MIDDLE EAST DAILY BULLETIN
17 OCTOBER 2016
NO: 2247
1.
IRAQ, .................................................................................................................................... 4

Barzani, Italian Ambassador Discuss Mosul Liberation and the Situation in Iraq and the Region4

Russia renews its support for Iraq in its war against terrorism ...................................................4

British soldiers face Iraq detainee abuse probe - BBC News .......................................................4

Security Forces 7 km from Mosul's center ...................................................................................4

Battle to retake Mosul, Iraq from Daesh begins ..........................................................................5

Iraq Forces Advance toward ISIS-Held Mosul ..............................................................................5

What is the battle for Mosul? Everything you need to know about the fight to liberate Isil's
last bastion of power in Iraq.................................................................................................................5

Al-Baghdādī Daesh leader escaped from air attack in Mosul, Iraq ..............................................6

Iran-Iraq border guard commanders meet in Baghdad ...............................................................6

Iraq Braces for new wave of Refugees as 1.5M Threatened by Battle for Mosul ........................6

Malaysia warns Isis fighters from Iraq and Syria could flee to Southeast Asia as battle for
Mosul intensifies ..................................................................................................................................6

How Iraq Plans to Take Back Mosul From ISIS .............................................................................7

Mosul offensive: The battle for the soul and future of Iraq.........................................................7

Fears of Abuse in Iraq as Shi'ite Fighters Set to Liberate ISIS-held City .......................................7

Health crisis in the making as doctors flee Iraq............................................................................8

Saudi replaces Iraq envoy who riled Shia militias ........................................................................8

Iraq: Dozens Killed in Suicide Attack Targetting Shia ...................................................................8

Asadi: We War Committed To the Military Plans For the Liberation of Mosul, And Will Not
Violate Human Rights ...........................................................................................................................8

Abadi discusses liberation plans of Hawija and Mosul.................................................................9

ISIS' retreat to Mosul brings surrounding villages back to life, reveals extensive tunnel system9

Five villages liberated in Mosul ....................................................................................................9
2. SYRIA ...................................................................................................................................10










Obama Hands over Assad’s Fate to Putin, Syria Opposition Demands Rearmament ............... 10
EU Foreign Affairs Ministers to Meet on Monday to Discuss Syria ........................................... 10
UK, France and Germany seek EU condemnation of Russia over Syria .................................... 10
Russian Ambassador Says West Can “Forget About Regime Change in Syria” ......................... 10
Fighting Rages on as Pro-Government Forces Battle for Aleppo .............................................. 11
UK and US consider economic sanctions against Russia and Syria ........................................... 11
Airstrikes kill 31 in Syria's Aleppo .............................................................................................. 11
Aid agencies urge Theresa May to punish Syria 'crimes' .......................................................... 12
Russian Student Who Followed ISIS Lover to Syria Faces 'Terrorist' Trial................................. 12
Syria: raid on east Aleppo, many kids among 12 dead ............................................................. 12
IRAN ....................................................................................................................................12




Iran calls OPEC's decision to limit output 'baby step in right direction'.................................... 12
Iran, Cote d'Ivoire Fight Against Drug Necessary ...................................................................... 13
Iran eyes fisheries export to eastern Europe ............................................................................ 13
Iran, China confers on peaceful nuclear coop. .......................................................................... 13
3.
Sayfa 1






The Iranian Regime Is Not a Natural Partner of the United States ........................................... 13
The political logic of hard Brexit ................................................................................................ 14
Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif participates in Swiss Talks on Syria ........................................... 14
Oman, Iran eye $5B bilateral trade by 2021 ............................................................................. 14
Iran, Indonesia discuss counter-terrorism ................................................................................ 15
Iran says Kerry’s remarks on sanctions ‘unacceptable’ ............................................................. 15
ISRAEL – PALESTINE..............................................................................................................15










Israel PM vows national service ban for NGO over UN row ..................................................... 15
Israeli rights group vows to continue fight against occupation ................................................ 16
Israeli firm, MNCs to help draft cyber security curriculum ....................................................... 16
Obama’s three diplomatic options for Mideast peace.............................................................. 16
Why difficult to connect Israel to Southern Gas Corridor? ....................................................... 16
Israeli Soldiers Open Fire On A Number Of Homes, Lands And Workers, In Southern Gaza .... 17
White House, Zionism, terrorism insecurity triangle in region ................................................. 17
Jews, Palestinians working together to bring peace to the Middle East .................................. 17
Palestine official slams SA MP’s visit to Israel ........................................................................... 17
Morality and hypocrisy over Palestine and Syria ...................................................................... 18
JORDAN and LEBANON.........................................................................................................18
4.
5.

Ten-year vision and IMF programme ........................................................................................ 18

Jordan: Discovery of new hot spring has potential for tourism development ......................... 18

Ambassador conveys Zarif's message to Jordanian FM ............................................................ 19

Lebanese Army Sergeant Killed in Arsal .................................................................................... 19

King urges expedited efforts to boost human rights advocacy ................................................. 19

Bassil: Yes to National Pact, No to 'Bilateral, Tripartite or Four-Party Agreements' ................ 19

Geagea condemns terrorist attack in Sinai: Falls within desperate attempts to undermine
Egyptian role...................................................................................................................................... 19

Moses Memorial reopens on Mount Nebo after 10 years of renovation ................................. 20

Former Lebanese Prime Minister: Iran Regime is Shedding Blood and Hitting Islamic Unity .. 20
6. ARABIAN PENINSULA AND THE GULF OF BASRA ....................................................................20











Bahrain court overturns jail term of opposition chief ............................................................... 20
Bahrain to host major oil technology summit ........................................................................... 20
Bahrain deserves a chance to prove itself on human rights ..................................................... 21
Bahrain King: Building on Past Achievements, Reforms Lead to Consolidation of Civil State .. 21
Oneic wins $2.2m Oman substation contract ........................................................................... 21
Americans held in Yemen released, flown to Oman ................................................................. 21
5 Saudi Troops Killed in Yemeni Army’s Attack on Jizan ........................................................... 22
Yemen urges UN to put end to Saudi war ................................................................................. 22
'Exorbitant' Saudi visa fees a concern for muslims ................................................................... 22
-Iran oil minister: hopes soon to reach Qatar's gas production ................................................ 22
Over 450 overstaying Sri Lankan migrant workers in Qatar take up amnesty offer ................. 22
EGYPT ..................................................................................................................................23



Egyptian army pounds Islamist positions in North and central Sinai after militant attack ....... 23
Egyptian president defends foreign policy over Syrian crisis .................................................... 23
Terror Attacks in Egypt’s Sinai Denounced ............................................................................... 23
7.
Sayfa 2







Egypt completes long-delayed 4G mobile licensing contracts .................................................. 23
Amid Saudi Row, Egypt Reasserts Commitment to Gulf Allies.................................................. 24
Egypt temporarily reopens border crossing with Gaza ............................................................. 24
Kenya second-largest exporter of goods within Comesa bloc after Egypt ............................... 24
Al-Nadhouri: We’ll put Libyan oil under Egypt’s control ........................................................... 24
18 Egyptian trial defendants get prison sentence after shoe thrown at judge ........................ 25
Egypt’s president predicts long war against Sinai militants ...................................................... 25
NORTH AFRICA.....................................................................................................................25









UK troops train Tunisian forces to counter Islamic state .......................................................... 25
Tunisian-British military cooperation on border control and fight against terrorism .............. 25
Tunisia democratic fairy tale sours ........................................................................................... 26
Algeria Offers Yemen Peace Proposal ....................................................................................... 26
Anarchy as Tripoli militias fight after the Rixos coup ................................................................ 26
Libya: Rival group seizes UN-backed government offices ......................................................... 26
War-weary Libyans miss life under Gadhafi .............................................................................. 27
Morocco’s GDP to Reach 3.5% Increase by 2018: World Bank ................................................. 27
Morocco tipped off Israeli intelligence, ‘helped Israel win Six Day War’ .................................. 27
AFGHANISTAN – PAKISTAN ..................................................................................................28
8.
9.

Afghan Officials Claim Battlefield Advances in Lashkar Gah ..................................................... 28

Presidential Order ..................................................................................................................... 28

No plot behind Kunduz collapse, says Abdullah ........................................................................ 28

50 Soldiers Killed, As Many Missing In Helmand: Officials ........................................................ 28

MoD intensifying attacks to fully uproot Daesh, spokesperson ............................................... 29

Modi misleading BRICS leaders: Sartaj ...................................................................................... 29

Pakistan has adopted terrorism as state policy, says Rajnath Singh ......................................... 29

'India violated ceasefire agreement more than 90 times this year,' FO claims ........................ 30

PPP flexes political muscle in Karachi........................................................................................ 30
10. TURKEY AND THE MIDDLE EAST ............................................................................................30




US, Turkish top commanders discuss Iraq, Syria ....................................................................... 30
Turkey seeks to expand border ‘safe zone’ 45km into Syria ..................................................... 30
Erdogan: Turkey 'will be at table' for Mosul talks ..................................................................... 31
Pakistani parliament speaker hails Turkey's resilience ............................................................. 31
Sayfa 3
1. IRAQ,

Barzani, Italian Ambassador Discuss Mosul Liberation and the Situation in Iraq and the
Region
President of Kurdistan, Massoud Barzani discussed with the Italian Ambassador Marco Carnelos
Mosul liberation process and the political situation in Iraq and the region. Barzani, during the
meeting, according to a statement to the presidency of the Kurdistan region, stressed "the necessity
to eliminate terrorism should be a priority for everyone.
More Details:
http://www.ninanews.com/News_Details.aspx?ON2TCpFJt%252fQENm1Au8iYtg%253d%253d

Russia renews its support for Iraq in its war against terrorism
Russian Ambassador to Iraq Morgnov Ilya Anatolyevich renewed on Sunday his country’s support for
Iraq in its war against terrorism, Al Sumaria News reported. The presidency of Iraq said in a press
statement, “Today, President Fuad Masum received the Russian Ambassador to Iraq Morgnov Ilya
Anatolyevich,” adding that, “They discussed the bilateral relations between Iraq and Russia, and the
importance of joint cooperation to serve the interests of the two countries.”
More Details:
http://www.iraqinews.com/baghdad-politics/russia-renews-support-iraq-war-terrorism/

British soldiers face Iraq detainee abuse probe - BBC News
British soldiers are being investigated over allegations of mistreating two Iraqi detainees in
2003.Faisal al-Saadoonand Khalaf Mufdhi were detained in Basra and accused of involvement in the
deaths of two British soldiers, Staff Sgt Simon Cullingworth and Sapper Luke Allsopp. An Iraqi court
later decided there was insufficient evidence to try the men.
More Details:
http://english.shafaaq.com/politics/18298-british-soldiers-face-iraq-detainee-abuse-probe-bbc-news

Security Forces 7 km from Mosul's center
The Kurdish Armed Forces "Peshmerga" had managed to liberate 9 villages from the hands of ISIS in
al-Khazer town as well for al-Hamdaniya crossroad. An Official in PUK organizations office in
Makhmor said in a statement to PUKmedia on Monday, October 17, 2016, that Peshmerga forces
had liberated 9 villages in Khazer area as well for the crossroad of al-Hamdaniya, stressing that the
forces are only 7 km away from the center of Mosul.
Sayfa 4
More Details:
http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=38916

Battle to retake Mosul, Iraq from Daesh begins
Iraqi government and Kurdish forces, backed by U.S.-led coalition air and ground support, launched
co-ordinated military operations early on Monday as the long-awaited fight to wrest the northern
city of Mosul from Daesh (Islamic State) fighters got underway. But the battle for Mosul is likely to be
long and was unclear at this early stage when the troops would enter the city itself. The fate of
civilians trapped inside Mosul will also be critical as the battle intensifies in the days and weeks
ahead amid concerns that the extremist Daesh could use them as potential human shields.
More Details:
https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2016/10/17/battle-to-retake-mosul-iraq-from-daeshbegins.html

Iraq Forces Advance toward ISIS-Held Mosul
Iraqi forces launched a long-awaited offensive early Monday to push Islamic State from Mosul, as
thousands of government troops and Kurdish fighters advanced toward the outskirts of the militantheld city. Flanked by senior Iraqi military commanders, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi went on
national television to announce the start of the operation to retake Iraq's second-largest city from
Islamic State, declaring, "The hour of victory has sounded and the Mosul liberation operation has
started."
More Details:
http://www.nasdaq.com/article/iraq-forces-advance-toward-isisheld-mosul-20161017-00250?

What is the battle for Mosul? Everything you need to know about the fight to liberate
Isil's last bastion of power in Iraq
The "mother of all battles" to liberate the Iraqi city of Mosul from Isil officially began in the early
hours of Monday, October 17. The Iraqi army has been tasked with dislodging the terror group from
their last major stronghold in the country, after haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi Prime Minister, announced
the offensive on state television.
More Details:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/17/what-is-the-battle-for-mosul-isils-last-bastion-ofpower-in-iraq/?
Sayfa 5

Al-Baghdādī Daesh leader escaped from air attack in Mosul, Iraq
The Iraqi security sources unveiled that Abū Bakr al-Baghdādī, the Daesh leader, has escaped for a
few minutes from an air attack conducted in the Iraq territory, where it believed a meeting among
heads of the so-called caliphate was ongoing, The source has not specified who have conducted the
raid, if the forces of the US led coalition or the forces of Baghdad. Only that the action was in the
attack plans to free Mosul city. "Sputnik" reported it in a newsflash.
More Details:
http://www.avionews.com/index.php?corpo=see_news_home.php&news_id=1178174&pagina_chia
mante=index.php

Iran-Iraq border guard commanders meet in Baghdad
The 6th annual meeting of Iran-Iraq border guard commanders started work on Monday in Baghdad.
The meeting focuses on issues related to both countries' borders, border coordination and the issues
related to Iranian pilgrims visiting the Iraqi city of Karbala to mark Arbaeen mourning ceremonies.
More Details:
http://www.irna.ir/en/News/82269993/?

Iraq Braces for new wave of Refugees as 1.5M Threatened by Battle for Mosul
As many as 1.5 million Iraqis are bracing for a major offensive on the city of Mosul, an operation that
could force as many as 1 million people from their homes and send as many as 100,000 refugees
across the border into war-ravaged Syria. "I am extremely concerned for the safety of up to 1.5
million people living in Mosul who may be impacted by military operations to retake the city from
ISIL," said Stephen O'Brien, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and
Emergency Relief Coordinator.
More Details:
http://abc7ny.com/news/iraq-braces-for-new-wave-of-displaced-as-15-million-threatened-by-battlefor-mosul/1558490/?

Malaysia warns Isis fighters from Iraq and Syria could flee to Southeast Asia as battle
for Mosul intensifies
Amid the ongoing offensive by Iraqi forces to retake the Islamic State (Isis) stronghold of Mosul,
Malaysia's defence minister has warned that Southeast Asia needs to take proactive measures to
guard their territories from fleeing militants. Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said on
Monday (17 October) that he has received intelligence on possible escape plans of IS (Daesh)
Sayfa 6
militants, who are being attacked by Iraqi forces outside Mosul. He said that the militants in Iraq and
Syria are expected to flee to other countries like Malaysia.
More Details:
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/malaysia-warns-isis-fighters-iraq-syria-could-flee-southeast-asia-battlemosul-intensifies-1586713?

How Iraq Plans to Take Back Mosul From ISIS
In one of the first phases of an operation that could last weeks or months, about 4,000 Kurdish pesh
merga troops moved on Monday to retake 10 villages east of the city. The battle is expected to
unfold in stages. The troops that have been massing at bases around Mosul will first surround the
city and then gradually tighten the circle, cutting off supply routes and isolating the area.
More Details:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/10/17/world/middleeast/iraq-mosul-isismap.html?&_r=0

Mosul offensive: The battle for the soul and future of Iraq
For two years, along hundreds of miles of frontlines, tens of thousands of Kurdish Peshmerga have
looked out over grassy, dusty plains, deserted villages, and waited. They’ve been waiting for the
moment that came this morning just before 2am Baghdad time when Iraqi Prime Minister Haider alAbadi, flanked by large men in uniform, announced the start of the operation to liberate Mosul from
the clutches of Islamic State.
More Details:
http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Mosul-offensive-The-battle-for-the-soul-and-future-of-Iraq470274?

Fears of Abuse in Iraq as Shi'ite Fighters Set to Liberate ISIS-held City
Shi'ite irregulars will help storm a smaller city in northern Iraq while government troops launch
their upcoming offensive against Islamic State's biggest stronghold Mosul, raising fears among Iraqi
officials and aid workers of sectarian retribution. The decision to steer the Popular Mobilization
Forces away from Mosul to Hawija, 100 kilometers away, is intended to ease sectarian animosity
during the fight for Mosul, expected to be the biggest battle in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion of
2003.
More Details:
http://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/isis/1.747810?
Sayfa 7

Health crisis in the making as doctors flee Iraq
On Oct. 10, the Iraqi president approved a law passed by the parliament to provide comprehensive
support to doctors in order to prevent the massive emigration in this sector and encourage overseas
doctors to return to Iraq. Yet it is not known to what extent the law will achieve its goals and how the
Iraqi government will implement it. A growing number of Iraqi doctors are departing their war-torn
country despite a shortage of medical professionals, namely because of threats to their personal
safety, a lack of career prospects and unbearable working conditions.
More Details:
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/10/health-iraq-doctors-dohuk-kurdistan-braindrain.html?

Saudi replaces Iraq envoy who riled Shia militias
Saudi Arabia on Sunday replaced its envoy to Iraq whose comments about Iranian involvement in
Iraqi affairs led to diplomatic tension with Baghdad. Thamer al-Sabhan in 2015 became the first Saudi
ambassador to be posted to Iraq since the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait – an appointment which was
seen as heralding closer cooperation in the fight against Islamic State militants in Iraq, Syria and
Saudi Arabia.
More Details:
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20161016-saudi-replaces-iraq-envoy-who-riled-shia-militias/?

Iraq: Dozens Killed in Suicide Attack Targetting Shia
At least 32 people have died in a suicide attack targeting Shia in Iraq's capital Baghdad, officials say,
BBC reports. More than 60 were injured in the blast, carried out on a tent in a crowded market in a
northern district of the city.So-called Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack.Many Shia
pilgrims are taking part in mourning rituals commemorating the killing of the Prophet Mohammed's
grandson, Hussein, in the 7th Century.Reports say a militant detonated a suicide vest in the tent at
lunchtime, when it was full of pilgrims.
More Details:
http://www.independent.mk/articles/37552/Iraq+Dozens+Killed+in+Suicide+Attack+Targetting+Shia
?

Asadi: We War Committed To the Military Plans For the Liberation of Mosul, And Will
Not Violate Human Rights
The official spokesman of the popular mobilization forces, Ahmed al-Asadi announced that "the
supreme body of the popular mobilization forces and factions of the Islamic Resistance are
Sayfa 8
committed to the military plans set up by the commander of the armed forces, Haider al-Abadi." The
website of the popular mobilization forces quoted Asadi as saying that "the PMF would not violate
the principles of human rights in the liberation operations of the city of Mosul."
More Details:
http://www.ninanews.com/News_Details.aspx?5pcrAr%252bB%252fYqJJN3OtzYTTw%253d%253d

Abadi discusses liberation plans of Hawija and Mosul
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi discussed on Saturday the liberation plans of Hawija and Mosul with a
number of al-Hashd al-Shaabi’s leaders. Abadi’s office said in a statement, “Prime Minister Haider alAbadi held a meeting, today, with a number of al-Hashd al-Shaabi’s leaders to discuss the liberation
plans of Hawija and Mosul.”
More Details:
http://www.iraqinews.com/baghdad-politics/abadi-discusses-liberation-plans-hawija-mosul/

ISIS' retreat to Mosul brings surrounding villages back to life, reveals extensive tunnel
system
As the noose tightens around the ISIS stronghold of Mosul, there is a flurry of activity in the city’s
surrounding villages, where the black-clad jihadist army’s retreat has revealed destruction, booby
traps and underground warrens where terrorists cowered under coalition airstrikes. FoxNews.com
recently toured the various frontline villages of Mosul, where around 30 families of the minority
Shabak and Kakayi people have returned four months after their homes were liberated from ISIS.
Like other villages on the Nineveh Plains just miles from the city’s center, the longtime inhabitants
are trickling back in to rebuild their homelands – and lives. Even though that means their families –
including their young children – are living on the frontlines amid one of the most highly-anticipated
battles to recapture a city from jihadist hands.
More Details:
http://english.shafaaq.com/politics/18293-isis-retreat-to-mosul-brings-surrounding-villages-back-tolife,-reveals-extensive-tunnel-system

Five villages liberated in Mosul
Peshmerga Forces had managed to liberate three villages from the ISIS in al-Khazer town. Security
source informed PUKmedia on Monday, October 17, 2016, that the Kurdish armed forces
"Peshmerga" had liberated three villages in the town of Khazer and shall continue their progress to
the front lines according to the plan. Two other villages had also been liberated east of Mosul, War
Media Cell announced today.
Sayfa 9
More Details:
http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=38914
2. SYRIA

Obama Hands over Assad’s Fate to Putin, Syria Opposition Demands Rearmament
It has become evidently clear that U.S. President Barack Obama has handed over the fate of the
Syrian regime head, Bashar al-Assad, to Russia’s Vladimir Putin. The above conclusion can be drawn
out a series of statements recently issued by the White House on Obama directing national security
senior advisors to focus on a political solution for the Syria crisis.
More details:
http://english.aawsat.com/2016/10/article55360262/obama-hands-assads-fate-putin-syriaopposition-demands-rearmament?

EU Foreign Affairs Ministers to Meet on Monday to Discuss Syria
Foreign ministers of the European Union are set to gather on Monday in Luxembourg to discuss
Syrian settlement. Two international meetings on Syrian settlement took place over the weekend,
one in Swiss Lausanne on Saturday with another one in London on Sunday but to no avail.
More details:
https://sputniknews.com/europe/201610171046399096-eu-syria-ministers-meeting/?

UK, France and Germany seek EU condemnation of Russia over Syria
Britain, France and Germany aim to persuade the European Union today (17 October) to condemn
Russia’s devastating air campaign in Syria and pave the way for imposing more sanctions on the
regime of President Bashar al-Assad.The bloc also plans to continue pushing for humanitarian aid to
reach the besieged city of Aleppo.
More details:
http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/uk-france-and-germany-seek-eucondemnation-of-russia-over-syria/?

Russian Ambassador Says West Can “Forget About Regime Change in Syria”
This past week, the Russian ambassador to the United Kingdom, Alexander Yakovenko, published an
op-ed in The Guardian justifying Russia’s continued support for President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in
Sayfa 10
Syria. In the article, Yakovenko argues that a power vacuum was created by “ham-fisted western
social engineering in Iraq,” which allowed ISIS to grow and flourish and forced Russia to intervene.
More details:
http://muftah.org/russian-ambassador-regime-change-syria/?#.WC1dXdSLRkh

Fighting Rages on as Pro-Government Forces Battle for Aleppo
The Syrian army and popular forces continued their military operations against the terrorist groups in
Aleppo and other provinces, and inflicted heavy damage and losses on them in the last 24 hours.
Syrian Army troops repelled ISIL's attacks on their positions near Kuweires airbase in the Eastern
countryside of Aleppo city, leaving several militants dead and several more wounded, military
sources said.
More details:
http://en.alalam.ir/news/1873443?

UK and US consider economic sanctions against Russia and Syria
Britain and the United States are considering economic sanctions against Russia and Syria as there is
no appetite among Western powers for a military solution to protect civilians from their
bombardment in the civil war. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who spoke last week of the need to
discuss "more kinetic options", said military solutions such as a no-fly zone or no-bombing zone over
Aleppo are "extremely difficult".
More details:
http://home.bt.com/news/uk-news/uk-and-us-consider-economic-sanctions-against-russia-andsyria-11364105939155?

Airstrikes kill 31 in Syria's Aleppo
At least 31 people were said to be killed on Sunday by airstrikes on rebel-held districts in Syria's
northern city of Aleppo, a monitor group reported. Warplanes carried out four airstrikes on the
rebel-held neighborhoods of Qaterji, Sukkari and Bab al-Naser as well as other areas in eastern
Aleppo, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
More details:
http://www.china.org.cn/world/2016-10/17/content_39502313.htm?
Sayfa 11

Aid agencies urge Theresa May to punish Syria 'crimes'
Humanitarian agencies have united to urge British Prime Minister Theresa May not to ignore Syria's
horrors. Amnesty International is among several organisations asking people to add their voice to a
letter demanding she take action against the Russian-backed regime bombardment of Aleppo.
More details:
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2016/10/17/aid-agencies-urge-theresa-may-to-punishsyria-crimes?

Russian Student Who Followed ISIS Lover to Syria Faces 'Terrorist' Trial
Police in bullet-proof vests guard a military court for the terrorism trial of Varvara Karaulova, a slim
20-year-old with braided hair who clutches a page of handwritten notes. Karaulova was studying
philosophy at the renowned Moscow State University when she tried to enter Syria last year after
falling in love online with an ISIS fighter.
More details:
http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/russian-student-who-followed-isis-lover-to-syria-faces-terroristtrial-1475082

Syria: raid on east Aleppo, many kids among 12 dead
At least 12 people have been killed, including five children, following Russian or Syrian government
air raids on east Aleppo, the area controlled by insurgents, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights
said Monday. The NGO said the bombings targeted civilian homes in eastern districts where fighting
is ongoing between loyalist forces and insurgents. (ANSAmed).
More Details:
http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/generalnews/2016/10/17/syria-raid-on-eastaleppo-many-kids-among-12-dead_696bc875-969e-4b0f-8359-b45145917572.html?
3. IRAN

Iran calls OPEC's decision to limit output 'baby step in right direction'
Iran's deputy oil minister said on Monday that the OPEC's primary agreement in Algeria to limit oil
output at 32.5 million barrels per day was a small step but in right direction. "It was a first baby step
in right direction... We did take part, we did support it," Amir Hossein Zamaninia, deputy oil minister
for trade and international affairs, told reporters in Tehran, adding that Iran's current oil output is
3.85 million bpd, and its exports more than 2.2 million bpd.
Sayfa 12
More details:
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-oil-opec-idUSKBN12H0HF?rpc=401

Iran, Cote d'Ivoire Fight Against Drug Necessary
Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Javad Zarif has called for Iran-Cote d'Ivoire cooperation to fight
international drug cartels along with improved relations in international organisations, Iran's Mehr
News Agency (MNA) reports. According to Zarif, diverse fields such as science and technology and
agriculture along with the fight against terrorism and drug cartels provided both countries to review
the level of relations.
More details:
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/wn/newsworld.php?id=1292571

Iran eyes fisheries export to eastern Europe
Deputy Minister of Agricultural and Head of Iran Fisheries Organization Hassan Salehi said tourism is
growing in Eastern Europe turning those countries into good markets for exports of Iranian fishery
commodities; “per capita consumption of fish is very low in these countries which allows room for
growth.” The official estimated the country’s fishery exports capacity at 100 thousand tons per year
adding “plans have been made to produce more than 200 thousand tons of fish via cage culture
system in order to supply a portion of the demand for the product in Eastern Europe.”
More details:
http://khabarpu.com/k.php?u=SXJhbiBleWVzIGZpc2hlcmllcyBleHBvcnQgdG8gZWFzdGVybiBFdXJvcG
U=_ZW4ubWVocm5ld3MuY29tL25ld3MvMTIwNTcy_bWVocm5ld3M=

Iran, China confers on peaceful nuclear coop.
Sun Qin, President of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), held talks with Ali Akbar Salehi,
Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Mohammad Ahmadian, AEOI deputy and CEO of
Nuclear Power Production and Development Company of Iran (NPPD), as well as officials in charge of
the modernization project of Arak Heavy Water Reactor.
More details:
http://en.mehrnews.com/news/120569/Iran-China-confer-on-peaceful-nuclear-coop?

The Iranian Regime Is Not a Natural Partner of the United States
One of the interesting debates that emerged over the last few years in Washington revolved around
whether the Islamic Republic of Iran could be a natural partner for the United States in the Middle
Sayfa 13
East. Some argued that Iran was opposed to the Taliban in Afghanistan and was also fighting ISIS in
Iraq and Syria. It was an enemy of the radical Sunni Jihadis and so were we. Moreover, Iran was a real
country, with a long history and a deep, rich culture.
More details:
http://english.aawsat.com/2016/10/article55360256/iranian-regime-not-natural-partner-unitedstates?

The political logic of hard Brexit
The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has just presented his latest report on the
“Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran” to the UN General Assembly, stressing the
abuses carried out by the fundamentalist, theocratic regime. Ban Ki-moon highlighted his deep
concerns about escalating executions, floggings, arbitrary arrests and detentions, unfair trials, denial
of access to medical care and torture and ill-treatment.
More details:
https://www.neweurope.eu/article/political-logic-hard-brexit/

Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif participates in Swiss Talks on Syria
The Syria talks opened in Lausanne with a fresh format but few new ideas. US Secretary of State John
Kerry and his Russian counterpart are joined with foreign ministers of Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Turkey,
Qatar, Jordan and Egypt. UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura is also attending the talks.
There are varying degrees of hope as to whether the talks will be successful in ending the violence in
Syria, even if temporarily.
More details:
http://www.payvand.com/news/16/oct/1085.html?

Oman, Iran eye $5B bilateral trade by 2021
The bilateral trade between Oman and Iran is expected to touch $5 billion within five years, from
merely $1 billion now. The volume of trade between Oman and Iran is growing and the Sultanate is in
a better position to benefit from opening of Iranian market after the recent lifting of sanctions, said
Dr Amir Kordvani, head of Iran desk and projects for the Middle East, CMS Cameron McKenna. Dr
Kordvani, while addressing a seminar on foreign investment in Iran here, said that Omani companies
are in a strong position to benefit from opportunities in the Iranian market and are currently involved
in a number of high-profile projects. International law firm CMS, operating in Oman, in exclusive
cooperation with Amur Al Rashdi and Benjamin Ewing Advocates and Legal Consultants, conducted
the seminar on foreign investment in Iran.
Sayfa 14
More Details:
http://www.albawaba.com/business/oman-iran-eye-5b-bilateral-trade-2021-893874

Iran, Indonesia discuss counter-terrorism
Indonesia and Iran discussed the importance of international cooperation in addressing the problem
of terrorism during a meeting between top officials in Jakarta on Monday. "Overall, both sides
exchanged opinions on how to fight against terrorism and violent groups," Iranian Ambassador to
Indonesia Valiollah Mohammadi said following a meeting with Coordinating Political, Legal and
Security Affairs Minister Wiranto as quoted by Antara news agency.
More Details:
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/10/17/iran-indonesia-discuss-counter-terrorism.html?

Iran says Kerry’s remarks on sanctions ‘unacceptable’
Iran has rejected remarks by US Secretary of State John Kerry that its policies in Syria and Yemen are
blocking efforts to encourage banks to do business with it. In an interview published Friday, Kerry
told Foreign Affairs magazine that Iranian support for Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, Lebanon’s
Hezbollah movement and Yemen’s Huthi rebels made it “very difficult” to help Iran improve its
banking system and business practices. “Mr Kerry’s comments are totally unacceptable,” Iran’s
deputy foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, told state television on Sunday night.
More Details:
http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/10/17/foreign/iran-says-kerrys-remarks-on-sanctionsunacceptable/?
4. ISRAEL – PALESTINE

Israel PM vows national service ban for NGO over UN row
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to bar national service volunteers from joining
human rights group B'Tselem after the organization angered him with their testimony at the U.N. last
week. Netanyahu said in a Facebook post on Saturday he planned to change the national service law
during the upcoming winter session of Israel's parliament, the Knesset, a move he said the
government's legal adviser agreed to.
More details:
http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israel-pm-vows-national-service-ban-for-ngo-over-un-row/665762
Sayfa 15

Israeli rights group vows to continue fight against occupation
An Israeli human rights group on Sunday vowed to continue its struggle against the Israeli occupation
of Palestinian territories despite a rebuke from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu."We will
continue saying the truth in Israel and abroad: the occupation must end," B'Tselem said in a
statement.
More details:
https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2016/10/17/israeli-rights-group-vows-to-continue-fightagainst-occupation?

Israeli firm, MNCs to help draft cyber security curriculum
In a first for India, the Karnataka government is in talks with major private players in IT and cyber
security, including an Israeli company, to formulate a curriculum on cyber security aimed at dealing
with cyber threats. The talks with firms, which have expressed interest in helping the government,
have two goals - setting up a centre for excellence and introducing cyber security as part of higher
education.
More details:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Israeli-firm-MNCs-to-help-draft-cyber-securitycurriculum/articleshow/54888645.cms?

Obama’s three diplomatic options for Mideast peace
Both Israeli and Palestinian leaderships are opposed to policy moves by US President Barack Obama
on a two-state solution. Obama is apparently going to make an announcement on US Middle East
policy after the Nov. 8 elections, Al-Monitor has learned from a senior American diplomat in Tel Aviv.
More details:
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/10/israel-palestine-obamas-three-diplomaticoptions.html?

Why difficult to connect Israel to Southern Gas Corridor?
The practicalities and specifically, the infrastructure needs of connecting Israeli gas to the Southern
Gas Corridor will make it difficult to accomplish, Agnia Grigas, energy and political risks expert, nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, told Trend Oct.17. Earlier, Cemil Ertem, advisor to the
Turkish president, said that Turkey wants to connect Israeli gas supplies to the Southern Gas Corridor
project.
More details:
Sayfa 16
http://en.trend.az/business/energy/2673286.html

Israeli Soldiers Open Fire On A Number Of Homes, Lands And Workers, In Southern
Gaza
Israeli soldiers, stationed at military towers across the border fence, fired several live rounds, on
Monday morning,targeting a number of homes and agricultural lands, and maintenance workers,
east of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
More details:
http://imemc.org/article/israeli-soldiers-open-fire-on-a-number-of-homes-lands-and-workers-insouthern-gaza/?

White House, Zionism, terrorism insecurity triangle in region
Secretary General of International Conference in Support of the Palestinian Intifada Hossein AmirAbdollahian underlined Iran supports its allies in the Axis of Resistance and the region."White House,
Zionism and terrorism are three sides of a triangle comprising the main cause of insecurity and
instability in the region," Amir-Abdollahian said speaking in a meeting with Zeineb Barjawi, wife of
Samir Kuntar, a high-ranking member of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah, who was
martyred during Israeli regime's airstrike on a residential area near the Syrian capital city of
Damascus last year.
More details:
http://en.mehrnews.com/news/120576/White-House-Zionism-terrorism-insecurity-triangle-inregion?

Jews, Palestinians working together to bring peace to the Middle East
FOR decades, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the larger Arab-Israeli conflict have cast a dark
shadow over the Middle East. This conflict has cost human lives and drained vital resources. It has
denied millions of people in the region the opportunity to prosper and grow away from the threat of
confrontation, occupation and violence.
More details:
http://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/jews-palestinians-working-together-to-bring-peace-to-themiddle-east/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_opinion

Palestine official slams SA MP’s visit to Israel
Saeb Erekat, the secretary-general of the PLO and a member of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the
Israeli-occupied West Bank, has sent a letter to the South African government slamming Meshoe's
Sayfa 17
visit. “It is with grave concern that I must address the issue of an announced visit by members of your
parliament to illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied State of Palestine as part of an upcoming
conference organised by the 'Israel Allies Foundation' in co-ordination with the Israeli government,”
reads the letter.
More Details:
http://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/palestine-official-slams-sa-mps-visit-to-israel-2080614?

Morality and hypocrisy over Palestine and Syria
The Palestine solidarity movement is facing an unprecedented internal crisis, brought about not by
the conflict with Israel but by the war in Syria. The latter has caused divisions that are arguably
deeper and more damaging than those over how to realise Palestinian rights and aspirations. While
the effects of Palestinian political infighting have remained largely domestic, the fissures over Syria
have taken on a global dimension, and created unparalleled hostility among supporters of the
Palestinian cause.
More Details:
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2016/10/morality-hypocrisy-palestine-syria161010115744453.html?
5. JORDAN and LEBANON

Ten-year vision and IMF programme
There are big differences between Jordan’s 10-year vision and the economic reform programme
agreed upon with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
More details:
http://jordantimes.com/opinion/fahed-fanek/ten-year-vision-and-imf-programme?

Jordan: Discovery of new hot spring has potential for tourism development
Minister of Water and Irrigation Hazem Al Nasser Saturday announced the discovery of a new source
of hot mineral water south of Amman "with unique natural features" that could be the hottest in the
Kingdom and the region as well, according to the ministry's records.
More details:
http://www.albawaba.com/business/jordan-discovery-new-hot-spring-has-potential-tourismdevelopment-893586
Sayfa 18

Ambassador conveys Zarif's message to Jordanian FM
Iranian ambassador in Amman Mojtaba Ferdowsipour has conveyed a message from Iranian Foreign
Minister to Jordan's foreign minister encouraging Jordan government to help resolve the regional
crises.
More details:
http://www.irna.ir/en/News/82268757/?

Lebanese Army Sergeant Killed in Arsal
A Lebanese army Sergeant First Class was killed late on Sunday in the northeastern border town of
Arsal, the National News Agency reported on Monday.
More detail:
http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/218564-lebanese-army-sergeant-killed-in-arsal?

King urges expedited efforts to boost human rights advocacy
His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday received a copy of the annual report on human rights in Jordan
for 2015, compiled by the National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR).
More details:
http://jordantimes.com/news/local/king-urges-expedited-efforts-boost-human-rights-advocacy

Bassil: Yes to National Pact, No to 'Bilateral, Tripartite or Four-Party Agreements'
Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil reassured Sunday that the possible election of FPM
founder MP Michel Aoun as president will not involve “bilateral, tripartite or four-party agreements”
between political parties.
More details:
http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/218531-bassil-yes-to-national-pact-no-to-bilateral-tripartiteor-four-party-agreements

Geagea condemns terrorist attack in Sinai: Falls within desperate attempts to
undermine Egyptian role
"Lebanese Forces" Party Leader, Samir Geagea, strongly denounced in an issued statement on
Sunday, the terrorist attack on Egyptian soldiers in northern Sinai, considering the attack as "falling
within the context of the ongoing desperate attempts to undermine Egypt's role."
Sayfa 19
More details:
http://nna-leb.gov.lb/en/show-news/69796/Geagea-condemns-terrorist-attack-in-Sinai-Falls-withindesperate-attempts-to-undermine-Egyptian-role

Moses Memorial reopens on Mount Nebo after 10 years of renovation
Officials, church representatives, tourists and pilgrims on Saturday attended the inauguration of the
Moses Memorial on Mount Nebo, where Moses is believed to have been shown the Holy Land,
according to Christian and Jewish traditions.
More details:
http://jordantimes.com/news/local/moses-memorial-reopens-mount-nebo-after-10-yearsrenovation

Former Lebanese Prime Minister: Iran Regime is Shedding Blood and Hitting Islamic
Unity
Saad Hariri, the leader of The Future Movement Party (Almustaqbal) and former Lebanese Prime
Minister, has on Wednesday October 12 accused Iran of being responsible for destruction of Syria
and disintegration of Yemen and said: “the Iranian regime is the arrowhead of destruction in Syria,
Iraq and Yemen and is spreading the poison of sectarianism in our societies and threatening our unity
and children’s lives.”
More details:
http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/terrorism-fundamentalism/21301-former-lebanese-primeminister-iran-regime-is-shedding-blood-and-hitting-islamic-unity?
6. ARABIAN PENINSULA AND THE GULF OF BASRA

Bahrain court overturns jail term of opposition chief
A top court in Bahrain on Monday overturned a nine-year jail term against opposition chief cleric Ali
Salman, convicted of inciting hatred and calling for forceful regime change.
Moredetails:
http://www.newsofbahrain.com/viewNews.php?ppId=26068&TYPE=Posts&pid=21&MNU=2&SUB=

Bahrain to host major oil technology summit
Oil refiners from across the region and Africa will discuss optimum technical solutions for the future
of residue upgrading in refineries at an upcoming high level technology conference in Bahrain.
Sayfa 20
More details:
http://www.tradearabia.com/news/OGN_315174.html?

Bahrain deserves a chance to prove itself on human rights
Bahrain’s record on human rights has been repeatedly criticised following the treatment of
protesters in the wake of the “Arab Spring” of 2011.
More details:
http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/bahrain-deserves-a-chance-to-prove-itself-on-human-rights1.2831621

Bahrain King: Building on Past Achievements, Reforms Lead to Consolidation of Civil
State
Manama-Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa asserted on Sunday that the Kingdom would
continue its comprehensive development progress built on past achievements and reforms as a
condition to consolidate the civil state based on justice and equality, without excluding any person
because of his origins, ideas or beliefs.
More details:
http://english.aawsat.com/2016/10/article55360270/bahrain-king-building-past-achievementsreforms-lead-consolidation-civil-state?

Oneic wins $2.2m Oman substation contract
Oman National Engineering Investment Company (Oneic) said it has won contracts worth RO856,108
($2.2 million) from Mazoon Electricity Company for construction of incoming feeders and 11
outgoing feeders for the new Samad primary sub-station in Al Shaqiya North Governorate.
More details:
http://www.tradearabia.com/news/CONS_315181.html?

Americans held in Yemen released, flown to Oman
Two American prisoners held captive by Yemen’s Houthi rebels have been released and taken to
neighbouring Oman after Omani officials mediated their release, US Secretary of State John Kerry
said on Saturday.
More details:
http://gulftoday.ae/portal/ba535dcf-4e43-415b-9bf2-7e8488ba6c3a.aspx?
Sayfa 21

5 Saudi Troops Killed in Yemeni Army’s Attack on Jizan
The Yemeni Army and popular committees mounted a retaliatory attack against a Saudi military base
in the kingdom’s southwestern province of Jizan, killing at least five Saudi troops.
More details:
http://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2016/10/17/1214134/5-saudi-troops-killed-in-yemeni-armys-attack-on-jizan?

Yemen urges UN to put end to Saudi war
Yemen’s top governing body has called on the United Nations (UN) and the Security Council to
intervene in order to put an end to Saudi Arabia's atrocious war.
More details:
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/10/17/489420/Yemen-Supreme-Political-Council-Saudi-war?

'Exorbitant' Saudi visa fees a concern for muslims
Anger is flaring up among the Muslim community in South Africa due to the Saudi Arabian authority's
implementation of higher Visa fees.
More details:
http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/8f301f804ea07f1cafa0ffdd3b82934c/-?

-Iran oil minister: hopes soon to reach Qatar's gas production
Iran hopes by early next year to boost its natural gas production to Qatar's level, Iranian oil minister
Bijan Zanganeh told an energy conference on Monday.
More details:
http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/17/10/2016/Iran-oil-minister-hopes-soon-to-reach-Qatar-sgas-production?

Over 450 overstaying Sri Lankan migrant workers in Qatar take up amnesty offer
More than 450 Sri Lankan expatriates overstaying their visas in Qatar took advantage in the first
months of a three-month amnesty offered by the Ministry of Interior last month, a Sri Lankan
embassy official said yesterday.
More details:
Sayfa 22
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_16B/Oct17_1476676363CH.php?
7. EGYPT

Egyptian army pounds Islamist positions in North and central Sinai after militant attack
The Egyptian army has been pounding Islamist positions in north and central Sinai regions after the
Islamic State (Isis) group launched an attack killing 12 soldiers. In what is likely to be a lengthy antiterror aerial campaign against the insurgents, the army said the air strikes are to continue in the
coming days.
More Details:
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/egyptian-army-pounds-islamist-positions-north-central-sinai-aftermilitant-attack-1586682?

Egyptian president defends foreign policy over Syrian crisis
"Egypt's vote went to both the French-Spanish resolution and the Russian resolution (over Syrian
crisis) last week, and this was not a contradictory stance," official MENA news agency quoted the
Egyptian president as saying on Sunday.
More details:
http://www.china.org.cn/world/2016-10/17/content_39502880.htm?

Terror Attacks in Egypt’s Sinai Denounced
Iran denounced the recent terrorist attacks in Egypt's volatile Sinai Peninsula that left a dozen
soldiers dead, voicing alarm over the spread of terrorism to other regions beyond the Middle East.
More details:
https://financialtribune.com/articles/national/51668/terror-attacks-in-egypt-s-sinai-denounced?

Egypt completes long-delayed 4G mobile licensing contracts
Vodafone Egypt and Etisalat Misr signed licensing agreements on Sunday for the operation of 4G
mobile broadband networks in Egypt in deals that will allow the country to introduce long-delayed
high speed telecoms services.
More details:
http://www.arabnews.com/node/998746/business-economy
Sayfa 23

Amid Saudi Row, Egypt Reasserts Commitment to Gulf Allies
The Egyptian president said on Thursday that his country remains committed to close relations with
Gulf Arab allies, but declared that Cairo would continue to independently pursue its own policies to
safeguard Arab security. The remarks by Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, delivered in a televised speech to army
officers and government ministers, came against the backdrop of an escalating spat over Syria
between Egypt and Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia.
More details:
http://www.payvand.com/news/16/oct/1086.html?

Egypt temporarily reopens border crossing with Gaza
Egypt announced it temporarily reopened the Rafah crossing for two days to allow Palestinians to
enter or leave the Gaza Strip, and plans to do so a second time later this week.
More details:
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2016/10/17/Egypt-temporarily-reopens-bordercrossing-with-Gaza/3881476684573/?spt=sec&or=tn

Kenya second-largest exporter of goods within Comesa bloc after Egypt
The machinery and equipment division at the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI) seeks to hold
annual exhibitions in Africa for Egyptian machinery and equipment, according to division head
Mohamed El-Menshawy.
More details:
http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2016/10/17/559876/?

Al-Nadhouri: We’ll put Libyan oil under Egypt’s control
The Libyan military chief of staff affiliated to the House of Representatives (HoR), General AbdulRazek Al-Nadhouri, said that the head of the eastern Libyan National Oil Corporation would be in
Cairo on Saturday.
More details:
http://libyaprospect.com/index.php/2016/10/16/al-nadhouri-well-put-libyan-oil-under-egyptscontrol/?
Sayfa 24

18 Egyptian trial defendants get prison sentence after shoe thrown at judge
A Cairo court sentenced 18 defendants on Sunday to two years in prison for insulting the judiciary,
after the defendants cheered inside the cage when one of them threw his shoe at the judge, security
sources and a lawyer said.
More details:
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-court-idUSKBN12G0VA?rpc=401

Egypt’s president predicts long war against Sinai militants
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said in comments published on Saturday that his country’s
war against Islamic militants in the Sinai Peninsula would be long, but that conditions in the vast and
arid region were improving.
More details:
http://www.timesofisrael.com/egypts-president-predicts-long-war-against-sinai-militants/?
8. NORTH AFRICA

UK troops train Tunisian forces to counter Islamic state
British Armed Forces will provide training to Tunisian forces to help stem the threat posed by Islamic
State, the Defence Secretary has announced. Michael Fallon has announced that a Short Term
Training Team of around 40 UK military personnel has arrived in country to provide training on
Operational Planning, Intelligence and Surveillance and mobile patrolling, which will help Tunisia
counter illegal cross-border movement, particularly from neighbouring Libya.
More details:
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-troops-train-tunisian-forces-counter-islamic-state/?

Tunisian-British military cooperation on border control and fight against terrorism
Some 40 British military personnel arrived in Tunisia as part of cooperation with the Tunisian armed
forces in border control and fight against terrorism. "This training mission aimed to help the Tunisian
army to prevent the infiltration of members of Daech who are in Libya," said British Defence
Secretary Michael Fallon, cited by Reuters.
More details:
http://www.tap.info.tn/en/Portal-Top-Slide-EN/8331356-tunisian-british-military-cooperation
Sayfa 25

Tunisia democratic fairy tale sours
Conversations with neighbors, taxi drivers, friends and colleagues focus mostly on mundane
economic problems. “At cafes and at home, it’s the first conversation you have, the spark,” says
Laryssa Chomiak, an American political scientist living in Tunis. She’s referring to the incredible rise in
the cost of living that’s making it difficult for Tunisians to pay rent, buy food and simply survive. And
it’s not just inflation that worries Tunisians. Incomes are low, jobs scarce. Add to that a need for
economic reforms and the specter of terrorism — three attacks in 2015 claimed 74 lives, killing
tourism — and it’s easy to see that Tunisia’s one silver lining, its nascent democracy, may not stop it
from being rained out by brewing storm clouds. Most experts believe the 11-million strong home of
ancient Carthage can still pull it off. But some are growingly increasingly concerned that the Arab
Spring’s one success story and might soon become a missed opportunity.
More details:
http://www.ozy.com/pov/tunisias-democratic-fairy-tale-sours/72370?

Algeria Offers Yemen Peace Proposal
An Algerian diplomatic source disclosed that his country has proposed that Iran and Saudi Arabia
deploy peacekeeping troops from neutral Arab states in Yemen to end the war. Anadolu Agency
quoted a source in the Algerian Foreign Ministry as saying on Saturday that the country has proposed
that Iran and Saudi Arabia recruit forces from countries that do not play a role in Yemen and form an
Arab peacekeeping force to settle the crisis in the war-hit country.
More details:
https://financialtribune.com/articles/national/51673/algeria-offers-yemen-peace-proposal?

Anarchy as Tripoli militias fight after the Rixos coup
Tripoli has been descending into military anarchy over the last 48 hours although, extraordinarily,
some parts of the city still appeared calm and normal this evening. The two-day old Rixos coup by
Khalifa Ghwell has triggered disparate outbreaks of fighting between rival militias in which one
person is known to have been killed and several wounded.
More details:
https://www.libyaherald.com/2016/10/16/__trashed/

Libya: Rival group seizes UN-backed government offices
Libya's UN-backed government has suffered a new setback after forces loyal to a political rival seized
key offices in the capital and proclaimed the reinstatement of the former administration. Khalifa
Ghweil, who was prime minister in the unrecognised National Salvation Government, announced his
Sayfa 26
administration's comeback from inside the headquarters of the former parliament after his militia
supporters seized the building in Tripoli on Friday night.
More details:
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/10/libya-rival-group-seizes-backed-government-offices161015131821294.html

War-weary Libyans miss life under Gadhafi
Five years after an uprising killed Libya’s Moamer Gadhafi, residents in the chaos-wracked country’s
capital joke they have grown to miss the longtime dictator as the frustrations of daily life mount.
Those living in the capital say they are exhausted by power cuts, price hikes and a lack of cash flow as
rival authorities and militias battle for control of the fragmented oil-rich country.
More details:
http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/10/17/foreign/war-weary-libyans-miss-life-under-gadhafi/?

Morocco’s GDP to Reach 3.5% Increase by 2018: World Bank
At a time when poor rain-fed harvests have weighed on economic growth in Morocco during 2016,
the Kingdom’s economy is expected to see better days, with an estimated Gross Development
Product (GDP) of up to 3.5 percent in 2018, up from 1.5 percent in 2016, according to a report by the
World Bank. Data piled up by the World Bank Economic Monitor for the Middle East and North Africa
(MENA) said economic activity in Morocco is expected to rebound in 2017 following a sharp
economic nosedive in 2016.
More details:
https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2016/10/199141/moroccos-gdp-to-reach-3-5-increase-by2018-world-bank/?

Morocco tipped off Israeli intelligence, ‘helped Israel win Six Day War’
Israel largely has Morocco to thank for its victory over its Arab enemies in the 1967 Six Day War,
according to revelations by a former Israeli military intelligence chief. In 1965, King Hassan ll passed
recordings to Israel of a key meeting between Arab leaders held to discuss whether they were
prepared for war against Israel.
More details
http://www.timesofisrael.com/morocco-tipped-off-israeli-intelligence-helped-israel-win-six-daywar/?
Sayfa 27
9. AFGHANISTAN – PAKISTAN

Afghan Officials Claim Battlefield Advances in Lashkar Gah
Security forces in Afghanistan claim to have pushed the Taliban from parts of a key southern
provincial capital and inflicted heavy casualties on the opposition as insurgent hostilities appear to
have subsided in other conflict-hit provinces. The rebel group staged a major assault on Lashkar Gah,
capital of Helmand province, a week ago, forcing their way into parts of the nearly besieged city.
More details:
http://www.aopnews.com/

Presidential Order
A statement from the presidential office quoted President Ghani as asking the ministers and
provincial governors to arrange information about their effective plans and classify them in
cooperation with the oversight commission on access to media to help the people fully get
information about their works. The statement also said the government officials in the capital and
provinces of the country, have to provide at least a monthly press conference with media about their
works to help the people get information about their achievements, as well as biweekly session with
their spokespersons about the fresh events and help them get informed about, a move would help
them regularly remain in contact with the media and could provide answers to their journalists
questions.
More details:
http://www.bakhtarnews.com.af/eng/politics/item/25460-presidential-order.html

No plot behind Kunduz collapse, says Abdullah
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah on Sunday denied the Kunduz conflict has any ethnic
dimension or a conspiracy led to the city collapse. The CEO told people’s representatives from the
northern province of Kunduz at his office here that the provincial capital had not been deliberately
allowed to be captured by insurgents.
More details:
http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2016/10/16/no-plot-behind-kunduz-collapse-says-abdullah

50 Soldiers Killed, As Many Missing In Helmand: Officials
Helmand governor Hayatullah Hayat on Sunday said nearly 50 soldiers have been killed and as many
have gone missing in conflicts in the province over the past two weeks.
Sayfa 28
More details:
http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/27828-50-soldiers-killed-as-many-missing-in-helmandofficials?

MoD intensifying attacks to fully uproot Daesh, spokesperson
Presence of Daesh militants in eastern parts of Afghanistan has become concerning, but officials of
the ministry for defense (MoD) are saying that they won’t spare any effort to fully uproot the group.
Brig. General, DawlatWaziri, the spokesperson of MoD said, ‘heavy operations have been launched in
eastern Nangarhar to annihilate IS faction, which resulted in annihilation of their bases in the
province and sustaining heavy casualties to them.
More details:
http://thekabultimes.gov.af/index.php/opinions/politics/12122-mod-intensifying-attacks-to-fullyuproot-daesh-spokesperson.html

Modi misleading BRICS leaders: Sartaj
Pakistan on Sunday lashed out at Narendra Modi for insinuating that the country is a ‘mothership of
terrorism’, saying that the Indian prime minister is misleading his Brics and Bimstec colleagues , and
has no moral ground when his own government is involved in state terrorism in Kashmir. “The Indian
leadership is desperately trying to hide its brutalities in Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, an
internationally recognised dispute on the United Nations Security Council agenda, where innocent
people are being killed and injured by occupation forces daily with impunity,” Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif’s adviser on foreign affairs said while reacting to Modi’s latest allegations against Pakistan.
More details:
http://tribune.com.pk/story/1200398/terror-south-asia-modi-misleading-brics-leaders-sartaj/

Pakistan has adopted terrorism as state policy, says Rajnath Singh
Union home minister Rajnath Singh said today that despite differences with Beijing, India's
relationship with China has "strengthened", while Pakistan has painted itself into a corner "by
adopting terrorism as its state policy".
More details:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Pakistan-has-adopted-terrorism-as-state-policy-saysRajnath-Singh/articleshow/54893241.cms?
Sayfa 29

'India violated ceasefire agreement more than 90 times this year,' FO claims
Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakria on Monday alleged that India has committed more than
90 ceasefire violations in 2016. "During 2016, India violated ceasefire more than 90 times. This must
stop," he tweeted.
More details:
www.dawn.com/news/1290533/india-violated-ceasefire-agreement-more-than-90-times-this-yearfo-claims

PPP flexes political muscle in Karachi
Pakistan People's Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Sunday vowed to complete the
unfinished mission of slain PPP Chairwoman Benazir Bhutto to get the country rid of terrorism,
poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and sectarianism. Accompanied by two former prime ministers
Yousaf Raza Gilani and Raja Pervez Ashraf, Bilawal led a rally to pay homage to the victims of 2007
Karsaz attack in which more than 120 people lost their lives as the rally of Benazir Bhutto came under
attack.
More details:
http://dailytimes.com.pk/pakistan/17-Oct-16/ppp-flexes-political-muscle-in-karachi
10.TURKEY AND THE MIDDLE EAST

US, Turkish top commanders discuss Iraq, Syria
The U.S.'s top general met Turkey's Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar at the Turkish embassy in
Washington on Sunday to discuss recent regional developments, including an operation to free
Mosul, Iraq, from Daesh. Akar is in Washington for join a counter-Daesh coalition meeting that kicks
off on Monday at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.
More Details:
http://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2016/10/17/us-turkish-top-commanders-discuss-iraqsyria?

Turkey seeks to expand border ‘safe zone’ 45km into Syria
Ankara has announced plans to expand the so-called security zone deeper into northern Syria, after
rebels – backed by Turkey's tanks and air force as part of the ongoing Operation Euphrates Shield –
achieved a “strategic and symbolic” victory against ISIS. Commenting on the ongoing offensive in
Sayfa 30
Syria, the country’s minister of defense said on Sunday that Turkish forces now control a 90kilometer (55 mile) stretch along the border, which extends 20km (12 miles) into Syria.
More details:
https://www.rt.com/news/362981-turkey-safe-zone-syria/?

Erdogan: Turkey 'will be at table' for Mosul talks
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday Turkey would not only participate in the ongoing Mosul
operation against ISIL in Iraq but would also “be at the table for talks”. "It is impossible for us to stay
out of it because there lies history for us," said Erdogan. The Turkish president spoke in Istanbul
during an international legal congress and told listeners Ankara was “not responsible for the results
of an operation that it does not participate in".
More Details:
http://www.worldbulletin.net/turkey/178778/erdogan-turkey-will-be-at-table-for-mosul-talks

Pakistani parliament speaker hails Turkey's resilience
Turkey has demonstrated its greatness to the world by defeating the coup bid on July 15, Pakistani
parliament speaker told his Turkish counterpart in Ankara Monday. Sardar Aziz Sadiq made the
remarks before his meeting with Turkish Parliament Speaker Ismail Kahraman in the Turkish capital.
Sadiq said the people of Pakistan got "really worried" on the night of the failed coup. "You [Turkish
people] have shown us how resilient and what a great nation you are by overthrowing the coup bid,"
he said. "You have set an example for other nations to follow," he added.
More Details:
http://aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/pakistani-parliament-speaker-hails-turkeys-resilience-/666454
*This media summary is prepared by ORSAM Middle East Research Assistant Firuze Yağmur Gökler.
It covers news and commentaries as reported by the national media sources publishing in the Middle
Eastern countries. The views expressed are not those of ORSAM and their inclusion does not imply
factual accuracy.
*Bu bülten ORSAM Ortadoğu Uzman Yardımcısı Firuze Yağmur Gökler tarafından hazırlanmaktadır.
Bülten Ortadoğu ülkelerinin yerel haber kaynaklarından derlenmektedir. Belirtilen görüşler bölge
Sayfa 31
ülkelerinin haber kaynaklarına ve ismi geçen yazarlara ait olup ORSAM’ın görüşünü
yansıtmamaktadır.
Sayfa 32