Turkey | Jun 1, 2022 Traffickers use refugees to smuggle drugs from Iran to Turkey There are growing claims and indications that refugees illegally crossing the Iranian-Turkish border, the route of an exodus from Afghanistan to the West, are forced to smuggle drugs by their traffickers.
Iraq | Apr 30, 2022 Iraqi soldiers killed in desert operation as drug busts surge Massive amounts of drugs are being smuggled across Iraqi borders while a large anti-terrorism operation including Iran-linked forces and US-led coalition support continues.
Saudi Arabia | Apr 22, 2022 Another Captagon bust in Saudi Arabia as drug war continues The discovery of more than 3 million pills of the drug in Dammam on the Persian Gulf is at least the fourth bust in Saudi Arabia this year.
Egypt | Apr 18, 2022 Reports of poppy in chocolates rattle Egypt Controversy has swept across Egypt after statements made by a former Egyptian official revealed that there are chocolates in the Egyptian market containing a small percentage of a narcotic substance.
Jordan | Jan 27, 2022 Jordanian forces shoot alleged drug smugglers on snowy border with Syria There has been a series of large drug busts in the Middle East recently.
Palestine | Nov 4, 2021 Drug dealers in Gaza risk Hamas military trials Hamas in the Gaza Strip has come under criticism for referring civilians accused of drug use and traficking to the military judiciary.
Syria | Aug 13, 2021 Drug use surges in opposition-controlled areas in northwest Syria Security forces in the countryside of Aleppo are combating the spread of narcotic substances, amid growing demands for cooperation by the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army factions.
Turkey | May 26, 2021 Mobster’s claims turn spotlight to new cocaine route via Turkey A spree of rattling allegations by a Turkish mobster has brought into focus the increase in cocaine trafficking in Turkey and its domestic and international ramifications.
Iraq | May 8, 2021 Islamic State takes border station in Iraqi desert with 'drug smuggling wali' A recent incident along Iraq’s western border and alleged connections between drug smuggling and Islamic State cells in the area have raised concern.
Iraq | Nov 4, 2020 Drug smuggling, abuse on the rise in Iraq Iraq suffers from the flow of drugs from neighboring countries, especially Iran, through the marshes and other border crossings, and the spread among the youth has become a threat to society.
Sudan protesters rally against coup leaders, day after nine killed Agence France-Presse | AFP | Jul 1, 2022
Iran says nuclear deal still possible despite Qatar talks setback Agence France-Presse | AFP | Jun 30, 2022
Soundbite: Lahib Higel, Senior Iraq Analyst at the International Crisis Group, on the Sinjar agreement