Syria’s Sharaa leaves Washington with warm assurances but no security agreements Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa departed Washington without clinching major security agreements or long-term economic relief. Syria
Syria's Sharaa says no direct talks with Israel, open to US military presence In an interview on Monday, President Ahmed al-Sharaa dismissed direct negotiations with Israel concerning the Abraham Accords, but left the door open to US-brokered diplomacy. Syria
Syrian President Sharaa arrives at White House in historic first Sharaa met with Trump as the administration weighs easing sanctions and expanding cooperation on Syria. Syria
Exclusive SDF commander Hemo: Syria’s Kurds prepare for threat of war as Damascus talks falter As US-brokered talks stall, Kurdish forces are preparing contingencies while continuing dialogue with Damascus to secure Syria’s future, SDF commander Sipan Hemo told Al-Monitor in an exclusive interview. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Explosion at Baghdad's Sadr City injures at least 15 At least 15 people were injured in an explosion at a crowded market in Baghdad's Sadr City. News Brief
Turkey's mixed record against Islamic State Structural problems continue to keep Turkey from putting in place a comprehensive strategy to combat Islamic State elements in the country, despite numerous operations against networks linked to the radical Islamist group. Turkey
Iraq-Syria border strikes on pro-Iran ‘militias’ spark retaliation Airstrikes on both sides of the Iraqi-Syrian border near Qaim conducted by the United States were followed by retaliatory strikes by Iran-linked groups against a Kurdish-led SDF base housing coalition forces in eastern Syria. Iraq
Turkey arrests 26 in raids against Islamic State There are concerns about the Islamic State's ability to still operate within and close to Turkish territory. News Brief
Intel: Blinken urges allies to repatriate IS fighters from Syria The Syrian Democratic Forces are holding an estimated 10,000 suspected Islamic State fighters, a situation Secretary of State Antony Blinken said is "untenable." Syria
Turkey attacks Kurdish militants in northern Syria The fighters attempted to infiltrate territory held by Turkey and its Syrian rebel allies, according to Turkish state media. News Brief
Russia gains foothold in Syria’s Palmyra through archaeological restoration Russia has begun a project to rehabilitate Syria’s ancient city of Palmyra in its latest efforts to gain a foothold in the country’s vital sectors. Syria
Is Islamic State rebuilding in Syrian desert? Hardly a day passes without the Islamic State carrying out an attack against government forces and their allied militias in the Syrian desert. Syria
Canadian parliament calls on government to repatriate citizens from northeast Syria Few Canadians have been brought home from camps for Islamic State families in northeast Syria, and many remain there. News Brief
Iraqi judiciary releases PMU leader, citing lack of evidence The commander of an Iraqi Popular Mobilization Unit accused of involvement in murder was released June 9 after the court said it failed to find sufficient evidence. Iraq
Islamic State cells terrorize civilians in northwest Syria Islamic State cells in the areas under the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army in the countryside of Aleppo have escalated operations following the killing of a senior IS official and his colleague during a raid on their hideout in the city of al-Bab. Syria
Islamic State suicide bombing kills two in Libya The Libyan civil war ended with a cease-fire in October of 2020, and a transitional government is now in power. News Brief
