Terrorism Syrians risk their lives for desert delicacy 2023-03-24 Between February and April, Syrians search for desert truffles, risking threats by Iran-backed militias, attacks from ISIS elements and landmines planted by the extremists. Security 2023-03-24 US strikes IRGC facilities in Syria in response to deadly drone attack Ongoing Iranian-backed attacks against US and coalition forces in Syria undermine the global battle against ISIS, contribute to regional instability, and endanger innocent lives. Ramadan 2023-03-23 Syrians begin Ramadan as earthquake devastation adds to war's hardships Many will face hardship during the holy month as the country enters its 13th year of war, with the population weary and the economy shattered. Security 2023-03-23 IRGC activates Damascus missile battery with materiel smuggled via Albu Kamal A new Iranian air defence system was brought in piecemeal via crossings with Iraq controlled by the IRGC and allies in Deir Ezzor's Albu Kamal area. Diplomacy 2023-03-22 Iraq, Oman (not China) laid the groundwork for Saudi-Iran detente China has claimed full credit for brokering the deal, which capitalises on the hard work Iraq and Oman have put into mending Saudi-Iran rift. Youth 2023-03-20 Teenage sons of ISIS foreign fighters find help at Syria rehab centre A rehabilitation centre in the Kurdish-administered northeast seeks to prepare youth raised on extremist ideology to integrate into their communities. Do Iranians need outside help to acquire VPNs amid growing restrictions on the internet? Yes, due to the regime's crackdown on local VPN providers No, they can freely access VPNs in Iran I don't know Results Spotlight China-brokered Iran-Saudi deal raises questions in region Some question China's neutrality and ability to act as a mediator, while others question its motives and point to its record of 'debt trap diplomacy'. Economy 2023-03-17 Iranian companies invade the Syrian marketplace Iran's reach into the Syrian economy puts Syria in a dangerous position and circumvents the sanctions imposed under the 2019 Caesar Act, experts say. Crime & Justice 2023-03-16 Hizbullah defectors, former supporters bemoan party's neglect In videos posted online and interviews with Al-Mashareq, former Hizbullah fighters and supporters criticise the party's treatment of its own. Religion 2023-03-14 Hope rings out in former ISIS stronghold of Mosul The three new bells of al-Saa church, named after the archangels Gabriel, Michael and Raphael, were cast at a French foundry in Normandy. Analysis 2023-03-13 China-brokered Iran-Saudi deal raises questions in region Some question China's neutrality and ability to act as a mediator, while others question its motives and point to its record of 'debt trap diplomacy'. Security 2023-03-10 Diyala attack probe ongoing, as fingers point to pro-Iran militias Gun wielding men on motorbikes stormed a village in the province last month. Some local residents say the attackers were pro-Iran militiamen. Crime & Justice 2023-03-09 Syrians blame regime corruption, substandard housing for heavy quake toll Regime looters stripped rebar from residential buildings, while systemic government corruption spawned substandard housing. Follow Diyaruna on Social Media Subscribe to Diyaruna's newsletter Submit We send updates twice a week with the latest news and features Human Rights 2023-03-09 Poverty, prolonged war on ISIS push Iraqi children into labour Economic hardship has forced many families to send their underage children to work. Minors are also the victims of recruitment and brainwashing by extremist groups such as ISIS. Security 2023-03-08 Iraq, US keen to strengthen ties as Pentagon chief visits Defence co-operation against ISIS is a 'key pillar' of the relationship, Secretary of Defence says, with US troops ready to remain at Iraq's invitation. Human Rights 2023-03-06 Russia proves unwilling, incapable of helping Syrians hit by recent quake Russian forces are omnipresent in Syria, but affected Syrians say Moscow has done very little to help in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. Most Viewed Teenage sons of ISIS foreign fighters find help at Syria rehab centre Iraq, Oman (not China) laid the groundwork for Saudi-Iran detente Iraqi forces track down ISIS leaders in wide-ranging operations Most Commented Iraqi security forces on alert as Iranian proxies eye upcoming election Diyala on high alert after ISIS attack on al-Rashad Asaib Ahl al-Haq faces increased scrutiny for its actions in Iraq, region Human Rights 2023-03-03 Lebanon's Tripoli, Syria's north neglected despite dire need of aid after quake The catastrophic February 6 earthquake cast a spotlight on pre-existing conditions of old buildings in Tripoli, and further exposed the inhumanity of the Syrian regime, activists say. Terrorism 2023-03-03 Iraqi forces track down ISIS leaders in wide-ranging operations Iraqi forces have tracked down and targeted ISIS remnants in their hideouts during a series of operations in provinces across the country. Human Rights 2023-03-01 Iran, Hizbullah selective in sending aid to Syria, prioritising regime-controlled areas Iran and Hizbullah have been making a show of helping regime-controlled parts of Syria after a devastating earthquake, but deliberately have bypassed the hardest hit areas. Crime & Justice 2023-02-28 Russia's fingerprints clear in Syrian regime chemical attack on Douma Syrian forces, who were in close co-ordination with Russian forces, dropped chlorine gas cylinders on civilian areas in Douma in 2018, an OPCW investigation has concluded. Analysis 2023-02-27 Middle East loses trust in Russia amid Ukraine war morass The diplomatic progress Russia gained since the Cold War's conclusion has been eroded, along with the trust of many Middle Eastern countries. Society 2023-02-24 SDF earthquake assistance proves vital amid aid delays in Syria While the Syrian government put up roadblocks to aid delivery, the SDF filled in the void in areas of northern Syria and beyond. Analysis 2023-02-22 Putin's Ukraine misadventure is costing Russia dearly in Middle East After a year of war in Ukraine, Russia's military, political and economic powers are depleted, leaving its Middle East ambitions in jeopardy. Security 2023-02-21 US, SDF capture, kill ISIS leaders in Syria helicopter raids An ISIS leader was killed and another captured during joint helicopter raids in Syria, following deadly attacks on truffle hunters in the desert. Business 2023-02-20 China's global development drive begins showing major cracks Crumbling walls, collapsing tunnels and shuttered power plants -- combined with endless debt -- are just some of the problems emerging from Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative. Human Rights 2023-02-17 Al-Assad seeks to leverage earthquake sympathy to shift pariah status With sympathy for Syria at a peak following the earthquake, the regime's widely-reviled leader is trying to move international opinion in his favour. Politics 2023-02-15 'Unreliable partner': critics blast Lavrov's visit to Baghdad Isolated and mired in troubles of its own making, Moscow says it is seeking partnership with Iraq for mutual benefit. Not many Iraqis are buying it. Society 2023-02-14 Arab, Gulf aid flows to Syrians after devastating earthquake Humanitarian aid, medical supplies, food and logistical assistance have been streaming in from across the region to support the Syrian people. Human Rights 2023-02-13 Earthquake devastates parts of Syria already reeling from regime, Russia assault The death toll from last week's massive earthquake was higher than it needed to be, as the affected areas were at a disadvantage from the start. Crime & Justice 2023-02-13 IRGC proxies circumvent Iraq's financial regulations, channel money to Iran A network of IRGC-affiliated militia groups has transferred tens of millions of US dollars from Iraq to Iran, using fraudulent or inflated invoices, report shows. Politics 2023-02-10 Would-be assassins conspired to kill critic of Iranian regime Plots to assassinate and target Iranian dissidents and foreign officials for criticising the Islamic Republic are a mainstay of the Iranian regime.
Most Commented
Iraqi security forces on alert as Iranian proxies eye upcoming election
Diyala on high alert after ISIS attack on al-Rashad
Asaib Ahl al-Haq faces increased scrutiny for its actions in Iraq, region