In One Day: More Than 100 Coronavirus-Related Deaths in Tunisia

A Tunisian receives a dose of the coronavirus vaccine (dpa)
A Tunisian receives a dose of the coronavirus vaccine (dpa)
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In One Day: More Than 100 Coronavirus-Related Deaths in Tunisia

A Tunisian receives a dose of the coronavirus vaccine (dpa)
A Tunisian receives a dose of the coronavirus vaccine (dpa)

Tunisia has reported 1,405 new coronavirus cases and more than 100 deaths, which indicates that the third wave continues.

The death toll from the virus rose by 101 to 11,016 in the country, the Tunisian Health Ministry said in a statement.

A week ago, Tunisia saw the highest-ever number of coronavirus-related deaths, 119.

The occupation of resuscitation and oxygen beds reached 90 percent and 70 percent respectively on May 3, the Ministry reported.

On its Facebook page, it tallied 512 patients in the ICU and 177 patients on ventilators.

Since the start of the national vaccination campaign on March 13, a total of 425,000 Tunisians received the vaccines, with more than 103,000 receiving the two doses.

The campaign is progressing at a slow pace, making it challenging to vaccinate around 5.5 persons this year (which is half the population).

Member of the Tunisian Scientific Committee Dr. Amanullah Al-Masadi said the Committee recommended a 2-day curfew on Eid al-Fitr.

The Committee further suggested a curfew among cities as of May 8, in addition to preventing gatherings and celebrations of all kinds, he added.

Masadi stressed that these restrictive measures aim to reduce the spread of the pandemic.



Türkiye Urges US to End Support for Kurdish Fighters in Syria

Members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) deployed in the streets of Qamishli, in Al-Hasakah province, northeastern Syria (AFP)
Members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) deployed in the streets of Qamishli, in Al-Hasakah province, northeastern Syria (AFP)
TT
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Türkiye Urges US to End Support for Kurdish Fighters in Syria

Members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) deployed in the streets of Qamishli, in Al-Hasakah province, northeastern Syria (AFP)
Members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) deployed in the streets of Qamishli, in Al-Hasakah province, northeastern Syria (AFP)

Türkiye has reiterated its demand that the United States abandon its support for the Kurdish-led People’s Protection Units (YPG), which form the backbone of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan urged the US to reassess its alliances, particularly in the fight against ISIS in Syria. He argued that Washington should not feel compelled to support the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its Syrian affiliate, the YPG, which Ankara considers a national security threat.

Fidan criticized the US policy of relying on the SDF to guard ISIS detainees, describing it as a “toxic issue” in US-Türkiye relations. He also warned that the YPG/SDF’s attempts to establish an autonomous region in northeastern Syria would make reconciliation with the Syrian government impossible.

While Türkiye insists on halting US support for the YPG, White House National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes acknowledged a recent call by jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan to disband the group and lay down arms, describing it as a significant development.

He expressed hope that this move would reassure Türkiye about US partners in northeastern Syria—the YPG/SDF—in the fight against ISIS. Hughes’ remarks, however, reaffirm Washington’s continued support for the Kurdish fighters, despite Türkiye’s objections and Ankara’s willingness to assist the Syrian government in taking over the responsibility of securing ISIS prison camps.

Meanwhile, Turkish forces and Ankara-backed Syrian factions have been engaged in clashes with the SDF in eastern Aleppo for the third consecutive month, particularly around Tishrin Dam and Qarah Qozak Bridge. SDF-affiliated media reported on Friday that the group had shot down four Turkish drones in the area amid escalating tensions.

In response, Turkish artillery bombarded villages in western Ayn al-Arab (Kobani) on Friday.