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Syria’s weakened al-Qaida remnants may act as spoilers

Location:

SYRIA

Ansar al-Islam is part of ‘Be Steadfast’ (Fathbutu), a coalition of al-Qaida-linked groups formed in June. Meanwhile, the dominant rebel force in the north, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham…

Erdogan’s ambitions will strain EU ties further

Location:

TURKEY/FRANCE

Rising tensions over the conflict in Libya have produced a severe crisis in French-Turkish ties and threaten to exacerbate strains in Ankara’s relations with the EU. By placing…

The way is open for more Turkish operations in Syria

Location:

TURKEY/SYRIA

It was just 58 days after Turkey launched an invasion aimed at seizing Afrin from Syrian Kurdish rebels whom Ankara regards as terrorists. Turks have been jubilant at what is…

Northern Syria's endgame will erode Kurdish autonomy

Location:

SYRIA

This follows a controversy after leaked comments from security sources that the operation was “over”. Fighting continues on the ground, principally small-scale skirmishes and…

Stabilisation initiatives will falter in Iraq

Location:

IRAQ

These operations follow the recapture of Tikrit, Sinjar, Ramadi and Fallujah from Islamic State group (ISG) in the past 18 months. Western countries backing the government and…

Islamic State finances can withstand oil losses

Location:

SYRIA/IRAQ

The US-led coalition operating in Iraq and Syria has stepped up efforts to disrupt ISG's financial operations in recent months, primarily through the bombing of oil production…

Russia risks mission creep as Syrian rebels dig in

Location:

SYRIA

Since the start of Russian airstrikes last September, the rebels have suffered their largest territorial loss to the regime in two years. The new counter-insurgent strategy…

Yemen's stabilisation will challenge Saudi coalition

Location:

SAUDI ARABIA

The two leaders are set to discuss Syria, Yemen and "steps to counter Iran's destabilising activities in the region", the White House has said. Saudi Arabia will seek stronger US…

Damascus’s return to the south may feed future tension

Location:

SYRIA

A six-week offensive regained control over the governorates of Deraa and Quneitra. However, stability has been undermined by recent Islamic State (IS) attacks and fears the area…

Turkish incursion into Syria needs Russian green light

Location:

SYRIA

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeated his threat of May 23 to invade Syria to "complete" a 30-kilometre-deep ‘safe zone’ and push Kurdish groups away from the border…