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Turkey Accuses ‘Terrorists’ of Targeting Civilians in Iraq's Dohuk

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. Reuters file photo
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. Reuters file photo
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Turkey Accuses ‘Terrorists’ of Targeting Civilians in Iraq's Dohuk

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. Reuters file photo
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. Reuters file photo

Turkey has not carried out any attacks targeting civilians in Iraq's Dohuk province, where a strike killed eight and wounded 23, and Iraqi authorities must not fall for this "trap", Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday.

Turkey on Wednesday rejected claims by Iraqi officials and state media that it had carried out an attack on a mountain resort in the northern Dohuk province.

At least four artillery shells struck the resort area of Barakh in the Zakho district in the semi-autonomous Kurdish-run region.

Hundreds of Iraqi tourists come to the Kurdish region from the south during the peak summer months because the weather is relatively cooler.

Iraq summoned Ankara's ambassador to Baghdad over the attack and its state agency said the government will call back its charge d'affaires in Ankara.

Cavusoglu told state broadcaster TRT Haber the Turkish military operations in Iraq have always been against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), saying the attack on Dohuk was also carried out by what he called terrorists.

Turkey regularly carries out airstrikes in northern Iraq and has sent commandos to support its offensives as part of a long-running campaign in Iraq and Syria against militants of the Kurdish PKK and the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia. Ankara regards both as terrorist groups.

Cavusoglu said reports blaming Turkey for the attack were attempts by the PKK to hinder Ankara's counter-terrorism.

"The whole world knows we would never carry out an attack on civilians," Cavusoglu said, adding the Turkish military had told his ministry that no such attack was carried out by Turkey.

"Following this attack, which we believe the (PKK) terrorist organization carried out, we are ready to hold talks with Iraqi officials. We can cooperate for the curtain of fog to be lifted. Until that is lifted, it is not right to blame Turkey," he said.

The top United Nations envoy to Iraq condemned it and called for an investigation.

“Civilians are once again suffering the indiscriminate effects of explosive weapons. Under international law, attacks must not be directed at the civilian population,” said the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

It called for “a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.”

Dozens of Iraqis gathered on Wednesday outside the Turkish embassy in Baghdad to protest the attack.

Cavusoglu said that while there were protests outside the embassy and other Turkish offices, there were no reports of damage or injuries.

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Arab World

Drill Boosts Military Ties between Egypt and Türkiye

Egyptian and Turkish forces participating in the "Golden Eagle" exercise on Wednesday. (Egyptian Military Spokesperson on Facebook)
Egyptian and Turkish forces participating in the "Golden Eagle" exercise on Wednesday. (Egyptian Military Spokesperson on Facebook)
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Drill Boosts Military Ties between Egypt and Türkiye

Egyptian and Turkish forces participating in the "Golden Eagle" exercise on Wednesday. (Egyptian Military Spokesperson on Facebook)
Egyptian and Turkish forces participating in the "Golden Eagle" exercise on Wednesday. (Egyptian Military Spokesperson on Facebook)

The joint Egyptian-Turkish military drill "Golden Eagle" kicked off on Wednesday with the participation of the Egyptian Airborne Forces, Egyptian Thunderbolt Forces and the Turkish Special Forces.

The drill is part of the growing military cooperation between Cairo and Ankara and is in line with the military framework agreement signed during Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdogan’s visit to Egypt in February.

The first phase of the drill included a series of theoretical lectures on various subjects aimed at unifying operational concepts and boosting integration and interoperability among the participating forces. An exhibition of the weapons and equipment used during the exercise was also organized.

Military and strategic expert and president of the Arab Foundation for Development and Strategic Studies Samir Ragheb said the drill reflects the extent of the development of military relations between Egypt and Türkiye, which, in turn, is a reflection of their political rapprochement.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the two countries are increasing the number of drills between them.

Egypt also recently joined Türkiye’s program to develop the KAAN stealth fighter jet, he noted.

Last month, Egypt’s Chief of Staff Ahmed Khalifa met with his Turkish counterpart Selcuk Bayraktaroglu in Cairo, underlining the importance of coordinating efforts and supporting military cooperation with Türkiye to achieve common interests.

Egypt and Türkiye signed a military cooperation agreement during Erdogan's visit to Cairo in February. (Egyptian Presidency)

Adel Al-Omda, military adviser at the Military Academy for Postgraduate and Strategic Studies, noted that Egypt is facing “grave international challenges from all directions, which demands ongoing tactical and information cooperation.”

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that cooperation means that these challenges can be confronted, offering a reassuring message to the people.

Military cooperation with a major regional power such as Türkiye will yield positive results and counter some challenges, he remarked.

So long as there is military cooperation, political and economic agreement can be ensured, he added.

Ragheb noted that the military drill sends a positive message that relations are strong and stable.

It also sends a message that the countries are prepared to stop wars as neither of them want to be embroiled in the regional conflict. They have both played mediator roles in Gaza, Iran, Yemen and Syria.

Arab World

Study Says 93% of Sudanese Want Peace

24 June 2026, Sudan, Juba: Children gather at the Renk Returnees Camp during a Caritas press trip in Renk, Upper Nile State. Photo: Martin Hanser/APA/dpa
24 June 2026, Sudan, Juba: Children gather at the Renk Returnees Camp during a Caritas press trip in Renk, Upper Nile State. Photo: Martin Hanser/APA/dpa
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Study Says 93% of Sudanese Want Peace

24 June 2026, Sudan, Juba: Children gather at the Renk Returnees Camp during a Caritas press trip in Renk, Upper Nile State. Photo: Martin Hanser/APA/dpa
24 June 2026, Sudan, Juba: Children gather at the Renk Returnees Camp during a Caritas press trip in Renk, Upper Nile State. Photo: Martin Hanser/APA/dpa

A comprehensive Sudanese study has revealed that 93.2% of Sudanese support peace negotiations, a finding that participants described as “digital evidence refuting claims used to justify the continuation of the war in the name of the Sudanese people.”

The Advocacy Group for Peace in Sudan (AGPS) said in a press statement that it presented the preliminary results of the study during a workshop attended by researchers, journalists, civil society representatives, and public policy experts.

According to the group, the study was based on 1,668 online surveys, 30 in-depth qualitative interviews, and a random sample covering all 18 Sudanese states, in addition to Sudanese communities in Chad, Egypt, South Sudan, Uganda, the Gulf states, and several other countries.

Dr. Issam Abbas, one of the study’s supervisors, explained that “the use of the Python programming language in data analysis, together with the stratified random sampling method, enhanced the reliability and scientific accuracy of the results.”

The findings showed that 74.3% support an immediate ceasefire, 88.3% of those who favor a political settlement are willing to actively support it and Central Darfur State recorded the highest level of support for peace, at 94.7%.

The study found that competition over power and wealth was viewed as the leading cause of the conflict, followed by the legacy of the former regime, marginalization, and foreign interference.

It also found that 80.9% of respondents hold both branches of the military establishment responsible for the war, 79.2% blame the former regime and 73.7% blame armed movements.

Confidence in peace agreements was low, with only 14.4% expressing high confidence, compared with 9% who said they had no confidence in such deals.

The results further showed that 90% of participants demand accountability, while 8% favor a hybrid justice system combining national and international mechanisms. The study identified key red lines for any future settlement, including the rejection of Sudan’s partition, the existence of multiple armies, and ontinued military involvement in politics.

Meanwhile, 77.9% of respondents said that social media is their primary source of information, while 93.4% believed that tribal and regional rhetoric poses a direct threat to citizenship and national cohesion.

Dr. Asmaa Elnaiem, Executive Director of the Advocacy Group for Peace in Sudan and a member of the Executive Office of the Sudan Peace Appeal, said the results presented so far represent only about 20% of the full analysis.

She noted that the study was designed to be expandable and regularly updated to reflect developments on the ground.

Sudan has been engulfed in war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023. The conflict has killed at least 59,000 people, displaced around 13 million others, and pushed large parts of the country into famine. More than 30 million people are now in need of humanitarian assistance.

Arab World

Hunger Worsens in Yemen’s Houthi-Controlled Areas, Ports Lose $1.4 Billion

According to the latest WFP-FAO Hunger Hotspots report, rates of severe food deprivation increased for the second consecutive month (UN)
According to the latest WFP-FAO Hunger Hotspots report, rates of severe food deprivation increased for the second consecutive month (UN)
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Hunger Worsens in Yemen’s Houthi-Controlled Areas, Ports Lose $1.4 Billion

According to the latest WFP-FAO Hunger Hotspots report, rates of severe food deprivation increased for the second consecutive month (UN)
According to the latest WFP-FAO Hunger Hotspots report, rates of severe food deprivation increased for the second consecutive month (UN)

A recent report by the World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization has said that household food consumption in Yemen continued to deteriorate for the second consecutive month, with 62 percent struggling to meet their minimum food needs in May 2026, including 36 percent facing severe food deprivation.

According to the latest WFP-FAO Hunger Hotspots report, rates of severe food deprivation increased for the second consecutive month, rising from 31 percent in April to 36 percent in May 2026, reflecting a gradually worsening trajectory.

Approximately 10 percent of households in Houthi-controlled (SBA) areas and eight percent in government (IRG) areas reported having at least one member going entire day and night without eating due to lack of food.

In Houthi areas, June data showed up to 13 percent increase in the prices of key food items in Sanaa City since February 2026, mainly reflecting global food price trends and higher shipping costs. This comes at a time when 70 percent of the population in SBA areas report reduced monthly income, highlighting a severe erosion of purchasing power.

The report said that in SBA areas, the economy continues to face severe challenges, including depleting foreign currency reserves, liquidity constraints, sanctions, the relocation of banks from Sanaa to Aden, and a slowdown in economic activity.

The degradation of Red Sea ports has further compounded revenue shortages, resulting in an estimated $ 1.4 billion in losses. Meanwhile, the Houthis have intensified taxation and seized assets, further undermining livelihoods.

Against a backdrop of economic hardship and reduced Red Sea port capacity, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has amplified Yemen’s fuel supply challenges.

The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis for IRG-controlled areas projects further deterioration of food security situation toward the end of 2026, with an estimated 5.4 million people expected to face severe levels of acute food insecurity. Key drivers include the combined effects of the lean season, floods, and a curtailed humanitarian response.

The deterioration in food consumption gaps in Yemen has accelerated after humanitarian assistance was curtailed during 2024-2026, compared to 2021-2023 when large-scale food assistance was provided.

SBA areas exhibited a relatively sharper deterioration of inadequate food consumption following the loss of humanitarian operational space. The deterioration rate was 36 percent in SBA areas versus 27 percent in IRG areas, with severe food deprivation nearly doubling in SBA areas during the same periods.

The report added that while the market exchange rate in IRG areas has remained stable since August 2025, the customs dollar rate was notable increased from YER 750 to $1,550 in May 2026, raising concerns over the potential impact on imported commodity prices and household living costs.

Between January and May 2026, fuel imports via Houthi controlled ports dropped by 73 percent compared to the same period in 2025, and by 60 percent via government-controlled ports. Consequently, SBA areas are reporting increasing instances of low-quality fuel at fuel stations, adversely affecting vehicles, water pumps, power plants, and livelihoods.

Due to severe funding shortages, WFP started the implementation of its new TEFA program in IRG-controlled areas in mid-February 2026, reducing the caseload from 3.4 million in December 2025 to a prioritized 1.7 million people. As of mid-June 2026, WFP had completed two TEFA cycles, with the third cycle underway.

The post-distribution monitoring data in April–May 2026 demonstrate a significant improvement in the prevalence of severe food deprivation among TEFA beneficiaries (from 46 percent in February to an average of 25 percent in April-May 2026). Inadequate food consumption showed a similar trend, improving by 23 percentage points during the same period (from 75 to 52 percent).

Dietary diversity and quality have also improved, alongside better access to nutritious foods. The proportion of TEFA beneficiaries reporting low dietary diversity (consuming four or fewer food groups in the past week) decreased from 72 percent to 56 percent.

The consumption of protein-reach food items has improved by 18 percentage points, primarily driven by the inclusion of pulses in the TEFA ration.

The report added that to consolidate these gains and maximize impact, TEFA should be complemented by large-scale recovery interventions, including nutrition, livelihood, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and multi-purpose cash programs.