Education | 2020-02-18 Iraqi organisations help children scarred by terrorism Civil society organisations are working together to treat the effects of terrorism on children as they are the most susceptible to the psychological effects of violence. Refugees | 2020-02-18 Regime advance in Aleppo causes 900,000 Syrians to flee The UN is calling for a ceasefire and the establishment of humanitarian corridors as civilians continue to suffer from the relentless violence and freezing temperatures. Crime & Justice | 2020-02-18 Turkey arrests suspected ex-ISIS executioner The detainee, arrested at a construction site in Bursa province, was an executioner for a senior ISIS leader in Deir Ezzor, Turkish media report. Crime & Justice | 2020-02-18 Mass grave found near Damascus: state media Syrian regime forces say they have found a mass grave containing the remains of around 70 bodies near the Eastern Ghouta town of Douma. Security | 2020-02-18 Iraqi forces, tribes destroy 3 ISIS rest-houses in Anbar A new operation will look for ISIS remnants in an area that covers the outskirts of al-Baghdadi and Haditha towards Lake al-Tharthar, north of the Euphrates river. Security | 2020-02-17 Iran-backed militias prevent Iraqi IDPs from returning home The Iranian regime wants its proxy militias to establish a foothold in areas it deems strategic, which lie on the 'Iranian silk road' that extends to Syria, officials say. Security | 2020-02-14 World more secure, stable with Soleimani gone: observers Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani was responsible for expanding Iran's influence through a network of militias and his death is a significant hindrance to Iran's plans. Human Rights | 2020-02-14 Courts uphold Iraqi law in ISIS fighter trials ISIS fighters must be held accountable for the crimes they committed, but defendants also have a right to a fair trial, experts say. Terrorism | 2020-02-13 Small-scale attacks show ISIS is struggling: experts Though it still poses a threat, the group does not have the resources to conduct wider-scale attacks and is finding it hard to mobilise. Terrorism | 2020-02-13 ISIS women try to manipulate al-Hol children After security forces sectioned off the perpetrators of violence, the women began ordering children in the camp to make trouble on their behalf. Media | 2020-02-13 Uptick in assassinations of Iraqi journalists raises concerns Three Iraqi journalists have been killed so far this year. Media rights organisations demand better protection for reporters and just punishment for the perpetrators. Security | 2020-02-12 Iran-linked militias trade arms ISIS left behind The Iraqi army has dismantled a criminal network involved in selling weapons and explosives it had looted from ISIS caches hidden in Anbar. Security | 2020-02-12 Tensions rise sharply on north-west Syria front Opposition groups downed a Syrian regime helicopter in Idlib as the regime pressed on with a Russia-backed offensive in the region. Security | 2020-02-12 20 ISIS members arrested in Iraqi intelligence operations ISIS members, including senior leaders, were arrested in intelligence operations against active and sleeper cells in northern and western Iraq. Human Rights | 2020-02-12 HRW urges probes into fate of missing ISIS captives More than 8,000 people detained by ISIS when it controlled swathes of north and east Syria remain unaccounted for, the watchdog says. Security | 2020-02-12 International coalition clashes with Syria regime loyalists The international coalition responded with live fire after one of its patrols came under attack near the Kurdish-held city of Qamishli. Terrorism | 2020-02-11 Iraq shuts down ISIS propaganda efforts The Iraqi Ministry of Interior shut down 900 social media accounts that were used to spread extremist propaganda. Security | 2020-02-11 Syrian regime regains control of M5 highway The move comes amid escalating fighting in Idlib and Aleppo and tensions with Turkey as the Syrian regime and its allies press an offensive. Security | 2020-02-11 Plan to expand NATO's Iraq mission wins support The NATO mission would continue to focus on training Iraqi forces and would not take on combat operations, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said. Media | 2020-02-10 ISIS chased off social media platforms worldwide Banned from all the major social media networks, the group is losing its ability to spread its extremist ideology, intelligence analysts say. Security | 2020-02-10 Can Qaani be as influential as Soleimani? The new IRGC-QF commander does not have his predecessor's status and will struggle to address challenges the IRGC and its proxies face. Security | 2020-02-10 Syrian regime presses offensive after seizing Saraqeb The attacks come as regime allies close in on a section of the economically vital M5 highway that connects Damascus to Aleppo. Security | 2020-02-10 Iraq launches 'major operations' to defeat ISIS remnants in Anbar desert ISIS has increased its terror acts in the three weeks that counter-terrorism operations were halted by the international coalition. Society | 2020-02-07 Iraq to reopen expanded, modernised prisons Several state-run prisons have been expanded and updated to improve conditions and services and reduce overcrowding and recidivism. Economy | 2020-02-07 Regime to blame for Syrian pound's collapse: economist The price of food has risen sharply with the pound's devaluation and tighter rationing has been introduced, leaving many families hungry. Society | 2020-02-07 Ninawa to rebuild 800 houses destroyed by terrorism, war This new project focuses on houses that were fully destroyed in the war against ISIS in Mosul's Old City. Protests | 2020-02-07 Top Iraq cleric condemns attacks on protestors In his Friday sermon, top Shia cleric Ali al-Sistani said it falls to state security forces alone to maintain security and stability amid protests. Security | 2020-02-07 Turkey bolsters Idlib posts as regime enters Saraqeb Turkey has sent reinforcements into Syria's Idlib province to protect its outposts there as the Syrian regime presses an offensive in the region. Protests | 2020-02-06 Iran-backed militias 'unwelcome' in Iraqi society Iraqis accuse these militias of being 'disloyal to Iraq and working against demonstrators' in their quest to rid the country of corruption.
