ISIS leader reportedly blew himself up during raid by Syrian opposition

2022-12-01

ISIS leader Abu Hasan al-Hashimi al-Qurashi was killed during an October operation, following in the footsteps of his short-lived predecessors. Details of his demise have started trickling in.

Sanctions target network of companies facilitating illicit trade with Iran

Crime & Justice

2022-11-30

Sanctions target network of companies facilitating illicit trade with Iran

The 13 newly blacklisted petrochemical companies have been evading sanctions and facilitating illicit trade with Iran, US Treasury says.

Deadly fire in Xinjiang spotlights China's mistreatment of Muslims

Human Rights

2022-11-29

Deadly fire in Xinjiang spotlights China's mistreatment of Muslims

Many contend that the victims were not rescued in time because they were Muslims and lived in a Uighur-majority neighbourhood in Xinjiang.

Iraqi forces launch blistering assault on ISIS remnants

Security

2022-11-28

Iraqi forces launch blistering assault on ISIS remnants

Iraqi forces hunt down ISIS cells with help from international coalition intelligence in a security operation intended to crush the group.

Tehran, Moscow agree to manufacture drones in Russia for Ukraine war

Security

2022-11-23

Tehran, Moscow agree to manufacture drones in Russia for Ukraine war

New intelligence reveals Iran has agreed to help Russia build weaponised drones, with production potentially beginning within months.

ISIS remnants still active in southern Syria

Terrorism

2022-11-22

ISIS remnants still active in southern Syria

There has been heightened tension in Daraa province after it came to light that a number of local groups have pledged allegiance to ISIS.

Have the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) been successful at maintaining security in north and east Syria?

Spotlight

The murky military co-operation between Iran and Russia

Winning Russia as a close ally is all the more attractive for Iran's leadership right now, as it can count on Moscow to turn a blind eye to Iran's human rights and economic violations.

Successful repatriation key to ending al-Hol misery, radicalisation: US general

Human Rights

2022-11-22

Successful repatriation key to ending al-Hol misery, radicalisation: US general

US Central Command leader General Kurilla stressed the gravity of situation at camp in northeastern Syria, urging nations to repatriate citizens living in 'squalor and misery'.

US military maintains unparalleled aircraft refueling capabilities worldwide

Security

2022-11-22

US military maintains unparalleled aircraft refueling capabilities worldwide

Whether unilaterally or in co-ordination with partner nations, the US military is able to refuel aircraft in flight with hundreds of tankers, extending its power wherever it is needed.

Media

2022-11-21

Iran state media officials sanctioned for forced confessions, censorship

Six officials of Iran's state-run broadcasting company have been blacklisted for restricting the free flow of information and forcing confessions.

Hizbullah's losses in Syria erode confidence of its base

Politics

2022-11-21

Hizbullah's losses in Syria erode confidence of its base

The Iran-backed party has tarnished its reputation as it scuffles with purported allies over drug-smuggling operations and as its losses in Syria continue.

Families of Syrian migrants drowned off Algeria try to bring survivors home

Human Rights

2022-11-18

Families of Syrian migrants drowned off Algeria try to bring survivors home

Syrians have been embarking on risky journeys of migration via Algeria. Families have been working to bring home survivors and those killed at sea.

US bomber flyover sends message of solidarity with regional allies

Security

2022-11-18

US bomber flyover sends message of solidarity with regional allies

The US military flew two B-52 heavy bombers across the world and conducted in-air co-ordination and operations, including fighter jet escorts, with 13 allied nations.

Security

2022-11-17

Enhanced security conditions promote tourism in Iraq

Foreign travellers are touring Iraq under the watchful eye of the security forces, whose capabilities have greatly improved with US training and support.

Egyptian girls found dead at Syria's al-Hol camp as repatriation push gains urgency

Human Rights

2022-11-16

Egyptian girls found dead at Syria's al-Hol camp as repatriation push gains urgency

Two girls were found dumped in sewage at the camp, highlighting the urgent need for longer-term solutions for children and repatriation.

Iran once again launches deadly strikes on Kurdish bases in Iraq

Crime & Justice

2022-11-15

Iran once again launches deadly strikes on Kurdish bases in Iraq

In a set of strikes, Iran attacked Iraq-based opposition groups with missiles and drones, the latest in a string of similar attacks in recent months.

Most Viewed

Enhanced security conditions promote tourism in Iraq

Iraqi forces launch blistering assault on ISIS remnants

ISIS remnants still active in southern Syria

Most Commented

Iraqi security forces on alert as Iranian proxies eye upcoming election

Diyala on high alert after ISIS attack on al-Rashad

Pressure intensifies on Lebanese Hizbullah as top Shia clerics speak out

Syrian state at epicentre of global Captagon trade

Crime & Justice

2022-11-11

Syrian state at epicentre of global Captagon trade

A shadowy network of regime-allied warlords and profiteers have benefited hugely from the illicit trade, among them Lebanese Hizbullah.

Analysis

2022-11-09

The murky military co-operation between Iran and Russia

Winning Russia as a close ally is all the more attractive for Iran's leadership right now, as it can count on Moscow to turn a blind eye to Iran's human rights and economic violations.

Iran hangs Baluch prisoner who was already dead: rights group

Human Rights

2022-11-08

Iran hangs Baluch prisoner who was already dead: rights group

The prisoner was killed by Zahedan prison guards just prior to his planned execution. But his corpse was still hanged to avoid legal consequences.

Blacklisted oil shipping network supported IRGC Quds Force and Hizbullah

Politics

2022-11-07

Blacklisted oil shipping network supported IRGC Quds Force and Hizbullah

The Gulf-based network comprises facilitators, front companies and vessels involved in blending oil to conceal the Iranian origins of shipments.

Syrian regime auctions off confiscated agricultural land in Idlib

Human Rights

2022-11-07

Syrian regime auctions off confiscated agricultural land in Idlib

Landowners' rights have been pushed to the side as the Syrian regime reaps a profit from agricultural land auctioned without consent.

Energy

2022-11-03

US, UAE reach clean energy deal worth $100 billion

The Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy (PACE) will aim to develop low-emission energy sources to distribute 100 gigawatts of clean energy worldwide by 2035.

Iran deeply enmeshed in arms trafficking network with Horn of Africa terrorists

Crime & Justice

2022-11-02

Iran deeply enmeshed in arms trafficking network with Horn of Africa terrorists

Evidence is clear that Iranians are playing a central role in a network of arms traffickers that have facilitated weapons transfers to multiple terrorist groups in the Horn of Africa.

Fatemiyoun Division steps up recruitment in eastern Aleppo

Security

2022-11-02

Fatemiyoun Division steps up recruitment in eastern Aleppo

Preying on the poverty that residents of rural eastern Aleppo face, the IRGC-led militia is breaking from precedent to hire Syrians.

With accelerating repatriations, Iraq hopes to facilitate al-Hol's permanent closure

Human Rights

2022-11-01

With accelerating repatriations, Iraq hopes to facilitate al-Hol's permanent closure

Closing the Kurdish-run camp in Syria's al-Hasakeh province would help to alleviate a serious threat to the region's security and stability from a possible ISIS resurgence.

Syrian army burned corpses to hide victims' identities and destroy evidence of its crimes

Human Rights

2022-11-01

Syrian army burned corpses to hide victims' identities and destroy evidence of its crimes

This crime adds to the long list of atrocities committed by the Syrian regime and its security apparatus since the start of the Syria war in 2011.

Tahrir al-Sham exploits conflict to expand in northern Syria

Protests

2022-10-31

Tahrir al-Sham exploits conflict to expand in northern Syria

The extremist alliance is taking advantage of a spat among two rival opposition factions to expand its control in parts of Aleppo province.

Russia intensifies air strikes against agricultural, civilian targets in Idlib

Human Rights

2022-10-31

Russia intensifies air strikes against agricultural, civilian targets in Idlib

Russian warplanes have been hitting agricultural fields, poultry farms, livestock, electricity transmission stations and schools in what amounts to a 'scorched earth strategy'.

With citizens' help, Saudi Arabia thwarts IRGC's drug smuggling efforts

Crime & Justice

2022-10-28

With citizens' help, Saudi Arabia thwarts IRGC's drug smuggling efforts

Saudi authorities have disrupted a highly coordinated drug smuggling operation, which appear to be carried out by the IRGC and its proxies and targeting Saudi society like a weapon.

Yemen, allies crack down on Iranian arms smuggling

Security

2022-10-27

Yemen, allies crack down on Iranian arms smuggling

Yemeni forces are working to curb Iranian weapons and drugs shipments to the Houthis via land and sea, referring perpetrators to the courts.

Iraq tackles proliferation of 'crystal meth' smuggled from Iran

Crime & Justice

2022-10-26

Iraq tackles proliferation of 'crystal meth' smuggled from Iran

Crystal methamphetamine, an illicit drug increasingly seen in Iraq, can cause severe physical and psychological problems. It is smuggled into Iraq via its eastern border with Iran.