The article details the harrowing journey of Rohingya Muslims fleeing violence in Myanmar, with a focus on Nizamuddin, a refugee who made it to India. It describes the perilous routes taken by the Rohingyas to escape the ethnic violence that erupted in 2012, following allegations of rape by Muslim men against a Buddhist woman. The violence led to deaths, destruction of property, and a mass exodus. Refugees like Nizamuddin had to navigate through jungles and mountains, and pay hefty sums to agents for safe passage, often selling their possessions to afford the journey. The article also touches on the economic exploitation by agents at the borders and the complex historical context of the Rohingyas' statelessness in Myanmar. It highlights the challenges faced by refugees in their new countries, including legal status, survival, and the uncertainty of the future.

The Syrian Democratic Forces, predominantly composed of Syrian Kurds YPG, announced the start of the 'Euphrate’s Anger' campaign to liberate Raqqa from the Islamic State. The US is providing air support, similar to the 2015 battle for Kobane. This operation coincides with the Mosul offensive against Islamic State in Iraq. The US's support of the Kurds may strain relations with Turkey, which opposes a significant Kurdish role in the offensive and has recently moved closer to Russia. Turkey's crackdown on Kurdish citizens and organizations has drawn international criticism. The US-SDF alliance and the timing of the announcement, just before US elections, positions the US as a prominent actor against Islamic State.

Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is reportedly trapped in Mosul, Iraq, as Iraqi forces approach the city's eastern suburbs. The loss of Mosul is expected to be a significant psychological blow to IS, undermining its narrative of statehood. The battle for Mosul is intensifying with urban guerrilla warfare, and Iraqi forces are facing fierce resistance. The importance of local support in the fight against IS is emphasized by Iraqi military officials.

The Islamic State (IS) has constructed a network of well-equipped underground tunnels in the northeast corridor to Mosul, providing hideouts and enabling movement between buildings without detection. These tunnels, reminiscent of those used by Viet Cong during the Vietnam War, are equipped with electricity, food, and other essentials, allowing IS fighters to survive for months and counter airstrikes. The discovery of these tunnels suggests that the Mosul offensive could be prolonged, with the city's dense construction and small lanes already providing ideal conditions for urban guerrilla warfare. The Iraqi Army, facing a well-organized enemy with fighters from Saddam Hussain's army, must contend with booby-trapped tunnels, car bombs, and the potential for high civilian casualties. IS also employs tactics like setting oil fields ablaze, as seen with the Mishraq sulphur plant. The Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi acknowledged the loss of military equipment when the Iraqi Army abandoned Mosul. The stabilization of Mosul will require constant patrolling and a significant number of troops to counter the underground resistance.