Israel's cabinet convenes to ratify Trump Gaza deal, military readies for retreat Israeli officials are preparing for the release of 20 living hostages held in Gaza either on Saturday or Sunday and for a possible visit by the US president on Sunday. Israel
US sanctions firms in China, Turkey, UAE over Iran drone network The entities are accused of facilitating the purchase of American electronic components found in weaponized drones used by Iran-backed groups such as Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Gaza-based Hamas. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Israel says Iran weapons plot foiled in West Bank: What to know The third alleged Iranian smuggling plan in the past two years comes amid escalating violence in the Palestinian territory. Iran
Syria: Siege persists in Aleppo’s Kurdish enclaves despite SDF-Damascus truce Tensions are rising over plans to integrate the Kurdish-led SDF into the new Syrian military amid clashes between government-affiliated and Kurdish forces in Syria’s largest city. Syria
Jihadis in Idlib bash Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov for role in Ukraine war Chechen jihadis in Syria seek to join the forces defending Ukraine against Russia while condemning the participation of pro-Russian and leader of Russia's Chechnya region Ramzan Kadyrov in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Syria
Infighting between Islamist, Turkish-backed armed groups continues in north Syria Infighting between Turkish-backed factions in north Syria continues despite pleas by civilians, with most recently dozens of members of the civilian police resigning in response to a shootout with the military police that left two of its members wounded. Syria
Jihadi group takes on Salafist opponents in Idlib Hayat Tahrir al-Sham cracks down and arrests Salafists who support anti-HTS protests. Syria
Border crossings and foreign fighters rise after Taliban takeover A recent UN report and other worrying signs point to a likely surge in both an al-Qaeda and Islamic State presence in Afghanistan in the six months since the Taliban has been in power. Iran
Drones pose additional security threats, challenges for Iraq With drones flying the Iraqi skies for illegal purposes, security authorities face a host of new challenges. Iraq
Syrian jihadi group tightens noose on Arab, foreign fighters in Idlib Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is pressuring foreign jihadis in Idlib and giving them two choices: Leave, or integrate into the local community. Syria
Islamic State collaborators received Turkish citizenship, official report shows A leaked report has revealed details about how the jihadi group used Turkey to traffic money and obtain supplies. Turkey
Killing of woman by Syrian jihadi group sparks protests in camps Hayat Tahrir al-Sham shot a woman in the head for smuggling fuel from the opposition areas into Idlib, prompting protests and clashes in the camps for the displaced. Syria
US F-22 squadron arrives to help UAE ward off Houthi attacks France is also lending military support while it remains unclear how proactively US fighter pilots will allowed to engage Houthi targets. Yemen
Three takeaways from US raid that led to the death of IS's Hajji Abdullah IS launched its deadliest attack in years just two weeks before Abdullah Qardash was killed during a US special forces raid in Syria. Syria
Islamic State leader killed in overnight US raid in Syria The operation near the Turkish border followed a deadly Islamic State prison break in Syria last month. Syria
US to deploy fighter jets, Navy destroyer to UAE after missile attacks Houthi barrages on the UAE are stress-testing Biden’s commitment to end US involvement in Yemen’s civil war. Yemen
