In recent months, the conflict between Turkey and Greece has sharply escalated over the disputed gas fields on the Cyprus shelf, which are being developed by Ankara. Moreover, the conflict caused a split in the unity of the European Union, since Cyprus demanded tough measures against Turkey, threatening to block the introduction of sanctions against Belarus.
The Islamic State’s infamous rule over vast areas of Iraq during 2014 and 2016 not only led to a humanitarian crisis, but also left the country’s economy depleted. Its expansion in Iraq, marked by its control over vast areas of the country, most notably capturing the city of Mosul in June 2014, also allowed the organisation to seize over 121 bank branches according to the Central Bank, in what was described as one of the largest bank robberies the world has ever seen. Across its operations, the Islamic State (Daesh) stole a total of approximately $830 million.
Syrian Observatory activists have reported seeing large Russian military column of tens of vehicles carrying military and logistical supplies, heading from Al-Qamishli to Ain Issa. It is worth noting that the column set off from Al-Qamishli to Amuda and Tal Tamr in Al-Hasakah countryside, then it headed to Ain Issa in the northern countryside of Al-Raqqah. Meanwhile, Russian helicopters were seen flying over the area.
Turkish policy in recent months in the Balkans and the Middle East will force the United States to withdraw its B-61 nuclear bombs from the Turkish base of Incirlik, according to an Israeli report from the Israeli Institute for Strategy and Security.
In recent hours, Russian media have claimed that the Turkish military has tried to establish control over the Syrian capital Idlib, but has suffered serious damage.
On Sept. 9, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu embarked on a three-day trip to West Africa, which included stops in Mali, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau. During his trip, Cavusoglu emphasized Turkey’s support for Mali’s post-coup transition process, struck infrastructure-related commercial deals with Guinea-Bissau, and underscored its commitment to engaging with multilateral institutions, such as the United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU), on addressing security challenges in the Sahel.
The Russian-backed “Fifth Corps” have carried out an inspection campaign after some of the Corps’ members were targeted in Busra.
As crimes and assassinations continue in Southern Syria, Busra – which is the stronghold of the Fifth Corps – witnessed the first assassination attempt of a prominent leader last Saturday, Sep. 18. An explosive device blasted in a neighborhood in Busra, targeting a military vehicle carrying Ali Bash and Qasim al-Miqdad, two leaders of the Fifth Corps group.
Syrian army reinforcements have arrived in the key town of Ayn Issa, while a bridge has been deployed across the Euphrates to help civilians cross writes Al-Masdar.
Greece prefers the de-escalation of tension in the East Mediterranean rather than EU sanctions on Turkey, the spokesman of the Greek government has said.
As Ankara and Athens prepare for talks, Germany has called on Greece to withdraw its army from Aegean Sea islands, near Turkey, Greek newspaper ESTIA reported on Friday.