Iraq’s main Shia alliance, which holds a parliamentary majority, endorsed on Saturday former prime minister and powerbroker Nouri al-Maliki as the country’s next premier. The nomination effectively guarantees Maliki, 75, the post that he last held more than a decade ago. The politician is set to return to power today …

Syria’s government and Kurdish forces on Saturday extended their truce by 15 days, with Damascus saying it was to support the US transfer of ISIS detainees from Syria to Iraq. Several sources had earlier told AFP the truce would be prolonged, with a Syrian official in Damascus citing the same …

Accusations are mounting between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) about who is responsible for violating the fragile ceasefire agreement in Hasakah province, at a time when field data indicate an escalation of tension despite the announced understandings. The four-day deadline agreed between the two sides expires …