Syria

Russia asks Hezbollah to calm tensions with Israel

Following yesterday's bombing attempt against IDF soldiers near Har Dov, Russia asks Hezbollah to calm tensions.

UN watchdog finds traces of sarin exposure in Syria

OPCW says it has found that some people in Syria may have been exposed to sarin or a sarin-like gas.

Russia considers US a threat to its national security

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed off on a document listing US, NATO as threats to national security.

Syrian army attacks rebel forces on Israeli border

Under cover of rain and fog, regime forces fight against rebels in Quneitra, on the Syrian Golan Heights just over the border.

ISIS attacks kill 16 in northeast Syria

At least 16 killed and 30 wounded in explosions in three restaurants in Syrian city of Qamishli.

Russia blasts claims it is causing civilian deaths in Syria

Russia slams as "absurd" accusations by the United States that Russian air strikes in Syria are killing hundreds of civilians.

State Department: Russian strikes in Syria killing civilians

State Department spokesman says Russia's indiscriminate air strikes in Syria have killed hundreds of civilians.

Back-to-back losses puts ISIS on the ropes

Experts say a string of losses in Iraq and Syria indicates ISIS is in a tough spot, and its threats against Jews only proves it.

Relatives of drowned Syrian boy arrive in Canada

Arlan Kurdi's father, mother, three siblings are five of 25,000 Syrian refugees Canada has promised to take in.

New war front?

Syrian official pledges attacks from inside Golan Heights

Provincial official tells Iranian media of cooperation between 'resistance' terror against Israel, from both sides of the Golan Heights.

'Hezbollah response to Kuntar elimination will come from Syria'

Associates of Lebanese terror group also suggest Israel should fear Russia's response if it continues activities in Syria.

Russia envoy on Syria secretly visits Israel

Officials told Alexander Lavrentiev in no uncertain terms any int'l deal on Syria would need to spell end to attacks from there on Israel.

UN sets January 25 as date of Syria peace talks

UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, hopes to convene Syria talks on January 25 in Geneva.

Report: Israel strikes Hezbollah targets in Syria

Arab media report that Israel launched airstrikes in the Qalamoun region of Syria.

Head of powerful Syrian rebel group killed in airstrike

Zahran Alloush, head of the Jaish al-Islam Syrian rebel group, killed in airstrike on Eastern Ghouta region.

At least 28 dead in Syrian government raids near Damascus

Syrian regime continues to pound rebel-held Eastern Ghouta, killing 28 civilians including 10 children.

ISIS to leave Yarmouk under UN-brokered deal

Hundreds of families of ISIS jihadists are expected to Damascus neighborhood where "Palestinian refugees" reside.

Syria ready to enter new peace talks

Syria's regime agrees to take part in new peace talks, but conditions participation on which opposition groups attend.

Kurdish-Arab alliance pushes ISIS back in north Syria

Predominantly-Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces make significant gains, backed by coalition air power.

Saudi King blames Assad for the rise of ISIS

Saudi King Salman says Syrian President aided the rise of the Islamic State group.

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.