(BEIRUT) — The Syrian government has agreed “in principle” to attend a conference proposed by Russia and the United States …
Syria
The Shadow War Behind Syria’s Rebellion: Foreign Backers Jockey for Influence in Turkey
While the diplomatic grouping known as the Friends of Syria met in the Jordanian capital Amman on Wednesday to discuss a U.S.-Russian plan for peace talks, a low-key yet perhaps equally important gathering was being quietly held …
Syria Government to Take Part in Peace Conference
(MOSCOW) — The Syrian government has agreed to a conference on the country’s future proposed by Russia and the United States, Russia’s foreign ministry said Friday
Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said in televised remarks that the Syrian government had “agreed in principle” to participate in the conference in Geneva …
The Battle for Qusayr: What Victory in Syria’s Latest Front Means for the War
Fighting continued for a fifth straight day in the strategic Syrian city of Qusayr, as opposition forces fighting the regime of President Bashar Assad sought desperately to maintain their slipping grip in a battle that could …
Kerry: U.S., Allies Ready to Step Up Aid to Syria’s Rebels
(AMMAN, Jordan) — The U.S. and several key allies looked again Wednesday for a strategy to end Syria’s civil war, their united efforts unable at the moment to stem the Assad regime’s military gains and Washington still unwilling to join those providing the rebels with lethal military aid.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry allowed …
UN: New Reports of Chemical Weapons Use in Syria
(UNITED NATIONS) — There are mounting reports of chemical weapons use as violence escalates in Syria, the U.N.’s top Mideast envoy said Wednesday.
In response to these reports, Robert Serry told the Security Council that the United Nations is again urging the Syrian government to allow chemical weapons experts into the country …
The Belgian Teen Who Went to Fight in Syria: The Brian De Mulder Story
Like many boys in Antwerp, Brian De Mulder dreamed of being a professional footballer. His favorite team was continental powerhouse FC Barcelona and he sought to emulate its Argentine superstar Leo Messi, proudly wearing “10″ on …
Syria Opposition Signals Tough Line on Peace Talks
(BEIRUT) — Despite recent rebel setbacks in Syria‘s civil war, the main opposition bloc signaled a tough line Tuesday on attending possible peace talks with President Bashar Assad‘s regime.
Two senior members of the Syrian National Coalition said the group first wants ironclad guarantees of Assad’s departure as part of any …
Syria, Israel Exchange Fire over Border
(DAMASCUS, Syria) — Syria said Tuesday it destroyed an Israeli vehicle that crossed the ceasefire line in the Golan Heights overnight, while the Israeli military said gunfire from Syria had hit an Israeli patrol, damaging a vehicle and prompting its troops to fire back.
The two sides appeared to be referring to the same …
Activists Say 28 Hezbollah Members Killed in Syria
(BEIRUT) — Fierce street fighting in a Syrian town near the Lebanese border has killed at least 28 elite members of Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group, activists said Monday, as Syrian government forces pushed deeper into the …
How Syria’s Rebels Aren’t Winning the War: The Anatomy of a Battle
The short message screeched over a walkie-talkie, prompting the half a dozen rebels in the room who had been lounging on flat mattresses and drinking tea to jump to their feet, grab their guns and run out of the door. It was …
Syrian Troops Push into Strategic Rebel-held Town
(BEIRUT) — Syrian troops pushed into a rebel-held town near the Lebanese border on Sunday, fighting house-to-house and bombing from the air as President Bashar Assad tried to strengthen his grip on a strategic strip of land running from the capital to the Mediterranean coast.
With the regime scoring gains on the battlefield, the …
Syria’s Assad Says He Won’t Step Down
(BEIRUT) — Syrian President Bashar Assad said in a newspaper interview Saturday he won’t step down and will instead “face the storm,” raising new doubts about a U.S-Russian effort to get Assad and his opponents to negotiate an end to the country’s civil war.
In the Syrian capital Damascus, meanwhile, a powerful explosion went off in …
