Unrest and Political Shifts Mark Regional Developments Across MENA
Multiple Middle East and North Africa states saw major political and social developments this week, ranging from refugee repatriation efforts to environmental protests and opposition crackdowns.
In Libya, more than 700 Syrian refugees crowded a Tripoli travel agency on Sunday to claim free tickets to Damascus, part of a repatriation initiative announced by the Syrian Arab Republic’s Foreign Ministry, according to AFP journalists on the scene. Thousands of Syrians — many who fled the war and have lived in Libya for years — have already applied for travel passes. Refugees interviewed by AFP expressed hope that improved stability could allow them to rebuild homes and livelihoods, though some plan to later return legally to Libya for work. The Syrian Embassy in Libya was symbolically reopened in August after closing in 2012 but still lacks full consular services, complicating return processes.
In northern Iraq, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced the withdrawal of all remaining fighters from Turkiye and called on Ankara to implement legal reforms enabling the group’s participation in democratic politics, AFP reported. The group ended its 40-year armed struggle in May, a conflict that claimed around 50,000 lives, and has held symbolic disarmament ceremonies in the Qandil mountains.
In Turkiye, jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was taken to a courthouse for interrogation on newly launched espionage allegations tied to a man accused of foreign intelligence activities, The Associated Press reported. Supporters rallied outside in what the opposition CHP describes as a broader crackdown following their victories in local elections. Imamoglu has been held in pretrial detention since March on corruption charges he denies. The government insists the judiciary operates independently.
In Tunisia, hundreds marched in Tunis to denounce severe pollution from phosphate-processing facilities in Gabes, Reuters reported. Residents blame toxic emissions for rising cancer and respiratory diseases, with tensions escalating after dozens of schoolchildren suffered breathing issues earlier this month. President Kais Saied has called the situation an “environmental assassination” and ordered urgent repairs, though activists are demanding full shutdown and relocation of the chemical plants. Environmental groups warn daily toxic waste dumping has already devastated marine life and fishing incomes.
