Fire breaks out at Kuwaiti petroleum coke plant It is unclear if the fire, which has been brought under control, will have an effect on energy prices in the Gulf state. News Brief
Iraqi army boots PKK-linked leader’s statue from Sinjar, arrests fighters The Iraqi army has arrested several fighters from a PKK-linked Yazidi faction operating in Sinjar as part of an attempt to get them to abide by an accord signed in 2020 for greater stability and security. Iraq
Saudi-led airstrikes kill more than 70 in Yemen, rescue workers say Women and children died in a series of coalition airstrikes on Friday that targeted a migrant holding center in Sadaa and a telecom hub in Hodeidah, aid agencies said. Yemen
Islamic State stages Syria prison break, kills 11 soldiers in Iraq The Islamic State attacked an Iraqi army barracks and a prison holding jihadists in Kurdish-run northeast Syria overnight. Iraq
UN adopts historic Israeli-sponsored resolution to combat Holocaust denial Israeli leaders expressed satisfaction over the UN General Assembly approving an Israeli-initiated resolution against Holocaust denial. Israel
Israel points finger at Iran for Houthi attack on UAE Israel is worried about the international community's lack of reaction to the Houthi drone attack on the Emirates, surely orchestrated by Iran. Israel
Egypt endeavors to turn Suez Canal green The Suez Canal Authority announced a plan to shift the Suez Canal into an eco-friendly canal that relies on renewable energy to preserve the environment and encourage environmentally friendly ships. Egypt
Prison housing Iraqi, Syrian IS inmates attacked in Syria Detention facilities under US-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces were hit by a major attack attempting to free the thousands within. Iraq
China appoints envoy for Horn of Africa China’s announcement of an envoy to the troubled Horn of Africa raised questions about the effectiveness of the Chinese role in resolving regional conflicts, especially the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam crisis, which is still a subject of tension and disagreement between Cairo, Khartoum and Addis Ababa. Egypt
Democrats urge Biden to overhaul drone strike policy Democratic lawmakers called on Biden to bring US counterterrorism policy in line with international law. News Brief
Turkey using less coal and hydropower energy; renewables and gas up A UK-based environmental organization released a report detailing changes in Turkey’s use of different energy sources. By Al-Monitor Staff
Islamic State attempts prison break in Syria's Hasakah, SDF says A spokesperson for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said Islamic State militants set off a car bomb and clashed with security forces. Syria
Turkish Central Bank announces it will stop cutting interest rates The decision could help stop rising inflation in Turkey, which is taking a toll on the economy. News Brief
Iran’s Raisi attacks US during speech to Russian parliament The Iranian president addressed Russian lawmakers on the second day of his visit to Moscow, a “landmark” trip at a critical juncture for the revival of the Iran nuclear deal. Iran
Aid agencies sound alarm as US considers relisting Houthis as terror group The US State Department says it would have to "fully consider the humanitarian implications" of the Houthis' redesignation as a terrorist group. Yemen
Calls across political spectrum to probe Israel Police Pegasus spyware misuse Knesset members from across the political spectrum are calling for an official probe over publications that police had used the spyware Pegasus to hack phones of citizens without prior court order. Israel
