Dario Salvi

Bishop Yaldo confirms the "strong fear" of "a return of the Islamic State". The intervention of the international community "fundamental" to exercise "pressure on Turkey". Erdogan rejects the US request for a ceasefire. From the Chaldean patriarch the appeal for a week of prayer for peace in Iraq and Syria.

For the experts, the decline is even more significant than the initial 6% estimates. Confirmed data released last week by the World Bank which speaks of a trade volume down by 90%. The Islamic Republic is going through "serious macroeconomic hardship". Inflation at 35.7%.

Bishop Warda is worried about escalating violence in northern Syria, hopes "all the parties" will help protect "innocent civilians". People won’t take another conflict. At least 275,000 people have fled. In Turkey, police arrested four mayors elected with a Kurdish party.

The Supreme Council for Radio and Television silences every critical voice of the military operation. Praise for the media that "contribute to national unity". Reporters arrested for broadcasting official statements of the Arab-Kurdish forces. In the country, there has been a targeted blockade of internet access for days. A censorship higher than the post 2016 coup.

The visit paved the way for the signing of 30 agreements and economic and commercial contracts. The Kremlin wants to involve Riyadh for a political solution to the Syrian conflict. The objective of guaranteeing the "stability" of oil on the markets. After the Saudis, today Putin meets the leaders of the Emirates.

Washington promised independence to the Kurds, and now it has abandoned them to their foe. Europe (and the UN) "have done nothing" concrete other than endorse sanctions. The killings during Turkey’s offensive are similar to the massacres by Islamic extremists. Ethnic cleansing is affecting Christians too.

Agreement reached between the two former rivals, through Russia mediation. The goal is "to free all occupied cities" starting from Afrin. 800 relatives of "foreign fighters" of the "Caliphate" have escaped. Isis behind the death of a famous Kurdish activist. The United States confirms the disengagement by withdrawing the last thousand remaining soldiers.

The WCC general secretary expresses "great concern" over the fate of the civilian population. A nation "subject to too many conflicts". It is time "for peace, truce and dialogue". At least 100,000 civilians flee the violence. Attacks by the ISIS, which has acquired new vigor, are added to the Turkish offensive.

After three days, Turkey’s offensive has already killed hundreds and displace thousands. Many victims are civilians. A church was hit in Tall Jihan. The Middle East Council of Churches expresses its “sorrow”. Kurdish source says developments now depend 99 per cent on Trump. The offensive could destabilise Iraqi Kurdistan if flooded by refugees.

A report by the UN Development Programme found that 79 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line, with 65 per cent "extremely poor". The country now has no prospect for development. Houthi rebels propose a new prisoner exchange, a positive step towards the easing of tensions.

Ankara already speaks of at least 181 "terrorist" targets hit. The Kurds speak of a "repelled" offensive. Assyrian-Chaldean groups denounce victims among Christians. Egypt calls for an urgent meeting of the Arab League. Ankara rejects criticism and points to Gulf countries war in Yemen.

A new mile-long Jewish cemetery with 23,000 burial chambers will cost US$86 million. The first 8,000 graves will be ready by the end of the month. Judaism and Islam do not accept cremation.