Islamic State – War Watch

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Iraq’s former prime minister denounces ‘blatant American interference’ in election
ByAssociated Press in Baghdad January 28, 2026

Nouri al-Maliki responds to Donald Trump’s threat to withdraw US support for Iraq if he is returned to powerUS politics live – latest updatesIraq’s former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki has angrily denounced “blatant American interference” in the count…

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Can Syria keep the world safe from IS fighters?
By January 28, 2026

Syrian government forces have seized swathes of territory from Kurdish groups – including camps holding IS prisoners. Will Christou reports on why this is a dangerous momentWill Christou reports on Syria for the Guardian and has been watching the new g…

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Mother of man jailed in Syria for Islamic State links calls for his repatriation to UK or Canada
ByDan Sabbagh Defence and security editor January 27, 2026

Sally Lane fears son Jack Letts, who left UK aged 18, may face death penalty if airlifted to Iraq under US operationThe mother of a British-born man detained for nearly nine years without trial in Syria has called for his repatriation to the UK or Cana…

Read More Mother of man jailed in Syria for Islamic State links calls for his repatriation to UK or Canada
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The ‘ticking-bomb’ Syrian prisons filled with IS suspects – video explainer
By January 24, 2026

The Syrian government has taken control of several prison camps holding Islamic State (IS) suspects in the north-east of the country.The takeover took place after the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which previously controlled the facilities, signed a …

Read More The ‘ticking-bomb’ Syrian prisons filled with IS suspects – video explainer
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Syrian and Kurdish forces agree to extend ceasefire as threat of war looms
ByWilliam Christou in Deir el-Zour January 24, 2026

Ceasefire to be extended for one month to allow transfer of suspected Islamic State members from Syria to IraqThe Syrian government and Kurdish forces agreed to extend a ceasefire on Saturday, according to Syrian diplomatic sources, temporarily staving…

Read More Syrian and Kurdish forces agree to extend ceasefire as threat of war looms
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‘Open the gates’: riots, fires and escape attempts as Syrian army takes over IS camp
ByWilliam Christou in al-Hawl, Syria January 22, 2026

Director of al-Hawl camp describes chaotic scenes as Kurdish guards fled and government fighters arrived. Will Christou reports from al-HawlThe children crowded the wire fence, waiting for the guard to turn his back, and made a break for it. They pumpe…

Read More ‘Open the gates’: riots, fires and escape attempts as Syrian army takes over IS camp
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Syria | World news

Concern over north-east Syria security amid fears IS militants could re-emerge
ByDan Sabbagh Defence and security editor January 21, 2026

US military says it has transported ‘IS fighters’ to Iraq after Kurdish-controlled prisons and camps changed handsConcerned western officials said they were closely monitoring the deteriorating security situation in north-east Syria amid fears that Isl…

Read More Concern over north-east Syria security amid fears IS militants could re-emerge
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Syria | World news

Syrian army takes control of detention camp for Islamic State suspects
ByAgence France-Presse January 21, 2026January 21, 2026

Move follows withdrawal of Kurdish forces from al-Hawl, where 24,000 people are being held over alleged IS linksSyrian government forces have taken control of al-Hawl detention camp, which houses tens of thousands of suspected Islamic State members, af…

Read More Syrian army takes control of detention camp for Islamic State suspects
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Kurdish forces withdraw from IS detention camp in north-east Syria
ByWilliam Christou January 20, 2026January 20, 2026

US says it no longer supports SDF, which left camp as it loses swathes of territory to government forcesKurdish-led forces in Syria have announced a withdrawal from a detention camp in north-east Syria housing tens of thousands of Islamic State-linked …

Read More Kurdish forces withdraw from IS detention camp in north-east Syria
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More than 100 Islamic State inmates escape jail amid clashes in north-east Syria
ByLorenzo Tondo in Jerusalem and Dan Sabbagh in London January 19, 2026January 20, 2026

Two sides blame each other for release of inmates, as Syria’s president looks to gain control of north-eastMore than 100 inmates have escaped from a Syrian jail holding Islamic State prisoners amid clashes in the north-east of the country after an agre…

Read More More than 100 Islamic State inmates escape jail amid clashes in north-east Syria