Yemen As our focus was limited yesterday, we missed a few developments in places other than Aleppo. For example, Yemeni rebels decided to go nuts and form themselves a brand new government: The announcement of the new government, reported by the Houthi-run state television and Saba news agency, said it was formed from “all walks … Continue reading Conflict update: November 29

Syria By all current outward appearances the Syrian army is well on its way to capturing eastern Aleppo. It reportedly controls at least two neighborhoods at this point and has entered several others. Syrian forces appear to be trying to drive through the center of the city to split the rebel-held areas in two. On … Continue reading Conflict update: November 27

France No, this isn't about that knife attack I mentioned yesterday--French authorities are saying that attack wasn't terrorism. However, they're also reporting that they've just arrested five ISIS operatives who were planning an "imminent" terrorist attack under direction from the group's leadership in the Middle East. At least some of the five appear to have … Continue reading Conflict update: November 25

Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrated it or are celebrating it today. If you're thankful for the work I do around this place, please don't hesitate to drop a little something in the tip jar down below, or (even better) to subscribe via the Patreon link on the front page. Every little bit helps, especially … Continue reading Thanksgiving conflict update: November 24

Syria Say, are you looking for a change of pace, something to shake up your dreary work routine? Have you thought about changing careers? Do you meet the strict physical requirements of the Syrian Arab Army (as long as you're not completely bedridden from some sort of wasting disease, you're good to go)? If so, … Continue reading Conflict update: November 22 (exciting job opportunity inside!)

Iraq If you've been keeping up with Joel Wing's neighborhood-by-neighborhood accounting of the Mosul fighting, you'll likely notice that the Iraqis have been declaring a bunch of neighborhoods "liberated" for the second or third time since they entered the city. This, as much as anything else, should tell you how quickly the operation is progressing, … Continue reading Conflict update: November 21

Yemen Here today: A Saudi Arabia-led coalition supporting Yemen's government against Houthi rebels has declared a 48-hour ceasefire that began on Saturday, according to local media. "It has been decided to begin a 48-hour ceasefire from 12:00 noon in Yemen's timing (09:00 GMT) on Saturday," a coalition statement carried by Saudi Arabia's official SPA news … Continue reading Conflict update, November 19