European Parliament Says Parties Encouraged to Uphold Existing Ceasefire Deal in Northeast Syria

Syrian Democratic Forces members stand by vehicles, as they withdraw from the front lines, following an agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces, in Hasakah, Syria, February 10, 2026. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
Syrian Democratic Forces members stand by vehicles, as they withdraw from the front lines, following an agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces, in Hasakah, Syria, February 10, 2026. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
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European Parliament Says Parties Encouraged to Uphold Existing Ceasefire Deal in Northeast Syria

Syrian Democratic Forces members stand by vehicles, as they withdraw from the front lines, following an agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces, in Hasakah, Syria, February 10, 2026. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
Syrian Democratic Forces members stand by vehicles, as they withdraw from the front lines, following an agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces, in Hasakah, Syria, February 10, 2026. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman

The European Parliament on Friday strongly condemned all acts of violence against civilians in northeast Syria and called upon the government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to adhere to the ceasefire, in a step aimed at reducing escalation and enhancing stability in the region.

In a new resolution that received strong support, with 363 votes in favor, 71 against, and 81 abstentions, members of the European Parliament (MEPs) expressed profound concern regarding the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in northeast Syria.

They highlighted that extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, forced displacement, and attacks on civilian infrastructure may represent serious violations of international humanitarian law and could, in certain instances, amount to war crimes.

The members said reports from credible sources, including the United Nations and various non-governmental organizations, have documented recent abuses, such as desecration of corpses, vandalism of burial grounds, and the deployment of unguided munitions in civilian areas.

They expressed support for the recent agreement between the SDF and the Syrian government, saying all parties involved are encouraged to uphold the existing arrangements.

Also, the resolution highlighted that the full recognition, equal rights, and political participation of the Kurdish community are vital for establishing a stable and inclusive Syria.

It called on the government to enshrine these guarantees in the constitution while maintaining Syria’s territorial integrity.

Additionally, the MEPs urged the EU, its member states, and partners to intensify efforts to prevent any resurgence of ISIS that may threaten Syria, the surrounding region, and Europe.

They urged member states to repatriate all their nationals, particularly children, from the al-Hol and al-Roj camps and ensure that adults face justice through fair trials.



UN: Over 200 Civilians Reported Killed in Sudan Drone Strikes Since March 4

Residents receive aid from World Food Programme (WFP) at Al-Omada neighbourhood of Omdurman, the twin city of Khartoum on March 11, 2026. (Photo by Ebrahim Hamid / AFP)
Residents receive aid from World Food Programme (WFP) at Al-Omada neighbourhood of Omdurman, the twin city of Khartoum on March 11, 2026. (Photo by Ebrahim Hamid / AFP)
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UN: Over 200 Civilians Reported Killed in Sudan Drone Strikes Since March 4

Residents receive aid from World Food Programme (WFP) at Al-Omada neighbourhood of Omdurman, the twin city of Khartoum on March 11, 2026. (Photo by Ebrahim Hamid / AFP)
Residents receive aid from World Food Programme (WFP) at Al-Omada neighbourhood of Omdurman, the twin city of Khartoum on March 11, 2026. (Photo by Ebrahim Hamid / AFP)

UN rights chief Volker Turk said Thursday he was "appalled" at reports that more than 200 civilians had been killed by drone attacks in Sudan since March 4.

"It is deeply troubling that despite multiple reminders, warnings and appeals, parties to the conflict in Sudan continue to use increasingly powerful drones to deploy explosive weapons with wide-area impacts in populated areas," Turk said in a statement.

Dozens of civilians have been killed in drone strikes across southern Sudan over the past two days, medical sources told AFP on Wednesday, as some of the heaviest fighting of the nearly three-year war grips the region.

Sudan has been riven by conflict since April 2023, when a power struggle between the regular army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) plunged the country into a war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions.

Since the war broke out, both sides have been accused of war crimes, including targeting civilians and indiscriminately shelling residential areas.


Arab League, Arab Parliament Condemn Closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque

A view of the Aqsa Mosque is pictured in Old City of Jerusalem on March 6, 2026.  (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)
A view of the Aqsa Mosque is pictured in Old City of Jerusalem on March 6, 2026. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)
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Arab League, Arab Parliament Condemn Closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque

A view of the Aqsa Mosque is pictured in Old City of Jerusalem on March 6, 2026.  (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)
A view of the Aqsa Mosque is pictured in Old City of Jerusalem on March 6, 2026. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)

The General Secretariat of the Arab League expressed deep concern over the continued measures by the Israeli occupation authorities to close Al-Aqsa Mosque to Muslim worshippers, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, considering this a violation of freedom of worship and an infringement of the historical and legal status quo of the holy sites in the city of Jerusalem.

In a statement issued Thursday, the General Secretariat stressed that Al-Aqsa Mosque holds a special religious and historical status for Muslims around the world, and that any measures restricting access to it or hindering the performance of religious rituals there could lead to an escalation of tensions and undermine efforts to achieve calm and stability, SPA reported.

The Arab League called on the international community and concerned organizations to assume their responsibilities to protect the holy sites and preserve the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem, stressing that respect for holy sites and freedom of worship are fundamental to maintaining stability and enhancing prospects for peace in the region.

Also, the speaker of the Arab Parliament Mohammed bin Ahmed Al-Yamahi condemned the Israeli occupation's ongoing measures that close the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Haram Al-Sharif to Muslim worshippers, particularly during Ramadan. He described these actions as violations of the freedom of worship and an infringement on the historical status quo in occupied Jerusalem.

Al-Yamahi stated that restricting access to Al-Aqsa Mosque is a troubling escalation that provokes Muslims globally and reflects efforts to alter the city's Arab and Islamic identity. He emphasized that the Al-Aqsa Mosque, covering 144 dunams, is exclusively for Muslim worship.

He warned that such restrictions would heighten tensions in the region and expressed concern over violations at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron. He called on the international community, including the United Nations, to protect the holy sites in Jerusalem and ensure respect for the historical status of Islamic and Christian sacred sites.


51 Crew Rescued, 1 Dead after Attack on Tankers Off Iraq

An oil tanker burns after being hit by an Iranian strike in the ship-to-ship transfer zone at Khor al-Zubair port near Basra, Iraq, late Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo)
An oil tanker burns after being hit by an Iranian strike in the ship-to-ship transfer zone at Khor al-Zubair port near Basra, Iraq, late Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo)
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51 Crew Rescued, 1 Dead after Attack on Tankers Off Iraq

An oil tanker burns after being hit by an Iranian strike in the ship-to-ship transfer zone at Khor al-Zubair port near Basra, Iraq, late Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo)
An oil tanker burns after being hit by an Iranian strike in the ship-to-ship transfer zone at Khor al-Zubair port near Basra, Iraq, late Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo)

More than 50 crew members were rescued after an attack on two oil tankers in Iraq's territorial waters, Farhan al-Fartousi of the port authorities told AFP.

Fartousi, from Iraq's General Company for Ports, said "all crew members of the two tankers were rescued," adding that the 51 workers were in good condition.

The attack killed at least one crew member, an Indian national.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Thursday they had struck a Marshall Islands-flagged ship, which they claimed was US-owned, in the north of the Gulf.

The vessel, Safesea Vishnu, came under attack March 11 while operating near Basra, India’s embassy said.

The remaining 15 Indian crew members were evacuated and are safe, the embassy added.