Syria

Lebanon Shoots At Syrian Warplanes For First Time

Syrian warplanes violating Lebanese airspace to raid pro-rebel area hit by Lebanon; follows Saudi military aid pledge.

Syria: We Want Iran to Participate in Geneva 2 Talks

Syria’s Foreign Minister clarifies that his country is committed to having its key regional ally Iran attend next month's peace conference.

'Hezbollah Paying $25K per Dead Fighter to Keep Families Quiet'

Source claims Iranian-backed Shia terrorist group paying families of fighters killed in Syria to conceal cause of relatives' deaths.

OPCW: Syrian Chemical Weapons Removal to Miss Deadline

Organization in charge of destroying Syria's chemical weapons confirms Saturday that operation will miss December 31 deadline.

Syria: 21 Killed in Regime Airstrikes on Aleppo Market

Regime air force keeps up deadly airstrikes on Syria's second city.

Killed Reuters Photographer Tried to Join Al Qaeda

Molhem Barakat killed in Aleppo fighting. Hired around age 17, Barakat tried to join Al Qaeda previously, raising doubts on Reuters.

Syrian Jihadist Leader Targeted UN Workers

The leader of the Al-Nusra Front sought to kidnap United Nations workers, reveals The Associated Press.

Syria Says Rebels Attacked Chemical Weapons Sites

Syria accuses "terrorists" of recently attacking two sites where chemical arms were stored.

Report Reveals Assad's 'Secret Iraq Oil Lifeline'

Revelation shows Assad's Syria regime propped up by crude oil imports from Iraq slipping past sanctions via an Egyptian port.

White House Condemns Assad Over Aleppo Attacks

White House condemns the Syrian government over its recent air raids on Aleppo that have left more than 300 dead.

Report: Al Qaeda Forces Syrian Druze to Renounce Faith

Syrian branch of Islamist terror group reportedly has forced 14 Druze villages to Islam - or die.

Rebels Conquer Key Hospital Base in Battle for Aleppo

Syrian army post bombed, captured by rebels in fierce Aleppo fighting. Wounded untreated as hospitals become bases.

Video Shows Child Soldiers Fighting Among Rebel Ranks in Syria

Rebels in Syria have enlisted children to their ranks, MEMRI video shows. These include the "moderate" Free Syrian Army.

Red Cross: 500,000 Wounded in Syria

ICRC report says those in need of aid often don't receive it; urges rebel factions and Assad's forces to ensure aid gets to those in need.

US Blocking Iran From Syria Geneva II Talks

US Arab League envoy Brahimi reveals US is against Iran participation in Syria peace talks, in opposition to UN support.

Britain to Help in Syria Chemical Weapons Operation

Britain to provide a navy ship to secure the removal of chemical weapons from Syria.

UN: Syria 'Abductions' May Be Crime Against Humanity

UN investigators criticize Syrian gov. of 'enforced disappearance' campaign on thousands of civilians.

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.