News

   

The last 24 hours in the Middle East, January 12

Zurab Batiashvili, Research Fellow at Rondeli Foundation

• Anti-government rallies have started in Tehran, Isfahan, Mashhad, Rasht and other cities in Iran, protesting the downing of a Ukrainian plane and demanding the resignation of the authorities. Clashes with the police have been reported. The police used tear gas;
• US President Donald Trump expresses solidarity with Iranian protesters on Twitter in Persian
• The British ambassador was arrested for participating in a protest in Tehran. However, he was soon released. The ambassador said that he simply wanted to pay tribute to those killed in the crash, including British citizens;
• Anti-government demonstrations continue in Baghdad and the southern cities of Iraq. Clashes between police and protesters killed 2 and injured more than 60; 
• The ceasefire agreement between the government and the rebels was repeatedly violated in Libya. The parties accuse each other of violating the terms of the agreement;
• Russian aviation and the Assad regime continue intense bombardment of fighters fortified in Idlib province.