Middle Orient

Iraqi media outlets attribute rare daytime attack in the eastern Deir Ezzor province to Israel; IDF refuses to comment Unidentified drones have targeted a weapons shipment making its way from Iraq to Syria near an illegal military crossing used by pro-Iranian militias, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Wednesday …

Hundreds of Idleb residents have joined protests demanding the right to return to their cities and villages, according to Baladi News. On Sunday afternoon, hundreds of people took to the streets, in a massive demonstration in the center of Idleb, to demand a safe return to their cities and villages, …

The UK has donated 100 Armoured Patrol Vehicles to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to tackle the threat from terrorism on its border with Syria, which is frequently used by violent extremists and smugglers.

The so-called E3 European powers have urged Iran to reverse its decision to violate a landmark nuclear deal by producing uranium metal and avoid “noncompliant” steps before it’s too late. Britain, France, and Germany issued the plea on February 12 following a call the previous day by Russia’s deputy foreign …

The recent killing of Islamic State’s top leader in Iraq should not be seen as a crippling sign for the terror group, which has in recent months received fresh recruits and increased its attacks in the country, says a senior Iraqi Kurdish military official.

Diminished by law enforcement and military operations and the COVID-19 pandemic, ISIS and Al-Qaeda now act through affiliates in local conflicts. The rise of white supremacy and anti-government violent extremism will require greater attention from counterterrorism actors.

The Russian ambassador to Damascus, Alexander Yefimov, has said that Syria is currently living in the most difficult social and economic situation since the beginning of the crisis in the country, due to the pressure of sanctions against it by a number of countries.

The US announcement that it will focus on fighting the Islamic State (ISIS) remnants in Syria rather than guarding oil fields in the region could force Turkey to rethink its strategy in the war-wracked country, analysts believe. In a break from the Trump-era policy, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on …

US forces in Syria are focused on fighting the remnants of the Islamic State group and are not guarding oil fields as previously ordered by ex-president Donald Trump, a US defense official said Monday.

Russia is not pleased with the pace set by Damascus at the Constitutional Committee talks in Geneva. It is also awaiting the development of US President Joe Biden’s policy towards Syria and Washington’s broader relations with Moscow.