Covering global affairs for the Washington Post, current focus Ukraine. Previously, Middle East, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon. Also: South Asia, China, Africa, U.S.
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Aug 9, 2022 • 5 tweets • 2 min read
Bucha officials are as close as they're ever likely to be to a final reckoning of the toll of Russia’s murderous rampage in Bucha: 458 bodies - 366 men. 86 women. 5 in too bad condition to determine. 9 children.
Our story: washingtonpost.com/world/2022/08/…2/ 419 bore signs they were shot, beaten or tortured to death by Russians. There are around 50 unidentified or unclaimed bodies. There’s also a bag of body parts that can’t be put together - including 2 right arms thought to be Russian. The rest are civilians
Aug 6, 2020 • 5 tweets • 2 min read
This thread raises a v important question. I am going to add my own thoughts here.
I clearly heard the roar of low flying warplanes. I have experienced this many times before, including Israeli warplanes over Beirut.
Being a a journalist, I rushed onto the balcony to check (1)
My landlord upstairs also says he clearly heard warplanes. My colleague @sarahdadouch living nearby says she clearly heard them. Many other people in the area did.
I scanned the sky. I couldn’t see any warplanes.
Then the explosion hit. (2)
Mar 2, 2020 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
This is sickening to watch. Desperate people at risk of capsizing being shot at by Greek forces. What has happened to the world.
There’s another bit where you can see the Greek boat seemingly try to ram or capsize the dinghy full of people. Video c/o the Turkish government.
Jan 7, 2020 • 12 tweets • 2 min read
The US military confirms an ongoing rocket attack on Al-Asad airbase where US troops are based. It’s the one Trump said Iraq would have to pay for if the US leaves.
At least six rockets so far tonight on Al-Asad airbase which hosts US troops in Iraq. Reports of an earlier attack on Taji were false - US military official
Jan 6, 2020 • 6 tweets • 2 min read
BREAKING: The US military sends a letter to the Iraqi military announcing the “onward movement” of US troops “in due deference to the sovereignty of Iraq & as requested by the Iraqi Parliament & the Iraqi PM”. It’s a withdrawal.
Though the letter doesn’t bear a signature, the US military has confirmed its authenticity. Not clear yet whether it’s a full or partial withdrawal, but the reference to deference to the Iraqi parliament’s decision makes it seem pretty definitive.
Oct 13, 2019 • 5 tweets • 1 min read
What's happening in Syria tonight above all represents a massive failure of US diplomacy. The US kept troops there to leverage US influence in peace negotiations to secure US goals. Now they're leaving in disarray & the opposite is happening - Iran & Russia are moving in.
If the US had been more realistic earlier about its (un)willingness to risk another war and take on Turkey on behalf of the Kurds the bloodshed of recent days could have been avoided. As it is, Russia, Turkey & Iran will make the final deal & the US will be absent.
Oct 11, 2019 • 6 tweets • 2 min read
US officials confirm at least one Turkish shell landed near a U.S. military base in Kobane. Right after Gen Milley said the US was giving coordinates of US bases to the Turkish military "to make sure that they know exactly where American forces are"
Turkish Defense Ministry: there was no deliberate shelling of a US base. Kurdish fighters fired on Turkey from the Kobane area. Turkey fired back, hitting aprox 1 km south of the US base. The US contacted Turkey to say the firing was too close and Turkey stopped.
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