UAE reducing troops in Yemen in 'peace-first strategy'

"It's very much to do with moving from what I would call a military-first strategy to a peace-first strategy," according to one UAE official. Diplomats said Abu Dhabi preferred to have its forces on hand should US-Iran tensions escalate further.

Top football bodies fight Saudi channel for its theft of match streams

Mysterious Saudi-based BeoutQ channel has been showing matches that only Qatar’s beIN has a license to show.

Germany declines US request for ground troops in Syria

"No ground troops," says German government spokesman Steffen Seibert, a day after US envoy to Syria James Jeffrey sought German boots on the ground in northern Syria.

Assad regime bombing campaign fails to dislodge Syria opposition fighters

Months after the start of the offensive and despite heavy bombardment, Assad regime fighters have failed to make significant advances against a determined opposition force.

Ceasefire on agenda as Qatar hosts intra-Afghan summit

Taliban officials meet a group of Afghan delegates in Doha as part of diplomatic efforts to end years of violence and build trust between Afghan civilians and the insurgent group.

US calls on Germany to send ground troops to Syria

The US request comes after Trump has repeatedly urged Berlin to increase its defence spending, last month calling Germany "delinquent" over its contributions to NATO's budget.

Iran may 'enrich' uranium beyond deal level, warns UK over tanker seizure

A senior advisor to Iran's supreme leader says Tehran could boost its uranium enrichment to "five percent" even as a top Iranian cleric warns Britain should be "scared' of Tehran's response over oil tanker capture in Gibraltar.

'Regime strikes' kill 20 civilians including 13 children in Syria's Idlib

Thirteen children are among dead after air strikes on Mhambel village, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says. Separately, regime rocket fire in south of Idlib kills a woman.

Between Iran and the US: Iraq's struggles in choosing sides

Baghdad has become the centre of a tug of war between Washington and Tehran, but it's trying its best to maintain a balance between the two rivals while pursuing its own interests.

Israeli troops wound dozens during Gaza protests

At least 40 Palestinians have been wounded, including 22 by Israeli live ammunition, Palestinian Health Ministry says, as hundreds converge near Gaza-Israel fence on 65th week of "right to return" protests.

Car blast kills three Syrians in southern Turkey

The car explosion in the border town of Reyhanli in Hatay province could be terror-related, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says.

Nicki Minaj’s planned Saudi concert raises eyebrows across the internet

Trinadian rapper is due to perform in the eastern city of Jeddah prompting accusations of hypocrisy against Riyadh.