Syria

Assad Makes Secretive Surprise Visit to Moscow

Assad makes secretive first foreign visit abroad since war started in 2011; in Moscow, hints of a new diplomatic front are raised.

Syrian Regime, Rebels Destroy Heritage Sites as Much as ISIS

New research analyzing satellite imagery finds 26% of looted sites in Kurdish or other rebel control, 16.5% Syrian regime, and 21.4% ISIS.

US, Russia Sign Memorandum to Avoid Syria Dogfights

In order to avoid 'incidents' between US and Russian jets conducting Syria airstrikes, two sides seal safety measure memorandum.

Leading Security Institute: Israel Should Topple Assad Now

INSS head Amos Yadlin argues that Russia's involvement offers Israel an opportunity to weaken Iran-Hezbollah threat.

Syria: Russian Airstrikes Kill 370 in 20 Days

At least a third of casualties are civilians, including dozens of women and children - only 52 ISIS.

Airstrikes Kill 40 ISIS Jihadists in Syria

Airstrikes on an ISIS convoy kill at least 40 jihadists in central Syria.

Pentagon Says 'Khorasan Group' Leader Killed in Syria Air Strike

US claims core of veteran Al Qaeda terrorists known as 'Khorasan Group' has been plotting attacks on American soil from Syria.

Havana Denies Cuban Soldiers Sent to Syria

Officials strenuously deny reports up to 300 Cuban soldiers may be fighting for Assad.

UN: Airstrikes Leaving Many Without Aid in Syria

Both Russian and US-led airstrikes making it difficult to get aid convoys to those in need, UN warns.

Syria Kurds Denounce Amnesty 'War Crimes' Report

YPG forces outraged after Amnesty International accuses anti-ISIS forces of 'collective punishment.'

Turkey Downs Drone Near Syrian Border

Accusations remain airborne between Ankara, Moscow after Russia denies violating Turkish airspace.

Syria Death Toll Tops a Quarter Million

Staggering death toll of civil war includes at least 74,426 civilians, and among them 12,517 children and 8,062 women.

Top Iranian Commander Visits Syria

Qassem Soleimani spotted in Syria addressing Iranian military officers and members of Hezbollah.

United States Ready to Drop Weapons to Syrian Rebels

American official says the United States military is poised to boost its supply runs to rebels fighting ISIS in northern Syria.

Are Assad's Serial Torturers Infiltrating Europe?

Around 500 'shabiha' of Assad's brutal regime have allegedly been spotted by Syrian refugees, infiltrating the continent among them.

Russia Announces Syria 'Hotline' with Israel

Russian defense ministry says a special 'hotline' establish to avoid fighter jet dogfights in Syria, where it is propping up Assad.

Briton Who Travelled to Syria: ISIS 'Not My Cup of Tea'

British woman who fled ISIS with her five children after travelling to Syria says she didn't enjoy the experience.

American, Russian Militaries Close to Pact on Safety in Syria

American defense official says the United States and Russia could soon sign a pact establishing safety protocols in Syria.

Airlines Stop Flying Over Iran Over Missile Concerns

Some airlines stop flying over the region amid concerns over Russian airstrikes in Syria. At least one has missed and hit Iran.

Two Top Iranian Officers Killed in Syria

Less than a week after its elite commander in Syria falls in battle, senior Iranian officers killed fighting ISIS.

Putin Blasts US as Having 'Mush for Brains'

Russian President slams Washington for refusing to share intelligence with Moscow on Syria conflict.

Two Rockets Hit Russian Embassy in Damascus

After 300 people gather to support Russian airstrikes, rockets slam into embassy sowing panic; casualty counts still unknown.

IDF Fires Artillery at Syrian Army

In response to 'spillover' mortar shells, IDF launches strikes on Syrian army targets, which it holds responsible for attacks.

Amnesty Accuses Syrian Kurds of 'War Crimes'

Amnesty says Kurdish forces displaced Syrians and demolished their homes while operating in the northern part of the country.

Hezbollah Buries Senior Commander Killed in Syria

Hezbollah buries leading commander who it says was killed "performing his jihadist duties in Syria".

Nusra Front Leader Calls for 'Revenge' Attacks on Alawites

Abu Mohammad al-Golani, head of Al-Nusra Front, calls for escalation against Alawites in revenge for Russian airstrikes.

International Coalition Drops Ammo to Anti-ISIS Syrian Rebels

United States-led coalition forces parachute ammunition to rebels fighting ISIS jihadists in northern Syria.

70 Sudanese Have Joined ISIS Since 2011

Khartoum gives a definitive figure for the first time on how many of its nationals have joined ISIS; 12 were medical students.

'Fiercest Clashes' as Damascus Advances with Russian Support

Clashes intensify both without and within Syria, as Russian-backed troops advance - and the EU talks tough on Syria.

EU: Russian Troops in Syria Are a 'Game-Changer'

EU foreign chief Mogherini warns Russian intervention 'very worrying' at meeting on political talks divided over Assad's future.

France's Syria Strikes Probably Killed French Jihadists

Source close to Prime Minister Manuel Valls says airstrikes on ISIS training camps likely killed French Muslim foreign fighters.

Syria Opposition to Boycott UN-Backed Talks

Syrian National Coalition announces it would boycott talks proposed by the UN envoy, citing Russia's airstrikes in the country.

Did Russia Use Cluster Bombs in Syria?

Human Rights Watch accuses Moscow of fighting dirty in anti-rebel bombings, providing dangerous cluster munitions to Damascus.

US, Russia Make 'Progress' in Talks About Syrian Airspace

Washington and Moscow look for ways to avoid encroaching on each other during airstrikes in Syria.

ISIS at Outskirts of Syria's Aleppo Despite Russian Raids

Though Russia claims it killed hundreds of ISIS fighters, terrorist organization continues to expand its control in Syria.

ISIS Advancing on Aleppo Despite Russian Airstrikes

ISIS fighters advance to the outskirts of Syria's second city, despite Moscow's announcement it killed hundreds of jihadists.

Russia Hits 60 Terror Targets in 24 Hours in Syria

Russian defense officials claim to have completed another bombardment against Islamist terrorists in Syria, amid doubts over accuracy.

Europe Urges US, Russia to Cooperate Over Syria

Germany and Spain try to make peace between Russia and US in differences over ongoing Syrian civil war.

Obama to Change Syrian Rebel Training Program

Faulty Pentagon-led training for 'moderate' rebels to be redirected after multiple problems, Ashton Carter reveals.

Vatican 'Greatly Concerned' Over Violence in Israel, Syria

Pope Francis urges West to intervene again into the Middle East, following Russian involvement in Syria and Arab terror in Israel.

NATO Chief Warns of Russian 'Escalation' in Syria

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says there is a "troubling escalation" in Russian military activity in Syria.

Russia Denies Claims that Syria-Bound Missiles Landed in Iran

Russia's defense ministry denies American claim that Syria-bound Russian cruise missiles fired from the Caspian Sea had crashed in Iran.

Russian Cruise Missiles Fall Short of Syria, Hit Iran

Four cruise missiles aimed at Syria crash in Iran instead, according to US official who wouldn't detail regarding casualties.

US Defense Chief Warns: Russians Will Die

Ashton Carter warns that due to its Syria attacks, Russia will in coming days 'begin to suffer casualties,' indicating domestic attacks.

New French Campaign Aims to Combat Radicalization

French government ad campaign features mourning families to discourage young people from joining extremists in Syria.

Russian Navy Backs Major Ground Offensive Against Syrian Rebels

Joint ground offensive reaches Idlib, Hama; Russian warships launch 26-missile naval assault.

NATO, Turkey on High Alert Over Russian Airspace Violations

Russian aircraft strayed into Turkey twice in two days en route to Syria, officials say; Ankara summons Russian ambassador.

French PM to Russia: Direct Your Airstrikes at ISIS

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls urges Russia to direct airstrikes at ISIS jihadists in Syria, echoes comments by President Hollande.

Assad: I Won't Hesitate to Step Down if That's the Solution

A change of tone? Syrian President tells Iranian TV he won't rule out stepping down if the situation requires.

Hollande Tells Putin: Attack ISIS and Only ISIS

French President tells Russian counterpart his country's airstrikes in Syria should target only the Islamic State.

Hungarian PM: Not Fair Israel, US, Won't Take In Migrant 'Army'

Populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban also singles out Arab states and Australia; says migrants look more like 'an army' than refugees.

Iran Backs Russian Airstrikes in Syria

Iran says Russia's airstrikes against Syrian rebels will help solve the crisis in the country.

Iran Sends Troops for Mass Syrian Ground Offensive

Lebanese sources reveal hundreds of Iranian soldiers deployed in last 10 days for joint campaign with Hezbollah backed by Russian strikes.

Russian 'ISIS Strikes' Hit US-Backed Anti-ISIS Groups

US official and Syrian rebels say Russia's opening salvo of 'ISIS war' only hit civilian targets and US-backed groups fighting ISIS.

Russia Approves Military Action in Syria

Moscow claims aid to Damascus is 'temporary', claims US-led airstrikes against ISIS violate international law.

Netanyahu Puzzled Over UNGA Links Between Syria, Iran

World leaders have the Iran deal "all wrong," Netanyahu insists before UNGA speech Wednesday.

France Launches Criminal Probe Against Assad

French authorities launch criminal probe of Syrian President for alleged war crimes between 2011 and 2013.

Putin, Obama Meet for First Time in a Year

Russian and US leaders meet for first time in over a year; pledge to work together to avoid clashing in Syria despite opposing sides.

Russia, Iran Draw Close Over Syria at UN

Both Assad allies attempt to convince world of their side in Syrian civil war amid concerns over closer Tehran-Moscow relationship.

Yaalon: Syrian Rockets on the Golan 'a Red Line'

The IDF will continue to defend Israel from all threats, including threats from Syria, Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said.