Syria

Report: US-Saudi Rift Widening Over Obama Middle East Policy

Saudi spy chief tells diplomats his country is preparing to scale-back its cooperation with US in aiding Syrian rebels.

Kurdish Rebels Threaten Turkey with Fresh Wave of Attacks

Kurdistan Workers Party acting head says Turkey not delivering on key promises, continues to support Islamists against Kurds in Syria.

Assad: Not Ruling Out Running for Re-election

"I don't see any reason why I shouldn't run in the next election," says Syrian President in television interview.

Senior Syrian Rebel Commander Killed in Clashes

Yasser al-Aboud was one of the first Syrian army commanders to defect to the armed rebel movement.

Lebanon: Rocket Attack Targets Hezbollah Installations

Lebanon teeters on the brink as Shia terror group looks set to join looming regime offensive in neighboring Syria.

Syria: Regime, Rebels Prepare for Showdown Near Damascus

Rebels dig in for a battle royal, as pro-government forces prepare for large-scale offensive in Qalamoun. Lebanon watches nervously.

Syria: Rare Bomb Attack Kills 30 in Government-Controlled City

Attack on government checkpoint in central Syrian city of Hama has killed 30 people, according to activists.

Kidnapped Lebanese Pilgrims Released in Exchange for Pilots

Nine Lebanese pilgrims who were kidnapped by rebels in Syria have been freed in exchange for two Turkish pilots seized in Lebanon in August.

Syria: Jihadist Rebels Execute 10 Soldiers

Syrian jihadists execute 10 soldiers in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor during fierce clashes.

Syrian Rebels Using Remote Controlled Car Bombs

Syrian rebels are now using remote controlled car bombs allowing them to attack army forces without the use of suicide bombers.

Syria Peace Talks Scheduled for November 23 and 24

An international peace conference in Geneva will be held between November 23-24, but will the regime have anyone to talk to?

Kerry: Chemical Arsenal Should be Shipped Out of Syria

U.S. Secretary of State suggests that Syria's chemical weapons should be placed on a ship and removed from the region.

Rebels Kill Top Syrian Intelligence Officer

Rebel sniper kills Major General Jamaa Jamaa, a top intelligence officer, in the eastern Syrian province of Deir Ezzor.

70 Syrian Rebel Groups Break with Main Opposition

Rebels in southern Syria say the National Coalition has “failed”, announce they no longer recognize the Western-backed group.

Experts Warn of Al Qaeda Biological Weapons Threat

Experts warn of "grave danger" to global security over Syrian bioweapons; say Al Qaeda may already possess lethal agents.

Hezbollah Helps Syrian Army Retake Key Town

Despite withdrawal of some of its fighter, Iranian-backed terror group still a key weapon in Assad's arsenal.

Syria: 41 Killed in Clashes Between Kurdish, Islamist Groups

Kurdish militias continue to battle Al Qaeda-linked groups for control of parts of northern Syria.

Islamist 'Serial Butcher' Assassinated

Elite Chechen security forces assassinate radical Islamist who killed and beheaded hundreds of men loyal to the Assad regime in Syria.

'Terror Tunnel' Discovered - This Time in Damascus

Similarities between tunnel used by Syrian rebels and recently discovered Hamas tunnel from Gaza may not be a coincidence.

Assad: 'I Should Have Received the Nobel Peace Prize'

Lebanese newspaper also quotes Syrian President telling palace guests he didn't need chemical weapons to "shut Israel up."

Syria Chemical Weapons Team Requests Truce

Nobel prize-winning team dismantling Assad's chemical weapons arsenal says it can't do its job while fighting continues.

Key Syrian Rebel Group Turns Down Peace Talks

Syrian National Council says it won't attend peace talks in Geneva because the world has "left the murderer unpunished."

Lieberman: Israel Won't Give Up One Inch of the Golan

Yisrael Beytenu chairman says that as long as his party is in the government, Israel won't concede any part of the Golan Heights to Syria.

Two Car Bombs Explode in Damascus

Two car bombs exploded near Syria’s state television headquarters in central Damascus.

Syria: 50 Killed as Rebels Fight Each Other

Almost 50 rebel fighters have been killed in three days of skirmishes between jihadists and mainstream rebels in Aleppo.

American Scientists Warn Against Loose Missiles in Syria

Syria's anti-aircraft missiles could imperil civil aviation if they fall into the hands of terror groups, warns American scientists group.

Nobel Peace Prize for Chemical Weapons Dismantlers

Chemical watchdog OPCW won for their "extensive work to eliminate chemical weapons."

Security Council Backs Ban's Plan for Syria

The UN Security Council backs a plan by UN leader Ban Ki-moon for a mission to destroy Syria's chemical weapons.

Hezbollah Fighters Execute Injured Syrian Civilians

In an unabashed scene of barbarity Hezbollah fighters film themselves celebrating as they execute a group of injured Syrian civilians.

Syria: Scores Killed as Army Attacks Rebels South of Damascus

Scores of Syrian rebels and army forces were killed in fierce fighting south of Damascus.

Syria: Army of Islam Continues to Expand

An additional combat unit joins forces with the "Army of Islam," comprised of over 50 combat units, to become a major force against Assad.

Erdogan: 'Syria's Assad is a Terrorist, Not a Politician'

One who "killed 110K of his people is a terrorist," Turkish PM Erdogan said after Assad warned Turkey would pay for involvement in Syria war

Assad Places War Jets in Iran for Safety

German intelligence agents say Syrian jets are parked in Iran; Iran sent elite troops to support Assad’s forces.

Syria: 'Excellent Start On Chemical Disarmament'

"It was an excellent first day, with stress on the word 'first'," said a Damascus official of Syria's chemical disarmament.

US & Russia Call For November Syria Peace Conference

Both countries urge a UN conference to seek the formation of a transitional government in the war-torn country.

Campaign to Eliminate Syria's Chemical Arsenal Begins

Warheads, aerial bombs and chemical mixing equipment destroyed as campaign to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons begins.

UN International Conference on Syria is a Pipe-dream

Assad: I've Made Mistakes

Syrian President admits that he has made “mistakes”, but continues to refuse to talk to the "terrorist" rebels.

White House: Sanctions Are Affected by Shutdown

U.S. efforts to pressure Iran, Syria and others are inhibited by the government shutdown, says White House press secretary.

Assad: If People Object, I Won't Run for Re-election

During a TV interview, the Syrian President seems indecisive about upcoming elections and will depend on the call from the Syrian people.

UN Inspectors Report 'Encouraging Progess' in Syria

A team of chemical weapons experts has reported it has made “encouraging initial progress” towards removing Syria’s chemical arsenal.

Syria: Rebels Seize Hundreds of Tanks

Rebel forces in Syria claim they have taken control of 300 Syrian at an army base West of Damascus.

Syria: Weapons Team Officially Starts Work

Six weeks after hundreds die in sarin gas attack, UN team begins dismantling Syria's chemical weapons stock.

Syria: Rebels Down Drone as Regime Casualties Mount

Rebels parade unmanned drone shot down near Damascus; regime forces under strain.

Syrian General: Assad Sent Chemical Weapons to Hezbollah

Defected Syrian Brigadier General Zaher al-Sakat says Assad has no real intention of handing over his chemical weapons.

Syria Death Toll Tops 115,000

At least 115,206 people have been killed in Syria's devastating 30-month conflict, says a human rights group.

Assad Regime Commits 'War Crimes' Even Without Chemical Weapons

Report by Human Rights Watch shows how the Assad regime continues to inflict massive civilian casualties, even without chemical weapons.

UN Team Begins Syria Disarmament Mission

As UN experts leave Damascus, a team of 20 inspectors plan to destroy Syria's stockpile of chemical weapons.

Syrian Jihadists: Insult Muhammad and be Executed

Jihadist rebel groups warn citizens in Aleppo against “hurting the dignity” of the prophet Muhammad.

Syrian FM: We Intend to 'Reclaim' the Golan

Despite the war, for Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem, there is only one problem of Syria's fit to be discussed at the UN – Israel.

Assad: We'll Adhere to the UN Resolution

Syria will adhere to United Nations accords on its chemical weapons, President Bashar Al-Assad tells an Italian television channel.

‘Army of Islam’ Coalition Established in Syria

Forty-three Islamist groups unite to create Army of Islam as battle for Syria continues.

Syria Rejects Possibility that Assad will Step Down

President Bashar Al-Assad's future is "not up for discussion," Syrian Foreign Minister declares.

Syria: UN Investigating Seven More Chemical Attacks

UN inspectors expand their investigation to include alleged incident both before and after August 21 attack on Damascus suburbs.

Defense Minister says Assad Must Go

Moshe Yaalon says the lack of a moderate alternative, has prevented Israel from openly pressing for regime change in Syria.

US, Russian Experts: 9 Months to Destroy Syrian Weapons

According to the appraisal, most of chemical materials in Syria's possession are not ready for use, which could facilitate their disposal.

Chemical Weapons Inspectors Return to Syria

UN chemical weapons inspectors to probe three cases of suspected chemical weapons use.

Nasrallah Denies Receiving Chemical Weapons from Syria

Hezbollah leader denies claims that his group had received chemical weapons from Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.

Syria: Al Qaeda Commander Killed as Rebel Infighting Rages On

Rival Al Qaeda factions battle for control of northern city as internecine fighting escalated in northern and eastern Syria.

Syria Meets Deadline, Hands in Data on Chemical Arsenal

Syria hands over complete data on its chemical arsenal, meeting a Saturday deadline to avert military strikes