Middle East
US Pullback Leaves Iraq in Formal Control of Urban Areas
US forces have completed a withdrawal from major Iraqi cities and towns on today’s deadline to hand formal control to the Iraqi military. Iraq has declared a national holiday to mark the pullout, and celebrations have been underway nationwide. Iraq’s Foreign Minister, Hoshyar Zebari, called the pullback a victory for national sovereignty.
International Campaign to open the Rafah Border
Hunger Strike at the Rafah Gate by 4 representatives of the International Movement to Open the Rafah Border (IMORB) demanding an end to the siege of Gaza which has lasted for more than two years. 1.5 million Gazans need to get food and medicines, as well as rebuild their homes after Israeli military strikes that have left the Gaza Strip decimated.
Carter: Netanyahu Blocking Peace with Palestinians
Former President Jimmy Carter has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of setting up new obstacles to peace with the Palestinians. On Sunday, Netanyahu said for the first time he could accept a two-state solution, but only if the new Palestinian state had no army and no control of its airspace and borders. Jimmy Carter spoke during a stop in Jerusalem.