Iraqi Political Crisis

On Tuesday, August 2, a top official from the Iraqi Sadirst movement directed demonstrators to continue their protests, but relocate their in-parliament sit-in to an outside demonstration. The following day, Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr inversely advocated in favor of the sit-in “until his demands, which include the dissolution of parliament and early elections, are met.”

Yemen Truce Extended

On Tuesday, August 2, Yemen’s warring parties agreed to re-extend their truce, which was originally signed on April 1 and first extended on June 2. According to the United Nations, “the extension includes a commitment by the Government and Houthi rebels to intensify negotiations to reach an expanded agreement as soon as possible.”

In a White House statement, President Biden welcomed the announcement of a “continuation of the truce in the Yemen conflict” while also reiterating that the “United States will remain engaged in this process over the coming weeks and months.”

Kuwait Dissolves Parliament 

On Tuesday, August 2, Kuwait formally dissolved its parliament, a decision Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Sabah informally announced last month. Tuesday’s decree cited: “To rectify the political scene, the lack of harmony and cooperation ... and behavior that undermines national unity, it was necessary to resort to the people...to rectify the path.” This is the first parliamentary dissolution in Kuwait since 2016. 

A deeper analysis will be published tomorrow in MEPC's Straight from the Source.

Israeli Air Attacks in Gaza

Last week, “tensions rose [among Israeli and Palestinian actors]... after Israeli forces arrested an Islamic Jihad commander in the occupied West Bank.” Furthering the crisis, Israel launched air attacks on Gaza, killing Islamic Jihad commander Taysir al-Jabari on Friday, August 5 and Islamic Jihad commander Khaled Mansour on Saturday, August 6. The Islamic Jahid responded with hundreds of rockets, most of which “fell short or were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome Defenses.”

After three days of violent conflict, killing at least 44 Palestinians, including 15 children, a ceasefire has been reached.

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Following Biden’s trip to the Middle East, OPEC+ announces small increase in output. 

For additional news resources, visit MEPC's Straight from the Source series.