Syrian civil war

White House: Assad role in unity government a 'non-starter'

White House says Syrian President should not be part of any transitional unity government.

Syrian rebels reject Assad gov't as negotiations falter

Rebels, regime refuse to reach compromise on future of Syrian leader.

France welcomes Palmyra conquest but raps Damascus for war

France hails recapture of ancient city of Palmyra, stresses that Damascus bears the main blame for the war in Syria.

Civilian death toll drops to four-year low after Syria truce

More than 360 civilians killed during first month of an Syria ceasefire, the lowest monthly toll in four years.

Syrian regime completes recapture of ancient Palmyra from ISIS

Strategically-located ancient city, known as Syria's 'Pearl of the Desert', now fully in regime hands, as Islamic State pulls back.

United States and Russia to push Syrian political transition

Kerry says he and Putin agreed to push Syrian regime and rebels to accelerate talks.

Nasrallah's "Speech of the Year"

Mogherini demands progress in Syria peace talks

EU foreign policy chief meets Syria's regime and opposition, underscores the urgency of a political solution in the country.

'Syrian Electronic Army' members face hacking charges

Hackers - 2 based in Syria and a third in Germany - charged in US court for crimes including false tweet of White House bomb.

Syria: Assad's fate has 'nothing to do' with peace talks

Syria's regime reiterates its stance that peace talks in Geneva will not address the future of President Bashar Al-Assad.

Syrian regime blames UN envoy for 'fruitless' peace talks

Source close to Damascus government blasts UN envoy for pressuring the regime to unveil a transition strategy.

Most Russian warplanes have left Syria, says American military

Spokesman for American military confirms that most if not all Russian warplanes have been withdrawn from Syria.

Russia to complete Syria withdrawal within days

Russia's recently announced withdrawal from Syria will be completed in 2-3 days. Russia will retain air and naval bases.

Israel presents red lines to Russia on Golan, Iran

President Rivlin met with Putin on Wednesday, outlining Israel's concerns as Russia prepares to remove its forces from Syria.

Kurds inch closer to independence in Syria?

Buoyed by consecutive victories against jihadists, Kurdish forces show they're a real force to be reckoned with.

Syrian Christian community faces extinction

Islamic radicals working to purge region of Christians, says Syrian Bishop. Claims most Christians would back Assad in elections.

Russian media declares 'victory' as Syria withdrawal begins

First group of Russian military planes leave base in Syria after Vladimir Putin's surprise withdrawal announcement.

Syria: Russia will continue to support fight against 'terror'

Syrian presidency says Russia will keep up its support for the regime's "anti-terrorist" battle, following its pullout of forces from Syria.

161 chemical weapons reportedly used during Syrian conflict

The Syrian American Medical Society reports 1,491 deaths caused by chemical attacks, with 14,581 people injured.

UNICEF: One in three Syrian children know nothing but war

As Syrian civil war enters sixth year, a generation is being which has never known any different; child soldiers on the increase.

Al Qaeda routs western-backed Syrian rebels in Idlib

Nusra Front and allied jihadists storm Division 13 weapons depot, seize US-made TOW anti-tank missiles.

Syrian opposition: Assad must go, dead or alive

Syria's opposition says Assad must leave power if looming peace talks to end five years of civil war are to succeed.

New round of Syria talks to begin March 14

UN outlines timetable for Syria peace talks, slated to begin March 14 and last no longer than 10 days.

Jihadist rebels seize key hilltops from Syrian regime

Al-Nusra Front and allied jihadists seize strategic hilltops in northern Syria.

NATO: Russia in the way of solving Syrian conflict

NATO says Russia is complicating the search for a solution to the Syrian conflict by bombing moderate opposition groups.

Tea breaks, video games: Syria rebels use truce to unwind

After years of ceaseless fighting rebels enjoy unusual lull - but fear it is merely the calm before the storm.

State Department 'aware' of reports of Syria chemical attacks

State Department spokesman: Washington is aware of reports that chemical weapons were used in Syria, but can't confirm them.

Assad: We'll do our part to ensure ceasefire succeeds

Syrian President pledges to do his part to guarantee the success of shaky ceasefire, says it brings hope to the war-torn country.

Yaalon: Syrian regime used chemical weapons during ceasefire

Israeli Defense Minister claims regime forces have carried out several chemical attacks involving chlorine gas since onset of ceasfire.

Top NATO general: Russia and Syria 'weaponizing' migrant wave

Russia 'poses a long-term strategic threat' to US and its allies, says top US, NATO general, warns migrants being used as a weapon.

Report: Iran to withdraw all its fighters from Syria

Confirming Kerry's comments, Channel 2 News reports Khamenei and Rouhani have decided to withdraw 2,500 fighters from Syria.

Al-Nusra Front leader urges rejection of ceasefire

Mohammad al-Jolani, head of Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, says ceasefire is shameful and should be rejected.

Kerry: Iran withdrawing Revolutionary Guards from Syria

US Secretary of State claims intelligence points to Iranian withdrawal ahead of ceasefire; some 100 Iranians have died in the war.

Syrian opposition agrees to observe ceasefire for two weeks

Syria's main opposition grouping says it will respect the provisional ceasefire to determine the commitment of the other side.

Assad tells Putin he accepts ceasefire plan

Syrian leader supports ceasefire deal brokered by Moscow and Washington, Kremlin says.

Under the skin of Al-Qaeda's would-be suicide bombers

A cheerful Saudi, a doubtful Briton and a Syrian obsessed with 72 virgins feature in controversial film on Nusra Front's bombers.

Syria death toll climbs past 270,000

Civil war raging since 2011 has left 79,106 civilians dead, including 13,500 children and 8,760 women, according to monitor's figures.

End of Syrian civil war? Assad accepts ceasefire

Syrian agrees to ceasefire agreement which excludes ISIS. Is this the end of the civil war, or just the eye of the storm?

Syria's opposition places conditions on acceptance of ceasefire

Syria's main opposition says it will accept a ceasefire if certain conditions are met.

Assad announces parliamentary elections in April

Hours after a new ceasefire is announced, Syrian President says parliamentary elections are to be held on April 13.

Damascus bombing was deadliest attack of Syrian civil war so far

120 killed by suicide bombers targeting Shiite shrine, as regime suffers setback after ISIS surprise attack near Aleppo.

Assad wants to be remembered as the man who 'saved Syria'

Syrian President tells Spanish newspaper he is ready for a ceasefire, but only if "terrorists" don't exploit it.

Syrian rebels to accept ceasefire if Russia stops airstrikes

Syrian rebels set out terms of ceasefire, agree to cessation of violence if Russia stops airstrikes.

UN envoy: February 25 Syria talks are unrealistic

UN special envoy for Syria doubts it will be realistic to resume peace talks as scheduled next week.

Aid trucks rolling into besieged Syria towns

At least 100 trucks left Damascus for Madaya, Zabadani, Moadimayet al-Sham, Fuaa and Kafraya.

Dutch fighter jets strike ISIS in Syria for the first time

Dutch F-16 fighter jets bomb ISIS targets for the first time in Syria, the defense ministry announces.

Turkey calls for coalition ground operation in Syria

UN aid convoys allowed into besieged towns, but war still grinds on with regime, Kurds making advances against rebels.

France condemns bombing of MSF hospital in Syria

France says bombardment of Doctors Without Borders hospital is a war crime.

Assad: International ceasefire plan 'difficult' to implement

Syria's President pours cold water on an internationally backed plan for a ceasefire.

Two hospitals bombed in Syria, 19 killed; Russia blamed

Hospitals in Aleppo and Idlib provinces hit by air strikes and rocket artillery; observers blame Russian jets, say attack was deliberate.

Turkish PM: We'll continue to hit Kurds in Syria

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu tells German Chancellor his country will continue to attack Kurdish fighters in Syria.

Turkey strikes Kurds in Syria again despite US warning

Turkish artillery pounds Kurdish military position on Syrian side of border for second day, threatening escalation.

Iranian general warns Saudi Arabia against Syria invasion

Senior Iranian army commander responds to Saudi, Turkish threats to intervene with threats of his own, as major confrontation looms.

Aid convoy enters rebel-held area near Damascus

A convoy carrying medical aid enters rebel-controlled Douma area, near Damascus.

Assad: We welcome peace but won't stop fighting 'terrorists'

Syria's President vows to retake the entire country from “terrorists” even if a ceasefire agreement is reached.

World powers agree on Syria ceasefire plan

New Syrian peace will introduce gradual cessation of hostilities and delivery of humanitarian aid.

Kurds seize key military base in northern Syria

Rebels left reeling after losing their only military airport in Aleppo province, while Kurds keep on advancing.

Kurds turn to 'great power' Russia as Turkey fumes

'Russia not just an actor, it writes the script'; Kurds turn to increasingly assertive Russia - which is happy to oblige in swipe at Turkey.

Aleppo's ancient synagogue threatened with destruction

As regime forces move in on rebels amid intense fighting, group calls for help in saving last traces of Jewish heritage in the ancient city.

Assad's mother dies at 86

Anissa Makhlouf Al-Assad, mother of Syrian President, dies in Damascus after reportedly having been ill for years.