[Published here January 16, 2018]
The Islamic State group has been roundly defeated across much of Syria — which made it all the more surprising when it announced an official comeback in the country’s northwest last week.
Middle East
Red Cross urges aid access after ‘unprecedented’ Yemen violence | AFP
[Published here on December 5, 2017]
BEIRUT (AFP) – The International Committee of the Red Cross on Tuesday appealed for “bold measures” to provide life-saving care to civilians in Yemen after an “unprecedented” escalation of fighting in recent days.
More than 230 people have been killed and at least 400 wounded in nearly a week of fighting in the Yemeni capital, now under the control of Huthi rebels.
Pressure mounts for ‘detained’ Lebanon PM to return from Riyadh | AFP
[Published here on November 16, 2017]
Hardening his tone, Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun accused Saudi Arabia of “detaining” Hariri, who is to meet in Riyadh on Thursday with France’s chief diplomat.
Speculation has swirled around Hariri’s prolonged stay in the kingdom since he announced in a televised statement on November 4 that he would be stepping down as Lebanon’s prime minister.
In ravaged Raqa, clues to IS’s bygone media empire | AFP
[Published here on October 22, 2017]
“Special operations by the Caliphate’s soldiers!” boasts a torn, blood-stained pamphlet at a bombed-out media kiosk in Syria’s Raqa, a symbol of the Islamic State group’s once fearsome propaganda machine. Continue reading
Lebanon army in uncharted territory near Syria border | AFP
[Published here August 29, 2017]
Jurud Ras Baalbek (Lebanon) (AFP) – The dust-covered soldiers, armoured vehicles and tents may not look very official, but they mark the first time Lebanese troops have deployed in this sliver of land along the Syrian border.
Syria rebels lose heavyweight with collapse of Islamist faction | AFP
[Published here August 17, 2017]
Beirut (AFP) – Syria’s opposition has lost one of its most powerful factions with the collapse of Islamist heavyweight Ahrar al-Sham, which once walked a fine line between jihadists and more mainstream rebels.
From fighting regime to anti-IS, Syria rebel traces US policy shifts | AFP
[Published here on August 5, 2017]
Beirut (AFP) – From special forces officer to brigade-hopping rebel, Abu Jaafar has seen Syria’s uprising from all angles. But after years of setbacks, culminating in cuts to US support, he feels disillusioned.
