Middle East

Turkey 20/04/2018

Erdogan's surprise elections: what's the rush?

As economic woes and political opposition gather momentum in Turkey, Erdogan's grip on power may be slipping.

Inspire Middle East 20/04/2018

Centre Stage: Music in the Middle East, Past & Present

This week we tread the boards at Dubai Opera and go behind the scenes with the European Union Youth Orchestra as they tune-up for their debut performance in the emirate. We also visit a refugee camp in Jordan where traditional music is helping Syrians reconnect with their heritage.

Turkey 20/04/2018

Turkey: Suspect arrested after trying to rob bank with a toy gun

A suspect in a bank robbery in Antalya, Turkey, was arrested earlier this week. The man used a toy gun as his weapon of choice.

Israel 19/04/2018

Israelis celebrate nation's 70th anniversary

President Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman attended a military ceremony

no comment 19/04/2018

Saudi Arabia cinema launch ends 35 year ban

Saudi Arabia opens first cinema complex in more than three decades in Riyadh.

Syria 19/04/2018

UN security attack stops inspectors entering Syrian town

Inspectors from the global chemical weapons watch dog are no nearer gaining access to Syria's Douma

Lebanon 18/04/2018

'The struggle is real': Lebanon's trans community comes out of the shadows

"You’re worth as much as a floor tile. No wonder why most trans women don’t go out during the day, or end up working in the night business: that’s the only space society leaves us." - Sasha Elijah. Trans men and women often live in the shadows in Lebanon but things may be starting to change.

no comment 18/04/2018

Israel grinds to a standstill on Memorial Day

Two minutes of silence were observed across the country

Syria 17/04/2018

Chemical weapons inspectors arrive in Douma

OPCW to investigate alleged Syrian attack

Turkey 17/04/2018

EU Commission slams Turkey in annual report on country's accession prospects

The report is highly critical of Ankara's crackdown on human rights and civil liberties

Syria 17/04/2018

False alarm triggers Syrian state air defences

State TV carried reports of missiles being fired at two air bases

Syria 17/04/2018

OPCW inspectors allowed access to Douma

Chemical weapons experts have finally been given permission to enter Douma on Wednesday after Western alliance accused Russia of blocking access

brussels bureau 16/04/2018

EU calls on Russia to bring Syria back to talks

Foreign Ministers back Britain, France and the United States

Turkey 16/04/2018

NATO chief defends air strikes on Syria

NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, was speaking after a meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister in Ankara

Turkey 16/04/2018

Trial begins in Turkey of US pastor Andrew Brunson accused of terror links

Turkish authorities accuse Brunson of links to both an outlawed Kurdish insurgent group and the network of the U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen.

Syria 16/04/2018

Syrians remain defiant despite allied air strikes

The Western alliance air strikes on Syria's alleged chemical weapon sites have been widely condemned across the country

Syria 15/04/2018

Relief in Damascus after Allied strikes

The Western allies say there will be no more attacks for the moment

Syria 15/04/2018

Western companies are not welcome in Syria to help with the rebuild

Russian MPs met with President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus straight after the western airstrikes to talk about rebuilding infrastructure in the devastated country after seven years of war.

Syria 15/04/2018

Eastern Ghouta recaptured by Syrian army. Control of the region vastly increases the security of the Assad regime

Over 40,000 rebels and their families have moved north to Idlib province

Syria 15/04/2018

Syria: Chemical weapons inspectors to visit site of suspected gas attack

A team from the global chemical weapons watchdog OPCW is due in Douma, where up to 75 people were killed on April 7, triggering military strikes by the US, UK and France.

Syria 14/04/2018

Russia says the western strikes on Syria are 'unacceptable and lawless'

Meanwhile, Iran's pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani also warned that the US-led missile attack on Syria would lead to further destruction in the Middle East.

Syria 14/04/2018

Syrians gather along the streets of Damascus to condemn the air strikes

Syrians chanted pro-government slogans and waved Syrian flags showing solidarity to the Syrian Presidency.

Syria 14/04/2018

Watch: US military releases video of Tomahawk missiles being fired towards Syria

In a media briefing on Saturday, the Pentagon said it had successfully hit every target.

Gaza 14/04/2018

Explosion in Gaza kills four Palestinians - local health ministry

Four Palestinians dead in Gaza explosion says local health ministry.

Syria 14/04/2018

Read Trump, May and Macron’s full statements on Syria strikes

The full statements about the joint action by the US, UK and France in Syria.

Syria 14/04/2018

What we know about the strikes on Syria

Find out what was targeted, who was involved and how the world has reacted.

Cult 13/04/2018

Yemeni artist Ahmed Jahaf

Artist Ahmed Jahaf lives in Sanaa and uses to his work to raise international awareness of the what is happening in his country

no comment 13/04/2018

Hundreds of Palestinians have been wounded along Gaza's border at another mass protest

A total of 528 Palestinians were wounded either by live fire or overcome with tear gas.

Gaza 13/04/2018

30 Palestinians shot and wounded in latest clashes with Israeli troops

Israel says it has responded appropriately in accordance with the rules of engagement.

Inspire Middle East 13/04/2018

The Culture Summit: Art as an agent of social change

Award-winning British photojournalist Jimmy Nelson takes us on a journey to the hidden corners of the world, putting indigenous communities into perspective through his camera lens at the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi. We also master martial arts with a real-life Power Ranger at Middle East Comic Con.