SDF officers fear Russia militias will disrupt anti-ISIS operations

Russia has been setting up militias east of the Euphrates river, risking further conflict and disruption of anti-ISIS operations.

Iraq resumes joint ops with international coalition

The US-led international coalition has confirmed it is resuming its operations with Iraqi forces to hunt down ISIS sleeper cells.

Iraq launches campaign to rebuild 500 schools in Ninawa

Officials hope the campaign would help resolve the shortage in school buildings and raise the quality of education in the province.

Deadly strikes hit Idlib as Syrian army advances

Despite its denials, Russia has been accused of launching airstrikes on the Idlib town of Ariha, killing 10 civilians.

Commercial activity brings life back to Mosul's Old City markets

Shops at Bab al-Saray Souq are slowly reviving following shopkeepers' and the local government's reconstruction efforts.

Syria regime forces recapture most of Maaret al-Numan

Most opposition fighters and extremists had pulled out after regime forces stormed the town from multiple fronts earlier in the day.

Kirkuk reconstruction efforts pick up pace

The province's authorities have been actively pursuing public service projects that will create jobs and improve living conditions for returning residents.

US withdrawal would hurt Iraq: analysts

Fears remain high among most Iraqis of the country falling into Iran's grip, according to officials and analysts.

Clerics, Yazidis revile new hardline ISIS leader

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's replacement is a dangerous ideologue who issued the rulings ISIS used to justify the genocide of Iraq's Yazidis.

European Union condemns north-west Syria offensive

The EU has called for 'rapid, safe and unhindered access' for humanitarian organisations and for a political solution to the conflict.

Return of former military bolsters Iraq's efforts against ISIS

Reinstating dismissed military personnel has strengthened Iraq's measures to prevent a resurgence of ISIS and increased the pace of military operations.

Restoration of service projects resumes in Rabia district

Health, education and agriculture projects that were damaged by ISIS are now being rehabilitated in the border district of Rabia in Ninawa province.

Dozens of families released from al-Hol camp

Mediation by rural Deir Ezzor tribes has resulted in the release of 108 families from the sprawling and overcrowded al-Hasakeh camp.

ISIS resurgence possible if US leaves Iraq: general

Though the group is weakened, it still remains a threat and can resurge if pressure is taken off it for too long, a US general said yesterday.

With Soleimani gone, IRGC-backed militias in Syria falter

The network of proxy militias in Syria previously overseen by the late IRGC commander has been left rudderless, analysts say.

France backs Iraqi efforts to clear ISIS mines

Removing the threat of mines and explosives ISIS left behind will enable displaced populations to return to liberated areas of Iraq.

Iraqi officials fear militias' actions will jeopardise US aid

Attacks on US interests undermine Iraqi security and place humanitarian aid and assistance programmes at risk, officials warn.

US military claimed 'success' in hacking ISIS: documents

US Cyber Command 'successfully contested ISIS in the information domain' and limited its radicalisation and recruitment efforts.

Iraqi airstrikes kill 6 ISIS militants

Iraqi forces have stepped up their counter-terrorism efforts as ISIS attempts to establish a foothold in remote areas.

Experts reject Soleimani 'diplomatic mission' narrative

The former IRGC Quds Force commander was clearly not in Baghdad on a diplomatic peacemaking mission, regional analysts say.

'Armed men' gun down Iraqi activist in Basra

A civil society activist who had been part of a group giving medical care to demonstrators was shot to death by armed men in an SUV.

Trump, Saleh agree US-Iraq 'security partnership'

Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, the two leaders agreed on the importance of continuing the US-Iraq economic and security partnership.

Civilians flee rural Aleppo amid heavy airstrikes

Heavy Russian and Syrian airstrikes and shelling in rural Aleppo, Hama and Idlib have sparked a new wave of displacement, an activist says.

Iraqi forces step up Anbar international road security measures 

Iraqi forces take enhanced security measures and joint efforts to secure the international highway that runs from the Iraqi-Jordanian border to Baghdad, passing through Anbar province.

Iraq to 'stop' Iran gas transfers if US waiver ends: bank

If a US sanctions exemption expires, the bank through which Iraq pays for Iranian gas imports says it will stop processing payments.

Iraqi protestors escalate demands for reforms

Many accuse Iran of hindering Iraq politically and economically, saying Iran's overreach has contributed to corruption and poor services.

Intelligence services identify new ISIS leader: report

The new ISIS leader has been described as one of the group's founding members, who led the enslavement of the Yazidi minority in Iraq.

Palestinians in Gaza pay price for Iran's interference

The close relationship between top Gaza officials and the Iranian regime has deprived Palestinians of a significant portion of UNRWA's humanitarian services.

ISIS threat forces families to flee previously secured areas

Though the displacement crisis in Iraq has largely abated, hundreds of families in Diyala have been forced to flee their areas again after a spate of attacks by ISIS remnants.

Dozens killed as Damascus presses Idlib offensive

The Syrian regime carried out heavy bombardment near the city of Maaret al-Numan despite a fresh Russia-sponsored truce.

ISIS women blamed for al-Hol arson, killings

Hardliners from the so-called hesba apparatus have taken part in a vicious string of arson attacks and murders in the sprawling desert camp.

Ninawa banks seek permission to resume business

Banks and money transfer companies are seeking to resume business amid improved security and a significantly reduced threat from ISIS.

Anbar province to reopen police stations destroyed by ISIS

The police stations will improve security and stability and help combat terrorist activities.

Malaise in Deir Ezzor after civilian executions

Local residents have expressed concern about lawlessness and violence following a spate of kidnappings and killings in rural areas.

Strike on Syria airbase kills 3 Iran-backed fighters

The missile strike damaged an Iranian arms depot, two military vehicles and a building still under construction, the Observatory said.

Russian incursions in eastern Syria hinder fight against ISIS

The Russian military presence is obstructing the Syrian Democratic Forces' efforts to fight ISIS, officials and analysts warn.

Syrian regime loses its grip on Daraa province

Armed youths have been attacking and occupying regime checkpoints in the southern province amid a growing climate of anti-regime sentiment.

SDF sweeps for ISIS cells in eastern Deir Ezzor

ISIS remnants have been carrying out sporadic attacks and assassination attempts targeting the Syrian Democratic Forces in the province.

Iraqi forces search for ISIS remnants in Diyala

Significant results have been achieved in the ongoing security operations against ISIS remnants in Diyala province.

Iraqi forces thwart ISIS attacks in Baghdad

Iraqi forces prevented an ISIS attack near Baghdad, stressing that the terrorist group's remnants will not be safe anywhere in the country.

Civilians in Idlib voice mistrust of ceasefire

Idlib residents expressed little hope that a new ceasefire agreement brokered by Russia and Turkey will hold, given previous violations.

Iran behind attacks carried out by Iraqi militias

Militias that have attacked Iraqi bases housing US and international coalition forces take their orders from Iran, officials tell Diyaruna.

Airstrike kills 8 Iraqi fighters in east Syria

Three villages in the Albu Kamal area known for housing forces loyal to Tehran have been targeted by drone strikes since Wednesday.

Syrian regime arrests dozens of children in rural Damascus

Regime forces arrested 56 children in the town of Yalda for tearing up portraits of Bashar al-Assad and painting anti-regime graffiti.

200 families return to their homes in Mosul's Old City

The number of displaced families has decreased in all of Iraq, with 540,000 families returning to their areas in 2019.

IRGC-aligned militias in Deir Ezzor on full alert

Militias operating in eastern Syria near the frontier with Iraq have been relocating and repositioning their forces, observers say.

Esmail Qaani: loyal successor to Soleimani's destructive legacy

Qaani has played a major role in feeding wars and crises in the Middle East. But it will be difficult for him to emulate his predecessor's charismatic leadership.

Iraqi forces cut off ISIS supply, logistics sources

Iraqi forces continue to target the flow of logistical supplies and support to ISIS remnants hiding in remote areas.

Iraqis say Iran strikes violate Iraqi sovereignty

Iraqi president and parliament speaker denounce Iran's attacks on Iraqi territory, which have been described as a 'violation of sovereignty'.

SDF free dozens of ISIS-linked Syrians

The released detainees 'have no blood on their hands and have not been proven guilty of any crime', according to a Kurdish official.

World leaders condemn Iran attacks on US troops in Iraq

World leaders condemned Iran's attack on Iraqi bases housing US and international coalition troops and urged an end to the escalation.

Syrian regime seizes people's money, property

New legislation makes it easier for the regime to seize private property and assets, and will serve its plan to effect demographic change.

Iraq reopens western Anbar roads amid improved security

Four desert roads are now open to the public five years after ISIS overran the province, a local official told Diyaruna.

Iran fires missiles at Iraqi bases housing US, coalition forces

Forces inside Iran launched over a dozen ballistic missiles targeting at least two bases in Iraq housing US and international coalition forces.

US defence chief denies decision to leave Iraq

A US general's letter indicating that US forces were preparing for departure was a only a draft unsigned letter meant to indicate the US was shifting troops between bases, not withdrawing.

Iran-backed militias blamed for al-Qaim instability

Residents of the Iraqi border town say the increasing presence of Iran-affiliated militias has contributed to a climate of instability.

UN says 'no plan B' to Syria cross-border aid system

The organisation urged global powers to renew the system for aid delivery that is the only viable method for reaching hundreds of thousands of people in Syria.

Iraqis worried about ISIS comeback if coalition forces withdraw

Iraq has made tremendous efforts and grave sacrifices to achieve victory over ISIS, and should not allow extremists to regroup and resume their attacks, a military expert warned.

Tahrir al-Sham expels IDPs from Idlib mosques

As the north-western province comes under fire from the Syrian regime and Russia, civilians are seeking shelter wherever they can.

Syrian opposition shed no tears for Soleimani

In many towns, villages and displacement camps, residents handed out sweets in celebration of what they describe as a victory.

Iraqis criticise parliament's decision to expel foreign forces

Iraqi experts and citizens say the 'regrettable' move to end US presence does not represent the will of the Iraqi people, but rather the will of Iran and its groups.

Iran must refrain from military retaliation against US: experts

The Iranian regime has threatened to avenge the killing of general Qassem Soleimani in a US drone strike.

Inside Soleimani's plot to attack US forces in Iraq

The IRGC's Quds Force has been reinforcing the arsenal of its affiliated Iraqi militias with a range of missiles and advanced weapons for months.

Iraqis react to news of IRGC top commander's death

Qassem Soleimani was largely held responsible for the recent deaths of hundreds of Iraqi protestors by Iran-backed militias.

Pentagon confirms Trump ordered Soleimani killing

IRGC Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, killed in a US airstrike in Baghdad, had been 'developing plans' to attack Americans.

US, allies 'committed to de-escalation' with Iran

World powers and entities react to the killing of IRGC Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in a US strike on his convoy in Baghdad.

PMF deputy al-Muhandis killed in US strike

Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis founded the hardline militia Kataib Hizbullah and had a close ideological and personal relationship to Iran.

Ninawa launches Sinjar reconstruction plan

The plan will address the restoration and repair of services and infrastructure in the district, which suffered extensive damage under ISIS.

Syria regime fire kills 9 in school turned shelter

Nine civilians, including five children, were killed when surface-to-surface missiles hit a school building in the eastern Idlib town of Sarmin.

Displaced Syrians start new year in abandoned prison

A former detention centre in the city of Idlib now houses some 300 adults and children who fled the violence near the town of Maaret al-Numan.

US embassy attack reflects Iran's hostile foreign policy

Experts say the IRGC orchestrated the attack on the US embassy in Baghdad, reflecting a pattern of Iran's hostility in the region.

Iraqi government builds housing for IDPs in Salaheddine province

The government is providing housing for displaced families affected by the war with ISIS to promote stability and encourage those who live in camps to rebuild their homes.

US sanctions effective at slowing IRGC in Yemen

The latest designations of Iran-affiliated entities have proven effective in reducing the IRGC's destabilising efforts to arm and fund the Houthis in Yemen.