Iraq

Iraqi Army meets strong resistance from ISIL in second day of fresh Mosul offensive

Hundreds flee Mosul amid renewed heavy clashes between ISIL militants and the Iraqi Army.

30 December 2016

Iraq

Iraqi army assaults Mosul the last ISIL stronghold in Iraq

Advances made into the east of the city

30 December 2016

Syria

Russia and Turkey announce Syrian ceasefire without extremist groups

Syria, Russia and Turkey have declared that a ceasefire will come into effect at midnight on Thursday in Syria - but it won't include Islamic state or a group which once had links to al-Qaida.

29 December 2016

Iraq

Thousands of displaced Iraqis face winter in camps

Hundreds of Iraqis who fled their homes in Mosul wait to be sent to camps where they hope to find shelter, food, clean water and, since its winter, warmth.

28 December 2016

Iraq

Iraq says defeating ISIL will take three more months

Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi previously pledged to retake Mosul from the jihadist group by the end of 2016.

27 December 2016

Syria

Syrian army retakes full control of Aleppo

It's a crushing victory for President Bashar al-Assad - the biggest in the more than five-year civil war.

22 December 2016

Syria

Syria's tweeting girl, Bana Alabed, speaks about life in Aleppo

The Syrian girl who gained global attention via Twitter has spoken about life in Aleppo and what motivated her to tell the world her story.

22 December 2016

Syria

Aleppo evacuation 'to continue until Friday' - Red Cross

The ICRC says more than 4,000 fighters were moved out of the Syrian city overnight, as winter weather slows up the evacuation process.

22 December 2016

Syria

Last refugees bid farewell in the snow to Aleppo

After a day of delays the evacuation of Aleppo resumes, with reports saying the city has now been emptied of resistance.

21 December 2016

Syria

Syrian army urges rebels to speed up Aleppo evacuation

The military has broadcast messages saying it is poised to enter the last rebel enclave, as estimates vary as to how far the process has to go.

20 December 2016

World News

Journalists at risk

An annual 'round-up' from Reporters Without Borders (RSF) details the growing threat of detention, abduction and murder faced by journalists

19 December 2016

World

Aleppo in ruins as Assad celebrates a good 2016

Aleppo the target of a relentless human violence

19 December 2016

World

'Wrath of Euphrates Forces' in battle for Raqqa

Operation to oust ISIL from Iraq and Syria

19 December 2016

Syria

Syria war claims, counterclaims and conspiracy theories

“In wartime, truth is so precious that she should always be attended by a bodyguard of lies,” the quote from Winston Churchill seems apt to describe the current battle underway in…

19 December 2016

Syria

Hezbollah and Iranians hold up convoys fleeing Aleppo says witness

The Aleppo endgame is proving deadly for civilians trying to flee as Hezbollah and Iranian militias defy Russian efforts to shepherd people to safety.

16 December 2016

Syria

Aleppo: evacuation suspended as deal breaks down

Evacuations from eastern Aleppo have reportedly been suspended by the Syrian government side. Officials say rebel forces have broken the deal.

16 December 2016

Syria

Syria's battle for Aleppo over, the evacuation begins in earnest

Thousands of people are being moved out of the city in an operation expected to last several days, after government forces regained control.

15 December 2016

Syria

Tomorrow is too late, mayor of east Aleppo calls on the EU to act

‘More than words are needed to save civilians’, the mayor of east Aleppo said as he arrived in Brussels to address the EU summit.

15 December 2016

Syria

Aleppo evacuation 'aims to ensure civilian safety' - Syrian government

A Syrian government minister has said the evacuation plan must ensure the safety of civilians when the rebels withdraw from eastern Aleppo.

15 December 2016

Syria

Aleppo evacuation finally gets underway

The evacuation of eastern Aleppo finally began on Thursday.

15 December 2016