Middle East & North Africa

Iranian official says US is the 'godfather' of Daesh terror group

21 Apr 2023; MEMO: Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman on Friday labeled the US as the "godfather" of the Daesh terrorist group, reiterating what Iranian officials have often said, says Anadolu Agency.

"There was no doubt the US is the creator of Daesh," Kanaani wrote in a Twitter post.

Egypt: Clashes in Sudan claim more than 400 lives, with over 3,500 injuries — WHO

CAIRO, April 21. /TASS/: More than 400 people have been killed in clashes between Sudan’s Army and the country’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the latest update from the World Health Organization (WHO) says.

"Clashes in Sudan have killed 413 people, and 3,551 more have been injured," Al Arabiya television quoted the WHO as saying on Friday.

Türkiye starts delivery of natural gas from Black Sea field

FILYOS, Türkiye, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye on Thursday started the delivery of natural gas from its Black Sea field, as part of its flagship project aiming at reducing the country's dependence on energy imports.

The gas, shipped from a depth of 2,200 meters at the offshore Sakarya field via a 170-kilometer-long subsea pipeline and through various compression plants, was delivered to the newly constructed Filyos land facility located in the northern Zonguldak province.

Sudan’s top general says military committed to civilian rule

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) — Sudan’s top general on Friday declared the military’s commitment to a civilian-led government, an apparent bid for international support days after brutal fighting between his forces and a powerful paramilitary group derailed hopes for the country’s democratic transition.

Pakistan: Political dialogue cannot happen with a 'gun to your head'; FM Bilawal on CJP's request

Islamabad, Apr 20 (PTI) Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Thursday that his party was trying to build consensus among the country's political leadership on holding elections, but asserted that any dialogue would be futile if it is carried out "with a gun to your head".

Tunisia: Ghannouchi faces death sentence as judge charges him with conspiracy against the state

20 Apr 2023; MEMO: The investigative judge at the Court of First Instance in Tunis ordered the imprisonment of the head of the Ennahda movement, Rached Ghannouchi, today charging him with "conspiracy against the state".

US should interfere more in the Middle East says Netanyahu

20 Apr 2023; MEMO: Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said that Saudi Arabia could regret its rapprochement with Tehran as Iran is the reason for most of the problems in the Middle East, which he believes the US should be more involved in.

In statements made on Wednesday night to CNBC, Netanyahu said that 95 per cent of the Middle East's problems emanate from Iran.

Algeria pardons nearly 9,000 prisoners in Eid amnesty

20 Apr 2023; MEMO: Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune pardoned 8,985 prisoners yesterday in the run-up to Eid El-Fitr, granting an amnesty to those who are serving or have suspended sentences of 12 months or less.

The decree also includes prisoners sentenced to 18 months in jail but who are 65 years or more, juveniles, pregnant women and mothers of children aged three years old or under.

Qatar: 8 ex-India navy officers accused of spying for Israel

20 Apr 2023; MEMO: Eight former Indian naval personnel are currently facing trial in Qatar on charges of espionage. They are accused of gathering intelligence on Qatar's secret project to acquire high-tech submarines manufactured in Italy, which are designed to be difficult to detect by adversaries.

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