The global market for mercenaries and private military contractors is worth more than $100 billion, and the lines that differentiate the two are blurry.
Meanwhile, Islamabad has removed Muhammad Ahmed Ludhianvi, head of the sectarian Ahl e Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) group, from its terror watchlist.
Turkey's political discourse has markedly changed from previous elections. The need to gather a popular majority for a presidential candidate is forcing parties to broaden their appeal with more inclusive messaging.
Morocco has announced it is cutting ties with Iran, accusing Tehran of weaponising the Polisario Front, an independence movement that has clashed with Rabat for Western Sahara for the past four decades.
Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack in Kabul that also wounded 31people at the entrance to Afghanistan's rural rehabilitation and development ministry.
Ahead of Turkey's June 24 elections, the most asked question is the fate of Kurdish votes. The stance of Turkey's mostly Kurdish populated cities will be one of the determinants of the presidential and parliamentary elections.
The governing AK Party, the main opposition CHP and the opposition MHP vote in favour of the bill for holding early elections in Turkey on June 24.
A proposal submitted to Congress seeks funding of $300 million for US allies in Syria, which would include the YPG/PKK, who make up the bulk of US allies in the war-torn country.
Several gun repair and manufacturing shops have sprung up in Azaz city, and one particular weapon is in demand—the AK-47, locally referred to as the "Bin Laden".
Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch in January to drive the YPG/PKK and Daesh out and allow people to return.
A spokesman of Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council says the convicted women had "provided logistical support to Daesh and had married militants of the organisation."
Edward Erickson, an American military expert, argues that the US seeks to cultivate influence in Syria by creating "Kurdish enclaves" run by anti-Turkey forces.
Subscribe to our Youtube channel for all latest in-depth, on the ground reporting from around the world.
Copyright © 2023 TRT World.