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Middle East

A damaged poster of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo. Photo: Reuters

Syrian conflict

Who is the leader of Syria’s shock insurgency?

Abu Mohammed al-Golani is leading rebels in a stunning offensive that has brought the Syrian civil war back into focus.

4 Dec 2024 - 3:04PM

Russia’s UN ambassador accuses Ukraine of aiding Syria rebels

4 Dec 2024 - 1:19PM

War and conflict

Syrian forces and rebels battle near Hama city as civil war reignites

4 Dec 2024 - 7:43PM

Israel threatens to return to war in Lebanon if Hezbollah truce collapses

The warning comes after a deadly day of violence, with both sides accusing each other of violating the truce.

4 Dec 2024 - 12:01AM

Israeli soldiers and tanks return to Israel from Lebanon following a ceasefire with Hezbollah on December 3. Photo: EPA-EFE

War and conflict

Syrian conflict escalates as US-backed forces clash with Assad’s troops

The clashes come after rebel advances in Aleppo and Hama, highlighting the volatile situation in the region.

3 Dec 2024 - 8:30PM

Indonesian cleric urges Prabowo to send fighters to Gaza, ‘liberate’ Al-Aqsa

Rizieq Shihab wants Indonesian youth to pick up arms against Israel in Gaza and East Jerusalem, where the holy Al-Aqsa mosque is located.

3 Dec 2024 - 5:54PM

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War and conflict

Iraqi fighters head to Syria to battle rebels but Hezbollah stays out: sources

Iran also said it will provide ‘any support needed’ after rebels seized Aleppo last week in a lightning assault.

3 Dec 2024 - 10:08AM

Syrian rebels on top of a military aircraft after gaining control of the Nayrab military airport in Aleppo on Monday. Photo: dpa

Trump demands release of hostages in Gaza, otherwise there will be ‘hell to pay’

US president-elect sets January 20 ultimatum, threatening undefined consequences if Hamas fails to comply.

3 Dec 2024 - 9:44AM

Israel and Hezbollah trade fire, threatening Lebanon ceasefire

Hezbollah fired into an Israel-held area after multiple Israeli strikes in Lebanon since truce began.

3 Dec 2024 - 2:07PM

War and conflict

‘More of this can come’: what Syria attack means for Middle East power balance

Turkey and Israel’s ‘uncoordinated battle’ has raised questions about Iran and Russia’s ability to rescue Assad and his regime, analysts say.

2 Dec 2024 - 10:35PMvideocam

Syrian opposition fighters tear up a portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in central Aleppo on November 30, 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE

Banking & finance

Hong Kong government invests in 80 start-ups as war chest swells

Flush with proceeds from the city’s successful investment-migration scheme, HKIC puts money in local, mainland and overseas start-ups.

2 Dec 2024 - 6:30PM

A robot performs in
a demonstration at a launch ceremony for an investment by Hong Kong Investment Corp in Beijing-based Galbot, at Island Shangri-La on July 19, 2024. Photo: Dickson Lee

Trump picks Massad Boulos to serve as adviser on Arab, Middle Eastern affairs

Massad Boulos, whose son is married to Trump’s daughter Tiffany, has long-standing ties to political figures Lebanon.

2 Dec 2024 - 11:13AMvideocam

War and conflict

Syria launches counter-attacks in an attempt to halt insurgency

Shock rebel offensive saw government forces lose control of Aleppo for the first time since the start of the country’s civil war.

2 Dec 2024 - 1:23PM

Israel-Gaza war

World Central Kitchen pauses Gaza work after staff hit by Israeli strike

The Israeli military confirmed a Palestinian employee of the US charity had died in the attack, accusing him of being a ‘terrorist’.

1 Dec 2024 - 2:10AM

Palestinians look at a vehicle destroyed in an Israeli strike while carrying World Central Kitchen workers in Khan Younis on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

US-Israeli hostage addresses Trump in new video released by Hamas

Edan Alexander was seen in undated footage with a message in English for the US president-elect and in Hebrew for Israeli PM Netanyahu.

1 Dec 2024 - 1:57AMvideocam

A poster depicting hostage Edan Alexander is held by his grandmother Varda Ben Baruch in his bedroom at home in Tel Aviv, Israel, on November 14. Photo: AP

War and conflict

Opinion | 4 critical concerns about the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire

The 60-day truce may not lead to lasting peace, with potential for conflict escalation in Syria and unclear troop withdrawal plans.

30 Nov 2024 - 12:30PMvideocam

Hezbollah to work with army to implement truce, declares victory over Israel

In his first speech since the ceasefire began, leader Naim Qassem says the militants had agreed to the deal ‘with heads held high’.

30 Nov 2024 - 8:07AMvideocam

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Israel-Gaza war

Editorial | Hezbollah-Israel ceasefire calls for care to ensure it remains

Diplomacy that clinched a 60-day deal between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon should also be put to work in Gaza.

30 Nov 2024 - 2:29AM

Vehicles drive near damaged buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. Photo: Reuters

Syrian rebels seize most of Aleppo, Russian air strikes have ‘limited utility’

The attack by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham marks the most significant challenge in years to President Bashar al-Assad.

30 Nov 2024 - 8:31PM

Russia waging ‘reckless’ sabotage campaign in Europe: UK spy chief

Head of UK’s MI6 said the group recently uncovered a ‘staggeringly reckless campaign of Russian sabotage in Europe’.

30 Nov 2024 - 1:36AMvideocam

Israel’s Netanyahu warns Iran over nuclear policy

Renewed war of words between Middle East foes comes ahead of key nuclear talks with European nations.

29 Nov 2024 - 1:40PM

Iranian missiles displayed at the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force Museum in Tehran. Photo: West Asia Press Agency via Reuters

China-Russia relations

How are China and Russia teaming up to promote Arctic shipping route?

Arctic passages would allow Chinese cargo ships to avoid impact of hostilities in the Middle East on Suez Canal traffic.

28 Nov 2024 - 9:40PMvideocam

An oil tanker bound by young ice. Photo: Shutterstock Images

Ex-UK soldier found guilty of spying for Iran

He had gathered a ‘very large body of restricted and classified material’ while posted in the UK and US.

28 Nov 2024 - 8:37PMvideocam

War and conflict

Israel and Hezbollah trade accusations of ceasefire violations

Israel’s Netanyahu threatens ‘intense war’ if Hezbollah breaches fragile truce, which came into effect on Wednesday.

29 Nov 2024 - 9:15AM

‘Nixon in China’: can Trump and Iran reach a ‘grand bargain’ Middle East deal?

Officials are aiming to reach agreements to end the Israel-Gaza war and on Iran’s nuclear programme following the Lebanon ceasefire deal.

28 Nov 2024 - 4:40PMvideocam

Israeli soldiers visit the site where a house was damaged, after projectiles were fired across over to Israel from Lebanon. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

Israel appeals against World Court arrest warrant for Netanyahu

The ICC issued the warrant for the PM on suspicion of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza.

28 Nov 2024 - 2:47PM

Images of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and former defence minister Yoav Galant are seen on the side of a building in Tehran, Iran, on Tuesday with a message in Farsi and Hebrew that reads “Wanted criminals”. Photo: AFP

Israel-Gaza war

Biden to launch Gaza ceasefire drive right away: adviser

Israel-Hezbollah deal was rare boost for Biden as he prepares to leave the White House.

27 Nov 2024 - 10:23PM

UN Resolution 1701 is at heart of Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire. What is it?

A ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia came into force in the early hours of Wednesday.

27 Nov 2024 - 2:26PM

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Middle East

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Middle East. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

last updated:

28 August, 2024

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