Washington research probes lately formed humanitarian group (3,8)

I believe the answer is:

red crescent

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'humanitarian group' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'washington research probes lately' is the wordplay.
'washington' becomes 'dc' (Washington DC).
'research' becomes 'res' (academic abbreviation).
'probes' means one lot of letters goes inside another (probe can mean to poke or prod into).
'lately' becomes 'recent' (I've seen this before).
'dc'+'res'='dcres'
'dcres' placed into 'recent' is 'RED CRESCENT'.

'formed' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for red crescent that I've seen before include "Aid organisation in Muslim countries" , "Provider of relief to war victims" , "Muslim relief organisation" , "emergency medical group" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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