Middle East

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Iraq 'retakes Ramadi district from IS'

Iraqi security forces member in the town of Husayba, east of Ramadi (7 December 2015)

Iraqi government forces retake a key area of the city of Ramadi, which is controlled by the jihadist group Islamic State, officials say.

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Syrian opposition seeks unified front

Syria's disparate political and armed opposition factions meet in Riyadh in an attempt to come up with a unified front ahead of possible peace talks.

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IS fuelled by 'reckless arms trading'

Decades of "reckless arms trading" by world powers helped the Islamic State group get its hands on a vast arsenal of weapons, Amnesty International says.

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Saudi maid adultery case 'to reopen'

  • 8 December 2015
  • From the section Asia

Air strikes on Syria 'kill 26 civilians'

Yemen talks to start on 15 December

Features

One gun's journey

How a modern Belgian rifle found its way to militants in Gaza

  • 8 December 2015
  • From the section Magazine
Video 2:20

Shock tactics

Why Islamic State thrives on grotesque acts of violence

Lighting up

Neon illuminations pierce night sky in Saudi port of Jeddah

'Life worse than death'

The Syrians who survive on getting water once a week

Lyse Doucet Chief international correspondent
  • 7 December 2015
  • From the section Middle East
  • comments

Posturing without politics

Why Egypt's new parliament will not worry President Sisi

Unlikely hero

The country where many still mourn the 'messiah of Africa'

  • 6 December 2015
  • From the section Magazine

World Service radio

Elsewhere on the BBC

Sex and the Church

Why does it divide Christians?

Sleepless nights

Is there a secret to keeping a baby quiet?