Syria

Obama Authorizes Airstrikes to Defend Syrian Rebels

Obama authorizes use of airstrikes to defend U.S.-trained Syrian rebels if they come under attack from terrorist groups or the Assad regime.

Key Syrian Anti-Regime Group Quits Opposition Bloc

Local Coordination Committees quits opposition in exile, accusing it of being undermined by internal conflict.

Al-Qaeda Attacks US Trained 'Moderate' Rebels in Syria

Al-Qaeda's Nusra Front launches assault on HQ of 'New Syrian Force,' leaving casualties on both sides, day after alleged abductions.

Syria Skeptical About Turkey's Efforts to Fight ISIS

Syria's foreign ministry says it is skeptical that Turkey is genuine in its efforts to fight ISIS.

UN Envoy Invites Syrians to Parallel, Thematic Talks

'Sadly there is still no consensus on the way forward,' UN envoy to Syria laments.

Report: Israeli Airstrike Kills Pro-Regime Fighters in Syria

Lebanese, Syrian sources claim airstrike by either jet or drone killed a number of regime militiamen in Syrian Golan Heights.

Syrian Rebels Gain Ground Near Regime Heartland

Al-Qaeda and other rebels push back government troops in an area bordering President Bashar Al-Assad's coastal heartland.

UN Aid Chief Calls for Greater Access to Syria

United Nations aid chief Stephen O'Brien announces Syria visit, says he hopes to secure better humanitarian access to Syrians.

ISIS Expelled From Syrian Provincial Capital

In major loss for jihadists, regime troops and Kurdish fighters drive ISIS out of Hasakeh a month after the group launched assault on it.

United States and Turkey to Create 'ISIS-Free Zone'

United States and Turkey to work together to drive ISIS jihadists from northern Syria, senior American officials say.

Kurds Cut Key ISIS Supply Route in Northern Syria

Kurdish fighters score latest victory in Syria, taking strategic town from jihadists after weeks of intense battles.

Two Swedes Charged Over Terrorism in Syria

Two Swedish men charged in their country over "terrorist crimes" committed in Syria in 2013.

Iranian Nuclear Deal to Strengthen Damascus?

Syrian government defiantly dismisses talk that the West could influence the Iran-Syria pact, boasts it will become 'more powerful.'

Prelude to Iran?

Officials: Despite Inspections, Syria Kept its Chemical Arsenal

Inspectors reveal regime lied to them and hid chemical arsenal, but Western governments refused to press Assad.

Syrian Rebels Launch Offensive on City of Daraa

Rebels including Al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate launch a fresh offensive on the city described as the "cradle of the revolution."

Watch: Australians Nearly Shot by ISIS on Reality TV Show

When TV gets too real: participants in Australian show join Kurds and are brought straight to frontlines, where ISIS almost kills them.

Spain Working to Track Down Three Missing Journalists

Spanish intelligence agents working urgently to track down three journalists missing in Syria, says Spanish PM.

Three Hezbollah Officials Sanctioned by United States Treasury

United States Treasury imposes sanctions on three Hezbollah military officials and a businessman tied to the group.

Key Figure in Al-Qaeda Offshoot Killed in Syria

Pentagon says an airstrike in Syria has killed Muhsin al-Fadhli, a key figure in the Khorasan terrorist group.

US Denies Coordinating Anti-ISIS Airstrikes with Assad Regime

US military spokesman denies claims the Pentagon is communicating with Assad regime via Kurdish intermediaries.

US and Assad Covertly Cooperating Via Kurds

Regime forces and Kurdish YPG combine forces for the first time in fight against ISIS in Hasakeh province.

Christian Unity: Poles Provide Refuge for Syrian Christians

Individual efforts of mainly Protestant groups in Poland have opened the door for Christians fleeing the war and bloodshed in Syria.

ISIS Child Executioner in Latest Beheading Video

Brutal jihadist group now using children to behead captured regime soldiers.

Syrian Kurds Say ISIS Used Chemicals Against Them

Kurds, monitoring group say ISIS fighters fired missiles containing toxic gas at Kurdish forces in Syria last month.

ISIS Child Soldiers Carrying Out Suicide Attacks

Syrian rights group says that ISIS has sent as many as 19 children to carry out suicide attacks in Syria.

Assad Makes Rare Public Appearance for Muslim Holiday

Syrian President attends prayers at a Damascus mosque to mark the holiday of Eid al-Fitr.

British Pilots Join Air Strikes in Syria Despite Vote Against

British defense ministry admits pilots joined airstrikes against ISIS in Syria, using legal loophole after 2013 vote against action in Iraq.

Barrel Bombs Kill 11 in ISIS Town in Syria

Three children were among 11 civilians killed by a regime attack on an ISIS-held town in northern Syria.

13 Civilians Killed in Aerial Attacks on Aleppo

13 civilians, among them seven children, killed in aerial attacks by Syria's government on the northern province of Aleppo.

Leak: US Spied on Israeli Communications in Syria

Leak reveals Israel killed a top Syrian commando in 2008 during a party in his home; US had access to Israeli military communications.

Syria Congratulates Iran on Nuclear Deal

Syrian President Bashar Assad calls the deal a 'major turning point in history' in message to his main backer, Iranian Supreme Leader.

Report: 3,000 Palestinians Killed in Syria, No ICC Investigation

Palestinian Authority officials have yet to comment on the nearly 3,000 Palestinians killed in Syria in recent years.

Canadian-Israeli who Fought Alongside Kurds Returns to Israel

Gill Rosenberg, Canadian-Israeli woman who went to Syria to fight alongside Kurdish forces, back in Israel.

Nobel Winner Yousafzai Says World Failing Syria's Children

Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai scolds world leaders over their treatment of the Syrian humanitarian crisis.

Syrian World Heritage Site Damaged in Blast

Bomb explosion near the Aleppo Citadel caused damage to the wall of a fortress in Syria's second largest city's Old City.

ISIS Releases Grisly Footage of Tikrit Massacre

New 22-minute video posted in jihadist forums, shows graphic mass executions of Shiite cadets outside Speicher military base last June.

Syrian Regime Unleashes the Barrel Bomb's Big Brother

Meet the 'container bomb,' a more powerful crude killer Assad's forces used Saturday to murder 28 - mostly civilians - in ISIS-held town.

Syrian Priest Released After a Week in Captivity

Franciscan priest serving in northern Syria released after almost a week in the hands of allegedly jihadist kidnappers.

United States Wants UN to Investigate Syria Chlorine Attacks

United States asks Security Council to set up an investigative panel to identify those behind deadly chlorine gas attacks in Syria.

Syrian Refugees Top 4 Million

Scale of human tragedy in Syria continues to balloon, as refugees say they've lost hope of ever returning home.

Syrian Regime Poised to Retake Ancient Palmyra

Syrian soldiers wage pitched battle against ISIS just kilometers from ancient city that was seized in May, can enter city 'at any moment.'

American Airstrikes Kill Commanders of Syria's Nusra Front

Seven members of Syria's Al-Qaeda affiliate, including commanders, killed in American-led air strikes in the northwest of the country.

Assad Ratifies $1 Billion Credit Line from Iran

Syrian President signs a law ratifying a $1 billion credit line from top regional ally Iran.

Belgium Helps Hundreds of Christians Escape Syria

In recent months, 244 Christians have escaped Syria and received refugee status in Belgium, government reports.

ISIS Hackers Take Down Human Rights Monitor's Website

Hackers claiming affiliation with Islamic State threatened and took down website of Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

What Sanctions? Iran Gives Syria $1 Billion Bailout

Iran continues to prop up Assad's regime, dishing out its third new line of credit - even as it supposedly is crippled by nuclear sanctions.

Syrian Christian Leader Feared Kidnapped by Al Qaeda

Father Dhiya Aziz becomes latest Christian leader to be abducted in Syria, after not returning from 'consultations' with Nusra Front leader.

Nusra Front Suicide Bomber Kills 25 Soldiers in Aleppo

Suicide bomber from Syria's Al-Qaeda offshoot blows himself up in a Syrian army outpost in Aleppo.

Obama: The Fight Against ISIS Will be Long

President Obama says the coalition battling ISIS would intensify its campaign, but warns there could still be setbacks.

ISIS Attacks Kurdish-Held Town Near its De Facto Syrian Capital

Islamic State fighters attack Ain Issa, located near their de facto Syrian capital in Raqa.

How ISIS is Making Sunnis an Offer They Can't Refuse

Experts reveal the tactics of intimidation and promises of protection that ISIS is using to try and tip the power balance in Iraq, Syria.

Turkish Army Chiefs Meet to Discuss Syria Invasion: Report

Despite consistently denying any such plans, Turkish commanders along border with Syria reportedly meet to discuss intervention.

Syria, Hezbollah Retake Town on Lebanese Border

Zabadani was the last rebel-held town on the Lebanese border.

22 Dead in US Air Raids Against ISIS

Six civilians and 16 Islamic State terrorists killed in 'significant' airstrikes executed against jihadist group in Syria.

ISIS Video Shows Slaughter of Syrian Soldiers on Ancient Ruins

Jihadist group releases new video, showing teenagers executing kneeling Syrian soldiers in ancient amphitheater.

UNESCO Condemns ISIS Destruction of Palmyra Antiquities

UN’s cultural body condemns destruction by ISIS of antiquities in Syrian city.

Turkey Insists: No Plans to Intervene in Syria

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu dismisses reports of imminent involvement 'speculation' and even 'out of the question.'

ISIS Leader Killed in Airstrike in Syria

Pentagon says a senior ISIS leader who recruited funds and fighters and procured weapons for the jihadists was killed on June 16.

Four Syrian Hospitals Shut Down After Regime Raid

Intensive government airstrikes in southern Syria which killed at least 18 have also forced the closure of four hospitals.

Syrian Rebels Execute ISIS Fighters in 'Retribution' Video

Fighters from Jaysh al-Islam kill 18 Islamic State jihadists in gruesome video mimicking ISIS execution clips.