Middle East

Iraq launches new operation against militants in NE region

The Iraqi army and the Shi'ite Popular Mobilization Forces on Wednesday started a major offensive against armed militants in the country's northeastern region near the border with Iran. Iraq's Joint Operations Command...

Israel legalizes outpost in response to recent murder

Israel's prime minister says an isolated West Bank outpost will be legalized in response to the recent murder of a rabbi who lived there. Benjamin Netanyahu said at a Cabinet meeting Sunday...

7 Turkish soldiers killed in deadliest day of Syrian offensive

Turkey’s military says it has suffered its single deadliest day in its offensive against Syrian militias in northern Syria. Seven soldiers were killed Saturday. Five were killed in the Afrin region when their...

After Islamic State, Mosul’s impoverished residents trade scrap metal to make a living

WASHINGTON/MOSUL, IRAQ — With his face, hands and clothes covered in dirt, 11-year-old Hassan Abdullah treks through the rubble of Mosul’s Old City dawn to dusk, foraging for whatever pieces of...

Taliban, IS fighting causes families to flee in Northern Afghanistan

WASHINGTON / BALKH, AFGHANISTAN — Clashes between Taliban insurgents and the Islamic State (IS) militants have forcibly displaced thousands of civilians in Afghanistan's northern Jawzjan province. "Most of these families are the...

Pakistan expresses concern after White House comment on safe havens

WASHINGTON — Pakistan's defense minister is expressing concern about a White House statement saying the U.S. military has been given authority to eliminate militant safe havens in Pakistan. The White House statement was published...

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