Syria

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.

World powers pledge $10 billion in aid for Syria

Mass pledges overshadowed by breakdown of peace talks; 'what is the point of building a school if it is bombed?'

US demands Russia cease bombing in Syria as talks collapse

Kerry lays blame for suspension of peace talks on Russia, asserts it has 'a responsibility' to stop bombing the Syrian opposition.

Syria peace talks suspended

Talks aimed at securing peace in Syria suspended until February 25 as sides blame each other.

UN envoy: All hope to resolve Syria conflict could be lost

UN's special envoy warns against the failure of latest peace talks between Syrian regime and opposition.

Red Crescent delivers aid to besieged Syrian town

Syria's Red Crescent delivers aid to Al-Tal, located outside Damascus and currently under a government siege.

Syria condemns Turkey 'cross-border shelling'

Syrian government claims Turkish strikes that killed one are 'blatant breach of international law.'

Russia accused of creating 'new Hitler' in Syria

Syrian opposition likens Assad to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, in attack on Russia's interference in Syrian civil war at start of peace talks.

ISIS launches mass bombings on Shi'ite shrine

At least 45 dead, 110 wounded in 3 coordinated blasts near shrine for Mohammed's granddaughter outside Damascus.

Syria's main opposition threatens to quit peace talks

Syria's main opposition body threatens to quit talks in Geneva unless UN demands end to sieges of Syrian towns.

Suspected Russian air raids kill 10 Syrian civilians

Air strikes in ISIS-held village kill 10 civilians, including three children.

Belgium arrests 4 seeking to go to Syria, Libya

Police say not related to November attack in Paris; officials believe about 500 Belgians are fighting with ISIS in Syria.

NATO warns Russia to 'fully respect' Turkish airspace

Erdogan: 'Russia will have to face consequences if it keeps on such violations against Turkey's sovereignty rights.'

Iran forcing Afghan refugees to fight in Syria

HRW reveals testimony of Afghan Shi'ites coerced by Tehran to fight throughout Syria, including on Israel's doorstep.

Washington urges Syria rebels to drop demands for joining talks

United States says Syrian opposition should attend peace talks and drop its demands for aid to besieged areas.

Syria talks 'cannot fail,' but opposition to miss start

Drama over Syria peace talks continues ahead of Friday start date, as UN works to kick things off in Geneva.

Al-Nusra Front boosts presence in Aleppo

Al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria brings in reinforcements to Syria's former economic capital.

Washington urges Syrian opposition to take part in talks

United States says Syria's reluctant rebel and opposition groups should attend UN-mediated peace talks without preconditions.

UN sends invitations to Syria talks

UN sends out invitations to new Syria peace talks in Geneva, as opposition representatives debate whether to attend.

Russian strikes have helped 'turn around' situation in Syria

Russian FM: Air strikes helped beat back terrorists, prop up Bashar al-Assad.

Syria regime advances in Latakia

Syrian pro-government forces take over the last major rebel-held town in Syria's coastal Latakia province.

Russian raids kill 33 civilians ahead of peace talks

Suspected Russian airstrikes wreak damage, killing 9 children 2 women, and US outfits new airfield, days before talks to end Syrian war.

Syria talks to be delayed amid opposition quarrels

UN says talks on ending the Syria conflict would be delayed due to a dispute over who will represent the opposition.

Over 1,000 civilians dead in Russia's Syria strikes

Russian lead airstrikes have killed over 1,000 civilians in Syria since the beginning of their involvement in September of 2015.

ISIS releases 270 civilians kidnapped in eastern Syria

Jihadist group releases 270 of an estimated 400 civilians who were kidnapped following a massacre in Deir Ezzor.