Middle East

Destinations

Why this culture-rich island should be on your 2026 Europe travel list

Nicosia in Cyprus was praised by European Best Destinations for its year-long programme of festivals and events.

15/01/2026

Gaza

Gaza is entering second phase of Trump's ceasefire plan, Witkoff says

Under the first phase of the three-phase deal, Hamas released all but one hostage it was holding in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians who were held in Israeli prisons.

14/01/2026

Qatar

Qatar confirms departures out of key US air base amid rising tensions

Qatar has confirmed “the departure of certain personnel from Al Udeid Air Base” due to current regional tensions, after reports that the US military is evacuating a part of its key base as Washington considers military action against Iran.

14/01/2026

Israel

Israel cuts ties with three global organisations after US withdrawal

Last week, President Donald Trump signed a memorandum ordering the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organisations as they "no longer serve American interests," the White House said.

13/01/2026

Turkey

Prosecutor shoots and injures judge in Istanbul appeals court

Judge Aslı Kahraman sustained serious injuries when Muhammet Çağatay Kılıçaslan, a prosecutor and Kahraman's alleged ex-partner, opened fire inside the courthouse, according to the domestic press.

13/01/2026

Cyprus

Cyprus president's top aide quits after state corruption allegations

Chief of staff Charalambos Charalambous resigns after online video suggested he and others used their ties to President Nikos Christodoulides to earn favours for would-be investors in exchange for money.

13/01/2026

No Comment

Syria: Aleppo residents return after clashes between government and SDF

As fighting eased on Sunday, residents cautiously returned to contested neighbourhoods in the northern city of Aleppo. The area is now controlled by government forces, though unexploded ordnance continues to threaten civilian safety.

12/01/2026

Gaza

Hamas to dissolve Gaza government after Palestinian body takes over

The government and other elements of the truce that went into effect on 10 October, such as disarming Hamas and sending an international security force, are to be supervised by US President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace".

12/01/2026

Syria

US launches new large-scale strikes against IS militants in Syria

The large-scale strikes come in retaliation to an ambush attack in December, in which two US soldiers and one US civilian interpreter were killed.

11/01/2026

Syria

Europe to do 'everything it can' to support Syria, von der Leyen says

The chief of the EU executive pledged Europe's full support for Syria's recovery after meeting interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on Friday.

09/01/2026

No Comment

Aleppo faces new displacement amid Syrian forces and SDF clashes

Syria sees mass displacement in Aleppo as clashes between government forces and Kurdish fighters intensify amid stalled political talks.

09/01/2026

Gaza

Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov to head Gaza peace board

Mladenov is a former Bulgarian defence and foreign minister who served as the UN envoy to Iraq before being appointed as the UN Middle East peace envoy from 2015-2020.

08/01/2026

Syria

Syria urges civilians to leave Aleppo as clashes with Kurds continue

The leadership in Damascus signed a deal with the SDF in March for it to merge with the Syrian army by the end of 2025 but there have been disagreements over how that would happen.

08/01/2026

No Comment

Civilians flee Aleppo as Syrian army closes Kurdish-majority areas

Clashes in Aleppo forced residents to flee Kurdish areas, with at least nine killed. The violence follows stalled talks to merge Kurdish forces into the army.

07/01/2026

Qatar

Qatar offers to continue mediation efforts over Venezuela

Following successful mediations between Venezuela and the United States in the past, Qatar has expressed deep concern over the situation in Venezuela, calling for restraint, de-escalation and dialogue, while reaffirming its readiness to support mediation.

06/01/2026

Syria

Iran is plotting to assassinate Syria's al-Sharaa, Israel warns

Israeli intelligence has warned Iran is planning to organise a hit against Syria's interim president, as further reports claim former al-Assad loyalists are pouring money into Alawite minority militias in alleged uprising plots.

06/01/2026

No Comment

Israeli air strikes hit Lebanon with damage in the south and east

Lebanon faced new Israeli air strikes, with damage in the south and east. President Joseph Aoun condemned the attacks, citing efforts to calm tensions.

06/01/2026

Lebanon

Israeli strikes target multiple Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon

At least one person was injured in Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon late on Monday and into the early hours of Tuesday. Officials say the strikes targeted multiple areas, including in the third-largest coastal city of Sidon.

06/01/2026

Israel

Netanyahu and Trump vow to block Iran's nuclear and missile programmes

Netanyahu's words come days after Trump said he wants to "eradicate" Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programme after the two leaders met in Washington last week.

05/01/2026

Syria

UK and French warplanes strike suspected IS weapons facility in Syria

The strikes occurred Saturday evening on an underground facility in the mountains just north of the historic town of Palmyra in Homs province.

04/01/2026

Partner content

Elevating Innovation: Alat & TKE’s Smart Cities Partnership

Partner content presented by ALAT

Throughout history, our cities’ skylines have told the story of human ambition. From ancient pyramids to modern skyscrapers, these landmarks reflect one journey: humanity’s climb upwards.

02/01/2026

Syria

Syria says IS plotted New Year attacks on churches and gatherings

The interior ministry said it had information that the Jihadist group planned "suicide operations and attacks ... by targeting churches and civilian gathering spots," prompting security to be tightened.

01/01/2026

Israel

Israel says it 'will enforce' ban on 37 NGOs in Gaza

Israel will enforce a ban on 37 international NGOs in the Gaza Strip, citing failure to meet security and transparency standards.

01/01/2026

Destinations

Swap overtouristed Dubai for nature-rich Oman in 2026

Here’s how to discover Bedouin traditions in the desert, turtle sanctuaries on the coast, and treks through the mountains in Oman.

01/01/2026

Israel

Israel's Knesset votes down Beitar Illit annexation bill

The Israeli parliament voted against a bill to annex Beitar Illit, a large settlement in the West Bank. The vote took place on Wednesday, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was visiting the US.

31/12/2025

Grand Voyager

Grand Voyager | Exploring Oman

In partnership with Media City

From ancient forts to turquoise wadis and coastal adventures, Oman blends history and nature. Join Lilly Douse as she explores the sites of Muscat, Nizwa, Wadi Shab and beyond.

31/12/2025