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Beatrice Farhat

Beatrice Farhat

Al Monitor

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Syria government says coast operation against pro-Assad militias completed

Syria government says coast operation against pro-Assad militias completed

The announcement comes as the fighting between pro-Assad militias and members of the security forces killed more than 1,000 people, majority of whom...

previous day 2

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

World Bank estimates $11B reconstruction bill for Lebanon after Israeli war

World Bank estimates $11B reconstruction bill for Lebanon after Israeli war

The war in Lebanon came as the country was already struggling with its worst economic crisis in decades.

07.03.2025 10

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Four accused smugglers killed on Jordan-Syria border: What we know

Four accused smugglers killed on Jordan-Syria border: What we know

Jordan’s border forces killed four drug smugglers attempting to cross from Syria, seizing weapons and narcotics in the latest crackdown on smuggling...

06.03.2025 3

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

New Iran-backed group wants to fight plans to 'divide' Syria: What to know

New Iran-backed group wants to fight plans to 'divide' Syria: What to know

A newly formed armed Syrian group called the Islamic Resistance Front in Syria, pledged to counter efforts by the United States, Israel and Turkey to...

05.03.2025 6

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Arab summit opens in Cairo as Egypt floats Gaza plan in response to Trump: What to know

Arab summit opens in Cairo as Egypt floats Gaza plan in response to Trump: What to know

Arab leaders convened in Cairo to approve an Egyptian plan on the reconstruction of Gaza, seen as an alternative to Trump’s proposal for a US...

04.03.2025 8

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Palestinian-Israeli documentary, Iranian film win at Oscars: What to know

Palestinian-Israeli documentary, Iranian film win at Oscars: What to know

Two films from the Middle East won Oscars at Sunday's Academy Awards, highlighting the growing reputation of the region's film industry at a time of...

03.03.2025 7

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Thousands mass for funeral procession of Israeli hostage killed in Gaza

Thousands mass for funeral procession of Israeli hostage killed in Gaza

Thousands lined the streets around the Israeli commericial hub Tel Aviv on Friday for the funeral procession of Tsachi Idan, a hostage killed in...

28.02.2025 4

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Canceled Syrian justice workshop sparks repression fears: What to know

Canceled Syrian justice workshop sparks repression fears: What to know

Syrian civil society organizations condemned the sudden cancelation of a planned workshop on transitional justice in Damascus, calling it an act of...

28.02.2025 4

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Ethiopia’s PM in Somalia after deal to end Somaliland row: What to know

Ethiopia’s PM in Somalia after deal to end Somaliland row: What to know

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit is the first since Ethiopia and Somalia agreed to end their dispute over a controversial agreement signed last...

27.02.2025 3

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

'Sorry I couldn't protect you': Israel mourns Bibas mother, sons

'Sorry I couldn't protect you': Israel mourns Bibas mother, sons

Hundreds of mourners gathered at a cemetery in southern Israel on Wednesday to bid a final farewell to Shiri Bibas and her two sons, who were killed...

26.02.2025 4

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Jordan’s king hosts Sharaa amid Israeli escalation in Syria

Jordan’s king hosts Sharaa amid Israeli escalation in Syria

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in Jordan on Wednesday, his third foreign visit since taking office, while Israeli airstrikes targeted...

26.02.2025 7

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Syria's national dialogue conference calls for reforms, constitutional draft

Syria's national dialogue conference calls for reforms, constitutional draft

Participants in Syria’s first national dialogue called for reforms in the political and judicial systems as the country navigates the transitional...

25.02.2025 3

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

In first since 2002, Israel sends tanks to occupied West Bank as 40,000 Palestinians flee

In first since 2002, Israel sends tanks to occupied West Bank as 40,000 Palestinians flee

Israel has stepped up its raids in West Bank towns and cities over the weekend in an apparent response to bus bombings near Tel Aviv last week.

24.02.2025 4

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Eight civilians killed in Syria UXO blast: monitor, civil defence

Eight civilians killed in Syria UXO blast: monitor, civil defence

Eight civilians including three children were killed on Thursday when unexploded munitions ignited at a house in northwestern Syria, a war monitor and...

20.02.2025 2

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

'One of the hardest days': Israelis gather for return of hostages' bodies

'One of the hardest days': Israelis gather for return of hostages' bodies

Hundreds of grieving Israelis gathered in the Tel Aviv plaza dubbed Hostages Square on Thursday, standing or sitting in silent mourning, after Hamas...

20.02.2025 1

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Syria arrests Hezbollah-linked smugglers in Damascus: What to know

Syria arrests Hezbollah-linked smugglers in Damascus: What to know

A crackdown on smuggling operations between Lebanon and Syria has intensified since the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

20.02.2025 3

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

In first since regime fall, Syria’s Asma al-Assad breaks silence: What to know

In first since regime fall, Syria’s Asma al-Assad breaks silence: What to know

In a series of posts on an X account attributed to her, Syria’s former first lady Asma al-Assad wished the Syrian people safety and said she will...

17.02.2025 8

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Iran’s IRGC unveils first drone carrier warship

The new warship is the latest locally made addition to Iran’s growing military arsenal.

06.02.2025 4

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

From Saudi Arabia to Australia and China, world leaders denounce Trump’s plan to 'take over' Gaza

President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about a possible US takeover of Gaza after relocating the Palestinians caused a wave of uproar across the...

05.02.2025 4

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

CNN launches new operation in Qatar amid regional rivalry: What we know

CNN's move will fuel Qatar’s growing role as a media hub in the region.

03.02.2025 4

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

UAE, Saudi Arabia congratulate Sharaa as Jordan resumes Syria flights

Arab leaders have warmly welcomed Ahmed al-Sharaa as Syria's interim president, with close allies of his deposed predecessor remaining noncommittal.

31.01.2025 1

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

UAE receives first French Rafale fighter jets as F-35 deal remains in limbo

The United Arab Emirates has received its first Rafale fighter jet under a deal with France amid ongoing US-French competition for influence in the...

30.01.2025 40

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Syrian al-Qaeda affiliate, HTS offshoot Hurras al-Din dissolves: What we know

Hurras al-Din, which split from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham after the latter distanced itself from al-Qaeda, had led attacks against Srian government forces...

29.01.2025 3

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Russian delegation in Syria as Moscow scrambles to secure military presence

The visit marks the first since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, who had been Moscow's key ally in Syria.

28.01.2025 2

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Al-Arabiya journalist questioned in Lebanon for interviewing Israeli official

The case of Layal al-Ekhtiar, who interviewed Israel's Arabic-language military spokesman last year as the Gaza war raged, has divided Lebanese...

23.01.2025 5

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Spaniard kidnapped in Mali thanks Algeria after rescue

A Spanish man kidnapped by an armed group in the turbulent Algeria-Mali border area thanked the Algerian authorities on Wednesday after his ...

22.01.2025 3

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Syria’s new government ends Russian lease of Tartous port: What we know

The new authorities in Syria ended an agreement with the Russian company managing the key port of Tartous in the latest sign of Russia's waning...

22.01.2025 4

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

From Syria to Yemen: Middle East reacts to Donald Trump’s inauguration

Donald Trump's inauguration sparked a mix of optimism and cautious reactions across the Middle East, with US allies expressing hope for continued...

21.01.2025 10

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Lebanon army, Syrian traffickers clash as anti-smuggling efforts ramp up

Authorities in Lebanon and Syria have stepped up their fight against the Captagon trade following the fall of the Assad regime, which heavily relied...

20.01.2025 4

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Iran’s navy unveils Zagros, its first intel monitoring vessel: What we know

The vessel delivered to Iran's navy on Wednesday is the latest addition to country's domestic military capabilities.

15.01.2025 3

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Heavy fighting rocks Gaza amid rising hope for truce deal

Heavy fighting rocked the Gaza Strip on Monday, leaving dozens of Palestinians and five Israeli soldiers dead, even as the White House said that a...

13.01.2025 8

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Lebanon lawmakers throw weight behind ICJ judge Salam for PM

Dozens of Lebanese lawmakers endorsed international jurist Nawaf Salam on Monday to become the crisis-hit country's prime minister, local media said,...

13.01.2025 6

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Nawaf Salam secures enough votes to be Lebanon's next prime minister

The ICJ president is not a Hezbollah favorite, but has secured the backing of more than 70 parliamentarians to be Lebanon's next prime minister.

13.01.2025 10

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Joseph Aoun elected president of Lebanon, ending two-year void

The election of army commander Gen. Joseph Aoun garnered rare consensus among the Lebanese, backed by the United States and Saudi Arabia in the first...

09.01.2025 10

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Iranian plane, diplomat searched at Beirut airport: What we know

BEIRUT — An Iranian plane was flagged and searched at Lebanon’s international airport late on Thursday after local authorities reportedly received...

03.01.2025 4

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Syria’s FM to visit Saudi Arabia on first foreign trip as Sharaa praises Riyadh

BEIRUT — Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani announced on Monday that he received an invitation to visit Saudi Arabia, marking his...

30.12.2024 2

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Iran president pays rare visit to Egypt in latest sign of thawing ties

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian traveled to Cairo to attend a summit of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation.

19.12.2024 5

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Iran’s president pays rare visit to Egypt in latest sign of thawing ties

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian traveled to Cairo to attend a summit of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation.

19.12.2024 6

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Syria's crossing with Jordan reopens as Israeli military takes position in south

Jordan and Syrian trucks are once again using the only border crossing between the two countries as Israeli troops take position in a buffer zone...

18.12.2024 3

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

With Syria’s Tartous port nearly evacuated, is Russia moving naval assets to Libya?

Russia is moving its troops and equipment in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime, with the Kremlin saying no decision has been taken about...

17.12.2024 6

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Russia, HTS in ‘direct contact’ to keep bases in Syria: What we know

Russia confirmed on Thursday that it is communicating directly with the opposition parties now in charge in Syria to maintain its military bases in...

13.12.2024 10

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Airwars says Gaza war 'most fatal conflict for civilians' it documented

Airwars, a UK-based nonprofit that investigates civilian deaths in conflict zones, said on Thursday that the toll of destruction on civilians in...

13.12.2024 10

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Syrian opposition to form transitional government after Assad’s ouster: What we know

Syrian rebels and former government officials are working to ensure a 'smooth' transition of power by forming a transitional government to take...

10.12.2024 4

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

In Lebanon, many hail Assad downfall as Syrian refugees stream home

Many Lebanese are celebrating the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria after Lebanon suffered for decades under the Syrian military...

09.12.2024 4

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Rebels hail end of Assad rule in Syria

Islamist-led rebels took Damascus on Sunday after a lightning offensive, sending President Bashar al-Assad fleeing and ending five decades of Baath...

08.12.2024 5

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Syrians cheer fall of Assad, region reacts

The Syrian opposition announced on Sunday the fall of President Bashar al-Assad after their forces entered the capital, Damascus, ending the more...

08.12.2024 6

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Syria rebels advance, Jordan closes border as Assad loses ground: What to know

The Islamist-led rebels who launched a surprise assault on government-held Aleppo are now at the gates of Homs, after taking Hama, as clashes in...

06.12.2024 6

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Amnesty International accuses Israel of committing 'genocide' in Gaza

Israel has rejected the claim as “baseless.”

05.12.2024 10

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Army resistance toughens as Syria rebels near central city

Islamist-led rebels advanced Tuesday on Syria's fourth-largest city Hama, buoyed by their lightning capture of swathes of the north in an offensive...

03.12.2024 4

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat

Egypt: Archaeologists unearth 2,100-year-old temple in ancient village

The Egyptian government said the recent findings could lead to the discovery of a massive temple as significant as the Luxor Temple.

03.12.2024 4

Al Monitor

Beatrice Farhat