North Africa

ISIS complains about jihadist rivals in Libya

The latest edition of the English-language ISIS magazine Dabiq includes a tirade against Qaeda-aligned forces in Libya, amid an internecine war of jihadist factions.

Afghanistan

Chinese mine threatens Afghan Buddhist site

Archaeologists are racing against time to salvage artifacts from the 5,000-year-old Mes Aynak site in Afghanistan's Logar province before it is destroyed by an open-pit copper mine.

Iraq

ISIS gains ground as diplomats dither

ISIS advanced on Aleppo and launched an offensive on the Syrian Kurdish city of Hassakeh as the US and coalition partners met in Paris. No Kurdish leaders were invited to the summit.

Greater Middle East

ISIS blows up Syrian prison at Palmyra

ISIS militants blew up the Tadmur prison complex at Palmyra—a move protested by Syria's civil resistance as destroying evidence of the Assad regime's crimes there.

Greater Middle East

Syria: Nusra Front announces drive on Damascus

Islamist rebels led by al-Qaeda affiliate Nusra Front have seized new territory in northwestern Syria, and issued a pledge to take Damascus and topple the regime.

Greater Middle East

ISIS in Palmyra: lives versus archaeology?

As the world awaits ISIS destruction of the archaeological treasures of Palmyra, human rights groups are raising the alarm over the fate of the city's civilian inhabitants.

Iraq

ISIS advances on Palmyra archaeological site

ISIS forces are advancing on the ancient city of Palmyra, a UN World Heritage Site, where it is feared they will carry on their destruction of the region's archaeological treasures.