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UN Force in Lebanon Urges Swift Probe into Irish Peacekeeper’s Death 

The United Nations and the Ireland flags fly at half-staff, at the UNIFIL headquarters in the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura, Lebanon, Friday Dec. 16, 2022. (AP)
The United Nations and the Ireland flags fly at half-staff, at the UNIFIL headquarters in the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura, Lebanon, Friday Dec. 16, 2022. (AP)
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UN Force in Lebanon Urges Swift Probe into Irish Peacekeeper’s Death 

The United Nations and the Ireland flags fly at half-staff, at the UNIFIL headquarters in the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura, Lebanon, Friday Dec. 16, 2022. (AP)
The United Nations and the Ireland flags fly at half-staff, at the UNIFIL headquarters in the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura, Lebanon, Friday Dec. 16, 2022. (AP)

The United Nations' peacekeeping force in south Lebanon on Friday urged Beirut to ensure a "speedy" investigation into an Irish soldier's shooting death near the Israeli border.  

The peacekeeper's convoy came under fire late Wednesday near the village of Al-Aqbiya, the Irish military said, wounding three other members of the UN force UNIFIL.  

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and army chief Joseph Aoun visited on Friday the UNIFIL headquarters in the border town of Naqura, denouncing the attack that claimed private Sean Rooney's life. 

UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti called it "a very serious incident" and told reporters it was "important" for the Lebanese authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice. 

"It is a crime against the international community, against peacekeepers who are here... to maintain stability," he added. 

It is the first death of a UNIFIL member in a violent incident in Lebanon since January 2015, when a Spanish peacekeeper was killed during retaliatory Israeli fire.  

"Peacekeepers are continuing with their activities and patrolling," Tenenti said.  

UNIFIL was set up in 1978 to monitor the withdrawal of Israeli forces after they invaded Lebanon in reprisal for a Palestinian attack.  

Now with nearly 10,000 troops, the UN force acts as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon, which remain technically at war.  

Israel withdrew from south Lebanon in 2000 but fought a devastating 2006 war with the Iran-backed movement Hezbollah and its allies.  

UNIFIL was beefed up to oversee the ceasefire that ended that conflict.  

Bullet to the head  

Witnesses said villagers in the Al-Aqbiya area, a Hezbollah stronghold, blocked Rooney's vehicle after it took a road along the Mediterranean coast not normally used by the United Nations force.  

A Lebanese judicial source told AFP that the peacekeeper was killed by a bullet to the head when seven projectiles pierced the vehicle.  

The three others were injured when the vehicle hit a pylon and overturned, the source added.  

Following a meeting in Naqura with the force's commander, Major General Aroldo Lazaro, Lebanon's Mikati said "the investigation continues in order to determine the circumstances of the incident."  

The Lebanese premier said it was "important" to prevent similar attacks, and promised "those who will be proven guilty will be punished".  

A spokesman for Ireland's army told AFP that a specialist team was expected in Lebanon on Saturday to launch an investigation of the attack.  

Over the years there have been a number of incidents between Hezbollah supporters and the UN force in border areas loyal to the armed group.  

Wafiq Safa, Hezbollah's security chief, told Lebanon's LBCI television that the incident was "unintentional" and called for investigators to be given time to establish the facts.  

Relations between UNIFIL and communities in south Lebanon have "always been very positive", the force's spokesman said on Friday.  

"The support of the communities is paramount in order for us to implement our mandate." 

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Arab World

Syria, Israel to Set Up Joint Cell Under US on De-Escalation

Syrian soldiers make their way through the snow in the country's mountainous Qalamoun region, near the border with Lebanon, during a patrol to secure the frontier and prevent smuggling operations on January 1, 2026. (AFP)
Syrian soldiers make their way through the snow in the country's mountainous Qalamoun region, near the border with Lebanon, during a patrol to secure the frontier and prevent smuggling operations on January 1, 2026. (AFP)
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Syria, Israel to Set Up Joint Cell Under US on De-Escalation

Syrian soldiers make their way through the snow in the country's mountainous Qalamoun region, near the border with Lebanon, during a patrol to secure the frontier and prevent smuggling operations on January 1, 2026. (AFP)
Syrian soldiers make their way through the snow in the country's mountainous Qalamoun region, near the border with Lebanon, during a patrol to secure the frontier and prevent smuggling operations on January 1, 2026. (AFP)

Syria's new government and Israel will set up a joint group under US supervision to share intelligence and seek military de-escalation on the ground, they announced Tuesday after talks.

The Syrian foreign minister traveled to Paris in his country's first known meeting in months with Israel, which has pounded its historic adversary despite US unease over the pressure on the fragile government.

A joint statement issued by the US State Department after the talks in the French capital said that Syria and Israel were committed to "achieving lasting security and stability arrangements for both countries."

"Both sides have decided to establish a joint fusion mechanism -- a dedicated communication cell -- to facilitate immediate and ongoing coordination on their intelligence sharing, military de-escalation, diplomatic engagement and commercial opportunities under the supervision of the United States," the statement said.

"This mechanism will serve as a platform to address any disputes promptly and work to prevent misunderstandings."

The statement did not say Israel would refrain from further strikes or restore an agreement that was previously in place.

Israeli strikes

Israel has no diplomatic relations with Syria, which during the half-century of rule by the Assad family publicly championed the Palestinian cause and was the Arab world's key ally of Iran's clerical state, Israel's arch-enemy.

Bashar al-Assad was ousted in a lightning offensive in December 2024 by Ahmed al-Sharaa after more than a decade of brutal civil war.

President Donald Trump has met and praised Sharaa, now the interim president, brushing aside Israeli skepticism.

The talks in Paris were mediated by Tom Barrack, ambassador to Türkiye and an outspoken advocate of supporting Sharaa.

The United States recently fully removed remaining sanctions on Syria, hoping to give the country a chance to integrate into the global economy.

Since Assad's fall, Israel sent troops into a UN-patrolled buffer zone that had separated Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights, which Israel captured in the 1967 Six-Day War.

Israel, saying there was a power vacuum, also unilaterally declared void a 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria that had kept in effect a ceasefire.

Sharaa has sought to restore the agreement and avoid wider conflict with Israel, but he has also opposed Israel's insistence on maintaining a demilitarized zone in southern Syria.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office called for economic cooperation with Syria and "regional stability and security."

"It was agreed to continue the dialogue to advance shared objectives and safeguard the security of the Druze minority in Syria," it said.

Israel has cited violence against the Druze, who also have a presence inside Israel, as a reason to intervene in Syria.

Israel in July launched massive air strikes, including hitting the defense ministry in Damascus, leading some analysts to believe it was hoping to degrade military capacities of Syria while it was at a weak point.

Arab World

Egypt Stresses Full Support for Somalia's Unity, Sovereignty

Residents wave Somali flags as they attend a rally denouncing Israel's recent announcement recognizing the breakaway Somaliland region, during a gathering calling for Somalia's territorial unity at Mogadishu Stadium in Mogadishu on December 30, 2025. (AFP)
Residents wave Somali flags as they attend a rally denouncing Israel's recent announcement recognizing the breakaway Somaliland region, during a gathering calling for Somalia's territorial unity at Mogadishu Stadium in Mogadishu on December 30, 2025. (AFP)
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Egypt Stresses Full Support for Somalia's Unity, Sovereignty

Residents wave Somali flags as they attend a rally denouncing Israel's recent announcement recognizing the breakaway Somaliland region, during a gathering calling for Somalia's territorial unity at Mogadishu Stadium in Mogadishu on December 30, 2025. (AFP)
Residents wave Somali flags as they attend a rally denouncing Israel's recent announcement recognizing the breakaway Somaliland region, during a gathering calling for Somalia's territorial unity at Mogadishu Stadium in Mogadishu on December 30, 2025. (AFP)

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty underscored on Tuesday Cairo's full support for the unity, sovereignty, and inviolability of Somali territory, describing it as a fundamental pillar for the stability of the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.

He stressed Egypt's rejection of any unilateral measures or attempts to impose parallel entities or create a new political reality outside internationally recognized legal frameworks.

He made his remarks during his participation in the session of the African Peace and Security Council (PSC), held virtually at Egypt’s request, in support of the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia.

Abdelatty said that Israel's unilateral and unlawful recognition of what is termed the "Somaliland region" is a flagrant violation of Somalia's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

It undermines the principles of international law, the United Nations (UN) Charter, and the Constitutive Act of the African Union (AU), he declared. Moreover, it sets a dangerous precedent threatening regional and international peace and security.

This demands a unified stance in support of Somalia and concerted efforts to achieve security and stability in Somalia and the Horn of Africa region, urged Abdelatty.

He called on the African PSC to adopt a strong and unified position condemning the recognition of so-called "Somaliland" and urged all AU member states to categorically reject any measures arising from the Israeli recognition.

He also underlined the need for full and unconditional support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Somalia.

Arab World

Yemen's PLC Holds Emergency Meeting, Approves Measures to Protect Civilians, Facilities in Aden

This photo taken on January 4, 2026 shows Yemeni forces deployed in the city of Mukalla. (AFP)
This photo taken on January 4, 2026 shows Yemeni forces deployed in the city of Mukalla. (AFP)
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Yemen's PLC Holds Emergency Meeting, Approves Measures to Protect Civilians, Facilities in Aden

This photo taken on January 4, 2026 shows Yemeni forces deployed in the city of Mukalla. (AFP)
This photo taken on January 4, 2026 shows Yemeni forces deployed in the city of Mukalla. (AFP)

The Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, chaired by President Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, held an emergency meeting on Wednesday to review the latest security and military developments in the southern governorates,

The meeting was attended by members Sultan Al-Aradah, Tariq Saleh, Abdulrahman Al-Mahrami, Dr. Abdullah Al-Alimi, and Othman Majali.

According to the Yemeni News Agency (SABA), the meeting reviewed the developments following a statement from the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, which highlighted a serious escalation by some rebel leaders and their obstruction of de-escalation efforts.

The council was briefed on the consequences of one member’s failure to respond to an invitation from Saudi Arabia, as well as unilateral actions and movements that clearly deviated from the agreed framework for the transitional phase, undermining efforts to protect civilians and prevent the spread of violence.

In response, the council decided to expel Aidrous Al-Zubaidi from his position and refer him to the Attorney General on charges of high treason, harming the political and economic standing of Yemen, obstructing state efforts to confront the Houthi coup, and inciting internal strife.

The meeting also approved the dismissal of Minister of Transport Abdulsalam Hamid and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Waed Badhib, referring both for investigation.

It further ordered the pursuit and arrest of individuals involved in distributing weapons and threatening civil peace, ensuring they face justice. The council emphasized that the state will act firmly against all violations to uphold the rule of law and protect public rights and freedoms.

The PLC reaffirmed that unity in military and security decision-making and respect for the chain of command are inviolable principles, stressing that any serious breach of these duties will be met with accountability under the constitution and the law.

Accordingly, the council approved a series of urgent measures, including instructing the relevant authorities to take all necessary steps to protect civilians and public facilities in the interim capital, Aden, and the liberated governorates, unify command and control over all military and security formations, and prevent any movements or mobilizations outside the framework of the state.

The council expressed its gratitude for Saudi Arabia's efforts and the leadership of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen in de-escalating tensions, protecting civilians, maintaining security and stability, and preventing a return to internal conflict. It underscored the state’s commitment to implementing its sovereign decisions and upholding its legal authority.

The council commended the national stance of the people of Aden and the liberated governorates in defending the republican system and legitimate state institutions during this critical stage. It renewed its call for citizens to cooperate with security and military agencies fully and report any actions or movements that could disrupt security or endanger civilian lives.