Middle Orient

The Turkish-backed Syrian National Army in north Syria announced a series of mergers recently, derailing plans by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham to seek rapprochement with some of the factions affiliated with the Syrian National Army. The Azm Operations Room, which consists of a number of Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions, …

The main opposition CHP announced an hour before the session that it would vote against the motion. Amid rumors of a Turkish military offensive in northern Syria, the Turkish parliament ratified today a motion that extends the government’s mandate of carrying out cross-border operations in Iraq and Syria for another …

Throughout history, Iran has engaged in efforts to counter Iraq’s identity, with the latter’s geographic location — bordering Persia on one side and Turkey on another — permitting it to represent the Arab world in direct conflict against Tehran and Ankara more than any other country. Iraq was the first …

Sudan’s military junta overthrew the democratic transitional government and arrested key civilian leaders, including the prime minister. It has shut down the internet and phone service, closed the airport, and declared itself the sole rulers. However, a mass democratic movement overthrew the last dictator, Omar Bashir and ushered in an …

On October 20, 2021, pro-Islamic State (ISIS) media outlets disparaged the Taliban for collaborating with the so-called enemies of Islam, including Russia and Iran, to advance its interests at the expense of Muslims and for Sufis to practice their rituals, which are considered polytheistic by Sufis. The content coincided with …

Some parts of attack plans for Tehran’s nuclear sites will be viable shortly, others could take over a year, ToI learns; raids on Iranian proxies in Syria getting more difficult The Israeli Air Force will begin practicing for a strike on Iran’s nuclear program beginning next year, having set aside …

Iran is working on controlling and infiltrating the Syrian community by supporting local leaders affiliated with it, forming tribal councils and appointing new sheikhs from small clans and families to spread Shiism in its areas of control in east Syria. Since the beginning of 2021, Iran has begun working on …

The Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army is reportedly cracking down on drug dealers in the Aleppo countryside. The Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army factions have stepped up their security operations in the northwestern countryside of Aleppo against drug trafficking networks, arresting several dealers and seizing large quantities of narcotics. On Oct. 12, …

Israeli officials are disputing the militant group’s claim that prison authorities have met the Palestinians’ demands. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group said Friday it was ending the collective hunger strike launched more than a week ago inside Israeli prisons after its demands were met. “The prisoners decided to suspend …

Iran’s state broadcaster veers further right under IRGC control Following weeks of speculations, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed Peyman Jebelli late last month as the new CEO of the country’s largest media organization, known as the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). Jebelli, a 55-year-old communications graduate, hails …