Central Command

Top US commander relinquishes command in Afghanistan

General Austin “Scott” Miller – the highest-ranked officer on the ground – handed command to US-based General Kenneth McKenzie, bringing the longest US war nearer to its end at a time when the Taliban are making sweeping advances across the country.

Explained: The US military’s global footprint

It is an unprecedented power spread, but Washington has established military bases and deployed troops across all seven continents.

Two roadside blasts hit Afghanistan as violence spirals

Meanwhile, the US has said its deal with the Taliban is in the "next phase" as it urged the militants to reduce rising bloodshed.

US-backed YPG excluding Syria's Arabs in decision-making positions

Terror group PKK's Syrian offshoot YPG shows unwillingness to share power with Arabs in terms of decision-making processes even in Arab-majority regions, Pentagon says quoting US Defense Intelligence Agency.

Yemen's Houthi rebels claim downing US drone over Yemen

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch says the Saudi-led coalition carried out at least five deadly attacks on Yemeni fishing boats in 2018, killing at least 47 Yemeni fishermen, including seven children.

Iran says exercising restraint despite 'unacceptable' US sanctions

Qatar is trying to "defuse escalating tensions" across the Persian Gulf, Al Jazeera reports amid allegations of oil tanker sabotage, a drone attack by Yemen's Iranian-allied rebels and deployment of US warships and bombers to the region.

US open to additional strikes on Syria, says White House

Trump administration warns Syrian regime against use of chemical weapons or barrel bombs again.