Syria

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.

Rebel Aleppo Strike 'Mimics Ruthlessness of Assad'

HRW criticizes 'indiscriminate' attack on civilians after over 12 killed in missile bombardment in divided Syrian city.

Jihadist Syrian Rebels Capture Regime Helicopter, Take Hostages

Rebels from the Al-Nusra Front capture four crew members of a regime helicopter which crashed in the Idlib province.

Syrian Opposition Won't Attend Moscow Peace Talks

Syria's exiled opposition says it declined an invitation from Russia to attend peace talks in Moscow with Assad's representatives.

Kerry: We're Investigating Alleged Chlorine Attack in Syria

Secretary of State warns Syria of consequences if it is discovered the regime used chlorine gas this week.

Turkey to Deport British Woman Detained En Route to Syria

A British woman arrested in Turkey this week as she attempted to join ISIS fighters in Syria will be sent home to Britain.

Why Was a US Drone in Non-ISIS Syria?

Drone downed by Syria was in area devoid of ISIS - was it spying on Assad's regime in an area that has housed advanced missile shipments?

'ISIS Destroyed Christian Civilization and the World Watches'

Silent Christian expulsion from Syria; thousands of traumatized Assyrian Christians flee to harsh conditions in Lebanon.

Syria Says it Downed US Drone Near Missile Storage Port

Syria says it shot down drone over north Latakia, city targeted by Israel in past to block advanced missiles en route to Hezbollah.

UN Offers to Share Names of Syrian War Crimes Suspects

UNHRC c'tee in charge of investigating Syria to share names of war crimes suspects with state prosecutors, after ICC bid falls flat.

State Dept.: Assad Will 'Never' be Part of Syria Peace Talks

State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki seeks to calm the storm caused by Kerry's comments on Syrian president.

Assad Waiting for US 'Actions' After Kerry Calls for Talks

Admission leads Assad to put Kerry on the spot, with Syrian media celebrating Kerry's recognition of 'legitimacy' and 'US-Zionist failure.'

Kerry's Assad Reconciliation Enrages Turkey

Turkey responds furiously after Kerry says US will 'have to negotiate' with Assad, asks 'talks with regime that killed over 200,000?'

Britain: Assad Has No Place in Syria's Future

Britain insists Bashar Al-Assad had no place in Syria's future, after Kerry says Washington will have to negotiate with him.

Britain Arrests Teens Believed to Have Been Headed to Syria

Three British teenagers suspected of trying to travel to Syria released on bail late after being questioned for 24 hours.

More Than 215,000 Dead as Syrian Civil War Enters Fifth Year

Monitoring group breaks down casualties, says real figure likely much higher, tens of thousands missing; 5,000 killed in past five weeks.

Report: Syrian Agent Worked as Courier to Deliver Money to ISIS

Syrian man who helped three British schoolgirls enter Syria to join Islamic State was also funneling money to the terror organization.

United States to Provide $70 Million in Aid to Syrian Opposition

State Department says an additional $70 million in non-lethal aid will be provided to the Syrian opposition.

Syrian Refugee Smuggling Ship Stopped by Turkey

Turkish coastguard opens fire on vessel carrying 337 mostly Syrians fleeing the war.

Assad Must Go, Says United States

The United States renews its call for Syrian President to step down as the civil war in Syria enters fifth year.

UN Fumbles as Syria War Hurtles into Year 5

Rights groups accuse world powers of 'failing Syria,' as Ban urges Security Council to rally and do something as bloodbath continues.

Qatar Emir Meets Erdogan in Surprise Visit to Turkey

Leaders of Turkey and Qatar, close allies who both support Syrian rebels and terror group Hamas, meet for surprise talks in Ankara.

Syria: 50 Regime Troops Dead in Battle in Assad's Home Province

More than 50 Syrian regime fighters as well as Islamist rebels killed in President Bashar al-Assad's home province of Latakia.

Rights Groups: World Shares Blame for Situation in Syria

21 organizations criticize world powers for not implementing a series of UN resolutions on the Syrian crisis.

Assad's Barrel Bombs Leave Maimed Aleppo Residents Hopeless

Doctors Without Borders reveals bleak picture in Aleppo, where regime bombs and destroyed medical system lead to mass amputations.

Switzerland to Jail Anti-ISIS Fighter Who Defended Christians?

Syriac Christian Swiss man faces up to three years in jail after leaving to protect members of his community from ISIS brutality in Syria.

Report Reveals Assad is 'Systematically' Targeting Hospitals

Rights group says Assad forces killed 600 doctors, medical workers in course of Syrian civil war, terming it a crime against humanity.

ISIS Launches Major Assault on Syrian Border Town

Islamic State ejects Kurdish fighters from key village in preemptive attack on Kurds' stronghold in Ras al-Ain.

Missing British Girls Stole Jewelry to Fund Syria Flight

British police three London schoolgirls who fled to Syria stole family jewelry to fund their travel.

Syrian Al-Qaeda Beating Obama's 'Moderate' Rebels

Nusra Front has been seizing American weapons while pushing back FSA, and is posed to establish emirates in northern Syria.

Al-Nusra Front Reaffirms Allegiance to Al-Qaeda

Al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate denies it planned to break away from the global extremist network.

Missing British Schoolgirls Reportedly in Raqqa, Syria

Sky News says three missing schoolgirls who left Britain to join ISIS are believed to be staying at a house in the city of Raqqa.

Security Council Condemns Use of Chlorine in Syria

UN Security Council condemns the use of chlorine in Syria, threatens measures if chemicals are used in future attacks.

UN Shrinks Food Aid to Syria Refugees in Turkey

Lack of cash forces World Food Program to ask Turkey to take over aid efforts in nine refugee camps.

UN to Vote on Sanctions Against Syrian Chlorine Bombs

US resolution comes up for vote and could lead way for sanctions and even military action, but Russia still hasn't weighed in.

Turkish PM Says UN Doesn't Even Have a 'Plan A' on Syria

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu criticizes the UN and world powers for their failure to bring an end to the war in Syria.

Russia to Host Syria Peace Talks in April

Talks between Syrian regime and opposition figures will continue in Russia in April after last meeting ended without conclusive results.

France: Assad Not 'Credible Partner' in Fight Against ISIS

After meeting with Syrian opposition leader Khaled Khoja, French President Francois Hollande says Assad is main cause of Syria's suffering.

Could a New Syrian Opposition Realignment End the War?

Exiled opposition chief outlines his plan for dissident unity ahead of Hollande meeting, and after drafting new negotiations roadmap.

Heavy Clashes Near Regime Intelligence Headquarters in Aleppo

Clashes erupt between Syrian regime forces and rebels near intelligence center in Aleppo; in other part of city bomb attack kills 18.

Assad Insists the Syrian People Support Him

Embattled Syrian President says he continues to enjoy the support of the Syrian people despite nearly four years of war.

Syrian Rebels Bomb Key Aleppo Intelligence HQ

Critical battle opens in Syria's second-largest city, with Al-Qaeda affiliates and others battling regime forces and Hezbollah.