Syria

ISIS Issuing Photo ID Cards in Syria's Raqa

ISIS issuing photo identity cards and a range of administrative documents to males in Syria's Raqa province, say activists.

Assad: Turkey Prevented UN Ceasefire Plan in Aleppo

Syrian President claims Turkey's influence with rebel factions is prolonging the battle in Aleppo, a prime site for bomb attacks.

Antiquities Market on Alert for Looted Syrian Spoils

Experts aghast at widespread cultural destruction in Syria, where ISIS and others are looting antiquities 'right out of the ground.'

Assad Has 'Paid no Price for Chemical War Crimes'

UN Security Council hears evidence from doctors of chemical attacks; 'attacks come from helicopters - which only Assad has.'

Report: Mortar Shell Fired in the Golan Heights

Shell strikes an open area, with no injuries or damage; security sources say it is likely Syria spillover.

UN Envoy to Visit Iraq, Syria to Address Sexual Violence

UN envoy to make Middle East tour to speak about sexual violence in the context of terror, particularly by ISIS.

Assad Continues Binge of Barrel Bombing in Idlib

24 people killed in regime airstrikes, including crude barrel bomb on shelter that killed 12, two of them children.

UN Envoy Plans More Talks on Syria War

UN mediator Staffan de Mistura wants his next consultations on the conflict in Syria to include "all those with influence," says spokesman.

Palestinian Sources Say ISIS Losing Ground in Yarmouk

Islamic State jihadists now confined to southwest of Yarmouk camp, as Palestinian fighters join forces with Assad regime.

HRW: 'Strong Evidence' Syrian Regime Used Chlorine Gas Again

Pair of attacks in Idlib province likely from regime helicopters, rights group insists.

UN Provides Supplies to 500 Residents of Yarmouk

UNRWA provides urgent supplies to around 500 civilians who have fled fighting in the Damascus neighborhood of Yarmouk.

Al Nusra Bombs Syrian Regime Base in Aleppo

Large tunnel explodes near air force intelligence base in Aleppo, just after rebels close down schools there due to bombings.

Schools Close in Aleppo Following Bombings

Human rights monitor says brutal bombings have closed 135 schools in the Syrian city after air raids on civilians.

Suspect Arrested in London Murder of Anti-Assad Imam

Man arrested on suspicion of having shot dead 48-year-old imam, who survived massacre by Assad's father.

Over 6,000 European Jihadists Fighting in Syria

EU desperately looking for means of combating rapidly growing homegrown Islamist terrorists setting off for jihad.

Syria: 5 Children Killed in Aleppo Airstrike

Syrian regime air strike in Aleppo kills five children and four other civilians.

New MK Optimistic about Israeli-Kurdish Future

Ksenia Svetlova of the Zionist Union, an expert in Arab and Kurdish affairs, sees growth in future ties with Kurds in Syria and Iraq.

50 ISIS Hostages Include Ismaili Minorities

ISIS seizes civilians in central Syrian village, with almost half of the victims women feared as having been taken as slaves.

PLO Won't Send Boots on the Ground to Syria

PLO rejects involvement in 'military actions' in Yarmouk 'Palestinian refugee camp,' after getting Syria to take part in defense from ISIS.

ISIS Repelled From Key Syrian Military Airport

Assad's forces keep control over Khalkhalah after fierce skirmish, while Kurds also manage to push back ISIS in key town of Tal Tamr.

Palestinian Yarmouk Forces Unite with Syrian Regime to Beat ISIS

PLO says Palestinian forces in Yarmouk will cooperate with Assad's regime against ISIS - but they fought Assad with rebels before.

Syria's Latest Blow on Lebanon: Goat Plague

1.5 million refugees fleeing war have come into Lebanon with unvaccinated livestock, bringing with them lumpy skin disease and others.

London Counterterrorism Police Probing Syrian Imam's Murder

Counter-terrorism police investigating Abdul Hadi Arwani's murder; despite opposition to Syrian regime, family dismisses this as factor.

Syrian Kurdish Leader: Break Syria Up into Separate States

Syrian Kurdish leader in Washington advocates the world drops the paradigm of a unified Syria and gives its peoples their independence.

Anti-Assad Syrian Activist Shot Dead in London

Signs of Syrian war spreading to UK? Shooting in north-west London apparently targets prominent activist opposed to Assad.

Christians Struggle to Maintain Legacy versus ISIS

Decimated by 12 years of war in Iraq and Syria, Christians find refuge in Kurdistan and in a new militia.

PA Delegation Heads to Damascus as ISIS Claims Yarmouk Victory

PLO officials travel to Syrian capital to discuss unfolding humanitarian disaster in Yarmouk; ISIS claims its takeover of the camp complete.

Syria: Islamists Kidnap 300 Kurdish Civilians

Al-Nusra Front may be responsible for mass kidnapping in Idlib.

Prisoner Swap - Syrian Style

Jaish al-Mujahideen commander who accidently entered regime territory goes free in exchange for 10 children and 15 women from Shi'ite towns.

Report: ISIS Beheads Senior Hamas Operative in Syria

Sheikh Abu Salah Taha believed to be among scores of Palestinians executed in Yarmouk; image of severed head posted online.

Al Qaeda, Allies Advance on Key Syrian Military Base

Islamist rebels including Nusra Front launch attack on Mastuma base in Idlib one week after capturing provincial capital.

Assad Finally Losing His Grip on Syria?

Syrian regime suffering major losses, which experts say show its utter reliance on Iran and susceptibility to influence of its neighbors.

Expert: Pry Syria Away from Iran

Professor John Myhill of Haifa University says it's worth considering how a future Syria independent of Iran could align with Israel.

Israeli Soldier Charged with Espionage

An IDF corporal from Daliyat al-Karmel accused of passing on classified security information to spy for Syria.

Ashkenazi: Hamas, Hezbollah Can't Conquer Negev, Galilee

Former IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said that despite the increased risk of terrorism, Israel is much safer today than it was in 1967.

Palestinians Repel ISIS in Syrian Refugee Camp

Palestinian and Syrian fighters were able Thursday to retake control of a large refugee camp in Damascus seized by ISIS.

Al-Qaeda-Backed Rebels Seize Syria-Jordan Border Crossing

Rebels backed by the Al-Nusra Front take the last border crossing with Jordan that had been under the control of the Damascus regime.

Syria's Quiet War on Imports

As its economy tanks dropping its GDP by 383% amid a bloody civil war, how has Assad's regime tried to stay afloat?

Canadian Lawmakers Vote to Expand Anti-ISIS Campaign

Motion to expand airstrikes against ISIS passes by a majority of 142 to 129, despite objections from opposition.

Syria: Damascus Shelled, Hamas Terrorist Killed

One dead and 30 wounded in souk attack on Damascus; separate incident kills Hamas terrorist in Yarmuk.

Mavi Marmara Terror Organizers Top Donations for Syria

Turkey's IHH, infamous for assault on IDF, pledges $100 million in largest donation at UN humanitarian aid event for Syrians.

Syria's Latest Strategem - Cigars

In a bid to prop up failing economy of Assad's regime, state run tobacco company starts branching out and competing with Cuba.

Syrian Troops Regroup After Islamists Take Idlib

Syrian government forces regroup outside Idlib, which was taken by an Islamist coalition, including the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al-Nusra Front.

Syrian Regime Executed Prisoners Before Idlib Fall

Bodies of at least 15 people found in Idlib after Al-Nusra front takeover, believed to have been executed by Syrian regime.

Al-Qaeda Conquers Syrian Provincial Capital of Idlib

Syrian affiliate Nusra Front paves way for 'emirate' to rival ISIS's Raqa 'caliphate' headquarters; only second capital to fall.

Assad Wants More of the Russian Army in Syria, Middle East

Assad calls for backers in Moscow to increase military presence to bring 'stability,' while saying no to 'outside' influence from West.

Syrian Army Drafting Women for Front Lines

The fight against rebel groups becomes egalitarian in Syria, as commanders say the issue is not a matter of gender, but courage.

Expert: Syria is Splitting Apart, And Obama Shouldn't Stop It

Pinhas Inbari says that Syria is breaking apart, despite the desire to end the war with a strong government in Damascus.

Turkish Army Chief Visits Ottoman Tomb in Syria

After hastily pulling tomb of Suleyman Shah out of reach of ISIS, army chief and top commanders visit new site for first time.

Druze in the Golan Spied on Israel for Syria

Indictment filed against resident of Majdal Shams, who passed sensitive information on IDF border activity to the Assad regime.

Assad 'Open to Dialogue' with the United States

Syrian President says he is open to having a dialogue with the United States so long as Syria's "sovereignty" isn't pressured.

440,000 Syrians Pinned Down in War Zones

'Breathtaking levels of savagery' in Syria as number of civilians trapped in fighting areas doubles from last month, as UN calls for action.

New BBC Database Allows Public to Track British Jihadists

BBC releases extensive database of UK citizens who have joined jihadi groups in Syria and Iraq.

UN: Number of Asylum-Seekers Jumped 45% in 2014

Asylum-seekers from war-torn Syria and Iraq look to move westward, jumping up numbers tremendously, UN refugee agency says.

Syria Destroys Three Chemical Weapons Sites

In latest report, OPCW says Syria has destroyed three of its 12 chemical weapons production sites.

Kerry: Assad is a 'Brutal Dictator'

One week after saying it would be necessary to negotiate with Syrian President, John Kerry says he is a "brutal dictator".

UN Head of Disarmament Steps Down

Representative in charge of disarming Syria's chemical weapons steps down, will be replaced by adviser to Ban Ki-Moon.

First Iraqi Official Visit to Assad Since Civil War Started

In first visit by senior official since outbreak of war in 2011, Iraqi FM meets with Syrian president, urges greater cooperation.

Rights Groups Call on Int'l Community: End Syrian Civil War

'Planet Syria' campaign aims to rally international organizations and groups to end Assad's regime and begin negotiations between rebels.

Arab Israeli Imprisoned for Joining Syrian Civil War

Yusef Nasrallah sentenced to 11 months in prison for stint fighting with Syrian rebels, and revealing information on Israeli military base.