Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: Islamic State steps up attacks in Iraq during coronavirus lockdown

If you have trouble reading this email, [view it in a browser](. [logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Wednesday, April 22 | Daily Briefing [By: Adam Lucente on Tuesday, Apr. 21, 2020]( 1 [Islamic State steps up attacks in Iraq during coronavirus lockdown]( The Islamic State launched numerous attacks in Iraq's disputed territories in April amid a lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus. 2 [Iran’s Rouhani calls for coronavirus cooperation in calls with Gulf leaders]( The Iranian president stressed regional cooperation to fight the virus in separate calls with the leaders of Qatar, Oman and Kuwait. Palestine 3 [Gantz-Netanyahu deal legitimizes annexation]( The possibility of further Israeli annexation of occupied territories has received legitimacy from the Israeli government, pushing even further into the abyss the slight possibility of a two-state solution. 4 [Qatar Airways defers some employees' pay to save costs and keep flying]( Qatar Airways is still offering many passenger flights, unlike other major Middle Eastern carriers. The drop in international travel due to the coronavirus has resulted in major losses for airlines. Iraq 5 [Iraqi Kurdistan rejects NGO accusations of blocking aid to Syrian Kurds]( The government of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region is responding with anger to relief organizations' claims that it is blocking aid to the northeast Syria as COVID-19 rages, with officials saying it has "bent over backward" to help. 6 [Intel: Turkey's tourism sector sets hopes on June kick start]( President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's announcement that the government aims to relax COVID-19 restrictions and start returning to normal life at the end of Ramadan has raised the hopes of the country’s ailing tourism sector. Israel 7 [Jewish pilgrimage to Tunisia canceled over coronavirus]( With the coronavirus pandemic reaching the island of Djerba in Tunisia, Jews of Tunisian heritage won’t be able to attend this year's traditional Ghriba synagogue festivities. Culture 8 [Egypt’s tanneries complex gets revamp, to be turned into tourist, cultural hub]( The old tannery complex is located inside Magra El-Oyoun Fence, which is a historical site dating back to the Mamluk era. Israel 9 [Will post-coronavirus world bring chill to Israel-China relations?]( Not everyone in Israel, especially in the defense establishment, is enthusiastic about cooperating with a large China company in the battle against the coronavirus. Syria 10 [The message behind Israel’s drone attack]( Hezbollah is on edge as Israel continues its drone war in Lebanon. 11 [Lebanese parliament reconvenes with anti-virus measures in place]( The Lebanese parliament voted to pass a bill allowing cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes as protests resumed in Beirut. Iran 12 [Iran extends closure of religious sites amid pandemic]( While gradually reopening much of the economy amid lowering coronavirus-related mortalities, the Iranian government has extended a shutdown of religious sites nationwide. Washington 13 [Intel: Erdogan reportedly agrees to ship ventilator parts, PPE to United States]( President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is approving an export permit that will allow Turkey to sell personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilator parts to the United States. Iraq 14 [Iraq relaxes coronavirus restrictions ahead of Ramadan]( The government announced shops and factories can resume work during certain hours. Israel 15 [Israel’s new foreign minister, the man without a tie]( In Israel’s Foreign Ministry, diplomats hope that their new minister, former Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, can extract the ministry from the terrible budget cuts it has suffered over the past few years. Culture 16 [Gang rape of disabled woman horrifies Iraqis]( A sexual assault on a mentally disabled Kurdish woman in a predominantly Turkmen town has shocked and outraged people across Iraq. STAY CONNECTED [fb_icon_footer]( [twitter_icon_footer]( [instagram_icon_footer]( [rss_icon_footer]( CONTACT US [Support & Contact]( [Advertise](mailto:advertise@al-monitor.com) NEWSLETTERS [Subscribe]( TERMS OF USE [Visitor Agreement]( [Privacy Policy]( © 2020 Al-Monitor. All Rights Reserved. If you no longer wish to receive these emails you may [unsubscribe or manage your preferences]( at any time. Al-Monitor · 1850 K St NW · Suite 1225 · Washington, DC 20006 · USA