US troops in Syria, Iraq targeted with renewed rocket and drone attacks Iran-backed militias are not buying the Pentagon's attempt to rebrand the coalition's defeat-ISIS mission. Iraq
Turkish and Armenian envoys to meet in Moscow next week The two representatives will meet to discuss normalizing relations between the neighboring countries for the first time in decades. Turkey
Israel reports record number of COVID-19 cases but few deaths The outbreak is due to the Omicron variant of the virus, which is spreading despite Israel’s vaccination push and travel bans. News Brief
Ethiopia detaining Tigrayans deported from Saudi Arabia, rights group says Human Rights Watch urged Ethiopia to release the arbitrarily detained Tigrayans and called on Saudi Arabia to stop its deportations. Saudi Arabia
Israel's Gantz, Jordanian king hold rare meeting in Amman During the meeting, Jordanian King Abdullah II "reiterated the need to maintain calm in the Palestinian territories," according to the royal court. Israel
Iranian forces rescue Indian ship The vessel was en route to Oman when it encountered stormy conditions. News Brief
Soleimani's replacement vows revenge for his killing The replacement for assassinated Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani has vowed revenge on US officials who were behind the killing. Iran
Turkey’s opposition faces Erdogan’s ire as economic crisis muddles election timetable Opposition parties are under growing pressure as Turkey waits to see if Recep Tayyip Erdogan will call early elections despite skyrocketing prices. Turkey
Houthi forces shoot down alleged Emirati spy drone The incident occurred in southern Yemeni terrority controlled by UAE-backed forces. News Brief
Yemen's Houthis accuse Saudi-led coalition of diverting fuel ship Earlier this week, the Houthis seized an Emirati-flagged vessel that it claimed was a military cargo ship, but which the Saudi-led coalition said was delivering medical supplies. Yemen
Palestinians seek Israeli citizenship in Jerusalem Israel hopes Jerusalemites seeking Israeli citizenship would break their affiliation to the West Bank. Palestine
Palestinian West Bank villages face attacks by settlers Burqa has turned into a confrontation point in the West Bank, in light of fierce attacks by hundreds of settlers, amid fears of rebuilding the Homesh settlement, at a time when the Israeli government launched a huge settlement scheme in the Syrian Golan Heights. Palestine
Iran, Iraq draw up plans for railway connection from Basra to Shalamcheh Iran and Iraq transportation ministries signed a document setting a roadmap for implementation of Basra-Shalamcheh railway connection, which should boost economic activity for both countries. Iraq
Egypt revives Western Desert agricultural project Egypt has breathed new life into an old agricultural project in its Western Desert, hoping it will increase food production and reduce imports. Egypt
Palestinian prisoner ends hunger strike as Israel promises release Palestinian prisoner Hisham Abu Hawash has agreed to end his 141-day hunger strike with the news that Israel will finally release him from administrative detention next month. Israel
Heavy rain prompts evacuations in Oman Oman’s rainy season occurs in January and February. News Brief
