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Russia-Ukraine war

Moving on to the war in Ukraine; Kiev says Russia has launched a missile attack on the port city of Odesa. Russia denies that claim. Ukrainian authorities say Kalibr cruise missiles were used in the attack on the key black sea terminal. Two of the missiles reportedly hit port infrastructure facilities while the other two were shot down by air defense forces. The Ukrainian foreign ministry has described the Odessa attack as a spit in the face of the UN and the Turkish president. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterresh has also condemned the strike. Moscow has told Ankara that it had nothing to do with the strike. That according to the Turkish defense minister. The latest development comes less than 24 hours after Russia and Ukraine signed separate but identical accords with the UN and Turkey on reopening Ukrainian Black Sea ports for grain exports.

Turkey deadly Iraq attack

Iraq says it has taken a complaint to the UN Security Council over a Wednesday attack on northern Iraq blamed on Turkey. It has asked for an emergency meeting of the council on the issue. The foreign ministry says Baghdad wants Ankara to pull all its forces out of Iraq. The ministry says Turkey should also formally apologize for its crimes and pay compensation to the families of victims. Meantime, foreign minister Fuad Hussein says Iraq doesn’t want to provoke tensions in its relations with Turkey, rather it seeks to open dialogue with Ankara. Nine people were killed in the shelling of the Kurdish village that the Iraqi government blames on Turkey. Ankara has denied any involvement, saying the attack was committed by terrorist organizations. Iraqi people have held protests against Turkey. Political party Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq has called on parliament to take measures to hold Turkey accountable for the attack. The group, which also has a military wing, has warned of countering the Turkish aggression if legislators fail to take necessary action.

Tunisia protests

Turning to Tunisia now, where people have gathered in the capital to protest a referendum on the country’s new constitution put forward by President Kais Saied. Protesters and opposition parties call the referendum illegal and unconstitutional. They say the draft constitution legitimizes a one-man-rule that they firmly oppose. Critics argue president Saied is giving himself nearly unlimited presidential powers. The new draft was published less than a month ago. Since then opposition parties and activist groups have been calling for a boycott of Saied’s referendum. On Friday, police used pepper spray and batons to disperse demonstrators, arresting several of them. The draft constitution is the centerpiece of Saied’s program to overhaul Tunisia’s political system. Last year, he dismissed the government and dissolved parliament, that was regarded by many as a coup against democracy.

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