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Kataib Hezbollah publicly claimed responsibility for abducting and releasing Israeli citizen Elizabeth Tsurkov, citing national security reasons and US pressure. The group alleged she was part of a network inciting conflict among Shia factions. Critics dismiss the militia's claims, suggesting ransom motives. Tsurkov was abducted in March 2023 and released in September 2025.
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Recent years have seen a series of deadly attacks on houses of worship worldwide, including synagogues, mosques, and churches. These incidents, often linked to extremist groups, have heightened fears among religious communities. Authorities are increasing security measures, but the threat persists, impacting the sense of safety for worshippers today, October 10, 2025.
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Multiple attacks in eastern Syria target Syrian military personnel near oil facilities. The latest incident, involving an explosion on a highway, resulted in five deaths and 13 injuries. No group has claimed responsibility, but ISIS sleeper cells are suspected. The region remains tense amid ongoing clashes between government forces and Kurdish-led SDF.
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On October 31, 2025, the FBI arrested five U.S. citizens aged 16 to 20 in Michigan, allegedly plotting a violent attack inspired by Islamic State for Halloween weekend. The suspects discussed plans in an online chat room referencing "pumpkin day." Authorities assured the public there is no current threat. Defense lawyers dispute the existence of a terror plot.
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The FBI arrested multiple suspects in Michigan over an alleged ISIS-inspired plot targeting Halloween. The suspects, including Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud, stockpiled firearms and communicated online about attacking L.G.B.T.Q.+ locations. No attack occurred, and authorities say they stopped a massacre before it happened. The suspects appeared to plan around Halloween, with some scouting locations.
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Syria has reportedly thwarted two Islamic State plots to assassinate President Ahmed al-Sharaa, amid efforts to join a US-led coalition against ISIS. The plots, uncovered over recent months, highlight ongoing threats as Syria prepares to formalize its cooperation with Western security efforts. Sharaa aims to bolster his position and seek international support.
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On November 10, 2025, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited the White House, the first Syrian leader to do so since independence. The meeting with President Donald Trump focused on lifting sanctions, Syria’s integration into a US-led coalition against ISIS, and a potential security pact involving Israel. The US suspended Caesar Act sanctions for six months, signaling a shift in regional alliances and Syria’s international rehabilitation.
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Recent visits by Syrian officials to the US and UK mark a shift in diplomatic relations, with Syria seeking recognition and support amid ongoing negotiations. The US has eased sanctions, and Syria aims to strengthen its regional position, including potential US military and diplomatic arrangements.
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Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, once a US-designated terrorist, has visited Washington, marking a historic shift. He met with Trump, discussed anti-ISIS cooperation, sanctions relief, and regional stability. Syria's entry into the US-led coalition signals a major change in US-Syria relations amid ongoing regional tensions.
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Syrian security forces, in cooperation with Syrian intelligence, conducted operations against Islamic State cells in Latakia and Aleppo provinces. The raids resulted in arrests and casualties amid ongoing tensions and sectarian violence. Syria emphasizes its commitment to coastal security and combating militant groups.
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Pope Leo XIV arrived in Lebanon on December 1 for his first trip as pope, focusing on peace, Christian unity, and interfaith dialogue amid ongoing regional conflicts. He visited key religious sites, urged Lebanese leaders to unite, and called for peace in the region, including at the site of the 2020 Beirut port explosion.
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Between November 24-27, US Central Command and Syrian forces conducted joint operations in Rif Damashq, destroying over 130 mortars, rockets, and weapons caches. Despite ISIS's setbacks years ago, it has regrouped. The operation aims to secure lasting gains against the militant group amid ongoing US-Syria talks.
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On December 13, 2025, a lone ISIS gunman ambushed US and Syrian forces near Palmyra, Syria. Three Americans, including two service members and one civilian interpreter, were killed. The attacker was killed, and the incident marks the first US military fatalities in Syria since the fall of Bashar Assad last year.
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On December 13, 2025, two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in Palmyra, Syria, by a gunman who was a member of Syrian security forces. The attacker, suspected of Islamic State ties, was shot dead. The incident marks the first US casualties since Assad's ouster and highlights fragile US-Syrian cooperation against ISIS.
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Two men involved in the December 15 Bondi Beach mass shooting traveled to the Philippines last month, raising questions about possible militant links. Australian authorities found no evidence of radicalization or training, but investigations continue into their activities during their stay in Mindanao, amid ongoing regional security concerns.
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The US military conducted large-scale strikes across central Syria targeting ISIS infrastructure, in retaliation for an attack that killed three US personnel. The operation involved over 70 targets and was supported by Syrian authorities, marking a significant escalation in US military actions in the region.
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The US and Jordan conducted military strikes in Syria targeting Islamic State sites in response to an attack that killed three US citizens. The operation aimed to prevent ISIS regrouping and protect regional security, following a deadly assault near Palmyra involving a Syrian gunman.