Nine bodies unearthed in Latakia mass grave, one of dozens found in post-Assad Syria As part of the efforts by new Syrian authorities to bring justice to victims of the Assad regime, dozens of mass graves containing thousands of bodies — believed to be victims of former regime forces — have been discovered across Syria. Syria
Turkey blocks Instagram account of leading LGBTQ+ group Kaos GL The ban targeting the group, a leading LGBTQ+ organization, follows earlier bans affecting its website and X account. Turkey
Turkey arrests youth delegate over Council of Europe address: What to know The youth activist’s arrest adds to Ankara’s growing isolation as Turkey faces suspension from Europe’s top human rights body. Turkey
Fears mount over fate of missing Turkmen dissidents in Turkey The pair vanished after being released from a Turkish deportation center, prompting concerns they were abducted or secretly returned to Turkmenistan. Turkey
Syria’s Assad abolishes notorious military field courts Thousands of civilians are believed to have been executed after being tried at these courts. Syria
Israel’s Netanyahu calls Eritrea immigrants 'tangible threat' to state’s future After the violent demonstration by Eritrean immigrants over the weekend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called to banish them from Israel "voluntarily or by other means." Israel
Nobel Foundation rescinds Iran's invitation to 2023 Prize ceremony Iran was excluded from last year’s ceremonies following the government’s violent crackdown against protesters. Iran
Saudi forces have killed hundreds of Ethiopian migrants at Yemen border: report Saudi Arabia's border security forces are accused of "widespread and systematic" killing of Ethiopian migrants crossing from Yemen in what Human Rights Watch says could constitute crimes against humanity. Legacy: Gulf
Protests in southern Syria as economy worsens Syria’s economy is in tatters, and the removal of subsidies has led to relatively rare protests in government territory. Syria
Breaking | Last Updated: August 17, 2023, 7:39 pm US sanctions Turkey-backed Syrian militias over rights abuses in Afrin Washington has accused the Suleiman Shah Brigade, the Hamza Division and their leadership of committing serious rights abuses in the Kurdish-majority enclave of Afrin. Turkey
House Democrats urge cuts to Egypt's military aid over rights abuses The Biden administration will soon decide whether to restrict part of the United States’ annual military assistance to Egypt for the third year in a row. Egypt
Iran executes five men for gang rape Drug-related executions are particularly on the rise in Iran, despite international criticism of Iran’s legal system. Iran
UK, Turkey to set up joint center to control illegal migration The British government's migration policy is under increasing scrutiny from the opposition Labour Party as well as international civic groups that accuse the state of mistreating irregular migrants. Turkey
Egypt’s power cuts persist amid heat, declining natural gas production Egypt wants to export more natural gas, including in cooperation with neighboring Israel, but domestic production is declining amid the government’s efforts to reduce consumption. Egypt
11 Baluchi men executed in Iran as morality police returns to streets The executions are seen as a way to intimidate the public, while the morality police resumed its work to enforce Iran’s strict Islamic dress code. Iran
Why Senate Democrats are urging Biden to withhold part of Egypt's military aid The letter led by Sen. Chris Murphy called for the Biden administration to withhold $320 million from Egypt's annual military assistance package. Egypt
