Syria

Obama 'proud' of decision not to attack Syria

President says he does not regret not attacking Syria despite warning that its using chemical weapons would be crossing a red line.

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.

ISIS 'defense secretary' survived Syria airstrike

Top ISIS commander Omar al-Shishani was seriously injured but not killed in American strike in northeastern Syria, says monitoring group.

ISIS 'defense secretary' likely killed in Syria

Omar al-Shishani, ISIS equivalent of a defense minister, believed to have been killed in air strike in Syria.

Jihadist rebels seize key hilltops from Syrian regime

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

Two 'radicalized' Syria-bound French teens return home

French teens suspected of trying to join ISIS in Syria returned home after two days. One now in deradicalization program.

Saudis demand Assad leave with no delay

Saudi FM says diplomatic process must start with Assad's ouster, emphasizing Syrians have already voted him out 'with their guns.'

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.

Air raids hit Syria rebel bastion despite truce

Monitor reports one dead in first regime or Russian airstrike on Eastern Ghouta since ceasefire took effect last weekend.

Inside look

Hezbollah vows to invade Israel in the next war

Unique sneak peak into Iran-proxy terror group reveals its updated arsenal and experience, and its confidence next war will be different.

It worked? 24 civilians dead during Syria ceasefire

Monitor records 'huge drop' in deaths, with 24 dead in 5 days - well below the average death toll for a single day.

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.

Saudi official: Ground operation in Syria was discussed

Saudi official says international coalition contemplated a ground operation in Syria but hasn't yet decided on one.

First all-female ISIS battalion

Jihadist feminism? ISIS head Abu Bakr al-Baghdad reportedly appoints a woman to command a new battalion in Syria.

Syrian ceasefire breached numerous times

Just one day into truce, Saudis and opposition accuse Russia and Assad of at least 15 violations, Russia blames rebels for 9 breaches.

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.

Russia pummels Syrian rebels hours before ceasefire

Monitor warns Russia conducting 'more intense than usual' wave of strikes, including on moderate opposition targets, to 'score points.'

Obama: We'll be relentless in going after ISIS

President Obama says Syria ceasefire will not affect the fight against the Islamic State jihadist group.

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.

Canada arrests 60 citizens involved in terror

Canadian authorities arrest 60 citizens who had joined foreign terror groups. Another 180 still with the organizations.

Kerry claims he has a 'Plan B' for Syria

Kerry warns he has a backup plan if Assad and Russia aren't serious about political transition - could he mean a military escalation?

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.

War-weary Syrians say ceasefire will fail

Resigned to the lethal civil war, Syrians call US-Russian ceasefire initiative 'a new way to numb the Syrian people.'

UN team probing chemical attacks to visit Syria in March

UN team tasked with identifying those responsible for chemical attacks in Syria will begin investigations in early March.

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.

Obama and Putin discuss Syria ceasefire

White House announces presidential phone call ahead of ceasefire 'moment of opportunity,' admits it will be 'difficult to implement.'

Ya'alon doubts new Syrian ceasefire will hold

Defense Minister skeptical as deal doesn't involve ISIS or Nusra and Russia will strike both, says Israeli strikes in Syria are accepted.

US, Russia announce Syrian ceasefire - again

After last agreement tanked on Friday, and in wake of most lethal bombing of the war, new ceasefire announced to UN's rejoicing.

Syria: End the diplomatic doublespeak and start getting serious

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.

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.

Russia and Assad heading to a crisis?

After Assad vows to retake all of Syria, Moscow tells him to tone it down, warning he may find himself in 'a very difficult situation.'

Could Ankara bombing be Turkey's pretext to invade Syria?

As Turkey rushes to blame Syrian Kurds for Ankara bombing, is this precisely the pretext Erdogan was waiting for to send in the troops?

Report: Israel attacks military outposts in Syria

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says Israel struck military outposts near Damascus. Syrian source denies.

Obama comes under fire for Syria softness

French FM, senators and scholars slam the president for 'moral bankruptcy' in not taking a firm stance on bloody Syrian war.

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.

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.

Blame game: Syria claims US bombed hospital

After US and observer say Russia struck MSF hospital, Syrian ambassador to Moscow defends ally, says 'America did it.'

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.

Syrian ceasefire explodes amid growing global conflict

Obama asks for Putin to end strikes on opposition forces, Turkey renews its cross-border shelling, as hopes for ceasefire by weekend dim.

Syria peace deal is 'Ukraine 2.0'

McCain slams ceasefire agreement for letting Russia keep bombing at will, Ya'alon skeptical: 'we can't make an egg from an omelette.'

Aid convoy enters rebel-held area near Damascus

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

Turkey shells Syrian regime forces, US calls to stop

In response to incoming fire, Turkish army shells Kurdish forces and regime forces in Syria, even as it considers a ground invasion.

Syrian rebels kill 76 Assad troops in ambush

In one of the deadliest ambushes since Syria war began, Jaish al-Islam rebels catch regime forces by surprise in serious blow to Assad.

Turkey eyes Syria ground invasion with Saudis

Turkish FM says ground operation may be imminent, Assad vows to 'confront' them. Russia's warning of 'new world war' coming true?

Kerry vs Russia: Stop bombing Syrian opposition

Kerry reports most Russian airstrikes have hit legitimate opposition groups, demand it change its targeting posthaste.

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.

Germany says Syria peace deal hangs on Russia

Germany says Russia must stop airstrikes in order to implement deal, accusing Moscow of 'seriously compromising political process.'

World powers agree on Syria ceasefire plan

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

Russian PM: Foreign offensive in Syria could spark 'world war'

After Saudis say their decision to deploy troops in Syria is 'final,' Medvedev issues a dire warning.

ISIS leader's widow charged over US hostage death

Wife of killed ISIS financial leader charged with keeping US aid worker as slave.

Canada set to pull out forces from Syria in March

Canadian mandate for having active forces in the allied front against ISIS in Syria comes to a close in March, will not be renewed.

Abbas 'firmly' backs Russian airstrikes for Assad

Russian Federation Council head meets with Abbas, says he finally showed hand in supporting Assad's regime in civil war.

Assad's mother dies at 86

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

Russia rejects accusations it sabotaged Syria talks

Russia blasts the West for saying it sabotaged Syria peace talks by militarily backing the Damascus regime.

NATO accuses Russia of 'undermining' Syrian peace

After peace talks crumble amid new offensive backed by Russian airstrikes on opposition, NATO head takes shots at Moscow.

How much has the war in Syria cost?

World Bank reveals economic impact of Syrian war on the region stands at a staggering $35 billion, aside from the 260,000 killed.