Syria

'Assad won when Russia's plane went down'

Experts agree Assad received a boon in the Turkey-Russia spat, as Putin went from being Erdogan's friend to his enemy.

Turkey 'temporarily' suspends Syria airstrikes after Russia spat

Ankara calls off strikes amid international crisis with Russia.

Why ISIS survives: Airstrike sirens, tunnels

Sneak peek inside ISIS capital reveals why international bombing campaigns have yet to cripple the jihadists, and how they exert their rule.

Cameron: We can't wait until an attack happens here

British Prime Minister argues his case to MPs for Britain to join air strikes on ISIS targets in Syria.

Game changer? Russia says it deployed S-400 in Syria

Despite US concerns that it will put all aircraft - including those in Israel - under Russian threat, Moscow deploys system to its base.

US soldiers arrive in Syria to back anti-ISIS Kurds

Team of 50 special forces arrive in Kobane, symbol of Kurdish resistance to ISIS, to train and 'organize' anti-jihadist forces.

Who's actually fighting in Syria and Iraq, and why?

Analysis breaks down the international players taking part in Middle East free-for-all, and reveals Iran is the biggest winner so far.

US sanctions Syrian regime for buying ISIS oil

US Treasury sanctions Assad backers for enabling bloodshed, including company buying oil for Assad from his enemy ISIS.

Report: IAF hit advanced Russian missiles outside Damascus

Saudi report follows prior reports, saying Hezbollah sites adjacent to elite Syrain army division hit, taking out anti-tank missiles.

Erdogan defends shooting down Russian plane as tensions escalate

'We are just defending our security and the rights of our brothers,' Anakara insists - as Moscow calls incident 'a stab in the back.'

EU must limit migrant numbers: French PM

ISIS Paris attacks change European attitudes on Syrian refugees, as Paris encourages the EU to place immigration quotas.

Syrian media: Israeli jets struck Hezbollah base

Reports from Syria claim Israel launched airstrike on Hezbollah base in Qalamoun border region.

Was Iran's terror commander Soleimani gravely wounded in Syria?

US 'aware of' reports Revolutionary Guards leader Qassem Soleimani wounded in Aleppo, but can't confirm; IRGC denies.

Turkey shoots down Russian warplane near Syria

Major international crisis brewing as Ankara, Moscow trade accusations; one pilot killed by Syrian rebels, another missing.

Iran and Russia vow to oppose attempts to dump Assad

Russia and Iran will jointly oppose "external attempts" at regime change in Syria, says the Kremlin after Putin meeting with Khamenei.

British PM to make case for joining Syria air strikes

British Prime Minister David Cameron to address House of Commons, make a case for Britain joining air strikes on Syria.

Global watchdog voices 'concern' over chemical arms use in Syria

Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons calls for those behind chemical attacks in Syria to be held accountable.

France strikes ISIS from newly-deployed carrier

France bombards ISIS targets in Syria from jets from the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.

Syria opposition chief urges Al-Nusra to break with Al Qaeda

Terrorist Al-Nusra Front urged to go mainstream in order to help bring diplomatic end to Syrian civil war.

American forces to arrive in Syria 'very soon'

Senior American official says dozens of special forces will arrive in Syria soon, in accordance with Obama plan.

US Official: Israel was right to hit Syrian nuclear facility

Speaking at Nova Scotia forum with Tzipi Livni, US Deputy Secretary of Defense says Israeli strike in 2007 was a good thing.

Biblical Syrian Christian town becomes frontline with ISIS

Christians in Sadad, believed to be same town mentioned in Book of Kings, say they won't be moved by jihadists.

Russia pounds ISIS as maneuvers force flight rerouting

Russia makes largest strikes in Syria since stat of war, as UN encourages countries to be tougher on ISIS.

UN condemns Syria for human rights violations

UN committee condemns human rights violations in Syria, in a resolution presented by Saudi Arabia - whose own track record is questionable.

Obama: No end to ISIS if Assad remains in power

US President sees no end to civil war if Assad remains in power and says Syrian won't accept him as solution.

Official: Assad used 90 percent of his missiles on rebels

Senior Israeli official says Syria has used most of its ballistic missiles on rebels, but has also transferred a few to Hezbollah.

Vienna, Amman cast doubt on speedy Syria transition

Austrian and Jordanian leaders say Kerry's promises of 'gigantic step' in Syria are 'premature.'

Thanks to Assad's strikes: 95% of Aleppo doctors gone

Physicians for Human Rights documents 10 Russian air strikes on medical facilities since October, details regime bombardment of hospitals.

Netanyahu, Putin to discuss Syria at Paris summit

In phone call, Israeli PM offers condolences to Russian President over confirmed ISIS attack on Russian plane in Sinai.

Suspected ISIS terrorist killed entering Turkey

Security forces kill one and arrest 21 people seeking to illegally cross from Syria into southern Turkey.

Assad: We'll help France - if it changes its attitude

Syrian President says his country is only willing to share intelligence information with France - if it changes its policies in the region.

American officials defend Syrian refugee program

Senior officials in Washington play down criticism from state governors and House speaker over program for accepting refugees.

Kerry says Syria weeks from 'big transition'

Kerry reveals international talks have yielded agreement on principles with outline for elections and transition government.

UN: Refusing Syrian refugees 'not the way to go'

UN spokesman hits back at calls to turn back refugees from Syria following Paris attacks.

Pressure rises on Canada to delay bringing in Syria refugees

Online petitions, local officials urge new PM Justin Trudeau to delay project to allow 25,000 refugees in light of ISIS attack.

US destroys 116 ISIS fuel trucks with one strike

Pentagon reveals it took out entire fleet of trucks in one blow, as part of campaign to 'degrade financial ability' of richest terror group.

France hits ISIS 'capital' in Syria

French warplanes pound the Islamic State's self-proclaimed Syrian capital, destroys command post and a training camp.

French PM: We need to 'annihilate' ISIS

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls says his country needs to scale up military operations against ISIS in Syria.

Assad holds France guilty for Paris attack

Syrian despot blames France's support of rebel groups as causing ISIS's lethal attacks, says 'Europe did not listen.'

Americans confident 'Jihadi John' was killed in air strike

United States military says it is "reasonably certain" ISIS executioner was killed in a drone strike in Syria.

Report: US airstrike kills 'Jihadi John'

Pentagon reveals it targeted infamous ISIS beheader from Britain, with reports indicated it found its mark.

United States doesn't expect progress in Syria talks

Secretary of State Kerry says he does not expect a major breakthrough at international talks in Vienna on how to end Syria's civil war.

Syrian regime makes second major victory ahead of talks

Assad's forces make 'most important advance' since Russian airstrikes began, days ahead of international diplomatic talks.

Hezbollah has 150,000 missiles pointed at Israel

Updated Israeli assessment shows Iran terror proxy has far more firepower than thought, and has been arming despite Syria war.

Official: US won't recognize Israeli rule over Golan Heights

Obama administration rejects Netanyahu's proposal, claims recognizing Israeli sovereignty over Golan will undermine US relations in Syria.

West dismisses Russian outline on Syria

Envoys say Russia's proposal for reform in Syria is not enough.

Report: IAF strikes Damascus Airport

Arab media reports Israeli fighter jets hit Damascus international airport, taking out electricity and halting flights - target unclear.

UN Syria envoy: Don't squander 'momentum' of Vienna talks

UN envoy Staffan de Mistura urges world powers to come up with a political process to end Syria's civil war.

Saudi Arabia wants UN to condemn Russia for Syria involvement

Saudi Arabia submits resolution to condemn Iranian and Russian intervention in Syria.

Russia to propose 18-month reform in Syria

Russia wants Syrian government and opposition to agree to constitutional reform followed by presidential elections, draft document reveals.

Syrian army breaks yearlong ISIS siege of key air base

Regime troops break through to Kweyris airport killing 'large number' of ISIS, although more ISIS terrorists still present at base.

France hits ISIS where it hurts: Oil stockpiles

French DM announces two new strikes on ISIS's oil infrastructure, in attempt to cripple monetary resources of the jihadists.

At Iran's behest: West to outlaw Syrian rebels as 'terrorists'

After US invited terror sponsor Iran to talks, it demanded 'terror' list for Syria; UK says US will have to outlaw groups it backs.

Next round of Syria talks to be held Saturday

State Department announces Kerry will travel to Vienna for the latest round of negotiations on the conflict in Syria.

Defense Secretary: US may send more ground troops to Syria

Ash Carter says US 'absolutely' may send more troops to Syria, despite Obama's promise of no boots on the ground.

UK accused of 'letting down' allies over ISIS in Syria

Head of British armed forces questions why UK hitting terror targets in Iraq, but not at the heart of the conflict.

Secret operation in Syria to rescue last remaining Jewish family

Special mission rescues final Jewish family in Aleppo, but aliyah regulations prevent complete success.

Suspected Russian strikes kill 23 Syrian civilians

Suspected Russian airstrikes against Syrian rebels kill 23 civilians.

ISIS frees 37 kidnapped Syrian Christians

ISIS released 37, mostly elderly, from the over 200 kidnapped in February.

OPCW 'confident' that mustard gas was used in Syria

UN chemical weapons watchdog confirms mustard gas was used in Syria in August, and also reports yet another chlorine attack.