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EU Allocates 6 Billion Euros Sought by Turkey for Syria Refugees

A 13-year-old from Syria, works in his father's basement factory in Istanbul. REUTERS/Murad Sezer
A 13-year-old from Syria, works in his father's basement factory in Istanbul. REUTERS/Murad Sezer
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EU Allocates 6 Billion Euros Sought by Turkey for Syria Refugees

A 13-year-old from Syria, works in his father's basement factory in Istanbul. REUTERS/Murad Sezer
A 13-year-old from Syria, works in his father's basement factory in Istanbul. REUTERS/Murad Sezer

The EU announced Thursday that it has allocated to Turkey the full six billion euros Ankara sought in return for its hosting of Syrian refugees.

After the biggest refugee crisis since World War II in 2015 saw a million people arrive in Europe, Brussels and Ankara agreed in 2016 to resolve the issue.

Under the deal, Turkey pledged to accept the return of migrants arriving in Greece and do more to stop the flow in exchange for six billion euros ($7.20 billion).

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the EU of not fulfilling promises and says Ankara has spent $40 billion on more than 3.6 million Syrian refugees living in Turkey.

"Today marks the finalization of the contracting of six billion euros in EU support to refugees and host communities in Turkey," AFP quoted Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, the bloc's envoy to Ankara, as saying.

The two sides have "put an important milestone behind us and (will) now focus on making sure that the refugees and host communities will benefit from our projects."

The EU money has been earmarked for specific social projects inside Turkey for helping refugees and will not be paid directly to the Turkish government.

The issue has put a significant strain on relations between the bloc and Turkey.

Earlier this year, Erdogan said Turkey would not prevent migrants from leaving for EU territory but later rescinded the threat.

He sought to pressure Brussels into providing more support to Turkey in view of the Syrian conflict, especially after violence flared in the northwestern region of Idlib.

The new contracts include supporting health services for migrants and improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable refugees.

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World

EU Imposes Sanctions on Russians over Human Rights and Cybercrime

Firefighters work at a site of a Russian air strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Sumy, Ukraine in this handout picture released July 11, 2026. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Sumy region/Handout via REUTERS
Firefighters work at a site of a Russian air strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Sumy, Ukraine in this handout picture released July 11, 2026. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Sumy region/Handout via REUTERS
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EU Imposes Sanctions on Russians over Human Rights and Cybercrime

Firefighters work at a site of a Russian air strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Sumy, Ukraine in this handout picture released July 11, 2026. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Sumy region/Handout via REUTERS
Firefighters work at a site of a Russian air strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Sumy, Ukraine in this handout picture released July 11, 2026. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Sumy region/Handout via REUTERS

The European Union on Monday broadened sanctions against Russia to include individuals and entities responsible for cybercrime and human rights violations, naming popular social media app VKontakte among them.

VKontakte and its daughter company Communication Platform LLC were added to the list for their role in developing and managing the MaxApp for Russian smartphones, under the supervision of the FSB security agency. The app is pre-installed on all mobile devices sold in Russia.

EU countries said MaxApp was used for repression of critics of Russia's war against Ukraine and of people who posted other content banned by authorities, Reuters reported.

Restrictive measures were also imposed on Citadel, VAS Experts and Norsi-Trans - companies that manufacture, develop, and sell hardware and software related to a surveillance system that monitors phone calls, emails, text messages, and social networks.

The EU said this network targets journalists, opposition figures, minority groups, and ordinary citizens.

The EU also imposed sanctions on officers from Russia's military intelligence service GRU, cybercriminals and companies that it said were active in Russia's efforts to destabilise Europe.

It also accused the FSB of controlling "a variety of cyber threat groups".

He warned that any direct engagement with the Houthi group on this issue would undermine UN Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolutions 2140 and 2216, and grant the de facto authorities powers that are not recognized under international law.

The Yemeni president also told the Chinese and Russian officials that any further Iranian flights to Sanaa conducted without the approval of the internationally recognized government would constitute a dangerous escalation and a new test of the international community's commitment to upholding the principles on which the international system has been based since the founding of the United Nations.

Messages to Beijing and Moscow

During his meeting with the chargé d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy, Al-Alimi reaffirmed Yemen's appreciation for its historic relationship with Beijing. He praised China's role in supporting development and stability and expressed hope for strengthening bilateral relations in ways that serve the interests of both countries.

He also commended China's position of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and rejecting interference in their internal affairs. He expressed hope that this principle would be reflected in China's position on the Yemeni issue, describing it as a practical test of respect for state sovereignty.

World

UK Unveils Plan to Ban Iran Revolutionary Guards

This screen grab taken from undated video footage released by Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and made available via Iran's state broadcaster (IRIB) on April 23, 2026, shows IRGC naval forces allegedly boarding a ship attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz. (Photo by IRIB TV / AFP) /
This screen grab taken from undated video footage released by Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and made available via Iran's state broadcaster (IRIB) on April 23, 2026, shows IRGC naval forces allegedly boarding a ship attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz. (Photo by IRIB TV / AFP) /
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UK Unveils Plan to Ban Iran Revolutionary Guards

This screen grab taken from undated video footage released by Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and made available via Iran's state broadcaster (IRIB) on April 23, 2026, shows IRGC naval forces allegedly boarding a ship attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz. (Photo by IRIB TV / AFP) /
This screen grab taken from undated video footage released by Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and made available via Iran's state broadcaster (IRIB) on April 23, 2026, shows IRGC naval forces allegedly boarding a ship attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz. (Photo by IRIB TV / AFP) /

The UK government announced plans on Monday to ban Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a threat to national security, alongside an Iran-linked group accused of a series of attacks against the Jewish community.

"Anyone found supporting or assisting these groups will now face up to 14 years in prison," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said of a proposed law to be presented to parliament this week, AFP reported.

The banned groups would also include proxies and volunteers of Russia's GRU military intelligence agency, and the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR), an Iran-linked group which has claimed attacks on Jewish properties in London.

The new legislation gives the British government "proscription-like" powers to designate foreign state proxies deemed a threat to Britain's national security.

"The move will step up the government's ability to counter state threats linked to foreign powers including espionage, foreign interference in our democracy, sabotage and physical attacks," the Home Office said in a statement.

The new legislation will mean that prosecutors do not need to establish a foreign power connection in cases involving designated groups.

"The United Kingdom has identified activity linked to the IRGC involving threats to life and intimidation on UK soil," Home Office minister Angela Eagle said in a written statement.

The announcement comes after several antisemitic attacks struck the British capital earlier this year, including a spate of arson attacks on synagogues, community ambulances and other Jewish sites.

"The government fast-tracked legislation to bring in new powers after the abhorrent antisemitic attacks in north London," the Home Office said in a statement.

Last month, 22 countries including the UK, US and European nations blamed the IRGC and its foreign operations branch, the Quds Force, for plotting against Iranian dissidents, journalist and Jewish communities.

The IMCR, also known as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiyah (HAYI), have claimed multiple attacks, including an arson attack against four ambulances of the Hatzola Jewish charity.

"Iran and Russia are using proxies and thugs to do their dirty work on our shores. I have rapidly designated three groups so those working for them will be tracked down and put behind bars," Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said.

World

US, Iran Assert Control over Strait of Hormuz after Latest Attacks

US and Iran flags are seen in this illustration taken June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
US and Iran flags are seen in this illustration taken June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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US, Iran Assert Control over Strait of Hormuz after Latest Attacks

US and Iran flags are seen in this illustration taken June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
US and Iran flags are seen in this illustration taken June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

It’s been 135 days since the start of the Iran War, with Tehran and Washington still vying for control of the Strait of Hormuz. After a weekend of attacks on Iran as well as Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Oman further threatened any diplomacy, both governments said Monday they’ve commandeered the formerly freely navigable waterway.

Iran and the US are nearly halfway through the 60-day interim deal period intended to establish talks for a permanent end to the war.

After Iran struck a container ship in the strait on Sunday, the US military said it hit some 140 targets, including missile and drone launch sites, ammunition dumps and communication equipment — a far-heavier set of attacks than two previous rounds last week. “We bombed the hell out of them last night,” US President Donald Trump told NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Iran retaliated and insisted that it alone must control the strait.