Infighting and inflation ahead of Iraqi Kurdistan vote

Ghazi Mohammed al-Mohammed was detained by Syrian military intelligence officers, stripped of his identity, and assigned a number while enduring horrific conditions in one of Assad's jails for five and a half months before being freed by rebels. Mohammed, a simple merchant, was subjected to torture, starvation, and threats of execution without knowing the reason for his arrest. Despite his physical and emotional scars, Mohammed hopes for justice against his captors as he struggles to...

Former prisoner Nizar Zakka, leading Hostage Aid Worldwide, fears Bashar al-Assad is hiding captive journalist Austin Tice to secure his own future. Despite Assad's overthrow, Tice remains missing after being kidnapped in Syria in 2012. Zakka believes Tice may be held in a secret safehouse near Damascus and continues efforts to locate him through text message campaigns and televised appeals. Full Article

Mehmet Erturk, after being released from a Syrian prison following 20 years of torture, returns home to Turkey unable to eat due to missing teeth from beatings suffered while incarcerated. Despite enduring brutal conditions in a notorious Damascus prison, he expresses gratitude to President Erdogan for his release and reunification with his family, while remembering the suffering of fellow inmates, including a friend who perished in prison. Erturk's harrowing account sheds light on the horrors...

Mohammed Darwish willingly returned to a Syrian jail under new leadership, where he endured harsh conditions and interrogations. Former prisoners, like Adham Bajbouj, also revisit the prison seeking closure, recalling the constant humiliation and torture they faced under Assad's rule. Despite the regime change, many are haunted by their past experiences and struggle to come to terms with the trauma they endured. Full Article

Thousands of Israelis demonstrated in Tel Aviv for a deal to release remaining hostages in Gaza after 14 months of war against Hamas, with actor Lior Ashkenazi and parent Itzik Horn calling for action. Mediation efforts have led to guarded optimism for a ceasefire and release agreement, with 96 hostages still in Gaza, including 34 believed to be dead. Qatar and the US are actively involved in negotiations, with Egypt also working towards a resolution...

The United States has made direct contact with Syria's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebels despite designating them as terrorists, seeking a peaceful transition and pressing for the release of kidnapped journalist Austin Tice. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of an inclusive and representative government in Syria, with respect for all Syrians' rights, as state institutions continue to provide essential services. Despite the terrorist designation, the US remains hopeful for a better future in...