The depraved killer, nicknamed Abu Suhaib, was obliterated in the strike which targeted the region of Mutaibija as two of his sick associates were also injured in the blast – according to local sources. 20 Feb 2017

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Russia signed a long-term agreement on Friday to greatly enlarge its military presence in Syria, more than doubling the space for warships in Russia’s only Mediterranean port and securing rights to an air base that may already be adding a second runway. 20 Feb 2017

WASHINGTON — With just days left as commander in chief, President Obama is confronting a wrenching decision on whether to move ahead with plans to arm Syrian Kurdish fighters battling the Islamic State in order to launch the long-awaited assault to retake Raqqa, the terrorist group’s de facto capital. 20 Feb 2017

ISTANBUL — Turkey’s anti-terrorism police have detained over 440 people for alleged links to the Islamic State, the state-run agency reported Sunday. 20 Feb 2017

ANKARA, Turkey — In a sign of improving ties, Turkish officials said Wednesdaythat President Trump spoke with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and responded “positively” on two key Turkish demands that had soured Ankara’s relations with the Obama administration. 13 Feb 2017

A former soldier has been sentenced under the Terrorism Act after he attempted to travel to Syria to fight Isis. 13 Feb 2017

In a love story which delivers some optimism in the bitterness of the refugee crisis, an Iraqi refugee and a Macedonian border guard have told of how they found love on the European migrant trail. 13 Feb 2017

A secret underground network operating in Iraq and Syria has reportedly freed more than 3,000 Yazidi women held captive in sexual slavery by Isis. 13 Feb 2017

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has said relations between Ankara and Washington are likely to improve once Donald Trump is inaugurated later this month. 4 Feb 2017

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, left, smiles while speaking to Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada, unseen, at the start of their meeting at Defense Ministry in Tokyo, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017. Mattis on Friday reassured two key U.S. treaty allies 4 Feb 2017