Russia reportedly in possession of advanced Israeli interceptor missile
Russia is in possession of an advanced Israeli interceptor missile that was launched last year in response to Syrian rocket fire, according to a Chinese news site.
Syria
Growing insecurity threatens fresh exodus of Christians from Iraq
Growing insecurity in Iraq and on its border could lead to a fresh exodus of Christians from the country, warns a partner of Release International, which is supporting refugees in the country.
Urgent Call to Pray for Syria: Thousands of Christians Face Exile or Extinction
Turkish-led jihadist troops advancing on a Syrian Christian town could begin an ethnic cleansing campaign in the next few hours, attorney and religious freedom advocate Lauren Homer tells CBN News.
ISIS confirms death of Baghdadi, names new leader
The Islamic State has confirmed that its leader, Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, died during a U.S. special operations forces raid and has named his successor.
Putin pledges to ‘do everything to protect Christians in the Middle East’
Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to protect Christians threatened by the conflict in Syria, appealing to the plight of religious minorities as justification for Russia’s involvement.
IAF chief: Security challenges posed by Iran becoming more complex
Amid the backdrop of the threat of Iranian cruise missiles, Tehran’s influence in the Syrian civil war, and its proxy in Yemen, the Houthi rebel group, Israel Air Force commander Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin on Wednesday said, ‘The security challenge is becoming more complex. In addition to the missiles and rockets, there are also attack drones and cruise missiles now.’
Erdogan: Turkish-Russian Patrols Set to Begin in Syria
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkish-Russian joint military patrols will begin Friday in notheastern Syria, after the withdrawal of Syrian Kurdish fighters under an agreement between the two countries.
U.S. releases Baghdadi raid video, warns of likely retribution attack
The Pentagon on Wednesday released its first images from last weekend’s commando raid in Syria that led to the death of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and warned the militant group may attempt to stage a ‘retribution attack.’
Baghdadi Operation Named After Christian Woman Who Refused to Give Up Faith Before ISIS Killed Her
The US military operation that resulted in the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was dedicated to Kayla Mueller, a young Christian woman who was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered by the Islamic State.
Iran, Russia take aim at U.S. military presence near Syrian oilfields
Iran and Russia on Tuesday condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to maintain a military presence near oil fields in northeastern Syria, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov saying any exploitation of resources would be illegal.
US House Lawmakers Rebuke Turkey for Syria Invasion
The U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation on Tuesday sanctioning Turkey in a move aimed at reasserting congressional oversight of U.S. President Donald Trump’s foreign policy.
Fearing revenge attacks, countries step up security after IS head killed
Nations around the world beefed up security Monday amid fears that supporters of the Islamic State would seek to carry out revenge attacks in the wake of the terror group leader’s death during a US raid in Syria.
Anti-IS coalition to meet in Washington on November 14, US says
More than 30 nations fighting the Islamic State group will gather in Washington on November 14 in a French-initiated meeting as the United States pulls troops from Syria, a US official said Monday.
Dead end: Inside the two-hour Delta Force raid that killed ISIS leader Baghdadi
More than five years after the Islamic State first took root in Iraq and Syria, President Trump confirmed on Sunday its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was killed in Syria during a raid by U.S. special operations forces.
Al-Baghdadi takedown catches Dems flat-footed, blunts criticism of Trump’s Syria pullback
President Trump’s successful operation to take out Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi sent Democrats scrambling on Sunday, as several top party leaders had complained publicly in recent days that the White House had no ‘real plan’ to combat the terror group following the U.S. pullout in Syria.
Trump says he kept details of ISIS operation from Pelosi to avoid leaks
President Trump said Sunday morning that he did not tell House Speaker Nancy Pelosi about the U.S. military raid in Syria that resulted in the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi because he was worried about leaks that could have compromised the mission.
Pentagon Plans To Bolster Forces In Northeast Syria To Protect Oil Fields From Islamic State
The Pentagon says it will bolster the U.S. military presence in a northeastern region of Syria to prevent potentially resurgent Islamic State (IS) extremists from seizing the oil fields.
Trump Lifts US Sanctions on Turkey, Says Ceasefire Northeastern Syria Permanent
President Donald Trump says a U.S. brokered ceasefire in Turkey’s assault on Kurds in northeastern Syria has become permanent and Washington is lifting sanctions imposed on Ankara.
‘We do not know where they are’: More than 100 ISIS prisoners missing in Syria
More than 100 Islamic State prisoners have gone missing since Turkey invaded Syria, and the State Department doesn’t know where they are, the department’s anti-ISIS chief said today.
Despite setback, Kurds appear ready for Washington-Moscow spotlight
Syrian Kurdish leader General Mazlum Kobani was on the phone with the Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and got support from Washington on Wednesday, two weeks after it seemed his Syrian Democratic Forces were on the ropes against Turkey.