Syria

Israel Convinces Russia to Cancel Syrian S-300 Deal

Israel played a major role in influencing Russia to cancel its planned sale of the S-300 surface-to-air missile system to Syria.

Explosion Rocks Syrian Palace of Justice

A large explosion shook downtown Damascus as bloody fighting continues in and around the capital.

Turkey Placing Aircraft on Syrian Frontier

Turkish prime minister says Ankara is 'totally in the right' over the downing of one of its jets by Syria; incident 'won't go unanswered'

U.S. Group Cancels Talk by Syria's Grand Mufti

Foundation for Middle East Peace rescinds an invitation to Syria's top Muslim cleric after learning he threatened suicide bombings.

Russia Suspends Missile Contract with Syria

Russia’s main weapons producer suspends its contract with Syria to supply S-300 long-range missile systems.

Hamas Blames Mossad for Death of its Member in Syria

Hamas says that its member Kamal Hussein Ranaja, who was killed in Damascus, was murdered by Israel's spy agency.

Senior Hamas Official Murdered in Damascus

A senior member of Hamas was murdered in Damascus, the group says, vowing to investigate the murder.

Syria May Have Mistaken Turkish Jet for Israeli One

The downing of a Turkish fighter plane by Syria may have been a case of mistaken identity, a Syrian minister says amid rising tensions.

Annan Invites Major Powers to Syria Pow-Wow

With Syria's popular uprising crossing into civil war and tensions with Turkey rising, the major powers prepare to meet

Iraq Orders Closure of 44 International News Outlets

Iraq has ordered the closure of 44 international news outlets, among them the Voice of America, and the BBC.

Erdogan: Turkey Does Not Intend to Attack Syria

Turkey's premier says Ankara has no intention of attacking Syria, but orders troops deployed on the Syrian border amid rising tensions

Gunmen Storm Pro-Gov't Syrian News TV Station

Opposition forces in Syria stormed a pro-government satellite news television station Wednesday, killing three.

Turkey Deploys Troops Along Border with Syria

Turkey deploys a large number of military vehicles to the Syrian border after Syria downs its jet.

Syria in a Real Situation of War, Says Assad

Syrian President Bashar Assad tells the new parliament that Syria must secure victory in the war against anti-regime rebels.

NATO Backs Turkey Against Syria

NATO has strongly condemned the downing of a Turkish jet by Syria saying the alliance stands with Turkey in 'strong solidarity.'

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.