(The Daily Star)- A massive ISIS assault on targets in and around the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk came to an end Saturday after a day and night of heavy clashes, as Iraqi forces launched a new advance southeast of the ISIS-held city of Mosul. Brig. Gen. Khattab Omer of the Kirkuk police...

(The Daily Star)- A cease-fire to allow wounded civilians and rebels to leave besieged parts of Aleppo has been extended into the weekend by Russia, but hoped-for medical evacuations didn't materialize by Friday evening because of a lack of security guarantees, officials and residents said....

(Zaman Al Wasl)- A rebel faction operating in the embattled Eastern Ghouta suburbs near Damascus has opened fire on protests demanding unity among opposition fighters as regime army make gains around the capital, local activists said Friday. Activists of Zamalka suburb said Faylaq...

European Union leaders condemned Russia on Friday for its bombing of civilians in Syria's besieged city of Aleppo but faced resistance from Italy to impose new sanctions against Moscow over the atrocities. Horrified by Russian air strikes on hospitals and an aid convoy that have killed...