Syria

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

Obama Unveils Sanctions on Oppressive Regimes

US president Barack Obama vowed 'never again'; unveiled new sanctions on technology transfers to violent regimes

UN Monitors Visit Battered Syrian City

Five unarmed UN monitors tour Homs. Syrian security forces pull out just prior to the visit.

UN Approves 300 Syria Observers

Pressure from UN chief Ban Ki-Moon prompted Security Council to expand its Syria observer force tenfold

Europe, Russia Disagree Over Resolution on Syria

European nations and Russia propose rival resolutions on Syria, call for expanding number of monitors but disagree on sanctions.

Syrian Opposition Leader Says Syrian People Want Peace

One of the leaders of the Syrian opposition says that the Syrian people will seek regional peace, including with Israel.

Syria: 18 Security Forces Killed in Various Attacks

A powerful blast kills ten members of the security forces in the southern Syrian region of Quneitra, near the border with Israel.

FSA Chief Calls for Military Intervention in Syria

The head of the Free Syria army called on the Security Council to arm the rebels and intervene to enforce a UN-backed ceasefire agreement

Barak: Assad's Fall Would Weaken Iranian Influence

Defense Minister Ehud Barak: Assad has lost his legitimacy, his fall would be “very positive.”

Clinton Warns Assad Squandering 'Last Chance'

As fighting continues in Syria despite a UN-backed ceasefire, the top US diplomat threatens 'tougher measures' on al-Assad

Turkey Intercepts Ship Carrying Weapons to Syria

Turkey has intercepted a vessel in the Mediterranean suspected of carrying weapons and ammunition to Syria.

Syria: Security Forces Open Fire Near UN Monitors

Syrian security forces open fire on anti-regime demonstrators surrounding the cars of a UN team of monitors.

Syria Liquidating Gold to Mitigate Sanctions

Western and Arab sanctions have caused Damascus' currency to sink and depleted its cash reserves, forcing Syria to seek to sell its gold.

Nasrallah: Hizbullah Willing to Mediate in Syria Conflict

Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Hizbullah terror group, says he is willing to act as a mediator in the Syrian conflict.

UN Monitors Set to Begin as Ceasefire Unravels

An advance team of UN peacekeepers arrived to begin their work in Syria as the ceasefire they are to monitor is cast into further doubt

Assad Sends Helicopters to Bomb Syrians

Assad sent helicopters to back up tanks in an escalation of violence against protesters despite a ceasefire that no one expected to last.

Ayoub Kara: Annan 'Naive' About Syria

Deputy minister and Knesset speaker Ayoub Kara says Kofi Annan lacks a sufficiently deep understanding of Syrian affairs to bring peace.

Dawn Quiet Reported in Syria

A UN-backed ceasefire has taken tentative hold in Syria as activists report quiet in key conflict cities; no troop pullback thus far.

Syria Promises Dawn Ceasefire

President Bashar al-Assad's forces have agreed to honor UN-Arab-league envoy Kofi Annan's ceasefire demand, if the rebels do too....

Video: Assad 'Kills' Ceasefire, Rebels Fight Back

Assad redefined the term ceasefire by continuing to murder rebels, but at a lesser rate. Video shows rebels killing regime loyalists.

Syria: Annan Holding Out Hope

UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan says it is 'too soon' to declare his Syria ceasefire dead; deadline has passed; violence continues.

Video: ‘Crazy’ Assad Shoots in Syria and at Refugees in Turkey

Has Assad lost his mind? Soldiers fire on refugees in Turkey, China is getting fed up, and the Chicago Tribune insinuates he is crazy.

Annan Plan Unraveling As Fighting Continues

UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan's six-point peace plan is rapidly becoming a dead letter as fighting crosses his ceasefire deadline.

New Conditions from Syria's Assad, Won't Withdraw Troops

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has come up with new conditions in order to withdraw his troops from cities as promised by April 10.

Annan: Ceasefire Deadline — 0600 on April 12

UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan gave Syrian troops, rebel fighters a deadline to stop fighting as bullets continue to fly across the country

Turkey: More Than 2,000 Refugees from Syria in One Day

More than 2,300 Syrian refugees pour into Turkey in a day. 22,000 Syrians so far have crossed into Turkey.

Red Cross Signs Deal with Syria

The International Committee of the Red Cross has signed a deal with Syria's government to expand a humanitarian mission to Syrian citizens.

UN Negotiating Deployment of Syria Observers

Norway's Maj. General Robert Mood is negotiating the deployment of an unarmed UN observer force in Syria.

Russia May Back UN Draft on Syria

Russia has hinted it will consider backing a US drafted demand for Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to honor an April 10 ceasefire date.

Russia's Lavrov Warns Against Arming Syrian Opposition

Russia’s foreign minister warned other nations against arm thein Syrian opposition, saying it would only escalate hostilities.

Fierce Fighting in Syria Despite Pullout Claims

Even as President Bashar al-Assad's government claims it is honoring a pullback agreement, his troops are striking at rebels.

Peres Thanks Soldiers over Secure Radio

President Shimon Peres thanked soldiers during a visit to Israel’s northern border. Peres also slams Assad.

Report: Syrian Troops Begin Pullout from Some Cities

Syrian government claims troops are withdrawing from cities ahead of ceasefire, but opposition is saying otherwise.

Syria: Fighting Continues as Ceasefire Looms

An advance team of UN peacekeepers are headed to Syria ahead of a planned ceasefire, but fighting has not abated.

Syria: Assad Agrees to April 10 Pull Back

Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has agreed to implement a ceasefire plan by former UN chief Kofi Annan on April 10.

US Officials: Assad is Winning

US intelligence reports indicate Syrian president Bashar al-Assad isn't going anywhere as the world refuses to back the rebels.

'Friends of Syria' to Send Millions in Aid to Rebels

A coalition of more than 70 partners pledges to send millions of dollars and communications equipment to Syria's opposition groups

70 Foreign Nations Meet in Istanbul Over Syria

As regime forces continue to slaughter Syrians, foreign ministers debate if and how to arm rebel fighters against gov't troops in Syria.

Syrian 'Peace': Fresh Clashes Break Out

Clashes erupt across many parts of Syria, despite Assad having accepted a peace plan brokered by UN envoy Kofi Annan.

Annan to Assad: 'The Deadline is Now'

UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan has demanded Syrian president Bashar al-Assad immediately implement an agreed to ceasefire.

Syrian Opposition: Implement Peace Plan Within 2 Days

Syrian opposition willing to accept Kofi Annan's peace plan if Assad's complies with its points within two days.

Khamenei: Syria's Anti-Israel, So We'll Defend It

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei tells Turkish PM Erdogan: Iran will defend the Syrian regime due to its anti-Israeli stance.

UN Human Rights Chief: No Statute of Limitations for Assad

UN human rights chief Navi Pillay says there is enough evidence to prosecute Syrian president Bashar al-Assad for war crimes.

Arab League Calls on Syria to Halt Violence

The Arab League wants to resolve the crisis in Syria, but Damascus refuses to consider the 22-nation body's appeal until it is reinstated.

UN Calls for Immediate Ceasefire in Syria

UN Sec'y-Gen. Ban Ki-moon has called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to immediately implement the ceasefire deal he agreed to.

Syrian Army Seizes City Despite 'Peace Plan'

Syrian Army troops have taken control of the central city of Kalat el-Mudik despite the government having allegedly accepted a peace plan.

Beirut Denies Syrian Incursion

A Lebanese Army officer said reports of a Syrian incursion into Lebanon were of a dubious nature due to nebulous border markings.

Syria Formally Accepts 'Annan Peace Plan'

President Bashar al-Assad has formally accepted a UN-backed peace plan penned by special envoy Kofi Annan.

Syria Fires on Lebanese as Deserters Flee Army

Syrian troops fired machine guns on a border town in northern Lebanon, but Beirut denied reports that Assad’s crossed the border.

Kara Charges Assad with Death of Syria Druze Leader

Deputy Minister Ayoub Kara says President Bashar Assad is behind the death of a Druze leader who died in a mysterious 'accident'.

Syrian Forces Resume Shelling of Homs — 8 Killed

Violence in Syria continues apace even as UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan and President Bashar al-Assad exchange letters.

Turkey Closes Syrian Embassy; Death Toll at 10,000

The international noose is closing in on Assad. Turkey has shut down its Damascus embassy, and Russia warned Syria it faces civil war.

Medvedev Says Annan's Mission is 'Last Chance' for Syria

Russian President warns that Kofi Annan’s mission is the last chance for avoiding a civil war in Syria.

Druze Anti-Assad Leader Dies in Syria

A Syrian Druze leader has been killed in the city of Soueida, the country's Waqf Ministry and its Druze Unitarians' Sect announced.

US Human Rights Group: Syrian Army Using Human Shields

A US-based human rights group has accused the Syrian government army of using human shields in its war on rebels.

Pressured Assad Steps Up Tempo

Russia Shifting Position on Assad, Tells Him to Make Haste

For various reasons, Russia is moving away from its unwavering support for Bashar Assad.

EU Shopping Sanctions for Asmaa al-Assad

European foreign ministers have decided Asmaa al-Assad's extravagant shopping sprees must come to and end if Syria is to be free.

Syrian Tanks Shell Damascus Suburbs

Rebel raids on the Syrian capital have resulted in yet more shelling of civilian areas and President Bashar al-Assad fights to surrvive.

Security Council in Toothless Show on Syria

The UNSC has made a non-binding 'presidential statement' calling for a ceasefire and talks in Syria based on envoy Kofi Annan's proposals.

Damascus Suburbs Under Government Tank Fire

Syrian Army regulars attacked two large Damascus suburbs Wednesday, using tank fire in an attempt to rout entrenched rebel forces.