AnewZ Morning Brief – 31 May 2026
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 31 May, covering the latest developments you need to know....
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is expected to visit Washington for discussions on Syria’s possible role in the U.S.-led coalition against IS.
United States Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack confirmed the planned visit during the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, saying the trip could open the way for Syria to join the international coalition formed to combat IS.
The visit would be al-Sharaa’s second trip to the United States, following his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.
Since taking power from Bashar al-Assad last December, al-Sharaa has made a series of foreign visits as his transitional government works to re-establish Syria’s relations with major powers after years of isolation.
Syria is not currently part of the U.S.-led coalition created in 2014 to defeat IS. At its peak between 2014 and 2017, the group controlled nearly one-third of Syria and Iraq, enforcing harsh rule and gaining notoriety for acts of brutality.
The coalition and its local partners expelled IS from its last stronghold in 2019. However, sources told Reuters in June that the group have been trying to exploit the fall of the Assad regime to mount a resurgence in Syria and neighbouring Iraq.
A group of Azerbaijani civil society organisations has called for increased scrutiny of Swiss building materials giant Holcim, citing court rulings and ongoing investigations linked to its subsidiary Lafarge's activities during the Syrian conflict.
Iranian-made Yassin missiles were spotted mounted on Armenian Air Force fighter aircraft during Armenia's latest military parade on Thursday (28 May), drawing attention from defence observers and regional analysts.
Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
The Philippines remains under a "severe threat" from China despite recent efforts by Washington and Beijing to ease tensions, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Saturday (30 May).
Russia has recalled its ambassador to Armenia for consultations, citing Yerevan's growing rapprochement with the European Union. The move is seen as the latest sign of deteriorating relations between the longtime allies ahead of Armenia's parliamentary election on 7 June.
Donald Trump said he is “in no hurry” to reach a deal with Iran, insisting the U.S. is slowly getting what it wants. He warned military action remains an option if talks fail. Meanwhile, U.S. forces said they fired a missile at a vessel trying to breach Washington’s blockade of Iran.
On 28 May, the EU's foreign policy chief called for Russian troops to leave Georgia and Moldova. By the end of the same day, both Tbilisi and Moscow had dismissed her. The symmetry tells a story of its own.
Iranian-made Yassin missiles were spotted mounted on Armenian Air Force fighter aircraft during Armenia's latest military parade on Thursday (28 May), drawing attention from defence observers and regional analysts.
Russia has recalled its ambassador to Armenia for consultations, citing Yerevan's growing rapprochement with the European Union. The move is seen as the latest sign of deteriorating relations between the longtime allies ahead of Armenia's parliamentary election on 7 June.
At least 22 people have been killed - including children - and 35 others injured after a truck carrying Afghan returnees overturned in eastern Afghanistan, local officials say.
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