Syria

Dozens Killed in Damascus Suburb Clashes

Fierce fighting on the outskirts of Damascus has left dozens killed in some of the heaviest fighting seen in Syria's capital to date.

Civil War Clashes on Outskirts of Damascus

Assad’s soldiers are using artillery in fierce clashes against armed rebels, near troops' residences close to Damascus.

Annan Wants Iran to be Part of Talks on Syria

Kofi Annan proposes inviting Iran to a multinational meeting to discuss Syria, leaves it up to the U.S. and Russia to decide.

Turkey Complains to UN Over Downed Jet

Turkey sends letter to UN Security Council and to Secretary General, complains about Syria downing its jet in international airspace.

Syria Shoots at Second Turkish Aircraft

Syria has attempted to shoot down a second Turkish aircraft searching for missing pilots, Ankara announced Monday.

Dozens of Syrian Army Officers, 3 More Syrian Pilots Defect

Dozens of Syrian Army officers have defected to the opposition forces and taken their weapons with them.

Turkey Calls for NATO Mtg Over Syria Attack on Jet

Turkey has called on NATO to convene a meeting in the wake of Syria downing its jet in international airspace.

Syria: Government Accuses Rebels of Massacre

Syrian government accuses rebels of killing 25 shabiha - who often operate as hired enforcers of Assad's regime.

Head of Syria's Olympic Committee Refused Visa to London

Head of the Syrian Olympic Committee refused a visa to travel to London for this summer’s games.

Turkish Warplane Disappears - Is Syria Responsible?

Turkish warplane disappears over the Mediterranean, reports say it may have been shot down by Syrian security sources.

Report: More Senior Syrian Officials May Defect

Members of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s inner circle are secretly making plans to defect to the opposition, say U.S. officials.

Syrian Air Force Pilot Flies Plane, Defects to Jordan

In what is believed to be the first defection of a Syrian pilot with his plane, a high-ranking Air Force officer has flown to Jordan.

Report: Iran, Russia, China, Syria Plan Massive War Games

Iran, Russia, China and Syria are planning a war games exercise with 90,000 troops, Iranian media reports.

Syrian Opposition Cries Out for Help in Homs

Syria's opposition issues cry for help on as regime forces pound Homs, leaving hundreds trapped with little food or water.

UN Suspends Observer Mission in Syria Due to Danger

The United Nations announced Saturday that it won't send additional monitors to Syria; saying it's just too dangerous.

France Considering Providing Aid to Syrian Rebels

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius says his country is considering providing communications equipment to Syrian rebels.

EU to Assad: No More Luxuries for You

The European Union imposes a ban on exporting some luxury items to Syria.

Report Reveals Assad's 'Shopping List' from Russia

The Associated Press reveals some weapons systems Russia has recently shipped to Syria or pledged to deliver.

Syria Claims to Arrest Suicide Bomber as Unrest Continues

Syrian authorities claim to have arrested a terrorist who was planning to commit a suicide attack in a mosque.

Amnesty Report Describes Syria's Chilling 'Ghost Militias'

In a new report, Amnesty International confirmed the horrible conditions in Syria, and called on the world to take more aggressive action

Russia, US Nearing Proxy War in Syria

France wants UN to call for "all means" to end Syrian carnage.Russia accused the US of arming Syrian rebels. Cold War or proxy war?

Settlements Trump Syria and Iran as Top Mideast Issue, Says EU

What is the most “urgent” problem in the Middle East? Not Iran and not Syria, according to the European Union. It is the “settlements.”

Turkey Fears Syrian Conflict Spilling Over Border

Turkey has expressed fears the growing civil war in Syria is beginning to spill over its border. About 2,000 refugees arrived in 48 hours.

Assad’s Fall May Expose Russian War Crimes

Russian attack helicopters for Assad signals its need to prevent exposure of alleged Russian involvement in chemical weapons.

UN Observers in Syria Attacked as Civil War Continues

UN observers in Syria blocked from a besieged rebel-held town, as peacekeeping chief admits there is a civil war.

UN Accuses Syria of Using Children as ‘Human Shields’

Assad’s armed forces kill and sexually attack children and use them as human shields, the United Nations charged Monday.

Opposition Leader: Assad Should Transfer Power to Deputy

The new leader of Syria's exiled opposition calls President Bashar al-Assad to transfer power to his deputy.

Kara: All of Assad's Officers Were Trained in Iran

Deputy Minister Ayoub Kara warns of the dangerous connection between Syria's Assad, Iran and Hizbullah.

Deputy COS: Israel Must Be Alert in Wake of Syria Situation

Deputy Chief of Staff Yair Naveh warns: Syria’s arsenal of chemical weapons may fall into the rebels’ hands, Israel needs to prepare.

‘Evil Iran-Syria-Hizbullah Axis Bares Its Face,’ Says Netanyahu

The “evil axis” of Iran, Syria and Hizbullah has “bared its face.” The world now sees Israel's true environment, Netanyahu says.

Heavy Fighting Reported on Streets of Damascus

Heavy fighting is reported on the streets of Damascus, with battles affecting a power station supplying electricity to army bases.

UK Journalist Says Rebels Led Him into Syrian Army Death Trap

A British journalist is accusing opposition forces of deliberately leading him into a death trap set by Syrian Army troops.

Kara: Israel Willing to Treat Syrian Casualties

Deputy Minister Ayoub Kara says Israel would be willing to help treat casualties from the ongoing fighting in Syria.

UN Monitors Visit Site of Latest Syrian Massacre

UN monitors visit site of Mazraat al-Qubair massacre, report smelling burnt bodies and seeing body parts around the village.

Report: Assad's Forces Using Unidentified Gas on Civilians

Syrian opposition claims Assad using toxic material, unidentified gas on Syrian civilians.

UN Monitors Blocked from Site of Syria Massacre

United Nations monitors in Syria fired upon and prevented from accessing the site of the latest massacre in the country.

Lebanon: Syrian Army Killed TV Cameraman

Lebanon has charged the Syrian Army with the murder of an Al-Jadeed television journalist.

Syria Accused of New Massacre as UN Meets

President Bashar al-Assad's regime stands accused of killing at least 78 people at Mazraat al-Qabeer as the world powers convene.

Syria: At Least 78 Dead in Yet Another Massacre

Syrian activists report that Assad's forces have killed at least 78 people in Hama, in a massacre similar to the one in Houla.

Damascus 'Risking Genocide'

Italy says Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's policies risk a genocide; France says new premier's appointment a 'masquerade'

Russia Willing to See Assad Leave in 'Political Settlement'

Russia is willing to see Syria's President Bashar al-Assad leave power – but not by force; rather, as part of a “political settlement.”

New Prime Minister for Syria

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has named Riyad Hijab as his new prime minister in what may be the waning days of his administration.

White House Urges International Unity Against Assad

White House: Assad was lying when he denied his regime had any involvement in the Houla massacre.

Syrian Rebels Kill at Least 80 Assad Troops

President Bashar al-Assad's fiery speech refusing to implement the Annan ceasefire plan has led FSA fighters to launch a new offensive

Assad: Houla Massacre is More than Monstrous

Syrian President Bashar Assad says the Houla is monstrous, continues to blame "terrorists" for the crackdown on anti-regime protesters.

Putin Warns of Dangerous Situation in Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin warns of an “extremely dangerous” situation in Syria, continues to reject a military intervention.

Nasrallah Urges Kidnappers to Address Grievances With Him

Hizbullah chief Hassan Nasrallah calls on the abductors of the Lebanese pilgrims in Syria to address their grievances directly with him.

UNHRC Condemns Syria for Houla Massacre

UN Human Rights Council condemns Syria for the Houla massacre, calls an investigation into the killing of more than 100 civilians.

Rebel Chief Calls on Annan to Admit Failure

FSA chief Riad al-Assad called on UN envoy Kofi Annan to admit his peace plan had failed - and to free the rebels to act against the regime.

Hizbullah Wants to Move Far-Reaching Scuds from Syria

Hizbullah looking to move Scud D missiles, which can reach Eilat, and modern anti-aircraft equipment from Syria to Lebanon.

Unknown Syrian Group Claims to be Holding Lebanese Pilgrims

A previously unknown armed Syrian group says that it is holding a group of Lebanese Shiite pilgrims who went missing last week.

Syria Claims Rebels Behind Houla Massacre

Syria blames 800 rebel fighters for the massacre in Houla last week that killed more than 100 people, nearly half of them children.

Ban: Syria Massacres could Ignite Civil War

“We are not there to play the role of passive observer to unspeakable atrocities," UN head says of presence in Syria.

Saudi Scholar Puts Out Hit on Assad

As global blow-back for the Houla massacre mounts, a death bounty of $450,000 has been put on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's head

High Noon in Syria: Rebels Give Assad Ultimatum

FSA commanders have given Syria's gov't until noon on Friday to honor a UN backed ceasefire – or face 'courageous decisions'

Iran Smuggling Weapons to Syria, Hizbullah Via Commercial Jets

Iran is using commercial aircrafts to smuggle weapons and explosives to Syria and Hizbullah in Lebanon.

IDF Commander Warns Against Possible Conflict with Syria

IDF’s Northern District Commander says the civil war in Syria may lead to a confrontation with Israel.

Children Protest Syrian Massacre Outside Russian Embassy

A protest against the ongoing killings of innocent civilians in Syria took place outside the Russian embassy in Tel Aviv.

Iran Warns: Foreign Intervention in Syria Will Bury Israel

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani says that foreign intervention in Syria will spread and "bury the Zionist regime".

Annan Leaves Syria Empty Handed

UN envoy Kofi Annan left Syria without securing any 'bold steps' from officials to end the slaughter bleeding the country.