Islamic State – War Watch

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French cement maker convicted of financing terror groups to keep its Syria plant working
ByAngelique Chrisafis in Paris and agencies April 13, 2026

Lafarge fined more than €1m and its former boss jailed for paying nearly €5.6m to groups including Islamic State A French court has fined the cement group Lafarge more than €1m (£870,000) and sentenced its former boss to six years in prison for paying …

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‘We waited 12 years’: escapees from Syria’s camps face an uncertain future
ByBy Arbjona Cibuku in Tirana, William Christou and Ashifa Kassam April 12, 2026

A young Albanian woman’s escape from al-Hawl offers rare hope – but as the camp empties many are left stranded, prompting urgent calls for repatriationFor weeks he hovered near Turkey’s border with Syria hoping for good news. In early February, Xhetan …

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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | France | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Iraq | Islamic State | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Modern slavery | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Rape and sexual assault | Violence against women and girls

French IS member convicted of genocide for atrocities against Yazidis
ByKim Willsher March 20, 2026

Sabri Essid also found guilty of crimes against humanity after harrowing evidence from women enslaved by jihadistA French member of Islamic State has been convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity for atrocities committed against Yazidis in a h…

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Iraqi official urges Australia to take back alleged IS fighters during meeting with ambassador
ByNino Bucci Justice and courts reporter March 12, 2026

Iraq’s national security adviser Qassim al-Araji says he told Australian ambassador that countries should repatriate prisonersFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA senior Iraq…

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Hostage review – this portrait of a war reporter is jaw-dropping stuff
ByJack Seale March 4, 2026

This documentary about British war correspondent John Cantlie – who was kidnapped by IS and is believed to have died in an airstrike – is full of remarkable yarnsWe need reporters on the ground to help us see through the fog of war, but that is always …

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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Syria | World news

Islamic State emerges from rubble of north-east Syria to exploit discontent with al-Sharaa
ByWilliam Christou in Baghuz February 28, 2026

‘Rebranded’ terror group seeks to recruit those alienated by Damascus government’s western pivotOn the surface, all that remains of Islamic State in the Syrian town of Baghuz are discarded tubs of whitening cream, spent RPG motors and children’s backpa…

Read More Islamic State emerges from rubble of north-east Syria to exploit discontent with al-Sharaa
Australia news | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Syria

‘I just want to be free’: Australian children held in Syrian camps reveal their hopes and dreams
ByWilliam Christou and Baderkhan Ahmad in al-Roj February 25, 2026

Exclusive: As debate rages over their return, children of Australian women with Islamic State links dream of ice-cream, Bluey and not living in a tentGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe first thing Layla did when she left al-…

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Australian women held in Syrian camps say they would accept children returning home separately
ByWilliam Christou and Baderkhan Ahmad in al-Roj, and Ben Doherty in Sydney February 24, 2026

Exclusive: Some of the 11 mothers detained in Kurdish-controlled al-Roj camp say they want Australian government to repatriate children at any costFamilies in convoy from Syrian camp warned they would be attacked unless they turned aroundFollow our Aus…

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Australian families in convoy from Syrian camp warned they would be attacked unless they turned around
ByWilliam Christou and Baderkhan Ahmad in al-Roj, and Ben Doherty in Sydney February 23, 2026

Exclusive: Government forces issued threat because Australian government failed to coordinate with them, official saysFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSyrian government off…

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NSW prepares for possible return of Islamic State-linked women and children from Syria
ByTom McIlroy political editor February 23, 2026

Premier Chris Minns says state has been working with federal government as group of 11 women and 23 children attempt to leave refugee campGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNew South Wales authorities are preparing for about a t…

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