Turkey detains 11 over ISIS-linked attack on Israeli Consulate: What to know The attack was likely designed to portray Turkey as protecting Israel by targeting the local police guarding the consulate, one observer notes. Turkey
Desperate to sell its oil, Iraq turns to Turkey amid standoff with Kurds As Iraq looks to reroute oil to Turkey, Baghdad is also using the plan to push the Iraqi Kurds to greenlight exports through their territory. Iraq
Turkey to repatriate its ISIS fighters from Iraq as jihadis escalate Syria attacks Ankara will repatriate its nationals from among thousands of fighters transferred from Syria, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said. Turkey
US military completes evacuation of ISIS prisoners from Syria to Iraq The detainee transfer opens the door for US troops to further withdraw from Syria ahead of a potential military confrontation with Iran. Syria
Exclusive Syrian Kurdish officials say 66 Turkish ISIS fighters transferred for relocation to Iraq By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Feature Syrian Kurds say US ignored pleas for help as ISIS detainees turned on them in al-Hol By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Turkey attacks Kurdish militants in northern Syria The fighters attempted to infiltrate territory held by Turkey and its Syrian rebel allies, according to Turkish state media. News Brief
Russia gains foothold in Syria’s Palmyra through archaeological restoration Russia has begun a project to rehabilitate Syria’s ancient city of Palmyra in its latest efforts to gain a foothold in the country’s vital sectors. Syria
Is Islamic State rebuilding in Syrian desert? Hardly a day passes without the Islamic State carrying out an attack against government forces and their allied militias in the Syrian desert. Syria
Canadian parliament calls on government to repatriate citizens from northeast Syria Few Canadians have been brought home from camps for Islamic State families in northeast Syria, and many remain there. News Brief
Iraqi judiciary releases PMU leader, citing lack of evidence The commander of an Iraqi Popular Mobilization Unit accused of involvement in murder was released June 9 after the court said it failed to find sufficient evidence. Iraq
Islamic State cells terrorize civilians in northwest Syria Islamic State cells in the areas under the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army in the countryside of Aleppo have escalated operations following the killing of a senior IS official and his colleague during a raid on their hideout in the city of al-Bab. Syria
Islamic State suicide bombing kills two in Libya The Libyan civil war ended with a cease-fire in October of 2020, and a transitional government is now in power. News Brief
US cranks up diplomacy with Russia to keep Syria’s last humanitarian aid corridor open The fate of millions of Syrians hangs in the balance as Russia threatens to shut a crossing vital to humanitarian aid. Syria
Iraq keeps focus on terror funding Iraqi operations against Islamic State cells continue to rely on intelligence and airstrikes more than group battles. By Shelly Kittleson In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics
Will Syria come up in Biden-Putin summit? US pressing to maintain humanitarian corridors into Syria; Erdogan’s issues with US Syria policy; UN envoy refers to Syria’s "tragic irony." Russia
Two Iranian military advisers killed by IS in Syria The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members died during an ambush near Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria, where the Islamic State remains active. News Brief
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham cracks down on Assad supporters in Idlib Hayat Tahrir al-Sham carried out a spate of arrests in several areas under its control in Idlib, targeting pro-Syrian government individuals who supported President Bashar al-Assad in the recent presidential elections, as well as members of the Islamic State. Syria