Officials deny Syrian deportation reports as anti-refugee sentiments grow in Turkey

As a rising number of Syrians claim they were illegitimately deported to war-torn Idlib province, Turkish officials say refugee policies remain unchanged.

Syria

Can Syrian Kurds’ offer unlock door to compromise with Turkey?

The Syrian Kurds have offered Turkey a 5-kilometer-deep buffer zone that would see the pullout of Kurdish forces and heavy weaponry, without seeking the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Afrin, but only that of aligned militia.

Syria

Turkey threatens Syria invasion as US sanctions loom

A breakthrough in the diplomatic dispute sparked by Turkey’s purchase of an advanced Russian missile system and Washington’s support for Syrian Kurdish militia continues to elude the NATO allies.

Syria

Are Syrians in Turkey no longer Erdogan’s 'brothers'?

Desperate to maintain its support base, the Turkish government limits Syrians access to basic services and initiates mass deportations.

Syria

Iraqi spy chief discusses IS and intel cooperation

Al-Monitor was granted an exclusive interview with the head of Iraq’s secretive counterterrorism intelligence unit, Abu Ali al-Basri. The Falcon Intelligence Cell director discussed what remains of the Islamic State, potential future risks and how the unit shares information with other countries.

Iraq

Kurdish cities in Syria witness bloody week

The Kurdish region in northern Syria has witnessed several explosions in the past month, with one of them targeting a church.

Syria

IDF takes out Hezbollah targets on Syrian border

Over the past few months, the IDF has increased its operations against Hezbollah, which is taking over abandoned military outposts in the Syrian Golan Heights.

Israel

Why Syria's opposition council is opening offices in FSA-held areas

The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces is opening offices in the Free Syrian Army-held areas to obtain the support of the people who believe such an institution to be a failure.

Syria

Hamas, let down by the Gulf states, revisits ties with Syria

Hamas’ leaders have been exploring the restoration of ties with Syria in light of Gulf countries' engagement with the United States on a peace deal and therefore their increasing normalization of relations with Israel.

Legacy: Gulf

Syrians in Kurdish areas feel military service is unfair

The Kurdish self-administration in Syria issued a new law forcing the youth to join military service.

Iraq

Hamas, Israel agree on Gaza hospital, vexing Shtayyeh

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and his Cabinet are opposed to a Gaza Strip hospital proposed by Israel and the United States, but may not have much of a say in the matter.

Palestine

Special operations forces reflect on lessons of terror fight

The Pentagon’s command for elite special operations forces is assessing how repeated deployments to the Middle East during the war on terror have impacted the forces' core values.

Iraq