Middle East Desk

Covers the Arab world, Iran and Türkiye, drawing on Arabic, Persian, Turkish and English-language sources.

Responsible editor: Onur Irmakomiddleeast@zenga.news

File photo: The Egyptian Parliament building in the new capital of Egypt

FEATURED · POLITICS · MIDDLE EASTEgypt's parliament to hold emergency session on Sisi's request to defend Saudi ArabiaPresident Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has asked parliament for authorisation to help defend Saudi Arabia if Riyadh requests it. The House of Representatives will meet in emergency session on Sunday.2 h ago

File photo: リヤド上空から望むキング・ハーリド国際空港

Community · Middle EastRiyadh and Diriyah schools extend remote learning until Oct. 22, Arab News reportsSchools in Riyadh and Diriyah governorate will keep lessons online until Thursday, Oct. 22, the capital's education authority said, according to Arab News.2 h ago · 2 sources

File photo: A spectacular sunset in Bangkok, showing the skytrain and modern skyline down Thanon Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, taken from the corner of Thanon Silom, with the Empire Tower and the Chong Nonsi BTS Station at the left side.

Economy & Halal · Middle EastSyrian finance minister discusses economic cooperation with Qatari counterpart in BangkokMohammed Yisr Barnieh met Qatar's Ali bin Ahmed Al-Kuwari at the IMF and World Bank meetings, Arab News reported. He also held talks with Norway's development minister.2 h ago · 1 source

File photo: In Sadah in the north and in Taiz in the centre of Yemen, the fighting makes it dangerous for families to go to health centres to get children vaccinated, for expecting mothers to get check ups or for children to be treated for malnutriti

Human Rights · Middle EastKSrelief and WHO agree $1.55 million project for malnourished children in YemenSaudi aid agency KSrelief and the World Health Organization have launched a 12-month project to treat children with severe acute malnutrition in Yemen, according to Arab News.2 h ago · 1 source

Conflict & Security · Middle EastUS ambassador urges Israel to prosecute attackers of Washington Post photographer in West BankMike Huckabee demanded prosecutions after Heidi Levine was beaten while covering the olive harvest. Netanyahu's office said the circumstances were unclear.2 h ago · 4 sources

File photo: Palestinians drag ripped down border fence between Gaza Strip and Israel.

Human Rights · Middle EastIsraeli settler group sets up outpost near Gaza border and urges move into enclaveThe far-right Nachala movement says more than 700 people built an outpost overlooking northern Gaza. Reports differ on whether it was inside Gaza and whether forces dispersed it.2 h ago · 2 sources

File photo: This 1916 map shows the southwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula, an area in the present-day Republic of Yemen. The large scale allows for the display of detail about cities and towns, tribes, topographical features, and the inclusion o

Conflict & Security · Middle EastYemeni government forces say they carried out 1,417 strikes on Houthis in 24 hoursYemen's military says about 800 Houthi fighters were killed or wounded. The Houthis say coalition air strikes hit civilian areas. Neither claim has been independently verified.2 h ago · 3 sources

File photo: Strait of Hormuz topographic map

Conflict & Security · Middle EastUS military says most Iranian attacks on Hormuz shipping have failedUS Central Command says about 97 percent of vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz were not struck and the waterway remains open, according to Middle East Eye's account of a Fox News interview.2 h ago · 5 sources

File photo: Riyadh Skyline is growing. Dated February 2018

Politics · Middle EastSaudi and Jordanian foreign ministers call for closer coordination after Houthi attacksPrince Faisal bin Farhan and Ayman Safadi spoke by phone on Saturday, according to Arab News, citing the Saudi Press Agency. The call followed a wave of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.2 h ago · 1 source

File photo: Top view of the city of Khamis Mushayt under the clouds

Conflict & Security · Middle EastSaudi-led coalition says it intercepted two Houthi missiles aimed at Khamis MushaitThe coalition said it destroyed two missiles fired by the Houthis toward southwestern Saudi Arabia and a drone over Riyadh. Civil Defence issued, then lifted, danger alerts in three areas.3 h ago · 3 sources

File photo: Israeli and palestinian olive harvesters in the village of Qafin , northern West Bank, Palestine

Conflict & Security · Middle EastPalestinian ministry says 3,522 fruit trees damaged in West Bank in one week of olive harvestThe Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture says Israeli forces and settlers damaged at least 3,522 fruit trees between 8 and 15 October. Local sources reported further attacks on harvesters on Saturday.3 h ago · 2 sources

File photo: View of Israel and Palestine taken during ISS Expedition 75. Ramallah , West Bank , villages Deir Dibwan, Ofra, Rammun, Taybeh, Deir Jarir, Silwad, Hizma, ... Jerusalem , Hizma, Ramat Shlomo, roads, forests, quarries

Human Rights · Middle EastSettlers attack European diplomats and French mayor near Taybeh in occupied West BankIsraeli settlers attacked a delegation including French and Belgian consular staff near Taybeh on Saturday. Israel's army condemned the incident, while Netanyahu's office alleged a "smear" campaign.3 h ago · 9 sources

File photo: This historic photograph captures His Excellency Professor Mohamed A. Qubaty, senior Yemeni statesman and diplomat, during a prestigious investiture ceremony held on June 22, 2007, at the Baabda Presidential Palace in Beirut, Lebanon. In th

Politics · Middle EastLebanon to join US-backed talks with Israel in Florida on Oct. 20President Joseph Aoun said a Lebanese military delegation will attend trilateral talks with Israel in Tampa, aiming for outcomes in line with a June framework agreement.3 h ago · 3 sources