Israeli strikes said to target Syria, blasts heard near Tel Aviv
Israeli planes carried out an airstrikes near Damascus early Friday, Syrian state media claimed, and sounds of explosions were heard in central Israel shortly after.
Syria
U.S. troops not abandoning its bases inside Syria, Pentagon says
The Pentagon is denying reports by Iranian state media that U.S. military forces abandoned three bases inside Syria used in the fight against the Islamic State.
Biblical Euphrates River Drying Threatening Humanitarian Disaster In Syria
Aid groups have warned of a looming humanitarian disaster in northeast Syria as one of the Bible’s most famous rivers is drying up fast. The Euphrates, which is believed to have flown through the Biblical ‘Garden of Eden,’ now barely runs for almost 2,800 kilometers (1,700 miles) across Turkey, Syria, and Iraq.
US Drone Strike Kills “Planner” Of Kabul Attacks
The United States has carried out a drone strike against an Islamic State (IS) group “planner” in eastern Afghanistan after an attack outside Kabul’s airport killed 13 U.S. troops and at least 169 Afghans, officials say.
Thousands of Christians Fleeing Executions In Afghanistan
Many of thousands of Afghan Christians are fleeing through mountains and other challenging terrains to neighboring nations amid fears they will be killed by Afghanistan’s ruling Islamist Taliban group, according to multiple sources.
Syria: ‘Israel Launching Air Strikes’
Syria on Thursday accused Israel of attacking the country with missiles but said its air defenses had confronted the “Israeli aggression.”
Explosions rock Syria in alleged Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah arms depots
Syrian air defenses were activated against Israeli missile attacks on sites near Damascus and Homs, Syrian state media reported late Thursday, citing a military source.
Israel attacks Hezbollah posts in Syria (Video)
Explosions were heard in Quneitra, Syria at approximately 9 p.m., Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.
Majority of Syria’s Christians have fled the country
Around two-thirds of Syria’s Christians have had to escape the war-torn country over the last 10 years, Kurdish news outlet Rudaw reports. Prior to the start of the civil war in 2011, Christians constituted between 8%-10% of Syria’s population; they now make up about 3%.
Iran-Backed Hezbollah Fires Dozens Of Rockets Into Israel (Video)
Israel’s cabinet held emergency talks Friday after the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah said it fired “dozens of rockets” from Lebanon into Israel.
Albania Repatriates Islamic State Women, Children Despite Controversy
A group of women and children who were the families of Albanian nationals who joined Islamic extremist groups fighting in Syria and Iraq have returned to their homeland. Their arrival Sunday comes amid a debate in several other countries in Europe on what to do with fighters and supporters of groups such as the Islamic State.
Netherlands Turmoil Over Return Islamic State Fighters (Worthy News In-Depth)
The Dutch are facing social and political unrest over the government’s decision to return at least some of the dozens of mainly female Islamic State group fighters and their 56 children from Syria to the Netherlands. The government views it as a humanitarian and legal obligation. Still, populist parties fear the radicalized returnees may threaten Dutch security.
Hezbollah Commander, IRGC Senior Official Killed in Israeli Strikes
Israeli strikes reportedly killed a Hezbollah military commander and an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) senior official.
Russia says its air defense systems in Syria intercepted Israeli missiles
Russian anti-aircraft artillery systems in Syria intercepted a number of missiles launched by Israel in airstrikes this week in an area southeast of Aleppo, according to a Russian military official.
Biden, Iraqi leader to discuss U.S. troops, Iran-linked drone strikes
The future of the U.S. war in Iraq will come into focus Monday when President Biden meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi at the White House, with the two leaders expected to finalize a withdrawal plan that could fundamentally reshape America’s military role in the Middle East.
Israeli jets said to strike inside Syria for second time in days
Israeli planes carried out airstrikes Syria for the second night this week, Damascus said early Thursday, while claiming that most missiles were shot down.
IDF: Iron Dome shoots down rocket from Lebanon; another lands in open area
Israel’s Iron Dome aerial defense system shot down a rocket from Lebanon after two were fired at Israel Tuesday morning, the Israeli military said.
US drone strikes truck in Syria used by Iran-backed militia
A United States drone attack targeted a truck of an Iran-backed militia in eastern Syria on Sunday, destroying the vehicle without causing any casualties, two Iraqi militia officials said.
Lebanon In Turmoil As Premier Steps Down
Violence erupted as Lebanon plunged into political and economic turmoil Friday following the sudden resignation of the prime minister-designate.
Iran has declared war on the US in Iraq through its proxies – analysis
Daily rocket and drone attacks on the US in Iraq are no longer just the harassment that began in May 2019. The targeted attacks are increasing, and they also involve more sophisticated drones than in the past.