US strike in Syria kills al-Qaeda-linked planner, hints at changing militant networks Members of Syria’s al-Qaeda branch, Huras ad-Din, have been joining Ansar al-Islam as US drone strikes have continued to pick off Huras ad-Din's leaders, a report to the UN Security Council noted in July. Syria
US troop drawdown in Syria on hold over regime stability concerns While American troops in Iraq hand over operations against the Islamic State to Baghdad's forces, the parallel drawdown in neighboring Syria has been halted amid concerns about the abilities of the new Islamist-led government in Damascus. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
US troops in Iraq shift to Erbil to focus on ISIS in Syria The US mission against the Islamic State is relocating its headquarters and most of its troops from Baghdad to Erbil as the prime minister's coalition faces reelection in November. Iraq
Pentagon pushes to accelerate ISIS detainee repatriations from Syria Uncertainty about Syria’s long-term stability and the the US military’s future presence in the country have increased urgency among some Pentagon officials to further reduce the population of nearly 30,000 suspected ISIS-associated detainees in the camps. Syria
As IS retreats, local Syrian group races to clear mines A group of local Syrians are working to remove mines and unexploded ordnance in areas recently liberated by the Islamic State in northern Syria and Iraq, but can't always complete the work before civilians return to their homes. Syria
US targets Islamic State fighters leaving Lebanon after cease-fire US airstrikes blocked the militants’ route to the Syrian war zone of Deir ez-Zor near the border with Iraq. Lebanon
Kurdish rivalry undermines peshmerga forces in Kirkuk The Islamic State is losing ground in Iraq and Syria, but south of Kirkuk, the militants are inflicting heavy casualties on peshmerga fighters, who blame needless losses on a lack of support. Iraq
Old fears rise again about Palestinians in Iraq Sentiment against Palestinians is taking hold in Iraq, where some are being accused of supporting the Islamic State's extreme ideology. Palestine
Moscow, Cairo discuss boosting ties Representatives of Russia and Egypt seemed pleased with the outcome of their meetings this week, as they touched base on current regional developments and talked through their perspectives. Qatar
Local Iraqi forces testing IS defenses in Anbar US-trained, local tribal fighters are preparing to cleanse Iraq's Anbar province of the Islamic State. Iraq
Israel, Hamas, Egypt indirectly cooperating against IS While Egypt and Hamas coordinate efforts against the Islamic State in the Sinai Peninsula, Israel is providing intelligence to Egypt to boost these efforts. Palestine
After Mosul, Iraq's western Anbar next up in IS fight An Iraqi offensive against the Islamic State is likely to take place in the near future in the western Anbar province, with the city of Haditha being the gateway to the region. Iraq
With Islamic State gone, barbers are busy in Mosul Mosul barbers, whose profession was outlawed during the Islamic State's rule, are becoming popular again in the newly freed city. Iraq
IS loses ground in Sinai, searches for other foothold in Egypt The Islamic State has carried out several terrorist attacks against Copts in different Egyptian governorates, raising questions about anti-terrorism laws and the efficiency of the security services. Egypt
TV drama explores life inside Islamic State A Ramadan TV series dares to depict the daily realities inside the Islamic State despite threats to the cast and crew. Egypt
Iran struck by first Islamic State attacks The Iranian capital was rocked today by two terrorist attacks claimed by the Islamic State. Iran
