Israel’s weekslong aerial bombardment and ground invasion of Lebanon has targeted the leadership and military capabilities of Hezbollah. Now, Israel has expanded its targets and hit civilian infrastructure, including banks, affiliated with Hezbollah, an armed group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon. Experts say Israel’s aim is …

From March onwards, Muslim men across Uzbekistan wearing long beards have been arrested, had their beards forcibly shaved, and fined. Muslims who wish to remain anonymous for fear of state reprisals have told Forum 18 of being arrested in and around mosques and street markets by police. Ozodlik.org (RFE/RL)Nationwide, Muslim …

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the armed wing of the Autonomous Administration, has announced the restructuring of the “Deir-ez-Zor Military Council”, al-Watan writes. The unrecognized Kurdish Autonomous Administration (AA) has walked back controversial remarks made by Ilham Ahmad, the co-chair of its Department of Foreign Relations. Ahmad had previously offered …