BIZARRE: 22 | Mind Blowing Facts

Pressure grows to bring French Islamic State suspects home from Iraqi prisons

A French human rights group is calling for the repatriation of 47 French nationals held in Iraqi prisons after being transferred from Syria, where they were first detained on suspicion of belonging to the Islamic State group.

Radio France Internationale · Jan 30

Visa-free China travel is coming - but which countries still need one?

Brits will be able to visit China for up to 30 days without a visa under the new deal - but you still need one to visit dozens of countries

Evening Standard · Jan 29

US abandons Syria’s Kurds, risking regional turmoil and an IS resurgence

Many Kurdish people will be feeling betrayed by the US after the Syrian army, backed by the US and armed by Turkey, launched an offensive against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in early January. The SDF has long been hailed as the west’s most effective partner against the Islamic…

The Conversation · Jan 28

Baghdad says it will prosecute Islamic State militants being moved from Syria to Iraq

Baghdad says it will prosecute and try militants from the Islamic State group who are being transferred from prisons and detention camps in neighboring Syria to Iraq under a U.S.-brokered deal

The Independent UK · Jan 25

Truce between Syrian government and Kurdish fighters ends with no clear renewal in sight

A four-day truce between the Syrian government and Kurdish fighters has ended with no clear signs of renewal

The Independent UK · Jan 24

Transfer of IS prisoners to Iraq puts renewed pressure on European governments

The transfer of senior Islamic State detainees from Syria to Iraq has reignited pressure on European governments to confront the long-deferred issue of bringing home and prosecuting their citizens.

Radio France Internationale · Jan 24

Syrian and Kurdish forces agree to extend ceasefire as threat of war looms

Ceasefire to be extended for one month to allow transfer of suspected Islamic State members from Syria to Iraq

The Guardian - UK · Jan 24

Syrian Army seizes northeast as US abandons Kurdish-led forces

The Syrian Army has made sweeping gains against Kurdish-led forces in northeast Syria, dealing a major blow to Syrian Kurdish autonomy and handing victories to both Damascus and neighbouring Turkey. With Washington abandoning its backing of the militia alliance, the Syrian Democratic Forces now face disbandment or renewed fighting.

Radio France Internationale · Jan 24

The Guardian view on Syria’s crisis: Islamic State fighters are not the only concern

Editorial: As a lightning government offensive leaves the Kurdish-dominated SDF reeling, the political horizon needs attention as well as security

The Guardian - UK · Jan 23

Syrian forces take control of prison housing IS members after Kurdish fighters evacuate

Syria's government forces have taken control of a prison housing Islamic State group members in the country's north

The Independent UK · Jan 23