Saudi Arabia

US President Barack Obama is poised to quicken the pace of weapons supplies and training to Iraqi tribes, while eyeing a rapid offensive to recapture Ramadi from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
 

Yemeksepeti, Turkey's first and biggest online food ordering and delivery portal, has announced it is launching investment in Bulgaria and Romania, dailysabah.com reported on Tuesday.

The European Union has denounced the death sentence handed down to Egypt's ousted president Mohamed Morsi and at least 100 others, while Turkey is preparing to turn to the United Nations to halt the sentence. 

Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) issued an audio recording on May 14 that it said was by its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, calling on supporters around the world to join the fight in Syria and Iraq or to take up arms wherever they live. 

It was Baghdadi's first message since a number of media reports said he was wounded this year in Iraq.

A senior Iranian commander warned the United States that a "fire might start" over an aid ship bound for Yemen May 13 after the Pentagon called for it to change course.

With cargo ships poised to launch a desperately needed aid operation in embattled Yemen, a five-day humanitarian ceasefire began May 12 night, just hours after Saudi-led coalition warplanes struck against Shiite rebels and their allies.

The White House scrambled on May 11 to counter perceptions that  the Saudi king's absence from a summit later this week could undermine US efforts to assure Gulf states it remains committed to their security against Iran.

The Syrian question has become part of the domestic political agenda prior to the elections. It has also become a source of wishful thinking in the West, with an increasing number of reports suggesting Turkey and Saudi Arabia are on the verge of entering Syria militarily to topple the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Recent reports about a ?pact? between Turkey and Saudi Arabia on the Syrian war are ?confusing,? Karen Donfried, a former senior U.S. administration official, has told Hürriyet during her visit to Turkey.

Newly crowned Saudi King Salman has refused an invitation to attend a landmark summit hosted by President Barack Obama, amid angst over US-Iran nuclear negotiations.