Syria

Officials: Iran and Hizbullah Building Militia Network in Syria

Iran and Hizbullah are building a network of militias inside Syria to preserve their interests in the event that Assad falls.

Hizbullah TV: Insults, Profanities and Israeli 'Spy' Allegations

A political talk show on Hizbullah television turned into an exchange of insults and allegations of "spying" for Israel.

Syria Denies Israel Targeted a Weapons Convoy

Syria’s ambassador to the UN says there is “no truth” to reports that alleged Israeli airstrike targeted a convoy heading to Lebanon.

Turkey Denies U.S. Complained Over Comments Against Israel

Turkey denies that the United States expressed concerns over remarks made by the country’s officials about alleged Israeli raid in Syria.

Arab League Backs Syrian Opposition's Call for Dialogue

Arab League chief backs a call from Syria's main opposition leader to talk to Assad, but pro-Assad daily hints the offer is too late.

U.S. Complains to Turkey Over Comments Against Israel

The United States has filed a complaint with Turkey over its leaders’ attacks on Israel, after last week’s alleged airstrike in Syria.

Israel Deploys Third Iron Dome Battery in North

A third Iron Dome anti-missile defense system has been deployed in northern Israel, a week after alleged Syria airstrike.

Syria Opposition Chief Urges Assad to Hold Talks

Syria's opposition chief urged President Bashar al-Assad's regime to respond positively to his call for talks to end the violence

Lebanon: 'Any Hand That Aggresses Against Army Will Be Cut Off'

A top Lebanese official has warned that its military will "pursue" anyone who attacks it.

Erodgan: Israel Waging 'State Terrorism' in Syria

Turkish PM says Israeli air strike on Syria violates international law, ignores his own country's similar past actions.

Report: Israel to Declare 'Buffer Zone' on Syrian Border

Israel intends to declare a buffer zone inside the Syrian border to prevent terrorists from getting into Israel, sources said.

Assad: Israel, Not Revolution, 'Behind Syrian Instability'

Without Israeli 'aggression,' said Bashar al-Assad, Syria would be a very stable place - never mind the revolution in his country

Report: Region's Armies All on High Alert

The armies of Syria, Lebanon and Jordan are all on high alert, a report in a Lebanese newspaper said Sunday.

Russia's Lavrov Meets Head of Syrian Opposition

Moscow says it wants to keep in regular contact with the Syrian opposition after FM Lavrov meets the coalition's leader.

Turkish FM Accuses Syria and Israel of 'Secret Deal'

Turkish FM claims that the Syrians' failure to respond to Israeli airstrike means there is a secret deal between the two countries.

Syria's Chief of Staff: We'll Respond to 'Zionist Aggression'

The Syrian army’s chief of staff threatens his country will respond to an alleged Israeli airstrike "when the time is right."

UN Chief Concerned Over Alleged Israeli Airstrike

UN chief Ban Ki-moon expresses "grave concern" over an alleged Israeli airstrike in Syria, calls all parties to “prevent tensions.”

Syria, Iran Threaten Retaliation Against Israel

After reported strike on chemical site, Syrian ambassador in Lebanon says ‘‘has the option and the capacity to surprise in retaliation.’’

Syrian Rebels 'Steal' Credit from Israel for Attack

Syrian rebels said that Syria was wrong to condemn and threaten Israel; it was they, not the IDF, that carried out an attack Wednesday

Report: Hizbullah Already Has Syrian Chemical Weapons

Syrian rebels said that Hizbullah had already received numerous advanced weapons from Syria – including chemical weapons

Report: Syria Airstrike Targeted Chemical Weapons Center

Lebanese news website reports that the target of an airstrike near Damascus was a chemical weapons center.

U.S. Officials Silent on Israeli Airstrike in Syria

White House, State Department refuse to comment when asked whether Israel had carried out an airstrike in Syria.

Iran: Backing 'Terrorist' Groups Escalates Syrian Crisis

A senior Iranian official said Wednesday that those backing "terrorist" groups are responsible for the fighting and killings in Syria.

Obama Announces New Humanitarian Aid for the Syrian People

U.S. President Barack Obama announces an extra $155 million dollars to aid refugees fleeing the Syrian civil war.

Syria: 78 Executed Bodies Found in River

The bodies of 78 young men, all executed with a single gunshot, found in a river in Syria's Aleppo city.

Netanyahu Meets Members of the U.S. House of Representatives

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu meets a bipartisan delegation from the U.S. House of Representatives led by Rep. Rob Wittman.

Obama: To Intervene in Syria or Not?

Obama said he was wrestling with a decision on whether the US should get involved to resolve the conflict in Syria.

Israel Keeping Close Eye on Syria's Chemical Weapons

Israel becoming increasingly concerned that Syria’s chemical weapons will fall into the hands of Hizbullah or rebel terrorists.

Latest Syrian Air Raid Kills 8 Children

Regime warplanes launch a wave of deadly raids across Syria, including one which kills eight children.

Assad's Mother Fled Syria, Says Former U.S. Ambassador

The former U.S. ambassador to Damascus confirms that Assad's mother has fled Syria and is in the UAE.

Russia Pulls Citizens from Syria

Russia is evacuating its citizens from Syria, one of its most important beneficiaries in the Middle East.

Syria: At Least 30 Killed in Suicide Car Bombing

Suicide car bombing in Hama kills at least 30 people, Arab League says efforts to end the conflict have failed.

Syria Assembles New Paramilitary Force Aided by Iran

Syrian regime has assembled a new paramilitary force, many trained by Iran, to fight what is becoming a guerrilla war.

Syria's Opposition Meets to Select Prime Minister

Syria's opposition umbrella group meets in Istanbul in a bid to name a prime minister-in-exile.

Report: Assad Used Non-Lethal Chemicals on Rebels

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s forces used non-lethal chemical weapons against rebels in Homs, the French daily Le Monde reports.

Al-Jazeera Journalist Killed by Syrian Sniper

Sniper kills an Al-Jazeera reporter in southern Syria, the second such shooting of a journalist in two days.

At Least 100 Killed in New Syria Massacre

More than 100 civilians have been killed in a new massacre north of the Syrian city of Homs, activists say.

US Asks Turkey, Jordan to Oversee Syria’s Chemical Weapons

The United States has quietly asked Turkey and Jordan to keep an eye on Syria’s chemical weaponry, and possibly step in to manage them.

Syria: Twin Bombs in Idlib Leave 22 Dead

Twin car bombs kill at least 22 people in Idlib, as universities mourn 87 people killed in explosions on the student campus in Aleppo.

US Downplays Syria's Reported Use of Chemical Weapons

United States brushed aside report of a leaked State Department cable indicating Syria had used chemical weapons.

Prosor: Time to Take Action on Syria's Chemical Weapons

"The Security Council must act today, not tomorrow" to prevent Syria's chemical weapons from reaching Hizbullah, says Prosor.

Syria: 82 Dead in Bombing at Aleppo University

Twin blasts rip through the university campus in Syria's city of Aleppo, killing at least 82 people and wounding scores more.

At Least 26 Children Killed in Syria Violence

At least 26 children killed in violence in Syria, as Human Rights Watch accuses Assad of expanding his use of banned cluster bombs.

NATO: Turkey Patriot Missiles Operational By February

Patriot missile system being deployed to protect Turkey from spillover of conflict in Syria is expected to be operational by early February.

Netanyahu Visits IDF Base in the Golan Heights

"Of course we are monitoring what is happening on the other side of this buffer inside Syria," Netanyahu tells soldiers in Golan.

Report: Iran Spying on Israel from Syria

Iran has been establishing intelligence stations in several parts of the Middle East, including the Golan Heights, U.S. report indicates.

Experts: Syria May Have Unenriched Uranium

Western and Israeli security experts suspect Syria may have tons of unenriched uranium in storage which could be transferred to Iran.

Syrian Rebels Seize Key Airbase

Rebels overrun the Taftanaz airbase in northern Syria in a significant advance in the battles against the Assad regime.

Panetta: U.S. Focused on Securing Syrian Chemical Weapons

The U.S. is increasingly focused on how to secure Syria's chemical weapons if Assad falls from power, says Defense Secretary.

Damascus Accuses Brahimi of 'Bias'

Damascus accuses joint UN-Arab League peace envoy of "flagrant bias" against it, a day before he meets U.S. and Russian officials.

Syria: 5 Dead as Fighting Returns to 'Palestinian' Camp

Syrian fighting has returned to an area of Damascus which serves as a camp for people registered as "Palestinian refugees."

Hamas, PA Leaders Refuse to Assist Suffering Syrian Brethren

Arab leaders, who court international sympathy by portraying their people as displaced victims, are refusing to help Syrian refugees.

PM: 'Settlements' Do Not Threaten World Stability, Iran Does

Iran's nuclear ambitions and Syria's chemical weapons threaten global stability, not “Israeli settlement” expansion, said PM Netanyahu.

U.S. May Issue Most Wanted Syrians Playing Cards

The United States is considering issuing a set of playing cards to help identify 100 most wanted figures of the Syrian regime.

Assad Speech 'Detached from Reality', Says U.S.

The United States State Department says Assad's speech is another attempt to cling to power.

U.S. Concerned by Assad's Use of Iranian-Made Missiles

The United States is becoming increasingly worried about Syria’s use of ballistic missiles supplied by Iran.

Assad to Give Speech, May Offer a 'Peace Plan'

Syria's embattled President Bashar al-Assad is to make a rare speech Sunday and may present a five-point plan to end violence.

Car Bomb Rips Through Damascus Gas Station

At least nine dead after a car bomb tore through a gas station in the Syrian capital Damascus' district of Barzeh.

UN Estimates Syria Death Toll at More than 60,000

More than 60,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict since March of 2011, says the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Family of Journalist Captured in Syria Appeals for Help

After a six week media blackout, the family of James Foley asks the American public to help in his release.