conflict
Syria conflict: Deadly strike on Save the Children maternity hospital
An air strike has hit a maternity hospital supported by Save the Children in north-western Syria, killing two people and wounding others. The charity said several babies were hurt when incubators crashed to the floor, a pregnant woman lost a leg and two others suffered shrapnel wounds. Images show part of the building in Kafer...
Syria conflict: Rebels launch attack in divided Aleppo
Syrian rebel fighters have launched an assault on government-held districts of Aleppo, after troops cut their only route into the divided northern city. The rebel operation began at dawn on several fronts, with hundreds of shells being fired at western areas. State media said eight people were killed and dozens hurt by the...
Syria conflict: Rebels launch attack in divided Aleppo
Syrian rebel fighters have launched an assault on government-held districts of Aleppo, after troops cut their only route into the divided northern city. The rebel operation began at dawn on several fronts, with hundreds of shells being fired at western areas. State media said eight people were killed and dozens hurt by the...
Israel and Palestinians: Powers warn of ‘perpetual conflict’
A group of key world powers has warned of "perpetual occupation and conflict" between Israelis and Palestinians. In a long-awaited report, the so-called Quartet said ongoing violence, Israeli settlement-building and Palestinian splits were undermining peace hopes. Israel insisted it was a "myth" that...
IS conflict: Falluja ‘humanitarian disaster’ warning
A humanitarian disaster is unfolding in Falluja following a civilian exodus from the Iraqi city, aid workers warn. Some 80,000 people have fled during a four-week government offensive to drive back so-called Islamic State fighters, says the UN. A further 25,000 civilians are likely on the move, the organisation adds. Aid...
IS conflict: Iraqi forces ‘retake most’ of Falluja
Iraqi government forces have retaken most of the city of Falluja from so-called Islamic State fighters who have held it since 2014, officials say. US Defence Secretary Ash Carter said there was "still some fighting to be done" as IS still controls a significant part of the city. But Iraq's prime minister hailed...
Libya conflict: Government forces ‘advance’ against IS-held Sirte
Significant gains have been made by Libyan government air, sea and land forces fighting to recapture the central city of Sirte from so-called Islamic State, officials say. Forces allied to the Tripoli government assert they now have the upper hand. Warplanes bombed IS positions in Sirte while naval forces fired missiles into...
Syria conflict: Hospital ‘hit in Aleppo air strike’
At least 15 people are reported to have been killed and dozens wounded in a series of air strikes on rebel-held areas in the Syrian city of Aleppo. One of the strikes hit near the Bayan hospital in the eastern Shaar district, activists and a monitoring group said. Video footage, purportedly of the aftermath, showed bodies being...
Yemen conflict: UN takes Saudi coalition off child blacklist
The Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen has been removed from a UN blacklist of states and groups that violate children's rights in conflict. Saudi Arabia protested after the UN released a report saying the coalition was responsible for 60% of the child deaths and injuries in Yemen last year. It said the...
Syria conflict: Troops ‘cross into IS-held Raqqa province’
Syrian troops have crossed into Raqqa province, nearing the capital of so-called Islamic State, activists say. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said heavy Russian air strikes had helped the offensive. There is no Syrian or Russian confirmation. A US-backed alliance of Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighters started a...
Syria conflict: Kurds launch campaign north of IS-held Raqqa
A US-backed alliance of Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighters has begun a campaign to expel Islamic State (IS) militants from land north of Raqqa. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is believed to have deployed about 30,000 fighters. US-led coalition warplanes will support the offensive and Russia has also given its backing. The SDF...
Syria conflict: IS ‘overruns hospital in Deir al-Zour’
Militants from the Islamic State (IS) group have briefly overrun a hospital complex in the eastern Syrian city of Deir al-Zour, reports say. Activists say about 35 pro-government fighters were killed and some medical staff taken hostage. More than 20 IS fighters were also reported killed. The attack was centred on al-Assad...