraq and 20 percent in Syria.
********************************* LIBERATION OF RAMADI *********************
Suicide Bombing at a Shiite Mosque Kills 11
On the same day Iraqi forces seized a Ramadi neighborhood, Tamim neighborhood, that hosted an ISIL command center, a suicide bomber blew up at a Shiite mosque at Baghdad, killing 11 people. At least 20 people were injured in December 9, 2015, suicide bombing at the mosque.
ISIL Ramps up Attacks Elsewhere as It Faces Wrath in Ramadi
With Iraqi forces, aided by American air support, were making progress in fits and starts to take back Anbar provincial capital of Ramadi, ISIL had been adopting its strategy to launch surprising and scaled-up attacks elsewhere. Eight days after a suicide bombing at a Baghdad Shiite mosque killed at least 11 people, hundreds of ISIL fighters launched attacks on areas north and east of Mosul in the night of December 17, 2015. Kurdish peshmerga fighters repelled the nighttime, three-pronged attacks after receiving help from US, French and British aircraft. In the ensuing fight, dozens of peshmerga and hundreds of ISIL fighters were killed.
10 Iraqi Soldier Killed in US Airstrike
Iraqi authorities said on December 19, 2015 that 10 of its soldiers were killed in an American airstrike near Fallujah a day earlier. Initially, only one fatality was reported. Commenting on the incident, the U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter called it an unfortunate incident stemming from "a mistake that involved both sides".
US Special Ops Deployed
Addressing about 200 soldiers at the home of Army's 101st Airborne Division, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on January 13, 2016 that a special elite force has been deployed in Iraq to further the Baghdad's drive to defeat and destroy the ISIL.
U.N. Estimates 19,000 Deaths
U.N. Mission in Iraq and U.N. Human Rights Office in Baghdad jointly issued a report on the scale of catastrophic consequences since ISIL's aggressive footprint had begun to show up in early 2014. According to the report, issued on January 19, 2016, at least 18,802 civilians were killed in the conflict in Iraq between January 2014 and October 2015, and as many as twice that number were wounded. During that time, at least 3 million people, according to the report issued by the U.N. Mission in Iraq and U.N. Human Rights Office in Baghdad, had fled their homes. The U.N. Human Rights Chief Zeid Raad al-Hussein issued a statement on January 19, 2016, saying that "even the obscene casualty figures fail to accurately reflect exactly how terribly civilians are suffering in Iraq". The joint report portrayed some of the brutal incidents perpetrated by ISIL in graphic details. In Mosul, ISIL killed 19 women for refusing to have sex with the group's fighters. The report also pointed to summary executions carried out by pro-government militias and Kurdish fighters.
Two Attacks Kill 59; ISIL Attacks Security Barrack
Two back-to-back explosions on February 28, 2016 wreaked havoc on a crowded market at Sadr City in Baghdad, killing at least 59 people and wounding dozens. First a bomb exploded at the Mredi market, and minutes later, before even the shock from the first explosion had just sunk in the mind of people assembled, a bomber blew up, doubling down on the casualties. Hours earlier, ISIL militants in three cars attacked a spectacular attack on a security barrack at Abu Ghraib, west of Baghdad, triggering hours of clash that had killed a dozen security personnel.
Suicide Bomber Targets a Funeral North of Baghdad
A suicide bomber on February 29, 2016, mingling among a roomful of mourners at a funeral hall in Muqdadiyah, about 60 miles north of Baghdad, blew up, killing at least 38 people and wounding more than 58. Among those who were killed included, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, a Shiite resistance leader of the so-called Popular Mobilization Forces, a potent conglomerate of Shiite militias helping government troops fight against ISIL.
Iraq Begins New Operations to Cut off ISIL Supply Route
Iraq on March 1, 2016 launched a strategic military campaign in and around the agricultural areas northwest of Samarra, about 60 miles north of Baghdad. The objective of this latest campaign, according to Joint Operations Command, is to cut off a key supply route, an important precursor to launching attack to liberate Mosul, Iraq's third-largest city. Iraqi military personnel, backed by coalition air campaign and joined by Popular Mobilization Forces, a potent conglomerate of Shiite militias, were zeroing in dozens of villages in the Jazerat Samarra area. As the campaign in Jazerat Samarra area had been underway, suicide bombers attacked a military barrack at Haditha in western Iraq, killing at least eight military personnel. ISIL claimed the responsibility for March 1, 2016, Haditha attack. Also during the day, separate attacks in and around Baghdad killed at least 13 people and wounded 31.
ISIL Claims Suicide Bombing at Baghdad
As Iraqi operation that had begun on March 1, 2016 to cut off ISIL supply route in the north, in and around Jazerat Samarra, was going smoothly and successfully, ISIL changed its tactics and focus as seen on March 6, 2016 when one of its suicide bomber blew up at a security checkpoint in the south of Baghdad, killing at least 47 people and wounding dozens. The bomber blew up at Hillah, about 60 miles south of Baghdad, around noon when the security checkpoint was teeming with cars, killing at least 39 civilians and eight security personnel.
U.S. Officially Labels ISIL as Committing Genocide
In a symbolic, but significant, move the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on March 17, 2016 officially designated ISIL as a group that had been committing genocide in Iraq and Syria through "eliminating those who do not subscribe its perverse ideology". Kerry's genocide designation came on the eve of a deadline set by Congress for Obama administration to find out whether ISIL was committing genocide. Kerry's announcement came three days after a March 14, 2016, unanimous resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives to condemn ISIL's brutal campaign to eradicate minorities in areas under its control.
Firebrand Cleric's Backers Protest against Inaction over Corruption
Thousands of backers of firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr held sit-in and demonstration near Baghdad's Green Zone on March 18, 2016, demanding government take action to rein in corruption, mismanagement and waste in addition to work on reforms as promised last summer (2015 summer) by premier Haider al-Abadi.
U.S. Marine Killed in Rocket Attack
A Marine was killed at a closely guarded U.S. base in northern Iraq on March 19, 2016 as two rockets launched by ISIL slammed the camp early in the morning near the town of Makhmour, a frontline town controlled by the Kurdish peshmerga. The closely guarded base houses several U.S. advisers who are working with the peshmerga and Iraqi troops for an eventual offensive to liberate Mosul. The Marine, not yet identified, was the second casualty after the USA had totally withdrawn from Iraq, but was subsequently forced to resume air campaign against ISIL beginning in Fall 2014 and send advisors and trainers, including special operations forces, to assist Iraqi forces. The first death was reported after an October 2015 Special Operations raid at a secret ISIL camp to free prisoners. The soldier was identified as 39-year-old Sergeant Joshua Wheeler of Roland, Oklahoma.
Stadium Suicide Bombing Kills at least 31 amid ISIL's Loss of Territories
A suicide bomber on March 25, 2016 blew up in the midst of a soccer game at a stadium south of Baghdad, killing at least 31 and injuring more than 70. ISIL claimed responsibility for the stadium bombing at Iskandariya in Babil province. The game was organized by the Shiite group Asaib Ahl al-Haq, which contributed militia to the fight against ISIL. ISIL is on the retreat in recent months, having lost 40 percent of the territories it has held at its peak in Iraq beside conceding 20 percent in Syria. On the battleground, ISIL suffered another setback during the day (March 25) when it was routed from the Anbar town of Kubeisa, a day after the militant group faced the same fate in a cluster of villages in the northern Nineveh province.
ISIL Gets Blowback at Another Key Town
ISIL was dealt another setback by a determined Iraqi Army on April 11, 2016 as Iraqi troops routed the Islamic militant group at the town of Hit, 100 miles west of Baghdad on the Euphrates River. Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service and Joint Operations Command issued a statement during the day that Iraqi national flags were flying on the government buildings at the heart of the city.
Shiites Fight Kurds at Key Northern City
In what could be seen as fratricidal and frustrating to the U.S. effort to unify all in fight against ISIL, the Shiites militia and Kurdish troops exchanged volleys of fire on April 24, 2016 at the ethnically mixed northern town of Tuz Khurmatu, 120 miles north of Baghdad. The day-long fight over the control of Tuz Khurmatu--seized from ISIL in 2014, but soon to be followed with internecine fights among various groups--killed at least 12 people.
Dozen Die in Iraq Bombing
A suicide car bomb on April 25, 2016 killed at least 12 people and wounded more than three dozens at a Shiite-dominated market in New Baghdad that was teeming with people at the peak of midday.
Biden Prods for Iraqi Unity in an Unannounced Visit
Vice President Joe Biden in an unannounced visit to Iraq on April 28, 2016 met with premier Haider al-Abadi, and urged all Iraqis to unite in the fight against ISIL. As part of unifying sections of Iraqi society in his first visit in almost five years--and most likely his last visit as a VP--Biden later in the day flew to Irbil to meet with KRG President Masoud Barzani.
Militant Shiite Cleric's Followers Occupy Green Zone, Later Withdraw
Showing the world that he still remained a force to be reckoned with, firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr tacitly condoned the action of his followers as thousands of them on April 30, 2016 scaled the high walls of Green Zone and laid a siege on the government seat of power, demanding end to corruption, cronyism, nepotism and favoritism. Demonstrators faced no resistance from the Iraqi security forces, and more than 24-hour sit-in remained peaceful until the protesters withdrew on May 1, 2016.
Third U.S. Soldier Killed since the Beginning of Anti-ISIL Operation
A U.S. Navy Seal was killed on May 3, 2016 as ISIL militants penetrated through a peshmerga defense line in northern Iraq and attacked a camp where the Seal was thought to be present. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey later in the day identified the dead Seal as Charles Keating IV, the grandson of infamous Charles H. Keating Jr., who had served jail terms in Savings and Loan crisis in 1980s.
Charles Keating IV attended the Naval Academy in Coronado. The death brought to public an uneasy, but well known, fact related to involvement of U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria after their complete withdrawal from Iraq in 2011. Charles Keating IV's May 3, 2016, death marked the third time a U.S. personnel was killed since the beginning of U.S-led campaign against ISIL in June 2014. In October 2015, a special ops soldier, Master Sergeant Joshua Wheeler, 39, was killed during a Kurdish-led raid on an ISIL prison in northern Iraq. On March 19, 2016, a Marine artilleryman, Staff Sergeant Louis Cardin, 27, was killed as ISIL militants launched a rocket attack on a newly established firebase outside Mosul. Obama administration recently announced to increase the deployment of U.S. troops in Iraq to assist and advise the Iraqi troops, and last week, the cap was increased from 3,870 to 4,087.
Trio of Car Bombings Kill more than 90
Three car bombs wreaked havoc in Baghdad on May 11, 2016 and sowed fear that as ISIL had been squeezed out the battle zones, its fighters would target soft spots. The most fatal car bomb targeted an open market in Sadr City, killing at least 63 people and wounding more than 85. The other two car bombs exploded in Kadhmiya neighborhood in northwest Baghdad and at a police checkpoint in the Jamiya neighborhood in central Baghdad, killing at least 30 and wounding more than 80.
Attack on Soccer Fans Kills 13
Two days after a trio of bombings killed more than 90 people, a group of suicide attackers on May 13, 2016 launched an audacious attack on a café at Balad, 50 miles north of Baghdad, killing at least 13 people. ISIL claimed the responsibility for the attack on Real Madrid soccer fans. The Spanish soccer club mourned the death of its Iraqi fans in May 13, 2016, attack in Balad.
Attacks on Gas Plant, Other Targets Kill 29
Several militants used a car bomb, then breached the security barriers of a natural gas plant at Taji, 12 miles north of Baghdad and engaged in firefight with security personnel for several hours on May 15, 2016, killing at least 14, including 6 civilians and 8 security personnel. During the day, four more car bombs struck targets in and around Baghdad, taking the lives of at least 15 more people. More than 140 people were killed in attacks claimed by ISIL since May 11, 2016. Reacting to the surge in attacks by ISIL militants, Brett McGurk, the Obama administration's envoy to 66-nation coalition fighting against ISIL, said to journalists in Jordan on May 15, 2016 that the militants had resorted to inhumanly violence against mostly civilian targets because their "perverse caliphate is shrinking".
Four Bombs Kill More than 69, Topping 200 the Past Week's Death Toll
Four separate attacks on May 17, 2016 shook the Iraqi confidence in their government and raised the death toll to more than 200 since May 11, 2016. The worst attack of the day, involving a roadside bomb at an open market in Baghdad's northeastern Shaab neighborhood followed by a suicide bomber blowing among the people who had assembled to help the victims from the initial blast, was claimed by ISIL in which at least 34 people were killed and more than 75 wounded. Later in the afternoon, a suicide car bomb struck an outdoor market at Sadr City, killing 18 people and wounding 35 others. Soon after, fighters loyal to Muqtada al-Sadr's militia, Saraya Salam, had deployed in the streets of Sadr City to take over the security. The firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr later released a statement to his followers, saying that the attacks "are clear evidence that your government has become unable to protect and provide you with the security". In the day's other two incidents,
* a bomb exploded at a fruit-and-vegetable market in Shiite-dominated Dora neighborhood in southern Baghdad, killing 8 people and wounding 22 others
* a suicide bomber targeted a restaurant in northeastern Habibiya neighborhood, killing 9 and wounding 18
Iraqi Forces Seizes a Strategic Desert Town
Dealing another battleground setback to ISIL, Iraqi forces on May 19, 2016 captured Rutba, a desert town in Anbar province 340 miles west of Baghdad that played an "outsize strategic" role, in the words of Col. Steve Warren, a U.S. Spokesman in Iraq, as it served as a supply route with Jordan and Syria.
Protesters again Storm Green Zone
Angry over a deteriorating security situation, nepotism and lack of public services, angry protesters, many of them were disenchanted supporters of firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, on May 21, 2016 stormed the Green Zone, site to several government offices and buildings. They even reached very close to Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's office, leading to security forces to open fire on the violent protesters. Late reports said that two protesters were killed.
Shiite Cleric Condemns Firing
Reacting to opening of fire on protesters who had stormed the Green Zone a day earlier, Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on May 22, 2016 issued a harsh statement against the government of Haider al-Abadi, condemning the firing resorted by the security forces.
*********** IRAQI GOVERNMENT OFFENSIVE TO LIBERATE FALLUJAH **********
Iraq Announces Offensive to Get Fallujah Rid of ISIL
In a nationally televised address, Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on late May 22, 2016 announced the launch of a protracted offensive to liberate the ISIL hotbed of Fallujah. Surrounded by high-ranking generals of Ministry of Defense, Haider al-Abadi exuded confidence that Iraqi forces were "approaching a moment of great victory". The launch of offensive to liberate Fallujah was made a day after a restive crowd stormed into Green Zone and fought against security forces, leading to two deaths and more than hundred injuries.
Iraqi Forces Launch Offensive Aided by US Aerial Strikes
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on May 23, 2016 told the reporters at the operations command center east of Fallujah that the offensive to oust ISIL was going as expected. Iraqi forces and Popular Mobilization Forces, a loose alliance of Shiite militias, were at the outskirt of the southern periphery of Fallujah, and aided by a rash of U.S. aerial assaults, they had taken control of Niaimiyah, south of Fallujah.
Too Soon to Give a Progress Report on Fallujah Offensive, Says American General
As Iraqi forces were encountering stiff resistance from entrenched and battle-hardened fighters of ISIL six days after the launch of Fallujah offensive, the general, Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland, who was leading the U.S. forces in Iraq gave a candid public assessment on May 28, 2016 that it was too early to say when the city, 40 miles west of Baghdad, would be liberated.
Fighting Intensifies amid Concern over Humanitarian Disaster
As Iraqi counterterrorism forces were making incremental progress, it was becoming clear by the day that the offensive to liberate Fallujah would be drawn out and a bloody one. On May 30, 2016 evening, Iraqi forces entered into Fallujah's southern peripheral area of Nuaimiya, and by the night fall, they had control over the most parts of the area. In an early morning surprising attack on May 31, 2016, ISIL fighters tried to take back the Nuaimiya area, an lush agricultural area south of entryway to Fallujah. After more than 4 hours of fighting, Iraqi forces were able to repel the ISIL attack and reported to have killed more than 100 militants. As the fighting razed over the control of Nuaimiya, the head of a global aid group, Jan Egeland of Norwegian Refugee Council, said on May 31, 2016 that "a human catastrophe is unfolding in Fallujah" as an estimated 50,000 civilians, including 20,000 children, were entrapped within the city.
Premier Visits Frontline as Iraqi Progress Stalled
A day after repelling an ISIL attack on Nuaimiya area, Iraqi advance on June 1, 2016 toward Fallujah was forced to a snail's pace as ISIL fighters put up a ferocious resistance. Also during the day, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi visited a frontline command center, Camp Tariq, and noted that although the progress of Iraqi advance was slow, his troops were trying to minimize civilian casualties.
Iraqi Special Ops Begin Operation in Fallujah
Iraqi special operations forces on June 8, 2016 entered Fallujah, and were engaged in street-by-street battle in the city Shuhada neighborhood.
Iraqi Forces Take Main Government Buildings
After days of progress at snail's pace, Iraqi forces on June 17, 2016 reached at the heart of Fallujah, site to the city's main government buildings. Iraqi forces hoisted country's national flags over the government buildings by the end of the day. Iraqi premier Haider al-Abadi said on June 17, 2016 night that Fallujah had come back to the "country's bosom".
Fallujah Fully Liberated, Premier Visits Center of the City
After making gains in fits and starts over the past five weeks, Iraqi forces completed its sweep of Fallujah, culminating in the arrival of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi at the center of the city on June 26, 2016 to the celebratory cheers thousands of troops. The battle for Fallujah was drawn out longer than anticipated, and led to tens of thousands of people fleeing their homes. Now, almost all of them were going through another bout of disaster at government relief camps on the outskirts of city in the midst of a punishing summer month with rampant mismanagement, penury of aid and a looming humanitarian crisis. Many had expressed frustration over the government apathy and openly vented their frustration on whether liberation of Fallujah would bring in any tangible benefit. On the battlefront, Iraqi forces swept through the last vestiges of ISIL holdout in the northwestern neighborhood of al-Julan, consolidating the control over all of the city, according to Lt. Gen. Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi, head of the counterterrorism forces in the operation.
*********** IRAQI GOVERNMENT OFFENSIVE TO LIBERATE FALLUJAH **********
On Defensive, ISIL Eyes Soft Targets
As ISIL fighters were being crushed in the battlefields from Libya to Syria to Fallujah, they were becoming more desperate by the day and targeting, with increasing frequency, civilians at large gatherings such as marketplaces. Two suicide attacks, one with a truck bomb, near and around Baghdad on June 9, 2016 killed at least 31 people.
Coalition, Iraqi Airstrikes Destroy ISIL Convoy
As two multi-vehicle convoys were fleeing the outskirts of Fallujah, Iraqi and Coalition aircraft launched ferocious airstrikes on them late June 28, 2016, two days after Fallujah fell to complete government control. The first convoy was headed toward Syrian border, and the second one toward desert outside Ramadi. Altogether more than 170 vehicles were destroyed.
Car Bomb Shatters the Holy Air of Ramadan, Kills 143
The joyous and jovial atmosphere of arrival of the holiest day of Islamic calendar, Eid, was shattered in Central Baghdad on July 3, 2016 as families with children came out in drove after a successful school year and were shopping at a busy marketplace when a car, full of explosives, exploded, killing at least 143 people and wounding hundreds more. The blast was the worst in Baghdad since 2009 and among the deadliest since the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. Many of the dead were children, and several people remained unaccounted as of late night. The attack came a week after Fallujah had been completely liberated by the Iraqi government troops and their Shiite militia allies. The explosion at the Karada neighborhood near a three-story restaurant and shopping complex is sure to ignite the Shiite-Sunni tension at a delicate point of time although many of the dead also included Sunnis. The frustration of Iraqi people mounted in recent days as ISIL had carried out several car bombings in recent days in and around Baghdad with relative ease, and it was reflected one more time on July 3, 2016 as Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi was greeted with insult and his convoy was pelted with stones, shoes and bottles while visiting the bombing site hours after the attack. ISIL claimed responsibility for the blast.
************************* LIBERATION OF MOSUL *****************************
Obama to Send More Troops for Mosul Campaign
15 Days after Fallujah went to completely under the control of Iraqi government, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced at Baghdad on July 11, 2016 that Obama administration would send 560 more troops to assist and advise the Iraqi troops in the quest to oust ISIL from the country's second-largest city, Mosul. The troops will be based out of Qaraya Airfield West, 40 miles south of Mosul. Using Qaraya as staging ground is key to success in the U.S. mission to effectively direct and guide Iraqi offensive to liberate Mosul, according to many military advisers, including the head of the U.S. forces in Iraq, Lt. Gen. Sean B. McFarland. In April 2016, Carter came in a similar trip to Baghdad and announced that U.S. troops would work closely with Iraqi soldiers on the frontline in Fallujah offensive. Obama deployed an additional 217 troops in Iraq.
Refugee Shelters Filling up Quickly
In anticipation of an Iraqi offensive to oust ISIL from its last bastion in Iraq, thousands of civilians have been fleeing the surrounding areas of Mosul in Nineveh province and pouring into a sprawling refugee camp at Dibaga. According to an August 7, 2016, report carried by The Associated Press, at least 3,000 people had arrived at the Dibaga Camp in the past week on the top of an approximately 28,000 refugees who had been living in tents, prefab shelters and other temporary structures.
Premier Announces Capture of a Nearby Town as Defense Minister Loses Support
As Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced on August 25, 2016 the capture of a key town, Qayyarah, 37 miles south of Mosul, making a case for Iraqi military's incremental progress of zeroing on their ultimate prize, Mosul, Iraq's Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi lost parliamentary support, first time that had ever happened to any Iraqi cabinet minister since the inception of present form of parliamentary system in 2003. The vote on August 25, 2016 was 142-102, and reflected an outburst of growing frustration of people over an endemic level of corruption and cronyism.
600 More U.S. Troops to Deploy in Iraq to Assist in Mosul Offensive
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in New Mexico on September 28, 2016 that Obama administration would very soon send an additional 600 troops to help and assist Iraqi troops in the upcoming all-out Mosul offensive. With the deployment of an additional 600 troops, total number of American soldiers on the Iraqi soil will be north of 5,000 almost five years after the withdrawal of the last of U.S. troops.
Turkish President's Comments Complicate Mosul Campaign
Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on October 11, 2016 complicated the soon-to-be-launched Mosul's liberation campaign, by asserting that Ankara could not be excluded from the campaign and reminding the Iraqi premier Haider al-Abadi that he should "know his place". The relationship between Turkey and Iraq is already strained over the presence of Turkish troops at Bashiqa, northeast of Mosul, where Ankara has rushed its military personnel late last year to train anti-ISIL fighters. Baghdad has demanded ever since to withdraw Turkish troops from its soil and called the Turkish action to send its soldiers to Bashiqa a clear violation to its sovereignty.
ISIL's First Ever Use of Drone Reported
French newspaper Le Monde on October 11, 2016 reported that a drone operated by ISIL militants had dropped explosives days earlier on a base north of Mosul where French soldiers were training Kurdish peshmerga forces, killing two Kurds and wounding two French troops.
LIBERATION CAMPAIGN BEGINS
Iraqi Premier Announces Mosul Liberation Campaign in a Nationalized TV Address
The final countdown that had begun days ago led to a public announcement of the launch of a campaign on October 17, 2016 to liberate Iraq's second-largest city, Mosul, that would likely take weeks, if not months. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the launch of the offensive at dawn in a nationalized TV address. The offensive is the most ambitious and amorphous as groups as disparate as Kurdish peshmerga, Sunni tribal fighters, Shiite militia and Iraqi soldiers are involved in their shared goal of ousting ISIL from Mosul. Underscoring that goal, Kurdish Regional Government head Massoud Barzani said hours after Iraqi premier's announcement that it was the shared sacrifice of all that had made them coalesce into pursuing to achieve the single objective of defeating the ISIL and made October 17, 2016 "a historic day".
A U.S. Soldier Killed, Battle of Mosul Gets Fiercer
After the October 17, 2016, announcement of the beginning of the Battle of Mosul, Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), Kurdish peshmerga, Sunni tribal fighters and Shiite militia are zeroing on Iraq's second-largest city from various directions while the U.S.-led coalition is providing cover with airstrikes. While peshmerga are approaching toward Mosul from north and east, Iraq's counterterrorism forces were at the doorstep of the town of Bartella, 10 miles east of Mosul, on October 20, 2016. On the north, peshmerga faced a determined resistance from ISIL militants who had used explosives-laden vehicles and snipers to slow down the progress of Kurdish fighters. By the day's end on October 20, 2016, peshmerga fighters were able to seize at least 27 outlying villages north of Mosul. On October 20, 2016, U.S. suffered its first casualty in the Battle of Mosul as one U.S. soldier reportedly assisting the Iraqi forces was killed in a blast.
ISIL, Defensive in Mosul, Attacks Kirkuk
As Iraq mounted a concerted effort to push out ISIL from Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, since the country's prime minister publicly launched the campaign to liberate Mosul on October 17, 2016, security experts suspected that ISIL militants were hell-bent in wreaking havoc, if not against the Iraqi forces in Mosul, in other parts of Iraq. Their fear turned out to be true on October 21, 2016 as series suicide bombings struck in and around the northern oil city of Kirkuk beginning in the dawn. Three suicide attackers stormed a power plant at Dibis, north of Kirkuk, opening fire and killing at least 13 civilians, including two Iranian technocrats. Multiple explosions rocked Kirkuk throughout the day, and sporadic gunfire could still be heard after sundown as Kurdish security forces reasserted control over the city. Meanwhile, ISF and allied forces were making slow, but steady, progress in battle to liberate Mosul.
Carter in Mediation Mission to Ankara
In an effort to bridge the gap between Baghdad and Ankara and minimize the degree to which the neighbors' overt bickering might complicate the campaign against ISIL, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter met with Turkish leaders in Ankara on October 21, 2016, and after separate meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, P.M. Binali Yildrim and Defense Minister Fikri Isik, told reporters that there was "an agreement in principle" for Turkey to have a role in the Battle of Mosul without clarifying on what did that mean. The primary contention between Iraq and Turkey was over presence of about 500 Turkish troops at Bashiqa in northern Iraq since December 2015 to train anti-ISIL fighters. Iraq called it a flagrant violation of the country's sovereignty.
Iraqi Government Says No to Any Turkish Role
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter's diplomatic effort to find common ground between Turkey and Iraq in regard to the ongoing Battle of Mosul came to a screeching halt on October 22, 2016 as Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told Carter at a meeting in Baghdad that Mosul would be liberated without any involvement by Ankara.
Iraqi Troops Inching forward From East, South
A week after the formal launch of the offensive to liberate Mosul from ISIL, Iraqi special forces on October 24, 2016 shelled the militant positions in the town of Bartella, just on the outskirt of Mosul on the east. Also, Iraqi troops and tanks entered the village of Tob Zawa, 5-and-1/2-mile east of Mosul. On the south, Iraqi Federal Police, a military-style security force, was leading the offensive, and on October 24, 2016, entered a small rural hamlet, Shura, and engaged in a fierce battle with ISIL fighters.
U.N.: ISIL Carrying out Mass Executions, Using Civilians as Human Shield
As the operation to liberate Mosul entered into 12th day, U.N. human rights officials on October 28, 2016 accused ISIL of carrying out mass executions in and around Mosul who had defied the militants' order. In addition to mass executions, ISIL militants had rounded up several thousands civilians, mostly children and women, to use them as human shield as they fended off Iraqi offensive. U.N. human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein issued a statement on October 28, 2016, specially to call out the so called "depraved cowardly strategy" of ISIL to use women and children as human shield.
Iraqi Forces at the Doorstep of Mosul
Two weeks after beginning the offensive, Iraqi offensive to retake Mosul is poised all but slowed down because of dense population once the Iraqi counterterrorism force enters the urban areas. A preview of that was available on October 31, 2016 when Iraqi forces fended off three suicide car bombings at the village of Bazwaya in the east. Another Iraqi army unit, 9th Division, was just three miles off Mosul's eastern outskirt of Gogjali.
Iraqi Forces Make Push Deeper into Mosul
Days after seizing the eastern outskirt of Gogjali, Iraqi special forces on November 4, 2016 launched offensives on two fronts from the east of the city. About 3000 Iraqi forces are getting the air cover from U.S.-led coalition forces. Although pro-government forces have not faced significant resistance from ISIL fighters, the real fight awaits on the west side of Tigris River. Iraqi forces launched the offensive on November 4, 2016 at the dawn on Aden, Tahrir and Quds districts, west of Gogjali. Iraqi forces faced a series of ISIL car bombs as they fought their way through the districts.
Iraqi Troops Face Massive Resistance
A day after launching attacks on Aden, Tahrir and Quds districts, west of Gogjali, Iraqi troops on November 5, 2016 were met with severe counterattacks by ISIL fighters and suicide attackers. By the end of the day, Iraqi forces advance came to a grinding halt. The Iraqi troops' advance was also slowed by berms and trenches erected by ISIL militants. Meanwhile, Iraqi troops are holding large number of men who had been fleeing Mosul to screen militants.
Iraqi Forces at Standstill Mode Days after Entering Eastern Outskirt
Days after entering the Mosul's eastern gateway of Gogjali on November 1, 2016, Iraqi forces are facing a ferocious barrage of sniper fire, suicide vehicle attacks and roadside explosions. Given the intensity of resistance even on the eastern bank of Tigris River, it's quite imaginable what lies ahead once the pro-government fighters cross the river westward into more dense neighborhoods. After entering into Gogjali on November 1, 2016, Iraqi forces entered the Mosul proper on November 4, 2016 from the east, but on November 6, 2016, they could advance as little as a mile in the face of a fierce resistance. There is another battlefront on the south where Iraqi forces have been stuck 12 miles south of the city of Mosul. Kurdish peshmerga fighters are trying break the resistance on the northeast, and have attacked ISIL positions at Bashiqa, a town eight miles northeast of Mosul, on November 6, 2016 with mortar rounds. However, the success in the Kurdish offensive is marginal at best. As Iraqi forces, Shiite militia, pro-Baghdad Sunni tribal fighters and peshmerga have been engaged in fierce battles on all fronts to liberate the city of Mosul from the clutch of ISIL, the militant group is taking its violent campaigns elsewhere to undermine the government's Mosul campaign. On November 6, 2016, an explosives-laden ambulance exploded at a parking lot across a Shiite shrine in Samarra, 60 miles north of Baghdad, killing at least 11 people, including four Iranians, and wounding up to 100. A suicide attacker rammed his car bomb into a checkpoint near Tikrit, killing at least 9 people and wounding 25. A series of small-scale blasts in and around Baghdad on November 6, 2016 killed at least 10 people and wounded more than 20.
Kurds Enter the Mosul's Northeastern Gateway
At the wee hours of the dawn on November 7, 2016, Kurdish forces entered the town of Bashiqa, eight miles northeast of Mosul, backed by a barrage of heavy artillery, mortar rounds and Katyusha rockets.
Iraqi Advance Stalls amidst an Exodus of Civilians
As Iraqi forces made steady progress from the eastern front of Mosul, their advance seemed stalled as they had entered into dense neighborhoods in an abundance of caution to avoid civilian casualties. However, trickles of exodus seen in the early days of offensive became a steady stream of civilians fleeing the ISIL-held areas and moving toward camps set up by the government. As of November 10, 2016, according to several reports, at least 34,000 civilians sought help at government camps. To the Iraqi security forces, the exodus posed further security challenge on how to carry out appropriate screening of civilians.
U.N. Alleges Mass Executions of Civilians, Chemical Attacks by ISIL
A spokesperson for the U.N. Human Rights Commission, Ravina Shamdasani, said at Geneva on November 11, 2016 that ISIL had carried out mass executions of civilians in Mosul area who had defied, or remotely displayed disobedience to, the group, often using children as executioners as its militants were being zeroed in by advancing Iraqi troops. Shamdasani also noted that ISIL had launched chemical attacks on Iraqi and Kurdish fighters. Iraqi troops found large scale of chemical agents such as chlorine, ammonia and Sulphur in the neighborhoods recently seized by the Iraqi fighters. Meanwhile, mass graves are discovered on daily basis as more areas and neighborhoods are being liberated by Iraqi troops.
Iraqi Army Enters A Key Archeological Site
After days of slow progress--as happening more frequently these days after the first few days of swift progress since the launch of the campaign on October 17, 2016--in Iraqi offensive to take Mosul, Iraqi soldiers made a major move on November 13, 2016 by breaking the resistance of ISIL fighters and entering the pre-historic city of Nimrud, where ISIL fighters had been seen on widely circulated videos using sledgehammers and other heavy equipment to destroy some of the rare archeological structures and tombs dating back to 13 centuries B.C. The Iraqi control over Nimrud, 19 miles south of Mosul, will help historians to begin assessing the scale of damage done by the ISIL militants.
Clearing of Two Eastern Mosul Neighborhoods Complete
Iraqi special forces on November 15, 2016 completed the sweep of Mosul's two eastern neighborhoods, Zahra and Qadisiya, where Iraqi forces first entered on November 4, 2016. At least two dozen suicide attackers tried to block the progress of Iraqi special forces on November 15, 2016 at the Qadisiya neighborhood, but all of them were killed. The casualty on the Iraqi side was not known as throughout the campaign, since it had been launched on October 17, 2016, the government blacked out the casualty figures to the media.
Iraqi Special Forces Enter Deeper into a Key District
Since launching attack on the Tahrir district in the eastern fringe of Mosul on November 4, 2016, Iraqi forces had encountered stiff resistance from ISIL militants and their progress was grounded almost to a halt due to a stubborn blowback by militants and the presence of a large number of civilians in the district. After 12 days of fierce fighting, Iraqi special forces, aided by the U.S-led coalition airstrikes, on November 16, 2016 were able to break the siege and move deeper into Tahrir District.
Aid Begins Flowing into Recently Liberated Districts as Iraqi Forces Enter New
After completely liberating the Tahrir district in eastern Mosul on November 18, 2016, Iraqi forces on November 19, 2016 entered into two other neighborhoods--Muharabeen and Ulama, but faced fierce resistance from ISIL militants who had fought back with mortar fire, sniping and suicide attacks. As Tahrir was being ridden of ISIL, militants made a surprise foray late November 18, 2016 into the village of Imam Gharbi, south of Mosul, and controlling it for hours before pushed out again by U.S-led airstrikes. Meanwhile, on November 19, 2016, Kuwait sent humanitarian aid to residents of Samah and al-Arbajiyeh neighborhoods in eastern Mosul cleared of militants hours earlier.
Premier Makes an Unannounced Visit to an Airbase, Three More Neighborhoods Liberated
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on November 24, 2016 made an unannounced visit to an airbase near Tal Afar, west of Mosul, that was liberated earlier in the week by Shiite militiamen. As Shiite militia created an effective pressure point from the west, Iraqi forces liberated three more neighborhoods--Amn, Qahira and Green Apartment--on November 24, 2016 east of Tigris River, thus exerting a firm, but not full, control over the densely populated Zohour District.
More than 80 Civilians Killed in Mosul Operation, An Activist Group Estimates
A Britain-based activist group, Airwars, reported on November 25, 2016 that between 84 and 87 civilians had been killed in airstrikes since Mosul operation had begun on October 17, 2016. An additional 160 plus civilians had been injured.
Carter Pays Visit to a Nearby Base; 2,000 Estimated to be Killed or Gravely Wounded
In a surprise visit, the U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter paid a surprise visit to Qayara Air Base on December 11, 2016 and received an up-close brief from U.S. military officials. At a subsequent press conference at the base during the day, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, refuted the notion that Iraqi offensive in Mosul had hit at a standstill, and praised the Iraqi military for the progress it had made. Lt. Gen. Townsend also gave a rough estimate of 2,000 of the soldiers who had been either killed or gravely wounded in the offensive since its launch on October 17, 2016.
Car Bombs Kill 23 in Recently Liberated Mosul District
Three car bombs wreaked havoc in now government-controlled Gogjali District, on the east of Tigris River, and killed at least 23 people on December 22, 2016, underscoring the difficulty by Iraqi security forces in holding areas just liberated from ISIL militants. Two bombs ripped a crowded market, while a third car bomb exploded near a mosque. Authorities imposed a 24-hour curfew immediately after the trio of car bomb attacks.
Iraqi Forces Break a Two-Week Stalemate
Aided by the U.S. warplanes, Iraq's special operations forces on December 29, 2016 broke a standstill situation in eastern Mosul, and on December 30, 2016, were making inroads in the Quds neighborhood. Separately, from the northern side of Mosul, Iraq's 16th Division made a fresh push on December 30, 2016 in the Hadbaa neighborhood.
Iraqi Forces Hoists National Flag over Mosul University
After a re-set and giving a new push on December 29, 2016 to break the stubborn resistance put up by ISIL fighters, Iraqi special forces entered into the campus of Mosul University 15 days later on January 13, 2017 and by the day's end, national flag had been hoisted over the university's main administrative building, according to an update provided later in the evening by Iraqi Special Forces Brigadier General Haider Fadhil and Major General Sami al-Aridi. The capture of Mosul University is a major milestone for the government though the challenging fight still awaits on the western side of Tigris River.
Famous Tomb Taken by Iraqi Security Forces
Four days after January 13, 2017, hoisting of Iraqi flag over the Mosul University, Iraqi forces won another prize in eastern Mosul on January 17, 2017, capturing the Mosque of the Prophet Younis, the burial place of Prophet Jonah, who, according to Bible and Koran, had been swallowed by a whale. The mosque had been built at an archeological ruins dating back to 8th Century B.C. and became in recent years a tourist attraction from people of multiple faiths and nationalities.
Iraqi Forces Achieve Full Control over Eastern Mosul
Three months after launching offensive on Mosul, Iraqi security forces on January 18, 2017 gained effective control over the eastern half of the city, but not before an untold hundreds of security personnel killed in a defiant resistance by ISIL, tens of thousands of residents forced to flee and, most important, creating a potential future herculean task to rebuild the city. Later in the day, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi took Twitter to announce the milestone because of the "efforts of our brave forces".
Iraqi Premier Formally Claims Victory
Although Iraq's security forces and the allied militia had all but won the eastern side of Mosul on January 18, 2017 and Iraqi premier Haider al-Abadi himself tweeted later on that day, Abadi waited six more days to formally declare on January 24, 2017 that Baghdad had now absolute control over the eastern half of the second-largest city. Now begins the real grueling task of capturing the more populated, more congested western part of Mosul.
Iraqi Forces Launch Campaign to Liberate West Mosul, Capture Most of Mosul's Airport
Iraqi forces took a nearly three-week pause after completing a 100-day campaign to clear ISIL from the eastern half of Mosul in order to formulate a comprehensive strategy for a sustained campaign to liberate denser, more populated western part of the city. Preceded by a week-long air campaign by U.S.-led coalition, Iraqi forces on February 19, 2017 launched a ferocious campaign, and as a good beginning, were able to seize most of Mosul's international airport by February 23, 2017. The push on the airport was led by Iraq's federal police. Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command General Joseph Votel arrived at Baghdad on February 23, 2017 to co-ordinate the campaign to liberate Mosul. Votel said that at least 500 Iraqi military personnel were killed in the campaign to liberate the eastern half and more than 3,000 wounded.
Thousands Flee the Battle in West Mosul
Nearly two weeks after launching an offensive to liberate West Mosul, Iraq's Special Forces entered into the Wadi Hajr district in west Mosul and ousted ISIL on March 3, 2017. As another column of Iraqi soldiers were moving along the Tigris River, there were multiple fronts opened to strangulate ISIL and liberate West Mosul without excessive civilian casualties. Since the offensive to liberate West Mosul was launched two weeks ago, at least 28,000 people had been displaced.
Iraqi Forces Seize a Key Bridge, Other Installations
Since launching an offensive on February 19, 2017 to liberate western Mosul, Iraqi troops had been making progress in starts and fits. On March 7, 2017, Iraqi forces seized a key bridge over Tigris River, Hurriya Bridge, and recaptured an archeological museum and a branch of central bank.
Mass Grave Found
As the campaign to liberate West Mosul was moving at a tortuous pace, a Shiite militia group aligned with the government reported on March 11, 2017 that it had found a mass grave at a prison, liberated only this week, in Badoush, northwest of Mosul, that contained about 500 remains.
Coalition Airstrike Might have Killed as many as 200
A U.S. airstrike called by Iraqi forces to take out ISIL snipers from a west Mosul neighborhood, Mosul Jidideh, might have killed up to 200 civilians, according to reports that had emerged on March 24, 2017. The U.S. Central Command spokesman Col. John Thomas said during the day that the U.S. Military was looking into the incident that took place a week ago.
U.S. Military Acknowledges Killing Civilians in Airstrike based on Iraqi Information
Clearer pictures over the fateful March 17, 2017, airstrike called by Iraqi forces to take out ISIL snipers that had hit a building at Mosul Jidideh neighborhood sheltering hundreds of civilians and killed up to 200 of them emerged on March 25, 2017. The U.S. coalition said during the day that Iraqi forces had provided the coordinates of the target, and a formal military inquiry, Civilian Casualty Credibility Assessment, would be launched to investigate into civilian deaths.
Iraqi Official Count of Accidental Mosul Attack: 278; U.S. General Calls it Unintentional
Iraqi Civil Defense teams on April 5, 2017 updated the death toll from the March 17, 2017, airstrike in the Mosul Jidideh neighborhood and it now rose to 278, and several still remained missing. Meanwhile, the top U.S. commander against ISIL in Iraq and Syria, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, said on April 5, 2017 that there was "at least a fair chance" that the airstrike had been carried out by the U.S.-led coalition, but it was "an unintentional accident of war".
Key Historic Site Captured
A more than two-millennial-old antiquity site near Mosul was captured from ISIL, Iraqi Paramilitary said on April 26, 2017. The antique remains of Hatra, a marvel of Seleucid Empire, had been damaged by ISIL after its militants seized it in 2014.
Military Opens a New Front
As the fight to take Mosul entered into final, but a bloody, stage, Iraqi military, facing resistance, on May 4, 2017 opened a new front in the city's northwest side.
U.S.: Mosul Operation Entering "Final Stages"
U.S. administration's special presidential envoy to the coalition fighting against ISIL, Brett McGurk, said to The Associated Press on May 15, 2017 at a water treatment plant near the town of Hamam al-Alil that the Iraqi soldiers and allied fighters were in the "final stages" of completing their sweep of Mosul and defeating Daesh. McGurk and the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Douglas Silliman went to the facility during the day to meet with Iraqi military and civilian officials.
Famous Mosque Destroyed
A centuries-old mosque, al-Nuri Grand Mosque, where ISIL supreme leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2014 had announced the creation of Islamic caliphate was reported to have been destroyed by ISIL militants. According to Col. Ryan Dillon, spokesman for the U.S. forces in Iraq, said on June 21, 2017 that the façade of the mosque as well as some of the towering minarets were destroyed by the fleeing militants. The mosque was built by the 12th century ruler Nur al-Din Mahmoud Zangi, who was known to have united the Arabs against the crusaders from Europe.
Iraqi Troops Seize the Famous Nuri Mosque
Iraq's military issued a statement on June 29, 2017 that its counterterrorism forces had now complete control over the 12th century Grand Mosque of al-Nuri.
Iraq's Prime Minister Declares Victory
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi, dressed in military fatigue and flanked by his military commanders, declared "total victory" in Mosul in a nationwide TV address on July 10, 2017.
Despite "Total Victory, Sporadic Fighting Continues; Amnesty International Issues a Damning Report on Mosul Battle
A day after Iraqi government declared a "total victory" in Mosul, scattered fighting continued on July 11, 2017 in parts of Mosul.
During the day, Amnesty International issued a critical report, blaming both sides for "civilian catastrophe" in which at least 5,800 civilians had been killed in the western part of the city. Amnesty International said that both sides had failed to adhere the battle norms. However, in a rebuttal, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, called the Amnesty report as incorrect.
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17 People Killed Days after Hundreds Killed in a Pair of Attacks
Dust had not even settled after last week's two gruesome attacks that had cost 300 lives when three separate bombs ripped the capital of Baghdad on July 12, 2016. The day's attacks targeted the Shiite areas of the capital and open-air markets. The deadliest hit the northwestern neighborhood of al-Rashidiya, killing 12 people and wounding up to 37. A second bomb exploded at Mahmoudiya, about 20 miles south of Baghdad, killing 3 shoppers and wounding about 20, while a third bomb killed two civilians in the district of Dora. No one claimed the responsibility for the trio of attacks.
Shiite Cleric Demands Government Reforms
Addressing a rally of his followers at central Baghdad on July 15, 2016, firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr demanded concrete steps from the government of Haider al-Abadi to eliminate corruption and provide security to the people. The venue of July 15, 2016, rally was wrapped around with security barriers, and militia from Muqtada al-Sadr's Sarayah al-Salam, or Peace Brigade, were on hand in addition to Iraqi security forces.
Iraq's Parliament Votes No-Confidence against Defense Minister
As Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced on August 25, 2016 the capture of a key town, Qayyarah, 37 miles south of Mosul, making a case for Iraqi military's incremental progress of zeroing on their ultimate prize, Mosul, Iraq's Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi lost parliamentary support, first time that had ever happened to any Iraqi cabinet minister since the inception of present form of parliamentary system in 2003. The vote on August 25, 2016 was 142-102, and reflected an outburst of growing frustration of people over an endemic level of corruption and cronyism.
Truck Bomb Kills at least 12 in Iraq
An explosives-laden truck parked overnight at a Shiite-dominated Baghdad neighborhood, Karradah, killed at least 12 and wounded more than two dozens. Hours later on September 6, 2016, ISIL claimed the responsibility for carrying out the overnight attack.
ISIL Wreaks Havoc Elsewhere as Mosul Offensive Enters Third Week
As Iraqi forces, Shiite militia, pro-Baghdad Sunni tribal fighters and peshmerga have been engaged in fierce battles on all fronts to liberate the city of Mosul from the clutch of ISIL, the militant group is taking its violent campaigns elsewhere to undermine the government's Mosul campaign. On November 6, 2016, an explosives-laden ambulance exploded at a parking lot across a Shiite shrine in Samarra, 60 miles north of Baghdad, killing at least 11 people, including four Iranians, and wounding up to 100. A suicide attacker rammed his car bomb into a checkpoint near Tikrit, killing at least 9 people and wounding 25. A series of small-scale blasts in and around Baghdad on November 6, 2016 killed at least 10 people and wounded more than 20.
Suicide Attacks Kill Dozen People in Two Cities
As Iraqi forces and allied fighters were making progress in Mosul campaign, although in fits and starts, ISIL were hell-bent to take their fight to other Iraqi cities to show its presence and undermine Baghdad's operation to liberate the country's second-largest city. On November 14, 2016, a pair of back-to-back suicide car bombings struck the city center at Fallujah, killing at least six people. Hours earlier, the Sunni militant group targeted the Shiite holy city of Karbala as tens of thousands of pilgrims were heading toward the city to commemorate the 7th century death anniversary of the grandsons of Prophet Muhammad. Six suicide bombers tried to sneak into the city from the western side, but five of them were shot dead by the security forces. Sixth bomber rushed into the city's Ayn al-Tamer neighborhood, and forcibly entered into a house where he blew up, killing six people and wounding another six.
Suicide Bombing Kills Iranian Pilgrims
A suicide bomber on November 24, 2016 targeted Iranian pilgrims on their way home after observing a major Shiite religious ceremony at Karbala as he blew up at a gas station in Hilla, south of Baghdad, inflicting severe damage to a bus carrying the pilgrims. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan Qashqaxi told semiofficial Tasnim news agency that at least 80 people, including 40 Iranians, were killed. ISIL later claimed the responsibility for Hilla bombing.
Iraqi Parliament Gives Stamp of Legalization to Militias
In a session boycotted by the lawmakers allied with the pro-Sunni political parties, Iraq's parliament on November 26, 2016 legalized the militia units, formally known as Popular Mobilization Units, because these "heroic fighters, young and old, need our loyalty for the sacrifices they have made", according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's office. What rankled many Sunnis and the west was that some Shiite militias such as Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib al-Haq were hell-bent on carrying out a campaign of sectarian purges and raised the specter of fear of annihilation among Iraq's minority Arab Sunnis. There are also few Arab Sunni militias who have also been legitimized by the parliamentary vote of 208-0.
Violence Erupts in Demonstration Organized by Firebrand Shiite Cleric
To protest against the functioning of a commission overseeing upcoming local polls, supporters of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr held a huge demonstration at the heart of Baghdad on February 11, 2016 amid an Iraqi offensive, backed by international coalition and allied militias, to liberate Mosul that had been going fits and start. The demonstration turned violent and Baghdad's Thahrir Square resembled a warzone after demonstrators clashed with security forces. Two police personnel and three protesters were killed. At least six police personnel and several dozens protesters were also injured. Hours later, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said that there would be an inquiry into the violence and disproportionate use of force by security force.
Car Bomb Kills 55 in Baghdad a Day after 11 Killed
As Iraqi troops were preparing to launch an assault on western Mosul, ISIL militants were wreaking havoc in Baghdad by attacking soft targets such as crowded marketplaces. First, a bomb detonated on February 15, 2017 at a used-car lot on the edge of Sadr City, killing at least 11. Next day, February 16, 2017, a pick-up parked at another used-car lot in Baya neighborhood in southern Baghdad exploded, killing at least 55 people and wounding more than 63. Militant group ISIL claimed responsibility for both the attacks.
Iraqi Warplanes Enter Syrian Airspace to Attack ISIL
For the first time, Iraq's warplanes on February 24, 2017 made incursions into Syrian airspace and extended bombings against ISIL targets from the Iraqi border city of Husseibah to Boukamal, the Syrian city across the border. The cross-border attack was approved by the Syrian government and operated from a joint military command center at Baghdad run by Syria, Iran, Iraq and Russia, according to Brigadier General Tahseen Ibrahim. Commenting on the cross-border raid, Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi vowed not to spare any stone unturned in order to finish off ISIL.
Premier in Talks with Trump Administration for Permanent American Troops Presence
The Associated Press reported on May 4, 2017 that Haider al-Abadi's government was in negotiation with Washington for a permanent presence of U.S. troops in Iraq. At present, 7,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Iraq.
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Coalition, Iraqi Airstrikes Destroy ISIL Convoy
As two multi-vehicle convoys were fleeing the outskirts of Fallujah, Iraqi and Coalition aircraft launched ferocious airstrikes on them late June 28, 2016, two days after Fallujah fell to complete government control. The first convoy was headed toward Syrian border, and the second one toward desert outside Ramadi. Altogether more than 170 vehicles were destroyed.
Car Bomb Shatters the Holy Air of Ramadan, Kills 143
The joyous and jovial atmosphere of arrival of the holiest day of Islamic calendar, Eid, was shattered in Central Baghdad on July 3, 2016 as families with children came out in drove after a successful school year and were shopping at a busy marketplace when a car, full of explosives, exploded, killing at least 143 people and wounding hundreds more. The blast was the worst in Baghdad since 2009 and among the deadliest since the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. Many of the dead were children, and several people remained unaccounted as of late night. The attack came a week after Fallujah had been completely liberated by the Iraqi government troops and their Shiite militia allies. The explosion at the Karada neighborhood near a three-story restaurant and shopping complex is sure to ignite the Shiite-Sunni tension at a delicate point of time although many of the dead also included Sunnis. The frustration of Iraqi people mounted in recent days as ISIL had carried out several car bombings in recent days in and around Baghdad with relative ease, and it was reflected one more time on July 3, 2016 as Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi was greeted with insult and his convoy was pelted with stones, shoes and bottles while visiting the bombing site hours after the attack. ISIL claimed responsibility for the blast.
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Obama to Send More Troops for Mosul Campaign
15 Days after Fallujah went to completely under the control of Iraqi government, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced at Baghdad on July 11, 2016 that Obama administration would send 560 more troops to assist and advise the Iraqi troops in the quest to oust ISIL from the country's second-largest city, Mosul. The troops will be based out of Qaraya Airfield West, 40 miles south of Mosul. Using Qaraya as staging ground is key to success in the U.S. mission to effectively direct and guide Iraqi offensive to liberate Mosul, according to many military advisers, including the head of the U.S. forces in Iraq, Lt. Gen. Sean B. McFarland. In April 2016, Carter came in a similar trip to Baghdad and announced that U.S. troops would work closely with Iraqi soldiers on the frontline in Fallujah offensive. Obama deployed an additional 217 troops in Iraq.
Refugee Shelters Filling up Quickly
In anticipation of an Iraqi offensive to oust ISIL from its last bastion in Iraq, thousands of civilians have been fleeing the surrounding areas of Mosul in Nineveh province and pouring into a sprawling refugee camp at Dibaga. According to an August 7, 2016, report carried by The Associated Press, at least 3,000 people had arrived at the Dibaga Camp in the past week on the top of an approximately 28,000 refugees who had been living in tents, prefab shelters and other temporary structures.
Premier Announces Capture of a Nearby Town as Defense Minister Loses Support
As Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced on August 25, 2016 the capture of a key town, Qayyarah, 37 miles south of Mosul, making a case for Iraqi military's incremental progress of zeroing on their ultimate prize, Mosul, Iraq's Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi lost parliamentary support, first time that had ever happened to any Iraqi cabinet minister since the inception of present form of parliamentary system in 2003. The vote on August 25, 2016 was 142-102, and reflected an outburst of growing frustration of people over an endemic level of corruption and cronyism.
600 More U.S. Troops to Deploy in Iraq to Assist in Mosul Offensive
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in New Mexico on September 28, 2016 that Obama administration would very soon send an additional 600 troops to help and assist Iraqi troops in the upcoming all-out Mosul offensive. With the deployment of an additional 600 troops, total number of American soldiers on the Iraqi soil will be north of 5,000 almost five years after the withdrawal of the last of U.S. troops.
Turkish President's Comments Complicate Mosul Campaign
Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on October 11, 2016 complicated the soon-to-be-launched Mosul's liberation campaign, by asserting that Ankara could not be excluded from the campaign and reminding the Iraqi premier Haider al-Abadi that he should "know his place". The relationship between Turkey and Iraq is already strained over the presence of Turkish troops at Bashiqa, northeast of Mosul, where Ankara has rushed its military personnel late last year to train anti-ISIL fighters. Baghdad has demanded ever since to withdraw Turkish troops from its soil and called the Turkish action to send its soldiers to Bashiqa a clear violation to its sovereignty.
ISIL's First Ever Use of Drone Reported
French newspaper Le Monde on October 11, 2016 reported that a drone operated by ISIL militants had dropped explosives days earlier on a base north of Mosul where French soldiers were training Kurdish peshmerga forces, killing two Kurds and wounding two French troops.
LIBERATION CAMPAIGN BEGINS
Iraqi Premier Announces Mosul Liberation Campaign in a Nationalized TV Address
The final countdown that had begun days ago led to a public announcement of the launch of a campaign on October 17, 2016 to liberate Iraq's second-largest city, Mosul, that would likely take weeks, if not months. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the launch of the offensive at dawn in a nationalized TV address. The offensive is the most ambitious and amorphous as groups as disparate as Kurdish peshmerga, Sunni tribal fighters, Shiite militia and Iraqi soldiers are involved in their shared goal of ousting ISIL from Mosul. Underscoring that goal, Kurdish Regional Government head Massoud Barzani said hours after Iraqi premier's announcement that it was the shared sacrifice of all that had made them coalesce into pursuing to achieve the single objective of defeating the ISIL and made October 17, 2016 "a historic day".
A U.S. Soldier Killed, Battle of Mosul Gets Fiercer
After the October 17, 2016, announcement of the beginning of the Battle of Mosul, Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), Kurdish peshmerga, Sunni tribal fighters and Shiite militia are zeroing on Iraq's second-largest city from various directions while the U.S.-led coalition is providing cover with airstrikes. While peshmerga are approaching toward Mosul from north and east, Iraq's counterterrorism forces were at the doorstep of the town of Bartella, 10 miles east of Mosul, on October 20, 2016. On the north, peshmerga faced a determined resistance from ISIL militants who had used explosives-laden vehicles and snipers to slow down the progress of Kurdish fighters. By the day's end on October 20, 2016, peshmerga fighters were able to seize at least 27 outlying villages north of Mosul. On October 20, 2016, U.S. suffered its first casualty in the Battle of Mosul as one U.S. soldier reportedly assisting the Iraqi forces was killed in a blast.
ISIL, Defensive in Mosul, Attacks Kirkuk
As Iraq mounted a concerted effort to push out ISIL from Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, since the country's prime minister publicly launched the campaign to liberate Mosul on October 17, 2016, security experts suspected that ISIL militants were hell-bent in wreaking havoc, if not against the Iraqi forces in Mosul, in other parts of Iraq. Their fear turned out to be true on October 21, 2016 as series suicide bombings struck in and around the northern oil city of Kirkuk beginning in the dawn. Three suicide attackers stormed a power plant at Dibis, north of Kirkuk, opening fire and killing at least 13 civilians, including two Iranian technocrats. Multiple explosions rocked Kirkuk throughout the day, and sporadic gunfire could still be heard after sundown as Kurdish security forces reasserted control over the city. Meanwhile, ISF and allied forces were making slow, but steady, progress in battle to liberate Mosul.
Carter in Mediation Mission to Ankara
In an effort to bridge the gap between Baghdad and Ankara and minimize the degree to which the neighbors' overt bickering might complicate the campaign against ISIL, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter met with Turkish leaders in Ankara on October 21, 2016, and after separate meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, P.M. Binali Yildrim and Defense Minister Fikri Isik, told reporters that there was "an agreement in principle" for Turkey to have a role in the Battle of Mosul without clarifying on what did that mean. The primary contention between Iraq and Turkey was over presence of about 500 Turkish troops at Bashiqa in northern Iraq since December 2015 to train anti-ISIL fighters. Iraq called it a flagrant violation of the country's sovereignty.
Iraqi Government Says No to Any Turkish Role
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter's diplomatic effort to find common ground between Turkey and Iraq in regard to the ongoing Battle of Mosul came to a screeching halt on October 22, 2016 as Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told Carter at a meeting in Baghdad that Mosul would be liberated without any involvement by Ankara.
Iraqi Troops Inching forward From East, South
A week after the formal launch of the offensive to liberate Mosul from ISIL, Iraqi special forces on October 24, 2016 shelled the militant positions in the town of Bartella, just on the outskirt of Mosul on the east. Also, Iraqi troops and tanks entered the village of Tob Zawa, 5-and-1/2-mile east of Mosul. On the south, Iraqi Federal Police, a military-style security force, was leading the offensive, and on October 24, 2016, entered a small rural hamlet, Shura, and engaged in a fierce battle with ISIL fighters.
U.N.: ISIL Carrying out Mass Executions, Using Civilians as Human Shield
As the operation to liberate Mosul entered into 12th day, U.N. human rights officials on October 28, 2016 accused ISIL of carrying out mass executions in and around Mosul who had defied the militants' order. In addition to mass executions, ISIL militants had rounded up several thousands civilians, mostly children and women, to use them as human shield as they fended off Iraqi offensive. U.N. human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein issued a statement on October 28, 2016, specially to call out the so called "depraved cowardly strategy" of ISIL to use women and children as human shield.
Iraqi Forces at the Doorstep of Mosul
Two weeks after beginning the offensive, Iraqi offensive to retake Mosul is poised all but slowed down because of dense population once the Iraqi counterterrorism force enters the urban areas. A preview of that was available on October 31, 2016 when Iraqi forces fended off three suicide car bombings at the village of Bazwaya in the east. Another Iraqi army unit, 9th Division, was just three miles off Mosul's eastern outskirt of Gogjali.
Iraqi Forces Make Push Deeper into Mosul
Days after seizing the eastern outskirt of Gogjali, Iraqi special forces on November 4, 2016 launched offensives on two fronts from the east of the city. About 3000 Iraqi forces are getting the air cover from U.S.-led coalition forces. Although pro-government forces have not faced significant resistance from ISIL fighters, the real fight awaits on the west side of Tigris River. Iraqi forces launched the offensive on November 4, 2016 at the dawn on Aden, Tahrir and Quds districts, west of Gogjali. Iraqi forces faced a series of ISIL car bombs as they fought their way through the districts.
Iraqi Troops Face Massive Resistance
A day after launching attacks on Aden, Tahrir and Quds districts, west of Gogjali, Iraqi troops on November 5, 2016 were met with severe counterattacks by ISIL fighters and suicide attackers. By the end of the day, Iraqi forces advance came to a grinding halt. The Iraqi troops' advance was also slowed by berms and trenches erected by ISIL militants. Meanwhile, Iraqi troops are holding large number of men who had been fleeing Mosul to screen militants.
Iraqi Forces at Standstill Mode Days after Entering Eastern Outskirt
Days after entering the Mosul's eastern gateway of Gogjali on November 1, 2016, Iraqi forces are facing a ferocious barrage of sniper fire, suicide vehicle attacks and roadside explosions. Given the intensity of resistance even on the eastern bank of Tigris River, it's quite imaginable what lies ahead once the pro-government fighters cross the river westward into more dense neighborhoods. After entering into Gogjali on November 1, 2016, Iraqi forces entered the Mosul proper on November 4, 2016 from the east, but on November 6, 2016, they could advance as little as a mile in the face of a fierce resistance. There is another battlefront on the south where Iraqi forces have been stuck 12 miles south of the city of Mosul. Kurdish peshmerga fighters are trying break the resistance on the northeast, and have attacked ISIL positions at Bashiqa, a town eight miles northeast of Mosul, on November 6, 2016 with mortar rounds. However, the success in the Kurdish offensive is marginal at best. As Iraqi forces, Shiite militia, pro-Baghdad Sunni tribal fighters and peshmerga have been engaged in fierce battles on all fronts to liberate the city of Mosul from the clutch of ISIL, the militant group is taking its violent campaigns elsewhere to undermine the government's Mosul campaign. On November 6, 2016, an explosives-laden ambulance exploded at a parking lot across a Shiite shrine in Samarra, 60 miles north of Baghdad, killing at least 11 people, including four Iranians, and wounding up to 100. A suicide attacker rammed his car bomb into a checkpoint near Tikrit, killing at least 9 people and wounding 25. A series of small-scale blasts in and around Baghdad on November 6, 2016 killed at least 10 people and wounded more than 20.
Kurds Enter the Mosul's Northeastern Gateway
At the wee hours of the dawn on November 7, 2016, Kurdish forces entered the town of Bashiqa, eight miles northeast of Mosul, backed by a barrage of heavy artillery, mortar rounds and Katyusha rockets.
Iraqi Advance Stalls amidst an Exodus of Civilians
As Iraqi forces made steady progress from the eastern front of Mosul, their advance seemed stalled as they had entered into dense neighborhoods in an abundance of caution to avoid civilian casualties. However, trickles of exodus seen in the early days of offensive became a steady stream of civilians fleeing the ISIL-held areas and moving toward camps set up by the government. As of November 10, 2016, according to several reports, at least 34,000 civilians sought help at government camps. To the Iraqi security forces, the exodus posed further security challenge on how to carry out appropriate screening of civilians.
U.N. Alleges Mass Executions of Civilians, Chemical Attacks by ISIL
A spokesperson for the U.N. Human Rights Commission, Ravina Shamdasani, said at Geneva on November 11, 2016 that ISIL had carried out mass executions of civilians in Mosul area who had defied, or remotely displayed disobedience to, the group, often using children as executioners as its militants were being zeroed in by advancing Iraqi troops. Shamdasani also noted that ISIL had launched chemical attacks on Iraqi and Kurdish fighters. Iraqi troops found large scale of chemical agents such as chlorine, ammonia and Sulphur in the neighborhoods recently seized by the Iraqi fighters. Meanwhile, mass graves are discovered on daily basis as more areas and neighborhoods are being liberated by Iraqi troops.
Iraqi Army Enters A Key Archeological Site
After days of slow progress--as happening more frequently these days after the first few days of swift progress since the launch of the campaign on October 17, 2016--in Iraqi offensive to take Mosul, Iraqi soldiers made a major move on November 13, 2016 by breaking the resistance of ISIL fighters and entering the pre-historic city of Nimrud, where ISIL fighters had been seen on widely circulated videos using sledgehammers and other heavy equipment to destroy some of the rare archeological structures and tombs dating back to 13 centuries B.C. The Iraqi control over Nimrud, 19 miles south of Mosul, will help historians to begin assessing the scale of damage done by the ISIL militants.
Clearing of Two Eastern Mosul Neighborhoods Complete
Iraqi special forces on November 15, 2016 completed the sweep of Mosul's two eastern neighborhoods, Zahra and Qadisiya, where Iraqi forces first entered on November 4, 2016. At least two dozen suicide attackers tried to block the progress of Iraqi special forces on November 15, 2016 at the Qadisiya neighborhood, but all of them were killed. The casualty on the Iraqi side was not known as throughout the campaign, since it had been launched on October 17, 2016, the government blacked out the casualty figures to the media.
Iraqi Special Forces Enter Deeper into a Key District
Since launching attack on the Tahrir district in the eastern fringe of Mosul on November 4, 2016, Iraqi forces had encountered stiff resistance from ISIL militants and their progress was grounded almost to a halt due to a stubborn blowback by militants and the presence of a large number of civilians in the district. After 12 days of fierce fighting, Iraqi special forces, aided by the U.S-led coalition airstrikes, on November 16, 2016 were able to break the siege and move deeper into Tahrir District.
Aid Begins Flowing into Recently Liberated Districts as Iraqi Forces Enter New
After completely liberating the Tahrir district in eastern Mosul on November 18, 2016, Iraqi forces on November 19, 2016 entered into two other neighborhoods--Muharabeen and Ulama, but faced fierce resistance from ISIL militants who had fought back with mortar fire, sniping and suicide attacks. As Tahrir was being ridden of ISIL, militants made a surprise foray late November 18, 2016 into the village of Imam Gharbi, south of Mosul, and controlling it for hours before pushed out again by U.S-led airstrikes. Meanwhile, on November 19, 2016, Kuwait sent humanitarian aid to residents of Samah and al-Arbajiyeh neighborhoods in eastern Mosul cleared of militants hours earlier.
Premier Makes an Unannounced Visit to an Airbase, Three More Neighborhoods Liberated
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on November 24, 2016 made an unannounced visit to an airbase near Tal Afar, west of Mosul, that was liberated earlier in the week by Shiite militiamen. As Shiite militia created an effective pressure point from the west, Iraqi forces liberated three more neighborhoods--Amn, Qahira and Green Apartment--on November 24, 2016 east of Tigris River, thus exerting a firm, but not full, control over the densely populated Zohour District.
More than 80 Civilians Killed in Mosul Operation, An Activist Group Estimates
A Britain-based activist group, Airwars, reported on November 25, 2016 that between 84 and 87 civilians had been killed in airstrikes since Mosul operation had begun on October 17, 2016. An additional 160 plus civilians had been injured.
Carter Pays Visit to a Nearby Base; 2,000 Estimated to be Killed or Gravely Wounded
In a surprise visit, the U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter paid a surprise visit to Qayara Air Base on December 11, 2016 and received an up-close brief from U.S. military officials. At a subsequent press conference at the base during the day, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, refuted the notion that Iraqi offensive in Mosul had hit at a standstill, and praised the Iraqi military for the progress it had made. Lt. Gen. Townsend also gave a rough estimate of 2,000 of the soldiers who had been either killed or gravely wounded in the offensive since its launch on October 17, 2016.
Car Bombs Kill 23 in Recently Liberated Mosul District
Three car bombs wreaked havoc in now government-controlled Gogjali District, on the east of Tigris River, and killed at least 23 people on December 22, 2016, underscoring the difficulty by Iraqi security forces in holding areas just liberated from ISIL militants. Two bombs ripped a crowded market, while a third car bomb exploded near a mosque. Authorities imposed a 24-hour curfew immediately after the trio of car bomb attacks.
Iraqi Forces Break a Two-Week Stalemate
Aided by the U.S. warplanes, Iraq's special operations forces on December 29, 2016 broke a standstill situation in eastern Mosul, and on December 30, 2016, were making inroads in the Quds neighborhood. Separately, from the northern side of Mosul, Iraq's 16th Division made a fresh push on December 30, 2016 in the Hadbaa neighborhood.
Iraqi Forces Hoists National Flag over Mosul University
After a re-set and giving a new push on December 29, 2016 to break the stubborn resistance put up by ISIL fighters, Iraqi special forces entered into the campus of Mosul University 15 days later on January 13, 2017 and by the day's end, national flag had been hoisted over the university's main administrative building, according to an update provided later in the evening by Iraqi Special Forces Brigadier General Haider Fadhil and Major General Sami al-Aridi. The capture of Mosul University is a major milestone for the government though the challenging fight still awaits on the western side of Tigris River.
Famous Tomb Taken by Iraqi Security Forces
Four days after January 13, 2017, hoisting of Iraqi flag over the Mosul University, Iraqi forces won another prize in eastern Mosul on January 17, 2017, capturing the Mosque of the Prophet Younis, the burial place of Prophet Jonah, who, according to Bible and Koran, had been swallowed by a whale. The mosque had been built at an archeological ruins dating back to 8th Century B.C. and became in recent years a tourist attraction from people of multiple faiths and nationalities.
Iraqi Forces Achieve Full Control over Eastern Mosul
Three months after launching offensive on Mosul, Iraqi security forces on January 18, 2017 gained effective control over the eastern half of the city, but not before an untold hundreds of security personnel killed in a defiant resistance by ISIL, tens of thousands of residents forced to flee and, most important, creating a potential future herculean task to rebuild the city. Later in the day, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi took Twitter to announce the milestone because of the "efforts of our brave forces".
Iraqi Premier Formally Claims Victory
Although Iraq's security forces and the allied militia had all but won the eastern side of Mosul on January 18, 2017 and Iraqi premier Haider al-Abadi himself tweeted later on that day, Abadi waited six more days to formally declare on January 24, 2017 that Baghdad had now absolute control over the eastern half of the second-largest city. Now begins the real grueling task of capturing the more populated, more congested western part of Mosul.
Iraqi Forces Launch Campaign to Liberate West Mosul, Capture Most of Mosul's Airport
Iraqi forces took a nearly three-week pause after completing a 100-day campaign to clear ISIL from the eastern half of Mosul in order to formulate a comprehensive strategy for a sustained campaign to liberate denser, more populated western part of the city. Preceded by a week-long air campaign by U.S.-led coalition, Iraqi forces on February 19, 2017 launched a ferocious campaign, and as a good beginning, were able to seize most of Mosul's international airport by February 23, 2017. The push on the airport was led by Iraq's federal police. Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command General Joseph Votel arrived at Baghdad on February 23, 2017 to co-ordinate the campaign to liberate Mosul. Votel said that at least 500 Iraqi military personnel were killed in the campaign to liberate the eastern half and more than 3,000 wounded.
Thousands Flee the Battle in West Mosul
Nearly two weeks after launching an offensive to liberate West Mosul, Iraq's Special Forces entered into the Wadi Hajr district in west Mosul and ousted ISIL on March 3, 2017. As another column of Iraqi soldiers were moving along the Tigris River, there were multiple fronts opened to strangulate ISIL and liberate West Mosul without excessive civilian casualties. Since the offensive to liberate West Mosul was launched two weeks ago, at least 28,000 people had been displaced.
Iraqi Forces Seize a Key Bridge, Other Installations
Since launching an offensive on February 19, 2017 to liberate western Mosul, Iraqi troops had been making progress in starts and fits. On March 7, 2017, Iraqi forces seized a key bridge over Tigris River, Hurriya Bridge, and recaptured an archeological museum and a branch of central bank.
Mass Grave Found
As the campaign to liberate West Mosul was moving at a tortuous pace, a Shiite militia group aligned with the government reported on March 11, 2017 that it had found a mass grave at a prison, liberated only this week, in Badoush, northwest of Mosul, that contained about 500 remains.
Coalition Airstrike Might have Killed as many as 200
A U.S. airstrike called by Iraqi forces to take out ISIL snipers from a west Mosul neighborhood, Mosul Jidideh, might have killed up to 200 civilians, according to reports that had emerged on March 24, 2017. The U.S. Central Command spokesman Col. John Thomas said during the day that the U.S. Military was looking into the incident that took place a week ago.
U.S. Military Acknowledges Killing Civilians in Airstrike based on Iraqi Information
Clearer pictures over the fateful March 17, 2017, airstrike called by Iraqi forces to take out ISIL snipers that had hit a building at Mosul Jidideh neighborhood sheltering hundreds of civilians and killed up to 200 of them emerged on March 25, 2017. The U.S. coalition said during the day that Iraqi forces had provided the coordinates of the target, and a formal military inquiry, Civilian Casualty Credibility Assessment, would be launched to investigate into civilian deaths.
Iraqi Official Count of Accidental Mosul Attack: 278; U.S. General Calls it Unintentional
Iraqi Civil Defense teams on April 5, 2017 updated the death toll from the March 17, 2017, airstrike in the Mosul Jidideh neighborhood and it now rose to 278, and several still remained missing. Meanwhile, the top U.S. commander against ISIL in Iraq and Syria, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, said on April 5, 2017 that there was "at least a fair chance" that the airstrike had been carried out by the U.S.-led coalition, but it was "an unintentional accident of war".
Key Historic Site Captured
A more than two-millennial-old antiquity site near Mosul was captured from ISIL, Iraqi Paramilitary said on April 26, 2017. The antique remains of Hatra, a marvel of Seleucid Empire, had been damaged by ISIL after its militants seized it in 2014.
Military Opens a New Front
As the fight to take Mosul entered into final, but a bloody, stage, Iraqi military, facing resistance, on May 4, 2017 opened a new front in the city's northwest side.
U.S.: Mosul Operation Entering "Final Stages"
U.S. administration's special presidential envoy to the coalition fighting against ISIL, Brett McGurk, said to The Associated Press on May 15, 2017 at a water treatment plant near the town of Hamam al-Alil that the Iraqi soldiers and allied fighters were in the "final stages" of completing their sweep of Mosul and defeating Daesh. McGurk and the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Douglas Silliman went to the facility during the day to meet with Iraqi military and civilian officials.
Famous Mosque Destroyed
A centuries-old mosque, al-Nuri Grand Mosque, where ISIL supreme leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2014 had announced the creation of Islamic caliphate was reported to have been destroyed by ISIL militants. According to Col. Ryan Dillon, spokesman for the U.S. forces in Iraq, said on June 21, 2017 that the façade of the mosque as well as some of the towering minarets were destroyed by the fleeing militants. The mosque was built by the 12th century ruler Nur al-Din Mahmoud Zangi, who was known to have united the Arabs against the crusaders from Europe.
Iraqi Troops Seize the Famous Nuri Mosque
Iraq's military issued a statement on June 29, 2017 that its counterterrorism forces had now complete control over the 12th century Grand Mosque of al-Nuri.
Iraq's Prime Minister Declares Victory
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi, dressed in military fatigue and flanked by his military commanders, declared "total victory" in Mosul in a nationwide TV address on July 10, 2017.
Despite "Total Victory, Sporadic Fighting Continues; Amnesty International Issues a Damning Report on Mosul Battle
A day after Iraqi government declared a "total victory" in Mosul, scattered fighting continued on July 11, 2017 in parts of Mosul.
During the day, Amnesty International issued a critical report, blaming both sides for "civilian catastrophe" in which at least 5,800 civilians had been killed in the western part of the city. Amnesty International said that both sides had failed to adhere the battle norms. However, in a rebuttal, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, called the Amnesty report as incorrect.
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17 People Killed Days after Hundreds Killed in a Pair of Attacks
Dust had not even settled after last week's two gruesome attacks that had cost 300 lives when three separate bombs ripped the capital of Baghdad on July 12, 2016. The day's attacks targeted the Shiite areas of the capital and open-air markets. The deadliest hit the northwestern neighborhood of al-Rashidiya, killing 12 people and wounding up to 37. A second bomb exploded at Mahmoudiya, about 20 miles south of Baghdad, killing 3 shoppers and wounding about 20, while a third bomb killed two civilians in the district of Dora. No one claimed the responsibility for the trio of attacks.
Shiite Cleric Demands Government Reforms
Addressing a rally of his followers at central Baghdad on July 15, 2016, firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr demanded concrete steps from the government of Haider al-Abadi to eliminate corruption and provide security to the people. The venue of July 15, 2016, rally was wrapped around with security barriers, and militia from Muqtada al-Sadr's Sarayah al-Salam, or Peace Brigade, were on hand in addition to Iraqi security forces.
Iraq's Parliament Votes No-Confidence against Defense Minister
As Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced on August 25, 2016 the capture of a key town, Qayyarah, 37 miles south of Mosul, making a case for Iraqi military's incremental progress of zeroing on their ultimate prize, Mosul, Iraq's Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi lost parliamentary support, first time that had ever happened to any Iraqi cabinet minister since the inception of present form of parliamentary system in 2003. The vote on August 25, 2016 was 142-102, and reflected an outburst of growing frustration of people over an endemic level of corruption and cronyism.
Truck Bomb Kills at least 12 in Iraq
An explosives-laden truck parked overnight at a Shiite-dominated Baghdad neighborhood, Karradah, killed at least 12 and wounded more than two dozens. Hours later on September 6, 2016, ISIL claimed the responsibility for carrying out the overnight attack.
ISIL Wreaks Havoc Elsewhere as Mosul Offensive Enters Third Week
As Iraqi forces, Shiite militia, pro-Baghdad Sunni tribal fighters and peshmerga have been engaged in fierce battles on all fronts to liberate the city of Mosul from the clutch of ISIL, the militant group is taking its violent campaigns elsewhere to undermine the government's Mosul campaign. On November 6, 2016, an explosives-laden ambulance exploded at a parking lot across a Shiite shrine in Samarra, 60 miles north of Baghdad, killing at least 11 people, including four Iranians, and wounding up to 100. A suicide attacker rammed his car bomb into a checkpoint near Tikrit, killing at least 9 people and wounding 25. A series of small-scale blasts in and around Baghdad on November 6, 2016 killed at least 10 people and wounded more than 20.
Suicide Attacks Kill Dozen People in Two Cities
As Iraqi forces and allied fighters were making progress in Mosul campaign, although in fits and starts, ISIL were hell-bent to take their fight to other Iraqi cities to show its presence and undermine Baghdad's operation to liberate the country's second-largest city. On November 14, 2016, a pair of back-to-back suicide car bombings struck the city center at Fallujah, killing at least six people. Hours earlier, the Sunni militant group targeted the Shiite holy city of Karbala as tens of thousands of pilgrims were heading toward the city to commemorate the 7th century death anniversary of the grandsons of Prophet Muhammad. Six suicide bombers tried to sneak into the city from the western side, but five of them were shot dead by the security forces. Sixth bomber rushed into the city's Ayn al-Tamer neighborhood, and forcibly entered into a house where he blew up, killing six people and wounding another six.
Suicide Bombing Kills Iranian Pilgrims
A suicide bomber on November 24, 2016 targeted Iranian pilgrims on their way home after observing a major Shiite religious ceremony at Karbala as he blew up at a gas station in Hilla, south of Baghdad, inflicting severe damage to a bus carrying the pilgrims. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan Qashqaxi told semiofficial Tasnim news agency that at least 80 people, including 40 Iranians, were killed. ISIL later claimed the responsibility for Hilla bombing.
Iraqi Parliament Gives Stamp of Legalization to Militias
In a session boycotted by the lawmakers allied with the pro-Sunni political parties, Iraq's parliament on November 26, 2016 legalized the militia units, formally known as Popular Mobilization Units, because these "heroic fighters, young and old, need our loyalty for the sacrifices they have made", according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's office. What rankled many Sunnis and the west was that some Shiite militias such as Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib al-Haq were hell-bent on carrying out a campaign of sectarian purges and raised the specter of fear of annihilation among Iraq's minority Arab Sunnis. There are also few Arab Sunni militias who have also been legitimized by the parliamentary vote of 208-0.
Violence Erupts in Demonstration Organized by Firebrand Shiite Cleric
To protest against the functioning of a commission overseeing upcoming local polls, supporters of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr held a huge demonstration at the heart of Baghdad on February 11, 2016 amid an Iraqi offensive, backed by international coalition and allied militias, to liberate Mosul that had been going fits and start. The demonstration turned violent and Baghdad's Thahrir Square resembled a warzone after demonstrators clashed with security forces. Two police personnel and three protesters were killed. At least six police personnel and several dozens protesters were also injured. Hours later, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said that there would be an inquiry into the violence and disproportionate use of force by security force.
Car Bomb Kills 55 in Baghdad a Day after 11 Killed
As Iraqi troops were preparing to launch an assault on western Mosul, ISIL militants were wreaking havoc in Baghdad by attacking soft targets such as crowded marketplaces. First, a bomb detonated on February 15, 2017 at a used-car lot on the edge of Sadr City, killing at least 11. Next day, February 16, 2017, a pick-up parked at another used-car lot in Baya neighborhood in southern Baghdad exploded, killing at least 55 people and wounding more than 63. Militant group ISIL claimed responsibility for both the attacks.
Iraqi Warplanes Enter Syrian Airspace to Attack ISIL
For the first time, Iraq's warplanes on February 24, 2017 made incursions into Syrian airspace and extended bombings against ISIL targets from the Iraqi border city of Husseibah to Boukamal, the Syrian city across the border. The cross-border attack was approved by the Syrian government and operated from a joint military command center at Baghdad run by Syria, Iran, Iraq and Russia, according to Brigadier General Tahseen Ibrahim. Commenting on the cross-border raid, Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi vowed not to spare any stone unturned in order to finish off ISIL.
Premier in Talks with Trump Administration for Permanent American Troops Presence
The Associated Press reported on May 4, 2017 that Haider al-Abadi's government was in negotiation with Washington for a permanent presence of U.S. troops in Iraq. At present, 7,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Iraq.
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Premier Announces the Operation's Beginning
As in the past, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, donning military fatigue, got into the mode of spectacle to announce in a Televised address from a base near Tal Afar at 3AM local time on August 20, 2017 to launch the military campaign to liberate the strategic town from ISIL, days after liberating Mosul. Tal Afar was home to about 200,000 Iraqis when ISIL militants swept through it in 2014, but later hundreds of thousands had fled the town, leaving a populace of about 10,000 to 50,000 civilians.
Tal Afar Liberated from the Clutches of ISIL
The fight to liberate Tal Afar was much easier than that of Mosul, underscoring the weakened state of ISIL ranks and strategy after putting up a dogged defense at Mosul. After eleven days of fighting, Iraqi troops on August 31, 2017 swept to victory and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory in a televised address during the day, saying that all of Nineveh Province that includes both Mosul and Tal Afar was now ridden of ISIL. Iraqi military's target now hinges on Hawija in Kirkuk Province, Anbar town of Qaim near Syrian borders, and half of the city of Shirqat in Salahuddin Province.
Tal Afar Liberated from the Clutches of ISIL
The fight to liberate Tal Afar was much easier than that of Mosul, underscoring the weakened state of ISIL ranks and strategy after putting up a dogged defense at Mosul. After eleven days of fighting, Iraqi troops on August 31, 2017 swept to victory and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory in a televised address during the day, saying that all of Nineveh Province that includes both Mosul and Tal Afar was now ridden of ISIL. Iraqi military's target now hinges on Hawija in Kirkuk Province, Anbar town of Qaim near Syrian borders, and half of the city of Shirqat in Salahuddin Province.
*************************** LIBERATION OF TAL AFAR **************************
Audio of ISIL's Leader Surfaces
Months after the report that he had been killed, an audio of ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was circulated on September 28, 2017 in which the reclusive leader had touched upon some of the recent international flashpoints such as rising tension between North Korea and the U.S. The 46-minute video also urged his followers to continue carrying on the jihad against the west.
Hawija Liberation
Hawija's Complete Liberation Comes on the 16th Day of Military Operation
ISIL's rigid and disciplined ranks may be fraying, at least at Hawija in Kirkuk province, with most of the militants choosing not to put up resistance against Iraqi military and related Shiite militia and, instead, fleeing with their families to Kurdish-held town of Dibis since Iraqi Army launched the campaign to oust the militant group on September 21, 2017. It took just 16 days (September 21-October 5, 2017) for Iraqi Army to vanquish ISIL in Hawija. Underscoring the importance of the victory, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on October 5, 2017 gave a televised address from Paris, where he was on a state visit, and called the Hawija victory a win "not just for Iraq but for the whole world". The U.S.-led anti-ISIL coalition issued its own statement during the day, saying that the operation was "a swift and decisive victory" by Iraqi forces. Meanwhile, Kurdish authorities said that at least 7,000 family members had accompanied about 1,000 ISIL fighters to seek refuge at Dibis, and the authorities was now screening them.
QAIM LIBERATION
Premier Declares Qaim Victory
It took only a week for the Iraqi forces and related militia to defeat a ragtag and exhausted ISIL fighting force as Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on November 3, 2017 congratulated Iraqi forces for the victory of Qaim, a town near the border with Syria.
QAIM LIBERATION
Premier Declares Qaim Victory
It took only a week for the Iraqi forces and related militia to defeat a ragtag and exhausted ISIL fighting force as Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on November 3, 2017 congratulated Iraqi forces for the victory of Qaim, a town near the border with Syria.
******************************** IRAQI KURDISTAN **************************
Kirkuk Votes for Joining Kurdish Referendum
Kirkuk's provincial council members on August 29, 2017 voted to approve a measure that would allow the city and surrounding areas to join in the September 25, 2017, referendum on statehood. The Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) is holding the referendum for its three governorates, and adding the contested and oil-rich city of Kirkuk to that political mix is all set to fuel the fire. The Arab and Turkmen members of Kirkuk's provincial council walked out in protest, and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi called the August 29, 2017, Kirkuk provincial council's decision "unconstitutional" and "illegal".
Tension Runs High after an Overwhelming Vote for Independence
After defying central government in Baghdad, Iran, Turkey and much of the international community by holding a referendum on September 25, 2017 that had yielded a strong popular will of Kurdish people favoring independence, Irbil-based Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) led by the region's President Massoud Barzani faced the wrath of political and potential military threat from Baghdad. Iraqi government of Haider al-Abadi repeatedly called the referendum unconstitutional. On September 26, 2017, the central government ordered the KRG to hand over the authority of region's two airports--one at Irbil and a second one at Sulaimaniya--to the central government by September 29, 2017.
93 Percent Kurds Vote for Independence; Baghdad Ups the Ante on Irbil
KRG authorities on September 27, 2017 announced that 93 percent of Kurdish voters approved the move for the region's independence in a September 25, 2017, referendum. However, situation turned volatile as the military from Iraq, Iran and Turkey were all conducting military exercises near their respective borders with Iraq. Iraqi parliament on September 27, 2017 voted for a measure asking the premier to send military to oil-rich city of Kirkuk. During the day, Iraqi authorities notified foreign airlines too canceling the permit to fly in its airspace to and from airports in Irbil and Sulaimaniya, leading to at least six airlines--including Lebanese carrier Middle East Airlines, Royal Jordanian and Egypt Air--to announce suspending their services to Iraq's Kurdistan region.
Tense Standoff at Kirkuk Expected
Iraq's central government on October 13, 2017 demanded that Kurdish peshmerga retreat from Kirkuk's K-1 military base and the facility of Iraq's North Oil Company. Kirkuk Governor Najmaldin Karim made public Baghdad's demand hours after Iraqi Interior Minister Qassim al-Araji said that the process of re-deployment of Iraqi troops would begin soon.
Barzani's Party Dominates Kurdistan Parliamentary Polls
Elections were held on September 30, 2018 to 111-seat Kurdistan National Assembly, pitting the two dominant political parties in Kurdistan politics against each other: KRG President Massoud Barzani's Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) against the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) currently led by Kosrat Rosul Ali. Out of 111 seats, 11 seats are reserved--five for Christians, five for Turkmen and one for Armenian. This time, the voting turnout was 57.3 percent, a low figure in historical standard, mostly due to stringent voter ID law that required two forms of ID. KDP's tally was 45 (compared to 38 in 2013) and PUK's was 21 (18 in 2013).
Baghdad Resumes Oil Shipment from Kirkuk
After more than a year of pause, Iraqi government on November 16, 2018 announced that it would let oil flow from the northern city of Kirkuk. Iraqi forces seized Kirkuk and surrounding areas in October 2017 after Kurds held a controversial, but non-binding, secessionist referendum in the areas under the control of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Kirkuk. It's the inclusion of Kirkuk in the referendum drive that rankled Baghdad, leading to dispatch of troops to the oil-rich northern city. Before the controversy erupted in September 2017, Kirkuk used to ship 300,000 barrels a day. Under the resumption plan, crude from Kirkuk will flow through a pipeline to Turkey in the range of 50,000 to 100,000 barrels a day, a tiny fraction of Iraqi daily shipment of 3 million barrels per day, most of it flow through the southern Basra terminal.
******************************** IRAQI KURDISTAN **************************
Iraq Seizes the Last ISIL Bastion
Iraqi forces on November 17, 2017 completed the process of routing out ISIL from the major population centers in Iraq by taking the small town of Rawa near Syria border. In the afternoon, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi congratulated the Iraqi troops for the victory, but stopped short of declaring the full riddance of the country of ISIL.
Iraq Declares Victory over ISIL after Three-and-Half Years
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on December 9, 2017 declared complete victory over ISIL after the militant group overran Mosul and large parts of western Iraq in the summer of 2014 and established a so-called Islamic Caliphate spanning one-third areas of Iraq and Syria. Last month, Russia and Syria declared a similar victory over ISIL in Syria. U.S.-led coalition that provided the air cover and embedded some of the 5,000 troops stationed in Iraq with the Iraqi army issued a statement during the day, congratulating the Iraqi people.
Twin Suicide Bombings in the Capital Kill 38
More than a month after December 9, 2017, declaration of victory against ISIL by President Haider al-Abadi, a pair of suicide bombers struck at the heart of Baghdad on January 15, 2018, underlining that the terrorism was not completely obliterated though ISIL might have been vanquished both in Iraq and Syria. The twin bombings during the morning rush hours targeted daily laborers and office-goers in the bustling Tayran Square, killing at least 38 and injuring more than 100.
U.S. to Begin Troops Reduction
After December 9, 2017, declaration of Iraqi victory over ISIL, U.S. may soon begin reducing troops level in Iraq and move them to the battlefield of America's longest war, Afghanistan, according to a February 5, 2018, report by The Associated Press. According a November 2017 Pentagon release, there were 8,892 U.S. troops stationed in Iraq as of end of September 2017.
Iraq Reconstruction Pledge Falls Short
That the perception that international community may not be up to task when it comes to footing the bill for Iraq's humongous post-war reconstruction may not be far-fetched has borne out at a day-long international donor conference on February 14, 2018 at the Bayan Palace in Kuwait City as the pledge amount of about $30 billion has fallen far short of the goal of $88.2 billion. The largest pledge came from Turkey that agreed to give $5 billion while Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, 88, agreed to disburse $1 billion. However, the amount pledged during February 14, 2018, conference is still higher than $20 billion that Iraq has said as the amount to be needed to begin the reconstruction work.
Seven U.S. Soldiers Killed in Copter Crash
Pentagon reported on March 16, 2018 that all seven U.S. service personnel were killed in a helicopter crash near Al-Qaim, a town with a U.S. base close to Syrian border. The crash of the HH-60 Pave Hawk, thought not be due to hostile fire, occurred late March 15, 2018.
************************* IRAQ'S 2018 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION **************
Iraqis Nonchalant in the Parliamentary Election
Expressing their deep skepticism and indifference toward the political establishment, most of the Iraqis stayed away from the polling stations on May 12, 2018 as the turnout hit a nadir of 44 percent, underscoring the common people's loss of hope for political initiatives to cleanse the system of corruption and offer desired basic services to people.
Muqtada al-Sadr's Coalition Leading
As counting had begun in the lowest turnout election for 329-seat Iraqi parliament since Saddam Hussein had been deposed in 2003, firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr-led coalition emerged as a clear victor. Although final tally will take more time, may be weeks, to be officially published, the diehard supporters of the firebrand cleric erupted in ebullience in different parts of the capital, especially in Sadr City, an enclave of 3 million people named after the young cleric's late father, Ayatollah Mohammed Sadq al-Sadr. Muqtada al-Sadr took stance both against Iran and the U.S., and impressively put up a grand coalition cobbling together disparate political groups which were as different as Communist Party on one end of the political spectrum and Shiite religious political organizations on the other end. The key loser in the May 12, 2012, parliamentary polls was the coalition headed by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.
Muqtada Takes High Roads, Vows to Form Inclusive Government
Having waged anti-American guerrilla war in the aftermath of ouster of Saddam Hussein and sectarian campaign against Sunnis, Muqtada al-Sadr is now a much changed man, and he wants to rise above petty fratricidal divide as a leader of the winning coalition to provide much needed relief to Iraqi people and bring about changes in the political climate to heal deep division. As part of that effort, Muqtada al-Sadr began to meet with leaders of other political fronts and parties. On May 19, 2018, Muqtada al-Sadr met with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, and told reporters afterward that he wanted to send a clear message to Iraqi people that "your government will take care of you". The following day, May 20, 2018, al-Sadr continued his political diplomacy by meeting with, Hadi al-Amiri, the leader of the largest Shiite-dominated political party formed mainly by the former paramilitary personnel and backed by Iran.
Iraqi Supreme Court to Oversee Manual Tallies
Faced with vote count fraud, Iraq's Supreme Court inserted itself in the sectarian-steeped politics of Iraq on June 7, 2018 as it issued a ruling, making clear that it would closely monitor and oversee the manual counting of votes.
Iraq's New Prime Minister Moves His Office out of Green Zone
On the very first day he took over the reign of the nation, Iraq's new prime minister, Adel Abdul-Mahdi, announced on October 25, 2018 that he would take immediate steps to move his office out of the Green Zone that had become a potent symbol of national disenchantment and cronyism. Abdul-Mahdi, 76, a former oil and finance minister and a vice president, addressed the parliament during the day and held a press conference outside the Green Zone at a compound across Baghdad's iconic central rail station. He is the first premier in 12 years outside the Dawa Party, and considered fairly independent. He pledged at the press conference to improve basic services and deliver good governance to Iraqis.
************************* IRAQ'S 2018 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION **************
ISIL Leader's Purported Audio Surfaces
Compounding the mystery of whether he is alive or dead, an audio surfaced on August 22, 2018, almost 11 months after his September 28, 2017, another audio release, of reclusive ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in which he had urged his followers to persevere and continue fighting against enemies.
******************************** SOUTHERN PROTEST ***************************
Tension, Violence Affect Normal Life in and around Basra
Disenchanted over corruption, government indifference, lack of basic public services and Iranian influence, protests brewing since June 2018 erupted publicly on September 3, 2018 in the southern heartland surrounding Basra. Young protesters burned down government offices, vandalized political parties' offices and disrupted normal lives in the days forward. The most serious incident happened on September 7, 2018 as demonstrators, chanting "Iran out, Iran out", broke into Iranian consulate in Basra and vandalized the building, including trampling a portrait of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and burning an Iranian national flag. At least 10 people were killed in five days of violence in the southern heartland. Elsewhere on September 7, 2018, protesters attacked a pro-Iranian militant group's headquarters in Basra and the guards who were stationed at Asaib Ahl Al-Haq headquarters had opened fire. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered an investigation into the violence in the Shiite south. U.S. State Department issued a statement during the day condemning the "violence against diplomats, including that which occurred today in Basra".
Iraqi Security Forces Fan out in the Streets of Basra
A day after protesters vandalized Iranian consulate in Basra, Iraqi security forces on September 8, 2018 were in the full force on the streets of Basra amidst direct threat from an alliance of Shiite militia to take things on hand to deal with the anti-Iran demonstrations that had begun in June 2018, but became violent in recent days, leading to at least 15 deaths and 249 injuries. Meanwhile, Iranian consulate at Basra which issues tourist and medical visas stopped issuing visa indefinitely.
Calm Returns to Basra
A day after Baghdad sent reinforcements to Basra, the southern heartland on September 9, 2018 returned to normalcy as 15 people were killed in the days-long violence in which demonstrators burned down much of the government complex in the center of the city, forcing the provincial governor, Asaad al-Aidani, to work from makeshift office.
******************************** SOUTHERN PROTEST ***************************
******************************** SOUTHERN PROTEST ***************************
Tension, Violence Affect Normal Life in and around Basra
Disenchanted over corruption, government indifference, lack of basic public services and Iranian influence, protests brewing since June 2018 erupted publicly on September 3, 2018 in the southern heartland surrounding Basra. Young protesters burned down government offices, vandalized political parties' offices and disrupted normal lives in the days forward. The most serious incident happened on September 7, 2018 as demonstrators, chanting "Iran out, Iran out", broke into Iranian consulate in Basra and vandalized the building, including trampling a portrait of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and burning an Iranian national flag. At least 10 people were killed in five days of violence in the southern heartland. Elsewhere on September 7, 2018, protesters attacked a pro-Iranian militant group's headquarters in Basra and the guards who were stationed at Asaib Ahl Al-Haq headquarters had opened fire. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered an investigation into the violence in the Shiite south. U.S. State Department issued a statement during the day condemning the "violence against diplomats, including that which occurred today in Basra".
Iraqi Security Forces Fan out in the Streets of Basra
A day after protesters vandalized Iranian consulate in Basra, Iraqi security forces on September 8, 2018 were in the full force on the streets of Basra amidst direct threat from an alliance of Shiite militia to take things on hand to deal with the anti-Iran demonstrations that had begun in June 2018, but became violent in recent days, leading to at least 15 deaths and 249 injuries. Meanwhile, Iranian consulate at Basra which issues tourist and medical visas stopped issuing visa indefinitely.
Calm Returns to Basra
A day after Baghdad sent reinforcements to Basra, the southern heartland on September 9, 2018 returned to normalcy as 15 people were killed in the days-long violence in which demonstrators burned down much of the government complex in the center of the city, forcing the provincial governor, Asaad al-Aidani, to work from makeshift office.
******************************** SOUTHERN PROTEST ***************************
Aide to ISIL Leader Sentenced to Death
The top aide of ISIL head Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was sentenced to death by hanging by an Iraqi court on September 19, 2018, seven months after Ismail al-Ithawi, had been captured in February 2018 in a joint intelligence operation by Turkey, U.S. and Iraq.
Iraq Does Diplomatic Balancing by Sending President to Iran, Saudi Arabia
Implying the importance of diplomatic balancing between two regional powers, Iraq's president, Barham Salih, made back-to-back visit to Teheran and Riyadh to expand Baghdad's goodwill in the region. First, it was a bumper trade agreement that President Barham Salih had secured at Teheran on November 17, 2018 with a lofty goal of increasing the trade between Iran and Iraq from the 2018 figure of $8.5 billion to $20 billion a year despite a punishing sanction imposed by Washington. Salih followed up his and premier Adel Abdul-Mahdi-led administration's diplomatic streak by setting foot on Saudi Arabia the following day, November 18, 2018, where none other than King Salman was at hand to receive the president at the royal palace. Riyadh is all too eager to wean Baghdad away from the economic, trade, political and diplomatic clutches of Teheran.
President Trump Visits Iraq
U.S. President Donald trump on December 26, 2018 made an unannounced visit to Iraq, his first to warzone, and defended his action to pull all U.S. troops from Syria in an address to a boisterous audience at a military base, Al-Asad Airbase, in western Iraq. President Trump stayed in Iraq a little over three hours, but didn't meet Iraq's Prime Minister Adel Abdul -Mahdi although he spoke with him over phone. Trump was accompanied by the First Lady Melania Trump. Trump, though, stated that he had no plan to withdraw 5,200 U.S. troops who were stationed in Iraq.
Iraqis Demand U.S. Troops Withdrawal
U.S. President Donald Trump's December 26, 2018, unannounced visit to Iraq and not even bothering to meet the country's prime minister, Adel Abdul-Mahdi, struck a raw nerve in Iraq where politicians of various ilk called on December 27, 2018 Trump's action as violation to country's sovereignty and demanded immediate pullout of American troops from Iraq. Prime Minister's Office issued a statement on December 26, 2018, hours after Trump had left the Iraqi airspace, that "a difference in points of view" over arrangement led to a face-to-face interaction between Donald Trump and Adel Abdul-Mahdi scrapped.
Iraq's President Wants U.S. Troops Presence
Talking to The Associated Press before leaving for an Arab League summit at Tunis, Iraqi President Barham Salih said on March 29, 2019 that ISIL, although defeated, needed to be watched as a force to reckon with and, as part of that strategy, his country needed to continue U.S. troops stationed in Iraq in the foreseeable future. Iraqi president's stand is contrary to prevailing mood in the country as politicians and people from different hues of life are demanding withdrawal of U.S. troops, currently numbering 5,200, immediately.
Saudi Arabia Participates in Iraqi Initiative to Bring Regional Rivals Closer
A parliamentary summit hosted by the Iraqi parliament's speaker, , brought lawmakers from players in the region as rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran attended the Baghdad meeting on April 20, 2019 as well as Iraq's other four neighbors: Jordan, Syria, Kuwait and Turkey. Underlining the importance of its relationship with the neighbors, including Saudi Arabia and Saudi's regional rival Iran, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohamed al-Halbousi said that Baghdad wanted to build "strategic partnership with all neighboring countries without any reservation or favoring any party", dismissing Trump administration's primary focus in the region on isolating and punishing Iran.
Green Zone Opened to Public
For the first time since U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, Baghdad's Green Zone, a four-square-mile area of palm trees, beautiful walkthroughs along the Tigris River and cleanly maintained buildings and streets, that houses government administrative buildings, U.S. Embassy and other prominent seats of power, has been opened to public on June 4, 2019, underlining the distance that Iraq has traveled in terms of improved public security and boosting confidence to the country's population. The opening of the Green Zone came amid the country was marking the holy festival of Eid ul-Fitr.
Attacks on Iranian Interests in Three Nations Blamed on Israel
Three back-to-back attacks on Iranian targets in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq on August 23, 2019 and August 24, 2019 were blamed Israel. Israel acknowledged only one attack--on an Iranian-run facility in Syria. A drone attacked Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and another drone attack killed an Iraqi Shiite militia leader at Qaim, near the border with Syria as his vehicle was struck from the air on late hours of August 24, 2019.
Shiite Parliamentary Coalition Demands Withdrawal of U.S. Forces from Iraq
A powerful Shiite coalition in Iraq's parliament on August 26, 2019 demanded that U.S. forces withdraw from Iraq and held U.S. responsible for alleged Israeli drone attack at the Iraqi-Syrian border town of Qaim that had killed a Shiite a militia leader in the late hours of August 24, 2019.
**************** ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTEST OF FALL 2019 ********************
Anti-Government Violence Kills 25
A social media-fueled protest erupted on October 1, 2019 and grew in size, intensity and geographic location in the next two days. The demonstrations were not organized by any political group, but fueled by lack of drinking water, basic government services and endemic corruption, and the wrath was directed against the government of Adel Abdel-Mahdi. As of October 3, 2019, the violence spread to different parts of the country, and at least 25 people were reported killed and hundreds injured.
Around-the-clock Curfew Imposed in Baghdad, Internet Blocked
As the anti-government protest that has erupted on October 1, 2019 is being fueled mostly through social media, it has become imperative for the authorities to look at the internet when it comes to rein in the demonstrations which are becoming more radical and violent by the day. Authorities have done exactly the wrong way that most of the governments respond in this hour of crisis: shutting down the internet as the anti-government demonstration steps into fourth day on October 4, 2019. Authorities also imposed 24-hour curfew in Baghdad to foil unrest and gatherings. Addressing the nation over TV, Prime Minister Adel Abdel-Mahdi on October 4, 2019 sympathized for the "legitimate demands" of the protesters, but warned against violence. On the fourth day of violence, death toll rose to 59 as young demonstrators took to streets inspired by the call over social media to hold demonstrations. This time the anti-government demonstration is different from the past ones as no political parties have taken the lead this time and it's entirely organized through social media. Iraq's parliamentary speaker, Mohammed al-Halbusi, said on October 4, 2019 over a nationalized TV address that he supported the protesters' demands and parliament would work to craft laws to fight corruption, which he called as "dangerous as terrorism".
Death Toll Mounts over 100
In 6-day anti-government protest, at least 100 people were killed as of October 6, 2019.
Second Wave of Violent Anti-Government Protests Turning More Violent
After subsiding of the first wave of anti-government protests that had swept various parts of Iraq, the second wave of protests began on October 25, 2019, but this time the ferocity and frustration were much more intense. The most fatal day was October 29, 2019 as masked gunmen opened fire on unarmed protesters in Karbala, killing at least 18 people. Meanwhile, the firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on October 29, 2019 joined a protest rally in the southern holy city of Al Najaf, and called for political reform. In two waves of anti-government protests, at least 250 people were killed as of October 29, 2019, including about 100 killed since the October 25, 2019, beginning of the second wave of protest.
Two Rockets Land in Green Zone
As the second wave of anti-government protests stepped in the sixth day, a pair of Katyusha rockets landed in the secure Green Zone on October 30, 2019, including the one that landed about 110 yards from the boundary of the U.S. Embassy. An Iraqi soldier was killed in rocket attack.
Iraq's President Vows Election Overhaul
Coming under pressure from a wider than thought anti-government protest, Iraq's president, Barham Salih, on October 31, 2019 pledged election system overhaul in a nationalized address, but asked the nation for patience and continuation of the government led by Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi whose ouster had been demanded by protesters in recent days.
Largest Protest Held; Violence Erupts as Protesters Try to Walk on Bridge to Green Zone
In the two-wave of protests that had erupted first on October 1, 2019 and then re-emerged with more vigor and determination on October 25, 2019, Baghdad's Tahrir Square played the epicenter of the protest movement and national aspiration. The sea of protesters that flooded the Tahrir Square on November 1, 2019 marked the largest ever demonstration in the one-month-old movement. Later in the day, a group of protesters tried to cross Tigris River into Green Zone, and Iraqi security forces beat them back on a bridge. At least five protesters were killed in the ensuing violence. Also, on November 1, 2019, thousands of protesters held demonstration in Najaf. Meanwhile, political jockeying went unchecked during the day, with Iraq's pro-Shiite militia umbrella organization, Popular Mobilization Forces, supporting the anti-government movement, but echoing Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Lebanon's Hezbollah to be careful of foreign meddling. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, apparently confirming the Shiite group's suspicion, said that Iraqi government "should listen to legitimate demands" of the Iraqi people.
Protesters Attack Iranian Consulate in Karbala; PM Appeals for Normalcy
In what was once unthinkable, protesters who in two waves of demonstrations stirred the foundation of Iraqi government, protesters on November 3, 2019 attacked the Iranian consulate in the Shiite holy city of Karbala. No one could even dare to challenge Iran's authority in Iraq, leave alone attacking a prime symbol of Tehran in the heartland of Shiite south.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi appealed the people of Iraq on November 3, 2019 to return to normalcy, including re-opening of schools, colleges, banks, stores and offices. The premier reminded the nation of billions of dollars in economic damages suffered due to continuing violence that had killed at least 256 people since October 1, 2019. Since the second wave of protest began on October 25, 2019, two bridges in Baghdad spanning over the Tigris River that lead into Green Zone have become the focal points of anti-government demonstrations.
Protesters Cross a Bridge over Tigris River to Hold Demonstration in Green Zone
Thousands of protesters on November 4, 2019 outsmarted the Iraqi security forces and crossed the Tigris River using Al-Ahrar Bridge farther north to enter the Green Zone, the seat of Iraqi administration as Iraqi security forces were battling the demonstrators on the other two bridges in the center of Baghdad: Al-Joumhouriyah and Al-Sanak Bridges. Thousands of demonstrators, after entering into the Green Zone via Al-Ahrar Bridge approached towards the Prime Minister's Office and were beat back by security forces. At least five protesters were killed.
Key Port Re-opened after Three Days; Three Protesters Killed
A day after anti-government protest touched the heart of Green Zone, government security forces were able to break the three-day siege of a key port on the Persian Gulf, Umm Qasr, on November 5, 2019. The anti-government protest has turned into a more militant dimension as November 3-5, 2019, intense blockade of Umm Qasr marked the first time that protesters were able to cripple the operation of one of the symbols of country's energy might. The blockade of Umm Qasr began on October 29, 2019, but took a more militant turn on November 3, 2019. During the day, violent protests were held in Baghdad and various cities in southern Iraq, including Shatrah near Nasiriyah where at least two protesters had been killed.
Amnesty International Calls Crackdown a "Bloodbath"; U.N. Unveils a Roadmap
Amnesty International on November 10, 2019 called the government's harsh response to spontaneous protest that had first erupted on October 1, 2019, followed by a second wave of protest beginning October 25, 2019, as a "bloodbath". Iraq's Human Rights Commissions said on November 10, 2019 that at least 319 protesters were killed since October 1, 2019.
During the day, U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) unveiled a roadmap for peace, rolling out some interim and some long-term measures, including electoral system reform and rooting out corruption.
Ayatollah Sistani Okays U.N. Roadmap
A day after U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) unveiled a roadmap, there was a very high-profile approval that came to give it a significant boost. The November 11, 2019, approval came from no other than Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.
Violence Continues at a Key Baghdad Square
As anti-government protesters are expressing their frustration over dismal economic situation such as double-digit unemployment rate (11 percent) and close to one in four (22 percent) living below poverty level, government is trying to put a lid to the unrest by adopting strong-arm tactic and putting up blockades at key roads and intersection in Baghdad. On November 15, 2019, protesters tore apart a concrete barrier at the Khilani Square, and Iraqi security forces used live ammunition and volleys of tear gas, killing at least three protesters.
Key Port, Airport Blocked; Oil Field Access Cut; Central Bank Hours Shortened
Iraq sled into further chaos and violent spiral as protesters on November 18, 2019 blockaded key roads to the southern port of Umm Qasr, lifeblood of Iraq's shipping transactions. Protesters set fire and lay a siege in and around Umm Qasr. Anti-government protesters took similar action on October 29, 2019, and cut off access to Umm Qasr until the blockade was lifted a week later.
Protesters also blocked all feeder roads to the main airport at the holy city of al-Najaf on November 18, 2019.
Disruptions brought the work to a standstill on November 18, 2019 to the southern oilfield of Zubair in Basra. Zubair oil field, currently operated by Italian energy giant ENI, accounts for 8 percent of Iraq's daily oil production by pumping about 400,000 barrels a day.
In a more devastating blow to the country's economy, Iraq's central bank on November 18, 2019 announced to cut the work hours until situation returned to normality. A day before, security forces lobbed tear gas at the protesters outside the central bank.
At least 320 people had been killed since the leaderless protest had erupted on October 1, 2019.
Four Protesters Killed in Clashes in a Historic Baghdad Street
On November 22, 2019, protesters fought against Iraqi security forces on Baghdad's Rashid Street--a century old historic street in Central Baghdad that is also an access point to Al-Ahrar Bridge over the Tigris River--for the second straight day, and Iraqi security forces used live ammunition to quell the crowd. Four protesters were killed. Since the leaderless anti-government protest had erupted on October 1, 2019 over lack of economic opportunities, jobs, basic government services and welfare of people, at least 340 people were killed.
Bloodiest Sunday with 13 Demonstrators Killed
It was a bloody Sunday on November 24, 2019 as violence spilled into streets of Baghdad and other cities in the Shiite heartland in southern Iraq. At least 13 protesters were killed, making it the deadliest day in anti-government protest erupted since October 1, 2019. 7 of them were killed near Umm Qasr.
Iranian Consulate Burned in Najaf
24 days after November 3, 2019, attack against the Iranian consulate complex in Karbala, anti-government protesters took their anger to the extreme on November 27, 2019 by targeting Iran's consulate office in another southern holy city, an-Najaf. On November 27, 2019, protesters had carried out hitherto unthinkable job, setting the consulate office in the holiest city of an-Najaf ablaze. Security forces opened fire, and one protester was killed.
In Baghdad, security forces cracked down on protesters during the day on the historic Rashid Street and nearby Al-Ahrar Bridge, killing four protesters and wounding more than 35.
In Karbala, at least 4 protesters were killed in the unrest over the past 24 hours.
Since the anti-government protest erupted on October 1, 2019 and subsequently swept through Baghdad and Shiite heartland in the south, at least 350 people had been killed.
Deadliest 24-hour Period Witnessed in Iraq
It was a bloodbath without any precedent and gruesome mayhem as spiral of violence engulfed the Shiite south and Baghdad, and by the end of the day on November 28, 2019, the death toll stood a staggering 40 in the past 24-hour violence. 36 people were killed in the Shiite heartland in the south, and 4 additional protesters were killed as security forces used live ammunition to repel a mob from crossing the Al-Ahrar Bridge over the Tigris River into the Green Zone.
Meanwhile, Iran demanded a "responsible, strong and effective" response to gutting down of the Iranian consulate a day earlier in the Shiite holy city of an-Najaf. Curfew was imposed after the consulate office was set ablaze on November 27, 2019.
Iraqi Premier to Resign
After almost two months of an intense anti-government demonstration and bloody crackdown by government, Iraqi political events took everyone by surprise on November 29, 2019 as the country's spiritual head, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, called for a change in Iraq's leadership. Iraq's political establishment didn't take much time to read what way the country's political wind was blowing, and a little later, a statement issued by Prime Minister's Office in which Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi announced that he would send his resignation to the parliament to "preserve the blood" of Iraqi people. Since Iraqi constitution is vague what will entail after resignation letter of the premier goes to the country's parliament, Adel Abdul-Mahdi is expected to continue as a caretaker premier. The November 29, 2019, announcement of the premier's resignation evoked spontaneous ebullience on the streets of Baghdad and other southern cities in the Shiite heartland. Iraq's parliament is going to have an emergency session on December 1, 2019 in the wake of fast-evolving political scenario. Developments on November 29, 2019 began with an usual sermon from Sistani's aide that called for the government to "reconsider its options".
Meanwhile, in the Shiite south, unrest continued with its bloody traces left in the trail. In clashes in Nasiriyah, at least seven protesters were killed during the day as the security forces opened fire. Angry mob thereafter surrounded the Nasiriyah's police headquarters, only to have withdrawn after assurances were given by the tribal elders. Later in the day, Nasiriyah's police commander has resigned, a day after the governor of the province of which Nasiriyah is the capital, Dhi Qar province, has tendered his resignation. Earlier Najaf province's deputy governor has resigned too.
Premier Submits Resignation to Parliament
Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi on November 30, 2019 submitted his resignation to country's parliament. It's now up to the lawmakers either to accept the resignation or vote on the resignation letter. Meanwhile, violence continued on the streets as three more demonstrators were killed during the day, raising the death toll in the two-month-old leaderless anti-government movement to more than 400.
25 Killed, 130 Hurt in an Overnight Bloody Violence
The night of December 6, 2019 (Friday) through early morning of December 7, 2019 (Saturday) was one of bloodiest few hours on the streets of Baghdad as the leaderless anti-government protest movement camp at the Khilani Square was gutted in the overnight violence. The anti-government movement command post at the Khilani Square, a parking garage turned into movement headquarters, bore dozens of bullet poke marks. There is still debate out on the Baghdad streets who have opened fire on the demonstrators: government soldiers, or Iran-backed militias, or both? Many of the gunmen arrived at the Khilani Square in the pickup trucks and began firing at the protesters without a single word, raising suspicion of nexus between the Iraq's security forces and Iran-backed militia groups. At least 25 people were killed in the overnight violence and at least 130 injured. However, the bloody crackdown did little to sow the seeds of fear in the hearts of young demonstrators as they emerged in droves after dawn on December 7, 2019 and showed up at the Khilani Square with blood-stained flags.
The bloody crackdown of December 6, 2019 took place hours after the U.S. government announced sanctions against leaders of an Iran-backed militia group for sniping against the unarmed protesters in previous occasions. The sanctions against Qais al-Khazali, leader of Iran-backed Asaib al-Haq, his brother, Laith al-Khazali, and a commander of the group thought to have led the snipers, Hussein Falih Aziz al-Lami, are sure to stoke anger among powerful Shiite militia groups, many of whom had fought against ISIL.
Since anti-government demonstration erupted on October 1, 2019, at least 400 people had died.
Muqtada's Militia Deployed to Guard Unarmed Protesters
Hours after December 6, 2019, night mayhem when gunmen on pickup trucks opened fire on unarmed demonstrators at their central gathering place in Khilani Square, a militia group linked to firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr deployed its unarmed members at the square to guard the protesters. On December 8, 2019, members of Saraya Salam were seen with "blue hats" on their heads to have fanned out at Khilani Square and adjacent Tahrir Square.
Iran-backed Protesters Take to Streets to Decry American Sanctions
Eight days after December 6, 2019, U.S. sanctions on three senior leaders of Assaib al-Haq--Qais al-Khazali, his brother, Laith al-Khazali, and a commander of the group thought to have led the snipers hours after the sanctions had been declared and allegedly opened fire on anti-government demonstrators, Hussein Falih Aziz al-Lami--Iran-backed demonstrators flooded the streets of Baghdad on December 14, 2019, and burned U.S. and Israeli flags. They decried Trump administration's move to impose sanctions against Assaib al-Haq. The protest was held a day after U.S. accused the group and other proxies of Iran of launching on Iraqi military bases co-hosting U.S. troops.
President Rejects Shiite Bloc's Choice for Premier; Offers His Own Resignation
An influential Shiite bloc, Fatah bloc, on December 25, 2019 named the governor of southern Basra province, Assad al-Eidani, as their choice of premier. Fatah bloc is part of Iran-backed umbrella group of Shiite militia organizations, known as Popular Mobilization Forces. However, the anti-government protesters who had been holding daily protests since October 1, 2019 called the choice of Assad al-Eidani as unacceptable.
Sensing the danger if al-Eidani is appointed as premier, Iraqi President Barham Salih on December 26, 2019 has refused to appoint Assad al-Eidani as the country's premier, and instead, has offered his own resignation. President's office issued a statement during the day to this effect and rationalized his refusal on avoiding "more bloodshed" and safeguarding "civil peace".
Iran-backed Groups Slam President for Kowtowing to U.S. Pressure
A day after Iraqi President Barham Salih refused to appoint Assad al-Eidani as the country's new premier, Iran-backed groups, including Fatah bloc which had proposed Eidani's name, decried on December 27, 2019 presidential action, calling it to an abject surrender to the U.S. pressure.
Anti-Government Protest Movement in a State of Uncertainty over Rising Iran-U.S. Tension
The direct political victim of the January 2, 2020, killing of Iran's Quds Force Commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. drone strike is the anti-government protest movement as it since October 1, 2019 has trained its gun against undue and corrupt influence of Iran on Iraqi politics, electoral process and government. On January 10, 2020, tens of thousands of anti-government protesters showed up for protests in Baghdad and Shiite south, and demanded that both the U.S. and Iran withdraw their respective forces from Iraq.
Two Protesters Killed in Anti-government Protest
Two protesters were killed as the melee erupted in central Baghdad on January 17, 2020 after a large group of youths tried to breach the barrier on the Sinak Bridge. Since November 2019, three Baghdad bridges spanning Tigris River--Sinak Bridge, Ahrar Bridge and Jumhunriyah Bridge--became the battlefields for anti-government protest movement.
Muqtada Withdraws Protection; Four Demonstrators Killed
Hours after Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr withdrew his militants from the role of protecting the unarmed anti-government protesters, security crackdown had begun on January 25, 2020. Security forces used force to disperse the anti-government protesters from two gathering sites in Baghdad, and a fight broke out. One protester was killed in Baghdad, and 44 others were injured.
In the southern city of al-Nasiriya, anti-government sit-in camp had been burned down during the day, and a melee broke out. Three protesters were killed.
Protesters Back to the Streets despite Threat of Violence after Muqtada Withdraws Security
In defying the odds and in a valiant gesture after Muqtada al-Sadr had decided to distance from the anti-government protesters and withdraw his militants from the protectors' role, political observers have thought that unarmed anti-government protesters will stay away from the streets. However, reality is something different as tens of thousands of protesters have turned up January 26, 2020 on the streets of Baghdad and throughout Shiite south to demand that the government carry out meaningful reforms. One protester was killed in Baghdad's Wathba Square, and police cracked down on protesters in the renowned Khilani Square. Since the October 1, 2019, eruption of the mostly leaderless, apolitical anti-government movement, at least 500 people were killed in ensuing violence.
Separately, five Katyusha rockets fell near the U.S. Embassy in the Green Zone, third such attack this month, U.S. Joint Operation Command said in a statement on January 25, 2020.
Parties Name a Prime Minister Immediately Rejected by Protesters
Three days after President Barham Saleh's January 29, 2020, ultimatum to Iraqi parliament to come up with a replacement of Adel-Abdul Mahdi by February 1, 2020, parties and factions in the Iraq's parliament worked until the last minute to struggle and hash out their ethnic, political, personal and sectarian differences, and eventually named Mohammad Allawi, a former communications minister, as the premier-designate. However, the protesters in the Baghdad's Tahrir Square, epicenter of the 4-month anti-government movement, rejected the choice.
Protesters Denounce the Premier Choice; Muqtada Orders Followers to Unblock Roads
A day after a former communications minister was named as prime minister designate, anger boiled down to the very nerve center of the anti-government protest movement, Tahrir Square in Baghdad, as thousands of protesters denounced the selection of Mohammad Allawi as the next prime minister of the country. Also on February 2, 2020, firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr issued a sermon to his followers to dissociate immediately from the anti-government protesters and begin unblocking roads and highways in Baghdad and throughout southern Iraq.
New Premier, Judiciary Council Calls for Release; Top U.S. Commander Pooh-Poos ISIL
Iraq's new prime minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, met with his cabinet for the first time on May 9, 2020, and foremost on the items of agenda was anti-government protest movement that had erupted on October 1, 2019 in Baghdad and Shiite South and killed more than 600 people. The new cabinet extended an olive branch to protesters by deciding to call for release of all protesters except the ones associated with violence. A day later, May 10, 2020, Iraq's Supreme Judiciary Council, urged country's courts to release the protesters. Also, during the day, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi promoted a well-renowned commander who had led fight against ISIL to win several regions, including Mosul, to head the country's elite Counterterrorism Service. Former Prime Minister Adel-Abdul Mahdi demoted Lt. Gen. Abdul Wahab al-Saadi for unknown reasons. Meanwhile, anti-government protesters, much smaller in size because of coronavirus pandemic, demonstrated in Baghdad against al-Khadimi as the new premier was chosen by established political parties and young protesters were dead against the country's political establishment. They wanted a premier from the ranks of people, not from political class.
Meanwhile, American Lt. Gen. Pat White, the top U.S.-led coalition commander in charge of fighting against ISIL, Combined Joint Task Force, said on May 10, 2020 that ISIL was of no match at present and they were not of sufficient strength to pose any challenge.
**************** ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTEST OF FALL 2019 ********************
Green Zone Opened to Public
For the first time since U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, Baghdad's Green Zone, a four-square-mile area of palm trees, beautiful walkthroughs along the Tigris River and cleanly maintained buildings and streets, that houses government administrative buildings, U.S. Embassy and other prominent seats of power, has been opened to public on June 4, 2019, underlining the distance that Iraq has traveled in terms of improved public security and boosting confidence to the country's population. The opening of the Green Zone came amid the country was marking the holy festival of Eid ul-Fitr.
Attacks on Iranian Interests in Three Nations Blamed on Israel
Three back-to-back attacks on Iranian targets in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq on August 23, 2019 and August 24, 2019 were blamed Israel. Israel acknowledged only one attack--on an Iranian-run facility in Syria. A drone attacked Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and another drone attack killed an Iraqi Shiite militia leader at Qaim, near the border with Syria as his vehicle was struck from the air on late hours of August 24, 2019.
Shiite Parliamentary Coalition Demands Withdrawal of U.S. Forces from Iraq
A powerful Shiite coalition in Iraq's parliament on August 26, 2019 demanded that U.S. forces withdraw from Iraq and held U.S. responsible for alleged Israeli drone attack at the Iraqi-Syrian border town of Qaim that had killed a Shiite a militia leader in the late hours of August 24, 2019.
**************** ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTEST OF FALL 2019 ********************
Anti-Government Violence Kills 25
A social media-fueled protest erupted on October 1, 2019 and grew in size, intensity and geographic location in the next two days. The demonstrations were not organized by any political group, but fueled by lack of drinking water, basic government services and endemic corruption, and the wrath was directed against the government of Adel Abdel-Mahdi. As of October 3, 2019, the violence spread to different parts of the country, and at least 25 people were reported killed and hundreds injured.
Around-the-clock Curfew Imposed in Baghdad, Internet Blocked
As the anti-government protest that has erupted on October 1, 2019 is being fueled mostly through social media, it has become imperative for the authorities to look at the internet when it comes to rein in the demonstrations which are becoming more radical and violent by the day. Authorities have done exactly the wrong way that most of the governments respond in this hour of crisis: shutting down the internet as the anti-government demonstration steps into fourth day on October 4, 2019. Authorities also imposed 24-hour curfew in Baghdad to foil unrest and gatherings. Addressing the nation over TV, Prime Minister Adel Abdel-Mahdi on October 4, 2019 sympathized for the "legitimate demands" of the protesters, but warned against violence. On the fourth day of violence, death toll rose to 59 as young demonstrators took to streets inspired by the call over social media to hold demonstrations. This time the anti-government demonstration is different from the past ones as no political parties have taken the lead this time and it's entirely organized through social media. Iraq's parliamentary speaker, Mohammed al-Halbusi, said on October 4, 2019 over a nationalized TV address that he supported the protesters' demands and parliament would work to craft laws to fight corruption, which he called as "dangerous as terrorism".
Death Toll Mounts over 100
In 6-day anti-government protest, at least 100 people were killed as of October 6, 2019.
Second Wave of Violent Anti-Government Protests Turning More Violent
After subsiding of the first wave of anti-government protests that had swept various parts of Iraq, the second wave of protests began on October 25, 2019, but this time the ferocity and frustration were much more intense. The most fatal day was October 29, 2019 as masked gunmen opened fire on unarmed protesters in Karbala, killing at least 18 people. Meanwhile, the firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on October 29, 2019 joined a protest rally in the southern holy city of Al Najaf, and called for political reform. In two waves of anti-government protests, at least 250 people were killed as of October 29, 2019, including about 100 killed since the October 25, 2019, beginning of the second wave of protest.
Two Rockets Land in Green Zone
As the second wave of anti-government protests stepped in the sixth day, a pair of Katyusha rockets landed in the secure Green Zone on October 30, 2019, including the one that landed about 110 yards from the boundary of the U.S. Embassy. An Iraqi soldier was killed in rocket attack.
Iraq's President Vows Election Overhaul
Coming under pressure from a wider than thought anti-government protest, Iraq's president, Barham Salih, on October 31, 2019 pledged election system overhaul in a nationalized address, but asked the nation for patience and continuation of the government led by Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi whose ouster had been demanded by protesters in recent days.
Largest Protest Held; Violence Erupts as Protesters Try to Walk on Bridge to Green Zone
In the two-wave of protests that had erupted first on October 1, 2019 and then re-emerged with more vigor and determination on October 25, 2019, Baghdad's Tahrir Square played the epicenter of the protest movement and national aspiration. The sea of protesters that flooded the Tahrir Square on November 1, 2019 marked the largest ever demonstration in the one-month-old movement. Later in the day, a group of protesters tried to cross Tigris River into Green Zone, and Iraqi security forces beat them back on a bridge. At least five protesters were killed in the ensuing violence. Also, on November 1, 2019, thousands of protesters held demonstration in Najaf. Meanwhile, political jockeying went unchecked during the day, with Iraq's pro-Shiite militia umbrella organization, Popular Mobilization Forces, supporting the anti-government movement, but echoing Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Lebanon's Hezbollah to be careful of foreign meddling. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, apparently confirming the Shiite group's suspicion, said that Iraqi government "should listen to legitimate demands" of the Iraqi people.
Protesters Attack Iranian Consulate in Karbala; PM Appeals for Normalcy
In what was once unthinkable, protesters who in two waves of demonstrations stirred the foundation of Iraqi government, protesters on November 3, 2019 attacked the Iranian consulate in the Shiite holy city of Karbala. No one could even dare to challenge Iran's authority in Iraq, leave alone attacking a prime symbol of Tehran in the heartland of Shiite south.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi appealed the people of Iraq on November 3, 2019 to return to normalcy, including re-opening of schools, colleges, banks, stores and offices. The premier reminded the nation of billions of dollars in economic damages suffered due to continuing violence that had killed at least 256 people since October 1, 2019. Since the second wave of protest began on October 25, 2019, two bridges in Baghdad spanning over the Tigris River that lead into Green Zone have become the focal points of anti-government demonstrations.
Protesters Cross a Bridge over Tigris River to Hold Demonstration in Green Zone
Thousands of protesters on November 4, 2019 outsmarted the Iraqi security forces and crossed the Tigris River using Al-Ahrar Bridge farther north to enter the Green Zone, the seat of Iraqi administration as Iraqi security forces were battling the demonstrators on the other two bridges in the center of Baghdad: Al-Joumhouriyah and Al-Sanak Bridges. Thousands of demonstrators, after entering into the Green Zone via Al-Ahrar Bridge approached towards the Prime Minister's Office and were beat back by security forces. At least five protesters were killed.
Key Port Re-opened after Three Days; Three Protesters Killed
A day after anti-government protest touched the heart of Green Zone, government security forces were able to break the three-day siege of a key port on the Persian Gulf, Umm Qasr, on November 5, 2019. The anti-government protest has turned into a more militant dimension as November 3-5, 2019, intense blockade of Umm Qasr marked the first time that protesters were able to cripple the operation of one of the symbols of country's energy might. The blockade of Umm Qasr began on October 29, 2019, but took a more militant turn on November 3, 2019. During the day, violent protests were held in Baghdad and various cities in southern Iraq, including Shatrah near Nasiriyah where at least two protesters had been killed.
Amnesty International Calls Crackdown a "Bloodbath"; U.N. Unveils a Roadmap
Amnesty International on November 10, 2019 called the government's harsh response to spontaneous protest that had first erupted on October 1, 2019, followed by a second wave of protest beginning October 25, 2019, as a "bloodbath". Iraq's Human Rights Commissions said on November 10, 2019 that at least 319 protesters were killed since October 1, 2019.
During the day, U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) unveiled a roadmap for peace, rolling out some interim and some long-term measures, including electoral system reform and rooting out corruption.
Ayatollah Sistani Okays U.N. Roadmap
A day after U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) unveiled a roadmap, there was a very high-profile approval that came to give it a significant boost. The November 11, 2019, approval came from no other than Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.
Violence Continues at a Key Baghdad Square
As anti-government protesters are expressing their frustration over dismal economic situation such as double-digit unemployment rate (11 percent) and close to one in four (22 percent) living below poverty level, government is trying to put a lid to the unrest by adopting strong-arm tactic and putting up blockades at key roads and intersection in Baghdad. On November 15, 2019, protesters tore apart a concrete barrier at the Khilani Square, and Iraqi security forces used live ammunition and volleys of tear gas, killing at least three protesters.
Key Port, Airport Blocked; Oil Field Access Cut; Central Bank Hours Shortened
Iraq sled into further chaos and violent spiral as protesters on November 18, 2019 blockaded key roads to the southern port of Umm Qasr, lifeblood of Iraq's shipping transactions. Protesters set fire and lay a siege in and around Umm Qasr. Anti-government protesters took similar action on October 29, 2019, and cut off access to Umm Qasr until the blockade was lifted a week later.
Protesters also blocked all feeder roads to the main airport at the holy city of al-Najaf on November 18, 2019.
Disruptions brought the work to a standstill on November 18, 2019 to the southern oilfield of Zubair in Basra. Zubair oil field, currently operated by Italian energy giant ENI, accounts for 8 percent of Iraq's daily oil production by pumping about 400,000 barrels a day.
In a more devastating blow to the country's economy, Iraq's central bank on November 18, 2019 announced to cut the work hours until situation returned to normality. A day before, security forces lobbed tear gas at the protesters outside the central bank.
At least 320 people had been killed since the leaderless protest had erupted on October 1, 2019.
Four Protesters Killed in Clashes in a Historic Baghdad Street
On November 22, 2019, protesters fought against Iraqi security forces on Baghdad's Rashid Street--a century old historic street in Central Baghdad that is also an access point to Al-Ahrar Bridge over the Tigris River--for the second straight day, and Iraqi security forces used live ammunition to quell the crowd. Four protesters were killed. Since the leaderless anti-government protest had erupted on October 1, 2019 over lack of economic opportunities, jobs, basic government services and welfare of people, at least 340 people were killed.
Bloodiest Sunday with 13 Demonstrators Killed
It was a bloody Sunday on November 24, 2019 as violence spilled into streets of Baghdad and other cities in the Shiite heartland in southern Iraq. At least 13 protesters were killed, making it the deadliest day in anti-government protest erupted since October 1, 2019. 7 of them were killed near Umm Qasr.
Iranian Consulate Burned in Najaf
24 days after November 3, 2019, attack against the Iranian consulate complex in Karbala, anti-government protesters took their anger to the extreme on November 27, 2019 by targeting Iran's consulate office in another southern holy city, an-Najaf. On November 27, 2019, protesters had carried out hitherto unthinkable job, setting the consulate office in the holiest city of an-Najaf ablaze. Security forces opened fire, and one protester was killed.
In Baghdad, security forces cracked down on protesters during the day on the historic Rashid Street and nearby Al-Ahrar Bridge, killing four protesters and wounding more than 35.
In Karbala, at least 4 protesters were killed in the unrest over the past 24 hours.
Since the anti-government protest erupted on October 1, 2019 and subsequently swept through Baghdad and Shiite heartland in the south, at least 350 people had been killed.
Deadliest 24-hour Period Witnessed in Iraq
It was a bloodbath without any precedent and gruesome mayhem as spiral of violence engulfed the Shiite south and Baghdad, and by the end of the day on November 28, 2019, the death toll stood a staggering 40 in the past 24-hour violence. 36 people were killed in the Shiite heartland in the south, and 4 additional protesters were killed as security forces used live ammunition to repel a mob from crossing the Al-Ahrar Bridge over the Tigris River into the Green Zone.
Meanwhile, Iran demanded a "responsible, strong and effective" response to gutting down of the Iranian consulate a day earlier in the Shiite holy city of an-Najaf. Curfew was imposed after the consulate office was set ablaze on November 27, 2019.
Iraqi Premier to Resign
After almost two months of an intense anti-government demonstration and bloody crackdown by government, Iraqi political events took everyone by surprise on November 29, 2019 as the country's spiritual head, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, called for a change in Iraq's leadership. Iraq's political establishment didn't take much time to read what way the country's political wind was blowing, and a little later, a statement issued by Prime Minister's Office in which Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi announced that he would send his resignation to the parliament to "preserve the blood" of Iraqi people. Since Iraqi constitution is vague what will entail after resignation letter of the premier goes to the country's parliament, Adel Abdul-Mahdi is expected to continue as a caretaker premier. The November 29, 2019, announcement of the premier's resignation evoked spontaneous ebullience on the streets of Baghdad and other southern cities in the Shiite heartland. Iraq's parliament is going to have an emergency session on December 1, 2019 in the wake of fast-evolving political scenario. Developments on November 29, 2019 began with an usual sermon from Sistani's aide that called for the government to "reconsider its options".
Meanwhile, in the Shiite south, unrest continued with its bloody traces left in the trail. In clashes in Nasiriyah, at least seven protesters were killed during the day as the security forces opened fire. Angry mob thereafter surrounded the Nasiriyah's police headquarters, only to have withdrawn after assurances were given by the tribal elders. Later in the day, Nasiriyah's police commander has resigned, a day after the governor of the province of which Nasiriyah is the capital, Dhi Qar province, has tendered his resignation. Earlier Najaf province's deputy governor has resigned too.
Premier Submits Resignation to Parliament
Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi on November 30, 2019 submitted his resignation to country's parliament. It's now up to the lawmakers either to accept the resignation or vote on the resignation letter. Meanwhile, violence continued on the streets as three more demonstrators were killed during the day, raising the death toll in the two-month-old leaderless anti-government movement to more than 400.
25 Killed, 130 Hurt in an Overnight Bloody Violence
The night of December 6, 2019 (Friday) through early morning of December 7, 2019 (Saturday) was one of bloodiest few hours on the streets of Baghdad as the leaderless anti-government protest movement camp at the Khilani Square was gutted in the overnight violence. The anti-government movement command post at the Khilani Square, a parking garage turned into movement headquarters, bore dozens of bullet poke marks. There is still debate out on the Baghdad streets who have opened fire on the demonstrators: government soldiers, or Iran-backed militias, or both? Many of the gunmen arrived at the Khilani Square in the pickup trucks and began firing at the protesters without a single word, raising suspicion of nexus between the Iraq's security forces and Iran-backed militia groups. At least 25 people were killed in the overnight violence and at least 130 injured. However, the bloody crackdown did little to sow the seeds of fear in the hearts of young demonstrators as they emerged in droves after dawn on December 7, 2019 and showed up at the Khilani Square with blood-stained flags.
The bloody crackdown of December 6, 2019 took place hours after the U.S. government announced sanctions against leaders of an Iran-backed militia group for sniping against the unarmed protesters in previous occasions. The sanctions against Qais al-Khazali, leader of Iran-backed Asaib al-Haq, his brother, Laith al-Khazali, and a commander of the group thought to have led the snipers, Hussein Falih Aziz al-Lami, are sure to stoke anger among powerful Shiite militia groups, many of whom had fought against ISIL.
Since anti-government demonstration erupted on October 1, 2019, at least 400 people had died.
Muqtada's Militia Deployed to Guard Unarmed Protesters
Hours after December 6, 2019, night mayhem when gunmen on pickup trucks opened fire on unarmed demonstrators at their central gathering place in Khilani Square, a militia group linked to firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr deployed its unarmed members at the square to guard the protesters. On December 8, 2019, members of Saraya Salam were seen with "blue hats" on their heads to have fanned out at Khilani Square and adjacent Tahrir Square.
Iran-backed Protesters Take to Streets to Decry American Sanctions
Eight days after December 6, 2019, U.S. sanctions on three senior leaders of Assaib al-Haq--Qais al-Khazali, his brother, Laith al-Khazali, and a commander of the group thought to have led the snipers hours after the sanctions had been declared and allegedly opened fire on anti-government demonstrators, Hussein Falih Aziz al-Lami--Iran-backed demonstrators flooded the streets of Baghdad on December 14, 2019, and burned U.S. and Israeli flags. They decried Trump administration's move to impose sanctions against Assaib al-Haq. The protest was held a day after U.S. accused the group and other proxies of Iran of launching on Iraqi military bases co-hosting U.S. troops.
President Rejects Shiite Bloc's Choice for Premier; Offers His Own Resignation
An influential Shiite bloc, Fatah bloc, on December 25, 2019 named the governor of southern Basra province, Assad al-Eidani, as their choice of premier. Fatah bloc is part of Iran-backed umbrella group of Shiite militia organizations, known as Popular Mobilization Forces. However, the anti-government protesters who had been holding daily protests since October 1, 2019 called the choice of Assad al-Eidani as unacceptable.
Sensing the danger if al-Eidani is appointed as premier, Iraqi President Barham Salih on December 26, 2019 has refused to appoint Assad al-Eidani as the country's premier, and instead, has offered his own resignation. President's office issued a statement during the day to this effect and rationalized his refusal on avoiding "more bloodshed" and safeguarding "civil peace".
Iran-backed Groups Slam President for Kowtowing to U.S. Pressure
A day after Iraqi President Barham Salih refused to appoint Assad al-Eidani as the country's new premier, Iran-backed groups, including Fatah bloc which had proposed Eidani's name, decried on December 27, 2019 presidential action, calling it to an abject surrender to the U.S. pressure.
Anti-Government Protest Movement in a State of Uncertainty over Rising Iran-U.S. Tension
The direct political victim of the January 2, 2020, killing of Iran's Quds Force Commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. drone strike is the anti-government protest movement as it since October 1, 2019 has trained its gun against undue and corrupt influence of Iran on Iraqi politics, electoral process and government. On January 10, 2020, tens of thousands of anti-government protesters showed up for protests in Baghdad and Shiite south, and demanded that both the U.S. and Iran withdraw their respective forces from Iraq.
Two Protesters Killed in Anti-government Protest
Two protesters were killed as the melee erupted in central Baghdad on January 17, 2020 after a large group of youths tried to breach the barrier on the Sinak Bridge. Since November 2019, three Baghdad bridges spanning Tigris River--Sinak Bridge, Ahrar Bridge and Jumhunriyah Bridge--became the battlefields for anti-government protest movement.
Muqtada Withdraws Protection; Four Demonstrators Killed
Hours after Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr withdrew his militants from the role of protecting the unarmed anti-government protesters, security crackdown had begun on January 25, 2020. Security forces used force to disperse the anti-government protesters from two gathering sites in Baghdad, and a fight broke out. One protester was killed in Baghdad, and 44 others were injured.
In the southern city of al-Nasiriya, anti-government sit-in camp had been burned down during the day, and a melee broke out. Three protesters were killed.
Protesters Back to the Streets despite Threat of Violence after Muqtada Withdraws Security
In defying the odds and in a valiant gesture after Muqtada al-Sadr had decided to distance from the anti-government protesters and withdraw his militants from the protectors' role, political observers have thought that unarmed anti-government protesters will stay away from the streets. However, reality is something different as tens of thousands of protesters have turned up January 26, 2020 on the streets of Baghdad and throughout Shiite south to demand that the government carry out meaningful reforms. One protester was killed in Baghdad's Wathba Square, and police cracked down on protesters in the renowned Khilani Square. Since the October 1, 2019, eruption of the mostly leaderless, apolitical anti-government movement, at least 500 people were killed in ensuing violence.
Separately, five Katyusha rockets fell near the U.S. Embassy in the Green Zone, third such attack this month, U.S. Joint Operation Command said in a statement on January 25, 2020.
Parties Name a Prime Minister Immediately Rejected by Protesters
Three days after President Barham Saleh's January 29, 2020, ultimatum to Iraqi parliament to come up with a replacement of Adel-Abdul Mahdi by February 1, 2020, parties and factions in the Iraq's parliament worked until the last minute to struggle and hash out their ethnic, political, personal and sectarian differences, and eventually named Mohammad Allawi, a former communications minister, as the premier-designate. However, the protesters in the Baghdad's Tahrir Square, epicenter of the 4-month anti-government movement, rejected the choice.
Protesters Denounce the Premier Choice; Muqtada Orders Followers to Unblock Roads
A day after a former communications minister was named as prime minister designate, anger boiled down to the very nerve center of the anti-government protest movement, Tahrir Square in Baghdad, as thousands of protesters denounced the selection of Mohammad Allawi as the next prime minister of the country. Also on February 2, 2020, firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr issued a sermon to his followers to dissociate immediately from the anti-government protesters and begin unblocking roads and highways in Baghdad and throughout southern Iraq.
New Premier, Judiciary Council Calls for Release; Top U.S. Commander Pooh-Poos ISIL
Iraq's new prime minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, met with his cabinet for the first time on May 9, 2020, and foremost on the items of agenda was anti-government protest movement that had erupted on October 1, 2019 in Baghdad and Shiite South and killed more than 600 people. The new cabinet extended an olive branch to protesters by deciding to call for release of all protesters except the ones associated with violence. A day later, May 10, 2020, Iraq's Supreme Judiciary Council, urged country's courts to release the protesters. Also, during the day, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi promoted a well-renowned commander who had led fight against ISIL to win several regions, including Mosul, to head the country's elite Counterterrorism Service. Former Prime Minister Adel-Abdul Mahdi demoted Lt. Gen. Abdul Wahab al-Saadi for unknown reasons. Meanwhile, anti-government protesters, much smaller in size because of coronavirus pandemic, demonstrated in Baghdad against al-Khadimi as the new premier was chosen by established political parties and young protesters were dead against the country's political establishment. They wanted a premier from the ranks of people, not from political class.
Meanwhile, American Lt. Gen. Pat White, the top U.S.-led coalition commander in charge of fighting against ISIL, Combined Joint Task Force, said on May 10, 2020 that ISIL was of no match at present and they were not of sufficient strength to pose any challenge.
**************** ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTEST OF FALL 2019 ********************
Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, made a surprise visit to Iraq on November 23, 2019, meeting with the president of Kurdistan Regional Government, or KRG, Nechirvan Barzani, at the Kurds' administrative capital, Irbil, and assured them of USA's continued support to Kurds' cause. There is uncertainty these days about Washington's intention in the light of U.S. troops withdrawal from northern Syria, paving the way for Turkey to invade northeastern Kurdish-controlled parts of Syria.
************* CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND OF SOLEIMANI KILLING *************
U.S. Carries out Airstrikes against Iran-backed Militia Group
Days after a series of rocket attacks against US military bases, including the one last week that had killed an American contractor at a military base in Iraq, U.S. military had decided to strike back against the perpetrators, who belonged to Iran-backed Kataeb Hezbollah militia group, part of Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces. On December 29, 2019, U.S. military carried out "precision defensive strikes" against five targets in Iraq and Syria. The upsurge of rocket attacks against U.S. and Iraqi military bases [in Iraq] by forces such as Kataeb Hezbollah has nothing to do with anti-government protest movement that had engulfed Shiite heartland and Baghdad since October 1, 2019 and killed more than 400 people.
Revenge Promised by Iran-backed Militia Groups
A day after U.S. military carried out airstrikes against Kataeb Hezbollah targets in Syria and Iraq, killing at least 25, political, diplomatic and military stakes reached high for U.S., Iraq and Iran. On December 30, 2019, Iraqi government criticized the U.S. airstrikes as a flagrant violation of its sovereignty and pledged to reconsider its relationship with the U.S.-led coalition. U.S. has about 5,000 military personnel stationed in Iraq to assist Iraqi forces. Kataeb Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups vowed "our battle with America" to be "open to all possibilities". Even Iraq's supreme religious leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, had chimed in, condemning U.S' "atrocious aggression" against the Iraqi people.
U.S. Embassy in Baghdad Attacked; Lay under Siege
On December 31, 2019, hundreds of an Iran-backed Shiite militia group members attacked the biggest U.S. diplomatic facility and smashed the front reception area. Hundreds of demonstrators, chanting "Death to America", breached the outer security ring, daubed graffiti on the embassy walls and threw Molotov Cocktails into the embassy complex in the Baghdad's Green Zone. Although the Shiite militia group members, shouting for revenge for December 29, 2019, U.S. military airstrikes against targets of Kataeb Hezbollah in Iraq and Syria, breached the outer security ring of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, the inner chancery building remained safe and secure. After the nightfall, the attackers vandalized a second reception area, and put up tents in the embassy complex to stay put until U.S. military were withdrawn. U.S. military sent two Apache helicopters and a small contingent of U.S. Marines to secure the embassy building.
President Donald Trump blamed Iran for the attack on the U.S. Embassy and tweeted a "BIG PRICE" that Iran had to pay for this attack. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said that Pentagon had taken "appropriate force-protection actions to ensure" safety of American citizens and diplomats. U.S. State Secretary Mike Pompeo had talks with both Iraqi President Barham Salih and Acting Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi separately, and made it clear that U.S. "will protect and defend its people".
During the December 31, 2019, attack against the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, largest U.S. diplomatic facility in the world, many demonstrators were chanting slogans backing Kataeb Hezbollah, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iran's Quds Force commander Qassim Soleimani. The violent attack against the U.S. diplomatic prowess was led by some of the hardened Iran-backed groups' leaders and they were shown to be present among the protesters. They included Badr Organization leader Hadi al-Amiri; Qais al-Khazali, head of Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia; and Jamal Jaafar Ibrahimi, aka Abu Mahdi al-Muhandes, who had spent in jail in Kuwait for carrying out attack on the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait.
Iran-backed Militia Leaves the U.S. Embassy Compound
After camping out overnight, militia members from the Kataeb Hezbollah left the embassy ground on January 1, 2020, heeding calls from the Iraqi government and Popular Mobilization Forces. The two-day (December 31, 2019-January 1, 2020) siege of U.S.' largest diplomatic facility happened two days after the U.S. military carried out airstrikes against the group's targets in Syria and Iraq, killing 25 members. U.S. blamed Kataeb Hezbollah for a rocket attack last week on an Iraqi military base in Kirkuk that had killed an American contractor. Pentagon on January 1, 2020 dispatched an infantry battalion of 750 soldiers to Kuwait to bolster regional security.
Escalation Heats up in the Region after U.S. Airstrike Kills Iranian General
In the wee hour of January 3, 2020 (U.S. time January 2, 2020), a U.S. military strike killed Iran's fearsome Quds Force's commander, Qassem Soleimani, at the Baghdad airport, raising a tense regional conflagration and conflict. Along with Soleimani was killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandes, deputy commander of Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Force. Abu Mahdi al-Muhandes arrived at the airport just after midnight to receive Qassem Soleimani whose plane might have flown in from Syria or Lebanon. Pentagon blamed Soleimani for "developing plans to attack American diplomats" in Iraq and also for approving New Year Eve attack on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
Iran was prompt in vowing to seek revenge, and an adviser to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Hessameddin Ashena, wrote on social media that U.S. had set feet "beyond the red line".
Trump Justifies Soleimani Killing
President Donald Trump on January 3, 2020 justified the killing of Qassem Soleimani, saying that the Quds Force chief had been planning to attack American interests, without giving any evidence. Trump also said that Soleimani killing was an act of "self defense" and to stop a war. During the day, U.S. ordered all its citizens to leave Iraq. Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed "harsh retaliation" against U.S., and within hours of the killing, appointed Soleimani's deputy in the Quds Force, Maj. Gen. Esmail Ghaani, as the new commander of Quds Force. The appointment of Esmail Ghaani all but ensured the continuity of the current functional model of the Quds Force, but without the so called larger than life image of Soleimani at the top. While Qassem Soelimani built the fearsome network of Iranian intelligence networks and proxies on the western frontier, including Syria, Iraq and Lebanon, which were much more visible, Ghaani worked in a low-key manner to build a similar operation on the eastern front, including Pakistan and Afghanistan.
At the Pentagon, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark Milley said on January 3, 2020 that U.S. had "compelling, clear, unambiguous intelligence" Soleimani plotting violent acts.
U.S. military on January 3, 2020 deployed additional 3,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. to Kuwait and kept 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Italy, on high alert. Democrats asked more questions about the attack. Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi called a special parliamentary session for January 5, 2020.
Meanwhile, leaders from Europe to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Gutterres urged all parties for "maximum restraint".
Sea of Crowd Gives Final Good-Bye to Soleimani at Baghdad
A huge crowd turned out in Baghdad on January 4, 2020 to give a teary farewell to Qassem Soleimani as two coffins--one for Abu Mahdi al-Muhandes covered with Iraqi flag and another for Qassem Soleimani covered with Iranian flag of red, white and green--were being paraded through the capital. Thousands were seen crying and vowing to take revenge. Denouncing the U.S. stand, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, a former premier, Nouri al-Maliki, and other high-level Iraqi officials were present to mourn their killing. Their attendance was a rebuke to U.S. stand, especially President Donald Trump's often characterization of Soleimani as terrorist.
Protesters in the U.S. Denounce War Mongering
Demonstrators participated more than 70 demonstrations all around the U.S. on January 4, 2020 to decry the U.S. drone strike that had killed Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani. The demonstrations were held at the call of ANSWER, or Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, a progressive group focused on anti-war campaign.
Iraqi Lawmakers Move to Expel U.S. Forces; Iran Announces to Violate Nuclear Deal
In a setback to regional peace, Iraq and Iran on January 5, 2020 took twin steps in rebuke to USA's January 2, 2020, airstrike that had killed Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani. Iran said during the day that it would veer away further from the obligations of the 2015 nuclear agreement, putting more stress on the already unravelling 2015 Iran Nuclear Agreement. In the second significant event of the day, Iraq's parliament on January 5, 2020 passed a nonbinding resolution to order the withdrawal of the U.S. troops from Iraq. In the address to parliament, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi asked the lawmakers to pass a bill and set a definitive timetable for the government to work for a total withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq.
Among other notable developments of January 5, 2010 are:
* U.S. military announcement to pause a training program for Iraqi security forces
* World getting to know U.S. President Donald Trump's tweet a night before to strike Iranian cultural sites if Iran carried out attacks, forgetting that such actions would violate the 1954 Hague Convention to protect cultural sites in the war zones and also a 2017 U.N Security Council resolution to this effect that condemned Islamic State's and other groups' attacks on historic sites in Syria and other nations
* Al-Shabab Gunmen launching attacks on the military base in Kenya, Manda Bay Airfield, used by the U.S. troops and leveraged by the U.S. military to launch drone that had killed the Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani on January 2, 2020, killing one U.S. service personnel and two contractors
* Three explosions occurred within Green Zone, seat of Iraqi government and the U.S. Embassy
* NATO calling an emergency session in Brussels for January 6, 2020
* Leaders of three European nations--Britain, Germany and U.K--issuing a joint statement urging Tehran to stay within the framework of 2015 Iran Nuclear Agreement and refrain from any provocative act
Meanwhile, on January 5, 2020, body of Gen. Qassem Soleimani had arrived at the southwestern city of Ahvaz, after funeral procession was held in Baghdad and southern Iraqi twin holy cities of Najaf and Karbala. Later his body was flown in to the northeastern city of Mashhad, home to revered Shiite Imam Reza.
Millions Pour on the Streets of Tehran to Mourn Soleimani's Death
It was scene of mourning and vow to take revenge to Quds Force commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani's killing as his casket was brought to Tehran University campus on January 6, 2020. Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was seen weeping over the casket. He was joined in mourning by President Hassan Rouhani, Soleimani's successor and the new Quds Force commander, Maj. Gen. Esmail Ghaani, and other dignitaries. More than a million Iranians turned out on January 6, 2020 in Tehran to mourn the slaying of Soleimani. Gen. Soleimani's daughter, Zeinab, called President Donald Trump a "crazy" and vowed revenge. Soleimani will be buried in his hometown of Kerman on January 7, 2020.
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, chairing an emergency meeting at Brussels on January 6, 2020, called for "restraint and de-escalation". U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the tensions were running "at their highest level this century". European Union expressed regret over Iran's decision a day earlier to veer further away from the nuclear agreement.
Iran Launches Missile Attacks
Iran on January 7, 2020 launched 15 ballistic missiles, hitting two Iraqi military bases that housed U.S. troops. Iran called it a "revenge" strike against last week's killing of the top commander of the Quds Force, Gen. Qassem Soleimani. According to Pentagon, 10 missiles have struck the Ain al-Asad Air Base in western Iraq and another missile hit a second military base at Irbil. The remaining four missiles had failed to hit their targets, according to Pentagon. Afterward, President Donald Trump tweeted that "So far, so good" as there was no injury on the U.S. side.
56 Die in Funeral Stampede
56 mourners died in a stampede during January 7, 2020, funeral of Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
Ukrainian Airline's Plane Crashes
On January 7, 2020, as more than a dozen missiles had been launched by Iran to hit Iraqi military bases in the west and Irbil in the Kurdish-controlled areas in the north, a mysterious crash happened involving a Ukraine International Airline jet after it took off from the international airport in Tehran. All 176 passengers and crew members on board were killed, including 82 Iranians, at least 63 Canadians and 11 Ukrainians. Iranian authorities said that the crash might be an accidental one.
Missile Strike a Possible Cause of Downing of Ukrainian Plane
Two days after a Ukraine International Airline plane crashed after taking off from Tehran's airport en route Kyiv, U.S., Canada and U.K. said on January 9, 2020 that an Iranian missile might be a probable cause for the crash of the plane, killing all 176 onboard. There were 63 Canadians and many students were in that ill-fated flight of the Boeing 737-800.
War Power Resolution Passed
Delving into a thorny issue that had needled the past presidencies and evoked strong responses from Congress since 9/11, House of Representatives on January 9, 2020 approved a nonbinding measure by 224-194 votes that would require Trump to seek Congressional approval before any military action against Iran. White House called the measure "completely misguided". A similar measure championed by Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine has uncertain future in the Senate, but has received a crucial support on January 9, 2020 from Indiana Senator Todd Young, an ex-Marine.
A Second Iranian Targeted; Iran Acknowledges Missile Hit on the Airliner
The Los Angeles Times reported on January 10, 2020 that the day (January 2, 2020) U.S. carried out airstrike at the Baghdad International Airport, killing Iran's Quds Force's top commander, Gen. Qassem Soleimani, there was another botched airstrike against a top financier and commander of Quds Force, Abdul Reza Shahlai, in Yemen. Abdul Reza Shahlai has been active in Yemeni theater, helping out Houthi rebel group in its fight against a Saudi-backed coalition. The U.S. State Department announced in December 2019 a $15 million reward for Abdul Reza Shahlai and disruption of financial pipeline of Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Last year, U.S. special envoy for Iran, Brian Hook, expressed grave concern at a news conference the presence of Abdul Reza Shahlai in Yemen. Therefore, targeting of Qassem Soleimani is not an isolated incident, instead is seen as part of a broader pattern of the U.S. strategy against key figures of the Quds Force in the region, including Abdul Reza Shahlai.
On January 11, 2020 (Iran time), Iran acknowledged that one of its missiles unintentionally downed the Ukraine International Airline Flight 752 in the early hours of January 8, 2020 (U.S. time January 7, 2020), killing all 176 passengers and crew members onboard. Questions are being raised on why it has taken almost three days for Tehran to come clean on the downing of the 737-800 plane. The General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces apologized for what said was the "human error" that had caused the crash of Ukraine International Airline Flight 752. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's aerospace division, said on January 11, 2020 that the unit had accepted responsibility for unintentional missile hit.
New U.S. Sanctions against Iran; Iraq Presses for Withdrawal
On January 10, 2020, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin announced new rounds of sanctions against Iran--this time targeting its construction, steel and mining industry--in response to Iran's launching of 15 ballistic missiles against two Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops three days ago.
In the midst of U.S.-Iran military tension, the diplomatic rift between Baghdad and Washington is getting wider as Iraq's caretaker premier, Adel Abdul-Mahdi, told the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a January 9, 2020, phone call that the U.S. action in Iraq was unacceptable and a violation of their security agreement. He also pressed Pompeo to "send delegates to Iraq" to discuss and devise a troops withdrawal "mechanism" from Iraq. However, the U.S. State Department on January 10, 2020 refused to withdraw its troops from Iraq and instead asked Baghdad to "recommit" its partnership.
Meanwhile, anti-government protesters, caught in between Iran and U.S., turned up in tens of thousands in Baghdad and southern Iraq on January 10, 2020, and demanded that both countries withdraw their troops from the Iraqi soil.
After Acknowledgement, Comes International Demand for Inquiry
Hours after January 11, 2020, admission by Iran that one of its missiles had shot down the Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 after the 737-800 plane had taken off from Tehran's international airport on January 7, 2020 (U.S. time), Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for a "full and complete investigation" and also had a phone call with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. At least 138 passengers, including many students, among the 176 onboard were bound for Toronto. British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab called the missile strike on a passenger plane as a "flagrant violation of the international law".
Iranians Protest Lack of Truth from Regime over Plane Crash
Iranians took to streets on January 12, 2020 to protest against government's first denial and, later under pressure, admission four days later to accidentally shooting down of Ukraine International Airline Flight 752. A large group of protesters assembled at the Tehran's Freedom Square.
Europe Presses Dispute Resolution Mechanism
Three European nations--U.K., France and Germany--on January 14, 2020 pressed the so called dispute resolution mechanism embedded in the 2015 Iran Nuclear Agreement. The trigger was pulled despite objection from Iran, Russia and China.
11 U.S. Troops Injured in Iran Missile Strikes
Although at first denied that anyone was injured in the January 7, 2020, Iranian missile strikes at two Iraqi military bases housing U.S. troops, U.S. Central Command at last came up clean on January 17, 2020 as Navy Captain Bill Urban , a CENTCOM spokesman, said in a statement that 11 U.S. military personnel had been injured, contradicting the presidential tweet.
34 U.S. Soldiers Suffered Brain Injuries in Iranian Missile Strikes
Despite President Donald Trump's initial denial of any American injury in January 7, 2020, missiles launched by Iran and later revising his earlier stand to describe the injuries "not very serious", Pentagon on January 24, 2020 acknowledged that 34 U.S. soldiers had suffered traumatic brain injuries.
House Follows up on War Powers Resolution with Other Measures
Following the January 9, 2020, passage of a non-binding War Powers Resolution, House of Representatives on January 30, 2020 approved a measure by 236-166 vote to revoke the 2002 Congressional authorization of authority for war in Iraq. House also moved to pass a second measure by 228-175 vote to prevent tax dollars to fund any attack on Iran without approval of Congress.
Iran Suspends Crash Inquiry Cooperation after A Ukrainian TV Report of Tehran's Knowledge
Hours after Ukraine's 1+1 TV aired a leaked video of conversation between a pilot and an air traffic controller in Tehran right after the January 8, 2020 (Iran time) missile strike that had brought down a Ukrainian passenger plane, showing a much prior knowledge of Iranian authorities of what had actually caused the plane crash, Iran on February 3, 2020 suspended cooperation with Kyiv in the crash investigation.
Toll from Iranian Missile Strikes Mounts
The injuries sustained by U.S. military personnel in the January 8, 2020, Iranian missile strikes jumped to 109, according to Pentagon's February 10, 2020, report.
Senate Curtails Trump's Authority to Attack Iran, Passes War Powers Resolution
U.S. Senate on February 13, 2020 approved a war powers resolution tabled by Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia in a bipartisan show of force (55-45) that required president to seek authority from Congress before attacking Iran.
Iran
Vows Revenge against Soleimani’s Death
In
response to recent reports that Iran is trying to kill U.S. ambassador to South
Africa, Lana Marks, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to “hit 1,000 times
harder”, evoking another strong reaction from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. On
its website, the Revolutionary Guard Chief Gen. Hossein Salami on September 19,
2020 denied that Iran was planning to kill a female diplomat, but vowed to take
revenge against all directly or indirectly involved in January 2, 2020
assassination of Quds Forces' top commander, Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
Former
Iranian General Remembered in Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen on the First Death
Anniversary
On
the first anniversary of U.S. killing of Iran’s former Quds Force commander,
Gen. Qassem Soleimani, and a top leader of pro-Iranian Popular
Mobilization Forces, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandes, tens of thousands of Iraqis
protested at Baghdad’s Tahrir Square on January 3, 2021. Protesters
chanted demand to oust all foreign forces from Iraqi soil. Gen. Soleimani’s
killing led Iraqi parliament to pass a non-binding resolution, calling all
foreign forces to withdraw. During the day, protests were organized in Beirut
and Sanaa too. In recent days, Trump administration issued warning that Tehran
and its proxies might carry out attacks against the western interests in the
region, and as a response, U.S. sent two B-52 bombers on a non-stop flight to
Persian Gulf and back in addition to sending a nuclear submarine to the region.
************* CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND OF SOLEIMANI KILLING *************
Rally Held to Demand Ouster of U.S. Troops
Followers of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and other Shiite militant organizations' activists on January 24, 2020 held a big rally in Baghdad, demanding that foreign troops be removed immediately.
U.S. Launches Airstrikes against Iran-backed Shiite Militia
A day after 18 Katyusha rockets landed in an Iraqi military base, Camp Taji, in northern Iraq, killing two U.S. soldiers and a British military personnel and injuring 14 others, U.S. military on March 12, 2020 carried out targeted strikes against five facilities of Kataib Hezbollah, group behind the March 11, 2020, audacious attack.
U.S., Iraq in War of Words after U.S. Strikes
A day after U.S. carried out manned strikes against five targets of Kataib Hezbollah, verbal duel erupted between Iraqi and U.S. officials. Iraq's president, Burham Salih, on March 13, 2020 called the U.S. action "treacherous" and demanded that U.S. withdraw troops from his country. U.S. military defended the action, calling it "defensive precision strikes".
U.S. Withdraws from Kirkuk Base
As part of consolidating the presence of coalition troops, now numbering 7,500, including about 5,000 U.S. troops, U.S. began to withdraw from three Iraqi bases and move to two strategically located bases in the country. On March 29, 2020, U.S. completed withdrawal from K1 military base in Kirkuk, handing over the authority to Iraqi authorities. In the coming days, U.S. will withdraw from the remaining two bases: Nineveh Operations Command in Mosul and Taqaddum military airport outside Habbaniya, on the Euphrates River.
Third Premier Named in over a Month
Iraq is reeling through uncertainty as the country's intelligence chief was named on April 9, 2020 as the new premier. Mustafa al-Kadhimi, third premier named in about a month, will face the same challenges like his two predecessors--Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi and Adnan al-Zurfi--to form a government.
Former Spy Chief Becomes Iraq's New Premier
In the early morning hours of May 7, 2020, Iraq's parliament approved 15 ministers proposed by Mustafa al-Kadhimi and rejected five other ministers, thus giving a seal of approval to al-Kadhimi, country's former spy chief, to become the sixth prime minister of Iraq since 2003. Under Iraqi constitution, prime minister designate requires at least half of his cabinet to be approved by lawmakers to win automatic approval for the job. With May 7, 2020, action, the parliament had put an end to a five-month political uncertainty, giving Iraqis, hopefully, a more stable administration to fight against coronavirus pandemic and help navigate through economic morass.
Two Rockets Hit Military Base Frequented by Americans as Strategic Talks Begin
Two days after strategic talks between U.S. and Iraqi defense officials had begun and was continuing, couple of Katyusha rockets landed at Camp Taji in northern Iraq on June 13, 2020. Camp Taji is a strategic base that is often visited by American military personnel and strategists. The rocket attacks, which had left little damage, but no injuries, came two days after U.S. and Iraqi defense officials had begun strategic talks on June 11, 2020 to discuss, among other issues, about U.S. troops presence, Iranian link to militia forces working outside the government and dire economy.
Eight
Rockets Hit U.S. Embassy Compound
Iraqi
authorities said on December 20, 2020 that eight rockets were launched
by “an outlaw group” earlier in the day that landed on the U.S. Embassy
compound in Baghdad’s Green Zone, injuring one Iraqi guard, and damaging
residential quarters which were empty. U.S. embassy personnel activated the C-RAM
missile defense shield which had been deployed at the embassy during the
summer of 2020 amidst more frequent rocket and mortar attacks on the embassy
complex and other military bases that housed American soldiers.
Twin Suicide Bombings Kill at least 32 in Baghdad
In what was not lost to many political observers, twin suicide bombings a day after Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States killed at least 32 people in a busy marketplace in Central Baghdad. The back-to-back suicide bombings took place at Bab el-Sharqi commercial area of Baghdad on January 21, 2021. The twin bombings marked the worst terrorist attack in many years and harkened back to the dark days when sattacks of this gruesome proportion were part of daily lives in Iraq.
Iraqi Premier's Toughly-worded Letter to Iran to Rein in Proxies as U.S.-Iraq Talks Begin
The third-round of U.S.-Iraq Strategic Dialogue began on April 7, 2021 virtually as the premier of Iraq sent a letter to Iranian authorities during the day, asking Tehran to rein in Iran-backed Shiite militia groups and reiterating his resolve to confront them if needed. Few days ago, Shiite militias drove through the heart of Baghdad in an armed convoy demanding all U.S. troops to withdraw and threatening the premier himself, Mustafa al-Kadhimi. The U.S.-Iraq Strategic Dialogue was launched in June 2020, and the third-round of the dialogue--participated by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale--was the first being held under Biden administration.
Death Toll from Fire at a COVID Hospital Surpasses 80
An explosion in oxygen cylinder caused an inferno at a Bgahdad hospital, Ibn al-Khatib Hospital, tending to severe Coronavirus patients, and killed more than 80 and injured at least 100. The explosion happened in the late hours of April 24, 2021, and it took hours until the fire was extinguished in the early morning of April 25, 2021. Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi called an emergency cabinet meeting on April 25, 2021, and suspended the health minister and governor of Baghdad province. Hospital's health director was dismissed.
Iraq Condemns Overnight U.S. Airstrikes
Hours after U.S. airstrikes against weapons and storage facilities--two on the Syrian side and one inside Iraq--linked to Iran-backed Shiite militia groups Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada--Iraqi military on June 28, 2021 issued a stern statement, calling the U.S. attack a "blatant and unacceptable violation of Iraqi sovereignty, as well as a breach of international convention". This is the second such U.S. offensive against Iran-backed militia groups along the lawless Iraqi-Syrian border since Joe Biden was sworn in January 2021. The first air assault was launched in February 2021. Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada said on June 28, 2021 that four of its militia members had been killed in U.S. airstrikes.
Fire at a COVID Ward Kills 92
A second fire in three months at the COVID ward in an Iraqi hospital killed 92 people. The fire erupted on July 12, 2021 at the COVID ward at the al-Hussein Teaching Hospital in Nasiriyah. On July 13, 2021, relatives began burying their loved ones in Najaf. Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi convened an emergency meeting on July 13, 2021, and ordered suspension and arrest of health director of Dhi Qar province, hospital director and city's civil defense chief. Prime Minister Mustafa al-Khadhimi called it a "deep wound in the conciousness of all Iraqis". The July 12, 2021, fire marks the second time of such disaster after an April 2021 fire at a COVID floor in a Baghdad hospital has killed 82 people.
Biden to End U.S. Combat in Iraq
U.S. President Joe Biden on July 26, 2021 said that his administration would end U.S. troops' combat role by the yearend of 2021, but didn't hint whether the troops size would be reduced from the current level of 2,500. The announcement itself is not a significant policy shift as the U.S. military is assisting the Iraqi forces with training and advising instead of direct fighting against insurgents for quite some time. President Joe Biden's announcement came during a visit by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi to the White House.
Largest
Number of Stolen Artifacts Returned to Iraq
That
the recent Washington trip by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi to
meet with U.S. officials, including President Joe Biden, has helped
secure pledges from American leaders on the safe returns of tens of thousands
of looted artifacts—many of them are thousands of years old and connected to the
Mesopotamian Culture—has turned out to be yielding a positive outcome as
more than 17,000 artifacts have been handed over to Iraqi authorities on
August 3, 2021. This is the largest batch of looted invaluable treasures
of the Iraq’s ancient culture that have ever been returned to Baghdad. During
handover ceremony at Baghdad, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and Culture
Minister Hasan Nadhim were present. During coalition occupation, tens of
thousands of national treasures were looted and smuggled out of the country,
leading to an arduous process of talking to various nations’ officials to bring
back those artifacts. On August 3, 2021, the largest collection of
artifacts were returned to Iraq by the authorities in U.S., Japan and the
Netherlands.
******************************** IRAQ'S 2021 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION *****************
Early Voting Heralds Iraqi Parliamentary Election
October 8, 2021 was the day of early voting for the country's security forces, displaced people, hospital patients and prisoners ahead of scheduled October 10, 2021, parliamentary polls to elect a 329-seat parliament. 3,449 candidates are vying for 329 seats. On October 8, 2021, more than 1.5 million Iraqi security forces personnel, 120,126 displaced persons and hundreds of hospital patients and prisoers are eligible to vote. On October 10, 2021, it will be a test of democracy for Iraq, and more than 24 million of 38 million Iraqis are going to select a 329-member parliament. On October 8, 2021, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi toured some of the polling places in Baghdad, and reminded the world that it was the first time since the fall of Saddam Hussein that the elections were being held without a curfew.
Apathy, Boycott Reign Large over Parliamentary Poll
Iraqis voted in the parliamentary election on October 10, 2021, but the usual festive and joyful mood was missing as the leaders who had organized the pro-democracy movement in 2019 that had forced the government to call the general elections months before the scheduled time called for boycott as well as general apathy by Iraqis.
Pro-Iranian Bloc Seems to be Loser, al-Sadr-backed Candidates Making Gains, No Clear Winner
As vote tallying is proceeding across 18 provinces of Iraq on October 11, 2021, clear trends are emerging on some important fronts. First and foremost, horse-trading and bargaining will consume the Iraqi politics for months to come as no coalition seems to have a clear path for the majority in the 329-seat parliament. Second, Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's political coalition is heading for the maximum number of seats, increasing their potential number of lawmakers to 70 from 54 in 2018 election. Third, the main pro-Iranian political front, Fatah Alliance, led by paramilitary leader Hadi al-Ameri, tied to Popular Mobilization Forces, is faring poorly.
Pro-Iranian Fatah Alliance Supporters Storm Green Zone
Pro-Iranian Fatah Alliance members and supporters began a continued sit-in demonstration in front of the sprawling Green Zone in the aftermath of the October 10, 2021, parliamentary election in which Iran-backed political parties had received a drubbing. Fatah accused voter fraud for their drubbing and Muqtada al-Sadr-linked bloc's unexpected good performance. Fatah leaders called for vote recount. After days of sit-ins, things didn't move at all for Fatah. Fatah followers on November 5, 2021 stormed the Green Zone, leading to a violent confrontation. At least 125 people were injured, according to the Iraqi Health Ministry. However, according to the version of militant group Kataib Hezbollah, three demonstrators were killed. In response to the violence, Fatah Alliance leader Hadi al-Ameri condemned the "hideous state of repression" by the government against his supporters. Qais al-Khazali, leader of another pro-Iranian group, Asaib ahl al-Haq, condemned the security forces' action too.
******************************** IRAQ'S 2021 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION *****************
Assassination Attempt against Iraq's Premier by a Drone
Assassination Attempt against Iraq's Premier by a Drone
Iraqi government issued a security statement in the early hours of November 7, 2021 that a "booby-trapped drone" had tried to target the official residence of Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi in the secure Green Zone, seat of the country's administrative power.
Iran Acknowledges Launching Missile Attacks near U.S. Consulate Office
in Kurd Capital
Iran on March 13, 2022 acknowledged that it had launched at least
10 Fateh missiles, including a barrage of Fateh-110 missiles,
that had landed near a sprawling U.S. consulate office in the Kurdish
administrative capital of Irbil. The March 13, 2022, missile attack
near the U.S. consulate office attracted condemnation from Iraqi and U.S.
governments, and Iraq’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador
to deliver a severe diplomatic rebuke. Iran’s omnipotent Revolutionary Guard
has said on its website that the barrage of missile strikes near the U.S.
consulate office in Irbil, which U.S. diplomatic corps are yet to move in, are
in response to recent Israeli airstrike in Syria that has killed two Revolutionary
Guards.
Muqtada al-Sadr's Followers Storm Parliament
Militant Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's followers and supporters stormed the Iraqi parliament on July 30, 2022 in defiance of authorities in Baghdad and in an open display of animosity against Iran-backed rival Shiite coalition of Coordination Framework led by Former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The frustration and anger are rising in the backdrop of major political parties' failure to form a coalition government 10 months after the last parliamentary election, making it the longest gap in the country's history without a stable government since 2003 ouster of Saddam Hussein. Parliament Speaker Mohammed Halbousi suspended the parliament until further notice.
Siege of Parliament Continues for the Second Day, al-Sadr Supports
Sit-in
Hundreds of protesters on July 31, 2022 continued to occupy the
parliament for the second day, but the air was more relaxed, joyful and
party-like. Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose followers have
organized the sit-in demonstration, has extended his support through twitter,
urging other Iraqis to “join the revolution".
Shiite Internecine Fight Erupts over Muqtada’s Quitting from Politics
That the Shiite rebel cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has his own brand
name and significant sway in Iraqi politics irrespective of whether he stays in
political arena or not has become abundantly clear on August 29, 2022
after his announcement of quitting politics, leading to violent outbursts of
his followers throughout the country, including Baghdad. Hours after Muqtada
al-Sadr announced that he was quitting politics, his followers on August
29, 2022 took to the streets in Baghdad and in other areas. In Green
Zone, Shiite followers of the cleric tore down the barriers, breached the security
cordons of government’s seats of powers, ransacked marbled halls and splendid
gardens. Throughout Baghdad, fighting and gunfire erupted between Muqtada
followers and Popular Mobilization Force, an umbrella of Shiite
militants allied with the government. A nationwide curfew was declared on August
29, 2022. By the day’s end, at least 15 people were reportedly
killed in the ensuing violence.
Shiite Cleric Calls for De-escalation
Influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on August 30, 2022
appealed to his followers to withdraw from the streets and end fighting. In the
two-day (August 29-30, 2022) fighting between Muqtada al-Sadr’s heavily armed
followers and Popular Mobilization Forces, a Shiite militia umbrella
group allied with the government, at least 30 people were killed. After the
October 2021 parliamentary election, Iraq has been going through a
political gridlock with a tortuous negotiation process to form a government,
but to no avail so far, and rising intra-Shiite political bickering. Iraq’s
interim Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on August 30, 2022 vowed to form
an investigative committee to uncover who had given instructions to open fire
on al-Sadr’s supporters in an apparent effort to soothe the ruffled feeling of
Shiite cleric’s followers.
American Killed in Baghdad less than Two Weeks after a New Premier Takes
Charge
An American private citizen, Edward Troell, a fellow Tennessean
who was employed by Global English Institute and who worked at a language school
in Baghdad’s Harthiya neighborhood, was shot dead on November 7, 2022
near his home at Baghdad’s central Karrada district. A car had cut
through and blocked Edward Troell’s car, and then gunmen emerged and sprayed
bullets on Troell. Troell lived in Karrada with his wife and children. At the
time of the shooting, his wife and children were also in the vehicle, but they
remained unharmed. Their whereabouts remained unknown as of November 8, 2022.
Iraq’s new Premier Mohammad Shia al-Sudani, who had been in the job for
less than two weeks, said on November 8, 2022 that those “who want to
test our government in terms of security will fail".
Provincial Polls a Litmus Test for Iraqi Democracy
In the run-up to 2025 Iraqi parliamentary polls, observers and
political pundits are putting some unusually high premium on the local polls to
be held on December 16, 2023—for internally displaced people and
security personnel—and on December 18, 2023 for other voters,
respectively. The voters in 18 provinces will choose their legislative
representatives and the reps will, in turn, choose the governors. The
participation rate is crucial to testifying how the Iraqi democratic system is
working, and the Independent High Electoral Commission is very sensitive
to voter participation as it has not wasted any time on December 16, 2023
evening that 67% of voters have shown up at poll centers earlier in the
day. However, the real test will come on December 18, 2023 when the
general mass will vote. Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who had quit
politics in 2022, called for boycott of the local polls, and allied groups already
launched campaigns dissuading voters from casting ballots.
Rocket Attack on U.S. Military Base in Anbar
That the Israel-Hamas conflict is drawing in the broader Middle East
into a vortex of deeper regional conflict is not an overstatement. On January
20, 2024, rockets and ballistic missiles were fired on the Ain al-Assad
Air Base in Anbar province in the western Iraq. The U.S. CENTCOM said on
January 21, 2024 that most of the projectiles were captured by the U.S. air
defense system. Ain al-Assad Air Base houses U.S. and Iraqi troops. Islamic
Resistance in Iraq, an Iran-backed group, took responsibility for the
attack, attributing to the continuing U.S. troops presence on the Iraqi soil
and ongoing Gaza offensive by Israel.
Biden Hosts Iraqi Premier in a Delicate Political Dance
That Iraq offers strategic values from the perspective of regional
security to both Tehran and Washington are abundantly clear as some of the
projectiles have been launched from the Iraqi soil as part of a broader barrage
of missile and drone attack by Iran on April 13, 2024 and simultaneously
an American Patriot missile defense shield based in Irbil has
destroyed at least one incoming Iranian missile. In the backdrop of this
complex geopolitical and regional security scenario, the White House visit by Iraqi
Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani on April 15, 2024 assumed added
significance. Baghdad may work as a key lever of President Joe Biden’s Middle
East strategy to rein in any expanding escalation of the Israel-Hamas War.
JORDAN
Jordanian Pilot Seized after F-16 Plane Downed
A F-16 plane was downed on December 24, 2014 in the de facto capital of so-called caliphate of the Islamic State, Raqqa, and a video showed a pilot, identified by the Jordanian military as the 1st Lt. Gen. Mu'ath Safi al-Kaseabeh, surrounded by cheering gunmen on the ground.
Jordan Warns Militants Not to Harm the Seized Pilot
Jordan's parliament took the unusual step on December 25, 2014 in issuing a stern warning to the captors of Jordanian Air Force pilot 1st Lt. Gen. Mu'ath Safi al-Kaseabeh that there would be grave consequence if any harm was done to him.
New Twist in Hostage Crisis Saga, Now ISIL Demands Prisoner Swap
An audio message was released on January 27, 2015 in which a kidnapped Japanese journalist was heard calling for the release of an al-Qaeda-linked Iraqi prisoner, Sajida al-Rishawi, awaiting for death penalty in Jordanian jail in exchange for his life and the life of a Jordanian pilot, 1st Lt. Gen. Mu'ath Safi al-Kaseabeh, held hostage by the Islamic State. In the audio message, Kenji Goto also expressed fear that he had only 24 hours left.
Jordan Offers Prisoner Swap
In a precedent-setting move that might not bode well for anti-ISIL international coalition, Jordan buffeted by strong domestic demand for freedom a captive pilot on January 28, 2015 offered a swap in which Amman would free the al-Qaeda-tied prisoner Sajida al-Rishawi in exchange for freedom of the pilot, Mu'ath Safi al-Kaseabeh.
Hostage Crisis Hits a Snag after Jordan Demands Proof of Pilot's Life
On January 30, 2015, Jordan demanded that ISIL prove that its Air Force pilot 1st Lt. Gen. Mu'ath Safi al-Kaseabeh was alive before it would release the Iraqi prisoner Sajida al-Rishawi. Rishawi was implicated in 2005 triple bombing in Amman that had killed 60 people in the worst terrorist attack in Jordan. Rishawi's suicide belt didn't go off because of malfunction and she was quickly nabbed.
Jordan Commits to Fighting against Islamic State
Despite one of its Air Force pilots hostage under captivity of ISIL militants, Jordan's Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh stressed on February 1, 2015, a day after a video showed the decapitation of a Japanese journalist, Kenji Goto, that the Kingdom remained "as committed as ever" in fighting the Islamic State as part of the US-led coalition.
Jordan Seethes over Pilot's Killing, Executes Two Extremists
Jordanians were pulverized on February 3, 2015 by the gory video that showed the captive Jordanian pilot, 1st Lt. Gen. Mu'ath Safi al-Kaseabeh, taken to a cage and set it aflame. The brutal killing of the pilot by burning him alive evoked outrage from common Jordanians, many of whom were leery to the Kingdom's joining of the US-led air coalition against ISIL. Jordanian government demanded past week that the militants show the proof that the pilot was alive before it could consider releasing an al-Qaeda-linked Iraqi female prisoner as demanded by them. Kaseabeh's killing ignited national anger and international outrage at ISIL, and Jordan moved quickly to avenge the death by hanging two Islamic extremists--Sajida al-Rishawi and Ziad al-Karbouly--in the early hours of February 4, 2015. Karbouly was sent to death row in 2008 for plotting to kill Jordanians in Iraq.
Jordan Bombs Islamic State Positions in Syria, Soon to Begin Air Campaign in Iraq
Bolstered by popular anger and national outcry over the burning death of the Jordanian Air Force pilot 1st Lt. Gen. Mu'ath Safi al-Kaseabeh, Jordan on February 5, 2015 pummeled ISIL positions in Syria with dozens of airstrikes and bombing. Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh also said during the day that his country would henceforth start air campaign against targets within Iraq, implying a military expansion of Jordanian operation in the region.
Deputy Leader of Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood Sentenced to Jail for a Facebook Posting
Deputy leader of Muslim Brotherhood of Jordan Bani Rushaid on February 15, 2015 was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment on charges of trying to damage relations with a friendly nation for a November 17, 2014, Facebook posting in which he was critical of UAE for participating in U.S.-led air coalition against ISIL. The sentencing set off an alarm bell in the nation, implying full-throttled government effort to cut freedom of expression and political dissent.
Two American Trainers Killed in Jordan
In a very unusual circumstance, two American trainers and a South African trainer were killed on November 9, 2015 as a Jordanian police officer opened fire. American trainers were working with Jordan's Public Security Department. In addition to two U.S. trainers and one South African trainer, two Jordanian civil service employees were also killed in November 9, 2015, attack. The Jordan Times identified the attacker as 28-year-old Anwar Abu Zaid from the northern Jordanian village of Rimoun. The newspaper also reported that Abu Zaid was a police captain, a recent University graduate and married with two children.
Seven ISIL-linked Militants Killed in Jordan Shootout
Jordanian security forces on March 1, 2016 swooped on several militants in the advanced stage of planning attacks at the northern city of Irbid, triggering a fierce gunfight that had killed all seven militants and a security personnel. Authorities said that all seven militants were linked to ISIL, and several explosive belts were found from their hideout. In recent months the city of Irbid had experienced emergence of radical Islamic groups, according to Mayor Hussein Bani Hani.
Six Jordanian Soldiers Killed in Suicide Attack, Border Crossing Closed
A suicide bomber drove his explosives-laden truck to ram an army post at a border crossing with Syria, where a sprawling encampment had sprouted up to house tens of thousands displaced by Syria's civil war, on June 21, 2016, killing six Jordanian soldiers. King Abdullah II issued a statement, saying that Jordan would "respond with an iron fist" to anyone who had attacked the crossing at Ruqban.
Weapons Stolen from the Secret CIA Training Program
A joint investigation by Al-Jazeera and The New York Times made public June 26, 2016 brought to the public knowledge the degree of lack of oversight of a secret arming program meant for western-backed Syrian rebels. According to the investigation report, the weapons shipped by the CIA and Saudi Arabia to the training sites in Jordan were not accounted properly, and some of the weapons were stolen and had made their way to the arms black market in Jordan. One of those weapons was used to kill two American trainers on November 9, 2015.
Jordanian Intellectual Assassinated
A leading Jordanian writer, Nahed Hattar, who had earned the wrath of conservative Muslims as well as the government and been put on trial for drawing a cartoon deemed offensive to Islam, was killed on September 25, 2016 at a courthouse in the northern Jordanian town of Al-Fuheis. The gunman opened fire on Nahed Hattar, who was at the courthouse for his trial.
Three U.S. Military Trainers Killed
In a very disturbing turn of events, three American military trainers were killed by a Jordanian soldier on November 4, 2016 at the King Faisal Airbase at Al Jafr in southern Jordan. There was no immediate official statement on what had caused the shooting, a very rare instance on the soil of an allied nation.
One of the Americans Killed Identified, Joint U.S.-Jordanian Inquiry into the Death
A day after three American military trainers were killed at the King Faisal Airbase at Al Jafr in southern Jordan, James R. Moriarty, a Houston trail lawyer, acknowledged on November 5, 2016 that one of the trainers killed in Jordan a day earlier happened to be his son Staff Sgt. Jimmy Moriarty. Meanwhile a joint U.S.-Jordanian inquiry was launched into what had led to opening of fire amid local media reports that the vehicle Americans were traveling had failed to stop at the entrance of the airbase.
Gunmen Kill 10, Injure Dozens
Gunmen assaulted Jordan's security apparatus in a streak of attacks that had ended with an hours-long standoff at Jordan's Karak Crusader Castle on December 18, 2016. 10 people, including 7 law enforcement personnel, two Jordanian civilians and a Canadian visitor, were killed and at least 34 others were injured. At least four gunmen were killed too. However, the authorities could not say if there were other attackers still on the loose. Jordan's Prime Minister Hani Mulki could not give any more information on gunmen or their motive during a press briefing hours after the hostage-type of situation.
Streak of Attacks Stretched over Two Towns
A day after a streak of attacks killed 10 people and wounded at least 34, more information came to the fore and the country's interior minister, Salameh Hammad, shed more light into the whole episode. The standoff began with an explosion at an apartment in the Southern Jordanian town of Qatarneh, leading to a police crackdown on the apartment. Gunmen there opened fire, killing one police official, and outmaneuvered the security dragnet to flee the Qatarneh apartment. Gunmen fled to Crusader Castle at Karak, and barricaded themselves on the roof of the castle. Then they engaged in an hours-long exchange of fire with the security personnel. It was not clear at all whether the gunmen had targeted the visitors, or the visitors were just caught in the middle of cross-fire. The Canadian visitor killed in the castle fire was identified as Linda Vatcher, 62, a retired school teacher. Vatcher's son, Charles, was injured in the gun battle that was brought to an end when four gunmen had been killed.
Four Police Personnel Killed
Two days after gunmen killed 10 people in central Jordan, gunmen on December 20, 2016 killed four police personnel in an exchange of a gun battle in the same province. Police said that the perpetrators of December 18, 2016, Crusader Castle attack and December 20, 2016, attack were not related.
Six Killed in a Refugee Camp for Displaced Syrians
Despite a fragile truce brokered by Turkey and Russia since December 30, 2016, flagrant violation of varying scale continued and, on January 21, 2017, it spilled over the border to Jordan as an explosion rocked the Rukban Refugee Camp for displaced Syrians, killing six people.
Economic Malaise: Jordanians Protest against Government Policies
Jordan is going through a social and economic convulsions as the government is planning to implement a tax hike to replenish depleted coffer. The popular discontent turned into an open demonstration, a rare expression of frustration in the tightly controlled Arab Kingdom, and protester took to streets in Amman on May 31, 2018. As the anti-government demonstration coalesced around demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Hani Mulki, who during his two-year tenure had been pursuing his pro-reform policies, including austerity, the protest culminated with unprecedented show of popular discontent on June 3, 2018 as protesters marched to Prime Ministerial Office.
Premier Meets King, Submits Resignation
As anti-government demonstration was getting out of control, Prime Minister Hani Mulki was summoned to Palace to meet with King Abdullah II, and soon after the meeting on June 4, 2018, at the prodding of King, Hani Mulki stepped down as premier. However, it's not sure whether Hani's resignation would soothe the discontent. King Abdullah II later on June 4, 2018 named a former World Bank official, Omar Razzaz, current Education Minister, to head the government.
JORDAN
Jordanian Pilot Seized after F-16 Plane Downed
A F-16 plane was downed on December 24, 2014 in the de facto capital of so-called caliphate of the Islamic State, Raqqa, and a video showed a pilot, identified by the Jordanian military as the 1st Lt. Gen. Mu'ath Safi al-Kaseabeh, surrounded by cheering gunmen on the ground.
Jordan Warns Militants Not to Harm the Seized Pilot
Jordan's parliament took the unusual step on December 25, 2014 in issuing a stern warning to the captors of Jordanian Air Force pilot 1st Lt. Gen. Mu'ath Safi al-Kaseabeh that there would be grave consequence if any harm was done to him.
New Twist in Hostage Crisis Saga, Now ISIL Demands Prisoner Swap
An audio message was released on January 27, 2015 in which a kidnapped Japanese journalist was heard calling for the release of an al-Qaeda-linked Iraqi prisoner, Sajida al-Rishawi, awaiting for death penalty in Jordanian jail in exchange for his life and the life of a Jordanian pilot, 1st Lt. Gen. Mu'ath Safi al-Kaseabeh, held hostage by the Islamic State. In the audio message, Kenji Goto also expressed fear that he had only 24 hours left.
Jordan Offers Prisoner Swap
In a precedent-setting move that might not bode well for anti-ISIL international coalition, Jordan buffeted by strong domestic demand for freedom a captive pilot on January 28, 2015 offered a swap in which Amman would free the al-Qaeda-tied prisoner Sajida al-Rishawi in exchange for freedom of the pilot, Mu'ath Safi al-Kaseabeh.
Hostage Crisis Hits a Snag after Jordan Demands Proof of Pilot's Life
On January 30, 2015, Jordan demanded that ISIL prove that its Air Force pilot 1st Lt. Gen. Mu'ath Safi al-Kaseabeh was alive before it would release the Iraqi prisoner Sajida al-Rishawi. Rishawi was implicated in 2005 triple bombing in Amman that had killed 60 people in the worst terrorist attack in Jordan. Rishawi's suicide belt didn't go off because of malfunction and she was quickly nabbed.
Jordan Commits to Fighting against Islamic State
Despite one of its Air Force pilots hostage under captivity of ISIL militants, Jordan's Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh stressed on February 1, 2015, a day after a video showed the decapitation of a Japanese journalist, Kenji Goto, that the Kingdom remained "as committed as ever" in fighting the Islamic State as part of the US-led coalition.
Jordan Seethes over Pilot's Killing, Executes Two Extremists
Jordanians were pulverized on February 3, 2015 by the gory video that showed the captive Jordanian pilot, 1st Lt. Gen. Mu'ath Safi al-Kaseabeh, taken to a cage and set it aflame. The brutal killing of the pilot by burning him alive evoked outrage from common Jordanians, many of whom were leery to the Kingdom's joining of the US-led air coalition against ISIL. Jordanian government demanded past week that the militants show the proof that the pilot was alive before it could consider releasing an al-Qaeda-linked Iraqi female prisoner as demanded by them. Kaseabeh's killing ignited national anger and international outrage at ISIL, and Jordan moved quickly to avenge the death by hanging two Islamic extremists--Sajida al-Rishawi and Ziad al-Karbouly--in the early hours of February 4, 2015. Karbouly was sent to death row in 2008 for plotting to kill Jordanians in Iraq.
Jordan Bombs Islamic State Positions in Syria, Soon to Begin Air Campaign in Iraq
Bolstered by popular anger and national outcry over the burning death of the Jordanian Air Force pilot 1st Lt. Gen. Mu'ath Safi al-Kaseabeh, Jordan on February 5, 2015 pummeled ISIL positions in Syria with dozens of airstrikes and bombing. Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh also said during the day that his country would henceforth start air campaign against targets within Iraq, implying a military expansion of Jordanian operation in the region.
Deputy Leader of Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood Sentenced to Jail for a Facebook Posting
Deputy leader of Muslim Brotherhood of Jordan Bani Rushaid on February 15, 2015 was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment on charges of trying to damage relations with a friendly nation for a November 17, 2014, Facebook posting in which he was critical of UAE for participating in U.S.-led air coalition against ISIL. The sentencing set off an alarm bell in the nation, implying full-throttled government effort to cut freedom of expression and political dissent.
Two American Trainers Killed in Jordan
In a very unusual circumstance, two American trainers and a South African trainer were killed on November 9, 2015 as a Jordanian police officer opened fire. American trainers were working with Jordan's Public Security Department. In addition to two U.S. trainers and one South African trainer, two Jordanian civil service employees were also killed in November 9, 2015, attack. The Jordan Times identified the attacker as 28-year-old Anwar Abu Zaid from the northern Jordanian village of Rimoun. The newspaper also reported that Abu Zaid was a police captain, a recent University graduate and married with two children.
Seven ISIL-linked Militants Killed in Jordan Shootout
Jordanian security forces on March 1, 2016 swooped on several militants in the advanced stage of planning attacks at the northern city of Irbid, triggering a fierce gunfight that had killed all seven militants and a security personnel. Authorities said that all seven militants were linked to ISIL, and several explosive belts were found from their hideout. In recent months the city of Irbid had experienced emergence of radical Islamic groups, according to Mayor Hussein Bani Hani.
Six Jordanian Soldiers Killed in Suicide Attack, Border Crossing Closed
A suicide bomber drove his explosives-laden truck to ram an army post at a border crossing with Syria, where a sprawling encampment had sprouted up to house tens of thousands displaced by Syria's civil war, on June 21, 2016, killing six Jordanian soldiers. King Abdullah II issued a statement, saying that Jordan would "respond with an iron fist" to anyone who had attacked the crossing at Ruqban.
Weapons Stolen from the Secret CIA Training Program
A joint investigation by Al-Jazeera and The New York Times made public June 26, 2016 brought to the public knowledge the degree of lack of oversight of a secret arming program meant for western-backed Syrian rebels. According to the investigation report, the weapons shipped by the CIA and Saudi Arabia to the training sites in Jordan were not accounted properly, and some of the weapons were stolen and had made their way to the arms black market in Jordan. One of those weapons was used to kill two American trainers on November 9, 2015.
Jordanian Intellectual Assassinated
A leading Jordanian writer, Nahed Hattar, who had earned the wrath of conservative Muslims as well as the government and been put on trial for drawing a cartoon deemed offensive to Islam, was killed on September 25, 2016 at a courthouse in the northern Jordanian town of Al-Fuheis. The gunman opened fire on Nahed Hattar, who was at the courthouse for his trial.
Three U.S. Military Trainers Killed
In a very disturbing turn of events, three American military trainers were killed by a Jordanian soldier on November 4, 2016 at the King Faisal Airbase at Al Jafr in southern Jordan. There was no immediate official statement on what had caused the shooting, a very rare instance on the soil of an allied nation.
One of the Americans Killed Identified, Joint U.S.-Jordanian Inquiry into the Death
A day after three American military trainers were killed at the King Faisal Airbase at Al Jafr in southern Jordan, James R. Moriarty, a Houston trail lawyer, acknowledged on November 5, 2016 that one of the trainers killed in Jordan a day earlier happened to be his son Staff Sgt. Jimmy Moriarty. Meanwhile a joint U.S.-Jordanian inquiry was launched into what had led to opening of fire amid local media reports that the vehicle Americans were traveling had failed to stop at the entrance of the airbase.
Gunmen Kill 10, Injure Dozens
Gunmen assaulted Jordan's security apparatus in a streak of attacks that had ended with an hours-long standoff at Jordan's Karak Crusader Castle on December 18, 2016. 10 people, including 7 law enforcement personnel, two Jordanian civilians and a Canadian visitor, were killed and at least 34 others were injured. At least four gunmen were killed too. However, the authorities could not say if there were other attackers still on the loose. Jordan's Prime Minister Hani Mulki could not give any more information on gunmen or their motive during a press briefing hours after the hostage-type of situation.
Streak of Attacks Stretched over Two Towns
A day after a streak of attacks killed 10 people and wounded at least 34, more information came to the fore and the country's interior minister, Salameh Hammad, shed more light into the whole episode. The standoff began with an explosion at an apartment in the Southern Jordanian town of Qatarneh, leading to a police crackdown on the apartment. Gunmen there opened fire, killing one police official, and outmaneuvered the security dragnet to flee the Qatarneh apartment. Gunmen fled to Crusader Castle at Karak, and barricaded themselves on the roof of the castle. Then they engaged in an hours-long exchange of fire with the security personnel. It was not clear at all whether the gunmen had targeted the visitors, or the visitors were just caught in the middle of cross-fire. The Canadian visitor killed in the castle fire was identified as Linda Vatcher, 62, a retired school teacher. Vatcher's son, Charles, was injured in the gun battle that was brought to an end when four gunmen had been killed.
Four Police Personnel Killed
Two days after gunmen killed 10 people in central Jordan, gunmen on December 20, 2016 killed four police personnel in an exchange of a gun battle in the same province. Police said that the perpetrators of December 18, 2016, Crusader Castle attack and December 20, 2016, attack were not related.
Six Killed in a Refugee Camp for Displaced Syrians
Despite a fragile truce brokered by Turkey and Russia since December 30, 2016, flagrant violation of varying scale continued and, on January 21, 2017, it spilled over the border to Jordan as an explosion rocked the Rukban Refugee Camp for displaced Syrians, killing six people.
Economic Malaise: Jordanians Protest against Government Policies
Jordan is going through a social and economic convulsions as the government is planning to implement a tax hike to replenish depleted coffer. The popular discontent turned into an open demonstration, a rare expression of frustration in the tightly controlled Arab Kingdom, and protester took to streets in Amman on May 31, 2018. As the anti-government demonstration coalesced around demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Hani Mulki, who during his two-year tenure had been pursuing his pro-reform policies, including austerity, the protest culminated with unprecedented show of popular discontent on June 3, 2018 as protesters marched to Prime Ministerial Office.
Premier Meets King, Submits Resignation
As anti-government demonstration was getting out of control, Prime Minister Hani Mulki was summoned to Palace to meet with King Abdullah II, and soon after the meeting on June 4, 2018, at the prodding of King, Hani Mulki stepped down as premier. However, it's not sure whether Hani's resignation would soothe the discontent. King Abdullah II later on June 4, 2018 named a former World Bank official, Omar Razzaz, current Education Minister, to head the government.
Royal Member, High-ranking Official Arrested over a Failed Coup
The news has come as a thunderbolt to outside political observers as Jordan is considered as an oasis of political stability in a restive neighborhood and it is beyond imagination that in a country like this, there will be an effort to bring chaos by overthrowing a popular and internationally well-known monarch. The state-run Petra News agency announced on April 3, 2021 that arrests were made in relation to an investigation over an unofficial coup attempt. Among those detained were Sharif Hassan bin Zaid, a member of the royal family, Bassam Awadallah, a prominent official who once ran the royal court, and other unknown officials for what Petra News stated as "security reasons" after "close monitoring". Initially there was unconfirmed news that Former Crown Prince Hamzah bin Hussein, a stepbrother of King Abdullah II, had been detained too, but on late April 3, 2021 night, Jordanian Chief of Staff Major General Mahmoud Yousef Huneiti issued a statement, clarifying that Hamzah bin Hussein had been merely asked to "stop movements and activities" inimical to "Jordan's security and stability". King Abdullah II replaced the then-Crown Prince Hamzah bin Hussein with his eldest son, Hussein, in the fourth year into his rule. The support for King Abdullah II from the regional powerhouses came within hours, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Palestinian Authorities.
Jordanian Authorities Accuse Former Crown Prince of Trying to Destabilize the Country
A day after rapid-clip development of events with multiple arrests as Jordan's authorities were reported to have foiled a possible coup, there had been an alternative narrative emerging from the backers of Hamzah bin Hussein, the former crown prince, that he had been targeted for protesting against misgovernance and corruption. On April 4, 2021, Jordan's deputy premier and foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, said that the government had "totally contained" a plot--backed by foreign interests--designed to undermine the "stability and security" of the country. As a counternarrative to the government position, a secretly recorded video of Hamzah has been released between April 3, 2021 night and April 4, 2021 morning in which Hamzah bin Hussein defended himself: "I am not part of any conspiracy or nefarious organization". Hamzah has been placed under house arrest.
Tension Resolved between King and His Half Brother
At the behest of their paternal uncle, Hassan, King Abdullah and Former Crown Prince Hamzah bin Hussein met at Hassan's house in Hashemite Royal Court on April 5, 2021 and held a candid discussion. Hamzah reiterated his loyalty to "His Majesty the king". The underlying reasons for the weekend drama may not have been resolved, but the tension between the two half brothers has been ratcheted down at the behest of their uncle.
King
Abdullah’s Half-brother Abdicates Royal Title
Prince
Hamzah, an
often-critical voice calling for more democracy and transparency, on April
3, 2022 abdicated the royal title, underlining the tension within the royal
family.
************************** DRONE HIT ON U.S. MILITARY BASE ****************************
Drone Strike Kills Three American Soldiers, Injures 34
As a sequel to the escalation in the Middle East stemming from the October
7, 2023, attack on Southern Israel by Hamas, a one-way drone strike overnight
(January 27-28, 2024) on Tower 22, a U.S. military outpost in
Northeastern Jordan close to Syrian border, killed three American soldiers and
wounded 34 others. An umbrella group backed by Iran, Islamic Resistance in
Iraq, which includes Kataib Hezbollah, Nujaba and other Iran-backed
militant groups, has claimed responsibility for the drone strike. President Joe
Biden said on January 28, 2024 that “we shall respond” to whoever had
attacked the U.S. military base.
The attack on the U.S. military outpost in Jordan brings a new dimension
to an already volatile situation in the Middle East. The Iranian proxies are
now expanding their targets, according to numerous western experts, beyond Iraq—where
there have been at least 60 attacks on the U.S. facilities since October 7,
2023—and Syria, with at least 90 attacks on the U.S. targets.
U.S. Strikes Iranian Targets in Syria and Iraq
The U.S. military on February 2, 2024 hit back at Iranian proxies
in Syria and Iraq in response to the January 28, 2024, drone attack on Tower
22, a U.S. military outpost in Northeastern Jordan close to Syrian border.
U.S. military launched barrage of airstrikes, attacking seven locations and 85
targets.
U.S., U.K. Launch Strikes for Drone Attack on the American Outpost
U.K. joined the U.S. on February 3, 2024 in targeting 36
Houthi facilities at 13 locations in Yemen as the second wave of western
counterstrikes against Iranian proxies in the region took place in response to the
January 28, 2024, drone attack on Tower 22 near Jordan-Syria
border that had killed three American soldiers.
Drone Strike Kills Top Iran-backed Militia Commander
That the U.S. would extract a high premium for the drone attack on a
U.S. military outpost at the Jordan-Syria border came to reality on February
7, 2024 as a drone strike at around 9:30PM local time hit a vehicle in
eastern Baghdad, killing one of the senior Kataib Hezbollah commanders, Wissam
Mohammed Sabir Al-Saadi, also known as Abu Baqir Al-Saadi. U.S. held
Al-Saadi responsible for planning and leading many of the attacks on the U.S.
soldiers.
************************** DRONE HIT ON U.S. MILITARY BASE ****************************
Iraqi Lawmakers Pass anti-LGBTQ Bill
Iraqi Lawmakers Pass anti-LGBTQ Bill
In a setback to the LGBTQ rights, Iraqi parliament on April 27, 2024
passed an anti-prostitution bill that also included heavy punishment for gay
sex and any gender dysphoria activities. The bill strives for imposing a 10- to
15-year term for gay sex and one to three years for gender-transition
procedures. Human rights groups rang alarm bell over so overt antagonism against
the LGBTQ community creeping in the main legislative process and becoming part
of the governing system. British Foreign Minister David Cameron on April 28,
2024 took an aim at the LGBTQ hostility that had been embedded in the bill.
KUWAIT
Emir Fires His Son
Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah on November 18, 2019 fired his son, Defense Minister Nasser Al Sabah, along with Interior Minister Khaled Al Sabah after the duo had publicly waged a political brawl. Kuwait, hitherto an oasis of political stability, has plunged into political turmoil over allegation of widespread corruption. The defense minister, Nasser Al Sabah, alleged his predecessor, the current interior minister, Khaled Al Sabah, for an embezzlement scheme totaling $790 million. The public brawl didn't sit well with the emir.
Days ago, cabinet had tendered resignation for a separate corruption inquiry, and Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al Mubarak Al Sabah, heading the cabinet since 2011, requested the emir to be relieved.
KUWAIT
Emir Fires His Son
Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah on November 18, 2019 fired his son, Defense Minister Nasser Al Sabah, along with Interior Minister Khaled Al Sabah after the duo had publicly waged a political brawl. Kuwait, hitherto an oasis of political stability, has plunged into political turmoil over allegation of widespread corruption. The defense minister, Nasser Al Sabah, alleged his predecessor, the current interior minister, Khaled Al Sabah, for an embezzlement scheme totaling $790 million. The public brawl didn't sit well with the emir.
Days ago, cabinet had tendered resignation for a separate corruption inquiry, and Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al Mubarak Al Sabah, heading the cabinet since 2011, requested the emir to be relieved.
Kuwaiti Court Overturns Transgender Law
Kuwait’s Constitutional Court on February 17, 2022 took a bold step in
overturning the country’s penal code’s Article 198 that criminalized the
transexual behavior and imposed jail time of one year and a fine of $3,300 for
cross-gender dressing. The Article 198 is “deeply discriminatory, overly
vague and never should have been accepted into law in the first place”,
according to Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Division Deputy
Director Lynn Maalouf. Similar anti-transgender laws are prevalent
throughout Arab World. However, resistance is growing, although at snail’s
pace, against these discriminatory laws.
Kuwaiti Government Resigns
In the fifth time in two years, Kuwaiti government on January 23, 2023 resigned over differences with the tiny Arab nation's parliament four months after an election that gave reform agenda a big push.
LIBYA
The US State Department on January 10, 2014 designated two Libyan branches of Ansar al-Sharia, based in Benghazi and Darnah, as well as a third branch based in neighboring Tunisia "foreign terrorist organization". The department also named their respective leaders Sufyan bin Qumu, leader of Darnah branch, Ahmad Abu Khattala of Benghazi branch, and Seifallah Ben Hassine of Tunisian branch as "global terrorists". Qumu was released from Guantanamo Bay prison in 2007. Several media reports mentioned recent sealed indictments against Khattala and an unspecified number of people, implicating them in September 11, 2012, attack on the US diplomatic mission in Benghazi that had killed ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans. Hassine was suspected to be involved in September 14, 2012, attack on the US Embassy and the American School in Tunisia that had put about 100 US employees in the harm's way. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
A Senate Intelligence panel report issued on January 15, 2014 found that the September 11, 2012, attack on US diplomatic mission in Benghazi was avoidable. The report held State Department, military and Intelligence community accountable for failure to prevent the attack that had killed the then-ambassador Christopher Stevens, information technology specialist Sean Smith, CIA security contractors Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, both former Navy SEALs. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
Premier Losses Confidence Vote
On March 11, 2014, Libyan premier Ali Zeidan lost confidence vote in parliament, and National Congress afterward appointed Defense Minister Abdullah al-Thani as acting Prime Minister for a period of 15 days.
Interim Premier Quits
Despite a parliamentary mandate, the interim premier Abdullah al-Thani announced on April 13, 2014 that he would quit, precipitating a political crisis that had been spinning out of control in recent months amid lawlessness, a fragile federal government and increasing rivalry among country's myriad of militant groups who had fought against the Gadhafi rule. Al-Thani, whose decision to resign is rumored to have been motivated by threat to his and his family's security, will stay in power until a substitute is selected by the parliament.
An Islamist Takes the Helms of Affair as Premier
Amid walkout by secular lawmakers, Libyan parliament on May 4, 2014 elected an Islamist businessman, Ahmed Matiq, as the country's new Prime Minister.
Unrest and Fighting Breaks out in Benghazi
An armed group loyal to former General Khalifa Hifter launched attacks on Islamic militant strongholds in Benghazi on May 16, 2014, and even deployed a helicopter to strike the targets. On May 17, 2014, Hifter's faction urged residents to flee parts of Benghazi in advance of an impending attack. Meanwhile the fragile central government in Tripoli, which lacks control over myriads of militias spread across the country, issued a rare warning rebuking Hifter for exceeding his authority and announced imposing a no-fly zone over Benghazi in the wake of helicopter attack.
Hifter's Forces Attack Parliament; Suspend Parliament
Former General Khalifa Hifter's so called Libyan National Army brandished armory and weapons to scare away lawmakers from parliament on May 18, 2014, and suspended the parliament. However, on early May 19, 2014, Libya's fragile federal government's justice minister, Salah al-Marghani, criticized the move by Hifter's forces, calling for an "immediate end of the use" of military force.
Hifter Justifies Force to Oust Islamist-tied Parliament
The former general who had launched an intense attack on Islamic militants in Benghazi on May 16, 2014 justified suspending national parliament in a telephone interview on May 20, 2014. Former General Khalifa Hifter said that he didn't have any options, including talks, available to deal with "General National Congress", referring the national parliament. Meanwhile, Libyan High Election Commission announced May 20 that the parliamentary polls would be held on June 25, 2014.
Ex-general Gets Recognition and Political Cover
The former general, who had launched an attack on Islamists in Benghazi on May 16, 2014 and subsequently expanded his campaign, dubbed as "Operation Dignity, to Tripoli to suspend parliament and scare away lawmakers, on May 21, 2014 received backing from the country's Interior Ministry as well as from the former PM Ali Zidan. Former General Khalifa Hifter also went on TV to ask the country's judiciary to form a presidential council to take over powers.
Islamist Backed by National Parliament to form Government
Despite a threat by a renegade general and abstention by secular lawmakers, Libya's Islamist lawmakers met on May 25, 2014 to elect Ahmed Maiteg as premier and invited him to form a national government. Maiteg was supported by 83 of 93 lawmakers, who attended the session at a secure palace east of the capital.
US Issues Travel Warning, Sends Warship
On May 27, 2014, the US State Department issued travel warning asking Americans not to travel to Libya and the one already in the country to prepare for leaving as soon as possible. On May 28, 2014, U.S. sent the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan toward Libyan coast in case if there were need for evacuation of Americans amid two helicopters tied to Khalifa Hifter's forces hit positions of Ansar al-Shariah and February 17 militia at Benghazi.
Central Figure of the 2012 Benghazi Consulate Attack Captured
U.S. announced on June 17, 2014 that American commandoes seized Ahmed Abu Khattala, a key figure whom many in western intelligence community believed had orchestrated the fateful attack on U.S. consular facilities in Benghazi on September 11, 2012 that had killed the then-U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three others, from eastern Libya in a daring raid just after midnight on June 15, 2014. Khattala was being taken to a U.S. ship for interrogation.
Libya Denounces Unilateral US Action to Capture Khattala
On June 18, 2014, Libya's interim government blasted the U.S. capture of Khattala without informing the Libyan authorities as flagrant violation of country's sovereignty. Libyan Justice Minister Saleh Marghani also demanded that Khattala be returned to Libya to face justice.
U.S. Justifies Capture of Khattala without Informing Libya
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power sent a one-page letter to the U.N. Security Council on June 19, 2014 providing a detailed explanation and rationale behind taking unilateral action to capture terror mastermind Ahmed Abu Khattala. In the letter, U.S. alleged that Khattala was planning additional attacks on U.S. interests in the region, and U.S. had to take measures as part of "inherent right of self-defense".
U.S. Closes Embassy in Libya
As inter-militia fighting broke out in the open near U.S. embassy in Tripoli, U.S. State Department on July 26, 2014 suspended all operations in the embassy and evacuated all of its staff members from Libya.
Benghazi Falls to Islamic Fighters
After days of intense fighting, the eastern city of Benghazi fell on July 31, 2014 to the rebels from hard-core Islamic militants. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Libyans were fleeing the country as fighting had escalated over the control of Tripoli's international airport.
Fighting Rages Amid Convening of Parliament
Amid continuing fighting over the control of Tripoli's international airport, country's parliament convened on August 4, 2014 at the eastern port city of Tobruk. Despite Islamic militants' call to boycott out of capital meeting of parliament, 158 of 188 lawmakers attended the session, rebuffing the Islamic militants. Twelve seats of the 200-member parliament are still vacant as elections have not been held in those constituencies due to security vacuum. Meanwhile, a respected Egyptian politician, Amr Moussa, raised the specter of Egyptian involvement in Libyan chaos as he said on August 4, 2014 that Egypt should keep the option open to send the boots on ground in Libya to tame the explosive situation.
Joint Airstrikes by UAE and Egypt Against Libyan Targets
In a sign of increasing bonhomie and brotherhood with the Persian Gulf nations that has potential to significantly alter the regional political balance, Egypt led a joint airstrikes in concert with UAE against targets deep inside Libya twice in the past week.
Islamic Militia Sweeps Tripoli, Seizes Vacant US Embassy
Islamic militia fighters, led by Dawn of Libya, made sweeping military victory over other militant groups in their quest for the capital, Tripoli, and its international airport. On August 31, 2014, the sweep was near complete and Zintan militia was ousted from the vacant US embassy complex.
Islamic State-Tied Extremists Kill 10 at a Hotel
An Islamic State-affiliated group in Libya on January 27, 2015 claimed to have carried out an outrageous attack earlier in the day on Corinthia Hotel in Tripoli that had killed 10, including one American and four other foreigners.
Video of Coptic Beheadings Appears
A Libyan local affiliate of Islamic State on February 15, 2015 were shown on a video to have beheaded 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians kidnapped in Libya. The local affiliate, Tripolitania Province of Islamic State, was one of three Libya-based franchises of Islamic State. The other two local ISIL franchises are based in Barqa in the east and Fezzan in the south. The setting in the video indicated that the beheadings seemed to have taken place on a rocky Mediterranean coast in western Libya. Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi announced a seven-day mourning, called his emergency security cabinet meeting and vowed to take avenge by "necessary means and timing" for the killing of his countrymen, who had gone to Libya to make a living.
Egypt Bombs Libya amid a Flurry of Diplomacy
Egyptian Air Force on February 16, 2015, a day after a gruesome video showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians circulated over the internet, bombed targets in the eastern Libyan city of Derna amid hectic diplomatic activities at the behest of Cairo to form an international coalition in the mold of U.S.-led air coalition in Syria and Iraq. Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi had talks on February 16, 2015 with French President Francois Hollande and Italian premier to coordinate their common battle against ISIL that now, for the first time, had expanded its reach beyond its traditional strongholds of Iraq and Syria. France on February 16, 2015 announced a deal to sell fighter jets to Egypt and maintain preparedness of its troops already stationed outside Libya's southern border in Niger, an African nation it had ruled during the era of colonization. Italy's Defense Minister Ms. Roberta Pinotti said in an interview published in February 15, 2015, edition of Il Messaggero that Italy had geographic, historic and security compulsion to intervene, if needed, in Libya. El-Sisi, who had visited during the day (February 16) to offer condolence to Pope Tawadros II of Egyptian Coptic Church, sent his Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri to New York to consult at the U.N. before an international conference on terrorism opened on February 18, 2015.
Islamic State-Tied Extremists Explode Car Bombs at Libyan City in Response to Egyptian Airstrikes
Three car bombs carried out by the ISIL-tied suicide bombers rocked the western-backed coalition-held city of Qubba on February 20, 2015, killing at least 40 people and wounding more than 70. The attack in Qubba, close to country's borders with Egypt, was thought to be handiwork of ISIL-tied Libyan militants to avenge the February 16, 2015, Egyptian airstrikes against targets in the city of Derna. Libya is torn by rivalries among many militia groups and tribes, and is being ruled by two rival governments and has two rival parliament. The western-backed Libyan parliament has been relocated to Tobruk, and a previous parliament, dominated by the Islamists, is seated at Tripoli, country's capital.
Mass Executions of Christians by ISIL-tied Groups
After mass beheadings of Egyptian Coptic Christians on February 15, 2015 carried out by Tripolitania franchise of ISIL based out of western Libya, the other two ISIL franchises in Libya, Barqa franchise based in the east and Fezzan franchise in the south, felt pressured to do something similarly dramatic. ISIL on April 19, 2015 released a video showing that its brethren in Barqa and Fezzan franchises had carried out beheadings and gunning downs of a number of Ethiopian Christians on a Libyan beach.
Gadhafi's Son Sentenced to Die
A Tripoli court on July 28, 2015 handed down a death sentence to former dictator Moammar Gadhafi's son and onetime heir apparent Seif al-Islam Gadhafi for committing crimes during 2011 uprising. However, it's unlikely that Gadhafi, who is captive under a separate Libyan militia group in the country's west, will be put to death anytime soon as the rival militia group that holds son Gadhafi hostage defies the authority in Tripoli. In addition to Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, the same court sentenced eight other former government officials, including former spy chief Abdullah al-Senoussi, former intelligence chief Abuzed Omar-Dorda and former premier Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi, to death on July 28, 2015.
International Push to Form Unity Government in Libya
Diplomats from 17 nations met at Rome on December 13, 2015 to push and prod 15 Libyan leaders from rival factions, who had attended the meeting, to form a unity government in an effort to deprive ISIL and other extremist groups from getting a foothold in Libya. A joint statement by the diplomats, who had assembled under the auspices of U.N., EU, African Union and Arab League, issued on December 13, 2015 after the meeting called on "all parties to accept an immediate, comprehensive cease-fire in all parts of Libya". Summarizing the mood of the meeting, the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said after the meeting that "we refuse to stand by and watch a vacuum filled by terrorists". Libya's rival leaders will now head to Morocco on December 16, 2015 to broach and broaden discussion on forming a unity government.
Rival Factions Sign Agreement to form National Unity Government
Rival factions in Libya's civil war met at Skhirat, Morocco, on December 16, 2015 to hash out outstanding differences in the way of forming a national unity government. The two-day talks, backed by western nations and the U.N., concluded on December 17, 2015 with signing of an agreement with a pledge to form a national unity government, an important step to end years of chaos and civil war in Libya.
Attack on a Libyan Police Base Kills Dozens
A massive truck bomb exploded at a police base in the western Libyan city of Zilten on January 7, 2016, killing at least 60 police personnel. In a Twitter message posted by ISIL sympathizers as reported by The Associated Press on January 8, 2016, the suicide bomber was identified as Abu al-Abbas al-Muhajir, who had carried out the attack on behalf of the Islamic State Barqa Province, a Libyan affiliate.
Unity Government Formed
As part of the December 17, 2015, agreement signed at Skhirat, Morocco by various parties, a unity government was formed on January 19, 2016. Now, it has to be seen whether the new unity government may be able to function. Libya's Unity Presidential Council issued a statement on January 19, 2016, unveiling a 32-member Cabinet led by the premier-designate Fayez Sarraz. The Unity Presidential Council was established as a result of Skhirat Agreement signed on December 17, 2015, and included members from rival legislatures and governments. It's based in Tunis, Tunisia. Premier-designate Sarraz has 10 days to win approval for his cabinet from internationally backed parliament seated in east of the country. Sarraz has 30 days to lead effort to implement other requirement of Skhirat Agreement, including withdrawal of armed militia from Libyan cities. European Union Foreign Policy chief Frederica Mogherini on January 19, 2016 called the day's development steps in the right direction. What is puzzling is how ministers of the proposed cabinet owing allegiance to different interests will work as a team. The Defense Minister-designate Al-Mahdi al-Barghathi is known to belong to internationally backed government seated in the east, fighting against radical Islamist forces, and be loyal to army chief Gen. Khalifa Hifter, a controversial figure in Libyan diaspora. The Interior Minister-designate Al-Aref al-Khoga, on the other hand, is known for his proximity and link to Islamist groups.
U.S. Airstrikes Target ISIL Camp in Libya
Two F-15 warplanes, taking off the Britain's Lakenheath Air Base, struck a training camp on the wee hours of February 19, 2016 near Sabratha in the northwest of Libya, killing at least 40 militants, including mastermind of two major attacks in Tunisia, Noureddine Chouchane, a fellow Tunisian.
Two Serbian Embassy Employees among Dead in U.S. Airstrikes
A day after two U.S. F-15 warplanes struck at a training camp near Sabratha in Libya's northwestern coast, reports emerged on February 20, 2016 that among at least 43 dead were two Serbian hostages. Serbia formally lodged complaint against the U.S. airstrike, and so did the internationally backed parliament seated in the eastern city of Tobruk, calling the U.S. airstrikes as flagrant violation in the country's sovereignty. Meanwhile, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic told a news conference at Belgrade on February 20, 2016 that the two dead Serbians were Sladjana Stankovic, a communications officer with the Serbian embassy in Libya, and Jovica Stepic, a driver. Both were seized in a November 8, 2015, attack on their convoy en route to Tunisia. Serb ambassador and his family were in another car, and they escaped unhurt.
Libyans Celebrate Liberation of Parts of the City
Residents of Benghazi, divided since 2014 between ISIL- and al-Qaeda-held parts on one hand and western-backed government troops-held parts on the other hand, poured on the streets on February 23, 2016 to celebrate by honking, playing music and screaming in a joyous environment after Islamic radicals were ousted earlier in the day from the al-Laithi district of Benghazi after a two-day fierce fighting.
Unity Government Exerts Authority in Capital
Almost three-and-half months after its formation, authorities in the unity government arrived by boatload at the Tripoli harbor on April 1, 2016.
Rival Islamist Government Resigns
In a boost to international effort, the rival Islamic government earlier based in Tripoli on April 5, 2016 absolved itself from executive authority and work in the "interests of the nation".
U.S., West to Arm Libyan Government
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry rallied diplomats from about 20 nations, including Security Council members, at a meeting in Vienna on May 16, 2016 to seek an exemption to an existing arms embargo on Libya so that internationally recognized Government of National Accord might be strengthened to defend itself against offensives by assertive Islamic extremists.
Unity Government Soldiers Enter Islamic State Stronghold
The soldiers and militia belonging to the Tripoli-based unity government on June 8, 2016 entered into the city of Sirte, until now a stronghold of Islamic State, with very little resistance. On June 9, 2016, the pro-unity government fighters took control over the city center of Sirte, and destroyed the so-called "stage of horror", a place in the city center where IS used to carry out the beheadings during its reign of terror.
France Admits Clandestine Libyan Operation
French Defense Ministry on July 20, 2016 acknowledged the French involvement in clandestine operation against ISIL in Libya, and said that three of its soldiers had been killed on July 17, 2016. The Associated Press reported that the soldiers were killed in an attack on their helicopter by an Islamic militia group known as Defending Benghazi Brigade. Le Monde first reported in February 2016 that several thousands French troops were involved in "clandestine mission" in Libya, and also said that an airstrike in November 2015 that had killed Abu Nabil al-Anbari, the mastermind of February 2015 beheadings of 21 Coptic Christians, was initiated by France. Initially, Libya denied the Le Monde report and France said that its involvement was mere reconnaissance, but July 20, 2016, acknowledgement by French Defense Ministry revealed a much deeper French involvement in Libya.
U.S. Launches Airstrikes in Libya
Pentagon on August 1, 2016 acknowledged direct U.S. involvement in unity government's push to oust ISIL militants from their stronghold of Sirte. At the request of the unity government, American warplanes carried out airstrikes against ISIL targets in Sirte, according to a statement released by Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook on August 1, 2016.
Car Bomb Kills 23 in Benghazi
As ISIL and other Islamic extremists received one jolt after another in battlefields from Syria to Iraq to Libya, they had been turning in more frequency in recent days on more guerilla-style tactic and soft targets beyond their battle zones. The recent evidence came from Benghazi in Libya, a city far from Sirte, the focus of the ongoing offensive against ISIL, as a suicide car bomb on August 2, 2016 targeted Libyan troops in al-Qarwarha neighborhood, killing at least 23 and wounding more than dozens. The suicide car bombing came a day after U.S. airstrikes--requested on behalf of the internationally recognized government and presidency council--were launched to help the government offensive against ISIL in Sirte. An umbrella group of Islamic extremists, including al-Qaeda-tied Ansar al-Shariah, formally known as Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries took credit for the August 2, 2016, Benghazi car bombing.
Sirte Liberated by Western-backed Authorities
After days of ferocious fighting by Misrata militias and other related fighters under the auspices of the Government of National Accord, the U.N.-backed Libyan authority, the heart of administrative powers of Sirte was ridden of ISIL fighters on August 10, 2016. The Libyan flag was flown on the Ouagadougou Center. The military victory was facilitated by U.S. airstrikes, which totaled about 28 since the beginning of the American air campaign launched on August 1, 2016.
Still Pockets of Resistance Lie in Sirte
The just-returned mayor of Sirte, Mukhtar Khalifa, said on August 11, 2016 that there were few pockets of ISIL presence still in his city despite the militant group's overall rout from most of the city, including its administrative heart surrounding Ouagadougou Center.
Suicide Car Bombs Kill 10 Libyan Soldiers in the Liberated City
Crushed in the battlefield and after losing the control of once-bastion Sirte, ISIL reverted back to more guerrilla-style attack to make its presence felt. On August 18, 2016, it sent suicide bombers to blow up two car bombs in Sirte that had killed 10 Libyan soldiers and wounded more than 20 others. Meanwhile, U.N. is pushing the rival Libyan faction to speed up the democratic process by national unity parliament to vote for premier-designate Fayez Serraj, whose parliamentary vote of approval has been hanging since the national unity government's formation last December.
Chemical Weapons Taken out of Libya in an International Operation
Following up on a July 2016 request from Libya's unity government to the U.N. to help get rid the country of chemical weapons and the subsequent confidence expressed by Ahmet Uzumcu, head of Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), for verifiable elimination of Libya's chemical weaponry, a Danish-flagged ship picked up chemical armaments on August 27, 2016 at the port of Misrata. Danish Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen said at Copenhagen on August 31, 2016 that the ship was on its way to Germany for permanent destruction and disposal of the weapons. Britain and Finland was lending help in maritime operation to Denmark.
Fighting Erupts over Control for Oil Terminals
Armed rebels loyal to a powerful militia leader, Gen. Khalifa Hifter, on September 11, 2016 launched attacks on the militia aligned with the U.N.-backed unity government, Petroleum Facilities Guards, at three oil terminals in Libya. As the day wore on and the night fell, two of the terminals--one at Ras Lanuf and another at Sidra--were seized by Hifter's fighters while fierce clash was going at Zuwaytinah, according to Reuters.
Rebel Leader's Fighters Complete Seizure of Three Oil Terminals
A day after launching attacks on the three oil terminals that handle most of the oil shipment from Libya, fighters loyal to rebel leader Gen. Khalifa Hifter on September 12, 2016 completed the sweep of wresting control of terminals at Ras Lanuf, Sidra and Zuwaytinah from the Petroleum Facilities Guards.
Two Italians and a Canadian Freed
After almost seven weeks of captivity, two Italians--Danilo Calonego and Bruno Cacace--and a Canadian, Frank Poccia, were released, and in early hours of November 5, 2016, the trio were flown in to Italy.
American B-2 Bombers Strike Libyan Targets
A day before leaving office, Obama administration disclosed on January 19, 2017 that a pair of B-2 stealth bombers had taken off Missouri's Whiteman Air Force Base on January 18, 2017, flew half the world to bomb ISIL sites 30 miles southwest of Sirte and returned safely to the base. ordered to carry out an air raid on ISIL targets in the desert south of Libyan coastal city of Sirte. According to Pentagon, at least 80 militants were killed in B-2 raid. Addressing the reporters, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on January 19, 2017 that the militants were plotting attacks in Europe. A month earlier, on December 19, 2016, Pentagon announced the official end of the air campaign in support of the unity government, formally known as the Government of National Accord, after launching it on August 1, 2016 and carrying out a total of 495 sorties. Using B-2 bombers in a situation like this was very unusual, and last time, they had been used in 2011 to oust Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi.
Regional Talks to Foster Unity Among Libyan Factions
Representatives from Libya's neighbors met at Cairo on January 21, 2017 to chart a course forward for the beleaguered North African nation as leaders from Egypt, Sudan, Algeria, Chad, Niger and Tunisia warned their Libyan counterparts not to settle their rivalry through military means. According to an official communique issued later on January 21, 2017, the Cairo meeting "decisively" rejected a military solution to the Libyan crisis. Instead it espoused for "a comprehensive political dialogue" among parties as the "only way out of this crisis". Addressing a press conference, host of the meeting and the Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri said that efforts were underway to bring together three of Libya's power structures: Tripoli government, country's parliament seated in the eastern city of Tobruk and the leader of Libya's "National Army". The Cairo meeting also called for financial aid for Libya where millions of people faced acute shortage of food and essential commodities.
Special Ops Capture a Key Benghazi Suspect
American Special Operations Forces on October 30, 2017 seized a key Benghazi suspect, later identified as Mustafa al-Imam, linked to the attack on U.S. consulate office in 2012 that had killed four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens.
Libyans Celebrate Eighth Anniversary of Uprising
Contrasting mood prevailed in two parts of the country on the ever of February 17, 2019, anniversary of uprising eight years ago that had toppled dictator Moammar Gadhafi and his eventual killing. While a celebratory mood prevailed in Misrata, Tripoli and Zawiya, the mood in the eastern city of Benghazi was somber as the faction allied with Gen. Khalifa Hifter, supported by Russia, Egypt and the UAE, which control the eastern city, didn't see the day exactly in the same manner as others.
Libya Hurtling to Security Abyss as Eastern Strongman Sends Fighters to the Capital
Libyan strongman who de facto rules over the large parts of eastern Libya, including Benghazi, Gen. Khalifa Hifter, on April 4, 2019 sent his formidable fighters to Tripoli in a direct fight against the soldiers associated with the western-backed government there. Gen. Hifter's April 4, 2019, order came just days before an April 14-16, 2019, U.N. conference aimed at bringing factions which were at odds to bring together and had the potential to unravel a fragile security equilibrium currently existent in the country. Sensing the gravity of the situation, U.N. Security Council has called an emergency session for April 5, 2019 and U.N.S.G. Antonio Guterres is scheduled to meet with Gen. Khalifa Hifter on April 5, 2019 at Benghazi.
U.N. Chief Fails to Dissuade Libyan Strongman as Fighting Rages
As the fighting between Khalifa Hifter's Libyan National Army and fighters allied with the western-backed government rages in the outskirt of the capital, Tripoli, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on April 5, 2019 met with Hifter at Benghazi and asked him to refrain from escalating the situation further. However, Guterres' diplomacy seemed to have failed to persuade Hifter to do any course correction. Expressing his frustration as he was leaving Benghazi, Guterres twitted that he was "leaving with a heavy heart and deeply concerned".
U.S. Pulls Forces Temporarily from Libya as Fighting Ensnares Tripoli
U.S. on April 7, 2019 withdrew some troops from Libya, citing deteriorating security situation. A hovercraft was seen departing the port of Janzur, west of Tripoli, with U.S. soldiers and hardware. Even with the withdrawal, the U.S. Africa Command chief, Marine Corps Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, said that "we will continue to remain agile" in the region.
Meanwhile, fighting between western-backed government seated in Tripoli and Khalifa Hifter continued in and around Tripoli. The head of the western-backed government seated in Tripoli, Fayez Sarraj, on April 7, 2019 accused Khalifa Hifter of "betraying" him. Fayez Sarraj and Khalifa Hifter met in late February 2019 in Abu Dhabi and stressed on holding national elections. To Sarraj, the sudden and swift attack by Hifter's forces on Tripoli was an absolute shock and political betrayal. Meanwhile, the U.N. envoy for Libya, Ghassan Salame, said during the day that the planned U.N. conference on Libya scheduled for April 14-16, 2019 would go ahead.
U.N. Estimates 8,000 People Displaced
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on April 11, 2019 that at least 8,000 people had been displaced from areas in and around Tripoli since Khalifa Hifter's Libyan National Army had launched an offensive against Tripoli on April 4, 2019.
WHO Estimates 146 Deaths and 614 Injuries in Tripoli Battle
World Health Organization on April 15, 2019 made public its estimates of killed and injured since April 4, 2019, launch of Tripoli campaign by eastern strongman Khalifa Hifter. According to WHO estimate, 146 people were killed and 614 were injured over the past 10 days.
At Least 220 Killed in Two-week Fighting
The Associated Press reported on April 20, 2019 that at least 220 people--including fighters tied to U.N.-backed administration seated in Tripoli and Libyan National Army led by Gen. Khalifa Hifter--had been killed in fierce campaign over the control of the seaside capital since Benghazi-based strongman, Gen. Khalifa Hifter, announced the campaign on April 4, 2019 to seize Tripoli.
Eastern Strongman's Air Attack on Migrant Camp Kills 44
In the early hours of July 3, 2019, Gen. Khalifa Hifter's Libyan National Army carried out an airstrike on a target at Tripoli's Tajoura neighborhood that had hit a migrant shelter, killing at least 44 migrants.
U.N. Security Council Urges Sides to De-escalate
In the backdrop of an errant July 3, 2019, airstrike that turned deadly after it had hit a migrant camp at Tripoli's Tajoura neighborhood and killed 53 people, including six children, according to the International Organization for Migration, as well as injured more than 130, U.N. Security Council held a session on July 5, 2019, and issued urgent call for an immediate de-escalation and a cease-fire to defuse the situation. Since the fighting between Gen. Khalifa Hifter's Libyan National Army and the western-backed government and related militia began on April 4, 2019, international community had been worried of the instability that this recent flare-up would cause in a country that was already a brewing ground of Islamic extremism and migrant crisis.
Intense Fighting near Tripoli Puts Thousands at Risk
Two days after Benghazi-based government head Khalifa Hifter's December 12, 2019, vow to launch a "final" and decisive push, his Libyan National Army had mounted a vigorous attack from Tripoli's south on December 14, 2019. The escalation put tens of thousands of capital's residents and Government of National Accord, west-supported government, at the cross-hairs of a looming disaster. LNA's media office also said during the day that it had shot down a Turkish drone over the town of Ain Zara, south of Tripoli. LNA launched airstrikes overnight on an airbase at the Air Force Academy in the city of Misrata.
Turkey's Deals with Government Draw fire; Tunis-Turkey Effort to Bring Peace to Libya
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on December 25, 2019 met with his Tunisian counterpart, Kais Saied, at Tunis and held discussion on devising a path to bring peace to neighboring Libya. The meeting came as the international condemnation was swirling over maritime and military agreements Ankara had signed last week with the government in Tripoli that's backed by the west and led by Fayez Sarraz. Under the military agreement, Turkey may send military personnel and equipment to bolster the Tripoli-based government despite a U.N. arms embargo. Under the maritime agreement, Turkey will be given access to a contested economic zone in eastern Mediterranean, drawing flak from as diverse of nations as Greece, Cyprus and Egypt as well as a rival government based in eastern Libya. The international community itself is fractured in its allegiance to two rival governments. Libya's Tripoli-based western government is recognized by Italy and Qatar, while Benghazi-based government led by Libyan National Army leader Gen. Khalifa Hifter is backed by Russia, Egypt, Jordan, France and UAE.
Fissure Deepens in Pro-western Government over Agreements with Turkey
In a widening rift with Prime Minister Fayez Sarraz, Tripoli-based administration's parliamentary speaker on December 28, 2019 denounced any presence of Turkish military on Libyan soil. Speaker Aguila Saleh issued a joint statement with his Cypriot counterpart, Demetris Syllouris, calling any potential deployment of Turkish troops in Libya as "unacceptable" and destabilizing for the entire region. The statement also denounced the maritime agreement that Turkey signed. Aguila Saleh unloaded on Prime Minister Fayez Sarraz, saying the premier had no authority to unilaterally sign any agreement without approval of a nine-member presidential council and parliament.
Russia, Turkey Push for a Libya Cease-fire
As the battle between west-backed, Tripoli-based Government of National Accord and Benghazi-based government led by Gen. Khalifa Hifter of Libyan National Army is getting more intense and engulfing more areas, creating a disastrous scenario for hundreds of thousands of Libyans, Russia and Turkey have pushed for a cease-fire. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at Istanbul on January 8, 2020 to discuss a possible cease-fire. Both have pushed for a truce beginning January 12, 2020, and in a joint statement emphasized on securing "an immediate cease-fire" to facilitate beginning of an "inclusive intra-Libyan political process under U.N. auspices".
Also, on January 8, 2020, Khalifa Hifter met with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on the Libyan situation.
Talks with Warring Groups' Leaders in Moscow as a Fragile Cease-fire Barely Holds
Although a cease-fire worked out by Russia and Turkey went into effect on January 12, 2020, the premier of Tripoli-based, U.N-backed Government of National Accord, Fayez Sarraz, and Benghazi-based rival government head, Khalifa Hifter, on January 13, 2020 met with Russian and Turkish officials in Moscow for more than seven hours. However, leaders didn't hold talks directly. However, the outcome of the session was not conclusive.
Cease-fire on the Verge of Collapsing
A cease-fire holding in a fragile way since January 12, 2020 was about to unravel on January 14, 2020 as eastern rebel government head Gen. Khalifa Hifter left Moscow during the day without signing a cease-fire agreement. The draft was signed by Fayez Sarraz on January 13, 2020.
Berlin Agreement Renews Arms Embargo on Warring Parties
International players and regional stakeholders on January 19, 2020 met at the German Chancellor Angela Merkel's office in Berlin and, after four hours of talks, agreed to a deal to commit U.N.-mandated arms embargo on warring sides in Libya, put a hold on military support either to Tripoli-based government or Benghazi-based government and push both sides to continue observing a truce that began on January 12, 2020. Among those attended the January 19, 2020, meeting at the German Chancellery were Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and American Foreign Secretary Mike Pompeo. The summit's final statement said that parties needed to "refrain from activities exacerbating the conflict or inconsistent with the (U.N.) arms embargo or the ceasefire, including the financing of the military capabilities or the recruitment of mercenaries".
A Week after Agreement, Rivals Up in the Arms in Libya's West
A week after a January 19, 2020, international agreement in Berlin, Tripoli-based Government of National Accord and Benghazi-based rebel government engaged in fighting on January 26, 2020 as both eyed the latest prize: Libya's western frontier and coastal powerhouse of Misrata. The clashes continued as the United Nations during the day called out unspecified countries for "continued blatant violations" of an arms embargo.
U.N. Security Council Okays Libyan Peace Plan
U.N. Security Council on February 12, 2020 approved a 55-point peace plan that had been crafted on January 19, 2020 in Berlin. The resolution to endorse the 55-point peace plan was introduced by Britain, and was approved by 14-0 votes. Although Russia abstained from the U.N. Security Council voting, Vladimir Putin attended the January 19, 2020, Berlin conference and apparently blessed the peace agreement at that time. British Ambassador to the U.N. Karen Pierce said that all the resolution did "is give the concrete expression to the commitments" of Berlin deal.
U.N.-backed Government Suspends Talks with Rebels
Libya's U.N.-backed government, Tripoli-based Government of National Accord, on February 18, 2020 suspended talks in Geneva that resumed just hours ago after complaining that Benghazi-based Hifter Khalifa-led Libyan National Army had attacked the Tripoli Port in violation to January 12, 2020, ceasefire mediated by Russia and Turkey. The head of the U.N. Support Mission in Libya, or UNSMIL, Ghassan Salame, called the LNA's port attack a "big breach" of the cease-fire.
Rebel Forces Declare Cease-fire
Rebels loyal to Benghazi-based Khalifa Hifter on April 29, 2020 declared a cease-fire during the Holy month of Ramadan that would also pave the way for international aid agencies to focus on efforts to mitigate novel coronavirus pandemic.
Despite Cease-fire Declaration, Fighting Resumes
Nine days after declaring a cease-fire in the month of Ramadan, eastern forces had resumed fighting against the U.N.-backed government in Tripoli on May 8, 2020, launching several mortars and rockets that had landed near the Italian Embassy, killing three to four civilians. On May 9, 2020, fighting erupted at the Tripoli airport, hitting aircraft at ground and blowing up a fuel container.
Hifter's Forces Retreat; Foreign Meddling Increases Subsequently
After eastern government of Khalifa Hifter's loyalist forces were forced to withdraw from a strategic airbase, al-Watiya Air Base, southwest of Tripoli in May 2020, there was no options, but to carry out a complete withdrawal in June 2020 from the neighboring areas of Tripoli where Libyan National Army had dug in for several months and, at one point, was poised to take over the capital from the U.N.-backed government. Foreign powers are jockeying for stakes in Libya because of the middle-east nation's rich natural resources. On one hand, Turkey, Qatar and Italy are supporting the Tripoli-based U.N.-backed government, while Egypt, Russia and UAE are backing the Benghazi-based Khalifa Hifter's forces. Turkey sent military ware and Syrian rebels to the battlefield and turned the tide in favor of Tripoli-based government. Turkey had stationed air-defense systems and other military gears at al-Watiya Air Base after Hifter's force lost control of it. On July 4, 2020 night, airstrikes hit and damaged several military gears at al-Watiya Air Base, implying Hifter's forces were now seeing this strategic airbase as a prime target and chip away at Turkish dominance in Libya. Meanwhile, Egyptian President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi threatened this weekend that any Turkish-backed adventure in Sirte, rumored over past several days, and effort to capture another airbase, Jurfa Air Base, would be considered as crossing "a red line".
LIBYA
The US State Department on January 10, 2014 designated two Libyan branches of Ansar al-Sharia, based in Benghazi and Darnah, as well as a third branch based in neighboring Tunisia "foreign terrorist organization". The department also named their respective leaders Sufyan bin Qumu, leader of Darnah branch, Ahmad Abu Khattala of Benghazi branch, and Seifallah Ben Hassine of Tunisian branch as "global terrorists". Qumu was released from Guantanamo Bay prison in 2007. Several media reports mentioned recent sealed indictments against Khattala and an unspecified number of people, implicating them in September 11, 2012, attack on the US diplomatic mission in Benghazi that had killed ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans. Hassine was suspected to be involved in September 14, 2012, attack on the US Embassy and the American School in Tunisia that had put about 100 US employees in the harm's way. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
A Senate Intelligence panel report issued on January 15, 2014 found that the September 11, 2012, attack on US diplomatic mission in Benghazi was avoidable. The report held State Department, military and Intelligence community accountable for failure to prevent the attack that had killed the then-ambassador Christopher Stevens, information technology specialist Sean Smith, CIA security contractors Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, both former Navy SEALs. (Source: The Dallas Morning News)
Premier Losses Confidence Vote
On March 11, 2014, Libyan premier Ali Zeidan lost confidence vote in parliament, and National Congress afterward appointed Defense Minister Abdullah al-Thani as acting Prime Minister for a period of 15 days.
Interim Premier Quits
Despite a parliamentary mandate, the interim premier Abdullah al-Thani announced on April 13, 2014 that he would quit, precipitating a political crisis that had been spinning out of control in recent months amid lawlessness, a fragile federal government and increasing rivalry among country's myriad of militant groups who had fought against the Gadhafi rule. Al-Thani, whose decision to resign is rumored to have been motivated by threat to his and his family's security, will stay in power until a substitute is selected by the parliament.
An Islamist Takes the Helms of Affair as Premier
Amid walkout by secular lawmakers, Libyan parliament on May 4, 2014 elected an Islamist businessman, Ahmed Matiq, as the country's new Prime Minister.
Unrest and Fighting Breaks out in Benghazi
An armed group loyal to former General Khalifa Hifter launched attacks on Islamic militant strongholds in Benghazi on May 16, 2014, and even deployed a helicopter to strike the targets. On May 17, 2014, Hifter's faction urged residents to flee parts of Benghazi in advance of an impending attack. Meanwhile the fragile central government in Tripoli, which lacks control over myriads of militias spread across the country, issued a rare warning rebuking Hifter for exceeding his authority and announced imposing a no-fly zone over Benghazi in the wake of helicopter attack.
Hifter's Forces Attack Parliament; Suspend Parliament
Former General Khalifa Hifter's so called Libyan National Army brandished armory and weapons to scare away lawmakers from parliament on May 18, 2014, and suspended the parliament. However, on early May 19, 2014, Libya's fragile federal government's justice minister, Salah al-Marghani, criticized the move by Hifter's forces, calling for an "immediate end of the use" of military force.
Hifter Justifies Force to Oust Islamist-tied Parliament
The former general who had launched an intense attack on Islamic militants in Benghazi on May 16, 2014 justified suspending national parliament in a telephone interview on May 20, 2014. Former General Khalifa Hifter said that he didn't have any options, including talks, available to deal with "General National Congress", referring the national parliament. Meanwhile, Libyan High Election Commission announced May 20 that the parliamentary polls would be held on June 25, 2014.
Ex-general Gets Recognition and Political Cover
The former general, who had launched an attack on Islamists in Benghazi on May 16, 2014 and subsequently expanded his campaign, dubbed as "Operation Dignity, to Tripoli to suspend parliament and scare away lawmakers, on May 21, 2014 received backing from the country's Interior Ministry as well as from the former PM Ali Zidan. Former General Khalifa Hifter also went on TV to ask the country's judiciary to form a presidential council to take over powers.
Islamist Backed by National Parliament to form Government
Despite a threat by a renegade general and abstention by secular lawmakers, Libya's Islamist lawmakers met on May 25, 2014 to elect Ahmed Maiteg as premier and invited him to form a national government. Maiteg was supported by 83 of 93 lawmakers, who attended the session at a secure palace east of the capital.
US Issues Travel Warning, Sends Warship
On May 27, 2014, the US State Department issued travel warning asking Americans not to travel to Libya and the one already in the country to prepare for leaving as soon as possible. On May 28, 2014, U.S. sent the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan toward Libyan coast in case if there were need for evacuation of Americans amid two helicopters tied to Khalifa Hifter's forces hit positions of Ansar al-Shariah and February 17 militia at Benghazi.
Central Figure of the 2012 Benghazi Consulate Attack Captured
U.S. announced on June 17, 2014 that American commandoes seized Ahmed Abu Khattala, a key figure whom many in western intelligence community believed had orchestrated the fateful attack on U.S. consular facilities in Benghazi on September 11, 2012 that had killed the then-U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three others, from eastern Libya in a daring raid just after midnight on June 15, 2014. Khattala was being taken to a U.S. ship for interrogation.
Libya Denounces Unilateral US Action to Capture Khattala
On June 18, 2014, Libya's interim government blasted the U.S. capture of Khattala without informing the Libyan authorities as flagrant violation of country's sovereignty. Libyan Justice Minister Saleh Marghani also demanded that Khattala be returned to Libya to face justice.
U.S. Justifies Capture of Khattala without Informing Libya
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power sent a one-page letter to the U.N. Security Council on June 19, 2014 providing a detailed explanation and rationale behind taking unilateral action to capture terror mastermind Ahmed Abu Khattala. In the letter, U.S. alleged that Khattala was planning additional attacks on U.S. interests in the region, and U.S. had to take measures as part of "inherent right of self-defense".
U.S. Closes Embassy in Libya
As inter-militia fighting broke out in the open near U.S. embassy in Tripoli, U.S. State Department on July 26, 2014 suspended all operations in the embassy and evacuated all of its staff members from Libya.
Benghazi Falls to Islamic Fighters
After days of intense fighting, the eastern city of Benghazi fell on July 31, 2014 to the rebels from hard-core Islamic militants. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Libyans were fleeing the country as fighting had escalated over the control of Tripoli's international airport.
Fighting Rages Amid Convening of Parliament
Amid continuing fighting over the control of Tripoli's international airport, country's parliament convened on August 4, 2014 at the eastern port city of Tobruk. Despite Islamic militants' call to boycott out of capital meeting of parliament, 158 of 188 lawmakers attended the session, rebuffing the Islamic militants. Twelve seats of the 200-member parliament are still vacant as elections have not been held in those constituencies due to security vacuum. Meanwhile, a respected Egyptian politician, Amr Moussa, raised the specter of Egyptian involvement in Libyan chaos as he said on August 4, 2014 that Egypt should keep the option open to send the boots on ground in Libya to tame the explosive situation.
Joint Airstrikes by UAE and Egypt Against Libyan Targets
In a sign of increasing bonhomie and brotherhood with the Persian Gulf nations that has potential to significantly alter the regional political balance, Egypt led a joint airstrikes in concert with UAE against targets deep inside Libya twice in the past week.
Islamic Militia Sweeps Tripoli, Seizes Vacant US Embassy
Islamic militia fighters, led by Dawn of Libya, made sweeping military victory over other militant groups in their quest for the capital, Tripoli, and its international airport. On August 31, 2014, the sweep was near complete and Zintan militia was ousted from the vacant US embassy complex.
Islamic State-Tied Extremists Kill 10 at a Hotel
An Islamic State-affiliated group in Libya on January 27, 2015 claimed to have carried out an outrageous attack earlier in the day on Corinthia Hotel in Tripoli that had killed 10, including one American and four other foreigners.
Video of Coptic Beheadings Appears
A Libyan local affiliate of Islamic State on February 15, 2015 were shown on a video to have beheaded 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians kidnapped in Libya. The local affiliate, Tripolitania Province of Islamic State, was one of three Libya-based franchises of Islamic State. The other two local ISIL franchises are based in Barqa in the east and Fezzan in the south. The setting in the video indicated that the beheadings seemed to have taken place on a rocky Mediterranean coast in western Libya. Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi announced a seven-day mourning, called his emergency security cabinet meeting and vowed to take avenge by "necessary means and timing" for the killing of his countrymen, who had gone to Libya to make a living.
Egypt Bombs Libya amid a Flurry of Diplomacy
Egyptian Air Force on February 16, 2015, a day after a gruesome video showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians circulated over the internet, bombed targets in the eastern Libyan city of Derna amid hectic diplomatic activities at the behest of Cairo to form an international coalition in the mold of U.S.-led air coalition in Syria and Iraq. Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi had talks on February 16, 2015 with French President Francois Hollande and Italian premier to coordinate their common battle against ISIL that now, for the first time, had expanded its reach beyond its traditional strongholds of Iraq and Syria. France on February 16, 2015 announced a deal to sell fighter jets to Egypt and maintain preparedness of its troops already stationed outside Libya's southern border in Niger, an African nation it had ruled during the era of colonization. Italy's Defense Minister Ms. Roberta Pinotti said in an interview published in February 15, 2015, edition of Il Messaggero that Italy had geographic, historic and security compulsion to intervene, if needed, in Libya. El-Sisi, who had visited during the day (February 16) to offer condolence to Pope Tawadros II of Egyptian Coptic Church, sent his Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri to New York to consult at the U.N. before an international conference on terrorism opened on February 18, 2015.
Islamic State-Tied Extremists Explode Car Bombs at Libyan City in Response to Egyptian Airstrikes
Three car bombs carried out by the ISIL-tied suicide bombers rocked the western-backed coalition-held city of Qubba on February 20, 2015, killing at least 40 people and wounding more than 70. The attack in Qubba, close to country's borders with Egypt, was thought to be handiwork of ISIL-tied Libyan militants to avenge the February 16, 2015, Egyptian airstrikes against targets in the city of Derna. Libya is torn by rivalries among many militia groups and tribes, and is being ruled by two rival governments and has two rival parliament. The western-backed Libyan parliament has been relocated to Tobruk, and a previous parliament, dominated by the Islamists, is seated at Tripoli, country's capital.
Mass Executions of Christians by ISIL-tied Groups
After mass beheadings of Egyptian Coptic Christians on February 15, 2015 carried out by Tripolitania franchise of ISIL based out of western Libya, the other two ISIL franchises in Libya, Barqa franchise based in the east and Fezzan franchise in the south, felt pressured to do something similarly dramatic. ISIL on April 19, 2015 released a video showing that its brethren in Barqa and Fezzan franchises had carried out beheadings and gunning downs of a number of Ethiopian Christians on a Libyan beach.
Gadhafi's Son Sentenced to Die
A Tripoli court on July 28, 2015 handed down a death sentence to former dictator Moammar Gadhafi's son and onetime heir apparent Seif al-Islam Gadhafi for committing crimes during 2011 uprising. However, it's unlikely that Gadhafi, who is captive under a separate Libyan militia group in the country's west, will be put to death anytime soon as the rival militia group that holds son Gadhafi hostage defies the authority in Tripoli. In addition to Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, the same court sentenced eight other former government officials, including former spy chief Abdullah al-Senoussi, former intelligence chief Abuzed Omar-Dorda and former premier Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi, to death on July 28, 2015.
International Push to Form Unity Government in Libya
Diplomats from 17 nations met at Rome on December 13, 2015 to push and prod 15 Libyan leaders from rival factions, who had attended the meeting, to form a unity government in an effort to deprive ISIL and other extremist groups from getting a foothold in Libya. A joint statement by the diplomats, who had assembled under the auspices of U.N., EU, African Union and Arab League, issued on December 13, 2015 after the meeting called on "all parties to accept an immediate, comprehensive cease-fire in all parts of Libya". Summarizing the mood of the meeting, the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said after the meeting that "we refuse to stand by and watch a vacuum filled by terrorists". Libya's rival leaders will now head to Morocco on December 16, 2015 to broach and broaden discussion on forming a unity government.
Rival Factions Sign Agreement to form National Unity Government
Rival factions in Libya's civil war met at Skhirat, Morocco, on December 16, 2015 to hash out outstanding differences in the way of forming a national unity government. The two-day talks, backed by western nations and the U.N., concluded on December 17, 2015 with signing of an agreement with a pledge to form a national unity government, an important step to end years of chaos and civil war in Libya.
Attack on a Libyan Police Base Kills Dozens
A massive truck bomb exploded at a police base in the western Libyan city of Zilten on January 7, 2016, killing at least 60 police personnel. In a Twitter message posted by ISIL sympathizers as reported by The Associated Press on January 8, 2016, the suicide bomber was identified as Abu al-Abbas al-Muhajir, who had carried out the attack on behalf of the Islamic State Barqa Province, a Libyan affiliate.
Unity Government Formed
As part of the December 17, 2015, agreement signed at Skhirat, Morocco by various parties, a unity government was formed on January 19, 2016. Now, it has to be seen whether the new unity government may be able to function. Libya's Unity Presidential Council issued a statement on January 19, 2016, unveiling a 32-member Cabinet led by the premier-designate Fayez Sarraz. The Unity Presidential Council was established as a result of Skhirat Agreement signed on December 17, 2015, and included members from rival legislatures and governments. It's based in Tunis, Tunisia. Premier-designate Sarraz has 10 days to win approval for his cabinet from internationally backed parliament seated in east of the country. Sarraz has 30 days to lead effort to implement other requirement of Skhirat Agreement, including withdrawal of armed militia from Libyan cities. European Union Foreign Policy chief Frederica Mogherini on January 19, 2016 called the day's development steps in the right direction. What is puzzling is how ministers of the proposed cabinet owing allegiance to different interests will work as a team. The Defense Minister-designate Al-Mahdi al-Barghathi is known to belong to internationally backed government seated in the east, fighting against radical Islamist forces, and be loyal to army chief Gen. Khalifa Hifter, a controversial figure in Libyan diaspora. The Interior Minister-designate Al-Aref al-Khoga, on the other hand, is known for his proximity and link to Islamist groups.
U.S. Airstrikes Target ISIL Camp in Libya
Two F-15 warplanes, taking off the Britain's Lakenheath Air Base, struck a training camp on the wee hours of February 19, 2016 near Sabratha in the northwest of Libya, killing at least 40 militants, including mastermind of two major attacks in Tunisia, Noureddine Chouchane, a fellow Tunisian.
Two Serbian Embassy Employees among Dead in U.S. Airstrikes
A day after two U.S. F-15 warplanes struck at a training camp near Sabratha in Libya's northwestern coast, reports emerged on February 20, 2016 that among at least 43 dead were two Serbian hostages. Serbia formally lodged complaint against the U.S. airstrike, and so did the internationally backed parliament seated in the eastern city of Tobruk, calling the U.S. airstrikes as flagrant violation in the country's sovereignty. Meanwhile, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic told a news conference at Belgrade on February 20, 2016 that the two dead Serbians were Sladjana Stankovic, a communications officer with the Serbian embassy in Libya, and Jovica Stepic, a driver. Both were seized in a November 8, 2015, attack on their convoy en route to Tunisia. Serb ambassador and his family were in another car, and they escaped unhurt.
Libyans Celebrate Liberation of Parts of the City
Residents of Benghazi, divided since 2014 between ISIL- and al-Qaeda-held parts on one hand and western-backed government troops-held parts on the other hand, poured on the streets on February 23, 2016 to celebrate by honking, playing music and screaming in a joyous environment after Islamic radicals were ousted earlier in the day from the al-Laithi district of Benghazi after a two-day fierce fighting.
Unity Government Exerts Authority in Capital
Almost three-and-half months after its formation, authorities in the unity government arrived by boatload at the Tripoli harbor on April 1, 2016.
Rival Islamist Government Resigns
In a boost to international effort, the rival Islamic government earlier based in Tripoli on April 5, 2016 absolved itself from executive authority and work in the "interests of the nation".
U.S., West to Arm Libyan Government
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry rallied diplomats from about 20 nations, including Security Council members, at a meeting in Vienna on May 16, 2016 to seek an exemption to an existing arms embargo on Libya so that internationally recognized Government of National Accord might be strengthened to defend itself against offensives by assertive Islamic extremists.
Unity Government Soldiers Enter Islamic State Stronghold
The soldiers and militia belonging to the Tripoli-based unity government on June 8, 2016 entered into the city of Sirte, until now a stronghold of Islamic State, with very little resistance. On June 9, 2016, the pro-unity government fighters took control over the city center of Sirte, and destroyed the so-called "stage of horror", a place in the city center where IS used to carry out the beheadings during its reign of terror.
France Admits Clandestine Libyan Operation
French Defense Ministry on July 20, 2016 acknowledged the French involvement in clandestine operation against ISIL in Libya, and said that three of its soldiers had been killed on July 17, 2016. The Associated Press reported that the soldiers were killed in an attack on their helicopter by an Islamic militia group known as Defending Benghazi Brigade. Le Monde first reported in February 2016 that several thousands French troops were involved in "clandestine mission" in Libya, and also said that an airstrike in November 2015 that had killed Abu Nabil al-Anbari, the mastermind of February 2015 beheadings of 21 Coptic Christians, was initiated by France. Initially, Libya denied the Le Monde report and France said that its involvement was mere reconnaissance, but July 20, 2016, acknowledgement by French Defense Ministry revealed a much deeper French involvement in Libya.
U.S. Launches Airstrikes in Libya
Pentagon on August 1, 2016 acknowledged direct U.S. involvement in unity government's push to oust ISIL militants from their stronghold of Sirte. At the request of the unity government, American warplanes carried out airstrikes against ISIL targets in Sirte, according to a statement released by Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook on August 1, 2016.
Car Bomb Kills 23 in Benghazi
As ISIL and other Islamic extremists received one jolt after another in battlefields from Syria to Iraq to Libya, they had been turning in more frequency in recent days on more guerilla-style tactic and soft targets beyond their battle zones. The recent evidence came from Benghazi in Libya, a city far from Sirte, the focus of the ongoing offensive against ISIL, as a suicide car bomb on August 2, 2016 targeted Libyan troops in al-Qarwarha neighborhood, killing at least 23 and wounding more than dozens. The suicide car bombing came a day after U.S. airstrikes--requested on behalf of the internationally recognized government and presidency council--were launched to help the government offensive against ISIL in Sirte. An umbrella group of Islamic extremists, including al-Qaeda-tied Ansar al-Shariah, formally known as Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries took credit for the August 2, 2016, Benghazi car bombing.
Sirte Liberated by Western-backed Authorities
After days of ferocious fighting by Misrata militias and other related fighters under the auspices of the Government of National Accord, the U.N.-backed Libyan authority, the heart of administrative powers of Sirte was ridden of ISIL fighters on August 10, 2016. The Libyan flag was flown on the Ouagadougou Center. The military victory was facilitated by U.S. airstrikes, which totaled about 28 since the beginning of the American air campaign launched on August 1, 2016.
Still Pockets of Resistance Lie in Sirte
The just-returned mayor of Sirte, Mukhtar Khalifa, said on August 11, 2016 that there were few pockets of ISIL presence still in his city despite the militant group's overall rout from most of the city, including its administrative heart surrounding Ouagadougou Center.
Suicide Car Bombs Kill 10 Libyan Soldiers in the Liberated City
Crushed in the battlefield and after losing the control of once-bastion Sirte, ISIL reverted back to more guerrilla-style attack to make its presence felt. On August 18, 2016, it sent suicide bombers to blow up two car bombs in Sirte that had killed 10 Libyan soldiers and wounded more than 20 others. Meanwhile, U.N. is pushing the rival Libyan faction to speed up the democratic process by national unity parliament to vote for premier-designate Fayez Serraj, whose parliamentary vote of approval has been hanging since the national unity government's formation last December.
Chemical Weapons Taken out of Libya in an International Operation
Following up on a July 2016 request from Libya's unity government to the U.N. to help get rid the country of chemical weapons and the subsequent confidence expressed by Ahmet Uzumcu, head of Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), for verifiable elimination of Libya's chemical weaponry, a Danish-flagged ship picked up chemical armaments on August 27, 2016 at the port of Misrata. Danish Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen said at Copenhagen on August 31, 2016 that the ship was on its way to Germany for permanent destruction and disposal of the weapons. Britain and Finland was lending help in maritime operation to Denmark.
Fighting Erupts over Control for Oil Terminals
Armed rebels loyal to a powerful militia leader, Gen. Khalifa Hifter, on September 11, 2016 launched attacks on the militia aligned with the U.N.-backed unity government, Petroleum Facilities Guards, at three oil terminals in Libya. As the day wore on and the night fell, two of the terminals--one at Ras Lanuf and another at Sidra--were seized by Hifter's fighters while fierce clash was going at Zuwaytinah, according to Reuters.
Rebel Leader's Fighters Complete Seizure of Three Oil Terminals
A day after launching attacks on the three oil terminals that handle most of the oil shipment from Libya, fighters loyal to rebel leader Gen. Khalifa Hifter on September 12, 2016 completed the sweep of wresting control of terminals at Ras Lanuf, Sidra and Zuwaytinah from the Petroleum Facilities Guards.
Two Italians and a Canadian Freed
After almost seven weeks of captivity, two Italians--Danilo Calonego and Bruno Cacace--and a Canadian, Frank Poccia, were released, and in early hours of November 5, 2016, the trio were flown in to Italy.
American B-2 Bombers Strike Libyan Targets
A day before leaving office, Obama administration disclosed on January 19, 2017 that a pair of B-2 stealth bombers had taken off Missouri's Whiteman Air Force Base on January 18, 2017, flew half the world to bomb ISIL sites 30 miles southwest of Sirte and returned safely to the base. ordered to carry out an air raid on ISIL targets in the desert south of Libyan coastal city of Sirte. According to Pentagon, at least 80 militants were killed in B-2 raid. Addressing the reporters, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on January 19, 2017 that the militants were plotting attacks in Europe. A month earlier, on December 19, 2016, Pentagon announced the official end of the air campaign in support of the unity government, formally known as the Government of National Accord, after launching it on August 1, 2016 and carrying out a total of 495 sorties. Using B-2 bombers in a situation like this was very unusual, and last time, they had been used in 2011 to oust Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi.
Regional Talks to Foster Unity Among Libyan Factions
Representatives from Libya's neighbors met at Cairo on January 21, 2017 to chart a course forward for the beleaguered North African nation as leaders from Egypt, Sudan, Algeria, Chad, Niger and Tunisia warned their Libyan counterparts not to settle their rivalry through military means. According to an official communique issued later on January 21, 2017, the Cairo meeting "decisively" rejected a military solution to the Libyan crisis. Instead it espoused for "a comprehensive political dialogue" among parties as the "only way out of this crisis". Addressing a press conference, host of the meeting and the Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri said that efforts were underway to bring together three of Libya's power structures: Tripoli government, country's parliament seated in the eastern city of Tobruk and the leader of Libya's "National Army". The Cairo meeting also called for financial aid for Libya where millions of people faced acute shortage of food and essential commodities.
Special Ops Capture a Key Benghazi Suspect
American Special Operations Forces on October 30, 2017 seized a key Benghazi suspect, later identified as Mustafa al-Imam, linked to the attack on U.S. consulate office in 2012 that had killed four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens.
Libyans Celebrate Eighth Anniversary of Uprising
Contrasting mood prevailed in two parts of the country on the ever of February 17, 2019, anniversary of uprising eight years ago that had toppled dictator Moammar Gadhafi and his eventual killing. While a celebratory mood prevailed in Misrata, Tripoli and Zawiya, the mood in the eastern city of Benghazi was somber as the faction allied with Gen. Khalifa Hifter, supported by Russia, Egypt and the UAE, which control the eastern city, didn't see the day exactly in the same manner as others.
Libya Hurtling to Security Abyss as Eastern Strongman Sends Fighters to the Capital
Libyan strongman who de facto rules over the large parts of eastern Libya, including Benghazi, Gen. Khalifa Hifter, on April 4, 2019 sent his formidable fighters to Tripoli in a direct fight against the soldiers associated with the western-backed government there. Gen. Hifter's April 4, 2019, order came just days before an April 14-16, 2019, U.N. conference aimed at bringing factions which were at odds to bring together and had the potential to unravel a fragile security equilibrium currently existent in the country. Sensing the gravity of the situation, U.N. Security Council has called an emergency session for April 5, 2019 and U.N.S.G. Antonio Guterres is scheduled to meet with Gen. Khalifa Hifter on April 5, 2019 at Benghazi.
U.N. Chief Fails to Dissuade Libyan Strongman as Fighting Rages
As the fighting between Khalifa Hifter's Libyan National Army and fighters allied with the western-backed government rages in the outskirt of the capital, Tripoli, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on April 5, 2019 met with Hifter at Benghazi and asked him to refrain from escalating the situation further. However, Guterres' diplomacy seemed to have failed to persuade Hifter to do any course correction. Expressing his frustration as he was leaving Benghazi, Guterres twitted that he was "leaving with a heavy heart and deeply concerned".
U.S. Pulls Forces Temporarily from Libya as Fighting Ensnares Tripoli
U.S. on April 7, 2019 withdrew some troops from Libya, citing deteriorating security situation. A hovercraft was seen departing the port of Janzur, west of Tripoli, with U.S. soldiers and hardware. Even with the withdrawal, the U.S. Africa Command chief, Marine Corps Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, said that "we will continue to remain agile" in the region.
Meanwhile, fighting between western-backed government seated in Tripoli and Khalifa Hifter continued in and around Tripoli. The head of the western-backed government seated in Tripoli, Fayez Sarraj, on April 7, 2019 accused Khalifa Hifter of "betraying" him. Fayez Sarraj and Khalifa Hifter met in late February 2019 in Abu Dhabi and stressed on holding national elections. To Sarraj, the sudden and swift attack by Hifter's forces on Tripoli was an absolute shock and political betrayal. Meanwhile, the U.N. envoy for Libya, Ghassan Salame, said during the day that the planned U.N. conference on Libya scheduled for April 14-16, 2019 would go ahead.
U.N. Estimates 8,000 People Displaced
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on April 11, 2019 that at least 8,000 people had been displaced from areas in and around Tripoli since Khalifa Hifter's Libyan National Army had launched an offensive against Tripoli on April 4, 2019.
WHO Estimates 146 Deaths and 614 Injuries in Tripoli Battle
World Health Organization on April 15, 2019 made public its estimates of killed and injured since April 4, 2019, launch of Tripoli campaign by eastern strongman Khalifa Hifter. According to WHO estimate, 146 people were killed and 614 were injured over the past 10 days.
At Least 220 Killed in Two-week Fighting
The Associated Press reported on April 20, 2019 that at least 220 people--including fighters tied to U.N.-backed administration seated in Tripoli and Libyan National Army led by Gen. Khalifa Hifter--had been killed in fierce campaign over the control of the seaside capital since Benghazi-based strongman, Gen. Khalifa Hifter, announced the campaign on April 4, 2019 to seize Tripoli.
Eastern Strongman's Air Attack on Migrant Camp Kills 44
In the early hours of July 3, 2019, Gen. Khalifa Hifter's Libyan National Army carried out an airstrike on a target at Tripoli's Tajoura neighborhood that had hit a migrant shelter, killing at least 44 migrants.
U.N. Security Council Urges Sides to De-escalate
In the backdrop of an errant July 3, 2019, airstrike that turned deadly after it had hit a migrant camp at Tripoli's Tajoura neighborhood and killed 53 people, including six children, according to the International Organization for Migration, as well as injured more than 130, U.N. Security Council held a session on July 5, 2019, and issued urgent call for an immediate de-escalation and a cease-fire to defuse the situation. Since the fighting between Gen. Khalifa Hifter's Libyan National Army and the western-backed government and related militia began on April 4, 2019, international community had been worried of the instability that this recent flare-up would cause in a country that was already a brewing ground of Islamic extremism and migrant crisis.
Intense Fighting near Tripoli Puts Thousands at Risk
Two days after Benghazi-based government head Khalifa Hifter's December 12, 2019, vow to launch a "final" and decisive push, his Libyan National Army had mounted a vigorous attack from Tripoli's south on December 14, 2019. The escalation put tens of thousands of capital's residents and Government of National Accord, west-supported government, at the cross-hairs of a looming disaster. LNA's media office also said during the day that it had shot down a Turkish drone over the town of Ain Zara, south of Tripoli. LNA launched airstrikes overnight on an airbase at the Air Force Academy in the city of Misrata.
Turkey's Deals with Government Draw fire; Tunis-Turkey Effort to Bring Peace to Libya
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on December 25, 2019 met with his Tunisian counterpart, Kais Saied, at Tunis and held discussion on devising a path to bring peace to neighboring Libya. The meeting came as the international condemnation was swirling over maritime and military agreements Ankara had signed last week with the government in Tripoli that's backed by the west and led by Fayez Sarraz. Under the military agreement, Turkey may send military personnel and equipment to bolster the Tripoli-based government despite a U.N. arms embargo. Under the maritime agreement, Turkey will be given access to a contested economic zone in eastern Mediterranean, drawing flak from as diverse of nations as Greece, Cyprus and Egypt as well as a rival government based in eastern Libya. The international community itself is fractured in its allegiance to two rival governments. Libya's Tripoli-based western government is recognized by Italy and Qatar, while Benghazi-based government led by Libyan National Army leader Gen. Khalifa Hifter is backed by Russia, Egypt, Jordan, France and UAE.
Fissure Deepens in Pro-western Government over Agreements with Turkey
In a widening rift with Prime Minister Fayez Sarraz, Tripoli-based administration's parliamentary speaker on December 28, 2019 denounced any presence of Turkish military on Libyan soil. Speaker Aguila Saleh issued a joint statement with his Cypriot counterpart, Demetris Syllouris, calling any potential deployment of Turkish troops in Libya as "unacceptable" and destabilizing for the entire region. The statement also denounced the maritime agreement that Turkey signed. Aguila Saleh unloaded on Prime Minister Fayez Sarraz, saying the premier had no authority to unilaterally sign any agreement without approval of a nine-member presidential council and parliament.
Russia, Turkey Push for a Libya Cease-fire
As the battle between west-backed, Tripoli-based Government of National Accord and Benghazi-based government led by Gen. Khalifa Hifter of Libyan National Army is getting more intense and engulfing more areas, creating a disastrous scenario for hundreds of thousands of Libyans, Russia and Turkey have pushed for a cease-fire. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at Istanbul on January 8, 2020 to discuss a possible cease-fire. Both have pushed for a truce beginning January 12, 2020, and in a joint statement emphasized on securing "an immediate cease-fire" to facilitate beginning of an "inclusive intra-Libyan political process under U.N. auspices".
Also, on January 8, 2020, Khalifa Hifter met with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on the Libyan situation.
Talks with Warring Groups' Leaders in Moscow as a Fragile Cease-fire Barely Holds
Although a cease-fire worked out by Russia and Turkey went into effect on January 12, 2020, the premier of Tripoli-based, U.N-backed Government of National Accord, Fayez Sarraz, and Benghazi-based rival government head, Khalifa Hifter, on January 13, 2020 met with Russian and Turkish officials in Moscow for more than seven hours. However, leaders didn't hold talks directly. However, the outcome of the session was not conclusive.
Cease-fire on the Verge of Collapsing
A cease-fire holding in a fragile way since January 12, 2020 was about to unravel on January 14, 2020 as eastern rebel government head Gen. Khalifa Hifter left Moscow during the day without signing a cease-fire agreement. The draft was signed by Fayez Sarraz on January 13, 2020.
Berlin Agreement Renews Arms Embargo on Warring Parties
International players and regional stakeholders on January 19, 2020 met at the German Chancellor Angela Merkel's office in Berlin and, after four hours of talks, agreed to a deal to commit U.N.-mandated arms embargo on warring sides in Libya, put a hold on military support either to Tripoli-based government or Benghazi-based government and push both sides to continue observing a truce that began on January 12, 2020. Among those attended the January 19, 2020, meeting at the German Chancellery were Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and American Foreign Secretary Mike Pompeo. The summit's final statement said that parties needed to "refrain from activities exacerbating the conflict or inconsistent with the (U.N.) arms embargo or the ceasefire, including the financing of the military capabilities or the recruitment of mercenaries".
A Week after Agreement, Rivals Up in the Arms in Libya's West
A week after a January 19, 2020, international agreement in Berlin, Tripoli-based Government of National Accord and Benghazi-based rebel government engaged in fighting on January 26, 2020 as both eyed the latest prize: Libya's western frontier and coastal powerhouse of Misrata. The clashes continued as the United Nations during the day called out unspecified countries for "continued blatant violations" of an arms embargo.
U.N. Security Council Okays Libyan Peace Plan
U.N. Security Council on February 12, 2020 approved a 55-point peace plan that had been crafted on January 19, 2020 in Berlin. The resolution to endorse the 55-point peace plan was introduced by Britain, and was approved by 14-0 votes. Although Russia abstained from the U.N. Security Council voting, Vladimir Putin attended the January 19, 2020, Berlin conference and apparently blessed the peace agreement at that time. British Ambassador to the U.N. Karen Pierce said that all the resolution did "is give the concrete expression to the commitments" of Berlin deal.
U.N.-backed Government Suspends Talks with Rebels
Libya's U.N.-backed government, Tripoli-based Government of National Accord, on February 18, 2020 suspended talks in Geneva that resumed just hours ago after complaining that Benghazi-based Hifter Khalifa-led Libyan National Army had attacked the Tripoli Port in violation to January 12, 2020, ceasefire mediated by Russia and Turkey. The head of the U.N. Support Mission in Libya, or UNSMIL, Ghassan Salame, called the LNA's port attack a "big breach" of the cease-fire.
Rebel Forces Declare Cease-fire
Rebels loyal to Benghazi-based Khalifa Hifter on April 29, 2020 declared a cease-fire during the Holy month of Ramadan that would also pave the way for international aid agencies to focus on efforts to mitigate novel coronavirus pandemic.
Despite Cease-fire Declaration, Fighting Resumes
Nine days after declaring a cease-fire in the month of Ramadan, eastern forces had resumed fighting against the U.N.-backed government in Tripoli on May 8, 2020, launching several mortars and rockets that had landed near the Italian Embassy, killing three to four civilians. On May 9, 2020, fighting erupted at the Tripoli airport, hitting aircraft at ground and blowing up a fuel container.
Hifter's Forces Retreat; Foreign Meddling Increases Subsequently
After eastern government of Khalifa Hifter's loyalist forces were forced to withdraw from a strategic airbase, al-Watiya Air Base, southwest of Tripoli in May 2020, there was no options, but to carry out a complete withdrawal in June 2020 from the neighboring areas of Tripoli where Libyan National Army had dug in for several months and, at one point, was poised to take over the capital from the U.N.-backed government. Foreign powers are jockeying for stakes in Libya because of the middle-east nation's rich natural resources. On one hand, Turkey, Qatar and Italy are supporting the Tripoli-based U.N.-backed government, while Egypt, Russia and UAE are backing the Benghazi-based Khalifa Hifter's forces. Turkey sent military ware and Syrian rebels to the battlefield and turned the tide in favor of Tripoli-based government. Turkey had stationed air-defense systems and other military gears at al-Watiya Air Base after Hifter's force lost control of it. On July 4, 2020 night, airstrikes hit and damaged several military gears at al-Watiya Air Base, implying Hifter's forces were now seeing this strategic airbase as a prime target and chip away at Turkish dominance in Libya. Meanwhile, Egyptian President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi threatened this weekend that any Turkish-backed adventure in Sirte, rumored over past several days, and effort to capture another airbase, Jurfa Air Base, would be considered as crossing "a red line".
War Crimes, Crimes against Humanity Might Have been Committed, U.N. Investigation Finds
An investigation commissioned by the U.N. on October 5, 2021 came out with a blasting criticism against state and non-state actors as "all parties in the conflict, including third States, foreign fighters and mercenaries, have violated international humanitarian law", according to a statement issued by the fact-finding mission chair, Mohamed Auajjar. The statement added that "some have committed war crimes". The U.N. fact-finding mission in Libya found torture and other cruel methods in the country's prison system as text book examples of crimes against humanity. Many migrants had been detained and tortured with complicit support from the state actors.
Eastern Rebels Install a New Premier
In open defiance of the U.N. and the international community, east-based
House of Representatives, country’s rebel-dominated parliament, on February
10, 2022 installed a new premier, Fathi Bashaga, a former interior
minister, to replace the incumbent, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah. East-based
lawmakers accused Abdul Hamid Dbeibah of reneging the promise of holding
national elections in December 2021.
Prime Minister Warns Chaos if He is Replaced
That the east-based House of Representatives had selected a new
premier, Fathi Bashaga, a former interior minister, to head an interim
government stoked more chaos and confusion in this North African Mediterranean
nation, with the sitting prime minister, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, refusing
to step down. On February 22, 2022, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah said that he
would not hand over power to “chaos”. He apparently put an unrealistic plan for
a June 2022 election as part of the solution. Libya’s political landscape has
worsened after its Tripoli-based government’s failure to hold a December 24,
2021, presidential election over the laws governing the polls as well as the
controversies swirling around the candidates. Dbeibah blamed Benghazi-based
warlord Khalifa Hifter for inflaming “political chaos” in the country.
Libyan Internecine Fighting in the Capital Kills at least 21
The internecine fighting between two factions dominant in Tripoli
fought a pitched battle on August 27, 2022, killing at least 21 and
driving a fragile truce to the brink of collapse. The factions are led by Haitham
Tajouri and Abdel-Ghani al-Kikli, a notorious warlord.
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Key Lockerbie Bombing Suspect in U.S. Custody
Key Lockerbie Bombing Suspect in U.S. Custody
A man accused of manufacturing the bomb that exploded midair on December
21, 1988, killing all 259—including 190 Americans—onboard the Pan
Am Flight 103 flying from London to New York City over Lockerbie and 11 on
the ground is now in the U.S. custody, according to a statement issued by Scotland’s
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service on December 11, 2022. The
U.S. authorities confirmed the report and said that Abu Agela Mas’ud Kheir
Al-Marimi would appear in the U.S. District Court for the District of
Columbia. There was no information how, where and when the man was captured.
On the eve of 32nd anniversary of the bombing, then-A.G.
William Barr unveiled charges against Abu Agela Mas’ud Kheir Al-Marimi.
The December 2020 indictment accused Al-Marimi of manufacturing the bomb with
the blessing of Libyan intelligence and former leader Moammar Gadhafi. The
indictment also brought into attention that Gadhafi, who had ruled Libya from
1969 to 2011, had thanked Abu Agela Mas’ud Kheir Al-Marimi for making
the Lockerbie bomb. He flew to Malta to meet with two coconspirators and hand
over the suitcase bomb and returned to Tripoli, according to the December
2020 indictment. Two other coconspirators
are Abdel Basset al-Megrahi and Lamen Khalifa Fhimah, former
Libyan intelligence officials. In 1991, they had been indicted by the U.S.
However, Libya refused to hand them over to the U.S. or U.K. for trial. In
1999, Libya turned the former intelligence officials over to Scotland to stand
in trial at the Scottish court system in a former U.S. military base in the
Netherlands. In 2001, Fhimah was acquitted, but Megrahi was convicted and
sentenced to life-imprisonment. In 2009, Abdel Basset al-Megrahi was
released on compassionate ground as he had an advanced prostate cancer over the
opposition from victims’ families as well as then-President Barack Obama. Abdel
Basset al-Megrahi returned to Libya to a hero’s welcome. Abdel Basset
al-Megrahi died in 2012.
Lockerbie Bomb Maker Appears in the U.S. Court
In the first trial on the U.S. soil related to the Lockerbie bombing,
the bomb maker Abu Agela Mas’ud Kheir Al-Marimi appeared at a D.C. court
on December 12, 2022.
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MOROCCO
Morocco Arrests a Belgian with Ties to Paris Attack
Morocco on January 16, 2016 arrested a Belgian of Moroccan descent with ties to November 13, 2015, Paris attacks that had killed 130 people, according to a statement by authorities in Rabat issued on January 18, 2016. The man, identified by Belgian as Gelel Attar, had recently traveled to Turkey, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, before his arrival at the North African country where he was arrested on January 16, 2016 near Casablanca.
Tiff between Morocco and U.N. over Ban's Comment
The U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's comment during his visit early this month to refugee camps housing Sahrawis in Algeria that implied Western Sahara as being under "occupation" raised eyebrow in the political powerhouse in Rabat, leading to issuing of the expulsion order for 84 international staff members of the U.N. Western Sahara Mission. The U.N. on March 21, 2016 called the Morocco's order deplorable.
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MOROCCO
Morocco Arrests a Belgian with Ties to Paris Attack
Morocco on January 16, 2016 arrested a Belgian of Moroccan descent with ties to November 13, 2015, Paris attacks that had killed 130 people, according to a statement by authorities in Rabat issued on January 18, 2016. The man, identified by Belgian as Gelel Attar, had recently traveled to Turkey, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, before his arrival at the North African country where he was arrested on January 16, 2016 near Casablanca.
Tiff between Morocco and U.N. over Ban's Comment
The U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's comment during his visit early this month to refugee camps housing Sahrawis in Algeria that implied Western Sahara as being under "occupation" raised eyebrow in the political powerhouse in Rabat, leading to issuing of the expulsion order for 84 international staff members of the U.N. Western Sahara Mission. The U.N. on March 21, 2016 called the Morocco's order deplorable.
U.S.
Takes Steps to Open First Consulate in Western Sahara
In
a landmark event in West Africa, U.S. on January 10, 2021 took first
concrete steps to open its first consular office in the semi-autonomous Western
Sahara, fulfilling the aspiration of the region’s people for more economic
growth, opportunities, investment and tourism. U.S. Ambassador David T.
Fischer attended the event at Dakhla, a seaside resort and main political
and economic nerve-center of the region, and emphasized the goals of Washington
in no uncertain terms focusing on advancing “Morocco’s strategic positioning as
a hub for trade in Africa, Europe and the Middle East”. Ambassador Fischer
was accompanied by the state department’s top official for the region, David
Schenker. Western Sahara has checkered history in its relationship
with Morocco after the North African nation has annexed the former Spanish colony
in 1975. In the years aftermath to the annexation, a civil war ensued
and lasted for 16 years between the Polisario Front, based in and
supported by Algeria, followed by the next three decades of political and
military stalemate. The U.S. move that many consider as a reward to Morocco for
normalizing relations with Israel has angered the region’s native Sahrawi population
who are demanding a secession referendum and neighboring Algeria who are
hosting Sahrawi refugees and back Polisario Front.
Protests over Price Inflation Erupts in Morocco
People of Morocco are joining the streets protests en masse almost 11 years after the Arab Spring has swept through the Arab World. This time, though, the protest is targeted to voice angst and frustration over massive spikes in prices of essential commodities. On February 20, 2022, protests were held across the nation, including a key protest in front of the parliamentary building in Rabat.
OMAN
Oman Receives Six Gitmo Detainees
US on June 12, 2015 released six Yemenis from the infamous Guantanamo Bay Detention Center, and all of them boarded a flight for Muscat, Oman. With the June 12, 2015, release of six Yemenis, who have been detained without charges since 2002, the detention center now holds 116 captives, down from 242 in 2009 when Obama has assumed presidency. Obama vowed to close the Guantanamo, and campaigned on that pledge as a US Senator and Democratic presidential candidate in 2008 presidential elections. However, his effort to shut down Guantanamo was thwarted by Republicans in Congress.
QATAR
On March 5, 2014, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates recalled their respective ambassadors over Doha's support to Muslim Brotherhood, a day after a clear division became visible and arguments broke out during a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting at Riyadh.
Qatar Deploys Troops in Yemen
As part of Saudi Arabia-led coalition, Qatar deployed about 1,000 ground troops in the central Yemeni province of Marib to fight against Houthi rebels, according to an announcement made by Doha-based Al-Jazeera network on September 7, 2015.
Qatar Receives a List of 13-point Demands from Saudi Arabia, Other Arab Nations
After snapping trade, travel, economic and diplomatic ties with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE and Bahrain on June 23, 2017 sent Doha a list of 13-point demands through Kuwait that included, among others:
* Shutting down Al-Jazeera
* Cutting off ties to terrorist groups
* Closing down a Turkish military base in Qatar
* Downgrading relationship with Iran
Turkey Rejects Demand for Shutting down Military Base; Iran Decries the Demands too
Two days after Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE and Bahrain sent a list of 13-point demands to Qatar through Kuwait, Turkish parliament on June 25, 2017 renewed the 2014 defense cooperation deal with Qatar, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, addressing a Eid al-Ftr crowd at Istanbul, called the demand as disrespectful. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson asked the parties to sit down together to begin negotiation. During the day (June 25, 2017), Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, held talks over telephone in which Rouhani condemned the move, calling it a siege.
Four Arab Nations Take Hard Stance against Qatar
There was no let up in tension between Qatar and Saudi Arabia-led coalition that included Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE and Bahrain after the rift had erupted with sudden blockade on June 4, 2017. Three weeks later, four nations submitted on June 25, 2017 a list of 13-point demands to Doha. Taking stock of the situation and how Doha was responding their 13-point demands at a meeting at Cairo, foreign ministers of four Arab nations on July 5, 2017 expressed strong dissatisfaction over Qatar's lack of any positive move. Summing up their collective frustration, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said that "Qatar's role as a saboteur can no longer be forgiven". Meanwhile, in London, Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani on July 5, 2017 accused Qatar's "foes" of "aggression".
Tillerson Signs a MOU with Qatar's Foreign Minister to Break Impasse
In an effort to thaw the frozen relationship between Qatar and its Arab neighbors, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on July 11, 2017 met with Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining a framework for fighting against terror financing and other issues as demanded by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE and Bahrain. Tillerson will now take this MOU to Riyadh to try to sell it to a skeptic Arab ally.
Tillerson's Shuttle Diplomacy yet to Produce any Tangible Results
A day after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Qatari foreign minister, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on July 12, 2017 flew to Jeddah to seek feedback from Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on the new agreement. It seemed to have no impact on the Saudi side. Tillerson had to return empty-handed.
Saudi to let Qataris in for Hajj Pilgrimage
Saudi Arabia announced on August 17, 2017 that it would allow Qataris to visit the country for Hajj pilgrimage a day after Saudi Crown Prince Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with a former Qatari royal family member whose branch of royalty had been ousted from the power hierarchy in 1972. Saudi Crown Prince Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani on late August 16, 2017 at a palace in Jiddah. Qatar's foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, on August 17, 2017 welcome the Saudi move, but reiterated that the blockade in sea, air and land had to be removed for any tangible solution and normalization of relation.
Qatar Purchases $5.9 billion Naval Vessels in a Deal with Italy
Showing its defiance and flexing its military muscle in the face of all-round sanctions imposed by its Arab neighbors, Qatar on August 2, 2017 signed a $5.9 billion defense deal with Italy. As per the deal, signed by Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and his Italian counterpart Angelino Alfano at Doha, Qatar will buy seven naval vessels from Italy.
Qatar Restores Full Diplomatic Relations with Iran
After severing relations with Iran in January 2016 as part of tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran over execution of a Shiite cleric, the wheel came to full circle for Qatar on August 24, 2017 as Qatari Foreign Ministry issued a public statement, announcing restoring full diplomatic relations with Iran and re-sending the ambassador to Teheran.
Beginning of a Thaw: Saudi to Lift Embargo on Qatar
People of Morocco are joining the streets protests en masse almost 11 years after the Arab Spring has swept through the Arab World. This time, though, the protest is targeted to voice angst and frustration over massive spikes in prices of essential commodities. On February 20, 2022, protests were held across the nation, including a key protest in front of the parliamentary building in Rabat.
OMAN
Oman Receives Six Gitmo Detainees
US on June 12, 2015 released six Yemenis from the infamous Guantanamo Bay Detention Center, and all of them boarded a flight for Muscat, Oman. With the June 12, 2015, release of six Yemenis, who have been detained without charges since 2002, the detention center now holds 116 captives, down from 242 in 2009 when Obama has assumed presidency. Obama vowed to close the Guantanamo, and campaigned on that pledge as a US Senator and Democratic presidential candidate in 2008 presidential elections. However, his effort to shut down Guantanamo was thwarted by Republicans in Congress.
QATAR
On March 5, 2014, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates recalled their respective ambassadors over Doha's support to Muslim Brotherhood, a day after a clear division became visible and arguments broke out during a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting at Riyadh.
Qatar Deploys Troops in Yemen
As part of Saudi Arabia-led coalition, Qatar deployed about 1,000 ground troops in the central Yemeni province of Marib to fight against Houthi rebels, according to an announcement made by Doha-based Al-Jazeera network on September 7, 2015.
Qatar Receives a List of 13-point Demands from Saudi Arabia, Other Arab Nations
After snapping trade, travel, economic and diplomatic ties with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE and Bahrain on June 23, 2017 sent Doha a list of 13-point demands through Kuwait that included, among others:
* Shutting down Al-Jazeera
* Cutting off ties to terrorist groups
* Closing down a Turkish military base in Qatar
* Downgrading relationship with Iran
Turkey Rejects Demand for Shutting down Military Base; Iran Decries the Demands too
Two days after Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE and Bahrain sent a list of 13-point demands to Qatar through Kuwait, Turkish parliament on June 25, 2017 renewed the 2014 defense cooperation deal with Qatar, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, addressing a Eid al-Ftr crowd at Istanbul, called the demand as disrespectful. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson asked the parties to sit down together to begin negotiation. During the day (June 25, 2017), Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, held talks over telephone in which Rouhani condemned the move, calling it a siege.
Four Arab Nations Take Hard Stance against Qatar
There was no let up in tension between Qatar and Saudi Arabia-led coalition that included Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE and Bahrain after the rift had erupted with sudden blockade on June 4, 2017. Three weeks later, four nations submitted on June 25, 2017 a list of 13-point demands to Doha. Taking stock of the situation and how Doha was responding their 13-point demands at a meeting at Cairo, foreign ministers of four Arab nations on July 5, 2017 expressed strong dissatisfaction over Qatar's lack of any positive move. Summing up their collective frustration, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said that "Qatar's role as a saboteur can no longer be forgiven". Meanwhile, in London, Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani on July 5, 2017 accused Qatar's "foes" of "aggression".
Tillerson Signs a MOU with Qatar's Foreign Minister to Break Impasse
In an effort to thaw the frozen relationship between Qatar and its Arab neighbors, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on July 11, 2017 met with Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining a framework for fighting against terror financing and other issues as demanded by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE and Bahrain. Tillerson will now take this MOU to Riyadh to try to sell it to a skeptic Arab ally.
Tillerson's Shuttle Diplomacy yet to Produce any Tangible Results
A day after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Qatari foreign minister, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on July 12, 2017 flew to Jeddah to seek feedback from Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on the new agreement. It seemed to have no impact on the Saudi side. Tillerson had to return empty-handed.
Saudi to let Qataris in for Hajj Pilgrimage
Saudi Arabia announced on August 17, 2017 that it would allow Qataris to visit the country for Hajj pilgrimage a day after Saudi Crown Prince Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with a former Qatari royal family member whose branch of royalty had been ousted from the power hierarchy in 1972. Saudi Crown Prince Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani on late August 16, 2017 at a palace in Jiddah. Qatar's foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, on August 17, 2017 welcome the Saudi move, but reiterated that the blockade in sea, air and land had to be removed for any tangible solution and normalization of relation.
Qatar Purchases $5.9 billion Naval Vessels in a Deal with Italy
Showing its defiance and flexing its military muscle in the face of all-round sanctions imposed by its Arab neighbors, Qatar on August 2, 2017 signed a $5.9 billion defense deal with Italy. As per the deal, signed by Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and his Italian counterpart Angelino Alfano at Doha, Qatar will buy seven naval vessels from Italy.
Qatar Restores Full Diplomatic Relations with Iran
After severing relations with Iran in January 2016 as part of tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran over execution of a Shiite cleric, the wheel came to full circle for Qatar on August 24, 2017 as Qatari Foreign Ministry issued a public statement, announcing restoring full diplomatic relations with Iran and re-sending the ambassador to Teheran.
Beginning of a Thaw: Saudi to Lift Embargo on Qatar
What had begun in the summer of 2017 by four Arab nations--Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E. and Egypt--to punish Doha's hobnobbing with Iran and supporting terrorists by imposing strict travel restrictions and other measures might have run their courses as new efforts were undertaken at the behest of Kuwait to normalize the relationship among the Persian Gulf nations. On January 4, 2021, Kuwait's foreign minister flew to Doha to meet in person the sheikh of the Qatari Kingdom, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the news that Saudi Arabia had agreed to lift land and air embargo on Qatar. It is not yet clear what Qatar has agreed in return for this thaw in relationship. Hours later, UAE's minister of state for foreign affairs, Anwar Gargash, expressed optimism in restoring relations with Doha.
Qatar to Represent U.S. in Afghanistan
That the U.S. is not at all interested to re-open its embassy in Afghanistan has become clear on November 12, 2021 after Foreign Secretary Anthony Blinken and Qatar's foreign minister, Mohammad bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, have signed an agreement allowing Doha to be the "protecting power" on behalf of the USA in Afghanistan.
Biden Notifies Congress, Recognizes the Ruler: Qatar a Major non-NATO
Ally
President Joe Biden received Qatar’s emir at the white House and announced on January31,
2022, to the much joy of Sheikh Tamim Bin
Hamad Al Thani, that the energy-rich Persian Gulf nation was a “major
non-NATO ally”. Hours later, Biden administration sent the related notification
to Congress, naming Qatar the 18th nation with such designation.
Last time that a nation had received the designation was Brazil in 2019. The
designation helps many favorable defense and commerce transactions between the
designee nations and the U.S. President Joe Biden praised Qatar’s role
in helping the U.S. in the August 2021 evacuation from Afghanistan and brokering
a truce between Hamas and Israel. The designation raises the possibility that a
$500 million package involving MQ-9 Raptor drones, hanging with
uncertainty since 2020, will now go forward.
SAUDI ARABIA
On February 3, 2014, Saudi King Abdullah issued a decree that made it clear that any Saudi citizen joining any foreign war without Kingdom's permission would receive severe punishment of various spans of jail terms. Saudi King Abdullah's February 3, 2014, decree is seen by political analysts as a mitigation steps to further radicalizing and involving of Saudi youths in Syrian Civil War. The decree was issued through the Saudi Royal Court.
Two Women Referred to Saudi Terrorist Court for Defying the Ban on Driving
In a perilous and anti-woman move, two Saudi women detained since December 1, 2014 for driving by themselves, uploading the video of driving and tweeting in support of their action were on December 25, 2014 referred to a terrorist court for trial. The reference of Loujain al-Hathloul and Maysa al-Amoudi to the Specialized Criminal Court will have chilling effect on the aspiration of Saudi women in their effort even to minimally close the vast gender gap in the Kingdom. The Specialized Criminal Court has track record of handing out tough sentences to anyone deemed to be political dissident. This year it sentenced a prominent Shiite cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, to death sentence on the charges of sedition and a prominent human rights lawyer, Waleed Abul-Khair, to 15 years of imprisonment.
**************************** End of King Abdullah (1924-2015) Era *******************
Saudi King Abdullah passed away on January 23, 2015 at the age of 90. The King was suffering from long bout of various illnesses, and his half-brother Crown Prince Salman was handling most of responsibilities tied to head of the Kingdom. Within hours of King Abdullah's death, Salman Bin Abdul-Aziz al-Saud, who was better known as Crown Prince Salman, ascended to the throne. Under King Abdullah, the conservative kingdom that houses two holiest Muslim shrines, to some extent, opened up to more participation by people, including women getting seats in the Shura Council, an unelected body that advises King on important matters, and allowing women to contest municipal council polls starting 2015. King Abdullah had a cold relationship with Obama administration over Washington's role over Iran negotiation, failure to prod Israelis and Palestinians to come to terms as part of a middle-east peace strategy and lacking a clear Syria strategy that would help departure of Bashar Assad. The overall policies under King Salman, 79, will be, most likely, on the same track without significant deviation. King Salman brought a rich mix of diplomacy and traditionalism as he had ruled Riyadh as capital's Governor for the past 50 years and had recently held the helms of affairs of country's defense ministry. Immediately afterward, King Salman named his half-brother Muqrin, 69, as Crown Prince and Prince Mohammad bin Nayef, 55, as Deputy Crown Prince, the first such appointment in Saudi royal history and first ever appointment of one of many dozens of founder King Abdul-Aziz Al Saud's grandsons.
Life of Abdullah
Abdullah was born in 1924, and was one of dozens of sons of Saudi Arabia's founder King Abdul-Aziz Al Saud. Abdullah became Crown Prince in 1982 when his half-brother Fahd had ascended to throne. Abdullah carried out all the royal responsibilities since 1995 when a stroke incapacitated King Fahd, and ascended to the throne in 2005 after King Fahd's death.
Saudi King Shakes the Ruling Hierarchy
Saudi Arabia's King Salman on April 29, 2015 orchestrated the most profound change in decades in the House of Saud by replacing his half-brother Muqrin, 69, by his nephew Prince Mohammad bin Nayef, 55, country's Interior Minister, as Crown Prince. King also elevated his beloved son Prince Mohammad bin Salman as the new Deputy Crown Prince.
**************************** End of King Abdullah (1924-2015) Era *******************
Saudi Arabia Foils Plots to Attack US Targets in Kingdom
Saudi Arabian authorities on April 28, 2015 announced that they had arrested 93 people in connection with an investigation into a planned attack on the US Embassy in Riyadh, western residential complex and security forces, reliving the al-Qaeda-inspired terrorism campaign in the Kingdom from 2004 to 2007.
Islamic State Claims Suicide Bombing at a Shiite Mosque
Hours after a suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque, Imam Ali Mosque, at the village of al-Qudeeh of the Najd Province in eastern Saudi Arabian region of Qatif, heartland of Saudi Arabia's Shiite minority population, that had killed at least 21 worshippers, Islamic State on May 22, 2015 that the suicide bomber belonged to its Najd province branch. If confirmed, this marked the first major footprint of ISIL in the kingdom, and might reflect the undesirable consequence of harsh anti-Shiite rhetoric in Saudi media amidst a weeks-long air assault in Yemen that had targeted the Houthi militants. Riyadh also continued its criticism Houthis' benefactor Iran for armament and other help to the militants, a charge both Iran and Houthis refuted and said that Teheran's was nothing more than moral support.
Saudi Royal Donates All His Wealth for Charity
Setting an example of benevolence and brotherhood, Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal on July 1, 2015 announced that he would give away his estimated $32 billion in wealth for philanthropy. Addressing a press conference at Riyadh, Bin Talal said that he was inspired by Bill Gates, and wanted to contribute to the cause of women empowerment, promoting health, eradicating disease, building orphanages, bringing electricity to remote villages and constructing schools.
Suicide Bombing Targets Mosque within Interior Ministry Compound
In an audacious and astonishing show of invincibility, a suicide bomber breached the security of Interior Ministry compound on August 6, 2015 to enter into a mosque inside that was often frequented by troops from an elite Saudi military unit and blew up, killing 15. An ISIL affiliate, calling itself the Hijaz Province of Islamic State, took the credit for suicide bombing at the mosque in the city of Abha, the capital of the province of Asir, on the border with Yemen, calling the attack as an act against a "monument of apostate". Hijaz refers to the historic root of a region in the Kingdom's west that includes two holiest Islamic cities: Mecca and Medina. After the Syrian Civil War had erupted in the Spring of 2011, thousands of young Saudis left the Kingdom for Syria to fight against Bashar Assad regime, with many of them becoming stooges at the hand of ISIL while the state looked on the other way. That changed last year as the then-King Abdullah declared joining foreign wars illegal. U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Joseph Westphal issued a statement on August 6, 2015, condemning the suicide bombing "in the strongest terms" and extended the condolences to the families of the victims.
Saudi King Endorses Iran Nuclear Deal
Saudi Arabia's King Salman visited the White House and held discussion with President Barack Obama on September 4, 2015. The King was reportedly satisfied by the components and clauses included in the deal that would prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear armed country by at least a decade. However, during the White House meeting, King Salman also pressed for more defense help including military hardware, cyber defense and missile defense for his Kingdom.
European Union to Confer Highest Human Rights Award to a Saudi Blogger
European Parliament President Martin Schulz on October 29, 2015 announced that this year's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought would be awarded to Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, who was sentenced to 10-year term and 1,000 lashes for writing against lack of religious freedom in his native country. In January 2015, Badawi was brought in handcuff outside a mosque, and administered 50 lashes. His remainder of lashes were put on hold after his doctor made a request. His wife, Ensaf Haidar, who lives in Canada with couple's three children, has said upon hearing the award news that her husband has earned love by "so many people in the world".
Saudi Women Participate in the Electoral Process for the First Time
Saudi Arabia on December 12, 2015 marked a historical milestone for itself by shedding the image of, most likely, the last nation on the earth without right for women to vote. There was palpable degree of enthusiasm and encouragement among woman voters across Saudi Arabia in the December 12, 2015, municipal polls. According to official figures, 979 women and nearly 7,000 men have vied for roughly 2,100 seats in 284 municipal councils, which cover a host of issues ranging from upkeep of pavements to water quality. Most of the woman candidates ran on the platform of providing better services such as drive to make cities greener, longer child care hours for working mothers, improved roads and better garbage collection. Nearly 130,000 woman voters registered for the municipal polls as well as more than a million male voters. Capturing the jubilant mood of woman voters, Kingdom's minister of municipal and rural affairs, Abdullatif bin Abdulmalik Al Shaikh, said that "we are proud of our women in Saudi Arabia". Two previous rounds of municipal polls in 2005 and 2011 were open only to male voters.
20 Saudi Women Win Polls
A day after Saudi Arabia shed its dubious distinction of the last major country without woman voting rights, election results made official on December 13, 2015 showed women winning less than 1 percent of the municipal seats they had contested. Female candidates won 20 seats, among them four from Riyadh, two from Jiddah, two from the Shiite-dominated Eastern Province and one from one of the most conservative regions, Qassim.
Saudi Arabia Forms an Islamic Military Alliance
Saudi Arabia on December 15, 2015 cobbled 34 nations together, including NATO member Turkey, to form what's dubbed the first such "Islamic military alliance" to fight against extremists. Talking at Riyadh, Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman said on December 15, 2015 that the alliance would devise effective and collaborative counterterrorism strategies. Chiming in from Turkey, a visiting American Defense Secretary, Ash Carter, said on December 15, 2015 that the proposed alliance was "aligned with something that we have been urging for quite some time". However, the exclusion of Iraq, Iran and Syria from the so-called "Islamic military alliance" immediately raised suspicion in the region that the new alliance had more to checkmate the influence of rising and assertive Iran in addition to--or worse, instead of--fighting against extremists.
***************** FALLOUT FROM SHIITE CLERIC'S EXECUTION *****************
Saudi Execution of A Shiite Cleric Plunges the Arab World into Crisis
Saudi Arabia carried out execution of 47 people, including a Shiite cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, 56, from the eastern part of Saudi Arabia, on January 2, 2016. The execution of the Shiite cleric immediately created a regional fury among Middle-east's Shiite powerhouse Iran and its allies because of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr's status as a moral voice of Shiites in Saudi Arabia. What startled the most was that the cleric's execution was carried out in conjunction with other terrorist suspects, many of them with al-Qaeda ties. However, Shiites and many in the west firmly believe that Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr has been executed for his vocal criticism of Saudi Kingdom and its decades-old discrimination against Shiite people of the Kingdom. Sheikh Nimr-al Nimr gave his support to the democracy protest in 2011 during the Arab Spring movement. Hours after his execution, cleric's brother, Mohammed al-Nimr, took to Twitter to announce that the democracy movement would endure. As the news of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr's execution spread, spontaneous demonstrations had erupted in Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia where hundreds of Shiites marched through the city of Al-Qatif, denouncing the execution. Saudi Arabian troops were reported late January 2, 2016 to have bolstered patrol and checkpoints across the east. In Iran, several cities witnessed massive protests, with outbursts turning into violence in at least two cities. In Teheran, a large crowd ransacked the Saudi Embassy complex, and set it ablaze. Iranian security forces later brought the situation under control, and fire crew extinguished the blaze. Similarly, raucous demonstrators got out of control on January 2, 2016 at the Iranian city of Mashhad, and torched the Saudi Consulate. The reaction to January 2, 2016, execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr across the region was along the expected line. While region's Shiite powers were fuming over the execution, the Sunni nations either remained mum or supportive. Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement, calling the execution as "the depth of imprudence and irresponsibility" on the part of Saudi government. Iran's supreme religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei went a step further by warning that Saudi Arabia risked facing the divine vengeance by executing a scholar. There was already call for Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to close the Saudi Arabia's Embassy in Baghdad that had just re-opened on January 1, 2016 after almost 25 years. In Bahrain, scattered protests were reported from various Shiite-dominated towns in the aftermath of the Shiite cleric's execution.
A Brief Snapshot of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr's Life
Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr was essentially a moral voice for Saudi Arabia's minority Shiite community, and his influence went beyond the Saudi borders into other nations in the Gulf, especially Bahrain. During Arab Spring uprising in 2011, he lent his vocal support to protesters who had demonstrated against the Sunni monarchies in the region. He was especially critical of Saudi royal family for lack of democracy in the Kingdom. Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr was arrested in 2012 after a car chase by Saudi security forces, and he was shot in leg. The Shiite cleric--who was not known to have publicly espoused violence and, among known circles of friends and peers, known more as a moderate, but conscientious, cleric--was charged with "instigating unrest and undermining the kingdom's security", as well as delivering speeches against the government and defending political prisoners. Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr's execution came almost 11 months after Saudi Arabia approved a sweeping anti-terrorism law in which even criticism against the government might have been deemed as treason.
Saudi Arabia Snaps Diplomatic Ties with Iran
Responding to widespread vandalism and setting ablaze of Saudi Embassy in Teheran and a consulate office at Mashhad, Saudi Arabia on January 3, 2016 cut off all diplomatic ties with Iran and gave Iranian diplomats 48 hours to leave the Kingdom, precipitating a deep regional crisis and raising significant doubt to the fate of upcoming international talks over Syrian civil war. The surprise move of cutting ties with Iran was announced by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir. Responding to Iranian diatribe against the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, Saudi Arabia shot back on January 3, 2016, calling the Iranian action to have "revealed its true face represented in support for terrorism". Meanwhile condemnation kept coming on January 3, 2016 over the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr a day earlier by Saudi Authorities. Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, the U.N.'s High Commissioner for Human Rights, called the mass execution "a very disturbing development, particularly as some of those sentenced to death were accused of nonviolent crimes". The U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on January 2, 2016 that he was deeply dismayed by the execution. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on January 3, 2016 that he condemned the protest violence at Teheran and Mashhad a day earlier, but he blasted Saudi action to execute the Shiite cleric. Demonstrations were also reported for the second consecutive day on January 3, 2016 across Iran, but the demonstrators, who had chanted slogans against Saudi Arabia, the USA and Israel, remained peaceful. Meanwhile, the BBC reported on January 2, 2016 night that one the 47 people executed by Saudi Arabia earlier in the day was Adel al-Dubayati, who was convicted of killing a BBC freelance journalist, Simon Cumbers, at Riyadh in 2004 in an attack that had also injured a second journalist, Frank Gardner.
Three Sunni Nations Follow Saudi Footstep; U.N.S.G. Calls Saudi and Iranian Foreign Ministers
A day after Saudi Arabia cut all diplomatic ties with Iran over attacks on Saudi Embassy at Teheran and a consulate office at Mashhad, Bahrain, Sudan and United Arab Emirates either cut off, or downgraded, diplomatic relations with Iran on January 4, 2016. Bahrain, which had already recalled its ambassador from Teheran and expelled Iranian Charge d'affaires in Manama in October 2015 over an alleged arms shipment for Shiite protesters in the tiny Sunni monarchy, cut off rest of the remaining ties with Teheran on January 4, 2016. Sudan on January 4, 2016 expelled Iranian ambassador to Khartoum. The UAE downgraded its relations with Iran by recalling its ambassador to Teheran and ordering staff reduction of Iranian diplomatic mission in the Emirates. Meanwhile, an international effort was launched on January 4, 2016 to find a way out of this escalation, and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was at the front and center of this effort. Ban called during the day foreign ministers of both Saudi Arabia and Iran, and condemned the execution as well as anti Saudi violence.
U.N. Envoy Visits Saudi Arabia to Resuscitate Syrian Peace Process
To avoid the unintended consequence of a near-collapse of the Syrian peace talks, slated later this month, because of recent flare-up between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran stemming from the January 2, 2016, execution of Saudi Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, U.N. special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, went to Riyadh, held talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on January 5, 2016, and received a personal pledge from the Saudi foreign minister that the Kingdom would remain committed to Syrian peace process and the talks won't be derailed because of Saudi-Iran tension.
Kuwait Downgrades Diplomatic Relations with Iran
On January 5, 2016, Kuwait downgraded the diplomatic relations with Iran, the latest fallout from the violence--including setting ablaze the Saudi embassy in Teheran and a consulate office at Mashhad--spawned off the January 2, 2016, execution of Saudi Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.
Iraq Offers to Mediate as Back-and-Forth between Saudi Arabia and Iran Continues
A day after Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir accused Iran in a CNBC interview of whipping up problems, including the rise of Islamic State, Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari on January 6, 2016 said at a news conference in Teheran that his country was ready to mediate and find a solution to end the escalation between regional powers. The escalation put the region into tailspin of political instability, and the continuous blowback between the Sunni and Shiite powerhouses continued unabated four days after a Shiite cleric, Nimr al-Nimr, was executed by Saudis on January 2, 2016. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani wrote on Twitter on January 6, 2016 that although the attacks against Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran were reprehensible, the execution of Shiite cleric was an attempt to "cover up its domestic problems" and "failed regional policies".
Pakistan Offers to Mediate between Iran and Saudis
A visiting Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif played the role of a regional statesman during his back-to-back meetings, first with Saudi Arabian King Salman on January 18, 2016, and then with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani the following day, and offered both leaders to host any possible talks to resolve the recent regional flare-up that had erupted in the wake of execution of a Saudi Shiite cleric.
***************** FALLOUT FROM SHIITE CLERIC'S EXECUTION *****************
Saudi Rights Activist Arrested
A Saudi human rights activist, Samar Badawi, was arrested on January 12, 2016 by Saudi security forces for her work related to a Twitter account campaigning for the release of her husband, Waleed Abulkhair, a prominent Saudi human rights lawyer serving a 15-year sentence. Abulkhair defended his brother-in-law and Samar's brother, Raif Badawi, who was awarded on October 29, 2015 this year's Europe's prestigious Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Raif Badawi was sentenced to 10-year term and 1,000 lashes for writing against lack of religious freedom in his native country. He was given 50 lashes last year.
Attack on a Shiite Mosque Kills 3
Two attackers wearing suicide vest attacked a mosque in eastern Saudi Arabia on January 29, 2016, killing three people and wounding 18. Imam Reda Mosque in Mahasen is frequented by Shiite workers of the state-run Saudi Arabian Oil Co. The first attacker blew up as he was confronted by security guards, and the second attacker traded gunfire with the security before being wounded and subsequently arrested. Although there was no claim for responsibility in January 29, 2016, attack on the Imam Reda Mosque in Mahasen, the suspicion immediately fell on the usual culprit: ISIL.
Palestinian Poet to Receive 800 Lashes
A court in Saudi Arabia on February 3, 2016 commuted the death sentence of a Palestinian poet, Ashraf Fayadh, and ordered him to receive 800 lashes with 50 in each installment. Poet Fayadh denied that he had insulted Islam.
Saudi Arabia to Send Ground Troops to Syria
A Saudi military official, Brig. Gen. Ahmed al-Asiri, said on February 4, 2016 that Saudi Arabia was willing and ready to contribute to ground forces to fight against ISIL in Syria. Last year, UAE made a similar offer for ground troops in Syria.
********************* PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SAUDI ARABIA VISIT *****************
Obama Meets with Saudi King Amid a Faltering Relationship
President Barack Obama on April 20, 2016 met with Saudi King Salman for a two-hour closed door session in which both leaders discussed some of the thorny issues that had shaped up the bilateral relations between the nations. On the top of that list was, of course, Iran in the background of recent withdrawal of economic sanctions by the west. Also, Saudi Arabia was rattled by recent Congressional move to hold the Gulf Kingdom accountable for its role in 9/11 attack. During his two-hour meeting at Riyadh, Obama reiterated his stand that the Persian Gulf nations would be well served if they ramped up their own security instead of relying on the US, a theme he had penned down in an article recently published by The Atlantic. Often Obama administration refers the Gulf nations as "free-riders" for their over-dependence on the USA for their security. As part of Obama's six-day trip to middle-east and Europe, the president will attend the Gulf Cooperation Council summit at Riyadh on April 21, 2016. A day before the Obama would attend the two-day GCC meeting, President Obama, beside King Salman, also met with Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
Obama Says USA's Desire to Have Gulf Nations' Back
President Barack Obama on April 21, 2016 attended the GCC summit at Riyadh, and said that US still had the Persian Gulf nations' back. However, Obama indirectly prodded the Gulf nations to lessen the degree of dependence on the US for their collective security.
********************* PRESIDENT OBAMA'S SAUDI ARABIA VISIT *****************
****************** PRESIDENT TRUMP'S VISIT TO SAUDI ARABIA *****************
Trump's First Foreign Trip Begins with a Big Bilateral Deal
U.S. President Donald Trump began his first foreign trip with his "strategic vision" of inking a bilateral deal of $110 billion arms sales to Saudi Arabia on May 20, 2017. Trump had arrived at the Mubaraka Palace in Riyadh to a royal reception of pomp and prestige, and as he and King Salman had signed the arms deal as well as other commercial deals valued at more than $250 billion, a new bond between the allies was built after a years-long strained relationship under Obama presidency. Describing the scale of the deal's impact, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said at a news conference that "this is unprecedented".
Trump Resets America's Relationship with Muslim World
Eight years after the then-President Barack Obama had addressed the Muslim World with his inspiring Cairo speech to put forward a way to smoothen over often tense relationship that had come to define the relationship that the Islamic World had at that time with the west , President Donald Trump rump tried to recast the narrative in a similar manner on May 21, 2017. At a gathering of the leaders of the Muslim World at Riyadh, President Trump described the fight against terrorism as a battle between good and evil, steering away from any religious undertone that he had often inflamed in the campaign trail. The main achievement of the day was an agreement between Saudi Arabia and USA to launch a joint Terrorist Financing Targeting Center to monitor the money trail of funding of the terrorist networks. During the day, President Trump met with the leaders of the Gulf nations Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar as well as Egypt in addition to taking a trip to the Riyadh-based, newly opened Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology.
****************** PRESIDENT TRUMP'S VISIT TO SAUDI ARABIA *****************
Young Saudi Crown Prince Launches Far-Fetched Corruption Crackdown
Saudi Arabia's heir-apparent and favorite son of King Salman, Mohammed bin Salman, on November 4, 2017 launched a multi-pronged crackdown to consolidate his power and weed out an embedded system of institutional corruption. First, the 32-year-old prince was put at the helm of Saudi National Guard by the edict of King Salman to replace Prince Mutaib bin Abdullah, giving MBS a complete monopoly over the kingdom's military force. Hours later, Mohammed bin Salman carried out purging other princes and Saudi officials from key posts, and put at least 10 princes under detention, including billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who owns major stakes in News Corporation, Time Warner, Citigroup, Twitter, Apple and Motorola among many companies.
Women to be Allowed in Movie Theaters
As part of continuing reform under the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Saudi Arabia took another leap on December 11, 2017 as it announced that women would be allowed in the commercial movie theaters as early as 2018.
Billionaire Released
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a Saudi billionaire arrested in a sweep in early November 2017 as part of Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman's crusade against corruption, was reported to be freed on January 27, 2018.
Saudi Crackdown Netted $100 billion
Saudi Arabia on January 30, 2018 made public its first official estimate of a two-and-half-month expansive dragnet against corruption and ill-gotten wealth that swept many in royal families, including billionaire investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, high-ranking officials and Saudi citizens. Country's Attorney-General Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb said during the day that the operation had recovered almost $100 billion and implicated 381 people, including dozens of witnesses. Many of the targeted individuals were detained in Riyadh's ornate Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
Saudi Crown Prince Overhauls Military Leadership
Continuing his purge and seismic change of the system, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman on February 27, 2018 stirred the military leadership by replacing the old guards at the upper echelon by younger leaders.
Saudi Prince Concludes Two-Week U.S. Trip with Approval of Billions of Dollars Arms Deal
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman on April 5, 2018 concluded a fruitful and eventful two-week with Trump administration signing off $1.3 billion in artillery sales. The sign-off was part of a $2.3 billion in arms sales that included, in addition to artillery, $1 billion in missile sales.
Saudi Arabia Escalates Its Beef with Canada in Dramatic Fashion
As if sky had fallen, Saudi reaction to a couple of Canadian Foreign Ministry statement last week that had decried arrests of rights activists in the kingdom was anything but normal. On August 6, 2018, Saudi government announced that it would expel Canadian ambassador to the Kingdom, Dennis Horak, and recall its own ambassador to Ottawa. Riyadh also suspended all new trade with and investments in Canada. Two days later, August 8, 2018, Saudi authorities doubled down on its punitive measures against Canada by making pair of announcements that it would not:
* Send Saudi physicians to Canadian hospital and withdraw doctors from there too
* Continue service of national carrier, Saudia, to Canada effective August 13, 2018
* Buy Canadian barley or wheat
Last week, Canadian Foreign Ministry issued a statement, calling for release of a woman's rights activist, Samar Badawi, and her brother, Raif Badawi, who criticized Saudi religious establishment on blog.
Saudi Arabia Planning to Execute Female Activist, Human Rights Org Says
An internationally renowned human rights group, Human Rights Watch, said on August 22, 2018 that Saudi Arabian authorities were planning to carry out execution of a female Saudi activist and four others. The female activist, Israa al-Ghomgham, participated in demonstrations in the Qatif area of the Eastern Province, a pre-dominantly Shiite area, to demand for more individual rights and democracy for minority communities, including Shiites. In 2014, a special Saudi court, Specialized Criminal Court, sentenced Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr and seven others to death for participating in anti-government demonstrations erupted in the wake of 2011 Arab Spring. Nimr and three other Shiite activists were among 47 people who had been executed in January 2016. Specialized Criminal Court also issued death sentences against 14 other people in 2016. As far as al-Ghomgham was concerned, she and her husband were hauled in by Saudi security forces in a nighttime raid of their home on December 6, 2015, and she had been languishing in jail since. Now, she faces death sentence by Specialized Criminal Court established in 2008 for trials against terrorism suspects.
*********************** JAMAL KHASHOGGI'S DISAPPEARANCE ******************
Dissident Saudi Arabian Writer Reported Missing
A renowned Saudi contributor to The Washington Post who shed a light on abuses tolerated by Saudi authorities, including Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, was reported missing after Jamal Khashoggi went to Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018 to get papers for his upcoming marriage and never emerged out of the building.
Contributor Feared Killed
Four days after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul not to emerge again, speculation was thickening about what happened to Jamal Khasoggi and skepticism was growing to official Saudi version that Khasoggi had left the consulate building. Turkish intelligence believed that Khasoggi had been killed, according to The Washington Post, with the Post's editor Fred Hiatt adding that if the reports of "Jamal's murder are true, it's a monstrous and unfathomable act".
Turkey Seeks to Enter Saudi Compound
Five days after the dissident Saudi journalist and The Washington Post contributor Jamal Khasoggi, who had been living in self-imposed exile in the USA, went mysteriously missing after entering into Saudi Consulate Office in Istanbul to obtain document for his upcoming marriage with his fiancée, Hatice Cengiz, questions only grew in numbers and clouds of suspicion only got thickened on October 7, 2018 as Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned the Saudi Ambassador during the day to seek the Kingdom's "full cooperation" in the investigation that Turkey had launched. The Turkish private TV station NTV reported during the day that Turkey also requested Saudi permission to enter the consulate complex, a tricky request as consular and embassy complexes are considered sovereign.
Turkey Releases Photos of 15-man Saudi Hit Squad
Turkey on October 10, 2018 shared with the media, including The New York Times, the video of 15 Saudi operatives who had flown in to Istanbul on October 2, 2018 and killed The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khasoggi, a critique of Kingdom's crown prince, Mohammad bin Salman, inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Among the assassins were chief of state forensic evidence, a special ops personnel and two tied to Saudi royal guards. The video and other intel that Turkey had accumulated so far pointed to a premeditated murder whose approval was given at the highest echelon of power.
Turkey Agrees to a Joint Investigation into Khasoggi's Alleged Killing
As Turkish authorities had been publicly giving news bits and pieces over the past few days about a 15-man hit squad flying in at Istanbul on the same day, October 2, 2018, as The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khasoggi's mysterious disappearance upon entering the Saudi Consulate Office at Istanbul to obtain document for his upcoming marriage, Ankara said on October 11, 2018 that it had accepted a Saudi request to form a joint investigation into the dissident journalist's murder.
Trump Rejects Idea to Halt Arms Sales to Saudis
Speaking at the Oval Office on October 11, 2018, President Donald Trump made it clear that although he did not condone the murder of dissident Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khasoggi, who severely critiqued Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman through his writings, halting the $110 billion arms sales to the Islamic Kingdom would not be "acceptable to me" as part of any potential Congressional action to punish the Middle East nation for murdering the journalist.
Trump Vows to Unearth the Truth
U.S. President Donald Trump told correspondents on October 12, 2018 at Cincinnati, where he was headlining a campaign rally for the November midterm election, that U.S. would figure out what exactly had happened regarding mysterious disappearance of The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khasoggi.
Saudis Vow not to Bend to Pressure Tactics
Assailing its critics, Saudi authorities on October 14, 2018 dismissed the threats and thunder of some nations over The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khasoggi's October 2, 2018, mysterious disappearance at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, and vowed not to bend to any political blackmail.
Trump Calls for not Rushing to Judgment
U.S. President Donald Trump, after a telephone conversation with King Salman on October 15, 2018 and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman the following day, added his two cents on October 16, 2018, blaming the death of Jamal Khasoggi on the "rogue killers", and not to rush to judgment yet.
Turkey lets News Leaks of Khasoggi's Murder that Spews Lurid Details
It looked like a Hollywood movie in grotesque and sizzle, but it played out in real life at the Saudi consulate office in Istanbul on October 2, 2018 that had been captured in graphic details by a video, leaked deliberately by Turkish authorities on October 17, 2018, leading to a pre-meditated murder of The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khasoggi. Meanwhile, a joint Saudi-Turkey investigation had begun, but might face hurdles as it would go forward.
Trump: Khasoggi may be Dead
Talking to reporters at the Oval Office, U.S. President Donald Trump lamented on October 18, 2018 that any possible high-level Saudi link to The Washington Post reporter Jamal Khasoggi's disappearance might lead to adverse impact on Saudi-U.S. relationship and he believed that Khasoggi had been dead.
Saudis Acknowledge Khasoggi Murder
After two weeks of repeated denial, Saudi Arabia in the early hours of October 20, 2018 (U.S. time October 19, 2018 night) acknowledged that The Washington Post reporter Jamal Khasoggi had been strangulated to death after a brawl inside the Saudi consulate at Istanbul where the journalist had gone 18 days ago to obtain paperwork for his upcoming marriage had taken a fatal turn. 18 people were detained--15 people who were identified by Turkey to have flown in to Istanbul on October 2, 2018, two consular staff members and one driver--and few high-level officials, including Major General Ahmad al-Assiri, deputy director of Saudi intelligence, and Saud al-Qahtani, an aide to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, were also sacked. U.S. President Donald Trump said on October 19, 2018 night that the Saudi acknowledgement and the arrests were "good first steps" and U.S. would, most likely, impose sanctions on Saudi Arabia, but would not agree to cancelling the $110 billion in defense contracts. Meanwhile, international outrage kept accumulating as Turkey deliberately leaked bits of pieces of how Khasoggi had been premeditatedly murdered and his body had been dismembered by an autopsy specialist, who was part of the 15-member hit team. Saudi version of October 20, 2018, acknowledgement came from an anonymous source and reported, among others, by The New York Times that implicated Major General Assiri as issuing order and sending a 15-member team to seize Jamal Khasoggi and bring him to Saudi soil.
*************FUTURE INVESTMENT INITIATIVE SUMMIT
Reporter's Killing Looms Large over a Major Investment Summit
As the mystery over Jamal Khasoggi's October 2, 2018, killing inside the Saudi consulate at Istanbul was deepening, the western investors had double thought on attending the summit at Riyadh although for the time being all investments remained safe, including Saudi investment of $20 billion into a new investment fund run by Blackstone Group, $9 billion petrochemical deal between Saudi Arabia and French energy giant Total and 5-billion pounds in sales of 48 Typhoon combat jets to Saudi Arabia by British defense contractor BAE Systems. BlackRock CEO Laurence Fink told the CNBC that although he was pulling out of the summit, his company, largest asset manager, would have stakes in future Saudi investments.
Prince Receives Tumultuous Welcome at the Summit
Saudi Arabia's jewel showpiece, dubbed as Future Investment Initiative, opened on October 23, 2018 amidst abstentions by corporate and government leaders from the west, including JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, Siemens CEO Joe Kaeser, Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman and IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin stayed away from the conference, but met with the crown prince privately a day earlier. However, Russian and Asian business leaders were in the full force at the conference, pledging $50 billion in new deals.
************* FUTURE INVESTMENT INITIATIVE SUMMIT
Turkish President Vows to Tell all He Knows as Saudi Foreign Minister Apologizes
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on October 21, 2018 that he would tell all he knew about The Washington Post reporter Jamal Khasoggi's October 2, 2018, murder inside Saudi consulate at Istanbul. Erdogan threatened to go into details during his parliamentary speech slated for October 23, 2018. Meanwhile, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on October 21, 2018 apologized to Khasoggi family for his accidental murder, but stuck to Kingdom's official narrative that it was not premeditated.
U.S. to Revoke Visas of Suspects as King and Crown Prince Meet Slain Journalist's Son
U.S. President Donald Trump on October 23, 2018 told correspondents at the White House that the entire operation that had led to the October 2, 2018, murder of The Washington Post reporter Jamal Khasoggi was "fiasco" as his administration moved to revoke the visas for 21 suspects. Earlier in the day, much of the interests were focused on what Recep Tayyip Erdogan had to say to parliament on the "naked truth" which had vowed two days ago to reveal. But, in his speech, Erdogan didn't add any new details, instead repeating the same that the international community knew all along that Khasoggi's was a "premeditated murder". Also on October 23, 2018, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin-Salman met with the son of murdered journalist Jamal Khasoggi, Salah Khasoggi.
Prince Addresses the Signature Economic Summit, Calls the Journalist Murder "Heinous"
Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman addressing the Future Investment Summit, a glittering showcase of Saudi economic prowess in front of 3,000 business and political leaders from all over the world, said on October 24, 2018 that the killing of The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khasoggi was a "heinous" act and "really painful to all Saudis". He vowed to bring culprits to justice and blamed unknown international players to drive a wedge between Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made it plain and simple during the day in his address to Turkey's State Council that he won't allow anyone to cover up this murder.
Saudi Version of Killing Changes
Six days after acknowledging the killing of The Washington Post reporter Jamal Khasoggi inside Istanbul consulate office, the official Saudi version changed again on October 25, 2018 as a state prosecutor for the first time acknowledged that the October 2, 2018, murder had been "premeditated".
Erdogan Presses Saudis to Name the Mastermind; Turkey Asks Extradition of Arrestees
A day after a Saudi state prosecutor acknowledged that the October 2, 2018, murder of Jamal Khasoggi had been premeditated, Turkey launched October 26, 2018 a two-pronged pressure tactic on the Kingdom. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was blunt in pressing Riyadh to come up with the answer who had ordered the killing of The Washington Post journalist. Meanwhile, on the second front, Turkey's chief prosecutor demanded that 18 people, including 15 who had flown in on October 2, 2018 to carry out Khasoggi murder, be extradited to stand trial in Turkey.
No Tangible Outcome from Talks between Saudi-Turkish Prosecutors
Needle didn't move even by a hair, and that was the conclusion of Istanbul's chief prosecutor, Irfan Fidan, who was leading Turkish charges of investigation into Jamal Khasoggi's October 2, 2018, murder inside the Saudi consulate. In the week of October 29, 2018, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman sent Saudi Arabia's chief prosecutor, Saud al-Mujeb, to Turkey, but on October 31, 2018, Irfan Fidan expressed his frustration to the reporters and said candidly that not much progress had been made despite "all our well-intentioned efforts to uncover the truth". Irfan Fidan also said during the day that no sooner than Khasoggi entered the consulate office on October 2, 2018, had he been strangulated. During the day, Saudi chief prosecutor returned home after a fruitless three-day talks.
Erdogan Demands Identity of who Ordered Killing of Khasoggi
Writing a special Opinion piece for The Washington Post, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on November 2, 2018 that he didn't believe that Saudi King Salman had ordered the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but stressed that it was the responsibility of international community to reveal the "puppet master" who had ordered the killing. Erdogan also emphasized that Turkey's good relationship with Saudi Arabia from Ankara's pursuit for truth. Meanwhile, Khasoggi's fiancée, Hatice Cengiz, in a recorded message for a funeral prayer held on November 2, 2018 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington D.C. called for President Donald Trump's intervention to pressure Saudi Arabia for the journalist's remains.
Saudi Prosecutor Seeks Death Penalty against Five; U.S. Imposes Sanctions against 17 Saudi
Office of Saudi Arabia's chief prosecutor, Saud al-Mujeb, on November 15, 2018 issued a report that cleared Crown Prince Mohammed bin-Salman, and blamed the Saudi team that had been sent to Istanbul to bring back Jamal Khashoggi for carrying out the killing The Washington Post journalist on October 2, 2018. The chief prosecutor's office indicted 11 people, and sought death penalty against five of them without identifying. Hours later, Trump administration imposed sanctions against 17 Saudi nationals, including a former aide to the crown prince, Saud al-Qahtani, and Saudi consul general in Istanbul, Mohammed al-Otaibi. Justifying the sanctions, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said that "we are sanctioning" the people "involved in the abhorrent killing of Jamal Khashoggi".
CIA Says that Saudi Crown Prince Ordered Killing
In a damning assessment, CIA reported that Saudi Crown Prince MBS had ordered the killing of The Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi on October 2, 2018 inside Istanbul consulate office, according to several reports published on November 16, 2018. This is a black eye to Riyadh as well as to Trump administration as the Washington, led by President himself, castigated doubt on whether Crown Prince Mohammed bin-Salman had been involved in the journalist's killing.
Trump Dismisses CIA Conclusion
In reminiscence to Russia's interference in 2016 presidential polls, President Donald Trump on November 22, 2018 dismissed CIA's report that Crown Prince Mohammad bin-Salman had ordered the killing of The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khasoggi, telling reporters at Mar-a-Lago that CIA had not concluded that crown prince had been behind the killing contrary to well-publicized CIA conclusion. Trump said on November 22, 2018: "No, they [CIA] didn't conclude. They didn't come to a conclusion. They have feeling certain ways". Trump continued: "as I said, maybe he did, maybe he didn't. But I will say very strongly that it's a very important ally", referring to Saudi Arabia.
Turkey Slams Trump for Backing MBS
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu took issues with Trump during an interview with CNN's Turkish affiliate on November 23, 2018 for not seeing through the crime committed at the behest of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin-Salman, accusing the Trump administration of putting money over human life.
U.S. Senate Scolds Saudi for Khasoggi's Killing
In a voice vote, the U.S. Senate on December 13, 2018 held Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman personally responsible for the October 2018 killing of The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khasoggi within Saudi consulate in Istanbul. U.S. Senators also asked Saudi government to "moderate its increasingly erratic foreign policy" and urged the Trump administration not to resume air-to-air refueling program aimed at helping Saudi warplanes in the Yemeni War. Pentagon had stopped the refueling program last month.
In another separate vote on December 13, 2018, U.S. Senate by 56-41 vote limited the Presidential War Powers by ordering the administration to withdraw all help to Saudi Arabia in the Yemen's civil war.
Saudis Slam Senate Vote
In an unusual blunt response, Saudi Foreign Ministry on December 17, 2018 blasted the December 13, 2018, U.S. Senate vote that had held Crown Prince Mohammad bin-Salman personally responsible for the murder of The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khasoggi. Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement that blamed U.S. Senate for basing their decision on "unsubstantiated claims and allegations" and "undermining the Kingdom's regional and international role".
11 Appear before Court
11 defendants accused of being tied to October 2, 2018, murder and dismemberment of The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khasoggi within the Saudi Consulate Office in Istanbul attended in the first court appearance with their lawyers on January 3, 2019. However, Saudi authorities didn't explain why the seven others--from an initial list of 18 detained--didn't face charges. Saudi authorities are seeking death sentences against five defendants. Prosecutors also didn't identify the eleven present on January 3, 2019 at the court.
U.N. Expert Recommends Further Inquiry into MBS
An international expert in extrajudicial killing tied to an international inquiry in the killing of Jamal Khasoggi on June 19, 2019 issued a scathing report, recommending additional investigation into the role of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. However, Ms. Agnes Callamard stopped short of holding MBS or anyone responsible for October 2, 2018, killing of Khasoggi. However, Saudi Arabia has denounced Callamard's report that runs about 100 pages, with the country's deputy foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, describing the report in a twitter message as having included "clear contradictions and baseless allegations that undermine its credibility".
Five Sentenced to Death in Khashoggi's Killing
A Riyadh criminal court on December 23, 2019 sentenced five of the 11 defendants to death although no names were divulged on who had been sentenced to death. Three others were convicted in October 2, 2018, murder and the dismemberment of The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi after he had entered the Saudi consulate office in Istanbul and sentenced to a combined 24 years in prison.
Final Verdict Issued by a Saudi Court
A Saudi court on September 7, 2020 issued the final verdict in the death of Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate office in Istanbul. The verdict was immediately criticized by international rights organizations, which denounced the trial conducted by the Riyadh Criminal Court from the outset. Riyadh Criminal Court's September 7, 2020, final verdict sentenced five defendants to 20 years of imprisonment after their death sentences were voided, under the Islamic law, as a result of forgiveness sought by Khasoghggi's son, Saad Khasoghggi. The court didn't touch Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman or any of his high-ranking associates, without whose planning and support, according to western observers, 15 Saudis could not go to the consulate office and carry out murder of The Washington Post reporter on October 2, 2018 inside the consulate office. Khashoggi's body had been reported to have been dismembered and never been found. The team of 15 Saudi agents was reported to have a clear premeditated plan to kill , according to an investigative report by U.N. investigative rapporteur Agnes Callamard. A total of 11 people were tried. Five of them were sentenced to death. After Jamal Khashoggi's son forgave them, they--all of them remained unnamed by the court--were sentenced to 20 years in prison, one defendant was sentenced to 10 years and two defendants were sentenced to seven years.
U.S. to Revoke Visas of Suspects as King and Crown Prince Meet Slain Journalist's Son
U.S. President Donald Trump on October 23, 2018 told correspondents at the White House that the entire operation that had led to the October 2, 2018, murder of The Washington Post reporter Jamal Khasoggi was "fiasco" as his administration moved to revoke the visas for 21 suspects. Earlier in the day, much of the interests were focused on what Recep Tayyip Erdogan had to say to parliament on the "naked truth" which had vowed two days ago to reveal. But, in his speech, Erdogan didn't add any new details, instead repeating the same that the international community knew all along that Khasoggi's was a "premeditated murder". Also on October 23, 2018, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin-Salman met with the son of murdered journalist Jamal Khasoggi, Salah Khasoggi.
Prince Addresses the Signature Economic Summit, Calls the Journalist Murder "Heinous"
Saudi Prince Mohammad bin Salman addressing the Future Investment Summit, a glittering showcase of Saudi economic prowess in front of 3,000 business and political leaders from all over the world, said on October 24, 2018 that the killing of The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khasoggi was a "heinous" act and "really painful to all Saudis". He vowed to bring culprits to justice and blamed unknown international players to drive a wedge between Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made it plain and simple during the day in his address to Turkey's State Council that he won't allow anyone to cover up this murder.
Saudi Version of Killing Changes
Six days after acknowledging the killing of The Washington Post reporter Jamal Khasoggi inside Istanbul consulate office, the official Saudi version changed again on October 25, 2018 as a state prosecutor for the first time acknowledged that the October 2, 2018, murder had been "premeditated".
Erdogan Presses Saudis to Name the Mastermind; Turkey Asks Extradition of Arrestees
A day after a Saudi state prosecutor acknowledged that the October 2, 2018, murder of Jamal Khasoggi had been premeditated, Turkey launched October 26, 2018 a two-pronged pressure tactic on the Kingdom. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was blunt in pressing Riyadh to come up with the answer who had ordered the killing of The Washington Post journalist. Meanwhile, on the second front, Turkey's chief prosecutor demanded that 18 people, including 15 who had flown in on October 2, 2018 to carry out Khasoggi murder, be extradited to stand trial in Turkey.
No Tangible Outcome from Talks between Saudi-Turkish Prosecutors
Needle didn't move even by a hair, and that was the conclusion of Istanbul's chief prosecutor, Irfan Fidan, who was leading Turkish charges of investigation into Jamal Khasoggi's October 2, 2018, murder inside the Saudi consulate. In the week of October 29, 2018, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman sent Saudi Arabia's chief prosecutor, Saud al-Mujeb, to Turkey, but on October 31, 2018, Irfan Fidan expressed his frustration to the reporters and said candidly that not much progress had been made despite "all our well-intentioned efforts to uncover the truth". Irfan Fidan also said during the day that no sooner than Khasoggi entered the consulate office on October 2, 2018, had he been strangulated. During the day, Saudi chief prosecutor returned home after a fruitless three-day talks.
Erdogan Demands Identity of who Ordered Killing of Khasoggi
Writing a special Opinion piece for The Washington Post, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on November 2, 2018 that he didn't believe that Saudi King Salman had ordered the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but stressed that it was the responsibility of international community to reveal the "puppet master" who had ordered the killing. Erdogan also emphasized that Turkey's good relationship with Saudi Arabia from Ankara's pursuit for truth. Meanwhile, Khasoggi's fiancée, Hatice Cengiz, in a recorded message for a funeral prayer held on November 2, 2018 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington D.C. called for President Donald Trump's intervention to pressure Saudi Arabia for the journalist's remains.
Saudi Prosecutor Seeks Death Penalty against Five; U.S. Imposes Sanctions against 17 Saudi
Office of Saudi Arabia's chief prosecutor, Saud al-Mujeb, on November 15, 2018 issued a report that cleared Crown Prince Mohammed bin-Salman, and blamed the Saudi team that had been sent to Istanbul to bring back Jamal Khashoggi for carrying out the killing The Washington Post journalist on October 2, 2018. The chief prosecutor's office indicted 11 people, and sought death penalty against five of them without identifying. Hours later, Trump administration imposed sanctions against 17 Saudi nationals, including a former aide to the crown prince, Saud al-Qahtani, and Saudi consul general in Istanbul, Mohammed al-Otaibi. Justifying the sanctions, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said that "we are sanctioning" the people "involved in the abhorrent killing of Jamal Khashoggi".
CIA Says that Saudi Crown Prince Ordered Killing
In a damning assessment, CIA reported that Saudi Crown Prince MBS had ordered the killing of The Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi on October 2, 2018 inside Istanbul consulate office, according to several reports published on November 16, 2018. This is a black eye to Riyadh as well as to Trump administration as the Washington, led by President himself, castigated doubt on whether Crown Prince Mohammed bin-Salman had been involved in the journalist's killing.
Trump Dismisses CIA Conclusion
In reminiscence to Russia's interference in 2016 presidential polls, President Donald Trump on November 22, 2018 dismissed CIA's report that Crown Prince Mohammad bin-Salman had ordered the killing of The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khasoggi, telling reporters at Mar-a-Lago that CIA had not concluded that crown prince had been behind the killing contrary to well-publicized CIA conclusion. Trump said on November 22, 2018: "No, they [CIA] didn't conclude. They didn't come to a conclusion. They have feeling certain ways". Trump continued: "as I said, maybe he did, maybe he didn't. But I will say very strongly that it's a very important ally", referring to Saudi Arabia.
Turkey Slams Trump for Backing MBS
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu took issues with Trump during an interview with CNN's Turkish affiliate on November 23, 2018 for not seeing through the crime committed at the behest of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin-Salman, accusing the Trump administration of putting money over human life.
U.S. Senate Scolds Saudi for Khasoggi's Killing
In a voice vote, the U.S. Senate on December 13, 2018 held Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman personally responsible for the October 2018 killing of The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khasoggi within Saudi consulate in Istanbul. U.S. Senators also asked Saudi government to "moderate its increasingly erratic foreign policy" and urged the Trump administration not to resume air-to-air refueling program aimed at helping Saudi warplanes in the Yemeni War. Pentagon had stopped the refueling program last month.
In another separate vote on December 13, 2018, U.S. Senate by 56-41 vote limited the Presidential War Powers by ordering the administration to withdraw all help to Saudi Arabia in the Yemen's civil war.
Saudis Slam Senate Vote
In an unusual blunt response, Saudi Foreign Ministry on December 17, 2018 blasted the December 13, 2018, U.S. Senate vote that had held Crown Prince Mohammad bin-Salman personally responsible for the murder of The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khasoggi. Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement that blamed U.S. Senate for basing their decision on "unsubstantiated claims and allegations" and "undermining the Kingdom's regional and international role".
11 Appear before Court
11 defendants accused of being tied to October 2, 2018, murder and dismemberment of The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khasoggi within the Saudi Consulate Office in Istanbul attended in the first court appearance with their lawyers on January 3, 2019. However, Saudi authorities didn't explain why the seven others--from an initial list of 18 detained--didn't face charges. Saudi authorities are seeking death sentences against five defendants. Prosecutors also didn't identify the eleven present on January 3, 2019 at the court.
U.N. Expert Recommends Further Inquiry into MBS
An international expert in extrajudicial killing tied to an international inquiry in the killing of Jamal Khasoggi on June 19, 2019 issued a scathing report, recommending additional investigation into the role of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. However, Ms. Agnes Callamard stopped short of holding MBS or anyone responsible for October 2, 2018, killing of Khasoggi. However, Saudi Arabia has denounced Callamard's report that runs about 100 pages, with the country's deputy foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, describing the report in a twitter message as having included "clear contradictions and baseless allegations that undermine its credibility".
Five Sentenced to Death in Khashoggi's Killing
A Riyadh criminal court on December 23, 2019 sentenced five of the 11 defendants to death although no names were divulged on who had been sentenced to death. Three others were convicted in October 2, 2018, murder and the dismemberment of The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi after he had entered the Saudi consulate office in Istanbul and sentenced to a combined 24 years in prison.
Final Verdict Issued by a Saudi Court
A Saudi court on September 7, 2020 issued the final verdict in the death of Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate office in Istanbul. The verdict was immediately criticized by international rights organizations, which denounced the trial conducted by the Riyadh Criminal Court from the outset. Riyadh Criminal Court's September 7, 2020, final verdict sentenced five defendants to 20 years of imprisonment after their death sentences were voided, under the Islamic law, as a result of forgiveness sought by Khasoghggi's son, Saad Khasoghggi. The court didn't touch Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman or any of his high-ranking associates, without whose planning and support, according to western observers, 15 Saudis could not go to the consulate office and carry out murder of The Washington Post reporter on October 2, 2018 inside the consulate office. Khashoggi's body had been reported to have been dismembered and never been found. The team of 15 Saudi agents was reported to have a clear premeditated plan to kill , according to an investigative report by U.N. investigative rapporteur Agnes Callamard. A total of 11 people were tried. Five of them were sentenced to death. After Jamal Khashoggi's son forgave them, they--all of them remained unnamed by the court--were sentenced to 20 years in prison, one defendant was sentenced to 10 years and two defendants were sentenced to seven years.
U.S. Intel Report: Saudi Crown Prince Approves the Khashoggi Operation
A long-due unclassified intelligence report made public on February 26, 2021 by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence held Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, or MBS, responsible for the operation executed by the Saudi intelligence agents in 2018 that had led to drugging and dismemberment of The Washington Post journalist and Saudi royal critic Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The ODNI report said that the Crown Prince MBS "approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill" Khashoggi. The two-page report added that MBS exerted full control over every operational decision in the Kingdom and extended "support for the violent measures to silence dissidents abroad, including Khashoggi". Later in the day on February 26, 2021, the U.S. State Department imposed visa restrictions on Saudi officials who were remotely involved in any manner with the decision that led to the killing of Jamal Khashoggi as part of a strategy to send a clear message to "reinforce the world's condemnation of that crime". However, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman himself has been spared from the visa restriction, a decision that will not sit well with the lawmakers.
Khashoggi Prosecutor Asks the Case to Move to Saudi Arabia
That the political compulsions and economic necessities can force a
country to compromise on key prior pledges is clearly evident as a Turkish
prosecutor in the former journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder trial asked
the Turkish court on March 31, 2022 to move the case to Saudi Arabia
as per Riyadh’s request. The move is being seen as further confirmation of the
Saudi effort to keep the proceeding within its national boundary.
*********************** JAMAL KHASHOGGI'S DISAPPEARANCE ******************
Saudi Arabia Reshuffles Government Ministry to Strengthen MBS
Saudi Arabian King Salman on December 27, 2018 carried out a sweeping government overhaul that had brought Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's loyalists to key ministries, underlining the importance of heir apparent MBS despite the global uproar over MBS' alleged direct role in October 2, 2018, murder and dismemberment of The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khasoggi.
Saudis Detain Two U.S. Citizens
About a week after Saudi Arabia released a woman's rights activist, Aziza al-Yousef, authorities on April 4, 2019 arrested her son, Salah al-Haider, a dual U.S.-Saudi citizen in a sweep of prominent dissidents, including writers, journalists and activists. Among those swept up included another dual U.S.-Saudi citizen, Bader al-Ibrahim, a doctor and writer. Whatever goodwill Saudi authorities and their Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman earned last week after releasing Aziza al-Yousef had been wasted by the security sweep this week that netted about a dozen people.
Saudi Arabia Participates in Iraqi Initiative to Bring Regional Rivals Closer
A parliamentary summit hosted by the Iraqi parliament's speaker, , brought lawmakers from players in the region as rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran attended the Baghdad meeting on April 20, 2019 as well as Iraq's other four neighbors: Jordan, Syria, Kuwait and Turkey. Underlining the importance of its relationship with the neighbors, including Saudi Arabia and Saudi's regional rival Iran, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohamed al-Halbousi said that Baghdad wanted to build "strategic partnership with all neighboring countries without any reservation or favoring any party", dismissing Trump administration's primary focus in the region on isolating and punishing Iran.
Trump Administration Evades Congress to Sell Weapons to Saudis
After Congress blocked $2 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia for the past year and more than a month after President Donald Trump vetoed a Congressional measure to stop aid to Saudi Arabia in Yemeni Civil War, Trump administration on May 24, 2019 exploited a loophole in the Arms Export Control Act to avoid any Congressional approval to facilitate up to $7 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE and Jordan. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo justified the arms sales to Saudi Arabia on the ground of checkmating Iran's "malign influence" throughout the middle east region. The move came on the same day Pentagon announced that it would send an additional 1,500 troops to the region.
Second Attack on the Saudi Oil Facility Raises Tension
A second drone attack by Houthi rebels on August 17, 2019 raised the regional tension and demonstrated the agility of Iranian-backed rebel group in hitting Saudi targets deep inside the Kingdom as the day's target was a sprawling oil field, Shaybah Oil Field, some 750 miles from the Yemeni borders deep inside the desert close to UAE border. The attack led to a "limited fire", according to Saudi Aramco. The first drone attack in the recent days hit a East-West pipeline that had led to disruption in oil flow.
Bin Laden's Son Death Announced
A statement attributed to President Donald Trump said on September 14, 2019 that the son of Osama bin Laden, Hamza, had been killed in Afghanistan-Pakistan border in a U.S. counterterrorism operation.
Saudi Arabia Reshuffles Government Ministry to Strengthen MBS
Saudi Arabian King Salman on December 27, 2018 carried out a sweeping government overhaul that had brought Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's loyalists to key ministries, underlining the importance of heir apparent MBS despite the global uproar over MBS' alleged direct role in October 2, 2018, murder and dismemberment of The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khasoggi.
Saudis Detain Two U.S. Citizens
About a week after Saudi Arabia released a woman's rights activist, Aziza al-Yousef, authorities on April 4, 2019 arrested her son, Salah al-Haider, a dual U.S.-Saudi citizen in a sweep of prominent dissidents, including writers, journalists and activists. Among those swept up included another dual U.S.-Saudi citizen, Bader al-Ibrahim, a doctor and writer. Whatever goodwill Saudi authorities and their Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman earned last week after releasing Aziza al-Yousef had been wasted by the security sweep this week that netted about a dozen people.
Saudi Arabia Participates in Iraqi Initiative to Bring Regional Rivals Closer
A parliamentary summit hosted by the Iraqi parliament's speaker, , brought lawmakers from players in the region as rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran attended the Baghdad meeting on April 20, 2019 as well as Iraq's other four neighbors: Jordan, Syria, Kuwait and Turkey. Underlining the importance of its relationship with the neighbors, including Saudi Arabia and Saudi's regional rival Iran, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohamed al-Halbousi said that Baghdad wanted to build "strategic partnership with all neighboring countries without any reservation or favoring any party", dismissing Trump administration's primary focus in the region on isolating and punishing Iran.
Trump Administration Evades Congress to Sell Weapons to Saudis
After Congress blocked $2 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia for the past year and more than a month after President Donald Trump vetoed a Congressional measure to stop aid to Saudi Arabia in Yemeni Civil War, Trump administration on May 24, 2019 exploited a loophole in the Arms Export Control Act to avoid any Congressional approval to facilitate up to $7 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia, UAE and Jordan. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo justified the arms sales to Saudi Arabia on the ground of checkmating Iran's "malign influence" throughout the middle east region. The move came on the same day Pentagon announced that it would send an additional 1,500 troops to the region.
Second Attack on the Saudi Oil Facility Raises Tension
A second drone attack by Houthi rebels on August 17, 2019 raised the regional tension and demonstrated the agility of Iranian-backed rebel group in hitting Saudi targets deep inside the Kingdom as the day's target was a sprawling oil field, Shaybah Oil Field, some 750 miles from the Yemeni borders deep inside the desert close to UAE border. The attack led to a "limited fire", according to Saudi Aramco. The first drone attack in the recent days hit a East-West pipeline that had led to disruption in oil flow.
Bin Laden's Son Death Announced
A statement attributed to President Donald Trump said on September 14, 2019 that the son of Osama bin Laden, Hamza, had been killed in Afghanistan-Pakistan border in a U.S. counterterrorism operation.
Two Saudi Royals Deemed Threat to MBS Detained
Saudi security forces on March 7, 2020 detained two royal elites on charges of treason. Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's one of the uncles, Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, and former Crown Prince Mohammad bin Nayef, a cousin and an apparent heir to the Saudi monarchy whom the new crown prince had replaced in 2017 under the edict of King Salman. The latest action underlines the continuing crackdown of any potential threat to MBS from within the Saud Family and suppression of any dissenting voice in the Kingdom.
Saudi security forces on March 7, 2020 detained two royal elites on charges of treason. Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's one of the uncles, Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, and former Crown Prince Mohammad bin Nayef, a cousin and an apparent heir to the Saudi monarchy whom the new crown prince had replaced in 2017 under the edict of King Salman. The latest action underlines the continuing crackdown of any potential threat to MBS from within the Saud Family and suppression of any dissenting voice in the Kingdom.
Saudi
Women’s Rights Activist to be Tried in a Special Terrorism Court
In
an indication of what is in the horizon, a leading Saudi women rights leader, Loujain
al-Hathloul, who has been detained in May 2018 along with other
women activists for driving, days before lifting a ban on women driving cars, will
be tried at Specialized Criminal Court, according to a November 25,
2020, report by The Associated Press. The Specialized Criminal Court has a
pretty damning record of how it handles cases in secretive manner. An Amnesty
International report earlier this year called the Specialized Criminal
Court as a “weapon of repression".
Saudi Women's Rights Activist Sentenced to Nearly Six Years of Imprisonment
Saudi Arabia's Specialized Criminal Court on December 28, 2020 handed out a five-year-and-eight-month-sentence to one of the most prominent voices on women's rights in Saudi Arabia. The court usually tries defendants on terrorism-related charges, and Loujain al-Hathloul was convicted on broad terrorism charges, spanning from agitating for change to pursuing a foreign agenda to using internet to harm public. During the day, another Saudi women's rights activist, Maya'a al Zahrani, too was sentenced to the same length of prison time by the Specialized Criminal Court.
U.S. Withdraws Missile Defense System from Saudi Arabia
Amidst hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan that raised doubt over the U.S. commitment to its longtime allies, The Associated Press reported on September 11, 2021 that the U.S. had recently withdrawn the missile defense system and Patriot batteries from Prince Sultan Air Base, just outside Riyadh. The redeployment signifies a clear shift in the U.S. strategic direction to assessing global risks and re-pivoting of its focus from the Middle East to Asia-Pacific Region where China poses a significant challenge along with Russia.
Houthi Attacks on Oil Facilities Rattle Saudis
That the Houthi rebels in the south has posed a great danger to the
energy and oil infrastructure of the Saudi Kingdom is an understatement and reminds
the regional and international energy markets one more time on March 20,
2022 as barrage of drones and missiles have been launched by Houthis,
targeting Kingdom’s oil facilities. A drone struck the Yanbu Aramco Sinopec Refining
Company on March 20, 2022, leading to a “temporary reduction”,
according to the Saudi Energy Ministry, in the refining production
capacity. Saudi Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser said that the attack had no
impact on the supply of oil to the global market. Hours later on March 20,
2022, another air attack struck an Aramco distribution facility in the port
city of Jeddah. Later in the night, the sky of Jeddah was filled
with thunderous boom as several anti-missile interceptors were launched by
Saudi Arabia to destroy a barrage of air-borne weapons fired by Houthi rebels
from the south.
Saudi-American Sentenced to 16-year term
A 72-year-old retired project manager was arrested in Saudi
Arabia while he was visiting the Kingdom in November 2021 and sentenced
to 16 years of imprisonment for some tweets critical of the Saudi government.
According to The Dallas Morning News’ October 19, 2022, edition, Saad
Ibrahim Almadi, a dual Saudi and American citizen, made those tweets while
he was in the U.S.
TUNISIA
After weeks of sessions among nation's political parties, a consensus emerged on December 14, 2013 around the Industry Minister Mehdi Jomaa, a political independent, who would become the interim premier to lead the birthplace of Arab Spring, a whirlwind of political change that began in the heart of Tunis and forced out long-time ruler Zine Abedine Ben Ali from the power before spreading to other nations in the middle-east, to new parliamentary and presidential polls. Jomaa will take over power from ruling Ennahda Party premier Ali Larayedh.
On January 10, 2014, Mehdi Jomaa was sworn in as country's Prime Minister, setting off a new beginning for an arduous political process that would, hopefully, lead to a more democratic Tunisia.
A New Constitution that Ensures Freedom of Religion and Women's Rights Passed
On January 26, 2014, Tunisian parliament passed a ground-breaking constitution, with 200 of the 216 members voting for the measure. The new constitution calls for, among others:
* Enshrining the rights of freedom of religion
* Preserving the rights of women
After the historic vote to pass the landmark constitution, an ebullient Speaker of the Assembly, Mustafa Ben Jaafar, said on January 26, 2014 that Tunisians had "today a new rendezvous with history founded on rights and equality".
World Bank Announces Aid
The World Bank on February 28, 2014 announced a $1.2 billion aid package for Tunisia in a show of support for the country's new reform-minded administration. The aid package includes:
* $750 million to promote economic growth and generate employment
* $300 million to develop the impoverished places in country's interior
Win for Secular Party in Tunisian Parliamentary Polls
As polls to elect a 217-seat parliament closed on October 26, 2014, the 87-year-old leader of Nida Tunis, a national party with secular credentials, declared that his party had defeated the ruling, pro-Islamist Ennahada Party, which had won in 2011 parliamentary polls by a convincing margin. Most of the exit polls confirmed Beji Caid Essebsi's claim.
Secular Old Timer Wins the Presidential Polls at the Cradles of "Arab Spring"
In a sure shift in political current, an old timer in Tunisian politics with strong secular bent and links to the regime of former autocrat Zine El Abdine Ben Ali was elected the country's president in December 21, 2014, presidential elections over his Islamist challenger. The victory of Beji Caid Essebsi, 87, who had campaigned on restoring the "prestige of the state", represented a repudiation of the Islamist proclivity to mix religion with politics, tolerate growing symptom of corruption and stay inert to economic decadence. Although it's deemed a minor setback to so-called "Arab Spring" movement, the victory of Essebsi, who received 56 percent of vote, was hailed by secular political parties.
Terrorist Attack on Tourists at a Famous Museum Kill Dozens
Two gunmen in military uniform opened fire on a group of tourists, who were getting off a bus at the National Bardo Museum in Tunis, on March 18, 2015 and then entered into the museum to take people inside hostage. The security forces moved in and engaged in a firefight that ended the hostage crisis with the death of two gunmen. At least 19 people, most of them were foreign tourists, were killed and more than 44 wounded. The dead included five Japanese, four Italians, two Colombians, Two Spaniards, and one each from Australia, Poland and France, according to Tunisia's Prime Minister Habib Essid. The attack at the museum took place at a time when the country's lawmakers were debating on an antiterrorism law at the parliamentary building at the close vicinity. Later in the evening at a special parliamentary session, Speaker Mohammed Ennaceur, referring to the attack at the National Bardo Museum, housed in a 15th century palace, urged the lawmakers to
* Pass the antiterrorism bill being debated during the time of the attack
* Set up a special fund to fight against the terrorism
In the evening, thousands of Tunisians flocked to downtown's Bourguiba Avenue, epicenter of the Arab Spring that had spread many other nations in the middle-east since 2011, to denounce terrorism.
Addressing the nation, Tunisia's newly elected President Beji Caid Essebsi vowed on March 18, 2015 that the fight against the terrorists would go on "until they are exterminated".
The March 18, 2015, attack at the National Bardo Museum was the worst attack since an al-Qaeda militant detonated a truck bomb in front of a historic synagogue in Tunisia's Djerba Island in 2002, killing 21, mostly German tourists.
Death Toll Rises, ISIL Takes Responsibility for Museum Attack
As death toll from the March 18, 2015, terrorist attack at a famed Tunis museum rose to 23, including that of 20 foreign tourists, ISIL on March 19, 2015 claimed the responsibility for the attack launched by two Tunisian gunmen, Yassine Abidi and Hatem Khashnaoui. Meanwhile, the President's Office issued a press statement on March 19, 2015 saying that nine people were arrested so far in one of the worst terrorist attacks the North African country had witnessed in the recent time.
Tunisian Museum Reopens
In a fitting tribute to the slain tourists in a cowardly attack carried out by two gunmen on March 18, 2015, Tunis' National Bardo Museum reopened on March 30, 2015.
A Three-Continent Rampage by ISIL Hits the Raw Nerve of International Community
Islamic State in a span of hours wreaked havoc in three continents on June 26, 2015 in a show of resilience and survivability in the wake of recent losses in Syria and face of continuous aerial bombardment by a U.S.-led coalition. The troika of attacks came three days after a June 23, 2015, call by an ISIL spokesman, Abu Mohammad al-Adnani, to make the month of "Ramadan a month of disasters for the infidels". However, what baffled the international security analysts is the near-simultaneous, but uncoordinated, attack spree that covered three continents and three nations.
(I) Tunisia: A gunman opened fire on a group of tourists at a beachside resort of upscale Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel at Sousse, killing 38 people before shot dead by the security forces. Many of the killed were British tourists, sunbathing at the scenic beach.
(II) France: A terrorism suspect, Yassine Salhi, who was under the surveillance of the French security between 2006 and 2008, crashed his car at gas canisters of a chemical warehouse in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier, southeast of Lyon, touching off an explosion. He also hang the decapitated head of his employer at the gate of the factory, Air Products Factory, before fleeing the scene. Salhi was let inside the factory as he was known to have provided supplies there before. Salhi was subsequently apprehended.
(III) Kuwait: A suicide bomber, mingling among the worshippers at a prominent Shiite mosque in Kuwait City, Imam Sadiq Mosque, blew himself up, killing at least 27 people, and wounding dozens. A twitter posting claimed that Islamic State's Najd Province, ISIL's franchise in the Saudi Arabia province of Najd, was behind the attack.
Tunisian Gunman Identified; British Home Minister Visits Tunisia
As British Prime Minister David Cameron on June 29, 2015 promised to give a "full spectrum" of response for the June 26, 2015, massacre at a Tunisian beach resort in Sousse that had killed dozens of British tourists, British Home Minister Theresa May visited the attack site during the day. Meanwhile, the Tunisian authorities identified the lone gunman as Seifeddine Rezgui, 24, who was a student.
Tunisian Gunman Trained in Libya
Tunisian government said on June 30, 2015 that the gunman Seifeddine Rezgui, 24, a graduate from a technical college in central Tunisia, who had killed 38 people--state media revised down the estimate from 39 to 38--in a rampage on June 26, 2015 at Sousse crossed the border in January 2015 and trained with the Libyan the militants near the northwestern town of Sabratha. Two gunmen, Yassine Abidi and Hatem Khashnaoui, who had carried out the March 18, 2015, attack on the National Bardo Museum were also trained in Libya.
Tunisia Imposes State of National Emergency
Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi on July 4, 2015 imposed a state of national emergency for the next 30 days to empower country's security forces with more powers in order to fight terrorism more effectively.
Explosion in a Bus Kills 12, President Promulgates 30-day Emergency
A bus carrying presidential guards was bombed in the heart of Tunis on November 24, 2015, killing at least 12 and wounding more than 20, almost all of the dead and injured were presidential guards. Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi condemned the attack as a "cowardly terrorist attack" and imposed a 30-day state of national emergency.
Attack on a Garrison Town Kills Dozens
16 days after U.S. airstrikes on an ISIL training camp at Sabratha, in northwestern Libya, had killed a Tunisian commander, Noureddine Chouchane, gunmen ran rampage through a garrison town, Ben Gardane, 18 miles from Libyan borders, on March 7, 2016, leading to a fierce gunfight that had spilled onto streets throughout the day. Several gunmen stormed Ben Gardane just after 5AM, attacking military barracks, a national guard station and a police station that took the garrison town's security establishment by surprise. After initial jolts, security forces engaged the militants on the streets of the town, and by the end of the day, at least 35 militants, 10 security agents, one soldier and seven civilians were killed. Later authorities set up checkpoints throughout the city, and used bullhorns to ask residents to stay indoor. In a televised address, Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi condemned the "unprecedented attack".
Tunisian Premier Voted out
217-member Tunisian parliament on July 30, 2016 voted for a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister Habib Essid, a U.S.-trained agricultural economist. 118 members of parliament voted for the no-confidence motion. In recent days, the ruling, secular Nida Tunis Party witnessed nasty infighting and desertion in its ranks, thus strengthening the position of opposition moderate Islamic Ennahada Party. Faced with the internal turmoil of the Nida Tunis Party, party elder, national statesman and the president of the country, Beji Caid Essebsi, called for a national unity government. As the vote was counted and it was clear that Essid was out, parliament president, Mohamed Ennaceur, said that the country was going through a difficult situation.
Tunisians March against Returning Jihadis
About 1,000 Tunisians, including hundreds of women, made their voice felt in the capital on January 8, 2017 by marching and chanting against some 800 of 3,000 Tunisians who had gone to middle-east hotspots of Iraq and Syria to fight alongside ISIL and now had returned.
Journalist's Self-Immolation Triggers Protest
A journalist, Abderrazak Zorgui, on December 25, 2018 set himself aflame that was videoed and widely circulated in the Tunis city of Kasserine, leading to widespread protest in Kasserine, Tunis and other areas. Zorgui in the video decried economic suffering, lack of opportunity and financial woes, and called for revolt. Over the next two days, security forces detained dozens of protesters across the North African nation.
Seven Gets Life Sentences in March 2015 Museum Attack
Seven defendants were on February 9, 2019 handed down life imprisonment in March 18, 2015, attack on a national museum. Out of 44 defendants, 27 were acquitted and remaining defendants were handed down six months to 16 years in jail sentences.
Tunisian President Passes away
The Tunisian icon, President Beji Caid Essebsi, 92, who catapulted to the Arab World's imagination after fighting against French colonial rule in 1950s and led the nation democratically in the post-Arab Spring era, passed away on July 25, 2019.
Media Tycoon Arrested Days before Presidential Poll
A Tunisian media giant, Nabil Karoui, who is vying for September 15, 2019, presidential election has been arrested on August 24, 2019. Nabil Karoui's political party, Heart of Tunisia, called his arrest as "political" and accused Prime Minister Youssef Chahed of deliberately plotting the arrest of media mogul. The cradle of Arab Spring that had catapulted to prominence with the ouster of strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011 is facing a litmus test in September 15, 2019, presidential poll on whether the promise of democracy still holds true. Among the contestants are Karouhi, Premier Chahed and head of powerful Islamist party Ennahdha, Rached Ghannouchi.
Two Outsiders Headed for Runoff
A media tycoon made to presidential runoff contesting from his jail cell as the final count from September 15, 2019, polls showed Nabil Karoui winning the second-place with 15.6% vote, behind another outsider, a law professor--Kais Saied--who ran as independent. Kais Saied won 18.4% vote. Out of 26 candidates in the fray, moderate Islamist party Ennahada's candidate, Abdelfattah Mourou, won the third-place, ahead of a phalanx of candidates as diverse as Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, Interim President Moncef Marzouki, who had steeped in for a while right after Arab Spring had ousted dictator Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011, Former Defense Minister Abdelkarim Zbidi and two women candidates, including a 45-year-old lawyer, Abir Moussi, who had professed allegiance to Ben Ali. According to Election Commission's estimate released on September 17, 2019, only 45% of the country's 7 million-strong electorate cast their vote, underlining the voter apathy.
Tunisian Parliamentary Polls Dominated by Ennahda
The 217-seat Assembly of People's Representatives went to polls on October 6, 2019 days before the presidential runoff, and moderate Islamist Ennahada performed well, grabbing highest number of seats, but still falling short of absolute majority, closely followed by Qalb Tounes Party headed by imprisoned media tycoon and one of the candidates in the upcoming presidential runoff, Nabil Karoui.
Islamist Law Professor Wins Presidency
In the presidential run-off on October 13, 2019, an independent and Islamist law professor won the election, defeating a jailed media tycoon. Kais Saied thanked Tunisian people for reposing trust on him and promised to defend Palestinian rights.
TUNISIA
After weeks of sessions among nation's political parties, a consensus emerged on December 14, 2013 around the Industry Minister Mehdi Jomaa, a political independent, who would become the interim premier to lead the birthplace of Arab Spring, a whirlwind of political change that began in the heart of Tunis and forced out long-time ruler Zine Abedine Ben Ali from the power before spreading to other nations in the middle-east, to new parliamentary and presidential polls. Jomaa will take over power from ruling Ennahda Party premier Ali Larayedh.
On January 10, 2014, Mehdi Jomaa was sworn in as country's Prime Minister, setting off a new beginning for an arduous political process that would, hopefully, lead to a more democratic Tunisia.
A New Constitution that Ensures Freedom of Religion and Women's Rights Passed
On January 26, 2014, Tunisian parliament passed a ground-breaking constitution, with 200 of the 216 members voting for the measure. The new constitution calls for, among others:
* Enshrining the rights of freedom of religion
* Preserving the rights of women
After the historic vote to pass the landmark constitution, an ebullient Speaker of the Assembly, Mustafa Ben Jaafar, said on January 26, 2014 that Tunisians had "today a new rendezvous with history founded on rights and equality".
World Bank Announces Aid
The World Bank on February 28, 2014 announced a $1.2 billion aid package for Tunisia in a show of support for the country's new reform-minded administration. The aid package includes:
* $750 million to promote economic growth and generate employment
* $300 million to develop the impoverished places in country's interior
Win for Secular Party in Tunisian Parliamentary Polls
As polls to elect a 217-seat parliament closed on October 26, 2014, the 87-year-old leader of Nida Tunis, a national party with secular credentials, declared that his party had defeated the ruling, pro-Islamist Ennahada Party, which had won in 2011 parliamentary polls by a convincing margin. Most of the exit polls confirmed Beji Caid Essebsi's claim.
Secular Old Timer Wins the Presidential Polls at the Cradles of "Arab Spring"
In a sure shift in political current, an old timer in Tunisian politics with strong secular bent and links to the regime of former autocrat Zine El Abdine Ben Ali was elected the country's president in December 21, 2014, presidential elections over his Islamist challenger. The victory of Beji Caid Essebsi, 87, who had campaigned on restoring the "prestige of the state", represented a repudiation of the Islamist proclivity to mix religion with politics, tolerate growing symptom of corruption and stay inert to economic decadence. Although it's deemed a minor setback to so-called "Arab Spring" movement, the victory of Essebsi, who received 56 percent of vote, was hailed by secular political parties.
Terrorist Attack on Tourists at a Famous Museum Kill Dozens
Two gunmen in military uniform opened fire on a group of tourists, who were getting off a bus at the National Bardo Museum in Tunis, on March 18, 2015 and then entered into the museum to take people inside hostage. The security forces moved in and engaged in a firefight that ended the hostage crisis with the death of two gunmen. At least 19 people, most of them were foreign tourists, were killed and more than 44 wounded. The dead included five Japanese, four Italians, two Colombians, Two Spaniards, and one each from Australia, Poland and France, according to Tunisia's Prime Minister Habib Essid. The attack at the museum took place at a time when the country's lawmakers were debating on an antiterrorism law at the parliamentary building at the close vicinity. Later in the evening at a special parliamentary session, Speaker Mohammed Ennaceur, referring to the attack at the National Bardo Museum, housed in a 15th century palace, urged the lawmakers to
* Pass the antiterrorism bill being debated during the time of the attack
* Set up a special fund to fight against the terrorism
In the evening, thousands of Tunisians flocked to downtown's Bourguiba Avenue, epicenter of the Arab Spring that had spread many other nations in the middle-east since 2011, to denounce terrorism.
Addressing the nation, Tunisia's newly elected President Beji Caid Essebsi vowed on March 18, 2015 that the fight against the terrorists would go on "until they are exterminated".
The March 18, 2015, attack at the National Bardo Museum was the worst attack since an al-Qaeda militant detonated a truck bomb in front of a historic synagogue in Tunisia's Djerba Island in 2002, killing 21, mostly German tourists.
Death Toll Rises, ISIL Takes Responsibility for Museum Attack
As death toll from the March 18, 2015, terrorist attack at a famed Tunis museum rose to 23, including that of 20 foreign tourists, ISIL on March 19, 2015 claimed the responsibility for the attack launched by two Tunisian gunmen, Yassine Abidi and Hatem Khashnaoui. Meanwhile, the President's Office issued a press statement on March 19, 2015 saying that nine people were arrested so far in one of the worst terrorist attacks the North African country had witnessed in the recent time.
Tunisian Museum Reopens
In a fitting tribute to the slain tourists in a cowardly attack carried out by two gunmen on March 18, 2015, Tunis' National Bardo Museum reopened on March 30, 2015.
A Three-Continent Rampage by ISIL Hits the Raw Nerve of International Community
Islamic State in a span of hours wreaked havoc in three continents on June 26, 2015 in a show of resilience and survivability in the wake of recent losses in Syria and face of continuous aerial bombardment by a U.S.-led coalition. The troika of attacks came three days after a June 23, 2015, call by an ISIL spokesman, Abu Mohammad al-Adnani, to make the month of "Ramadan a month of disasters for the infidels". However, what baffled the international security analysts is the near-simultaneous, but uncoordinated, attack spree that covered three continents and three nations.
(I) Tunisia: A gunman opened fire on a group of tourists at a beachside resort of upscale Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel at Sousse, killing 38 people before shot dead by the security forces. Many of the killed were British tourists, sunbathing at the scenic beach.
(II) France: A terrorism suspect, Yassine Salhi, who was under the surveillance of the French security between 2006 and 2008, crashed his car at gas canisters of a chemical warehouse in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier, southeast of Lyon, touching off an explosion. He also hang the decapitated head of his employer at the gate of the factory, Air Products Factory, before fleeing the scene. Salhi was let inside the factory as he was known to have provided supplies there before. Salhi was subsequently apprehended.
(III) Kuwait: A suicide bomber, mingling among the worshippers at a prominent Shiite mosque in Kuwait City, Imam Sadiq Mosque, blew himself up, killing at least 27 people, and wounding dozens. A twitter posting claimed that Islamic State's Najd Province, ISIL's franchise in the Saudi Arabia province of Najd, was behind the attack.
Tunisian Gunman Identified; British Home Minister Visits Tunisia
As British Prime Minister David Cameron on June 29, 2015 promised to give a "full spectrum" of response for the June 26, 2015, massacre at a Tunisian beach resort in Sousse that had killed dozens of British tourists, British Home Minister Theresa May visited the attack site during the day. Meanwhile, the Tunisian authorities identified the lone gunman as Seifeddine Rezgui, 24, who was a student.
Tunisian Gunman Trained in Libya
Tunisian government said on June 30, 2015 that the gunman Seifeddine Rezgui, 24, a graduate from a technical college in central Tunisia, who had killed 38 people--state media revised down the estimate from 39 to 38--in a rampage on June 26, 2015 at Sousse crossed the border in January 2015 and trained with the Libyan the militants near the northwestern town of Sabratha. Two gunmen, Yassine Abidi and Hatem Khashnaoui, who had carried out the March 18, 2015, attack on the National Bardo Museum were also trained in Libya.
Tunisia Imposes State of National Emergency
Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi on July 4, 2015 imposed a state of national emergency for the next 30 days to empower country's security forces with more powers in order to fight terrorism more effectively.
Explosion in a Bus Kills 12, President Promulgates 30-day Emergency
A bus carrying presidential guards was bombed in the heart of Tunis on November 24, 2015, killing at least 12 and wounding more than 20, almost all of the dead and injured were presidential guards. Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi condemned the attack as a "cowardly terrorist attack" and imposed a 30-day state of national emergency.
Attack on a Garrison Town Kills Dozens
16 days after U.S. airstrikes on an ISIL training camp at Sabratha, in northwestern Libya, had killed a Tunisian commander, Noureddine Chouchane, gunmen ran rampage through a garrison town, Ben Gardane, 18 miles from Libyan borders, on March 7, 2016, leading to a fierce gunfight that had spilled onto streets throughout the day. Several gunmen stormed Ben Gardane just after 5AM, attacking military barracks, a national guard station and a police station that took the garrison town's security establishment by surprise. After initial jolts, security forces engaged the militants on the streets of the town, and by the end of the day, at least 35 militants, 10 security agents, one soldier and seven civilians were killed. Later authorities set up checkpoints throughout the city, and used bullhorns to ask residents to stay indoor. In a televised address, Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi condemned the "unprecedented attack".
Tunisian Premier Voted out
217-member Tunisian parliament on July 30, 2016 voted for a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister Habib Essid, a U.S.-trained agricultural economist. 118 members of parliament voted for the no-confidence motion. In recent days, the ruling, secular Nida Tunis Party witnessed nasty infighting and desertion in its ranks, thus strengthening the position of opposition moderate Islamic Ennahada Party. Faced with the internal turmoil of the Nida Tunis Party, party elder, national statesman and the president of the country, Beji Caid Essebsi, called for a national unity government. As the vote was counted and it was clear that Essid was out, parliament president, Mohamed Ennaceur, said that the country was going through a difficult situation.
Tunisians March against Returning Jihadis
About 1,000 Tunisians, including hundreds of women, made their voice felt in the capital on January 8, 2017 by marching and chanting against some 800 of 3,000 Tunisians who had gone to middle-east hotspots of Iraq and Syria to fight alongside ISIL and now had returned.
Journalist's Self-Immolation Triggers Protest
A journalist, Abderrazak Zorgui, on December 25, 2018 set himself aflame that was videoed and widely circulated in the Tunis city of Kasserine, leading to widespread protest in Kasserine, Tunis and other areas. Zorgui in the video decried economic suffering, lack of opportunity and financial woes, and called for revolt. Over the next two days, security forces detained dozens of protesters across the North African nation.
Seven Gets Life Sentences in March 2015 Museum Attack
Seven defendants were on February 9, 2019 handed down life imprisonment in March 18, 2015, attack on a national museum. Out of 44 defendants, 27 were acquitted and remaining defendants were handed down six months to 16 years in jail sentences.
Tunisian President Passes away
The Tunisian icon, President Beji Caid Essebsi, 92, who catapulted to the Arab World's imagination after fighting against French colonial rule in 1950s and led the nation democratically in the post-Arab Spring era, passed away on July 25, 2019.
Media Tycoon Arrested Days before Presidential Poll
A Tunisian media giant, Nabil Karoui, who is vying for September 15, 2019, presidential election has been arrested on August 24, 2019. Nabil Karoui's political party, Heart of Tunisia, called his arrest as "political" and accused Prime Minister Youssef Chahed of deliberately plotting the arrest of media mogul. The cradle of Arab Spring that had catapulted to prominence with the ouster of strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011 is facing a litmus test in September 15, 2019, presidential poll on whether the promise of democracy still holds true. Among the contestants are Karouhi, Premier Chahed and head of powerful Islamist party Ennahdha, Rached Ghannouchi.
Two Outsiders Headed for Runoff
A media tycoon made to presidential runoff contesting from his jail cell as the final count from September 15, 2019, polls showed Nabil Karoui winning the second-place with 15.6% vote, behind another outsider, a law professor--Kais Saied--who ran as independent. Kais Saied won 18.4% vote. Out of 26 candidates in the fray, moderate Islamist party Ennahada's candidate, Abdelfattah Mourou, won the third-place, ahead of a phalanx of candidates as diverse as Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, Interim President Moncef Marzouki, who had steeped in for a while right after Arab Spring had ousted dictator Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011, Former Defense Minister Abdelkarim Zbidi and two women candidates, including a 45-year-old lawyer, Abir Moussi, who had professed allegiance to Ben Ali. According to Election Commission's estimate released on September 17, 2019, only 45% of the country's 7 million-strong electorate cast their vote, underlining the voter apathy.
Tunisian Parliamentary Polls Dominated by Ennahda
The 217-seat Assembly of People's Representatives went to polls on October 6, 2019 days before the presidential runoff, and moderate Islamist Ennahada performed well, grabbing highest number of seats, but still falling short of absolute majority, closely followed by Qalb Tounes Party headed by imprisoned media tycoon and one of the candidates in the upcoming presidential runoff, Nabil Karoui.
Islamist Law Professor Wins Presidency
In the presidential run-off on October 13, 2019, an independent and Islamist law professor won the election, defeating a jailed media tycoon. Kais Saied thanked Tunisian people for reposing trust on him and promised to defend Palestinian rights.
President Sacks Premier, Freezes Parliament
As tens of thousands of mostly young protesters crowded Tunis and other cities on July 25, 2021 in protest against a surging pandemic and economic meltdown, President Kais Saied fired the prime minister and froze the parliament's activities although people were not sure what did the "freeze" mean. The rally against the government was called on the 64th anniversary of Tunisia's independence under the auspices of July 25 Movement. Tunis' famous Avenue Bourguiba is a key congregation point this time too as the place has come to be known as the epicenter of beginning of Arab Spring in 2011.
Tunisia Loses Interest in Politics; Turns out at a Meager Numbers in
Parliamentary Runoff
That Tunisians are losing interest in the political process becomes
further evident with only 11.3% turnout rate in January 29, 2023,
parliamentary runoff election. 262 candidates vied for 131 of 161 seats in
parliament. The voters from the epicenter of the Arab Spring became
apathetic in the political process partly because of lack of authoritative powers
of the parliament after President Kais Saied had undermined it.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Sister states that makes up UAE
Abu Dhabi; Dubai; Sharjah; Umm al-Quwain; Fujairah; Ras al-Khaimah; and Ajman
45 UAE Soldiers Killed
In the heaviest battlefield loss for the United Arab Emirates in its 44-year history, 45 of its soldiers were killed on September 4, 2015 when a missile struck an ammunition depot in Marib province, 75 miles east of Sanaa. UAE is part of Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The death of 45 soldiers was made public by the UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash in his twitter feed on September 4. Later in the day, in a separate twitter feed, powerful crown prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan lauded the sacrifice of the fallen soldiers.
UAE Joins Saudi Arabia to Offer Ground Troops to Syria
Three days after Saudi Arabia offered to send ground troops to Syria to fight against ISIL, United Arab Emirates on February 7, 2016 renewed its offer, first issued last year, to send troops to Syria to fight against ISIL.
UAE Dissident Sentenced to 10-year Term
A UAE dissident, Ahmed Mansour, whose social media post criticizing government's rights records riled the authority and pleased the people yarning for more freedom was on May 30, 2018 sentenced to 10-year jail term and fined 1 million dirhams, or $272,000, on charges of defaming the "status and prestige" of UAE.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Sister states that makes up UAE
Abu Dhabi; Dubai; Sharjah; Umm al-Quwain; Fujairah; Ras al-Khaimah; and Ajman
45 UAE Soldiers Killed
In the heaviest battlefield loss for the United Arab Emirates in its 44-year history, 45 of its soldiers were killed on September 4, 2015 when a missile struck an ammunition depot in Marib province, 75 miles east of Sanaa. UAE is part of Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The death of 45 soldiers was made public by the UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash in his twitter feed on September 4. Later in the day, in a separate twitter feed, powerful crown prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan lauded the sacrifice of the fallen soldiers.
UAE Joins Saudi Arabia to Offer Ground Troops to Syria
Three days after Saudi Arabia offered to send ground troops to Syria to fight against ISIL, United Arab Emirates on February 7, 2016 renewed its offer, first issued last year, to send troops to Syria to fight against ISIL.
UAE Dissident Sentenced to 10-year Term
A UAE dissident, Ahmed Mansour, whose social media post criticizing government's rights records riled the authority and pleased the people yarning for more freedom was on May 30, 2018 sentenced to 10-year jail term and fined 1 million dirhams, or $272,000, on charges of defaming the "status and prestige" of UAE.
UAE Reopens Embassy in Damascus
UAE on December 27, 2018 re-opened its embassy in Damascus for the first time in seven years. UAE's charge d'affaires, Abdul Hakim Naimi, was on hand for the flag-hoisting ceremony.
Trump Announces Diplomatic Ties between UAE, Israel
U.S. President Donald Trump on August 13, 2020 announced a historic agreement between United Arab Emirates and Israel that would make the Persian Gulf nation only the third Arab country after Egypt and Jordan to establish full diplomatic ties with Israel. Under the deal, Israel will halt to proposed annexation of areas in West Bank. President's middle-east adviser, Jared Kushner, was on hand when Trump announced the agreement at the White House. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded the agreement in a nationwide address, stating that it would "usher in a new era of peace between Israel and the Arab World". He also called the halt to proposed West Bank annexation as a "temporary hold", a characterization that UAE sharply disagreed. In fact, UAE Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash justified the agreement on the ground that if the annexation went forward, it would torpedo any future hope for an independent Palestinian state and the UAE-Israeli agreement was meant to preserve that hope. Palestinian Authority was swift to denounce the agreement.
Iran Slams UAE
Iran's Revolutionary Guard tore into UAE's decision to normalize relations with Israel. On the same day, August 15, 2020, Iran's president, Hassan Rouhani, and foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, took special aim at UAE for what Zarif said as "betrayal" of UAE towards Palestinians and Arabs.
UAE Ends Boycott of Israel
As a follow-up action to August 13, 2020, peace deal announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, the ruler of United Arab Emirates, amalgam of seven Sheikhdoms, on August 29, 2020 issued directive to end boycott of Israel, opening up opportunities of trade, commerce and security cooperation. Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi lauded the August 29, 2020, directive issued by Abu Dhabi ruler and Emirates' topmost leader, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nayhan, praising it as "a step towards peace, which will yield substantial economic and commercial achievements".
Historic Flight from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi
History was unfurled its own poetic way as a new chapter of peace initiative, much to the chagrin of Palestinians, opened on August 31, 2020, with the first Israeli flight--El Al Flight LY 971--taking off from the Ben-Gurion Airport to Abu Dhabi and soon entering the Saudi airspace. Jared Kushner was among the dignitaries who were the passengers of this historic flight.
Trump Announces Diplomatic Ties between UAE, Israel
U.S. President Donald Trump on August 13, 2020 announced a historic agreement between United Arab Emirates and Israel that would make the Persian Gulf nation only the third Arab country after Egypt and Jordan to establish full diplomatic ties with Israel. Under the deal, Israel will halt to proposed annexation of areas in West Bank. President's middle-east adviser, Jared Kushner, was on hand when Trump announced the agreement at the White House. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded the agreement in a nationwide address, stating that it would "usher in a new era of peace between Israel and the Arab World". He also called the halt to proposed West Bank annexation as a "temporary hold", a characterization that UAE sharply disagreed. In fact, UAE Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash justified the agreement on the ground that if the annexation went forward, it would torpedo any future hope for an independent Palestinian state and the UAE-Israeli agreement was meant to preserve that hope. Palestinian Authority was swift to denounce the agreement.
Iran Slams UAE
Iran's Revolutionary Guard tore into UAE's decision to normalize relations with Israel. On the same day, August 15, 2020, Iran's president, Hassan Rouhani, and foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, took special aim at UAE for what Zarif said as "betrayal" of UAE towards Palestinians and Arabs.
UAE Ends Boycott of Israel
As a follow-up action to August 13, 2020, peace deal announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, the ruler of United Arab Emirates, amalgam of seven Sheikhdoms, on August 29, 2020 issued directive to end boycott of Israel, opening up opportunities of trade, commerce and security cooperation. Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi lauded the August 29, 2020, directive issued by Abu Dhabi ruler and Emirates' topmost leader, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nayhan, praising it as "a step towards peace, which will yield substantial economic and commercial achievements".
Historic Flight from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi
History was unfurled its own poetic way as a new chapter of peace initiative, much to the chagrin of Palestinians, opened on August 31, 2020, with the first Israeli flight--El Al Flight LY 971--taking off from the Ben-Gurion Airport to Abu Dhabi and soon entering the Saudi airspace. Jared Kushner was among the dignitaries who were the passengers of this historic flight.
Trump Leads White House Ceremony to Mark Peace Deals between Israel and Two Arab Nations
High-ranking officials from Israel and two Arab nations--Bahrain and United Arab Emirates--on September 15, 2020 joined hands with Trump and hundreds of guests at the White House's South Lawn to mark the formal signing of peace pacts at the highest level, handing Mr. Trump a significant foreign policy win less than two months before the presidential election. President Trump called the peace agreements as the "dawn of a new Middle East". Hundreds of attendees in the South Lawn didn't maintain social distancing and wear face coverings. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined with Trump along with foreign ministers of UAE and Bahrain, Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, brother of Abu Dhabi's powerful crown price, and Abdullatif al-Zayani, respectively, at the White House ceremony. Almost in the same time, Palestinian militants from Gaza Strip launched two rockets into Israel.
In addition to two separate deals signed by UAE and Israel on one hand and Bahrain and Israel on the other, a third agreement was signed by the U.S., Israel, UAE and Bahrain. This third accord is called the "Abraham Accord", named after the common origin of three monotheistic religions.
High-ranking officials from Israel and two Arab nations--Bahrain and United Arab Emirates--on September 15, 2020 joined hands with Trump and hundreds of guests at the White House's South Lawn to mark the formal signing of peace pacts at the highest level, handing Mr. Trump a significant foreign policy win less than two months before the presidential election. President Trump called the peace agreements as the "dawn of a new Middle East". Hundreds of attendees in the South Lawn didn't maintain social distancing and wear face coverings. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined with Trump along with foreign ministers of UAE and Bahrain, Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, brother of Abu Dhabi's powerful crown price, and Abdullatif al-Zayani, respectively, at the White House ceremony. Almost in the same time, Palestinian militants from Gaza Strip launched two rockets into Israel.
In addition to two separate deals signed by UAE and Israel on one hand and Bahrain and Israel on the other, a third agreement was signed by the U.S., Israel, UAE and Bahrain. This third accord is called the "Abraham Accord", named after the common origin of three monotheistic religions.
Pompeo
Notifies Congress of F-35 Sales to UAE
U.S.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on November 10, 2020 notified Congress that Trump administration was
approving a $23 billion sales package to UAE as reward to “UAE’s
historic agreement with Israel under the Abraham Accords”. The package includes
50 F-35 stealth fighter jets, 18 advanced armed drone systems and air-to-air
and air-to-ground munitions.
Trio Will Push to Expand Abraham Accords, Plan B for Iran to be Considered
Foreign ministers from UAE, Israel and U.S. met at the U.S. State Department on October 14, 2021 to discuss on the potential and ways of expanding the "Abraham Accords". Later talking to correspondents, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said that there were other options which would be on table if Iran didn't return to the Iran Nuclear Agreement, or JCPOA.
Drone Attack on UAE Oil Facility Kills Three; U.N. Special Envoy Heads
to the Region
In an escalation of violence, small drone attacks launched by Iran-backed
Houthi rebels on January 17, 2022 targeted one of the oil facilities
in the United Arab Emirates, and killed three foreign workers—two Indian
nationals and one Pakistani national. The drone attack on an Abu Dhabi
facility coincided with a separate attack on an extension of the
international airport at Abu Dhabi. Later on January 17, 2022,
Houthi officials acknowledged the drone attack. The drone attack on Abu
Dhabi International Airport and the Emirati oil facility may be,
according to many political analysts specialized in the Middle East, in
reaction and response to the Houthi forces’ recent battlefield defeat at the
hands of UAE and Yemeni forces, leading to loss of control over Shabwa
Province at the beginning of January 2022, dashing all Houthi hopes for
having a unilateral sweep of authority over the northern half of Yemen. The
criticism against the audacious attack poured in immediately from all around
the world. U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan vowed to “stand
beside our Emirati partners”. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
called the attack as violation of the “international law”. Saudi Arabia called
it a “cowardly terrorist attack”. Sensing the urgency of the situation, U.N.
Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg has headed to Riyadh.
Houthi rebels in the early morning of January 24, 2022 launched
the second aerial attack on the United Arab Emirates in as many weeks.
Unlike the last time when attacks, involving a small drone and a missile, had
turned fatal, U.S. and UAE military this time counter-launched interceptor
missiles, destroying the two incoming ballistic missiles. One of the targets of
the Houthi-launched ballistic missiles was Al-Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi
where American soldiers were forced to take shelters in bunkers and counter-launch
their own Patriot missiles.
UAE Intercepts Houthi Missile during a Trip by Israeli President
For the third time in past two weeks, Houthi rebels launched
aerial attack on United Arab Emirates. UAE missile defense system intercepted
a ballistic missile launched on January 31, 2022. The timing of the
ballistic missile launch by Iran’s proxy didn’t go unnoticed as Israeli President
Isaac Herzog was visiting the country.
UAE Intercepts Multiple Drones
For the fourth time since January 17, 2022, United Arab
Emirates was attacked by drones and missiles, allegedly fired by Houthi
rebels based in Yemen. The fourth and the latest attack was carried out at the
dawn of February 2, 2022 as UAE was successful in intercepting multiple
incoming drones “away from the population centers”, according to an Emirati defense
ministry tweet.
U.S. Sends F-22 Fighter Jets to UAE
As Houthis are increasingly eyeing United Arab Emirates as
their drone and missile target, U.S. is shoring up the defense of the key
Persian Gulf ally. On February 12, 2022, several F-22 Raptor
fighter jets arrived at the Al-Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi, host to
about 2,000 U.S. military personnel. U.S. forces launched Patriot missiles
on January 24, 2022 to destroy a pair of ballistic missiles, first time the
U.S. had used Patriot missiles since 2003 Iraq War. Although Ukraine
crisis dominates the media and security circuit, Washington is putting high
premium in the middle east to buttress the security of allies. The shipment of
F-22 Raptor jets is the latest evidence of Washington’s effort to bolster the
regional security shield. Separately, an aircraft carrier, USS Cole, is
sailing towards the region.
Assad’s Visit to UAE for the First Time in a Decade Signifies Thaw in
Syria-Arab Relations
That the Arab League and Syria both are taking a pragmatic view of the
evolving political, trade, business, commercial and security scenario in the
Middle East is amply evident from once unthinkable Syrian President Bashar
Assad’s visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). On March 18,
2022, Assad met with Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice
president and premier of the UAE, and ruler of Dubai. Days appear to have been gone
when Syria has been expelled from the 22-nation Arab League, making Damascus a
pariah in the region. Assad’s visit to UAE marks the first time that the Syrian
strongman has taken a visit to an Arab League nation since the Syrian Civil
War has erupted in 2011.
UAE’s Deceased Leader Unifies Adversaries in Mourning
Leaders of the states, which are normally at loggerhead with each other,
have attended the funeral of UAE’s late President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed
Al Nahyan on May 16, 2022 at Abu Dhabi. U.S. Vice President
Kamala Harris led a high-level delegation that included Defense Secretary
Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, climate envoy John Kerry and
CIA Director William Burns, among others. The U.S. delegation was received
at the tarmac by the high-profile national security adviser of the UAE, Sheikh
Tahnoon bin Zayed AL Nahyan. President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al
Nahyan suffered a debilitating stroke a decade ago, and his half-brother
and crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan,
had been ruling the UAE as a de facto ruler. After May 13, 2022, demise
of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, it was a rather smooth transfer
of power. That the countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia—on the opposite
spectrum of Civil War in Yemen—as well as Israel have sent their delegation to
the funeral demonstrates the growing political, diplomatic and regional significance
of UAE in the Middle East.
Israel Signs the Fastest Free Trade Deal with UAE
Israel on May 31, 2022 signed a free trade agreement with the United
Arab Emirates, a historic deal that came two years after the 2020 normalization
of relationship between Israel and the UAE. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali
Bennett lauded the deal which he had described as the “fastest FTA to be
signed in Israel’s history”.
YEMEN
Shiite Rebels Reach at the Capital
A rapidly brewing Shiite rebellion has been taking a firm hold in the capital, Sana, and has been fighting against the government troops and Sunni militiamen on September 18, 2014 for the second day on the streets of the capital. At least 120 people were killed during two days (September 17-18, 2014) of clashes in the capital. In Yemen, Shiites and Sunnis have cohabited for years in relative peace, but Shiites have harbored grievances against the Sunnis because of discrimination by the federal government supported mostly by Sunnis. Most the Shiites in Yemen are Zaydi, a Shiite branch that is close to Sunnis. Former authoritative President Ali Abdullah Saleh was a Zaydi, but doled out favoritism mostly to Sunnis. However, this time, the Shiite rebellion is being led by Houthis, whose principal target are militants from the Sunni-dominated Islah Party, a party linked to Muslim Brotherhood. The government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi is getting squeezed in between two contradictory forces, and trying to find a way out.
Rebels, Government Agree on A Deal
The UN special representative to Yemen, Jamal Benomar, said on September 20, 2014 that Houthis rebels and the regime of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi had agreed to a deal that would allow greater say in governance by country's Shiites and abrogation of withdrawal of fuel subsidy.
Shiite Rebels Sweep Yemeni Capital
In a stunning sweep in Sana, Houthis rebels on September 22, 2014 seized key government buildings, raided homes and residences of Sunni militiamen, took control of armored vehicles from government garrison and searched for key figures of Sunni-dominated Islah Party. The commander of the army's elite 1st Armored Division, Maj. Gen. Ali Mohsen, fled his home, fearing for his life. However, one positive thing was an agreement formally signed on September 21, 2014 by Hawthis rebels and President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi that called for cease-fire in the capital. However, U.N Special envoy to Yemen Jamal Benomar was unable to persuade Hawthis to sign an appendix of the agreement that called for obeying the cease-fire. The figurehead of the Hawthis rebel movement is Abdel-Malek al-Hawthi.
Shiite Rebels Sign Deal with Foes
As part of an overall U.N. comprehensive agreement, Shiite rebel group known as Houthis on September 27, 2014 signed a deal with other parties, including its main foe Islah. The deal calls for disarmament by all sides and withdrawals of fighters and arms from the streets of capital.
Yemen's Ruling Party Rejects the U.N.-Backed Government
A day after U.N. Security Council imposed sanctions on the former President Ali Abdullah Saleh and two Shiite rebel leaders for threatening peace and stability of the country, Saleh's General People's Congress Party, ruling party of Yemen, on November 8, 2014 rejected a newly formed government that was part of a U.N.-brokered peace deal.
Islamists Threaten to Kill Hostage
Islamists owing allegiance to the Yemeni franchise of al-Qaeda on December 4, 2014 released a video, threatening to kill American hostage Luke Somers, 33, a freelance photographer kidnapped from a busy street at Sanaa in September 2013. A failed operation by the US special operations forces to secure release of Somers on November 25, 2014 in the rugged, remote areas in southern Yemen put more pressures on the extremists to intensify its threat, and the group gave until the end of the week to meet the demands which remained unknown to the media.
Hostages Killed during a Second Botched Rescue Attempt
US Navy SEALs on December 6, 2014 raided the hideout of al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula hideout in the rugged southern terrain under the cover of darkness, but to no avail as they found both hostages--British-American citizen Luke Somers and South African teacher Pierre Korkie--wounded with gunshot. While Korkie passed away as he was being transported to a navy ship, Somers breathed his last on the operating table in the USS Makin Island. The raid, involving about 40 SEALs flying aboard the V-22 Osprey aircraft off the USS Makin Island to the "scrubby", remote region, was approved by President Barack Obama. Korkie and his wife, Yolande, who had gone to Yemen as teachers for the Gift of the Givers Foundation, were kidnapped in May 2013. Yolande Korkie was released by the captors in January 2014.
Slain South African Hostage Close to be Released
South African teacher Pierre Korkie, who was killed alongside British-born, American freelance journalist Luke Somers in a botched rescue attempt by the U.S. special forces, was about to be released by his captors, according to Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of the Gift of the Givers charity. Sooliman said on December 8, 2014 that Yemeni government knew about the talks between the charity and Korkie's captors, however was not sure that USA knew about the negotiation or Yemeni government had communicated that to the USA.
Suicide Bomber Targets Shiite Group
A suicide bomber on December 31, 2014 targeted a Shiite ceremony to commemorate Prophet Muhammad's birthday at a city, Ibb, 120 miles off Sanaa. Mostly Houthis, who had swept through Sanaa in September and been fighting against al-Qaeda-tied rebels, were present at that ceremony. The bombing killed at least 24 people.
Car Bomb Targets Police Academy, Kills 38
In an attack that became more of a hallmark of al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula, a large car bomb exploded just outside national police academy at Sanaa on January 7, 2015 as a large throng of young applicants seeking the lucrative police jobs had assembled, killing at least 38 and wounding more than 90.
Country Sliding "Toward a Coup"
Shiite Houthi rebels, who controlled the capital Sanaa since September 2014, moved in on January 19, 2015 to seize main official news agency SABA and Yemeni State TV. There was also pronounced fighting going on between Houthis and Yemeni security forces near the Presidential Palace and a military base. President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi was not thought to be inside the Presidential Palace, and instead might be in his official residence. At least nine people were killed and 67 injured in the firefight. The chief grievance of Houthis was Hadi's failure to form a 85-member panel to oversee the drafting of a new constitution within 15 days of a U.N. agreement that had brought a fragile peace in the capital. Houthis was promised as part of that agreement a fair representation in that panel. However, the way Houthis took the law in their own hands on January 19, 2015 by seizing government institutions and undermining the very presence of the administration had raised eyebrows in both domestic political circle as well as international diplomatic arena. Yemeni Information Minister Nadia Sakkaf characterized the Houthis' action as "a step toward a coup".
Houthis Consolidate their Grip on the Capital
Yemen descended further into chaos and confusion on January 20, 2015 as a hastily arranged truce a night before crumbled as soon as the sun rose in the eastern horizon. Houthis shelled the official residence of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, but the president was thought to be unharmed. The leader of Iran-backed Shiite militia group, known as Houthi, Abdel Malek al-Houthi on January 20, 2015 said in a TV address that his movement's objective was not to depose Hadi, rather to prod the president to accelerate the political process by naming an 85-member constitution drafting panel and fair share of his representatives in that panel. Meanwhile, the U.N. Security Council on January 20, 2015 unanimously passed a resolution stating that Hadi remained the legitimate leader of the country. The august body also condemned the violence and called for immediate truce.
President Hadi and the Entire Cabinet Resign
Instead of bargaining with Houthis, Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi on January 22, 2015 submitted his resignation to parliament. The entire cabinet led by country's premier also tendered its resignation. According to Yemeni constitution, Parliament's speaker, Yahia al-Rai, a close ally of former Yemeni strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh, is thought to assume country's presidency.
Shiite Rebels Seize Powers in Yemen
Two weeks after Yemen's president and entire cabinet resigned, Houthis moved on to seize powers on February 6, 2015 in one of the poorest Persian Gulf nations. In a torrent of moves, Houthis dissolved the existing parliament and declared that their Revolutionary Committee was Yemen's new supreme governing authority. Houthis' action sparked spontaneous protests at Sanaa and other cities, but they had remained peaceful so far.
U.N.-Mediated Talks Unravel as soon as It Starts
A U.N.-mediated negotiation aimed at finding a path for solution to the chaos and confusion that had gripped Yemen with the Houthi takeover of the country's seat of power foundered as soon as it began at Sanaa on February 9, 2015 amid allegation that the Shiite rebel group had been threatening other participants, leading to the withdrawal of two parties from the meeting.
U.N. Chief Warns of Yemen Collapsing as Houthis Expand their Siege
Houthi militants on February 12, 2015 raided and captured the headquarters of Yemen's 19th Infantry Brigade in the southern province of Shabwa province, an oil-producing region. Six soldiers were killed in the fight.
Back in the United Nations, the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued an ominous warning on February 12, 2015: "Yemen is collapsing before our eyes".
Countries Close Embassies, Fighting Kills Dozens
Amid UN-brokered talks headed by UN envoy Jamal Benomar hit a stalemate, country after country began to shut down embassy operations in Yemen. UAE, Spain and the Netherlands on February 14, 2015 became the latest nations to follow what had been done days earlier by the USA, Italy, Germany, France, Britain and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile the widespread discontent against the Houthi takeover of power in Sanaa was being manifested by the day with open defiance as well as armed conflict. Sunni tribesmen in the southern Bayda province began to put up armed resistance against Houthis on February 13, 2015, and as of February 14, 2015, at least 26 people on the both sides were killed. On February 14, 2015, several thousand demonstrators came out on streets in the capital, Sanaa, and other cities such as Ibb, Taiz, Hodeida and Dhamar to decry and denounce Houthi takeover of power.
UN Security Council Calls for Houthis to Leave Seat of Powers
Two bold diplomatic moves on February 15, 2015 aimed at preventing Yemen from disintegration set the stage for harder international push to find reasonable solution to a fast brewing crisis that had potential to unravel regionally and undermine US counterterrorism effort in the region.
First move on February 15, 2015 came from the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council that had asked the U.N.S.C to intervene in Yemen.
The second move was made later in the day at the U.N. where a 10-nation sponsored resolution calling for Houthis to give up powers was passed unanimously. However, the February 15, 2015, U.N.S.C. resolution didn't include Chapter 7 mandate that would have allowed, as per wish of Yemen's Gulf neighbors, U.N. to use force, if necessary, to make the measure work and complied with. The U.N. resolution also calls for unconditional release of former President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi from house arrest.
Houthis Reject U.N. Resolution
In response to the U.N. resolution approved a day earlier, Houthis issued a statement on February 16, 2015, rejecting the measure and calling the international community to respect country's sovereignty.
Ray of Hope for Compromise in Yemen Crisis Seen
At the behest of the UN envoy to Yemen Jamal Benomar, possibility for reaching a sustainable deal emerged after a marathon negotiation on February 20, 2015. Under the emerging deal, the present structure of the parliament will remain intact, while a new upper chamber, "people's transitional council", will be created to address Houthi grievance that it was underrepresented in country's parliament. One significant omission in the emerging deal is lack of any reference to interim government, implying continued occupation of Houthis over the seat of powers in Sanaa and parts of the Persian Gulf nation.
President Flees House-Arrest
Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who had been under house arrest since January 19, 2015 and was apparently forced to resign from presidency on January 22, 2015, was reported to have fled on February 21, 2015 and headed to the south.
After Fleeing House Arrest, Former President Throws Challenge to Shiite Rebels
A day after ousted President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi fled house-arrest and arrived at the southern safe refuge of port city of Aden, the former president on February 22, 2015 launched his first volley of defiance against Houthis who had seized powers in Sanaa in January. Hadi also received key support from half a dozen southern governors, who had gone to Aden to greet Hadi and hold meetings with him on February 22, 2015. Beside six southern governors, Hadi was also backed by governors of three northern states--Marib, Jawf and Taiz, most populous Yemeni province. Also, in an indication of strengthening political consensus for upholding democratic principles, several political parties across ideological spectrum, including Socialists, Leftists, Nasserists, Salafis and Islamic Islah parties stood firmly behind deposed President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. One notable exception is the political party of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, General People's Congress, which is openly backing the Houthis. Meanwhile, on ground, tens of thousands of people came on the streets of various cities, including the capital Sanaa, Taiz, Ibb and Houdeida, on February 22, 2015 to vent their anger at Houthis.
Southern Yemeni Airport Stormed, Ousted President's Palace Bombed
Soldiers loyal to former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on March 19, 2015 stormed the international airport at Aden, and sent planes to bomb the hilltop palace where the country's ousted president, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, was staying after fleeing the house arrest in Sanaa on February 21, 2015. Aden's Governor Abdel-Aziz bin Habtour said that during the time of bombing Hadi was not in the palace and he was safe. At least 13 people were killed in the March 19, 2015, violence at Aden.
Suicide Attacks on Pair of Mosques Kill 137, al-Qaeda Militants Seize a Key City
Suicide bombers struck two mosques tied to Houthi rebels in Sanaa during Friday peak hours of prayer on March 20, 2015, killing at least 137 worshippers. The mosques, after the attacks, looked a war zone of destruction, blood, mangled cars and collapsed concrete. Islamic State claimed the responsibility for the twin suicide attacks. If the claim turns out to be true, this will mark the first operational strike by ISIL in Yemen, where a virulent militancy led by the local franchise of al-Qaeda, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), took a heavy toll in the most impoverished Gulf nation. Although the mosques--Badr Mosque and al-Hashoosh Mosque--are mostly frequented by Shiites, many of them are Houthi militants, the worshippers also included Sunnis too.
In another setback to Yemen's stability, al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula on March 20, 2015 seized a southern provincial capital, al-Houta.
Two simultaneous, but separate, incidents on March 20, 2015--attacks on a pair of mosques in Sanaa allegedly by ISIL and fall of al-Houta to AQAP--forced the Obama administration to evacuate about 125 counterterrorism personnel from Yemen in the following 48 hours. The rapid deterioration in ground condition in Yemen dealt a severe setback to Obama administration's effort to fight against terrorism in the volatile region. What's more frustrating is that Obama has once touted Yemen as a model for democracy in the region.
Yemeni President Seeks External Help
Yemen's ousted President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi sought intervention from the Persian Gulf neighbors as Houthi rebels were making concerted push to advance toward Aden, the port city where Hadi took refuge after fleeing house arrest in Sanaa. Hadi also urged the U.N. Security Council to impose a no-fly zone so that rebels couldn't use seized airports to launch attacks. Hadi's appeal to both the Persian Gulf nations and U.N. Security Council was made public by his foreign minister, Riad Yassin, who spoke to Saudi-owned al-Hadath TV on March 23, 2015.Yassin made similar comments to Saudi-owned Asharq al-Awsat newspaper.
President Flees Yemen by Sea, Saudi-led Airstrikes Begin
Fearing his life in the wake of advancing Houthi militants toward Aden, Yemen's ousted President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi fled the port city of Aden by sea on March 25, 2015 and was thought to have sought shelter in Saudi Arabia. Hours later Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to the US said that his country had begun airstrikes against the Houthi targets in Yemen. Obama administration said that US was coordinating military and intelligence support for the airstrikes without participating in it. To give credence or appearance of regional support for the Saudi-led airstrikes, the five members--Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar--of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) issued a statement on March 25, 2015, saying that the council would answer a request by Hadi to "protect Yemen and his dear people from the aggression of Houthi militias". However, Oman didn't sign the joint statement, and its participation in a regional response was moot at best. Many political analysts think that the current crisis that has gripped Yemen is the reflection of a growing shadow war between region's two powerhouses: Sunni Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Shiite behemoth Iran.
Saudi-led Airstrikes Hit Houthi Targets
Saudi Arabia-led air campaign in Yemen went on in full swing on March 26, 2015, flattening a number of homes and killing at least 18. According to Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV, Riyadh deployed 100 fighter jets, 150,000 soldiers and navy units. White House spokesman Eric Schultz on March 26, 2015 said that President Obama had authorized logistic and intelligence help for the campaign, code-named Operation Decisive Storm, that brought UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt under a broad umbrella of coalition. Reacting angrily against the Saudi-led air campaign, Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi on March 26, 2015 accused Saudi Arabia, USA and Israel of launching a "criminal, unjust, brutal and sinful" campaign.
Saudi-led Coalition Imposes Naval Blockade
On the fifth day of Saudi-led campaign against Houthi targets in Yemen, Saudi Arabia and other regional allies used their naval fleet on March 30, 2015 to impose a naval blockade on the port of Aden in order to prevent any arms shipment to Houthi rebels and fighters allied with the former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Al-Qaeda Seizes a Key Port City
Taking advantage of the chaos that had gripped in Yemen amidst a Saudi-led airstrike campaign to oust Houthi rebels from the seat of powers and restore Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula on April 2, 2015 seized a key port city, Mukalla, capital of the country's biggest province Hadramawt.
Casualty Rises Amid Al-Qaeda's Latest Inroads
Casualty continued to rise as Saudi-led air campaign against Houthi rebels entered into its tenth day. A looming humanitarian disaster is in the offing. Meanwhile, on April 4, 2015, reports from Mukalla, country's fifth largest city and capital of the biggest province, poured in that al-Qaeda-tied militants had executed dozens of government troops a day after capturing the port city.
Shiite Rebel Group Rounds up Sunni Politicians
Amid days of blistering air attack by a Saudi-led coalition, the ground situation in Yemen got complicated by day, and a coalition of Houthi rebels and allies of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh on April 5, 2015 were reported to be zeroing in on the port city of Aden. Meanwhile, in a disturbing trend of harassing Sunni politicians, Houthis rounded up more than 100 officials of Sunni-dominated Islah Party overnight, including two senior leaders Mohammed Qahtan and Hassan al-Yaeri.
Fighting Intensifies at Aden
Despite a ferocious air campaign by Saudi Arabia-led coalition, Houthis' hold on powers remained intact and the fight for the port city Aden intensified on April 6, 2015. Underlining the high stakes, Saudi Arabia asked Pakistan to join the coalition. Pak parliament is in the midst of the debate on whether to join the Saudi-led coalition.
Shiite Rebels Seize Key Provincial Capital
More than two weeks into a Saudi-led airstrike campaign, a coalition of Houthi rebels and fighters loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh not only survived the assault, but was able to expand their reach even deep into Sunni heartland. The latest proof came on April 9, 2015 as Houthi-led fighters seized the capital of oil-rich province of Shabwa, Ataq. The fall of Ataq was a significant blow to Saudi-led effort to restore ousted Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.
Al-Qaeda Seizes a Key Arms Depot
Taking advantage of the chaos in Yemen, al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in recent days expanded its reach and control over a large part of Yemen. The latest prize for AQAP came on April 17, 2015 with siege of a large weapons depot at Mukalla, capital of the country's biggest province Hadramawt. A day before, AQAP captured an oil terminal, a major airport and area's main military base. However, the fight over Hadramawt was not all bad as pro-Hadi forces captured country's largest oil field at Masila in the province on April 17, 2015. Meanwhile, Saudi-led airstrikes continued on April 17, 2015 against Houthi targets in the capital, Sanaa, Taiz, country's second largest city, parts of Aden and Shiite rebels' northern stronghold of Saada.
US Sends an Aircraft Carrier to Block any Arms Shipment to Shiite Rebels
US on April 20, 2015 sent the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt to the waters off Yemen to disrupt any potential arms shipment to Houthi rebels. US accused Iran of arming Houthis.
Saudi Arabia Halts Air Strike Campaign
On April 21, 2015, Saudi Arabia announced that it would halt, but not end, its month-long "decisive storm" air campaign against Houthi militia in Yemen to facilitate aid, medical and food supplies to the besieged Yemeni people. Brig. Gen. Ahmed Asiri made the announcement at Riyadh, emphasizing that the military objectives of the air campaign, dubbed as the Operation Decisive Storm, had been accomplished, and now the focus would be shifted to find a political solutions to the problems. Many analysts disputed the Saudi claim, citing incontrovertible evidence that Houthis' domination in Yemen was not rolled back and former President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi was nowhere near getting back the presidency, two most important objectives in Yemen campaign.
Saudi Air Campaign Slows down, Nevertheless Continues
A day after declaring a halt to continuous air assault against Houthi targets in Yemen, Saudi-led air campaign, dubbed as Operation Decisive Storm, nevertheless continued on April 22, 2015 in the port city of Aden and Taiz. However, the capital, Sanaa, was given reprieve on April 22, 2015. Taking advantage of that, Houthis organized a major anti-Saudi Arabia demonstration. Meanwhile, World Health Organization estimated that the nearly month-long Operation Decisive Storm campaign had killed about 1,000 people and wounded three times more.
Saudi Air Campaign Escalates, Rebels Intensifies Fighting
Two days after Riyadh announced of scaling back its air campaign, dubbed as the Operation Decisive Storm, Saudi Arabia-led coalition increased the degree of its bombing campaign on April 23, 2015 that included hitting
* hotels and a police club at the port city of Aden
* an airbase, a military camp and weapon depots in western Yemeni port of Houdida
* headquarters of Battalion 35, a stronghold of soldiers loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, located in the western city of Taiz
* educational facilities, suspected to have stores weapons, in the city of Ibb
* rebel reinforcements in the central province of Marib
* weapons depots and rebel assembly check points in the city of Dhale, a gateway to the south
Meanwhile Houthi rebels pressed on moving neighborhood by neighborhood in the battle of all important port city of Aden.
Former Yemeni Strong Leader Asks for Truce
Former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on April 24, 2015 asked his Houthi allies to withdraw from occupied cities and comply with the U.N. Security Council resolution for a truce in exchange for an end to Saudi-led air campaign. Saleh released a statement broadcast on his Yemeni TV network directly urging the political arm of Houthi rebels, Ansar Allah, amid the most recent UNHCR estimate that 551 civilians had been killed and 1,185 others injured between March 26 and April 22, 2015.
Saudi Airstrike Intensifies at Port City
Saudi Arabia-led airstrike intensified on April 25, 2015 at the Port of Aden as the visceral street fighting, involving Houthis and followers of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh on one hand and fighters loyal to ousted President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi on the other, now entered into a neighborhood-by-neighborhood warfare. On April 25, 2015, the fighting centered around Aden neighborhoods of Khour Makser and Dar Saad.
Iran Rips Saudi Arabia for Airstrikes in Yemen
Iran's Revolutionary Guard's head, Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, on April 27, 2015 launched a blistering attack on Saudi Arabia for what he described "following in Israel's footsteps" by its airstrikes in Yemen. He used the word "treacherous" to describe Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Airstrike Damages Yemeni Airport
In order to prevent an Iranian Red Crescent flight from landing at capital's international airport, Saudi Arabia-led air campaign on April 28, 2015 targeted the airport at Sanaa with at least 7 strikes and damaged the airport significantly. Meanwhile, the U.N. on April 28, 2015 updated its estimate of the number of displaced people since the airstrikes had begun a little over a month ago to 300,000, a 100-percent increase from the previous estimate issued 11 days ago.
Rebels Strike at Saudi Guards, Riyadh Responds with Punishing Airstrike
Saudi Arabia on May 1, 2015 carried out one of the most punishing airstrikes since Operation Decisive Storm, had begun on March 26, 2015, hitting Houthi targets in Sanaa and Aden. Earlier, Houthi rebels launched attacks on a Saudi frontier post overnight, killing at least three Saudi border guards. On the diplomatic front, the U.N Security Council met on May 1, 2015 for an emergency session, but it produced very little in terms of any effort to come up with any solution that might end the fighting and open a negotiated political process.
Saudi-Led Coalition Lands Ground Troops on Yemeni Coast
For the first time since Operation Decisive Storm was launched on March 26, 2015, Saudi Arabia-led coalition on May 3, 2015 deployed about two dozens ground troops on the Yemeni coast near the port city of Aden for "reconnaissance" and training purpose. The other objectives of the ground landing would include creating a so-called "green zone" along the coast, west of Aden, in the al-Bureqah area for the safe return of ousted President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. Meanwhile, a statement was issued by Egypt's National Defense Council on May 3, 2015 night that extended the deployment of Egyptian troops as part of Saudi-led coalition in the Red Sea, especially the strategic entrance of Bab Al-Mandab in the southern tip, for an additional three months.
Saudi Proposes Cease-Fire for Aid to Flow in
Standing beside visiting US Foreign Secretary John Kerry on May 7, 2015, Saudi Foreign Minister and former Ambassador to USA Adel al-Jubeir said at Riyadh that his country would begin to observe a five-day cease-fire beginning on May 12, 2015 to allow international relief supplies to reach the besieged and beleaguered people of Yemen. However, al-Jubeir made it clear that Houthi rebels had to reciprocate by observing the cease-fire if it had to become effective.
A Day after Proposing Cease-Fire Saudi Ups the Ante with Fierce Air Attack
A day after Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir proposed a five-day cease-fire and reiterated the stand yet one more time at a conference in Paris on May 8, 2015, Saudi Arabia during the day warned the residents of Yemen's northern Saada province, a Houthi stronghold, to leave the region by midnight in advance to a campaign of airstrikes. Tens of thousands of civilians immediately began to pack up essentials and evacuate their families out of the region. As midnight fell on Saada, furious airstrikes had begun targeting weapons storage complexes and other Houthi targets.
Rebels Agree to Saudi Cease-Fire
Amid a bombing carried out by Saudi Arabia's aircraft against the former President Ali Abdullah Saleh's residential complex at Sanaa on early May 10, 2015, Houthi rebels during the day agreed to a Saudi Arabia-proposed five-day cease-fire that would begin at 11:00PM on May 12, 2015 to facilitate inflow of aid, medicine, food and relief supplies to a beleaguered population. Meanwhile, former President Saleh, emerging from his ruined complex that was hit at least by seven times, gave a defiant statement on May 10, 2015 to a local TV station, condemning the aerial attacks and needling the Saudis to send ground troops.
Fierce Fighting A Day Before the Start of a Cease-Fire
A day before the formal beginning of a cease-fire, brinkmanship was the name of the game played both sides in Yemen. On May 11, 2015, Saudi coalition launched a serial blistering airstrikes against Houthi targets across the nation including a weapons depot on Noqom Mountains on the outskirt of the capital, Sanaa, and several in the provinces of Saada, Aden, Shabwa, Taiz and al-Dhaleh. According to the U.N., at least 1,400 people--many of them civilians--were killed in the Yemen conflict since March 19, 2015, a week before the Operation Decisive Storm was launched on March 26, 2015. Houthis were not also immune from blame as their rebels shot down a Moroccan aircraft on May 11, 2015. The Moroccan aircraft was on reconnaissance mission over northern Yemen. In the backdrop of these last minute intensification of conflict, the new UN envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed is to arrive at Sanaa on May 12, 2015 to oversee the five-day cease-fire and relief operation.
Cease-Fire Begins after a Last Ditch Air Assault by Saudis
The new UN envoy for Yemeni crisis, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, arrived at Sanaa on May 12, 2015 to facilitate relief operation in the besieged country. At 11:00PM local time, cease-fire began to hold, but not before a barrage of Saudi Arabia-led airstrikes hit several Houthi targets across the nation, including an ancient hilltop castle, Al-Qahira Castle, in Taiz that was recently seized by rebels. Meanwhile, World Food Program and U.N. refugee agency were gearing up for one of the largest relief operations in the region for close to a million people. On May 12, 2015, Iran announced that it was sending an aid ship, surrounded by the Iranian Navy, to Yemen, a development both Pentagon and Saudi Arabia took strong exception because of military escort.
Relief Supplies Trickling in Amid Sporadic Violations of Cease-Fire
On May 13, 2015, the first full day of cease-fire in Yemen, Saudi Arabia-led coalition and Houthis traded charges against each other over cease-fire violations. Coalition carried out airstrikes in the province of Abyan to checkmate the movement of Houthi convoy toward Aden to reinforce the militant positions there. Fierce fighting took place between Houthis and pro-Hadi forces in different parts of the country. However, overall, the cease-fire took effect in the vast parts of the poorest Gulf nation. But, to underline the severity of the humanitarian crisis, OXFAM's Director in Yemen Grace Ommer said on May 13, 2015 that to prevent a looming humanitarian disaster what would be needed was not a five-day cease-fire, but "an immediate and permanent cease-fire by all parties".
Saudi Arabia-Led Coalition Begins Airstrike Amid Peace Talks at Riyadh
After a five-day pause, Saudi-led coalition began airstrikes of Houthi targets on late May 17, 2015. The last five days came as a blessing to Yemeni people as a tenuous cease-fire held and global relief agencies tried their best to provide aid supplies to as many besieged people as possible. Also on May 17, 2015, a three-day peace conference began at Riyadh which politicians, tribal leaders and others from Yemen had attended. However, a notable absentee was all-important representation of Houthis, which called for boycott of Riyadh conference and asked it be held in any neutral country.
Peace Talks Postponed Indefinitely
Three days before the start of the peace talks at Geneva, UN on May 25, 2015 postponed the talks indefinitely, underscoring the grave situation and lack of understanding between the warring sides.
Al-Qaeda in Yemen Confirms Death of Its Leader in an American Drone Strike
The Yemeni franchise of al-Qaeda, Al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), on June 16, 2015 confirmed the widely circulated report that its leader, 38-year-old Nasir al-Wuhayshi, was killed in a drone strike last week (according to a witness, the drone strike took place on June 9, 2015 on a sea beach at the coastal city of Mukalla, Yemen's fifth-largest city. AQAP appointed another battle-hardened militant Qassim al-Raimi to replace Wuhayshi. The White House also issued a statement on June 16, 2015, confirming the killing of Wuhayshi as "a major blow to AQAP".
Airstrike Hits a Market, Kills 45
A massive airstrike launched by Saudi-led air coalition hit a marketplace on July 6, 2015 at Fayoush, just north of southern port city of Aden, killing 45 and wounding more than 70.
Truce Broken as soon as Begins
No sooner than a weeklong truce supposed to last through the end of Ramadan had begun on July 10, 2015 than the Saudi-led coalition airstrikes punctuated by shelling on the ground between Houthi militia and pro-regime forces rocked various parts of Yemen.
Rebels Pushed out of Key Areas of a Southern Port City
Yemeni Houthi rebels on July 14, 2015 were dealt a significant setback when they were ousted by pro-government fighters, assisted by Saudi Arabia-led coalition's "preparatory airstrikes", from the Airport and its surrounding areas at Aden, southern port city. Residents elsewhere in the city came out on the streets to celebrate the defeat of Houthi rebels. Now, the Houthi rebels are pushed into a corner of the city.
U.N. Issues Estimates of Toll in Yemen
As a week-long truce initiated by the UN was violated by both sides as soon as it began, United Nations expressed alarm by the scale of devastation that was wrought on the poorest of the Gulf nations. U.N. on July 14, 2015 estimated that 1,670 people were killed and 3,829 civilians were injured in Yemen between March 26, 2015 and July 13, 2015.
Loyalists Make Headway against Rebels in Southern Port City
Bolstered by a barrage of Saudi-led airstrikes, fighters loyal to exiled, western-backed government of Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi on July 16, 2015 ousted Houthi rebels from two key neighborhoods of Aden, leading thousands of residents from Mualla and Crater to come out on the streets for celebration on the eve of Eid.
Exiled Premier Claims Full Control over Southern Port City
Taking to Facebook, Yemen's exiled Prime Minister Khaled Bahah wrote on July 17, 2015 that forces loyal to western-backed regime of Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi had totally liberated the port city of Aden.
Shelling Kills 45 Residents of a Town
Days after suffering its first significant defeat, Shiite Houthi rebels became more desperate and less discriminate in their attacks as evidenced on July 19, 2015 with significant shelling of the town of Dar Saad, just outside the Port of Aden, killed 45 people and wounded 120.
Death Toll Rises to Close to 100
In the worst day for any city since the civil war broke in March 2015, the death toll in the town of Dar Saad rose to nearly 100 on July 20, 2015, a day after deadly shelling by Houthi rebels.
Fierce Airstrikes Kill More than 120
Saudi-led airstrikes killed at least 120 and wounded more than 150 in Taiz province on July 24, 2015.
Al-Qaeda Franchise in Yemen Makes Headway Amid Chaos
Exploiting the situation on ground amid fierce fighting between Houthis plus soldiers loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh on one side and Saudi-backed air-assault alongside the fighters loyal to ousted President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi on the other, al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the local franchise of the terrorist group made headway by seizing three towns near the port city of Aden. The August 6, 2015, capture of Rabat, al-Lahoum and al-Masaabin raised the stakes in Yemen on US strategy to fight terrorism in one of the most volatile regions of the world.
Al-Qaeda Fighters Make Inroads in and around a Key Port City
Taking advantage of a security vacuum and politically fluid situation due to a bogged-down fighting between Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia-backed coalition, al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has been making steady inroads around the port city of Aden. On August 22, 2015, AQAP fighters seized Tawahi District, home to a presidential palace; parts of Crater, Aden's commercial hub; parts of Aden's northern suburb of Dar Saad.
45 UAE Soldiers Killed
In the heaviest battlefield loss for the United Arab Emirates in its 44-year history, 45 of its soldiers were killed on September 4, 2015 when a missile struck an ammunition depot in Marib province, 75 miles east of Sanaa. UAE is part of Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The death of 45 soldiers was made public by the UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash in his twitter feed on September 4. Later in the day, in a separate twitter feed, powerful crown prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan lauded the sacrifice of the fallen soldiers.
Five Bahraini Soldiers Killed
Bahrain's state news agency said on September 4, 2015 that five of its soldiers were killed defending the southern borders of Saudi Arabia without divulging the details. Bahrain is part of Saudi Arabia-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Qatar Deploys Troops in Yemen
As part of Saudi Arabia-led coalition, Qatar deployed about 1,000 ground troops in the central Yemeni province of Marib to fight against Houthi rebels, according to an announcement made by Doha-based Al-Jazeera network on September 7, 2015.
Exiled Premier Returns to Yemen
Exiled Prime Minister Khaled Bahah returned to Yemeni port city of Aden on September 16, 2015 with several cabinet minister in an apparent bid to form an administration at the port city. The southern port city was recently cleared off the Houthi rebels by pro-government forces.
Saudi Airstrike Kills 29
Saudi Arabia-led coalition launched an airstrike on September 19, 2015 on Old Sanaa area, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, killing at least 29 people.
Suicide Bombing Kills 25 at a Mosque
A suicide bomber blew up at a mosque in the rebel-held capital, Sanaa, on September 24, 2015, killing at least 25 people. ISIL claimed responsibility for the attack on worshippers, many of them were sympathetic to pro-Shiite Houthi rebels, at al-Bolayi Mosque.
Airstrikes Kill at least 70 at Wedding
In the largest human toll, accidental airstrikes at Wahija, a village on the Red Sea coast near the port city of Mokha, killed at least 70 people who were attending a wedding in the early September 28, 2015. This marked the third accidental airstrike by Saudi-led coalition in 10 days.
Toll Rises in Mistaken Airstrikes
A day after Saudi Arabia-led coalition struck a wedding party at Wahija, a village on the Red Sea coast near the port city of Mokha, the death toll rose on September 30, 2015 to 131.
Bombings Kill More than Two Dozens in Yemen
A string of bombing attributed to ISIL on October 6, 2015 had struck the port city of Aden that had been captured by the government forces from Houthi rebels in July 2015, including a hotel where pro-government military officials had established an operations command center. Along with a bombing at a mosque in Sanaa, the country's capital, that had killed at least 7 people, the October 6, 2015, bombings killed at least 25 and inserted a new dimension in the civil war by the participation of ISIL in bombings and mayhem.
Saudi-led Coalition Bombs Health Center Run by Doctors Without Borders
Saudi Arabia-led coalition on late October 26, 2015 bombed a health center run by Doctors Without Borders in northern Yemen. The casualty figure remained known. Hassan Boucenine, the group's head of mission in Yemen, said on October 27, 2015 that two airstrikes were launched against the medical facility around 11:00PM local time a night before, and the facility had collapsed.
U.N. says that 5,700 Have Died
The United Nations' humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, Johannes Van Der Klaauw, said on November 18, 2015 that 5,700 people were killed in the Yemeni civil war since March 26, 2015, including 830 women and children. He also stressed that 82 percent of the country's population, or some 21.2 million people, need humanitarian assistance.
ISIL Claims Assassinating Provincial Governor
As Houthis and Saudi-led coalition were in the midst of an intense conflict, ISIL and AQAP were in the rise in Yemen, taking advantage of the political vacuum in Yemen. The latest evidence on that came as the provincial governor, Jaafar Mohamed Saad, was killed in a car bomb on December 6, 2015 in the southern port city of Aden. Hours after the killing at Aden's Tawahi district, ISIL released a statement and photographs to claim responsibility for assassinating Saad and eight of his body guards. Jaafar Mohamed Saad, a retired general, returned from exile in Britain after government-allied fighters had ousted Houthi fighters and their allies from Aden in July 2015.
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Cease-Fire to Begin 12 Hours Late amidst Talks to Launch in Switzerland
A seven-day cease-fire proposed to begin at midnight on December 14, 2015 to pave the way for negotiation, scheduled to start on December 15, 2015, in Switzerland between the warring parties was delayed as fighting didn't subside in time and brinkmanship still continued. With the last minute flurry of diplomacy, the cease-fire was to take effect at noon time on December 15, 2015.
U.N.-Brokered Talks Begin amid Continuing Fighting
A U.N.-brokered negotiation began in Switzerland on December 15, 2015 what U.N. special envoy for Yemen, Ismail Cheikh Ahmed, called as a process to "mark the end of military violence in Yemen". However, the sentiment was not shared by the forces on ground as fighting continued unabated on December 15, 2015 in Taiz province despite a noon deadline for a cease-fire. According to the U.N., the civil war in Yemen had so far killed 5,884 people since March 26, 2015 when a Saudi-led, U.S.-backed coalition had begun air campaign against the country's Houthi rebels.
Talks on Shaky Ground as Fighting in Parts of Yemen Continues Unabated
As the talks began in Switzerland on December 15, 2015 between Houthi negotiators and government negotiators at the behest of the U.N. and western nations, fighting on ground seemed unstoppable despite a cease-fire scheduled to take hold by noon December 15, 2015. As the talks continued with plenty of hurdles and herculean goals, pro-government troops on December 18, 2015 captured the capital of Jawf province bordering Saudi Arabia. Troops allied to western-backed government also scored a major victory by taking a key town in Hajja province. Severe fighting was also reported from the Marib province. Meanwhile, the U.N. special envoy for Yemen, Ismail Cheikh Ahmed, said on December 18, 2015 that the heads of delegations had expressed renewed "commitment for a cease-fire". Although the talks are being held amid lack of trust between parties as well as leaks of the proceedings and the venue of the talks, which are being held at an Olympic House in the Swiss village of Macolin.
Talks Collapse under the Burden of Truce Violations
After six days of international talks in Switzerland that produced no significant progress, leave alone any result, the talks on December 20, 2015 broke due to what U.N. special envoy for Yemen, Ismail Cheikh Ahmed, said at Bern during the day that constant violations of the truce was hindering the negotiation process.
Yemen's Never-Observed Truce Finally Ends
Yemen's so-called truce that had begun on December 15, 2015 to facilitate peace talks in Switzerland never took hold, and ended also unceremoniously on January 2, 2016.
Hope for Another Cease-Fire, New Peace Talks
The U.N. special envoy for Yemen, Ismail Cheikh Ahmed, said on March 23, 2016 that warring Yemeni parties had decided to observe cease-fire effective April 10, 2016 and a new round of peace talks would begin on April 18, 2016 in Kuwait. The announcement came after diplomatic back-and-forth among Yemen's warring factions, namely internationally backed government and Houthi rebels in addition to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, France and the USA among a host of nations.
Envoy Suspends Peace Talks
Given there was little headway in the way peace talks were moving in Kuwait and with absolute disregard for human lives by warring parties in the battlefields, the U.N. special envoy for Yemen, Ismail Cheikh Ahmed, on August 6, 2016 suspended the ongoing peace talks for a month.
A 72-hour Cease-Fire Announced
The U.N. Special envoy for Yemen, Ismail Cheikh Ahmed, on October 17, 2016 announced, after days of intense negotiation with various parties at the U.N., that a 72-hour cease-fire would begin on October 19, 2016, paving the way for U.N. to coordinate relief efforts and aid distribution to the people in need. Ahmed also expressed hope that the pause in fighting could be extended and eventually lead to a permanent truce, a sky-high goal at this moment.
U.N. Panel of Experts Issues Report on Yemeni War Crimes
A U.N. panel of experts on August 28, 2018 issued a report at Geneva that excoriated the war crimes committed by the both sides of Yemeni civil war, but held the special critique for Saudi-led coalition's indiscriminate attacks on opposition-held areas.
Parties Agree to a Cease-fire over Port City of Hodeida
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on December 13, 2018 that Houthi and Saudi-led coalition negotiators had agreed to a cease-fire in the crucial Read Sea port city of Hodeida, a crucial conduit for 80 percent of international aid bound for Yemen, and both sides would begin troops withdrawal soon. The negotiators have been talking in Sweden for days at the behest of the U.N.
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Saudi Airstrike Targets Iranian Embassy
Four days after the execution of a Shiite cleric, Nimr al-Nimr--who had condemned the human rights records of the Kingdom and demanded for greater rights for Saudi Arabia's Shiite population, but always urged his followers to eschew violence--followed by mass-scale demonstrations across the region, including violent incidents such as attacks on Saudi Embassy in Teheran and a consulate office in Mashhad that had plunged the region into political crisis, Saudi Arabia-led coalition launched an airstrike on the Iranian embassy at Sanaa on January 6, 2016 night. A spokesman, Hossein Jaber Ansari, for the Iranian Foreign Minister on January 7, 2016 condemned the "Saudi aircraft missile attack on Iran's embassy in Sanaa, which caused damage to the embassy building and wounded a number of the building's guards".
ISIL Footprint behind a Suicide Car Attack
A suicide attacker used a bomb-laden vehicle to blow up a checkpoint at Aden, killing 8 people. ISIL took responsibility for the suicide attack.
Saudi Airstrikes Kills 30
Saudi airstrikes on February 27, 2016 targeted a marketplace outside the capital Sanaa in a Shiite-controlled neighborhood, Nihm, and killed at least 30 people, including 22 civilians.
Gunmen Massacre Elderlies at a Retirement Home
In a new low and inhuman show of bestiality, gunmen stormed a retirement center at the port city of Aden on March 4, 2016, and executed its residents in a cold blooded manner. 16 people, including four nuns, were killed at the retirement home run by the Missionaries of Charity.
Saudi Airstrikes Kill 65
Saudi warplanes on March 15, 2016 launched two strikes at a marketplace in a northern Yemeni region controlled by Houthi rebels, killing at least 65 people.
Death Toll Mounts; Saudi Arabia Scales Back Ground Troops
As the death toll from March 15, 2016, Saudi airstrikes on a marketplace in the rebel-controlled northern Yemeni town of Mastaba in Hajja province jumped to 119, including 22 children, Saudi Arabia on March 17, 2016 announced that it would significantly reduce its ground troops in Yemen although it would continue to assist the internationally backed government with air campaign.
U.N. Official Condemns Saudi Airstrikes
U.N. human rights head Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein on March 18, 2016 condemned the Saudi airstrikes three days ago on a marketplace in the rebel-controlled northern Yemeni town of Mastaba in Hajja province that had killed 119, including 22 children.
Thousands Rally to Demand for Peace
Tens of thousands of Yemenis on April 29, 2016 fanned across the nation to demand for compliance with a fragile cease-fire, reached at the behest of the U.N., that had begun on April 10, 2016 by all sides. Houthis and Saudi-led coalition were showing absolute disrespect and disregard for the lives of civilians, and had flouted the cease-fire numerous times.
U.S. Ground Forces Deployed in Yemen in Advisory Role
Pentagon on May 6, 2016 announced that a small corps of U.S. ground forces had been deployed in Yemen to advise, assist and guide the Arab-backed government forces in fight against Islamic extremists. Pentagon's announcement coincided with three U.S. destroyers--USS Boxer, USS Gonzalez and USS Gravely--stationed, or sailing, near Yemeni coasts to provide "medical, intelligence and maritime support" to the beleaguered government forces.
Rocket Attacks Kill 17 Civilians
A busy market teeming with people shopping in the wake of incoming month of Ramadan at the western city of Taiz was slammed by rockets on June 3, 2016, killing 17 people. The rockets were allegedly fired by Houthi rebels.
Coalition Strikes Hit Capital
Saudi-led coalition hit Houthi rebels on several fronts on August 9, 2016, killing at least 21 people. One of the targets hit by airstrikes was a potato chip factory at al-Nahda neighborhood of the capital, Sanaa. At least 10 civilians were killed in the chip factory bombing. Saudi Arabia-led coalition gave an ultimatum of 72 hours for prohibiting commercial aviation at the capital's international airport, thus stranding passengers, including the negotiators who were participating in the talks, postponed just three days ago, in Kuwait.
Attack on School Kills 10 Children
The Yemeni civil war is taking an increasing number of tolls of country's civilians, especially the children as the no-holds-barred strategies being used by warring parties are sparing none in shameless defiance of any wartime rules. The latest of that was a shocking of replay of brutal attacks launched over the past 18 months as Saudi-led airstrikes had hit a school on August 13, 2016 in the city of Saada, killing at least 10 school children.
Airstrike on Hospital Kills 11
Two days after airstrikes on a school killed 10 students, another airstrike on a hospital operated by the Doctors Without Borders near the northern Yemeni city Saada on August 15, 2016 killed 11 people and wounded at least 19.
Missile Kills 7 in Saudi Arabia
In response to Saudi-led airstrikes in recent days that had killed dozens of civilians, Houthi rebels on late August 16, 2016 carried out a missile strike from northern Yemen that had hit a commercial neighborhood of Saudi city of Najran, killing at least 7 people.
Pro-Rebel Demonstrators out in Full Force
Hundreds of thousands of Yemenis descended on the streets of Sanaa on August 20, 2016 to show support for a recently announced governing council of Houthi rebels and former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. No foreign government, other than, may be Iran, has given any recognition or support to the newly announced governing council.
Suicide Attack Kills 54
A car full of explosives rammed through a crowd near a pro-government recruitment camp in the southern port city of Aden on August 29, 2016, killing at least 54 and wounding more than 70. Hours after the suicide car bombing, report emerged of the suicide bomber identified as Ahmed Seif shown in a photo as smiling and brandishing a rifle next to an ISIL flag.
Saudi Arabia, Allies against U.N. Investigation
On September 23, 2016, Saudi Arabia and its allies fought hard at the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva to stave off an internal investigation into the conduct of war in Yemen as calls grew louder for an investigation into gross human rights abuses, especially on the Saudi side as a report issued during the day by U.N. estimated at least 329 civilian deaths since the peace talks had collapsed on August 6, 2016.
Airstrikes on a Funeral Kill 140, Leads to U.S. to Review Its Saudi Policy
Airstrikes attributed to Saudi Arabia-led coalition on October 8, 2016 brought an absolute disaster to Sanaa as a funeral at the capital filled with mourners had been struck, resulting in the death of at least 140 people and about 525 injuries. The funeral hall was turned into a rubble and rescuers worked late into night pull wounded people from underneath the debris. The U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick, condemned the "horrific" attack and reminded the parties to respect the international humanitarian laws. Responding to the Saudi-led airstrikes on the funeral, White House National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said that Washington would review its policy to Saudi-led air campaign in Yemen.
Funeral Airstrikes Spark Massive Protest
Sanaa erupted in protest a day after Saudi-led airstrikes had killed between 104 and 155 people and wounded more than 500. Tens of thousands of people rallied on October 9, 2016 to condemn the airstrikes that had targeted the funeral of the father of Houthi leader.
U.S. Launches Tomahawk Missiles Targeting Houthi Radar Sites
In response to recent Cruise missile launches by Houthi rebels that landed close to U.S. navy ships, U.S. launched Tomahawk missiles in the early hours of October 13, 2016 (local time), or late hours of October 12, 2016, destroying targets at three coastal radar sites north of Bab al-Mandab Strait. The Tomahawk launch, off the deck of USS Nitze, was recommended by Defense Secretary Ash Carter and authorized by President Barack Obama. Tomahawk missiles struck three coastal locations controlled by Houthi rebels and scarcely populated by civilian population. According to U.S. authorities, first such provocation occurred on October 9, 2016 as two cruise missiles landed near USS Mason, a guided missile destroyer, and USS Ponce, an amphibious staging base, respectively. Both were reported to be international water off the Yemen's coast. A third cruise missile landed near USS Mason early on October 12, 2016.
A 72-hour Cease-Fire Announced
The U.N. Special envoy for Yemen, Ismail Cheikh Ahmed, on October 17, 2016 announced, after days of intense negotiation with various parties at the U.N., that a 72-hour cease-fire would begin on October 19, 2016, paving the way for U.N. to coordinate relief efforts and aid distribution to the people in need. Ahmed also expressed hope that the pause in fighting could be extended and eventually lead to a permanent truce, a sky-high goal at this moment.
Errant Airstrikes on a Pair of Prisons Kill Dozens
Saudi-led airstrikes on October 29, 2016 battered two prisons in the Houthi-held Red Sea coastal area, killing dozens.
Suicide Bomber Kills 48 Soldiers in Yemen
Days after Yemen's western-backed President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi returned to Aden from months in exile in Saudi Arabia, a suicide bomber blew up on December 10, 2016 just outside Aden's Solaban Military Base where scores of soldiers had gathered to collect their paychecks, creating a scene of bloodied corpses, charred remains and mangled materials. Hours later, Yemeni affiliate of ISIL claimed responsibility for the deaths of at least 48 soldiers.
Suicide Attack Kills 52 Soldiers
Underscoring the degree of security vacuum created by a longer than two-year Houthi-Hadi civil war, a suicide bomber on December 18, 2016 blew up outside a military camp at Aden, killing at least 52 soldiers and injuring 63 others. Hours later ISIL claimed the responsibility and identified the bomber as Abu Hashim al-Radfani. The attack marked the third time ISIL had carried out such devastating assault on Saudi-backed government-controlled city of Aden. A suicide bomber blew up on December 10, 2016 at the same military base, killing 57 soldiers. In August 2016, an ISIL-orchestrated attack at Aden left at least 72 people dead.
U.S. Commandos Raid a Militant Hideout, One Seal Killed
In the early hours of January 29, 2017, a group of U.S. Navy seals launched a surprise raid on a militant hideout in central Yemen to nab or kill a leader of al-Qaeda in Yemen, Abdulrahuf al Dhahab, killing dozens. Yemen's Foreign Minister Abdul Malik Al Mekhlafi alleged on January 30, 2017 that dozens of the people killed in the raid were women and children. However, Pentagon disputed the claim, saying most of the women killed in the operation were combatants. Pentagon also announced that one of Navy Seals, Chief Petty Officer William "Ryan" Owens, 36, was killed in the operation.
34,000 Displaced in the Battle in Western Yemen, U.N Says
U.N. refugee agency said on February 10, 2017 that about 34,000 people had recently fled the renewed fighting in the western port cities of Mokha and Dhubab on the Red Sea. Yemeni forces aligned with Saudi-backed President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi have recently seized Mokha, and are now pushing northward. Most of the displaced from sought refuge in the outskirts of another western port city, Taiz. Meanwhile, in a speech aired on the al-Masirah TV on February 10, 2017, Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi boasted that the rebels had in their possession drones and missiles that they could use against Saudi Arabia if needed. UAE, which is part of Saudi-led coalition, has recently accused Iran of exporting drones and missiles to Houthi rebels.
U.S. Carries out Airstrikes in Yemen
Little over a month after a botched Special Operations raid in the central Yemeni province of Bayda cost the life of a Navy Seal, William "Ryan" Owens, U.S. drones and aircraft launched an intense aerial attacks in the early hours of March 2, 2017 against the al-Qaeda targets in at least six districts of three provinces--Bayda, Shabwa and Abyan--killing more than two dozens. In the January 29, 2017, raid in which Chief Petty Officer Owens was killed, at least 25 Yemenis, including 10 children and nine women, were killed too.
Attacks Kill at least 42 Refugees
As a boat carrying several dozen migrants was sailing near the Yemeni port of Hodeida, a gunship helicopter and a military vessel began firing on the boat, killing at least 42 migrants, most of them from the Horn of Africa. Houthi rebels blamed Saudi Arabia for March 17, 2017, attack on boatload of migrants.
Somalia Blames Saudi Arabia-led Coalition for Refugee Death
Somalian Foreign Minister Abdisalam Omir on March 18, 2019 was very pointed and powerful when he told reporters at Mogadishu that the attack on a boatload of majority Somali refugees a day earlier in the coastal waters of Yemen had been carried out by Saudi Arabia-led coalition. He called the death of 42 refugees horrific and asked the coalition to investigate.
U.S. Airstrike Kills 3 al-Qaeda Operatives
A reported U.S. airstrike on April 6, 2017 killed three al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) operatives, including Khattab al-Wuhayshi, the brother of late AQAP leader Nasir al-Wuhayshi, who had been killed by another airstrike two years ago and subsequently succeeded by Qasim al-Rimi, according to The Associated Press.
Navy Seal Strikes Al-Qaeda Hideout
A group of Navy Seal Team 6, a highly decorated special operations forces group, on early May 23, 2017 struck a suspected hideout of al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in the southern Marib Province. According to the U.S. Central Command that had disclosed the operation later in the day, an airstrike also was called in, and an AC-130 gunship helicopter came to the aid of Seals on the ground. According to the U.S. Central Command, at least seven AQAP militants were killed in the resultant firefight and airstrikes. The military also said that scores of Seals were injured too, without divulging how many, or extent of their injuries.
Yemen Hurtling to Famine, U.N. Humanitarian Chief Says
U.N. humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien told U.N. Security Council on May 30, 2017 that Yemen faced the ignominy of the world's worst "food security crisis". At least 55,000 cholera cases were reported, according to O'Brien, since April 2017. More than 17 million Yemenis need help in food aid, including 6.8 millions who were "one step away from famine". On the political front, the progress had been ground to near-halt as U.N. envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh, informed the U.N. Security Council during the day that the negotiation was moving at a snail's pace.
Cholera Cases Spreading Rapidly, UNICEF Says
UNICEF rang an alarm bell on June 3, 2017 that Yemen was in the throe of a devastating grip of cholera epidemic that was affecting 3,000 to 5,000 people a day and, if not checked, would overwhelm an already crippled healthcare system by more than doubling the new cholera cases from 130,000 per two-week now to 300,000. The Middle-East Director of UNICEF Geert Cappelaere said on June 3, 2017 that at least 70,000 new cholera cases had been reported in the past month from Yemen's 19 of 22 governorates. The conflict in Yemen killed more than 10,000 people and displaced more than 3 millions.
Saudi Airstrike Kills 48 amid Fissure in Houthi Coalition
Around 3:30AM local time on August 23, 2017, a Saudi-led airstrike on a two-story motel north of Sanaa killed at least 48 people. The airstrike might be meant to take advantage of apparent fissure that had emerged between Houthi rebels and supporters of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Salah. The followers of former president were to hold a massive rally on August 24, 2017 to mark the 35th anniversary of founding of Salah's political party, General People's Congress.
Severe Blockade on Yemen Imposed after Ballistic Missile Fired at Saudi Capital
Saudi Arabia in the early hours of November 6, 2017 imposed a complete sea, air and road blockade on Yemen after a ballistic missile was fired on November 4, 2017 at the Saudi capital Riyadh's international airport. Saudi defense forces was able to destroy the incoming missile and the missile was torn into pieces and dispersed in a sparsely populated area. On November 5, 2017, Saudi-led planes launched waves of attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen in response to the failed ballistic missile attack on the Saudi capital's international airport that came from Yemen. During the day, Saudi Arabia-led coalition issued a stern statement warning Iran against provoking tension and considered the ballistic missile launch a day before "an act of war". The statement also accused Iran of supplying the missile to Houthi rebels in Yemen and threatened to "respond to Iran in the appropriate time and manner". Responding to coalition statement, Houthi rebels said that the missile was an Volcano-variant indigently made.
Houthi Rebels Claim to Have Launched a Missile on a UAE Nuclear Plant
Yemen's Houthi rebels said on December 3, 2017 that they had launched a missile and hit a nuclear plant under construction, Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, in Abu Dhabi, a claim immediately refuted by UAE.
Former President Ali Abdullah Saleh Killed by Houthi Rebels
After their deteriorating alliance collapsed last week, Houthi fighters were on lookout for former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. On December 4, 2017, they killed the former president, and the graphic picture of his dead body was posted on the social media. Justifying the killing of Ali Abdullah Saleh, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi said that his fighters had defeated "a large-scale conspiracy".
Houthis Fire a Second Ballistic Missile at Riyadh
Houthi rebels on December 19, 2017 fired a second ballistic missile in as many months at Riyadh, but Saudi authorities reported to have intercepted the missile.
Saudi Airstrike Kills 25
A Saudi Arabia-led coalition airstrike on a crowded marketplace on December 26, 2017 killed at least 25 people, ramping up the death toll by the day as Saudi-led coalition and Houthi rebels were often attacking each other ignoring any semblance of civilian life.
Yemeni Civil War Descending into Multiple Chaotic Faction
Yemen's civil war is not only disintegrating the national fabric, it's creating enormous confusion even within the fighting bloc and degenerating into factional fighting within each bloc. On the government side led by President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, there emerged a clear rebellion against Aden-based authority, blamed on open revolt by UAE-supported fighters. The internecine fighting began on January 28, 2018, and as of January 29, 2018, at least 36 people were killed and more than 185 wounded in the fierce fight in two Aden districts--Khor Maksar and Crater. Yemen's Prime Minister Ahmed Obaid Bin Daghar called the uprising by UAE-financed and -trained rebels as a "coup".
Southern Separatists Backed by UAE Seize Aden
After three days of fierce battle (January 28-30, 2018), UAE-backed rebel fighters appeared to have upper hand over the forces loyal to President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. The UAE-backed rebels, organized under Southern Transition Council, on January 30, 2018 established virtually complete control over the surrounding areas of the presidential palace in Aden, and the Hadi-loyal Presidential Protection Forces had surrendered to the rebels, who had wanted to revive the formerly southern independent state that had been in existence before 1990 unification of northern and southern parts of Yemen. Prime Minister Ahmed Obaid Bin Daghar was reported to be planning to flee to Saudi Arabia where President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi was in exile.
Russia Vetoes Sanctions Resolution on Yemen
Siding with Iran, Russia on February 26, 2018 vetoed a U.N. resolution that called for action against any nation that had violated U.N. arms embargo on Yemen. The resolution drafted by Britain was aimed at Tehran after a U.N. panel experts issued a scathing report in January 2018, accusing Iran of violating the embargo and supplying arms to Houthi rebels. Accompanying Russia, Bolivia voted against the measure, while China and Kazakhstan abstained. Russian Ambassador to the U.N. Vassily Nebenzia called the panel's January 2018 report "selective and contentious" while the British Ambassador to the U.N. Jonathan Allen called the panel's report a "very serious concern" suggesting "Iranian non-compliance".
Rebels Fire Missile into Saudi Arabia to Mark the Third Anniversary of Civil War
Houthi rebels on March 25, 2018 marked the third anniversary of a Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen that had forced the poorest nation in Persian Gulf into crevice of catastrophe with millions of people displaced, hundreds of thousands of children malnourished and the region falling into utter chaos by firing a barrage of missiles deep into Saudi Arabia. At least one person was killed and two others injured.
Saudi Airstrike Kills at least 20 at a Wedding Event, Houthi State of the Head Declared Dead
The top health official of the Yemen's northern Hajja province, Khaled Al-Nadhri, told The Associated Press on April 23, 2018 that a night before an airstrike by Saudi Arabia-led coalition had struck a wedding venue and killed at least 20 people, including children and bride.
Later on April 23, 2018, Houthi rebel leader Abdul-Malek al-Houthi said that a separate coalition airstrike four days ago (April 19, 2018) had killed Saleh al-Samad, the head of the territories in Yemen controlled by Houthi rebels.
Fight over Port City Kills more than 600
An escalation in fighting over the control of Red Sea port city of Hodeida, a vital lifeline for international aid for millions of besieged people of Yemen, has created a looming catastrophe and calamitous living conditions for the hundreds of thousands of people in and around the city. Days-long battle between Houthi rebels and UAE-backed forces has killed at least 600 people. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on June 11, 2018 that U.N. envoy Martin Griffiths had been shuttling among Sanaa, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to avoid "a military confrontation in Hodeida". U.N. humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock told reporters on June 11, 2018 after briefing the U.N. Security Council that it was important to avoid bloodshed in Hodeida because "90 percent of food, fuel and medicines in Yemen are imported" and "70 percent come through Hodeida". Almost 7 million people in Yemen depend on humanitarian aid. Stepping in in the debate over Hodeida, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on June 11, 2018 that it was absolutely necessary to sustain the "free flow of humanitarian aid and life-saving commercial imports".
Operation "Golden Victory" Launched
Saudi-, UAE-backed coalition on June 13, 2018 launched an all-out attack on Hodeida in an operation dubbed as "Golden Victory" with a barrage of airstrikes and rocket attack on Houthi targets from the ships in Red Sea. Meanwhile, coalition fighters were approaching to the port city from the south.
Saudi-, UAE-backed Troops Seize a Key Town South of Port City
On the second day of "Golden Victory", Saudi- and UAE-backed coalition fighters on June 14, 2018 made headway in breaking a stubborn resistance on the southern periphery of the port city of Hodeida. The coalition troops captured a town, Nakhila in ad-Durayhimi district, 12 miles south of Hodeida International Airport. A Saudi army spokesman said on June 14, 2018 in Riyadh that coalition soldiers were about to enter Hodeida and now just 3 miles from the city limit. Meanwhile, a Houthi spokesman said in Sanaa that rebels had repelled a naval attack on Hodeida.
Battle over Hodeida Continues with Ferocity
The Operation Golden Victory launched on June 13, 2018 entered into fourth day on June 16, 2018, with Saudi- and UAE-backed forces engaged in fierce battle with Houthi rebels over the Red Sea port city of Hodeida.
29 Children Killed in Latest Saudi-led Airstrike
Inflicting a massive human toll on vulnerable lives in Yemeni Civil War, an airstrike launched by Saudi Arabia-led coalition in the country's northern province of Saada, Houthi rebels' ancestral land, killed at least 43 people and wounded more than 60 on August 9, 2018. The strike hit a bus carrying school children for recreational outing and, according to International Committee of Red Cross, had killed 29 children. Although Saudi-led coalition justified the attack, saying that it was "a legitimate target", the outrage was universal after the attack. UNICEF's regional director for Middle East and North Africa, Geert Cappelaere, took to twitter to blast the attack with a statement: "No excuses anymore!" Houthis often use Saada to launch missile and rocket attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Al-Qaeda's Chief Bomb Maker Killed by U.S. Drone Strikes
World's one of the most sophisticated bomb maker who, on behalf of the Yemeni franchise of al-Qaeda, planned and organized several bomb plots such as a underwear bomb that a Nigerian tried to carry out in 2009 on a Detroit-bound flight and another failed attempt to blow up cargo flights using printer cartridge bombs was assassinated by a U.S. drone strike. Yemeni officials disclosed on August 18, 2018 that Ibrahim al-Asiri might have been killed in a drone strike in the eastern Marib province sometime in the second half of 2017. His cruelty was manifest to the world when he sent his own sibling, Abdullah, to assassinate the then-Saudi Interior Minister Mohammad bin-Nayef in 2009. Nayef miraculously escaped unhurt, but Abdullah was killed.
Parties Agree to a Cease-fire over Port City of Hodeida
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on December 13, 2018 that Houthi and Saudi-led coalition negotiators had agreed to a cease-fire in the crucial Read Sea port city of Hodeida, a crucial conduit for 80 percent of international aid bound for Yemen, and both sides would begin troops withdrawal soon.
Sides Continue Fighting Hours before Cease-fire to Go into Effect
Three days after a U.N.-mediated agreement was sealed and two days before it would go into effect, volleys of fires and rockets were launched by Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia-led coalition troops on December 16, 2018 in and around Hodeida, killing at least 12 people and injuring more than 25. Speaking with reporters at Doha on December 16, 2018, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a dire warning that if cease-fire fails in Hodeida, aid and relief to at least 14 million Yemenis will be in jeopardy, underlining the importance of the Red Sea port of Hodeida, key conduit of international relief supplies.
Truce Begins at Hodeida
A fragile truce began to take hold at the midnight of December 18, 2018 in the Red Sea port city of Hodeida, a very important point of contact for the outside world to ship relief supplies to more than 70 percent of Yemenis in dire need of help. The clashes between the Saudi-led government forces and Houthi rebels continued until the eleventh hour, raising questions about the effectiveness of the December 13, 2018, agreement. However, as the cease-fire goes into effect, sounds of fire have begun to die down. The U.N. special envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, said later in the day that a U.N. committee led by a veteran Dutch military official, Patrick Cammaert, who had previously led the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo and along the border of Ethiopia and Eritrea, would oversee the troops withdrawal on the both sides to the outskirts of the city limit within three weeks as dictated by the December 13, 2018, cease-fire agreement.
Government Accuses Iran-backed Rebels of Violating Truce
Saudi-backed government of Yemen on December 21, 2018 said that Houthi rebels shelled an elite government unit despite a cease-fire at the Red Sea port of Hodeida, killing four military personnel.
U.N. Monitors Arrive at Hodeida
A U.N. monitoring team led by Dutch Major General Patrick Cammaert has arrived at the Red Sea port of Hodeida on December 23, 2018. In the coming days, the team will assess the ground conditions and on how many monitors need to be deployed to effectively oversee the cease-fire.
USS Cole Attack's One of the Masterminds Killed in Airstrike
American military announced on January 6, 2019 that a U.S. airstrike had killed Jamal al-Badawi, a key suspect in the October 12, 2000, USS Cole attack that had killed 17 American sailors and wounded more than 40.
Drone Attack Kills 6 at a Military Parade
In what could be a sign of Iranian might to intimidate the Saudi coalition, n explosive-laden drone exploded at a military parade at the government-controlled Al-Anad Air Base, near the southern port city of Aden, on January 10, 2019, killing at least 6 people. The drone attack came in the midst of a fragile cease-fire that helped international relief groups funneling aids to millions of Yemenis through the Red Sea port of Hodeida.
House Invokes War Power Resolution to Bar Administration from Troops Deployment in Yemen
House of Representatives invoked a 1973 measure, War Power Resolution, to force Trump administration to require prior permission from the Congress before any possible troops deployment in Yemen. The February 13, 2019, vote, approved by 248-177, mirrored a similar measure passed by Senate last year that would stop all U.S. cooperation with Saudi Arabia in Yemeni War. That measure was co-sponsored by Senators Bernie Sanders, I-VT. and Mike Lee, R-Utah. Now, the House measure goes to Senate for reconciliation.
Senate Votes on Ending Yemeni War
Invoking the War Power Resolution for the first time, U.S. Senate on March 13, 2019 voted 54-46 to end any U.S. potential involvement in Yemeni War, giving a bipartisan rebuke to Trump administration. The measure--co-sponsored by Bernie Sanders, I-VT, and Mike Lee, R-Utah-- is a slightly different version passed by the House a month earlier, and now goes to the House for an easy passage.
House Votes to End Yemeni War
House of Representatives on April 4, 2019 invoked the War Power Resolution of 1973 to end Trump administration's any unilateral move, skirting Congress, to help Saudi Arabia in Yemeni conflict. The bill, passed by the House by 247-175 votes, reconciles with the Senate bill approved on March 13, 2019. White House vowed that president would veto this bill.
Trump Vetoes Yemeni War Bill
For the second time in his presidency, President Donald Trump on April 16, 2019 wielded his veto pen to dismiss Congress' effort to strip the unilateral presidential authority of getting involved in the Yemeni War. The measure passed by Congress for the first time invoked the War Power Resolution of 1973. Trump issued his first veto against an earlier bill repudiating his national emergency declaration in the southern border.
Houthi Leader's Brother Killed
The Associated Press reported on August 9, 2019 that Houthi leader Abdel Malek al-Houthi's brother, Ibrahim al-Houthi, had been killed, without providing any other details.
UAE-backed Rebels Capture Aden
The internecine fighting within the Saudi-led coalition that pitted fighters loyal to Saudi-backed President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi against the UAE-backed fighters escalated to an alarming level in recent days, and after a four-day fight that had seen more than 70 people killed on the both sides, UAE-backed fighters on August 10, 2019 seized the key port city of Aden.
U.N. Human Council Report Finds U.S., U.K. France at Fault; Rebel Jail Strike Kills 100
A report authored by investigators appointed by the U.N. Human Rights Council issued a damning report on September 3, 2019 that criticized the indirect approval of the U.S., France and Britain in Saudi-led coalition carrying out massive war crimes in Yemen. The report was issued two days after a September 1, 2019, airstrike on a prison in the southwest of Yemen run by the Houthi rebels had killed more than 100 prisoners, many of them civilians opposed to Houthi rule.
Rebels in Western-backed Coalition Sign Peace Deal
At least the internecine fighting between the side backed by UAE and the Saudi Arabia-supported government, both as part of the western-backed coalition, has now the possibility to subside as both factions on November 5, 2019 signed a truce at the behest of U.N. envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths. After the November 5, 2019, deal between factions in the western-backed coalition, the bigger challenge of bringing reconciliation between Houthi and government backed by Saudi Arabia and western nations lies ahead.
Houthi, Saudi Negotiation at the Behest of Oman
The Associated Press reported on November 13, 2019 that Saudi Arabia's Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman had arrived at Muscat on November 11, 2019 to participate in indirect talks with Houthi negotiators. Oman is mediating the negotiation that has come a week after two factions supporting the western coalition have signed a peace deal.
A Key Airport Re-opens after more than 4 Years
It was a long waiting time for the people and aid workers for the main airport to re-open at Mukalla in southern Yemeni province of Hadramout after al-Qaeda-linked militants stormed into the city in 2015. Two months ago, UAE-backed rebels handed over the Al-Rayyan Airport in Mukalla to the Yemeni government authorities, and on November 27, 2019, first civilian flight landed there, making the day a historic, and hopefully, a turn-around day.
Prisoner Release Augers Well for Renewed Effort for Peace
128 Houthi prisoners arrived at the Sanaa's international airport on November 28, 2019 in a move hailed both by Houthis and international community as a good first step to push for peace.
Saudi Airstrikes Kill 31 in Yemen
The Associated Press reported on February 15, 2020 that Saudi-led airstrikes in mountainous northern Yemen a day earlier had killed at least 31 people.
Saudis Begin 14-day Truce Dismissed by Rebels
Saudi Arabia on April 8, 2020 announced that it would heed positively to U.N. call for a truce to facilitate relief supplies and other essentials to hard-hit areas of Yemen amid a global COVID-19 pandemic and fear that its spread in the poorest of the Gulf nations would spell disaster of undiminished proportion. On April 9, 2020, the truce began to take hold, but Houthi rebels dismissed the truce as to placate the international community while continuing "air, land and naval" attacks. Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman said during the day that Riyadh would provide $500 million to U.N. relief effort in Yemen and an additional $25 million in coronavirus relief package.
Sides Continue Fighting Hours before Cease-fire to Go into Effect
Three days after a U.N.-mediated agreement was sealed and two days before it would go into effect, volleys of fires and rockets were launched by Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia-led coalition troops on December 16, 2018 in and around Hodeida, killing at least 12 people and injuring more than 25. Speaking with reporters at Doha on December 16, 2018, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a dire warning that if cease-fire fails in Hodeida, aid and relief to at least 14 million Yemenis will be in jeopardy, underlining the importance of the Red Sea port of Hodeida, key conduit of international relief supplies.
Truce Begins at Hodeida
A fragile truce began to take hold at the midnight of December 18, 2018 in the Red Sea port city of Hodeida, a very important point of contact for the outside world to ship relief supplies to more than 70 percent of Yemenis in dire need of help. The clashes between the Saudi-led government forces and Houthi rebels continued until the eleventh hour, raising questions about the effectiveness of the December 13, 2018, agreement. However, as the cease-fire goes into effect, sounds of fire have begun to die down. The U.N. special envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, said later in the day that a U.N. committee led by a veteran Dutch military official, Patrick Cammaert, who had previously led the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo and along the border of Ethiopia and Eritrea, would oversee the troops withdrawal on the both sides to the outskirts of the city limit within three weeks as dictated by the December 13, 2018, cease-fire agreement.
Government Accuses Iran-backed Rebels of Violating Truce
Saudi-backed government of Yemen on December 21, 2018 said that Houthi rebels shelled an elite government unit despite a cease-fire at the Red Sea port of Hodeida, killing four military personnel.
U.N. Monitors Arrive at Hodeida
A U.N. monitoring team led by Dutch Major General Patrick Cammaert has arrived at the Red Sea port of Hodeida on December 23, 2018. In the coming days, the team will assess the ground conditions and on how many monitors need to be deployed to effectively oversee the cease-fire.
USS Cole Attack's One of the Masterminds Killed in Airstrike
American military announced on January 6, 2019 that a U.S. airstrike had killed Jamal al-Badawi, a key suspect in the October 12, 2000, USS Cole attack that had killed 17 American sailors and wounded more than 40.
Drone Attack Kills 6 at a Military Parade
In what could be a sign of Iranian might to intimidate the Saudi coalition, n explosive-laden drone exploded at a military parade at the government-controlled Al-Anad Air Base, near the southern port city of Aden, on January 10, 2019, killing at least 6 people. The drone attack came in the midst of a fragile cease-fire that helped international relief groups funneling aids to millions of Yemenis through the Red Sea port of Hodeida.
House Invokes War Power Resolution to Bar Administration from Troops Deployment in Yemen
House of Representatives invoked a 1973 measure, War Power Resolution, to force Trump administration to require prior permission from the Congress before any possible troops deployment in Yemen. The February 13, 2019, vote, approved by 248-177, mirrored a similar measure passed by Senate last year that would stop all U.S. cooperation with Saudi Arabia in Yemeni War. That measure was co-sponsored by Senators Bernie Sanders, I-VT. and Mike Lee, R-Utah. Now, the House measure goes to Senate for reconciliation.
Senate Votes on Ending Yemeni War
Invoking the War Power Resolution for the first time, U.S. Senate on March 13, 2019 voted 54-46 to end any U.S. potential involvement in Yemeni War, giving a bipartisan rebuke to Trump administration. The measure--co-sponsored by Bernie Sanders, I-VT, and Mike Lee, R-Utah-- is a slightly different version passed by the House a month earlier, and now goes to the House for an easy passage.
House Votes to End Yemeni War
House of Representatives on April 4, 2019 invoked the War Power Resolution of 1973 to end Trump administration's any unilateral move, skirting Congress, to help Saudi Arabia in Yemeni conflict. The bill, passed by the House by 247-175 votes, reconciles with the Senate bill approved on March 13, 2019. White House vowed that president would veto this bill.
Trump Vetoes Yemeni War Bill
For the second time in his presidency, President Donald Trump on April 16, 2019 wielded his veto pen to dismiss Congress' effort to strip the unilateral presidential authority of getting involved in the Yemeni War. The measure passed by Congress for the first time invoked the War Power Resolution of 1973. Trump issued his first veto against an earlier bill repudiating his national emergency declaration in the southern border.
Houthi Leader's Brother Killed
The Associated Press reported on August 9, 2019 that Houthi leader Abdel Malek al-Houthi's brother, Ibrahim al-Houthi, had been killed, without providing any other details.
UAE-backed Rebels Capture Aden
The internecine fighting within the Saudi-led coalition that pitted fighters loyal to Saudi-backed President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi against the UAE-backed fighters escalated to an alarming level in recent days, and after a four-day fight that had seen more than 70 people killed on the both sides, UAE-backed fighters on August 10, 2019 seized the key port city of Aden.
U.N. Human Council Report Finds U.S., U.K. France at Fault; Rebel Jail Strike Kills 100
A report authored by investigators appointed by the U.N. Human Rights Council issued a damning report on September 3, 2019 that criticized the indirect approval of the U.S., France and Britain in Saudi-led coalition carrying out massive war crimes in Yemen. The report was issued two days after a September 1, 2019, airstrike on a prison in the southwest of Yemen run by the Houthi rebels had killed more than 100 prisoners, many of them civilians opposed to Houthi rule.
Rebels in Western-backed Coalition Sign Peace Deal
At least the internecine fighting between the side backed by UAE and the Saudi Arabia-supported government, both as part of the western-backed coalition, has now the possibility to subside as both factions on November 5, 2019 signed a truce at the behest of U.N. envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths. After the November 5, 2019, deal between factions in the western-backed coalition, the bigger challenge of bringing reconciliation between Houthi and government backed by Saudi Arabia and western nations lies ahead.
Houthi, Saudi Negotiation at the Behest of Oman
The Associated Press reported on November 13, 2019 that Saudi Arabia's Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman had arrived at Muscat on November 11, 2019 to participate in indirect talks with Houthi negotiators. Oman is mediating the negotiation that has come a week after two factions supporting the western coalition have signed a peace deal.
A Key Airport Re-opens after more than 4 Years
It was a long waiting time for the people and aid workers for the main airport to re-open at Mukalla in southern Yemeni province of Hadramout after al-Qaeda-linked militants stormed into the city in 2015. Two months ago, UAE-backed rebels handed over the Al-Rayyan Airport in Mukalla to the Yemeni government authorities, and on November 27, 2019, first civilian flight landed there, making the day a historic, and hopefully, a turn-around day.
Prisoner Release Augers Well for Renewed Effort for Peace
128 Houthi prisoners arrived at the Sanaa's international airport on November 28, 2019 in a move hailed both by Houthis and international community as a good first step to push for peace.
Saudi Airstrikes Kill 31 in Yemen
The Associated Press reported on February 15, 2020 that Saudi-led airstrikes in mountainous northern Yemen a day earlier had killed at least 31 people.
Saudis Begin 14-day Truce Dismissed by Rebels
Saudi Arabia on April 8, 2020 announced that it would heed positively to U.N. call for a truce to facilitate relief supplies and other essentials to hard-hit areas of Yemen amid a global COVID-19 pandemic and fear that its spread in the poorest of the Gulf nations would spell disaster of undiminished proportion. On April 9, 2020, the truce began to take hold, but Houthi rebels dismissed the truce as to placate the international community while continuing "air, land and naval" attacks. Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman said during the day that Riyadh would provide $500 million to U.N. relief effort in Yemen and an additional $25 million in coronavirus relief package.
Two
American Hostages Released as part of Prisoner Swap
The
Associated Press on
October 14, 2020 reported that two American hostages—Sandra Loli and
Mikael Gidada—were released by Houthi rebels in exchange for freeing about
250 Houthi fighters by Oman. The remains of a third American, Bilal Fateen,
were retrieved as part of the deal and being handed over to his family. U.S.
National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien and the administration’s
point-person for hostage crisis, Kieran Ramsey, on October 14, 2020
thanked the Saudi government and Oman’s government for the release of Americans.
Yemen's New Saudi-backed Cabinet Greeted with Explosion upon Arrival
As part of the political process to bridge a serious rift within western-backed coalition between southern rebels backed by U.A.E. and loyalists of Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, a gruelling task of coalition ministry revamp was undertaken by foreign benefactors such as Saudi Arabia and U.A.E., and the new ministers were flown in to Aden on December 30, 2020. As the ministers and officials were disembarking from the plane, two thunderous explosions rocked the airport tarmac, forcing many of the ministers and officials either to rush back inside the plane or to flee to the safety of the airport. None of the ministers were hurt. At least 22 people were reported killed in the twin explosions. All the ministers were later taken to the Mashiq Palace. Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed call the explosions "cowardly terrorist attacks". Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, without any evidence, accused the Houthi rebels of carrying out the attacks on the Aden's airport.
President Biden Ends U.S. Participation in Yemeni Civil Conflict
In a significant shift in world view under a Biden administration, president on February 4, 2021 carried out the first major foreign reset in a speech at the State Department. President Joe Biden ended the U.S. participation in the Saudi-led fight against Houthis in Yemen. President Biden also announced a seasoned diplomat, Tim Lenderking, as his special envoy for Yemen and a halt to sales of precision-guided weapons to Saudi Arabia that his predecessor, Former President Donald Trump, initiated in defiance of Congress. In his speech at the State Department on February 4, 2021, President Joe Biden said: "we will repair our alliances and engage with the world again, not to meet the yesterday's challenges, but today's and tomorrow's". President Joe Biden stepped out of the White House for the first time in an official visit to another agency, accompanied by the Vice President Kamala Harris, on February 4, 2021 by giving an uplifting and more traditional foreign policy speech to align U.S. with a time-bound and alliance-honored diplomatic role on the world stage.
Saudi Arabia Proposes Truce Proposal
Saudia Arabia, snubbed after announcing a unilateral cease-fire last year that had gone unresponded by Houthis, tried one more time this year on March 22, 2021 to bring a halt to fighting in Yemen. This time, though, the world situation is different as Biden administration is intent on bringing a durable peace to end the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. Saudi Arabia will find it increasingly difficult to continue a years-old conflict that brings houthi drone, missile and rocket strikes deep into its territory and finds much less sympathetic ears in Washington D.C. On March 22, 2021, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan proposed a new cease-fire proposal to Houthis in order for "guns to fall completely silent". Saudi Arabia later shared the truce framework with the Saudi-backed coalition government. The proposal calls for more authoritative role for the U.N. special envoy, Martin Griffiths, to ensure the workability of the truce.
U.S. Navy Seizes Massive Haul of Arms Destined for Yemen
USS Montery, a guided-missile cruiser, on May 6, 2021 intercepted a dhow in the northern reaches of Arabian Sea. On May 9, 2021, U.S. Navy has displayed the seized arms on the deck of USS Montery, including 3,000 Chinese Type 56 assault rifles, hundreds of other heavy machine guns and sniper rifles.
Saudi Airstrike on Houthi Prison Kills more than 70
A Saudi-led airstrike, apparently in response to a Houthi drone attack against
United Arab Emirates four days ago, hit a prison complex in northern
Yemen on January 21, 2022 and killed more than 70 people, most of them
were prisoners. The prison at Saada in northern Yemen was run by Houthi
rebels. Hours earlier, a separate airstrike targeted a telecommunication center
in the port city of Hodeida, crippling the internet connection of the poorest
nation in Arabian Peninsula for hours.
82 Killed in Saudi Airstrike
Houthis and an international aid group on January 22, 2022 said
that a Saudi airstrike a day before on a prison complex in the northern
province of Saada, apparently in revenge to a drone and a missile attack
by Houthi rebels inside United Arab Emirates on January 17, 2022, had
killed at least 82 people, mostly detainees. Ahmed Mahat, head of Doctors
Without Borders’ mission in Yemen, said that the group had counted, among
the victims, 82 dead and 265 wounded in the air raid. Saudi coalition
spokesman, Gen. Turki al-Malki, said on January 22, 2022 that the prison
site was not included in a list of prohibited places that had been earlier furnished
by Houthis to the U.N. or International Committee of the Red Cross,
calling the omission as Houthis’ “usual deceptive approach”. Meanwhile, the
internet services remained disrupted in the poorest nation of the Arab World
after a separate strike had hit a telecommunication center on January 21,
2022 at the port city of Hodeida.
U.N. Raises much less for Yemen
In a no short of a disastrous fund-raising, the U.N.
on March 16, 2022 reported only $1.3 billion of haul for Yemen, much
short of a goal of $4.27 billion, as the world was consumed with Russian
invasion of Ukraine. U.N. humanitarian chief, Martin Griffith, reacted
with a total “disappointment”. According to a U.N. estimate released days ago, some
161,000 people of the poorest nation in the Arabian Peninsula may likely to face
famine. Like this year, the 2021 fundraising goal was $3.85 billion, but
the amount raised by the designated date was $1.7 billion and, later by
the end of the year, actual amount increased to $2.3 billion.
A Two-month Truce in Yemen to Begin on the First Day of Ramadan
At the behest of the United Nations, Houthis and Saudi Arabia
on April 1, 2022 agreed to a two-month truce. The U.N. special envoy for
Yemen, Hans Grundberg, met with the warring sides separately on April
1, 2022 at Amman, Jordan. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
on April 1, 2022 called the truce, set to begin on the first day of
Ramadan, April 2, 2022, a welcome development and hoped that it would
pave the way for a sustainable process toward peace. The chief negotiator of
the Houthis, Mohammed Abdel-Salam, on April 1, 2022 welcomed the
truce on his twitter handle.
Truce Extended for Another Two Months
The warring parties on June 2, 2022 extended the truce for another two months.
More than 3,000 Children Killed in Yemen Civil War
UNICEF on December 12, 2022 put some grim human face on the toll of Yemeni
Civil War that had erupted in March 2015. According to the United
Nations Children’s Fund, at least 3,774 children had been killed between March
2015 and September 2022, and about 7,245 had been maimed. According to the
U.N. agency, around 2.2 million Yemeni children are “acutely
malnourished”. Although there is no intensity of large-scale war going on now,
the truce that has expired on October 2, 2022 is yet to be renewed. U.S.
and U.N. blamed Houthi rebels for the failure of the latest truce extension.
Talks Start to Facilitate Prisoner Swap Deal
Houthi and government negotiators began talks on March 11, 2023 at
Geneva to implement a U.N.-brokered deal for prisoner swap. The negotiation
is being co-chaired by Hans Grundberg, the U.N. envoy for Yemen, and International
Committee for the Red Cross. According to a U.N. statement, Envoy Hans
Grundberg had urged both sides to “engage in serious and forthcoming
discussions to agree on releasing as many prisoners as possible”. Majed
Fadail, Yemen’s Deputy Minister for Human Rights and a government delegate
to the Geneva meeting, said that talks would continue for 11 days. Head of
the Houthi delegation Abdul-Qader El-Murtaza expressed optimism too.
U.S.-led Coalition Carries out Airstrikes against Houthi Targets in
Yemen
As the commercial vessels are being targeted by Houthi rebels in the Red
Sea, there is a possibility that the global supply chain system and global
trade will be disrupted, creating a chaos in global economy. For Biden
administration, that possibility is a no-go as President Joe Biden is facing a
tough reelection landscape. For Biden administration, to keep the strategic Red
Sea shipping lanes navigable and accessible is both an international priority
and a domestic strategic choice. A day after the U.S. and a host of nations
warned Houthis of consequences if they continued with attacks on ships and
vessels in the Red Sea, Houthis didn’t change their behaviors, the
international consortium alleged, leading to the first barrage of airstrikes by
the U.S.-led coalition on January 11, 2024 against Houthi targets in
Yemen.
Fifth U.S. Strike against Houthis, Houthis Redesignated as Specially
Designated Terrorists
U.S. on January 18, 2024 struck various Houthi facilities for the
second time in as many days as the fear of broader spillover of Israel-Hamas
war became a real possibility. On January 17, 2024, U.S. fired submarine-based
and ship-based launch missiles that targeted 14 Houthi sites in Yemen. On January
17, 2024, Biden administration relabeled Houthis as specially designated terrorist
organization, a designation removed days after Biden became president to
facilitate relief supplies to Yemeni people.
On January 18, 2024, F/A-18 aircraft launched attacks on two
anti-ship missiles, which were getting readied for launch, marking the fifth
time that the U.S. had targeted the Houthis.
U.S., U.K. Launch Strikes for Drone Attack on the American Outpost
U.K. joined the U.S. on February 3, 2024 in targeting 36 Houthi facilities at 13 locations in Yemen as the second wave of western counterstrikes against Iranian proxies in the region took place in response to the January 28, 2024, drone attack on Tower 22 near Jordan-Syria border that had killed three American soldiers.
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