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
Iran opens 'drug-trafficking' trial of two Swedish nationals The drug-smuggling trial comes as Sweden prosecutes a former Iranian official linked to the mass killing of dissidents in 1988. Iran
Iran authorities embarrassed by hacked CCTV prison videos The hacked videos that show various moments of abuse continue to trickle in and have drawn a rare apology from the country's top prison official. Iran
Israeli strikes on Gaza towers may amount to war crimes, HRW says During the 11-day conflict with Hamas, Israeli airstrikes destroyed five high-rise towers in Gaza City that the Israeli military said were used by the militants. Israel
Hamas, Islamic Jihad reject Human Rights Watch report on conduct of war Palestinian resistance factions dispute charge of "indiscriminate attacks" on Israeli civilians. Palestine
CIA Chief Burns meets with Egypt's Sisi The pair discussed the situation in Afghanistan, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and the crisis in Libya, according to the Egyptian presidency. Egypt
Human Rights Watch accuses Gaza groups of war crimes during May fighting Hamas and other Palestinian groups purposefully targeted population centers during the May war with Israel, according to Human Rights Watch. The organization also accused Israel of war crimes last month. News Brief
Senators call for release of 'unjustly imprisoned' women in Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia Democratic lawmakers condemn four Middle Eastern states for the politically motivated imprisonment of a number of women and call for the prisoners' release. Washington Pulse
Sweden opens trial of Iranian accused of role in 1988 mass murder Swedish prosecutors accuse Hamid Noury of participating in the extrajudicial executions of political prisoners who were affiliated with an armed Iranian opposition group Iran
Egypt under fire for video of soldier shooting at sleeping target in Sinai International law has rules for how to respond to enemy forces who are not engaged in combat. News Brief
Tunisia places senior Ennahda figure under house arrest Anouar Maarouf, the former communications and technology minister, was reportedly informed by Tunisian authorities that he has been placed under house arrest. Tunisia
Intel: US family seeks Biden's help freeing detained Saudi aid worker The United States said it’s urging Saudi Arabia to resolve the case of Abdulrahman al-Sadhan, an aid worker sentenced to prison for allegedly running a Twitter account critical of the kingdom’s rulers. Saudi Arabia
Israeli court gives protected status to Sheikh Jarrah residents facing eviction The Supreme Court adjourned without ruling on the planned eviction of four Palestinian families who reside in the East Jerusalem neighborhood. Israel
