The US Defense Department has confirmed the deaths of senior terrorist leaders in Libya and Somalia from recent US air strikes, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said ina statementon Monday.
Cook said a November 13 US air strike in Libya killed Iraqi national Abu Nabil, also known as Wissam Najm Abd Zayd al Zubaydi, a longtime al-Qaeda operative and senior Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) leader in Libya. “While not the first US strike against terrorists in Libya, this was the first US strike against an ISIL leader in Libya and it demonstrates we will go after ISIL leaders wherever they operate,” Cook said in the statement. [DoD News,Reuters,AP, 12/7/2015]
EGYPT | LIBYA & THE MAGHREB | SYRIA & ITS NEIGHBORS | YEMEN & THE GULF | ECONOMICS
Nine Mohamed Mahmoud protesters referred to court over violating protest law
The Qasr al-Nil prosecution referred nine people on Tuesday to misdemeanor court on charges of violating Egypt’s protest law. The defendants are accused of disrupting traffic, illegal assembly, disseminating leaflets, and protesting without a permit. The nine defendants were arrested on November 22 during a protest to commemorate the fourth anniversary of deadly clashes between protesters and security forces in Cairo’s Mohamed Mahmoud Street in 2011. An Egyptian court accepted in November the prosecution’s motion to remand the nine people in custody, after they were arrested for “illegal assembly” and “protesting without a permit.” [Cairo Post, 12/8/2015]
Egyptian minister says talk of international arbitration on Ethiopian dam is ‘premature’
Egyptian Irrigation Minister Hossam Moghazy says it is “premature” to talk about resorting to international arbitration over Ethiopia’s Renaissance Dam. Egypt, which relies almost entirely on the Nile for farming and drinking water, has expressed fears the hydroelectric dam will significantly cut the supply of water downstream. Moghazy said Monday that negotiations with Addis Ababa are underway pursuant to a cooperation deal signed last March. He also ruled out that Cairo seeks to involve African intermediaries in the issue. Moghazy’s remarks followed assertions made on Sunday by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir that the Ethiopian dam project has become “a reality.” [Ahram Online, 12/7/2015]
Journalists to rally at Press Syndicate Wednesday
The Press Syndicate’s Freedoms Committee plans to protest Wednesday evening in front of the syndicate building to call for the release and medical treatment of detained journalists. After the protest, participants will hold a conference as part of a campaign launched Monday by the syndicate. There are currently 32 journalists (not only syndicate members) detained in various cases, including 18 in cases related to journalism, Khaled al-Balshy, the committee head said. Between seven and nine of these detained journalists are in dire need of medical care. [Ahram Online, DNE, 12/8/2015]
IED kills four security personnel in Egypt’s North Sinai
Four police conscript were reportedly killed on Tuesday and four others wounded by a roadside IED in the North Sinai town of Rafah, security sources said. The roadside bomb, remotely detonated by suspected militants, targeted an armored vehicle carrying the conscripts as it passed by a police station in the town’s center, near the border with Gaza and Israel. Security forces have been scanning the area searching for the perpetrators. [Ahram Online, AMAY, 12/7/2015]
For more in-depth Egypt news, please visit EgyptSource
UN calls for rapid Libya accord after lawmakers propose rival deal
The United Nations (UN) is urging Libyan lawmakers who signed a separate peace proposal on Sunday to instead back a UN-sponsored deal, saying remaining differences could be worked out after the accord. A group of lawmakers from the General National Congress and the House of Representatives (HOR) over the weekend announced the deal in Tunisia, without UN involvement, and said they would put the proposal to a vote in each parliament. A group of lawmakers from the HOR said on Monday they still backed the UN deal rejecting any separate negotiations. An HOR vote regarding the Tunis agreement was due to take place on December 6, but the group did not reach quorum. [Reuters, Libya Monitor (subscription), Libya Herald, 12/8/2015]
Libyan-American group says UN begins investigating ex-envoy
The UN has begun investigating the circumstances surrounding the hiring of former UN Special Envoy to Libya Bernardino Leon by the United Arab Emirates, which backs one of Libya’s rival governments, the Libyan-American Public Affairs Council (LAPAC) said in a press release Monday. Leon’s hiring has been questioned after The Guardian last month quoted a leaked email from him to the Emirati foreign minister saying he had a strategy to “completely delegitimize” Libya’s Islamist-backed government. In response, LAPAC filed a complaint with the UN demanding an investigation. The group’s Co-Founder Emadeddin Muntasser spoke by phone on Monday with a deputy director at the UN’s internal oversight office who said the complaint had been assigned to an investigator. The oversight office referred questions to spokesmen for the UN Secretary-General, but Spokesman Farhan Haq said he has no way of knowing whether an individual case is being pursued. Muntasser was given no details on how long an investigation might take. [AP, 12/7/2015]
Jordan to introduce visas for Libyan nationals
Jordan’s foreign ministry says Libyan nationals will now have to apply for visas before being able to enter the country. The new regulation will come into effect on December 15. The Jordanian decision comes after Turkey took the same move in September, leaving only a limited number of countries – Tunisia, Sudan, and Algeria – where Libyans are permitted to enter without a visa. Egypt does not require visas for Libyan women or for Libyan males under 11 years of age or over 60. Jordan has been an important overseas destination for Libyans since the end of the 2011 conflict, especially for those seeking medical attention. It has also remained one of the few countries with direct flight services with Libya. [Libya Herald, Libya Monitor (subscription), 12/7/2015]
Tunisian Prime Minister meets with King Abdullah II of Jordan
In a meeting with Prime Minister Habib Essid in Amman on Monday, King Abdullah II of Jordan emphasized the need to build on the results of President Beji Caid Essebsi’s recent visit to Jordan and expand Tunisian-Jordanian cooperation in all fields. King Abdullah II also called for the adoption of a holistic strategy to address extremism and terrorism by boosting regional and international counterterrorism coordination. According to a statement released by the Office of the King of Jordan, the meeting tackled the latest regional developments, particularly those in Syria, Libya, and Iraq. Essid is making a working visit to Jordan from December 6 to 8 to take part in the eighth session of the Tunisian-Jordanian High Joint Committee. [TAP, 12/7/2015]
Russia says too early to confirm Syria talks in New York
Russia’s foreign ministry on Tuesday said it was too early to confirm a new round of international talks on ending the war in Syria that are expected in New York later this month. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last week announced fresh negotiations on Syria that diplomats said are likely to be held on December 18. Russia however said that a failure by participants to make progress on lists of rebel groups considered “terrorists” and who should represent the opposition in talks meant that is was “premature” to announce talks for that date. “Not having a collective understanding of who in Syria is a terrorist and who is an opposition member, it is impossible to hold talks on the internal Syrian political process or on such an important and urgent matter as the ceasefire,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. [AFP, 12/8/2015]
Suspected US-led Syria raids kill dozens of civilians
Suspected US-led coalition air strikes killed at least twenty-six civilians in a Syrian village Monday, increasing pressure on the alliance after allegations that another bombing raid left regime soldiers dead. According to a monitoring group, strikes on Monday on the village of Al-Khan in northeastern Syria left only civilians dead. The US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) said Tuesday it was “assessing the credibility” of reports. “Every time we get information about the possibility of a civilian casualty incident, we always do a credibility assessment on that information,” Colonel Steve Warren said. “If the information is found to be credible, we’ll conduct an investigation, and we’ll release the results of that investigation.” [AFP, 12/8/2015]
Syrian opposition seeks unified front in Riyadh; Kurds plan summit after exclusion from meeting
Syrian opposition representatives are gathering in Saudi Arabia to seek a common position from which to negotiate with the government of President Bashar al-Assad. Most of the main rebel factions, such as Jaish al-Islam and Ahrar al-Sham, are taking part in the conference in Riyadh. Meanwhile, Syrian Kurdish factions will host a two-day conference starting Tuesday on a vision for Syria’s future, after being excluded from the meeting of opposition groups in Saudi Arabia. Kurdish conference organizer Sihanuk Dibo said the conference would be held in northeast Syria and include Kurds, the Assyrian Democratic Party, Arab figures, and religious leaders from various parts of Syria. A spokesman for Syria’s leading Kurdish political faction the Democratic Union Party (PYD) confirmed that they had still not received an invitation to Riyadh. [BBC, 12/8/2015]
UNICEF appeals for $1.1 billion for Syria, neighboring countries
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Monday launched a $1.1 billion fundraising drive to provide relief in Syria and neighboring countries including Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, and Jordan. “We launched a $1.1 billion appeal for UNICEF for its Syria operations which includes our response to help children impacted by the crisis inside Syria and in neighboring countries,” UNICEF spokeswoman Juliet Toma said. Toma said that the UN agency faces a huge funding shortfall. “We have a huge gap [in funds], this is one of the biggest appeals in the history of UNICEF…Our needs [have] continued to grow and the number of children in need continues to increase,” she said. Toma said there are currently more than 8 million Syrian children in need of assistance. [Al-Arabiya, 12/7/2015]
Turkey halts troop deployment to Iraq but will not withdraw
Turkey has halted the deployment of troops to northern Iraq for now but will not withdraw those already there, Turkey’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday, after Baghdad demanded the withdrawal of soldiers sent near the ISIS-held city of Mosul. In a phone conversation with his Iraqi counterpart late on Monday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu reiterated Ankara’s respect for Iraq’s territorial integrity, Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tanju Bilgic told reporters. Turkey says its latest deployment of soldiers to northern Iraq is part of a mission to train and equip Iraqi forces. The Iraqi government says it never invited such a force and will take its case to the United Nations if they are not pulled out. Seperately, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said he wanted to visit Baghdad as soon as possible to try to calm the row over the troop deployment. On Tuesday, Bilgic rejected remarks made by Arab League Chief Nabil al-Arabi, who claimed that Turkish military had “intervened” in Iraqi territory. Meanwhile, a UN Security Council diplomat says Russia plans to raise Turkey’s military action in Syria and Iraq at a closed meeting of the council on Tuesday. [Reuters, 12/8/2015]
Iraqi forces seize neighborhood on outskirts of ISIS-held city
Iraqi officials say troops have retaken a neighborhood on the outskirts of Ramadi, a provincial capital west of Baghdad that was captured by ISIS earlier this year. The retaking of the area on Tuesday comes just over a week after Iraqi forces announced the capture of the Palestine Bridge, completing the encirclement of the city. ISIS captured Ramadi in May, dealing the biggest blow to Iraqi forces since the fall of Mosul nearly a year before. The government soon announced a counter-offensive, but progress has been sluggish. [AP, 12/8/2015]
For more in-depth Syria news and analysis, please visit SyriaSource.
Yemen factions agree to truce during UN-backed peace talks
Yemen’s government said Tuesday that the country’s warring sides are preparing to observe a week-long truce starting December 15 while UN-mediated peace talks take place in Switzerland. The United Nations (UN) has tried to bring pro-government forces and Houthi rebels to the table for months to end a war that has killed over 5,000 people. UN Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said on Monday that a swift halt to the fighting was imperative for civilians caught up in the conflict. The delegations involved in the peace talks will include representatives of President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi’s government, the Houthi rebels, and officials from the General People’s Congress who are loyalists of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh. A source in President Hadi’s cabinet said the truce would last seven days, as specified in a letter sent by the Yemeni president to the UN Security Council. [AFP, 12/8/2015]
Saudi Arabia reportedly plans to send troops to Aden to fight terrorism
Saudi Arabia will reportedly send troops to Yemen’s southern port city, Aden, over concerns that militant groups such as al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) are gaining power in the city. While the Governor of Aden was assassinated on Sunday in a car bomb attack by ISIS, a source said that the Saudis had been planning this move over the past few months. Last Sunday, AQAP reportedly seized Yemeni Army’s 4th Military Command base in Aden, gaining access to more weapons. Meanwhile Prime Minister and Vice President Khaled Bahah said on Monday that the Yemeni government is aware of the challenges faced in Yemen and is attempting to establish better security in areas liberated from Houthi rebels. [Al Masdar, 12/7/2015]
New Aden governor sworn in by President Hadi
The newly appointed governor to Aden Aidarus al-Zubaidi was sworn in by President Hadi on Tuesday. Al-Zubaidi said that he will continue his predecessor’s work by continuing to implement better security and governance in Aden. While President Hadi recognized al-Zubaidi will face a number of challenges in his tenure, he offered to provide all the resources necessary for the governor to carry out his duties effectively. Meanwhile, al-Zubaidi thanked President Hadi for the appointment and stressed that he will maintain a high-level of service in the position. [Al Masdar, 12/8/2015]
Central Bank of Tunisia says 2017 will see economic revival
The Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia Chedly Ayari said he expects Tunisia to witness an “economic revival” beginning in 2017. “Tunisia will, from 2017, return to acceptable growth rates that will help come out of the crisis,” he said in the presence of International Monetary Fund (IMF) Resident Representative in Tunisia Giorgia Albertini. Ayari said he expects growth to reach 2.5 percent in 2016 and between 4.5-5 percent in 2017. The IMF predicts a 4.6 percent growth rate in 2017 for Tunisia. Ayari also emphasized the need to boost Tunisia exports by improving production in energy sectors and increasing demand for Tunisian products in the international markets. An IMF delegation is expected to visit Tunis on Wednesday to discuss a new cooperation program with Tunisia. Meanwhile, on Monday, Tunisia’s House of People’s Representatives approved a draft law for a loan agreement with the African Development Bank for EUR 183 million and a loan agreement with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for EUR 455.5 million. [TAP, 12/7/2015]
Turkish growth seen at 3-3.5 percent this year
Turkey’s economy will register growth of 3-3.5 percent in 2015, Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek said Monday. He said there is a high chance that growth in 2016 will be at 4 percent or above.
On Tuesday, Simsek said Turkey aims to bring inflation down to the low single digits through structural reforms. He also said Turkey’s government will continue to support the private pension system even though it is becoming costly. [Reuters, 12/7/2015]
Egypt expects $1.5 billion in aid by year-end, eyeing IMF
Egypt expects to receive $1.5 billion for budget support from the World Bank and African Development Bank (AfDB) by the end of the year, according to International Cooperation Minister Sahar Nasr. Egypt could also discuss potential financing from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) once Egypt’s new parliament convenes. Nasr said she had negotiated loans with the World Bank and AfDB worth $3 billion and $1.5 billion respectively, which will be disbursed over three years with the first tranche arriving “within days” of the deals being signed later this month. The economic reform program Egypt launched in June 2014 helped it secure the aid without a list of specific conditions. Nasr said the loan would bring much-needed foreign exchange into Egypt. Egypt also expects to receive EUR 370 million in budget support from the European Union over three years Nasr said, without elaborating. Meanwhile, Egypt signed a EUR 100 million loan agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on Tuesday to upgrade Cairo’s second metro line. On Sunday, Egypt signed a $600 million loan deal with the European Investment Bank to finance a new power plant in Beheira. [Reuters, 12/8/2015]
Russian airline to seek compensation from Egypt over Sinai crash
Russian airline Metrojet is planning to seek compensation from Egyptian authorities over the crash of its Airbus A321 passenger jet over Sinai on October 31, Russian news agency TASS reported. Forbes quoted the owner of Metrojet’s parent company Russian Tourist Holding TH&C Ismail Lepiyev as saying, “Since there is a clear cause for the disaster, then we [the company] have the right to receive compensation from the country where the attack occurred.” He added, “Egypt is Russia’s partner in many spheres, these are the relations that have been built over decades, and we respect this and will try to agree to the last on compensation without judicial steps.” [Ahram Online, DNE, 12/7/2015]
Kuwait studying plans to raise corporate tax, cut subsidies
Kuwait may raise the corporate tax rate to 10 percent for local firms and impose limits on energy subsidies, Minister of Commerce and Industry Yousuf al-Ali told a local newspaper on Tuesday. “Initial ideas being tossed around are that [the corporate tax rate] will be up to 10 percent. There are companies in the market now paying up to 4.5 percent that will see their taxes rise a little to 10 percent,” al-Ali said. Kuwaiti ministers have said previously they were studying proposals to harmonize tax rates for local and foreign firms, but have not provided figures or a timeline for implementation. There are currently no plans under consideration to introduce an income tax for individuals, al-Ali said. He also said a rationing system will be introduced to cut down on subsidies provided for energy consumption. “Support for citizens continues, but this support will be rationed…there will be cuts in the support for energy consumption, and if people exceed their rations then the price will change.” [Reuters, 12/8/2015]
EGYPT Nine Mohamed Mahmoud protesters referred to court over violating protest law The Qasr al-Nil prosecution referred nine people on Tuesday to misdemeanor court on charges of violating Egypt’s protest law. The defendants are accused of disrupting traffic, illegal assembly, disseminating leaflets, and protesting without a permit. The nine defendants were arrested on November 22 during a protest to commemorate the fourth anniversary of deadly clashes between protesters and security forces in Cairo’s Mohamed Mahmoud Street in 2011. An Egyptian court accepted in November the prosecution’s motion to remand the nine people in custody, after they were arrested for “illegal assembly” and “protesting without a permit.” [Cairo Post, 12/8/2015] Egyptian minister says talk of international arbitration on Ethiopian dam is ‘premature’ Egyptian Irrigation Minister Hossam Moghazy says it is “premature” to talk about resorting to international arbitration over Ethiopia’s Renaissance Dam. Egypt, which relies almost entirely on the Nile for farming and drinking water, has expressed fears the hydroelectric dam will significantly cut the supply of water downstream. Moghazy said Monday that negotiations with Addis Ababa are underway pursuant to a cooperation deal signed last March. He also ruled out that Cairo seeks to involve African intermediaries in the issue. Moghazy’s remarks followed assertions made on Sunday by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir that the Ethiopian dam project has become “a reality.” [Ahram Online, 12/7/2015] Journalists to rally at Press Syndicate Wednesday The Press Syndicate’s Freedoms Committee plans to protest Wednesday evening in front of the syndicate building to call for the release and medical treatment of detained journalists. After the protest, participants will hold a conference as part of a campaign launched Monday by the syndicate. There are currently 32 journalists (not only syndicate members) detained in various cases, including 18 in cases related to journalism, Khaled al-Balshy, the committee head said. Between seven and nine of these detained journalists are in dire need of medical care. [Ahram Online, DNE, 12/8/2015] IED kills four security personnel in Egypt’s North Sinai Four police conscript were reportedly killed on Tuesday and four others wounded by a roadside IED in the North Sinai town of Rafah, security sources said. The roadside bomb, remotely detonated by suspected militants, targeted an armored vehicle carrying the conscripts as it passed by a police station in the town’s center, near the border with Gaza and Israel. Security forces have been scanning the area searching for the perpetrators. [Ahram Online, AMAY, 12/7/2015] For more in-depth Egypt news, please visit EgyptSource LIBYA & THE MAGHREB UN calls for rapid Libya accord after lawmakers propose rival deal The United Nations (UN) is urging Libyan lawmakers who signed a separate peace proposal on Sunday to instead back a UN-sponsored deal, saying remaining differences could be worked out after the accord. A group of lawmakers from the General National Congress and the House of Representatives (HOR) over the weekend announced the deal in Tunisia, without UN involvement, and said they would put the proposal to a vote in each parliament. A group of lawmakers from the HOR said on Monday they still backed the UN deal rejecting any separate negotiations. An HOR vote regarding the Tunis agreement was due to take place on December 6, but the group did not reach quorum. [Reuters, Libya Monitor (subscription), Libya Herald, 12/8/2015] US confirms death of top ISIS leader in Libya The US Defense Department has confirmed the deaths of senior terrorist leaders in Libya and Somalia from recent US air strikes, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said in a statement on Monday. Cook said a November 13 US air strike in Libya killed Iraqi national Abu Nabil, also known as Wissam Najm Abd Zayd al Zubaydi, a longtime al-Qaeda operative and senior Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) leader in Libya. “While not the first US strike against terrorists in Libya, this was the first US strike against an ISIL leader in Libya and it demonstrates we will go after ISIL leaders wherever they operate,” Cook said in the statement. [DoD News, Reuters, AP, 12/7/2015] Libyan-American group says UN begins investigating ex-envoy The UN has begun investigating the circumstances surrounding the hiring of former UN Special Envoy to Libya Bernardino Leon by the United Arab Emirates, which backs one of Libya’s rival governments, the Libyan-American Public Affairs Council (LAPAC) said in a press release Monday. Leon’s hiring has been questioned after The Guardian last month quoted a leaked email from him to the Emirati foreign minister saying he had a strategy to “completely delegitimize” Libya’s Islamist-backed government. In response, LAPAC filed a complaint with the UN demanding an investigation. The group’s Co-Founder Emadeddin Muntasser spoke by phone on Monday with a deputy director at the UN’s internal oversight office who said the complaint had been assigned to an investigator. The oversight office referred questions to spokesmen for the UN Secretary-General, but Spokesman Farhan Haq said he has no way of knowing whether an individual case is being pursued. Muntasser was given no details on how long an investigation might take. [AP, 12/7/2015] Jordan to introduce visas for Libyan nationals Jordan’s foreign ministry says Libyan nationals will now have to apply for visas before being able to enter the country. The new regulation will come into effect on December 15. The Jordanian decision comes after Turkey took the same move in September, leaving only a limited number of countries – Tunisia, Sudan, and Algeria – where Libyans are permitted to enter without a visa. Egypt does not require visas for Libyan women or for Libyan males under 11 years of age or over 60. Jordan has been an important overseas destination for Libyans since the end of the 2011 conflict, especially for those seeking medical attention. It has also remained one of the few countries with direct flight services with Libya. [Libya Herald, Libya Monitor (subscription), 12/7/2015] Tunisian Prime Minister meets with King Abdullah II of Jordan In a meeting with Prime Minister Habib Essid in Amman on Monday, King Abdullah II of Jordan emphasized the need to build on the results of President Beji Caid Essebsi’s recent visit to Jordan and expand Tunisian-Jordanian cooperation in all fields. King Abdullah II also called for the adoption of a holistic strategy to address extremism and terrorism by boosting regional and international counterterrorism coordination. According to a statement released by the Office of the King of Jordan, the meeting tackled the latest regional developments, particularly those in Syria, Libya, and Iraq. Essid is making a working visit to Jordan from December 6 to 8 to take part in the eighth session of the Tunisian-Jordanian High Joint Committee. [TAP, 12/7/2015] SYRIA & ITS NEIGHBORS Russia says too early to confirm Syria talks in New York Russia’s foreign ministry on Tuesday said it was too early to confirm a new round of international talks on ending the war in Syria that are expected in New York later this month. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last week announced fresh negotiations on Syria that diplomats said are likely to be held on December 18. Russia however said that a failure by participants to make progress on lists of rebel groups considered “terrorists” and who should represent the opposition in talks meant that is was “premature” to announce talks for that date. “Not having a collective understanding of who in Syria is a terrorist and who is an opposition member, it is impossible to hold talks on the internal Syrian political process or on such an important and urgent matter as the ceasefire,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. [AFP, 12/8/2015] Suspected US-led Syria raids kill dozens of civilians Suspected US-led coalition air strikes killed at least twenty-six civilians in a Syrian village Monday, increasing pressure on the alliance after allegations that another bombing raid left regime soldiers dead. According to a monitoring group, strikes on Monday on the village of Al-Khan in northeastern Syria left only civilians dead. The US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) said Tuesday it was “assessing the credibility” of reports. “Every time we get information about the possibility of a civilian casualty incident, we always do a credibility assessment on that information,” Colonel Steve Warren said. “If the information is found to be credible, we’ll conduct an investigation, and we’ll release the results of that investigation.” [AFP, 12/8/2015] Syrian opposition seeks unified front in Riyadh; Kurds plan summit after exclusion from meeting Syrian opposition representatives are gathering in Saudi Arabia to seek a common position from which to negotiate with the government of President Bashar al-Assad. Most of the main rebel factions, such as Jaish al-Islam and Ahrar al-Sham, are taking part in the conference in Riyadh. Meanwhile, Syrian Kurdish factions will host a two-day conference starting Tuesday on a vision for Syria’s future, after being excluded from the meeting of opposition groups in Saudi Arabia. Kurdish conference organizer Sihanuk Dibo said the conference would be held in northeast Syria and include Kurds, the Assyrian Democratic Party, Arab figures, and religious leaders from various parts of Syria. A spokesman for Syria’s leading Kurdish political faction the Democratic Union Party (PYD) confirmed that they had still not received an invitation to Riyadh. [BBC, 12/8/2015] UNICEF appeals for $1.1 billion for Syria, neighboring countries The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Monday launched a $1.1 billion fundraising drive to provide relief in Syria and neighboring countries including Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, and Jordan. “We launched a $1.1 billion appeal for UNICEF for its Syria operations which includes our response to help children impacted by the crisis inside Syria and in neighboring countries,” UNICEF spokeswoman Juliet Toma said. Toma said that the UN agency faces a huge funding shortfall. “We have a huge gap [in funds], this is one of the biggest appeals in the history of UNICEF…Our needs [have] continued to grow and the number of children in need continues to increase,” she said. Toma said there are currently more than 8 million Syrian children in need of assistance. [Al-Arabiya, 12/7/2015] Turkey halts troop deployment to Iraq but will not withdraw Turkey has halted the deployment of troops to northern Iraq for now but will not withdraw those already there, Turkey’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday, after Baghdad demanded the withdrawal of soldiers sent near the ISIS-held city of Mosul. In a phone conversation with his Iraqi counterpart late on Monday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu reiterated Ankara’s respect for Iraq’s territorial integrity, Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tanju Bilgic told reporters. Turkey says its latest deployment of soldiers to northern Iraq is part of a mission to train and equip Iraqi forces. The Iraqi government says it never invited such a force and will take its case to the United Nations if they are not pulled out. Seperately, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said he wanted to visit Baghdad as soon as possible to try to calm the row over the troop deployment. On Tuesday, Bilgic rejected remarks made by Arab League Chief Nabil al-Arabi, who claimed that Turkish military had “intervened” in Iraqi territory. Meanwhile, a UN Security Council diplomat says Russia plans to raise Turkey’s military action in Syria and Iraq at a closed meeting of the council on Tuesday. [Reuters, 12/8/2015] Iraqi forces seize neighborhood on outskirts of ISIS-held city Iraqi officials say troops have retaken a neighborhood on the outskirts of Ramadi, a provincial capital west of Baghdad that was captured by ISIS earlier this year. The retaking of the area on Tuesday comes just over a week after Iraqi forces announced the capture of the Palestine Bridge, completing the encirclement of the city. ISIS captured Ramadi in May, dealing the biggest blow to Iraqi forces since the fall of Mosul nearly a year before. The government soon announced a counter-offensive, but progress has been sluggish. [AP, 12/8/2015] For more in-depth Syria news and analysis, please visit SyriaSource. YEMEN & THE GULF Yemen factions agree to truce during UN-backed peace talks Yemen’s government said Tuesday that the country’s warring sides are preparing to observe a week-long truce starting December 15 while UN-mediated peace talks take place in Switzerland. The United Nations (UN) has tried to bring pro-government forces and Houthi rebels to the table for months to end a war that has killed over 5,000 people. UN Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said on Monday that a swift halt to the fighting was imperative for civilians caught up in the conflict. The delegations involved in the peace talks will include representatives of President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi’s government, the Houthi rebels, and officials from the General People’s Congress who are loyalists of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh. A source in President Hadi’s cabinet said the truce would last seven days, as specified in a letter sent by the Yemeni president to the UN Security Council. [AFP, 12/8/2015] Saudi Arabia reportedly plans to send troops to Aden to fight terrorism Saudi Arabia will reportedly send troops to Yemen’s southern port city, Aden, over concerns that militant groups such as al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) are gaining power in the city. While the Governor of Aden was assassinated on Sunday in a car bomb attack by ISIS, a source said that the Saudis had been planning this move over the past few months. Last Sunday, AQAP reportedly seized Yemeni Army’s 4th Military Command base in Aden, gaining access to more weapons. Meanwhile Prime Minister and Vice President Khaled Bahah said on Monday that the Yemeni government is aware of the challenges faced in Yemen and is attempting to establish better security in areas liberated from Houthi rebels. [Al Masdar, 12/7/2015] New Aden governor sworn in by President Hadi The newly appointed governor to Aden Aidarus al-Zubaidi was sworn in by President Hadi on Tuesday. Al-Zubaidi said that he will continue his predecessor’s work by continuing to implement better security and governance in Aden. While President Hadi recognized al-Zubaidi will face a number of challenges in his tenure, he offered to provide all the resources necessary for the governor to carry out his duties effectively. Meanwhile, al-Zubaidi thanked President Hadi for the appointment and stressed that he will maintain a high-level of service in the position. [Al Masdar, 12/8/2015] ECONOMICS Central Bank of Tunisia says 2017 will see economic revival The Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia Chedly Ayari said he expects Tunisia to witness an “economic revival” beginning in 2017. “Tunisia will, from 2017, return to acceptable growth rates that will help come out of the crisis,” he said in the presence of International Monetary Fund (IMF) Resident Representative in Tunisia Giorgia Albertini. Ayari said he expects growth to reach 2.5 percent in 2016 and between 4.5-5 percent in 2017. The IMF predicts a 4.6 percent growth rate in 2017 for Tunisia. Ayari also emphasized the need to boost Tunisia exports by improving production in energy sectors and increasing demand for Tunisian products in the international markets. An IMF delegation is expected to visit Tunis on Wednesday to discuss a new cooperation program with Tunisia. Meanwhile, on Monday, Tunisia’s House of People’s Representatives approved a draft law for a loan agreement with the African Development Bank for EUR 183 million and a loan agreement with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for EUR 455.5 million. [TAP, 12/7/2015] Turkish growth seen at 3-3.5 percent this year Turkey’s economy will register growth of 3-3.5 percent in 2015, Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek said Monday. He said there is a high chance that growth in 2016 will be at 4 percent or above. On Tuesday, Simsek said Turkey aims to bring inflation down to the low single digits through structural reforms. He also said Turkey’s government will continue to support the private pension system even though it is becoming costly. [Reuters, 12/7/2015] Egypt expects $1.5 billion in aid by year-end, eyeing IMF Egypt expects to receive $1.5 billion for budget support from the World Bank and African Development Bank (AfDB) by the end of the year, according to International Cooperation Minister Sahar Nasr. Egypt could also discuss potential financing from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) once Egypt’s new parliament convenes. Nasr said she had negotiated loans with the World Bank and AfDB worth $3 billion and $1.5 billion respectively, which will be disbursed over three years with the first tranche arriving “within days” of the deals being signed later this month. The economic reform program Egypt launched in June 2014 helped it secure the aid without a list of specific conditions. Nasr said the loan would bring much-needed foreign exchange into Egypt. Egypt also expects to receive EUR 370 million in budget support from the European Union over three years Nasr said, without elaborating. Meanwhile, Egypt signed a EUR 100 million loan agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on Tuesday to upgrade Cairo’s second metro line. On Sunday, Egypt signed a $600 million loan deal with the European Investment Bank to finance a new power plant in Beheira. [Reuters, 12/8/2015] Russian airline to seek compensation from Egypt over Sinai crash Russian airline Metrojet is planning to seek compensation from Egyptian authorities over the crash of its Airbus A321 passenger jet over Sinai on October 31, Russian news agency TASS reported. Forbes quoted the owner of Metrojet’s parent company Russian Tourist Holding TH&C Ismail Lepiyev as saying, “Since there is a clear cause for the disaster, then we [the company] have the right to receive compensation from the country where the attack occurred.” He added, “Egypt is Russia’s partner in many spheres, these are the relations that have been built over decades, and we respect this and will try to agree to the last on compensation without judicial steps.” [Ahram Online, DNE, 12/7/2015] Kuwait studying plans to raise corporate tax, cut subsidies Kuwait may raise the corporate tax rate to 10 percent for local firms and impose limits on energy subsidies, Minister of Commerce and Industry Yousuf al-Ali told a local newspaper on Tuesday. “Initial ideas being tossed around are that [the corporate tax rate] will be up to 10 percent. There are companies in the market now paying up to 4.5 percent that will see their taxes rise a little to 10 percent,” al-Ali said. Kuwaiti ministers have said previously they were studying proposals to harmonize tax rates for local and foreign firms, but have not provided figures or a timeline for implementation. There are currently no plans under consideration to introduce an income tax for individuals, al-Ali said. He also said a rationing system will be introduced to cut down on subsidies provided for energy consumption. “Support for citizens continues, but this support will be rationed…there will be cuts in the support for energy consumption, and if people exceed their rations then the price will change.” [Reuters, 12/8/2015]