Benin–Niger border closure drives surge in migrant smuggling profits.

When Niger’s democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown in a July 2023 coup, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) moved within days to impose punitive measures that it hoped would force a return to constitutional order. This included financial sanctions on Niger and the closure of all member states’ borders with the country.1 The bridge over the Niger River, linking the Beninese city of Malanville and the city of Gaya in Niger ­– a key transit point for migrants and both licit and illicit trade – was therefore officially closed.

Political extortion? JNIM’s blockade of Boni, Mali.

In June 2024, fighters from the Katiba Serma sub-group of Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) redoubled their efforts to cut off the town of Boni, in the Mopti region of central Mali.1 This is the latest iteration of a blockade that the jihadist group had intermittently imposed for more than nine months on the Route Nationale (RN) 16.2 Blockades are very much part of JNIM’s toolkit in its areas of influence not just in Mali, but also in neighbouring Burkina Faso.

IS Sahel: Consolidating territory and reviving economies.

Since 2023, Islamic State Sahel Province (IS Sahel), a violent extremist organization affiliated to the Islamic State, has shifted from perpetrating high levels of indiscriminate violence against civilians towards building community support in areas where it has consolidated its influence. It has also begun actively reviving local economies (including illicit activities) that had been heavily undermined by its earlier indiscriminate use of violence.

Saladin’s Magic Lamp: Why Iran Seriously Believes That Genies Are Helping Israel in the War with Hezbollah

Israel’s recent success in eliminating Hamas and Hezbollah commanders has been attributed by influential Iranian theologian Mustafa Karami to nothing less than an army of jinn that Israel has enlisted to serve it. In the Middle East, it is still believed that jinn, who according to the Koran were created before Adam from a smokeless flame, can influence the fate of the world. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, for example, calls them the country’s main enemies, along with the United States and the coronavirus. And in Saudi Arabia, there is even a special anti-magic unit in the Ministry of Justice that has the authority to arrest and interrogate those suspected of witchcraft.

Prosecutor’s Business Bank. How hundreds of millions were laundered and disappeared into offshore accounts in the structures of Zheleznyak and Leontyev

In connection with the new wave of discussions about the history of the withdrawal of funds from Probusinessbank, The Insider publishes its analysis of the key episodes of what happened, based on numerous previously unpublished interviews with Zheleznyak and Leontyev, which the author of this text conducted 4 years ago. A study of the documents they provided and their own explanations allows us to conclude that the infrastructure built by Zheleznyak and Leontyev was actively used to launder hundreds of millions of “prosecutor’s” dollars, evade regulation provided by law, and transfer funds to offshore accounts, where a significant portion of the funds disappeared even before the arrival of the DIA.

Salvation Government Calls on the Fatah al-Mubin to Protect Civilians in Northern Syria

The statement reaffirmed the Salvation Government’s commitment to taking all necessary measures to defend civilians and uphold their right to live in safety and dignity in their homeland.

The Salvation Government has urged the Fatah al-Mubin operations room to take immediate and decisive measures to protect civilians and their property in northwestern Syria amid escalating Russian and Iranian attacks.

Syria Today – Israel Intercepts Two Drones from Syria; Is Syria Next in Regional War?

Syria is at the center of escalating tensions, facing both military incursions and a growing humanitarian crisis. The Israeli army intercepted two drones approaching from Syria, following a deadly Hezbollah drone attack, marking a deepening of the conflict on Israel’s northern borders with Syria and Lebanon. At the same time, thousands of Syrian refugees are returning home monthly from Turkey, with Turkey tightening its registration requirements for refugees and stopping a new migration wave from Syria. Meanwhile, inside Syria, a humanitarian funding shortfall threatens essential mental health care for millions displaced in the war-torn northwest, while UNRWA struggles to support displaced Palestinian refugees fleeing from Lebanon into Syria. Adding to this complex situation, Israel’s recent military movements in Syria’s Quneitra province have sparked concerns of further territorial annexation, raising alarm over broader regional conflict dynamics.

Erdogan Warns of Israel’s Occupation of Damascus

Erdogan claimed that Israel’s intentions to occupy Damascus after Lebanon could bring Israeli forces to Turkey’s border, Enab Baladi writes.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that Israel’s potential occupation of Damascus would drastically alter Syria’s map. Speaking to reporters on his return from Albania on Saturday, October 12, Erdogan criticized Israeli threats against Lebanon and Syria, asserting that “the occupation of Damascus will represent a serious regional threat,” as reported by the Turkish presidency’s Communications Department.

Syria Today – Strike in Lattakia; 10 Killed in Idlib; Lebanese Police Try to Expel Syrian Refugees

This news round on Syria covers several critical developments. In Latakia, an Israeli airstrike targeted a weapons depot, causing injuries and triggering explosions, as tensions escalate following Hamas’s October 7 attacks. In Idlib, Russian airstrikes killed 10 people, as opposition-held areas continue to suffer from both Russian and Syrian regime bombardment, with rumors of a rebel offensive looming. Meanwhile, the families of French nationals who joined IS are urging the UN to pressure France for their repatriation. Additionally, the French company Lafarge faces trial for financing terrorism in Syria, amidst allegations of complicity in crimes against humanity. Lastly, Syrian refugees in Lebanon, displaced by Israeli bombings, are facing harsh conditions and forced relocations by Lebanese authorities, as the humanitarian crisis deepens.

As World Powers Clash, ISIS Returns for Revenge

The Islamic State militant group is capitalizing on widespread unrest and flaring tensions over major conflicts, including those raging in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, to pave the way for new, deadly attacks across the globe, analysts told Newsweek.

The once-sprawling caliphate declared over a decade ago by the Islamic State (referred to as ISIS or IS) was largely defeated in Iraq and Syria by 2019 at the hands of an array of campaigns waged by local forces and international powers, including the United States, Russia and Iran. But the jihadis have since regrouped within the region and beyond, becoming particularly active in parts of Africa and in Afghanistan, where ISIS’ so-called Khorasan province (referred to as ISIS-K or ISKP) has emerged as an especially capable force when it comes to carrying out operations worldwide.