Syria

Japan Joins Growing List of Countries Expelling Syria Diplomats

Japan says it will expel Syria's ambassador – joining numerous other nations – over last week's massacre in the central city of Houla.

Iran: Israel to Blame for Syrian Massacres

Iran is trying to displace the blame on Israel for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's terrorism against his people, and its backlash.

U.S. Rejects Military Option in Syria

White House spokesman Jay Carney says military action in Syria would not be "the right course of action."

UN Officials Finger Assad Thugs in Houla Massacre

Observers say pro-Assad Shabiha thugs killed 108 in Houla 'execution style' – incl. women, children, and entire families

Expert: The World is Letting Syria 'Bleed to Death'

Arutz Sheva speaks with Middle East expert Dr. Eyal Zisser, who says the world cannot do much about the ongoing civil war in Syria.

Syria: 41 More Die as Annan Delivers Message to Gunmen

An incensed Kofi Annan arrived in Syria for talks with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad bearing a message for 'everyone with a gun'

US Cuts Mideast Military Drill Short

A joint military drill sponsored by the United States with several Mideast nations that did not include Israel has suddenly been canceled.

‘Whoever Loses in Syria Will Get Slaughtered’

Whoever loses in Syria will get slaughtered, says Mideast expert Guy Bechor. The struggle will go on for years, and not to Israel’s benefit.

At Least 50 Dead in Massacre in Homs

President Bashar Assad's forces kill at least 50 civilians, including 13 children, in an attack in the province of Homs.

Huge Demonstrations in Syria as Troops Continue Crackdown

Tens of thousands of activists take to the streets of Aleppo and Idlib in Syria, at least 28 killed across the country.

Kidnapped Lebanese Pilgrims Released

A group of Lebanese Shiite pilgrims who were kidnapped in Syria were freed and arrived in Turkey.

Report: US Mulling Arms for Syrian Rebels

The US may be on the verge of arming Syria's rebels, but officials worry where the guns will be pointed when the revolution ends

Lebanon Works to Free Kidnapped Shi'ites in Syria

Beirut has asked Turkey to help free 11 Shi'ite tourists who were kidnapped in Syria Wednesday.

Sanctions Hurting Assad, but Iran is Stepping In

Assad is quickly spending through his cash reserves as sanctions choke off many sources of funding, but is getting help from Iran.

Military Expert: More IDF Multi-Front Operations Likely

An Israeli military expert says the likelihood is growing that Israel will need to launch more multi-front operations.

Islamist at Core of Lebanon Bloodletting Freed

A military judge in Lebanon has freed a radical Islamist whose arrest sparked deadly clashes in the country; bail $333.

Heavy Fighting in Syria, Dozens Killed

Dozens died in heavy fighting in northwestern Syria Monday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Syrian Fires Make Beirut Boil

Syria's ongoing unrest has ignited the worst violence in Beirut since the 2008 clashes that almost plunged Lebanon into civil war

Suicide Bombing in Yemen Bad Sign for Obama

Mammoth suicide bombing in Yemen Monday is another blow to Obama’s attempt to show the Arab world democracy works.

Israel To Remain an Enemy, Says Syrian Rebel Leader

As Syria creeps into total anarchy, rebels insist Israel will remain an enemy after the expected fall of Assad. Obama says Assad must leave.

Syrian Forces Fire on Protesters in Aleppo

Syrian forces fire on protesters holding the largest opposition marches yet in Aleppo, Syria's largest city.

Mood: UN Observers Can’t Stop Syria Violence

The head of the UN observer force in Syria says no number of observers can stop the violence rocking the country; calls for talks.

Syrian Opposition Leader to Step Down

Syrian National Council head Burhan Ghalioun announced he would step down amid allegations the Muslim Brotherhood secured his re-election

Death Toll Climbs in Lebanon's Syrian Clashes

The death toll from Syrian-related clashes continues to climb in the Lebanese port city of Tripoli, as Israel closely monitors the events.

Barak: Syria's Assad is 'Doomed'

Defense Minister Ehud Barak urged the int'l community to hasten the departure of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, which he says is inevitable

Assad: We're Fighting Against Foreign Mercenaries

Syrian President Bashar Assad insists in TV interview his regime is fighting against foreign mercenaries, not innocent Syrians.

UN Monitors Safe After Being Saved by Syrian Rebels

UN observers evacuated from a northern Syrian town, a day after a roadside bomb hit their convoy and left them stranded with rebels.

SFA Rebels Hiding UN Monitors From Damascus

A group of UN monitors who may have seen a war crime in Syria are being hidden by SFA rebels until they can be safely extracted

Tunisia's Jasmine Revolution Fighters Arrive in Syria

It's a year and five months after Tunisia's Jasmine Revolution, and five Tunisians have been killed – in the Syrian revolution, that is.

Israel Stages Mock Raids after Hizbullah Threat, says Lebanon

Israeli war planes staged mocked raids over Lebanon following concerns Hizbullah might attack Israel if asked by Iran, Lebanon says.

US Helps Gulf States Arm Syrian Rebels: Report

The US is coordinating with Saudi Arabia and Qatar in arming Syrian rebels. Syria’s Muslim Brotherhood also is involved.

U.S. Court: Syria, Iran Supported 2006 Tel Aviv Attack

Shurat HaDin wins judgment against Iran and Syria for supporting terrorists who killed an American teenager in a 2006 bombing.

Israel Watches Syrian Factions Battle in Lebanon

Israeli defense personnel are watching closely as Syrian gunmen begin to carry their battle into Lebanese territory.

EU Tightens Sanctions Against Syria – Again

Killings continued in Syria Monday as the European Union ratcheted up sanctions against Damascus in an effort to stop the slaughter.

Syria-Related Clashes in Lebanon End in Deaths

Three dead and 17 wounded in clashes in Lebanon related to the uprising in neighboring Syria.

Syrian Opposition Says Assad Destroying Peace Plan

Syrian opposition leader says the Assad regime is trying to destroy a U.N.-brokered peace plan for the country.

Panetta: Al-Qaeda Active In Syria

US secretary of defense Leon Panetta says intelligence indicates Al-Qaeda is targeting the Syrian regime

Diplomats Line Up to Condemn Syria Violence

Int'l luminaries lined up to condemn the continued violence in Syria as the United Nations remains deadlocked in inaction.

Twin Blasts Kill 55, Wound 372 in Damascus

Two powerful blasts targeting a security services building in Damascus during rush hour have wrought carnage

Explosion Hits UN Convoy in Syria

An explosion hit a Syrian military truck escorting a convoy of UN observers near Deraa, just seconds after UN staff had passed by.

Syrian Refugees Begin to Overwhelm Jordan

Jordan is beginning to become overwhelmed by the influx of Syrians fleeing the growing civil war in their country.

Annan: 'Last Chance to Avoid Civil War'

UN-Arab envoy Kofi Annan and peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous say Assad's forces continue their assault despite cease-fire committments

Erodgan Says Assad 'Losing Grip' on Syria

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Assad's grip on Syria is getting weaker and “victory is close.”

Aleppo Dragged into Syrian Civil War

The northern trading city of Aleppo, relatively quiet until recently, has finally been dragged into Syria's growing civil war.

Syria: Five Killed in Aleppo Bombing

A bombing in Aleppo, Syria killed five people Saturday. Blast targeted business owned by government soldier.

Syria: Teen Killed as Violence Spreads to Aleppo

Syrian forces fire on thousands of protesters in Aleppo, as violence spreads to the major economic hub.

Syria: 4 Students Dead in Raid on University

At least four people killed as Syrian forces storm student dormitories an anti-government protest at Aleppo University.

Dozens of Deaths Continue in Syria Despite 'Ceasefire' Plan

Dozens have been killed by government forces in Syria so far this week despite attempts to enforce a UN-brokered “ceasefire plan.”

UN Observers Under Pressure as Syria Bleeds

The tiny UN observer force in Syria is under mounting pressure to enforce a UN-brokered ceasefire despite numbering only 30

Syrian Rebels Fight Back with Suicide Bombs

Assad’s brutality, including starvation, has driven rebels to fight back with suicide bombs. Twenty killed in attack on security forces.

Head of UN Mission: Only Syrians Can Achieve Peace

The head of the UN observer mission to Syria: even 1,000 unarmed observers could not end the violence on their own.

UN Observers in Syria Explore Homs

Two United Nations monitors have moved into an upscale hotel in Syria's central city of Homs, hoping to at least reduce violence there.

Syria: 11 People Killed in Damascus Blast

No end to Syria violence: Damascus blast kills 11, and security forces continue to attack anti-regime protesters.

Arab League to Press UN Security Council on Syria

As violence continues unabated in Syria, the Arab League is set to ask the United Nations to take measures to protect civilians

Syria's Grand Mufti Blames Arab Spring on West, Israel

The Grand Mufti of Syria says the Arab Spring is nothing but a Western plot that will "benefit the Zionist entity".

UN Demands Syrian Government Stop Violence

UN Secretary-General demands that the Syrian government comply with its commitment to withdraw troops and heavy weapons from cities.

Cruelty beyond imagination

Video Shows Syrian Soldiers Burying Rebel Alive

Gruesome footage appears to show Assad loyalists burying a man alive. BBC not sure it is genuine.

France and Turkey Mulling Syria Intervention

As violence rages on in Syria, Turkey wants to create a buffer zone; France wants to invoke Chapter 7 of the UN charter.

UN Observers Seek to 'De-Escalate' Douma Tensions

UN observers monitoring a tentative ceasefire in Syria are returning to Douma, where Assad's forces struck shortly after they departed

Annan: The Situation in Syria is 'Bleak'

Special envoy Kofi Annan told the Security Council that the situation in Syria is 'bleak' and expressed 'alarm' as violence continues