In the first of a series from Syria, Robert Fisk says that new connections, however tenuous, demonstrate that all sides are determined to avoid military confrontation between Moscow and Washington

After liberation by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, a survivor cries: ‘May these clothes they forced us to wear be damned!’ 

Last Days of the Caliphate: In the latest in his special series on the fall of Mosul, Patrick Cockburn examines why the number of extrajudicial killings has been so high in the recent conflict

In the second part of a series from Iraq, anti-Isis fighters tell Patrick Cockburn the terror group is massacring any civilian that tries to help oust them

Arsem Ibraham was just 13 when he was abducted and has spent three years with Isis being trained to kill and idolise suicide bombers

53-year-old starred in Pirates of the Caribbean alongside Johnny Depp, and Knight and Day with Tom Cruise

Prime minister congratulates troops on victory three years after Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi called on Muslims to join his newly created caliphate

Defence Secretary says momentum towards Isis' defeat is 'irreversible'

Iraqi troops retake city's wrecked al-Nuri mosque on third anniversary since caliphate declared from same spot

Iraqi forces claim the destruction of the caliphate after retaking Mosul’s wrecked al-Nuri mosque - but the deep problems that drive violence in the country will be harder to address 

'Your average human being would be scared for life after being so close to death but she kept laughing'

Move comes after Moscow threatens US-led coalition planes in Syrian-controlled airspace will be treated as potential 'targets'

Residents of historic Old City are being sealed into their homes to stop them fleeing as last 300 militants fight to the death for what was once Isis’s biggest stronghold

Commanders say they will 'not hesitate to defend' partner forces

UN warns defeat of Isis must not come at ‘expense of civilians’ trapped under group’s control