
Arab League condemns terror attack on church in Syria
23 June 2025 15:36
CAIRO (WAM)Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a church in Syria, which resulted in multiple casualties.In a statement, Aboul Gheit expressed the Arab League's deep concern over the targeting of civilians in a place of worship, warning of the serious repercussions such acts could have on security and stability in Syria.He pointed to the continued danger posed by terrorist organisations, particularly so-called Da'esh, as their risks have increased due to the chaos and insecurity.He also expressed hope that the Syrian government would be able to confront these terrorist organisations and others targeting civil peace in Syria and the region.Aboul Gheit affirmed the Arab League's solidarity with the Syrian government and people.
He reiterated the League's support for efforts to achieve a peaceful transitional process that safeguards the rights of all Syrians and fulfils their aspirations for stability and development.

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Middle East Eye
16 minutes ago
- Middle East Eye
Turkey rejects open-door policy for refugees if Iran falls apart
Israeli and US attacks on Iran risk sparking a regional war or even triggering regime change in the country, a development that has concerned Turkish officials in Ankara since September. The Israeli strikes that began earlier this month initially targeted Iran's nuclear infrastructure and air defence systems. Over time, however, Israel shifted its focus toward the Iranian government's command structure and later moved on to domestic security buildings. For example, on Monday, Israeli forces reportedly targeted the internal headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as well as the notorious Evin prison, where political prisoners are held. One Israeli minister even suggested that Israel was cooperating with the Iranian opposition, reinforcing Defence Minister Israel Katz's public statements that Israel seeks regime change or at least aims to undermine the Tehran government. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters That is a prospect that US President Donald Trump tried to normalise on Sunday night with a post on Truth Social. 'If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change???' he asked. The Turkish government is acutely aware of the repercussions of regime-change operations and wars, having experienced the destabilising effects of the 2003 US-led Iraqi invasion and, more recently, the 2011-24 Syrian civil war. These conflicts have often resulted in hundreds of thousands of refugees crossing into Turkey and have disrupted key sectors such as energy and trade. Turkish society remains highly sensitive about the presence of refugees, notably the 2.7 million Syrians, many of whom are now returning to Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government. Experts and officials emphasise that there is currently no new wave of refugees. However, several sources familiar with the issue told Middle East Eye that as early as September, the Turkish government conducted in-depth studies on potential migration scenarios. They estimated that a full-scale war between Israel and Iran could push up to one million Iranian refugees towards the Turkish border. 'Ankara would fulfil its obligations under humanitarian law, but it would not implement an open-door policy' Serhan Afacan, president, Center for Iranian Studies Turkey has the experience. In 2012, then-foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu attempted to control the influx of Syrian refugees by capping their number at 100,000 and threatening to establish a safe zone in northern Syria. However, the number of refugees quickly surpassed three million in the following years, which taught Ankara a difficult lesson. Now, sources say Ankara is unlikely to accept any refugees except those in urgent need of emergency assistance. 'If the worst-case scenario were to occur and there was a mass migration from Iran to Turkey, whether permanent or in transit, Ankara would fulfil its obligations under humanitarian law, but it would not implement an open-door policy,' Serhan Afacan, president of the Center for Iranian Studies in Ankara, told Middle East Eye. A Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Ankara would no longer apply an 'open door' policy toward any neighbouring country in the event of a refugee wave. Iranians currently can enter Turkey without a visa. An elite influx? Many Turkish citizens are particularly wary of the possible arrival of the 4.5 million Afghans currently living in Iran. However, Afacan noted that millions of Turkish-speaking ethnic Azerbaijanis also live in Iran. He said that if they were to gather at the border, it could shift the debate in Turkey and stir nationalistic sentiments. 'But at present, there are no indications that Turks in Iran are planning to migrate,' Afacan added. Last week, sources from the Turkish defence ministry told journalists there is currently no sign of a refugee influx into Turkey. Why has Turkey stopped short of condemning the US strikes on Iran? Read More » One source stated that additional security measures have been implemented along all borders, including with Iran, and there is no uncontrolled migration. The Turkish Armed Forces are said to be prepared for all possible scenarios arising from regional developments. This raises the question of whether Turkey would allow Iranian elites, including government officials, to enter if their government collapses. Many Iranians have already bought homes or acquired Turkish citizenship through investment in recent years. According to interior ministry data released this year, 76,000 Iranians hold residence permits in Turkey. At least 35,000 have purchased homes since 2019, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute data released in 2024. It is unclear whether all these purchases were made to obtain Turkish citizenship, but a naturalisation consultancy expert told MEE that Iranians are among the top nationalities seeking Turkish citizenship. Between 2012 and 2024, a total of 384,000 homes were sold to foreigners. Afacan said many Iranian officials and military officers already own property in Turkey. For instance, during the emergency elections following President Ebrahim Raisi's death in a helicopter crash last year, there was a major controversy over claims that Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and his family owned several luxurious apartments in an upscale Istanbul residence. Afacan added that, as in the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, albeit on a much smaller scale, a significant number of Iranian government officials would likely head to Turkey if the government were to fall. 'I do not believe that Turkey would close its doors to such individuals in that kind of scenario,' he said.


Al Etihad
27 minutes ago
- Al Etihad
Al Marar leads UAE delegation to 51st OIC Council of Foreign Ministers
23 June 2025 18:23 ISTANBUL (WAM) Minister of State, Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, led the UAE delegation to the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which was held under the theme 'The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in a Transforming World' from June 21-22 in the session, the UAE's delegation affirmed the importance of advancing joint efforts to address regional and international challenges, while focusing on dialogue and diplomacy as essential tools to resolving the delegation emphasised the UAE's commitment to consolidating peace and stability, ending extremism and violence, and fostering political solutions to crises, including the Palestinian this regard, the delegation reaffirmed the UAE's categorical rejection of any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians, stressing the importance of establishing an independent Palestinian state through the two-state delegation underscored the UAE's profound concern over Sudan's humanitarian crisis, and stressed the importance of facilitating a transition toward a civilian-led political process, independent from military control and supported by the international the delegation highlighted the need to implement urgent steps to protect civilians, facilitate the immediate, unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid through all possible means, and prevent either warring party from weaponising or politicising delegation further expressed the UAE's rejection of the baseless allegations made by the Port Sudan Authority, highlighting the ruling of the International Court of Justice on May 5, 2025, to dismiss the case against the UAE. This outcome reaffirms that these allegations were unfounded and lacked any delegation underlined the UAE's continued support for achieving a peaceful solution in Sudan, and emphasised that the UAE has provided over $680 million since the outbreak of the delegation's remarks also underscored the UAE's achievements in the fields of technology, AI, and sustainability, including introducing an AI curriculum in government schools and achieving leading positions in Global Competitiveness the delegation highlighted the UAE's commitment toward a green transition through initiatives such as Net-Zero 2050 and the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative. The delegation also emphasised the UAE's foreign policy commitment to foreign aid and underscored the launch of 'Erth Zayed Philanthropies,' which aligns with the legacy of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.


Al Etihad
an hour ago
- Al Etihad
Federal National Council holds special ‘UAE–EU' session
23 June 2025 18:20 ABU DHABI (WAM)The Federal National Council (FNC) convened a special "UAE–European" session today, chaired by its Speaker, Saqr Ghobash, as part of the second term of the 18th legislative session was held at the Zayed Hall at the Council's headquarters in Abu Dhabi, and witnessed the presence of Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, alongside several ministers, senior officials, and ambassadors of European Union member states accredited to the session opened with a welcome speech by Saqr Ghobash, in which he extended a warm greeting to Roberta Metsola and her accompanying also welcomed Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice; Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade; Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State; Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs, and Omar Obaid Al Hassan Al Shamsi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign in attendance were EU ambassadors, European business leaders who have established companies and ventures in the UAE, members of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, the Emirates Youth Councils, and the Children's his remarks, Ghobash expressed gratitude for Metsola's visit, emphasising that such engagements reaffirm the UAE's belief in constructive dialogue, openness to the world, and the values of human tolerance as pathways to peace and prosperity.'We are honoured by your presence as esteemed guests,' he said. 'We also celebrate your role as partners in a dialogue rooted in shared parliamentary values, values that reflect a unity of conscience in our common humanity and a mutual effort to promote noble policies that place human dignity at the forefront.'He paid tribute to the vision of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose legacy continues under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the Supreme Council Members, Their Highnesses Rulers of the Emirates, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Speaker stressed that this visit signals a deepening of parliamentary cooperation between the FNC and the European Parliament. 'It marks the beginning of a broader path for future joint initiatives on critical global concerns,' he added, 'including peace, sustainable development, climate safety, and the protection of societies from extremist and hate-driven rhetoric.'Saqr Ghobash emphasised that the tragic humanitarian deterioration unfolding in the Gaza Strip compels the international community to elevate the voice of wisdom, advocate for an immediate de-escalation, ensure the protection of civilians, and work toward a ceasefire that paves the way for a political resolution, one that restores hope for peace and security to the Palestinian further stressed that from the same principled stance, the UAE reaffirms its deep concern over the ongoing regional tensions, particularly the targeting of Iranian nuclear facilities, which pose serious risks and could drag the region into unprecedented instability.'In this context,' he said, 'we underscore the UAE's consistent position that diplomacy and dialogue must prevail as the only means to resolve disputes. Comprehensive approaches that promote stability, prosperity, and justice are essential. In times like these, wisdom and responsibility demand sincere engagement in addressing the region's chronic challenges through negotiation.'In her address to the FNC, Metsola said that relations between the European Union and the UAE have entered a new phase of renewed partnership. This partnership, she said, is grounded in the principles of peace, prosperity, and a forward-looking praised the UAE as a global model for coexistence and progress, and for building partnerships based on dialogue, trust, and shared also commended Abu Dhabi's international stature as a symbol of peaceful coexistence and stability, and lauded the UAE's efforts to promote parliamentary diplomacy and its leadership in supporting global peace.'I stand before you today representing 450 million European citizens,' she said, 'carrying a message of hope and optimism that this visit will mark a new beginning for strengthening our bilateral ties and expanding the horizons of partnership between the European Parliament and the UAE through constructive dialogue and cooperation.'She further highlighted the strong economic ties between the two sides, noting that the European Union is the UAE's second-largest trading partner, with mutual investments totaling 328 billion also pointed to tourism, educational exchange, and cultural cooperation as key pillars in strengthening the bilateral partnership. The President of the European Parliament affirmed that, 'the partnership between the European Union and the UAE is entering a new phase of strategic cooperation. With genuine political will and mutual understanding, this relationship is well-positioned to advance toward broader horizons of peace, development, and prosperity.'