US-Syria

Third time in recent weeks:

US military strikes targets affiliated with Iran in Syria

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says US military struck training facility and safe house used by IRGC and Iran-affiliated groups in Syria.

On Biden's orders:

US Military strikes facilities in Syria used by Iran

Pentagon announces that President Biden ordered strikes on two facilities in Syria used by IRGC and groups supported by Tehran.

Bipartisan US bill would prevent normalization with Syria

Bipartisan group of US lawmakers introduce bill intended to prevent recognition of Bashar Al-Assad and enhance ability to impose sanctions.

Blinken:

'US extensively engaged on case of missing journalist'

US Secretary of State says US is extensively engaged on the case Austin Tice, who disappeared in Syria in 2012.

Biden:

'US strikes in Syria meant to protect American personnel'

Biden tells Pelosi that air strikes against Iran-linked targets in Syria were carried out to disrupt attacks against US and partners.

State Department:

Assad's family likely worth $1-2 billion

State Department says Syrian President's family worth $1-2 billion, despite US-led efforts to isolate Assad.

Blinken: US doesn't support efforts to normalize ties with Syria

Secretary of State: There will be no efforts to normalize relations with Assad until there is progress in the political process.

White House: Biden will act to protect Americans

White House spokeswoman says US air strikes in Syria are meant to send message that Biden will act to protect Americans.

US sanctions Assad's wife

US sanctions Syria’s central bank and several people and entities close to President Bashar Al-Assad.

White House official held secret meetings with Syrian government

Trump administration official confirms White House official spoke with Syrian government about two US citizens thought to be held there.

Trump: There was a plan to take out Assad, but Mattis refused

US President confirms plan was in the works to take out Syrian President but then-Defense Secretary was opposed.

Pentagon: ISIS used US withdrawal to regroup

New Pentagon report finds that ISIS has strengthened its abilities and has recovered from elimination of its leader.

US to leave around 500-600 troops in northern Syria

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says US troop levels in northern Syria will probably stabilize around 500.

US to send armored reinforcements into eastern Syria

Defense Secretary says US will send armored reinforcements against potential ISIS on oil fields in Syria.

US to send additional assets to protect Syrian oil fields

US to beef up presence in northeastern Syria to protect oil fields from being retaken by ISIS.

Graham: Pentagon preparing plan to contain ISIS

Republican Senator says US military leaders preparing a plan that could keep ISIS fighters from regaining a foothold in Syria.

McConnell introduces resolution against Trump's Syria withdrawal

Senate Majority Leader, other top Republican senators, warn Trump's withdrawal from Syria benefits Assad, ISIS, Russia and Iran.

Graham changes stance on Syria

South Carolina Senator: I am increasingly optimistic that we can have some historic solutions in Syria.

US troops withdrawing from Syria expected to move to Iraq

US Defense Secretary says troops withdrawing from northern Syria are expected to move to western Iraq to continue fight against ISIS.

At debate, Democratic candidates blast Trump over Syria

Sen. Amy Klobuchar: Think about our other allies, Israel. How do they feel right now?

US says up to 1,000 troops to withdraw from Syria

Pentagon announces Trump has ordered the withdrawal of up to 1,000 troops from northern Syria.

Graham: Could not agree with Netanyahu more

US Senator urges Trump to reverse his decision to withdraw troops from Syria after Turkey launches operation against Kurds.

US threatens to 'penalize' Turkey over inhumane acts

State Department official: US will take penalizing action against Turkey if it engages in “inhumane and disproportionate” moves in Syria.

Trump: We have not abandoned the Kurds

Trump defends decision to pull troops from northern Syria, but stresses US is not abandoning the local Kurds.

Graham: Syria withdrawal will be a 'nightmare' for Israel

South Carolina Senator warns against Trump’s sudden decision to pull back US troops from northern Syria.

Senate Majority Leader warns against Syria withdrawal

Senator Mitch McConnell says pulling US forces out of Syria "would only benefit Russia, Iran, and the Assad regime."

US: Signs that Syrian gov't is using chemical weapons

State Department says there are signs that Syrian government may be using chemical weapons, warns of response.

Congress members urge Trump: Safeguard Israel’s interests

Nearly 400 members of Congress sign letter calling on Trump to safeguard Israel’s interests with Syria’s civil war coming to an end.

Trump: US to leave 400 troops in Syria

US President says 400 troops will remain in Syria, including 200 near border with Israel, but says his strategy is unchanged.

US to leave small group of peacekeepers in Syria

White House says US will leave some 200 American troops in Syria for a period of time after pullout.

Assad warns Kurds: The US won't protect you

Syrian President warns country’s Kurds that the US would not protect them against any Turkish offensive.

Russia, Turkey and Iran hail US withdrawal from Syria

Putin, Erdogan and Rouhani say US withdrawal from Syria is a positive step that would help stabilize the situation.

US withdrawal from Syria 'weeks away', says top general

Head of US military’s Central Command says start of withdrawal of ground troops from Syria is likely just weeks away.

Report: US to remove all forces from Syria by April

Officials tell the Wall Street Journal the US military is preparing to pull all American forces out of Syria by the end of April.

Ex-envoy blasts Trump: He has 'no plan'

Brett McGurk, former US special envoy for anti-ISIS coalition, says Trump has "no plan" for what comes after forces withdraw from Syria.

Trump: We'll 'devastate' Turkey's economy if they attack Kurds

US President warns Turkey against harming Kurds after US pullout from Syria.

Pompeo: Withdrawal from Syria only a 'tactical change'

US Secretary of State says withdrawal from Syria won't alter US military capacity to combat ISIS or Iran.

US withdrawing equipment, not troops, from Syria

US defense officials clarify earlier statement, say military has begun moving non-essential gear out of Syria, not withdrawing troops yet.

Pompeo: US redoubling efforts to pressure Iran

During visit to Jordan, Secretary of State says withdrawal from Syria will not jeopardize efforts to pressure Iran and fight ISIS.

Erdogan: US withdrawal from Syria must be planned carefully

Turkish President says his country is best partner to work with US on withdrawal from Syria, reaffirms commitment to defeating ISIS.

ANALYSIS: Amid confusion over Syria, Iraq prepares to oust US

Trump has effectively reversed his earlier statement about the immediate withdrawal of US troops from Syria.

Bolton warns Syria against using chemical weapons

US National Security Adviser arrives in Israel, warns Syria there's no change in US position against the use of chemical weapons.

US has 'no timeline' for Syria withdrawal

State Department official says there's no timeline for the withdrawal of American troops from Syria as Pompeo visit to the region announced.

ANALYSIS: Iranian axis exploiting Trump's pull out from Syria

Incidents in both northern and eastern Syria make it clear that Russian-Iranian-Assad coalition is using chaos to conquer more territory.

Report: Trump agrees to spread Syria withdrawal over 4 months

Administration officials say Trump agreed to spread the withdrawal of the military from Syria over four months instead of 30 days.

Trump reassures Graham about plan to withdraw from Syria

South Carolina Senator meets Trump, shares concerns over Syria withdrawal plan

Bolton to visit Israel, discuss Syria

US national security adviser to visit Turkey and Israel in January to coordinate on Syria.

Trump: We give Israel $4.5 billion every year, they'll be good

US President says Israel knows how to defend itself very well and so it will be fine even after the US withdrawal from Syria.

Trump on Syria: A lot of people are going to come around

Trump defends his decision to withdraw US troops from Syria during an unannounced visit to Iraq.

Report: Order to withdraw US forces from Syria signed

US defense official confirms order to withdraw US forces from Syria has been signed. No further details provided.

Macron criticizes Trump over Syria withdrawal

French President reacts to Trump decision on Syria, says "an ally must be reliable".

Report: Trump told Erdogan Syria is 'all yours'

According to CNN report, Trump and Erdogan discussed US withdrawal from Syria before Trump announced the move.

Iran: US presence in Syria was 'source of tension'

Iran welcomes US withdrawal of troops from Syria, says US military presence in Syria had been "a mistake".

US envoy in ISIS fight resigns

Brett McGurk submits resignation following Trump's decision to pull US forces out of Syria.

'The Americans have nothing to look for in Syria'

Middle East expert David Bukay says Israel will have to accept the fact that it will not succeed in removing Iran from Syria.

Report: US-led coalition attacks in Syria

Syrian media says US-led international coalition launched air strikes against army positions south of al-Sekhneh.

US: 'Lots of evidence' Assad planning chemical attack

US representative for Syria says there is "lots of evidence" that chemical weapons are being prepared by Syrian government forces in Idlib.

U.S. redirects Syria funding

State Department announces it will redirect $230 million in frozen funding away from Syria.

Washington to Syrian rebels: Don't expect support from us

Washington tells main Syrian rebel factions they should not expect military support to help them resist government offensive.

Assad: Negotiations with the U.S. are a waste of time

Syrian President rules out negotiations with the United States, says American policy will not change.