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Islamic State

Islamic State
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Islamic State. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Muhammad Billal, 18, sought advice and guidance on how to leave Britain without arousing suspicion. Photo: AFP
Britain

UK teenager admits plotting terror attack with gun

Muhammad Billal’s terror attack planning involved researching ‘accessible shooting ranges’ and ‘chest rigs’ designed to hold ammunition.

Russia

Russia becomes first country to recognise Taliban government of Afghanistan

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Middle East

US bases in the Middle East under threat as Iran vows retaliation

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Syria

Suicide attack on Damascus church kills at least 22

Islamic State blamed for attack, the first inside a Syrian church since civil war erupted in 2011.

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Journalists and civil defence workers inspect the damage inside Mar Elias church where a suicide bomber detonated himself in Dweil’a, on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria on Sunday. Photo: SANA via AP
Donald Trump

Trump suggests Iran, Israel need ‘to fight it out’ to reach a deal

US president also said the United States ‘could get involved’ in the Iran-Israel conflict.

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Middle East

Iran executes 9 Isis militants linked to 2018 attack

Meanwhile, two thieves have had their hands amputated under Sharia law, showcasing the country’s harsh judicial measures.

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Donald Trump

Trump attacks ‘scum’ opponents, judges on day honouring US war dead

US president honours fallen soldiers on Memorial Day after posting an all-caps tirade at his enemies on social media.

President Donald Trump at Arlington National Cemetery. Photo: Reuters
Middle East

Syrian government, Kurdish officials visit notorious prison camp

Kurdish-run camps in Syria’s northeast hold tens of thousands of people, many with alleged or perceived links to Isis.

Middle East

Syria on the brink? US warns of potential new civil war within weeks

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Syria’s transitional government facing potential collapse, more war, and ‘country splitting up’.

Syrian conflict

Syria’s rebel leader Sharaa’s path from global jihad to Trump meeting

The meeting in Saudi Arabia is a milestone for a man who joined al-Qaeda in Iraq around the time of the 2003 US-led invasion.

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Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the Elysee Palace in Paris on May 7, 2025. Photo: Reuters
China-Middle East relations

Syria’s foreign minister wants to ‘strengthen relations’ with China

At UN meeting, Asaad al-Shaibani said Syria willing to build ‘strategic partnership’ with China, a key backer of ousted ruler Assad.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Monday. Photo: AFP
France

Police in Paris arrest 2 over terrorist attack plot

The main suspect, a 19-year-old living in northern France, had ties to Islamic State and planned to attack a public place, French media said.

Singapore

Singapore detains boy, 17, allegedly planning to kill Muslims

The boy, 17, had decided on five mosques across Singapore for his post-Friday prayer attacks.

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The Philippines

Piracy threat prompts dark sail for cruise ship in Philippine waters

For passengers aboard the Queen Anne, their cruise holiday took a dramatic turn as they approached the Philippines.

The Queen Anne is a veritable floating city capable of hosting nearly 3,000 passengers and more than 1,200 crew members. Photo: Shutterstock
Pakistan

Pakistan vs Isis-K: inside the global crackdown that won Trump’s praise

In a seven-month operation spanning 21 nations, Pakistani intelligence dismantled an Isis-K cell tied to bombings in Kabul, Moscow and Kerman.

Militants riding in a convoy wave an Isis flag. Photo: AP
Middle East

Head of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria killed, Iraqi PM says

Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai was killed by Iraqi intelligence members and US-led coalition forces, PM Mohammed Shia al-Sudani says.

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Middle East

Syria’s government signs breakthrough deal with US-backed SDF

Deal aims to integrate Kurdish-led SDF-controlled entities into Syrian state institutions.

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Middle East

Syria risks relapsing into chaos amid US sanctions, infighting

The transitional authorities in Syria are viewed with suspicion by the US and Israel, while various groups want a decentralised government.

Syrians protest against Israel in the southern city of Suwayda on February 25. Photo: AFP
Germany

Driver rams car into crowd in German of Mannheim, killing 2

Security has been a key concern in Germany following a string of violent attacks in recent weeks.

Crime

Austria foils railway station terror attack, arrests teen, 14

Investigators found material that suggested the teen, an Austrian with Turkish roots, supported the Islamic State group.

Austria

Austria calls stabbing that killed teen an ‘Islamist attack’

One killed, five injured in attack by a 23-year-old Syrian asylum seeker in the Austrian city of Villach.

People mourn at a makeshift memorial of candles and flowers in Villach, Austria. Photo: APA via AFP
Crime

Sweden jails man for joining Islamic state, in first under new law

The case is the first conviction for the crime of ‘participation in a terrorist organisation’, under a law that was adopted in 2023.

The Swedish parliament in 2023 adopted new legislation banning participation in a terrorist group. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Singapore detains teen ‘East Asian supremacist’ for planning attacks on Muslims

Ethnic Chinese Singaporean Nick Lee Xing Qui was radicalised online and aspired to carry out a Christchurch-style attack, investigators said.

Syria

Car bomb kills 20 in northern Syria, deadliest attack since Assad toppled

No immediate claims of responsibility for ‘terror’ attack in Manbij, near the Turkish border. Victims were mostly women, officials said.

Chinese overseas

China condemns killing of national in Afghanistan attack claimed by Isis

Islamic State said it targeted a vehicle carrying the Chinese citizen, which led to his death.

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The flags of the China and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. File photo: Reuters
Middle East

‘New era’: Iraq PM says he will sign security deal with Britain

Mohammed Shia al-Sudani touts Iraq-UK ties in London visit, will sign security and strategic partnership deals.

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Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. Photo: Anadolu Agency / Pool via Reuters
History

Like a giant jigsaw puzzle, Iraq’s historic treasures become whole again

Archaeologists are painstakingly putting together artefacts at Nimrud shattered by Islamic State jihadists, undaunted by the colossal task.

War and conflict

Opinion | China can help Syria transform from conflict corridor to bridge of commerce

An inclusive, tolerant Syria and a China-led grand coalition to rebuild and revive the economy could see regional strife give way to prosperity.

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