Syria

Russia slams 'faked' report accusing it of war crimes

Amnesty Int'l report full of 'cliches and fakes,' Russia's defense ministry says after being accused of causing mass civilian casualties.

Russia accused of committing war crimes in Syria

Amnesty International says Russia 'directly targeted' civilians with no military aim, killing hundreds; strikes hit hospitals, market.

UN renews resolution on humanitarian aid to Syria

Security Council renews a resolution facilitating the cross-border delivery of aid to millions of Syrians affected by civil war.

Netanyahu and Putin agree to continue Syria coordination

Prime Minister Netanyahu speaks to Russian President three days after elimination of Samir Kuntar.

Samir Kuntar's ex-wife justifies his elimination

Kuntar would be honorable 'fighting Zionist aggression,' but for taking the wrong side in Syria, 'we don't show solidarity with murderers.'

Report: Iran pulling Revolutionary Guards out of Syria

As few as 700 Iranian soldiers remain on the ground in Syria, down from 2,000 in October.

ISIS lost 14% of its territory in 2015

Thinktank reveals ISIS lost some key ground stretching itself thin, but still has over half the territory of the shrinking Syrian regime.

France, Russia look to intensify anti-ISIS battle

French defense minister in Russia to discuss increasing airstrikes against Islamic State terror group.

Canada aims to double Syrian refugee intake in 2016

Canada’s Minister of immigration and citizenship says Syrian refugees in Canada could hit 50,000 next year.

Report: ISIS stole 'tens of thousands' of blank passports

Islamic State stealing identity papers to sneak terrorists into Europe as refugees, report claims.

Iran, Syria and Hamas condemn Kuntar 'assassination'

Following the killing of Samir Kuntar, Hezbollah allies issue condemnation of the airstrike.

Hagel: Obama hurt his credibility by failing to act in Syria

Former Defense Secretary criticizes President Obama for his failure to follow up on a warning to Syria about using chemical weapons.

Samir Kuntar killed in Syria airstrike

Arab media reports claim Israeli attack in Damascus killed child murderer Samir Kuntar.

Putin says works 'easily' with both US, Damascus on Syria crisis

Russian President claims unwavering support for Assad helps negotiating with all sides on issue.

Watch: McCain flabbergasted that Kerry supports Russia's bombing

'I'm not making this up,' says an incensed McCain quoting Kerry's support for Russian bombing of US-backed Syrian opposition forces.

German, Syrian intelligence fighting Sunni jihadists together

BND agents regularly traveling to Damascus to exchange information, report says.

Russian airstrikes kill 32 civilians, no jihadists

Monitor reports that strikes on three areas in northern Syria left 32 dead, half of them women and children, and two rescue workers.

Is Russia gearing up for war with Turkey?

Missile cruiser deployed to Syrian coast after jet shot down - but its massive nuclear-capable arsenal isn't meant for fighting jihadists.

Russian secret service talks women out of joining 'terrorists'

Russia's FSB secret service says it prevented women who had fallen 'in love' with 'terrorists' online from boarding flights to Turkey.

Lebanon fails to elect a president - for the 33rd time

33rd time's a charm? Not so for Lebanon's deadlocked parliament.

NGO has 'damning evidence' of Assad's crimes against humanity

Photos of thousands who reportedly were murdered and tortured in Syrian government detention centers confirmed by HRW.

Texas plumber whose truck ended up in ISIS hands sues

Texas plumber whose truck ended up in the hands of jihadists in Syria suing the dealership he sold it to.

Report: Hezbollah has lost 1/3 of its fighters in Syria

Israeli officials believe Hezbollah has suffered major losses fighting ISIS, Syrian rebels.

Al Qaeda rejects 'plot' to negotiate with Assad

Al Qaeda affiliate in Syria condemns the 'treason' of opposition groups who agreed to negotiate with autocrat while demanding he step down.

ISIS claims hospital bombing that killed 16

ISIS hits city turned over to regime by rebels with a car bomb, critically wounding many in blast that 'left a huge crater.'

Russia rejects Syrian opposition call for Assad to go

Groundbreaking talks by Syrian opposition groups which produced framework doesn't represent Syrian opposition, Moscow says.

Swiss arrest two Syrians planning chemical attack

Two Syrians nabbed on suspicions of transporting 'explosives and toxic gases' in Geneva, possibly to attack UN headquarters.

Assad: We won't talk to 'terrorists'

Syrian President says he will not join peace talks proposed by world powers, because "terrorist groups" are joining.

12 killed in car bomb attacks in northeastern Syria

At least 12 people killed and dozens wounded in attacks in Syria's Hasakeh province, which has been targeted by ISIS in the past.

Released Syrian priest reveals ISIS hell

Syriac Catholic priest reveals 84 days of fearing for his life after ISIS kidnapping, recalls death threats if he did not convert to Islam.

Syrian opposition agrees to negotiate with regime

Unprecedented talks with Assad's regime outlined in opposition meeting, but they say he still must go.

Near unanimous UN support for Israel 'an important achievement'

Arab representatives abstained on the proposal on farming technology for political reasons, even when it hurt their own country.

Turkey accuses Russia of 'ethnic cleansing' in Syria

Tensions between Russia escalate further after Turkish PM says Russia's strikes in Syria are 'strengthening ISIS.'

US charges American with helping Al Qaeda linked rebel group

US citizen charged with violating sanctions against Syria and defrauding the US, tried to provide military equipment to group.

In numbers: 27,000 foreign fighters in Syria, Iraq

Foreign nationals join Syrian civil war in droves, has doubled since 2014.

US denies strikes as Syria complains to UN

Syrian foreign ministry demands UN stop 'flagrant aggression' after strikes kill 3 regime troops; US denies it struck the area.

Slippery slope? US strike leaves 4 Syrian soldiers dead

Monitor reports coalition strike hits Syrian regime army camp 2 kilometers from ISIS, in first killing of army forces. Fallout imminent?

Assad: Britain's bombing of ISIS is destined to fail

Syrian president claims Britain's bombing campaign against ISIS will fail because it lacks comprehensive strategy.

Fabius: Assad's departure not necessary before transition

France's Foreign Minister says the departure of Syrian President no longer necessary before any political transition.

Germany approves joining ISIS war in Syria

German parliament votes to answer France's appeal and deploy recon jets, frigate and up to 1,200 troops in Syria.

Syrian media: IAF hit Scud shipment by Damascus

State media reports IAF jets struck ballistic missile convoy from base just outside Damascus as well as fuel reserve.

Next round of Syria talks to be held in New York

UN chief announces a new round of international talks on ending the war in Syria to be held in New York.

Assad's friend to be Lebanon's new ruler?

'Pan-Arabist' childhood friend of Assad and member of dynasty family may put an end to long feud over who will be president.

Germany seeks to use Turkish air base in ISIS operation

Germany says it is seeking an agreement with Turkey to deploy six reconnaissance aircraft at a base close to Syria.

British parliament votes in favor of joining Syria air strikes

Victory for Cameron: UK parliament votes in favor of joining international air strikes on ISIS targets in Syria. 397 MPs vote in favor.

Assad: Peace can come when West stops supporting terrorists

In an interview, Syrian President insists he's not going anywhere despite calls on him to go.

Operation begins to resettle 25,000 Syrians in Canada

Over 200 people already processed in the first 48 hours, after Canadian PM presses on with controversial resettlement program.

Turkey PM urges Russia to give up 'baseless' claims on ISIS oil

Ankara sidesteps claims Turkey has vested interest in ISIS oil stores as relations with Moscow continue to stall.

Lebanon begins terrorist releases in exchange with Al Nusra

Al-Qaeda affiliate group hands over body of executed Lebanese soldier in exchange for Beirut releasing terrorists.

British parliament to vote on Syria air strikes on Wednesday

Britain looks poised to join air strikes on ISIS targets in Syria, as PM Cameron announces a vote will be held in parliament Wednesday.

Syria denies using chemical weapons in civil war

Syria tells global watchdog it is fully cooperating with the destruction of its toxic stockpile, as agreed upon in 2013.

UK defense minister lobbies opposition to support Syria strikes

Britain's defense minister says the government is intensively lobbying opposition Labour lawmakers to support airstrikes in Syria.

Senators want more troops, including US, to fight ISIS in Syria

John McCain, Lindsey Graham call for 100,000 soldiers from Middle East, US to fight against ISIS in Syria.

Syria's Assad claims enemies boosting support for 'terrorists'

Syrian dictator suggests Turkey, Gulf nations, others giving weapons to 'terrorist groups.'

ISIS executes 3,500 in Syria since declaring 'caliphate'

Jihadist group executes almost 2,000 civilians in what UN calls 'crimes against humanity.'

Ya'alon confirms: Russia crossed into Israeli airspace

Defense Minister notes that Russian airspace violation was a 'piloting error', stresses cooperation with Moscow over Syria.

Carson: Syrian refugees don't want to come to the States

Republican presidential candidate visits Syrian refugee camps in Jordan, suggests the camps should serve as a long-term solution.

Thousands protest in UK and Spain against joining ISIS strikes

Thousands protest in London and Madrid against their countries taking part in airstrikes in Syria against ISIS jihadists.

Life after the Islamic State

In northeast Syrian town recently liberated by US-backed coalition, residents reveal the horrors of life under the jihadist group.

'Assad won when Russia's plane went down'

Experts agree Assad received a boon in the Turkey-Russia spat, as Putin went from being Erdogan's friend to his enemy.