Syria

Again: Russia Vetoes Resolution on Syria

Russia blocks a UN Security Council statement condemning the Syrian government's increasing military offensive on the city of Aleppo.

Syria: No One Can Stop Assad from Running Again

Syria’s Deputy Foreign Minister reacts to Russian criticism about Assad's declared intentions to seek re-election in 2014.

UN Condemns Iran's Human Rights Violations

General Assembly condemns human rights violations in Iran, welcomes pledges by President Rouhani to improve in some areas.

Russia Joins Effort to Remove Syria's Chemical Weapons

Russia will send armored trucks to Syria as part of an international effort to remove its chemical weapons, says OPCW.

Security Council Condemns Syrian Violence in the Golan

UN extends UNDOF mandate while strongly condemning all military activity on the Golan Heights by the Syrian army and opposition fighters.

Report: Iran Arming Hezbollah via Iraq to Avoid IAF Strikes

In an effort to avoid Israeli strikes, Tehran using Iraqi national airport to arm Shia terrorist group, Kuwait newspaper claims.

UN: Record $6.5 Billion Appeal For Syria

Record appeal over half of 2014 UN funding plan, aims to provide humanitarian aid for Syrians in winter war conditions.

Syria: Death Toll Tops 100 as Regime Continues Aleppo Offensive

Syrian aircraft pound rebel-held areas of Aleppo for a third day, with hospitals reporting that more than 100 people have been killed.

Syria: New Rebel Alliance to Rival Islamists

Syrian Revolutionary Front an attempt by sidelined Free Syrian Army to present an alternative to Islamist Syrian Islamic Front.

Syrian Army Drops Explosive Barrels on Aleppo

At least 36 people, including 15 children, killed in regime air raids on rebel districts in Aleppo.

France Pessimistic About Syria Peace Talks

French FM says the moderate Syrian opposition is in "serious difficulty", putting peace talks aimed at ending the crisis in trouble.

UN: Chemical Weapons Used in Syria 'At Least 5 Times'

Final report by UN inspectors confirms that chemical weapons have been used at least five times during the Syrian conflict.

Al Qaeda Pushes Kurdish Population Transfer in Syria

Al Qaeda fighters are forcing Kurdish families in northern Syria from their homes at short notice, settling in their stead.

US and Britain Suspend Funding for Syrian Rebels

Move follows reports of base overtaken by Islamist groups in the north; decision temporary, officials say.

Former IDF Head: Israel Prefers Assad to Islamist Rebels

Dan Halutz, Israel's former Chief of Staff, says that while Assad regime is 'bad', the alternative could be even worse.

Assad Forces Capture Key Town, Open WMD Routes

Syrian army seizes town on Damascus-Homs highway, allows shipment of supplies and chemical weapons for disposal.

US 'Knew About Rebel Chemical Weapons, Acted Selectively'

Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist reveals proof that US administration knew both sides had weapons; officials deny claims.

Former Jihadi Warns of Syrian Rebels with '9/11 Ideology'

French Islamist who fought alongside Al Qaeda-linked group says Western fighters pose a threat: 'I wouldn't want them to go back'.

Syria: Lashes in Town Square for 'Adultery' as Sharia Law Reigns

New incident demonstrates gradual takeover of Sharia law in once-moderate state.

Hamas Announces Renewed Ties with Iran

Official statement confirms ongoing ties between Hamas, Islamic Republic.

Official: Home Front Command to Stop Producing Gas Masks

Senior official says budget for masks, which were distributed in a nationwide program earlier this year, will be evaluated in 6 months.

OPCW: Delays in Syrian Chemical Weapons Removal

Watchdog organization disposing of Syrian chemical arsenal says technical difficulties will delay Dec 31 'priority' weapon deadline.

Opposition 'Finance Minister' Says War Cost Assad $25 Billion

Syrian opposition's 'Finance Minister': foreign funding for Assad regime renders sanctions ineffective.

Yaalon: There's No Peace Partner, Only Incitement

Peace will never come so long as the Arabs don't recognize Israel's right to exist, says Defense Minister.

Golan Explosion Was Bomb Targeting IDF

Friday night explosion confirmed as bomb targeting IDF patrol. No injuries reported.

OPCW Destroys Syria's Unfilled Munitions

Plan to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons stockpile moving along, says the international chemical weapons watchdog.

Powerful Explosion Heard in Golan Heights

Explosion near IDF vehicle on patrol near the Syrian border causes no injuries. IDF investigating.

Druze Citizen Indicted for Spying on Israel for Syria

Indictment revealed against 28 year old Raf'at Halabi, who is accused of crossing into Syria and providing information on IDF.

Syrian Opposition Claims Assad Used Chemical Weapons Again

Syrian opposition says Assad's forces used poison gas near Damascus, Syrian government denies it did.

Pentagon Preparing to Destroy Syrian Chemical Weapons

Pentagon to destroy Syria's chemical weapons stockpile using a system that has not yet been tested at sea, say officials.

Western States Hold First Talks With Syria's Islamist Rebels

Western states, including US, meet with powerful Syrian Islamic Front; marks policy shift after failure to back secular FSA.

Syria: Rocket Attack Kills 18 in Regime-Held Aleppo Districts

Rebels continue to strike back after series of losses to government; Syria's Interior Minister rejects calls for Assad to step down.

UN Humanitarian Chief: 250,000 Syrians Unreachable

Top humanitarian official Valerie Amos reports situation in war-torn Syria in 'chilling' closed-door Security Council briefing.

Israel Sends Aid to Syria Day After Shots Fired

A day after IDF traded fire with Syrian army and mortar fell outside Golan village, Israel sends humanitarian aid.

Syria: Deadly Suicide Bombing Kills Four in Damascus

Bombing targeted 'government building' as clashes around the capital continue.

Ban Ki-Moon: Iran Should Participate in Geneva II Talks

UN Secretary General announces intentions to have Iran participate in Geneva 2, despite allegations that Tehran is involved in conflict.

Syrian Rebels Capture Christian Town, Kidnap Nuns

Syrian rebels, including jihadist groups, capture the historic Christian town of Maalula north of Damascus.

Syria Asks for International Aid to Destroy Chemical Weapons

Syrian deputy FM states that without international aid, operation to destroy arsenal faces security risk.

UN Human Rights Chief Says Assad Ordered War Crimes

Despite mounting evidence of massive human rights violations, UNHRC head's statements the first time Assad directly blamed.

Mortar Hits Israeli Golan Town, IDF Trades Fire

IDF fires back after shot at by Syrian army. Clash follows mortar shell that hit outskirts of Druze town Majdal Shams.

Mortar Shell Hits Damascus School, Children Unharmed

A mortar shell hits the French school in the Syrian capital, children in class miraculously escape without injuries.

Syria: German Muslim Convert in Propaganda Video

German Muslim convert exhorts others to join Syrian 'jihad,' once again highlighting growing role of foreign jihadists in Syria.

Lebanon: Sectarian Clashes Kill 10 in Tripoli

Fighting between Alawite supporters and Sunni opponents of the Assad regime in neighboring Syria claims more victims in divided city.

Syria Report Reveals Refugee Children's Bleak Future

UNHCR report finds half of the 2.2 million Syrian refugees are children, many working to support family instead of being in school.

Syria Jihadists Execute Members of Rival Faction

In the latest atrocity of the Syrian civil war, Al-Qaeda-linked rebels execute the commander of a rival rebel faction and six of his men.

Lethal Mortar Lands by Russian Embassy in Damascus

Mortar kills one injures 9 in Syrian capital, same day Syrian army recaptures strategic town north of Damascus.

Assad's Government Agrees to Attend Geneva Talks

Syrian government will participate in Geneva peace talks but declares that Assad will not “hand over power.”

Syrian Rebels Reject Ceasefire, Talks

Free Syrian Army head rejects participation in 'Geneva 2' conference; French FM says Assad, jihadis not invited.

American Jihadist in Syria: Entire World Will Be Muslim

US national in Syria declares intent to kill infidels, fight enemies of Islam, implement Sharia law worldwide - including in the West.

Geneva II Syria Talks Announced for January

UN announces Assad's regime and opposition forces will hold peace talks in January as fighting rages on.

Syria War Has Killed More than 11,000 Children, Finds New Report

More than 11,000 children have died in Syria's civil war, says a British think-tank.

Syria: Kurdish Leader Warns of War Against 'Arab Settlers'

Democratic Union Party head threatens to 'expel' Arabs brought to Kurdish region prior to recent declaration of autonomy.

Syrian Rebels Take Over Country's Biggest Oil Field

Syrian opposition fighters, including jihadist rebels, seize the country’s biggest oil field.

British Protester Killed Fighting for Syrian Rebels

British Muslim dies fighting Assad, had been arrested previously for violently protesting outside of Israeli embassy.

Aid Group: Syrian Refugees Broke, Hungry, Homeless

Syria troubles will have long-term effects, study by aid group Oxfam says. Arab states not pulling their weight in aid efforts.

German Soccer Player Killed After Joining Syrian Civil War

Burak Kran, former player on German national soccer team, killed after joining rebel forces; latest in reports of foreign nationals in war.

Israeli Arab Indicted for Helping Syrian Rebels

Prosecutors on Monday filed an indictment against an Israeli Arab accused of going to Syria to train with and help the rebels there

Senior Syrian Rebel Commander Killed in Airstrike

Liwa al-Tawhid commander Abdul Qadir al-Saleh succumbed to wounds sustained in airstrike on meeting of battalion commanders.

Syria: Dozens of Soldiers Killed in Rebel Bomb Attack

At least 31 Syrian soldiers killed in a rebel bomb attack on an army base near Damascus.

Footage Shows Syrian Rebels Taking Out Regime Aircraft

Videos uploaded in the past few days show rebel success targeting gov't aircraft. Comes as regime offensives threaten rebel positions.