While the Islamic State group’s reign of terror in Iraq and Syria is virtually over, multiple reports throughout its existence show irresponsible arms transfers – especially from the West and its allies, empowering the self-proclaimed caliphate. This highlights an existing danger that won’t necessarily go away with IS: as long as such weapons transactions into war-zones occur, similar… Read More How Islamic State became a military threat in Iraq and Syria

Communities in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta, a rebel-held area outside Damascus, are at breaking point and in urgent need of aid, warn sources on the ground. Eastern Ghouta is one of the last regions in Syria controlled by anti-government militias. An increasingly tightened siege by the Syrian government, in place for four years, has been preventing aid groups… Read More Civilians in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta at ‘breaking point’