Syria

The U.S. military could move against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Syria once its militants are determined to have become a direct threat to the U.S. homeland or Europe, but not before, U.S. Gen. Martin Dempsey has said.

Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic said on Friday that the Croatian government had given a certain amount of firearms and ammunition to the US authorities after Washington’s appeal to NATO members for military donations to assist in the conflicts in Iraq and Syria. 

An American journalist held hostage in Syria by a militant group linked to al-Qaida was released on Sunday.

The release of Peter Theo Curtis, 45, had been facilitated by the Gulf emirate of Qatar. It came just days after the barbaric execution of American reporter James Foley by Islamic militants.

The Turkish government has added six individuals to its blacklist, including the spokesperson of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in line with a U.N. decision updating the al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee’s list of individuals and entities subject to sanctions.

It is rather difficult for me to write about the new prime ministerial candidate, Ahmet Davutoğlu, since he is a classmate from university years and an old friend. Despite the differences of political views that we had from the beginning, I have always regarded him as a very kind and valuable person. I remember him as a bright student in university classes and as a civilized person.

A British politician has floated the idea of facilitating Turkey’s stalled European Union membership bid in order to encourage the full membership candidate to put up a stronger fight against the jihadist militants.

Iran, which is helping Iraq in its fight against jihadist-led militants, sent its foreign minister to Baghdad Aug. 24, as gunmen made a renewed push for the country's main oil refinery.
      

Britain's Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Sunday that the killing of US journalist James Foley by a man speaking with an English accent was an "utter betrayal of our country".
      
Hammond's comments came amid growing concern in London that British passport holders who travel to fight in Iraq and Syria could return to commit attacks on British soil.
       

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his ministers on Sunday that the military campaign against Gaza militants would continue until peace is restored to southern Israel.
      
"Operation Protective Edge will continue until its aims are achieved... it may take time," he said of the Gaza offensive launched on July 8, in remarks broadcast by public radio.
      

Lebanon’s As-Safir newspaper said Saturday that the governments of Turkey and Qatar were now involved in negotiations to free the Lebanese security forces kidnapped by the jihadist Al-Nusra Front