Iraq urges US to prevent Israeli aircraft from using Iraqi airspace to strike Iran
"The Iraqi government urges the United States to uphold its responsibilities under the agreements signed between the two countries and prevent aircraft belonging to the Zionist entity from once again violating Iraqi airspace," military spokesman Sabah al-Numan said in a statement.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
27 minutes ago
- The Independent
Air Canada staff refuse government back-to-work order with plans to restart flights now at risk
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Reuters
27 minutes ago
- Reuters
Syria's Sharaa hopes for Kurdish deal to prevent conflict
AMMAN, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has expressed hope that his country would avoid military conflict with U.S.-backed Kurdish forces if efforts to integrate their autonomous administration in northeast Syria into the state structure collapse. In remarks late on Saturday to senior figures from Idlib, where he has mustered loyalist forces, Sharaa said Kurdish leaders had signalled readiness to move forward with a landmark deal in March to bring their Kurdish-run areas under state authority. But their actions on the ground suggested otherwise, he told the publicised forum. 'At times on the ground there are signals opposite to what they say in the negotiations,' Sharaa said. Turkey and Washington, the main powers backing the deal to integrate Syria's oil-rich northeast into the state, wanted to resolve the issue peacefully, Sharaa said. "These parties are pushing for a solution peacefully. I hope we don't enter into a dispute. I am hopeful in a few months we will resolve it," he said. The collapse of follow-up talks since the March deal has escalated tensions in the region, triggering fresh clashes this month between government troops and the Kurdish-led, U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The SDF, which controls parts of northeast Syria where Arabs form a majority, has recently fortified extensive tunnel networks along the frontlines. Many tribal Arabs accuse the SDF of discriminatory policies - claims Kurdish officials deny. Turkey-backed rebels have also reinforced their positions amid concerns over a potential large-scale escalation in hostilities, officials say. Ankara has warned of military action against the SDF, which it considers a terrorist organisation and has targeted in past cross-border operations. It expects the Syrian government to address its security concerns but says it reserves the right to mount an offensive if needed. U.S. envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack - an advocate for a strong, unified Syrian state - voiced concern last month over Kurdish delays in implementing the March deal, urging faster progress. Authorities in Damascus reacted earlier this month angrily to a recent SDF conference calling for greater decentralisation and which demanded a review of a constitutional declaration it said discriminated against minorities, a move officials said threatened Syria's territorial integrity. Syrian officials said any military push against the SDF would rely on Turkish-backed factions operating in northern Syria, adding that Ankara has grown impatient with what it sees as Kurdish foot-dragging. Sharaa said those who sought partition were 'dreaming' and insisted the country would not give up any stretch of territory. He also criticised Druze groups seeking support from Israel in their confrontation with Damascus. Thousands joined a large Druze protest in Sweida on Saturday, demanding self-determination, hoisting Israeli flags and praising Israel for a military intervention that forced Syrian forces to retreat after hundreds of people were killed last month. Sharaa acknowledged that 'violations' had been committed by security forces and army personnel in Sweida, but said Druze militias had also perpetrated crimes.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Top Trump envoy dodges on peace deal specifics although won't rule out US military involvement in Ukraine
Donald Trump's top Middle East envoy said that a trilateral meeting between the leaders of Ukraine, Russia and the U.S. was likely to occur in the days ahead but did not give any specifics regarding the deal reached between Trump and Vladimir Putin on Sunday. Steve Witkoff appeared on CNN's State of the Union where Jake Tapper questioned him about the three-hour meeting Friday between Trump and Putin, after which Russian and U.S. officials stated that progress was made towards the frameworks of a peace agreement to end the years-long war in Ukraine. Witkoff would not give many details about that progress, however, and wouldn't confirm whether a Russian demand for Ukraine to cede the entire occupied Donbas region was being considered. 'There is an important discussion to be had with regard to Donetsk and what would happen there. And that discussion is going to specifically be detailed on Monday, when President Zelensky arrives with his delegation,' said Witkoff. 'We made so much progress at this meeting with regard to all the other ingredients necessary for a peace deal that President Trump pivoted to that place,' he continued. 'We are intent on trying to hammer out a peace deal that ends the fighting permanently very, very quickly, quicker than a ceasefire.' The biggest win for the U.S. was something Witkoff was able to share, he said: 'We were able to win the following concession: That the United States could offer Article 5-like protection, which is one of the real reasons why Ukraine wants to be in NATO.' Witkoff wouldn't specify if the above security guarantee could lead to what Trump and his followers have long opposed — a promise to directly engage U.S. troops in the defense of Ukraine should Russia continue crossing the president's red lines. The U.S. president is set to meet on Monday with Volodymyr Zelensky along with several European leaders, including NATO's secretary-general. Coverage of that meeting has largely centered around the theme of damage control, with European leaders insistant on having a seat at the table for future negotiations. At the same time, his administration is signalling that it will not put significant pressure on Russia to force a peace agreement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, appearing separately on ABC's This Week, told anchor Martha Raddatz that further sanctions on Russia were, for the time being, likely off the table. 'The minute you levy additional sanctions, strong, additional sanctions, the talking stops. Talking stops. And at that point, the war just continues,' said Rubio, who along with Witkoff joined Trump in Alaska for the meeting with Russia's president. He added that meant 'more people dead. More people killed. More people maimed. More families destroyed.' Congressional pressure over the issue of Russia sanctions has ramped up in recent weeks. Many Republicans are still unwilling to break with Trump over the issue, but have come out publicly to state that Trump was wrong about his assumption in February that Putin 'wants peace' in Ukraine. 'I think he's going to be very careful about what he does,' Sen. Mike Rounds said of Trump backing further sanctions in early August, as Congress left for a month-long recess. 'But I think he is clearly disappointed in Putin and I think he is now coming around to recognizing that many of us were right.'
