Syria
Revolution and counter-revolution in Syria
Coverage of the conflict in Syria frequently refers to the opposition being dominated by Islamist groups. What was the initial composition of the opposition against the Assad regime and how has it evolved? Well, it is important to understand that the Syrian revolution is part and parcel of a broader movement that has...
Russia invites Trump officials to Syria peace talks
The Russian foreign minister has said that Moscow is inviting representatives of the incoming US administration to attend upcoming Syria talks in Kazakhstan. Sergey Lavrov said at a news conference on Tuesday that Russia is encouraged by President-elect Donald Trump's focus on combating terrorism. He voiced hope that...
At least 30 dead in Deir ez-Zour after Isis launches biggest attack in Syria for months
Islamic State (Isis) have launched their biggest attack in Syria for months, monitors and state media have said. Dozens of people have been killed and several more are wounded after several rockets were fired into the government-controlled city of Deir Ez-Zour on Saturday (14 January). IS (Daesh) terrorists reportedly attacked...
Tragic suicide note of Aleppo nurse who killed herself to avoid rape by Syrian army
A nurse trapped in besieged Aleppo has penned a heartbreaking letter explaining why she’s chosen to end her own life rather than face rape at the hands of ‘Syrian army animals’. This letter, as well as reports from rebels in the Syrian second city suggest female survivors are at risk of being assaulted, with...
Erdogan says Turkish-backed rebels close to taking Syria’s al Bab
ANKARA — Turkish-backed rebels are just 2 km from the northern Syrian city of al Bab and are expected to take it from ISIS quickly despite some resistance, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday. The rebels said on Tuesday they had taken Qabasin, several km northeast of al Bab, to set the stage for an...
Syria Aleppo siege: Fighting rages as Russian jets strike
Intense fighting has continued around the Syrian city of Aleppo, where a rebel offensive is trying to break a government siege of rebel-held areas. Over the weekend, the rebels tried to reconnect an encircled area in the east with insurgent territory in the west. They set off a huge tunnel bomb underneath army...
World’s most dangerous computer game? The Syrian teenagers risking their lives to play Pokemon Go in a war zone
World's most dangerous computer game? The Syrian teenagers risking their lives to play Pokemon Go in a war zone Syrian teenagers are increasingly ignoring the dangers of living in a war zone — so they can play Pokemon Go. Youngsters in the rebel-held Syrian city of Douma are downloading the hit game — and...
Russian helicopter shot down in Syria
A Russian helicopter has been shot down by rebels in Syria's northern Idlib province, Russian officials say. Defence officials say the Mi-8 transport aircraft had five people on board. Unconfirmed reports say at least four of them are now dead. The helicopter was returning from delivering humanitarian aid to the city...
Syria conflict: Deadly strike on Save the Children maternity hospital
An air strike has hit a maternity hospital supported by Save the Children in north-western Syria, killing two people and wounding others. The charity said several babies were hurt when incubators crashed to the floor, a pregnant woman lost a leg and two others suffered shrapnel wounds. Images show part of the building in Kafer...
Syria conflict: ‘Families leave’ besieged Aleppo
Dozens of families have left besieged eastern areas of the city of Aleppo along a humanitarian corridor, Syrian state media says. The civilians boarded buses and were taken to temporary shelters, state news agency Sana said. Some rebels had also surrendered to government forces, the report said. Russia, an ally of the Syrian...
US Coalition Airstrikes Kill at Least 28 Civilians in Syria, Say Activists
U.S.-led airstrikes killed at least 28 civilians, including seven children, in Syria on Thursday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The attack happened in al-Ghandour near Manbij, just one day after the U.S. announced a formal inquiry into airstrikes in the same area that may have led to the single largest...
Russia, Syria Forces Accused Of Extensive Use Of Cluster Bombs
Russia, Syria Forces Accused Of Extensive Use Of Cluster Bombs Russian and Syrian forces have renewed their use of widely banned cluster bombs against civilians and rebels in northern Syria, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on July 28. The rights watchdog said in a report that it documented 47 instances in which cluster munitions...