Syria

Top Syrian General Defects to Turkey

Manaf Tlass, a Syrian general who was a leading member of Assad's inner circle, has defected to Turkey.

Italian Company Sold Technology to Syria - and Israel

An Italian company revealed to have sold technology to Syria also won an Israel Railways tender.

WikiLeaks to Release 2.5 Million Syrian Cables

The self-appointed whistle blowers of WikiLeaks have begun releasing a trove of Syrian emails revealing Western ties.

Syria Violence Renders Observer Force Moot

UN observer chief Maj. Gen. Robert Mood says his force cannot resume its mission amid escalating violence; slams diplomats failures

15th General Defects from Syria to Turkey

A Syrian general and a number of soldiers among 66 Syrians who flee into Turkey in one day.

Al-Qaeda Inspired Group Claims Syria Attacks

Al-Nusra, an Al-Qaeda inspired group, has claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks across Syria.

Moscow Cuts Odds on Assad's Survival: '10%'

Sources close to the Kremlin say Russian leaders have a grim view of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's future as a leader; no to asylum.

Turkey Finds Bodies of Downed Pilots

Military officials in Ankara say they have located the remains of two pilots downed by Syria on July 22; working to recover them from seabed

Annan Spokesman: Syria Ceasefire 'Imperative'

The death toll in the 16-month uprising against the Syrian regime tops 16,500 in President Bashar al-Assad's 'torture archipelago.'

Assad Wishes Downed Jet Had Been Israeli

Assad is sorry that his forces downed a Turkish plane but added, "I might have been happy if this had been an Israeli plane.”

Report: 85 Syrian Soldiers Defect to Turkey

Nearly 300 Syrians have defected to Turkey, including 85 soldiers, Turkey's state-run news agency reports.

Assad Targets Opposition Leaders with ‘Counter-Terrorism’ Laws

The Syrian regime ramps up its offensive; passes new counter-terror law, as opposition leaders discuss a 'post-Assad' Syria.

Turkish FM Urges Syrian Opposition to Unity

Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoglu warned Syria's often fractious opposition against discord saying only al-Assad would benefit

Syria Rebels Gaining Ground

Free Army forces having more success in fighting against the Assad regime, as defections continue.

Russia May Have Helped Down Turkish Jet

Russia may have helped shoot down the Turkish aircraft near Syria, officials tell The Sunday Times newspaper.

Syria: At Least 83 Killed as Forces Storm Damascus Suburb

At least 83 people killed across Syria, hundreds trapped in Douma as regime forces storm the town in Damascus province.

Syria Transition Plan Could Leave Assad Running Syria

Major powers came up with a plan for a government transition in Syria, that could leave Bashar al-Assad in charge of the country

Syrian Troops Continue to Bombard Damascus Suburb

Syrian troops bombard a rebellious suburb of Damascus with tank and artillery shells, killing dozens of people.

Kofi Annan Optimistic as Syria Bleeds

UN special envoy Kofi Annan says he believes a ministerial crisis talk on Syria will yield 'an acceptable result.'

Hamas Man Assassinated – but Who Did It?

A senior Hamas terrorist is killed in Damascus. Hamas blames Israel, Syrians blame Syria.

Syrian Tanks Gather on Turkish Border

Syrian rebels say Assad is sending tanks to the Turkish border. Turkey has sent troops toward Syria.

Israel Convinces Russia to Cancel Syrian S-300 Deal

Israel played a major role in influencing Russia to cancel its planned sale of the S-300 surface-to-air missile system to Syria.

Explosion Rocks Syrian Palace of Justice

A large explosion shook downtown Damascus as bloody fighting continues in and around the capital.

Turkey Placing Aircraft on Syrian Frontier

Turkish prime minister says Ankara is 'totally in the right' over the downing of one of its jets by Syria; incident 'won't go unanswered'

U.S. Group Cancels Talk by Syria's Grand Mufti

Foundation for Middle East Peace rescinds an invitation to Syria's top Muslim cleric after learning he threatened suicide bombings.

Russia Suspends Missile Contract with Syria

Russia’s main weapons producer suspends its contract with Syria to supply S-300 long-range missile systems.

Hamas Blames Mossad for Death of its Member in Syria

Hamas says that its member Kamal Hussein Ranaja, who was killed in Damascus, was murdered by Israel's spy agency.

Senior Hamas Official Murdered in Damascus

A senior member of Hamas was murdered in Damascus, the group says, vowing to investigate the murder.

Syria May Have Mistaken Turkish Jet for Israeli One

The downing of a Turkish fighter plane by Syria may have been a case of mistaken identity, a Syrian minister says amid rising tensions.

Annan Invites Major Powers to Syria Pow-Wow

With Syria's popular uprising crossing into civil war and tensions with Turkey rising, the major powers prepare to meet

Iraq Orders Closure of 44 International News Outlets

Iraq has ordered the closure of 44 international news outlets, among them the Voice of America, and the BBC.

Erdogan: Turkey Does Not Intend to Attack Syria

Turkey's premier says Ankara has no intention of attacking Syria, but orders troops deployed on the Syrian border amid rising tensions

Gunmen Storm Pro-Gov't Syrian News TV Station

Opposition forces in Syria stormed a pro-government satellite news television station Wednesday, killing three.

Turkey Deploys Troops Along Border with Syria

Turkey deploys a large number of military vehicles to the Syrian border after Syria downs its jet.

Syria in a Real Situation of War, Says Assad

Syrian President Bashar Assad tells the new parliament that Syria must secure victory in the war against anti-regime rebels.

NATO Backs Turkey Against Syria

NATO has strongly condemned the downing of a Turkish jet by Syria saying the alliance stands with Turkey in 'strong solidarity.'

Dozens Killed in Damascus Suburb Clashes

Fierce fighting on the outskirts of Damascus has left dozens killed in some of the heaviest fighting seen in Syria's capital to date.

Civil War Clashes on Outskirts of Damascus

Assad’s soldiers are using artillery in fierce clashes against armed rebels, near troops' residences close to Damascus.

Annan Wants Iran to be Part of Talks on Syria

Kofi Annan proposes inviting Iran to a multinational meeting to discuss Syria, leaves it up to the U.S. and Russia to decide.

Turkey Complains to UN Over Downed Jet

Turkey sends letter to UN Security Council and to Secretary General, complains about Syria downing its jet in international airspace.

Syria Shoots at Second Turkish Aircraft

Syria has attempted to shoot down a second Turkish aircraft searching for missing pilots, Ankara announced Monday.

Dozens of Syrian Army Officers, 3 More Syrian Pilots Defect

Dozens of Syrian Army officers have defected to the opposition forces and taken their weapons with them.

Turkey Calls for NATO Mtg Over Syria Attack on Jet

Turkey has called on NATO to convene a meeting in the wake of Syria downing its jet in international airspace.

Syria: Government Accuses Rebels of Massacre

Syrian government accuses rebels of killing 25 shabiha - who often operate as hired enforcers of Assad's regime.

Head of Syria's Olympic Committee Refused Visa to London

Head of the Syrian Olympic Committee refused a visa to travel to London for this summer’s games.

Turkish Warplane Disappears - Is Syria Responsible?

Turkish warplane disappears over the Mediterranean, reports say it may have been shot down by Syrian security sources.

Report: More Senior Syrian Officials May Defect

Members of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s inner circle are secretly making plans to defect to the opposition, say U.S. officials.

Syrian Air Force Pilot Flies Plane, Defects to Jordan

In what is believed to be the first defection of a Syrian pilot with his plane, a high-ranking Air Force officer has flown to Jordan.

Report: Iran, Russia, China, Syria Plan Massive War Games

Iran, Russia, China and Syria are planning a war games exercise with 90,000 troops, Iranian media reports.

Syrian Opposition Cries Out for Help in Homs

Syria's opposition issues cry for help on as regime forces pound Homs, leaving hundreds trapped with little food or water.

UN Suspends Observer Mission in Syria Due to Danger

The United Nations announced Saturday that it won't send additional monitors to Syria; saying it's just too dangerous.

France Considering Providing Aid to Syrian Rebels

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius says his country is considering providing communications equipment to Syrian rebels.

EU to Assad: No More Luxuries for You

The European Union imposes a ban on exporting some luxury items to Syria.

Report Reveals Assad's 'Shopping List' from Russia

The Associated Press reveals some weapons systems Russia has recently shipped to Syria or pledged to deliver.

Syria Claims to Arrest Suicide Bomber as Unrest Continues

Syrian authorities claim to have arrested a terrorist who was planning to commit a suicide attack in a mosque.

Amnesty Report Describes Syria's Chilling 'Ghost Militias'

In a new report, Amnesty International confirmed the horrible conditions in Syria, and called on the world to take more aggressive action

Russia, US Nearing Proxy War in Syria

France wants UN to call for "all means" to end Syrian carnage.Russia accused the US of arming Syrian rebels. Cold War or proxy war?

Settlements Trump Syria and Iran as Top Mideast Issue, Says EU

What is the most “urgent” problem in the Middle East? Not Iran and not Syria, according to the European Union. It is the “settlements.”

Turkey Fears Syrian Conflict Spilling Over Border

Turkey has expressed fears the growing civil war in Syria is beginning to spill over its border. About 2,000 refugees arrived in 48 hours.

Assad’s Fall May Expose Russian War Crimes

Russian attack helicopters for Assad signals its need to prevent exposure of alleged Russian involvement in chemical weapons.