Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) – War Watch

al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | Defense and Military Forces | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Peace Process | Syria | Syrian Army | Syrian Democratic Forces | Terrorism | War and Armed Conflicts

Syria Announces Cease-Fire Extension, Hours After Truce With Kurds Expired
ByAbdi Latif Dahir January 24, 2026January 24, 2026

Syria’s government and Kurdish-led forces in the country’s northeast have clashed as President Ahmed al-Sharaa seeks to extend his authority across the entire country.

Read More Syria Announces Cease-Fire Extension, Hours After Truce With Kurds Expired
al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | internal-open-access-from-nl | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Iraq | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | Terrorism | United States Defense and Military Forces | War and Armed Conflicts

U.S. Starts Moving ISIS Detainees From Syria to Iraq
ByEuan Ward and Eric Schmitt January 21, 2026January 21, 2026

The U.S. military said it had transferred 150 Islamic State detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq and could eventually move as many as 7,000, as the Syrian government assumes control of the region from Kurdish-led forces.

Read More U.S. Starts Moving ISIS Detainees From Syria to Iraq
al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Syrian Democratic Forces | War and Armed Conflicts

U.S. Pivot in Syria Leaves an Old Ally in the Lurch
ByBen Hubbard and Carlotta Gall January 21, 2026January 21, 2026

A Kurdish force that helped defeat the Islamic State is collapsing as the Trump administration turns to back the new Syrian government.

Read More U.S. Pivot in Syria Leaves an Old Ally in the Lurch
Al Hol Detention Camp (Syria) | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Politics and Government | Prisons and Prisoners | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | War and Armed Conflicts

U.S. Shifts Away From Kurdish-Led Forces in Fight Against ISIS
ByEuan Ward and Alissa J. Rubin January 20, 2026January 20, 2026

The U.S. envoy to Syria said Washington was confident the Syrian government could take over the country’s fight against the Islamic State terrorist group.

Read More U.S. Shifts Away From Kurdish-Led Forces in Fight Against ISIS
Damascus (Syria) | Deir al-Zour (Syria) | Hasaka (Syria) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Politics and Government | Raqqa (Syria) | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | Terrorism | War and Armed Conflicts

Clashes Erupt Around Syrian Prisons Holding Islamic State Fighters
ByChristina Goldbaum January 19, 2026January 20, 2026

New tensions flared a day after a Kurdish-led militia agreed to hand over control of prisons holding some 8,000 Islamic State fighters to the Syrian government.

Read More Clashes Erupt Around Syrian Prisons Holding Islamic State Fighters
Aleppo (Syria) | internal-open-access-from-nl | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Raqqa (Syria) | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | United States International Relations | War and Armed Conflicts

Syrian Government and Kurdish-Led Force Agree to Merge After Clashes
ByRaja Abdulrahim January 18, 2026January 18, 2026

The new deal also calls for a cease-fire. Government forces have taken strategic assets from the militia in recent days, weakening the force.

Read More Syrian Government and Kurdish-Led Force Agree to Merge After Clashes
Assad, Bashar al- | Defense and Military Forces | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Politics and Government | Raqqa (Syria) | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | War and Armed Conflicts

Syria Advance on Kurdish-Held Areas as Washington Urges Restraint
ByEuan Ward January 18, 2026January 18, 2026

Government troops drew closer to Raqqa, the largest city overseen by the Kurds, raising U.S. concerns about the renewal of a wider conflict in the region.

Read More Syria Advance on Kurdish-Held Areas as Washington Urges Restraint
al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | Aleppo (Syria) | Assad, Bashar al- | Bombs and Explosives | Churches (Buildings) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | New Year | Religion-State Relations | Syria | Terrorism

Suicide Bomber in Syria Kills Security Officer in New Year’s Eve Attack
ByEphrat Livni and Hussam Hammoud January 1, 2026

The attacker likely had links to the Islamic State and was possibly targeting a Christian church in the center of Aleppo, according to a government spokesman.

Read More Suicide Bomber in Syria Kills Security Officer in New Year’s Eve Attack
Attacks on Police | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Police | Terrorism | Turkey

ISIS Militants Kill 3 Police Officers in Turkey
ByBen Hubbard and Safak Timur December 29, 2025December 29, 2025

A raid on a suspected safe house for the terrorist group Islamic State set off a clash that killed the police officers as well as six Turkish militants.

Read More ISIS Militants Kill 3 Police Officers in Turkey
Alawite Muslims | Assad, Bashar al- | Civilian Casualties | Demonstrations, Protests and Riots | Homs (Syria) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Latakia (Syria) | Minorities | Syria | Syrian Observatory for Human Rights

Syrian Protests Over Lack of Security Leave 2 Dead
ByRaja Abdulrahim December 28, 2025December 28, 2025

Days after a bombing at a mosque in a predominantly Alawite area, members of the religious minority in Syria demonstrated for better protections.

Read More Syrian Protests Over Lack of Security Leave 2 Dead