Islamic State prison break reinforces value of US military protection for Syria's Kurds

‘Cubs of Caliphate’ are among 700 boys held in Islamic State prison, as Syrian Kurdish forces keep up the battle to retake control

Syria

Is Turkey isolating Azaz from rest of Syrian territory?

The Turkish-backed Free Syria Army in the northern countryside of Aleppo denies building a wall to isolate Azaz and claims that the wall is aimed at protecting the road between Azaz and Afrin from attacks by Kurdish forces and Syrian regime forces.

Syria

Islamic State attempts prison break in Syria's Hasakah, SDF says

A spokesperson for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said Islamic State militants set off a car bomb and clashed with security forces.

Syria

Rare snowstorm hits Iraq and Syria

Many people in the Kurdistan Region rejoiced while playing in the snow, but such conditions can be dangerous for others, especially those living in displaced people camps.

Iraq

US diplomacy prompts Iraqi Kurds to allow aid through sealed Syrian border crossing

The Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq has agreed to open one crossing between its territory and northeast Syria twice a month for the passage of vital aid.

Iraq

Child recruitment leaves parents heartbroken in northeast Syria

The PKK-linked Revolutionary Youth movement has continued its campaign of child recruitment in northeast Syria despite efforts from local authorities, and SDF chief Mazloum Kobane to stop the practice, leaving a trail of anguished parents in its wake.

Syria

Syrian government steps up attack against Islamist enclave

The Syrian military is taking more aggressive military action against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Idlib.

Syria

Syrian jihadist leader in Western wear, opens road in Idlib

In a new attempt to improve the image of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group’s leader appeared in public in modern clothing to inaugurate a new road linking Aleppo to Bab al-Hawa.

Syria

Last Christian in Idlib recalls his community

The last Christian in Idlib is 90 years old. Despite the war and the challenges, he stayed in Idlib even as all Christians left as a result of the war and restrictions imposed by extremist Islamic factions.

Syria

Caricatures challenge restrictions, depict suffering of Idlib citizens

Despite the risks of being a female caricaturist in Idlib, many young Syrian women have successfully entered the field to express the concerns and pain of Syrians and make their voices heard.

Syria

Turkish-backed factions wary of jihadi group in north Syria

The opponents of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham are accusing it of trying to wrest control over the areas of the Turkish-backed factions in north Syria, in light of its recent rapprochement with some of these factions.

Syria

Northern Syria health care plagued by issues as UN extends cross-border aid

A US-based group of doctors conducted a detailed assessment of the region’s health sector in both Kurdish and rebel territory.

Syria