Armed Militias and Extremist Groups

Libya’s central bank reunifies after clashes in Tripoli

The reunification of the financial institution is a sign of progress and follows disputes over oil revenue distribution and violence in the capital, as Libya continues to grapple with the aftermath of the civil war.

North Africa

Russian airstrikes target Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria

The al-Qaeda offshoot is focused on defending its territory from Russian-backed Syrian government forces, but it has also clashed with the Islamic State recently.

Syria

Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Fatah hold rare meeting in Gaza

The meeting in Gaza comes as the PA escalates its crackdown on Islamic Jihad in the West Bank.

Palestine

Iran claims Israel behind shrine attack, pledges revenge

The shooting renewed debates on Iran's intelligence failures in thwarting deadly attacks in contrast to the official assertion that the country is an "island of stability" in a volatile Middle East.  

Iran

Lebanon’s Hezbollah makes show of force with tanks, armored vehicles as Israel tensions mount

Hezbollah is facing growing resentment inside Lebanon with several parties accusing the group of dragging the country into an unwanted war with Israel.

Lebanon

Islamic State attack kills 26 Syrian soldiers, third in 2 weeks

The deadly attack, the group’s third this month, follows the death of another one of its leaders.

Syria

Lebanon: Shots fired at defense minister's car amid rising instability

The incident followed deadly clashes after a Hezbollah vehicle carrying ammunition overturned in a Christian village.

Lebanon

Islamic State attack in Raqqa kills 10 Syrian soldiers, second in a week

IS militants attacked several positions and checkpoints of the Syrian government and allied fighters in the group’s former stronghold of Raqqa.

Syria

Analysis

Israel's extremist settlers control government as Netanyahu dismisses warnings

The latest fatal incident in the West Bank town of Burqa shows that settlers now have the upper hand in the Netanyahu government.

By Ben Caspit

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Iraqi militias continue to use Telegram despite block

Iraq’s state media channel switched to the Israeli-founded Viber in response to the ban. Telegram is popular with protesters and militias alike in Iraq.

Iraq

Why are UAE, Saudi, other Gulf countries issuing Lebanon travel warnings?

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and also Germany and the United Kingdom issued similar travel warnings over the fighting that began July 29 between Fatah and hard-line Islamists at Lebanon's Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp.

Legacy: Gulf

Despite Hamas' crackdown, Gaza protests continue in rare defiance

The deteriorating situation in Gaza has led to rare anti-Hamas protests amid growing frustration over the poor conditions in the besieged enclave.

Palestine