Military commander in Idlib and others living nearby describe eight helicopters swooping in at low altitude, multiple explosions and three-hour battle. (Photo source AFP ) By Harun al-Aswad in Syria-Turkey border Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, fugitive leader of the Islamic State (IS) group, was killed in a raid by US forces in Syria's northwestern Idlib province, US President Donald Trump … Continue reading Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi killed in US raid in Syria
While some activists welcome the imminent Turkish operation in eastern Syria, others fear it will put their city in danger (Photo Source AFP) By Harun al-Aswad The fate of Idlib province looms large in the minds of residents of the last opposition-held enclave in Syria, as Turkey prepares an offensive to clear Kurdish-controlled areas in northeast Syria. … Continue reading For Idlib’s residents, Turkey’s looming offensive throws future into doubt
Fighters express shock at the merger as opposition officials express support for Ankara's possible assault on Kurdish forces (Photo source AFP) By Ragip Soylu, Harun al-Aswad Turkey-backed Syrian rebel groups have merged under one command, two senior Syrian opposition officials announced in a news conference on Friday, raising expectations that they will aid Ankara in a looming … Continue reading Syrian rebel groups merge as Turkish offensive looms
After eight years in an increasingly intolerant Lebanon, a Syrian man travelled back to his war-torn country, hoping to find refuge in Turkey By Harun al-Aswad in Syria-Turkey border Samer Shamout has been here before. He has attempted to cross into Turkey from Syria's Idlib province a dozen times without success, and now he is waiting in a … Continue reading Desperate Syrians flee Lebanon to Turkey – via Syria
Russian raids on rebel-held enclave threaten fragile truce, though shelling has not abated since it began 11 days ago (Photo source AFP) By Harun al-AswadPublished date: 11 September 2019 13:39 UTC Russian air strikes on Idlib province killed an elderly man on Wednesday, the first victim since a ceasefire was declared 11 days ago in the last … Continue reading Air strikes in Syria’s Idlib kill first civilian since ceasefire