US playing 'very reckless’ games with Kurdish separatists in Syria, risks exploding entire Middle Eastern region – Russian FM

 

Washington must think beyond the upcoming US presidential vote and keep the future of the Middle East in mind when its encourages separatism in Syria’s Kurdish population, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned.

‘Encouraging Separatist Forces’: China Strongly Opposes US Envoy Visit to Taiwan

 

China on Thursday railed against a high-level visit to Taiwan by a US envoy, saying it will encourage “separatist forces” on the island.

Spokesman Warns of Iran’s Response after Trump’s Threat

The spokesperson for the Iranian administration dismissed falsified reports to which the US president has referred to threaten Iran with military action, cautioning Washington that any mistake would draw Iran’s appropriate response.

Beijing Raps US for Militarizing South China Sea, Undermining Regional Efforts to Resolve Disputes

The US Navy began carrying out ‘freedom of navigation’ missions in the South China in the early 2010s, after then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton classified the strategic body of water a matter of ‘US national interest’.

U.S. deploys Cobra Ball surveillance plane near northeast China

A U.S. spy plane flew near northeast China and the Korean Peninsula the same day North Korea observed its founding anniversary.

Beijing Reportedly Fires 2 Missiles Into South China Sea in 'Warning' to US

China fired two missiles into the South China Sea on Wednesday in an act of "warning" to the United States after a US spy plane intruded its army's no-fly airspace, a source close to the Chinese military told the South China Morning Post newspaper.

US occupation forces attack a Syrian Army checkpoint southeast of Qameshli, a soldier martyred

A US occupation warplane attacked this morning a Syrian Arab Army checkpoint to the southeast of Qameshli in Hasaka causing the martyrdom of a soldier and the wounding of two others.

Iran Denies Report on Seizure of Iranian Tankers

Iran’s ambassador to Caracas dismissed a report from The Wall Street Journal that the US has confiscated four Iranian oil tankers carrying fuel to Venezuela.

Taiwan Air Force 'Drove Out' Chinese Fighter Jets From Its Airspace, DM Says

The incident took place the day after US Health Secretary Alex Azar arrived on the island. Azar has become the highest-ranking American official to visit Taiwan since the United States cut official ties with the island in 1979.

US-backed militia opens fire on protesters in Syria’s Der Ezzour, wounding 3 civilians

At least 3 civilians were wounded when the US-backed “Syrian Democratic Forces” militia opened fire on protesters in al-Hwayej town in the eastern Der Ezzour countryside.

Syria condemns in strongest terms agreement signed between Qasad (Kurdish) militia and U.S. oil company to steal Syrian oil

Syria has condemned in the strongest terms the agreement signed between Qasad militia “SDF” and a U.S. oil company to steal the Syrian oil, affirming that it considers it null and void and has no legal effect.

U.S. House to vote on limiting Trump's power to hit Iran militarily

The U.S. House will vote Thursday on a war powers resolution aimed at restricting President Donald Trump's ability to strike Iran militarily following a pair of missile strikes by Tehran against U.S.-held bases in Iraq.

‘Act of international terrorism’: Iran vows ‘vigorous revenge’ on US after Quds Force chief killed in US airstrike

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif denounced a series of US airstrikes that killed the chief of the elite Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, as international terrorism, warning the US about consequences of its “rogue adventurism.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader hits back at Trump’s ‘big price’ threat, says US ‘took revenge’ for defeating ISIS

Giving a sharp rebuke to Donald Trump’s threat to make Iran pay for an attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said tirades like this usually end up nowhere.

Up to 4,000 US Troops Could Deploy to Mideast amid Protests in Iraq

Following angry protests by Iraqi people outside the US embassy over Washington’s airstrikes on the Arab country, up to 4,000 American troops will be deployed to Kuwait, according to three US defense officials.

US Defense Secretary Slams ‘Authoritarian’ Turkey But Still Wants It to Buy F-35 Jets

US Defense Secretary James Mattis reportedly lambasted Turkey’s authoritarianism and human rights record, but warned that removing Ankara from F-35 program would result in the aircraft’s production break and delivery delays.

US Wants Turkey to Buy Patriot Missiles, Not Russian System

The United States is trying to persuade NATO partner Turkey to purchase the Patriot surface-to-air missile system, a US official said Monday, instead of rival Russian equipment.

India to go ahead with S-400 missile deal with Russia despite US sanctions

Indian Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said the S-400 Triumf air defence missile deal with Russia will go ahead despite U.S. sanctions on military transactions with Moscow.

France Says Europe Should React to US Extra-Territorial Sanctions

The US has rejected a French request for waivers for its companies operating in Iran that Paris sought after Washington re-imposed sanctions on Tehran, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said, adding that Europe needs to defend itself against such extra-territorial sanctions.

China says will hit back after US proposes fresh tariffs on $200 billion on goods

China has accused the US of bullying and warned it would hit back after the Trump administration raised the stakes in their trade dispute, threatening 10% tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods.