Latest in Tag: Assad Highlight
Latest in Tag: Assad
Egypt supports political dialogue in Yemen, warns of infiltration by militants
Egypt supports the new Saudi secretary general of the OIC, saying he has sufficient experience to face challenges
Syrian opposition presents post-Assad plan, fighting displaces 100,000
Britain’s Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has endorsed a plan put forward by Syrian opposition groups for a political transition to end the war. About 100,000 Syrians have been displaced by fighting in recent days.
Syrian army extends truce, but fighting rages on
The Syrian army has extended a nationwide ceasefire for three days as pro-Assad forces continue to advance against rebels in the north. Observers have called the truce mostly ineffective since its declaration last week.
Syria’s Assad appoints new prime minister
The embattled Syrian president has tasked one of his ministers to form a new government. It was not clear why the current prime minister is being replaced.
Syria rebels threaten to disrupt truce if Assad’s forces continue fighting
Militant groups in Syria have refused to abide by the truce unless government troops stop the violence within 48 hours. The statement comes after President Assad’s army bombed rebel strongholds around Damascus.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey to boost ties with ‘strategic cooperation council’
A new joint council between Turkey and Saudi Arabia is expected to bolster security and investment cooperation. Ankara and Riyadh are key supporters of rebels fighting to overthrow the Assad regime in Syria.
Assad: UK airstrikes in Syria doomed to fail
Britain’s bombing campaign against extremists in Syria is “illegal” and will only cause “terrorism” to spread, President Bashar al-Assad says. The Syrian strongman made the remarks in an interview with The Sunday Times. In remarks published Sunday, Assad ridiculed British Prime Minister David Cameron’s assertion that there are as many as 70,000 opposition fighters in …
‘Islamic State’ is a problem; Assad is a bigger problem
Syria’s president has tried harder than ever to recommend himself as a partner in the fight against “Islamic State.” However, it appears that Bashar al-Assad is a major part of the problem – and not part of the solution. Outrage began to filter out from Germany’s opposition parties on Sunday after Defense Minister Ursula von …
Putin’s anti-‘Islamic State’ coalition dilemma
The downing of a Russian bomber leaves Putin with some tough decisions. Will he change his views on Assad and join a broader anti-“IS” coalition or stick with an alliance of two with Iran? Fiona Clark reports. President Putin must be wondering where it all went wrong. It seemed for a moment that Russia had …
Vienna talks basis for discussion between Shoukry and Syrian opposition delegation
Syrian opposition delegation affirmed their keenness on reaching a political solution
Truce called between Syrian regime, insurgents
A monitoring group has said talks yield 48-hour ceasefire in northwest Syria along Lebanon border. A simultaneous ceasefire has been called to give relief to two loyalist villages in Idlib province. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says a deal to halt attacks was reached late Tuesday by the Islamist insurgent group Ahrar al-Sham …
Report: US to defend Syrian rebels from Assad with air power
US President Barack Obama has decided to allow airstrikes in Syria to defend US-backed rebels, claims a Wall Street Journal report. The move could bring the US military into direct conflict with the Syrian government. The president’s decision is aimed at protecting the rebels trained by US forces from attacks, including those from the forces …
Syrian opposition leaders reach agreement in Cairo
Opposition figures demand a joint transitional body based on Geneva I communiqué
Syrian opposition leaders in Cairo to form united front
Egypt meeting seeks to strengthen opposition forces in Syria, says foreign ministry
Jordanian pilot captured by ISIS militias in Syria
The Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham (ISIS) posted photos online of a captured Jordanian military pilot. The militants allegedly shot down a Jordanian fighter jet with an anti-aircraft missile near the city of Raqqa, in northern Syria, on Wednesday. The media centre of Raqqa, an ISIS-affiliated news organisation, posted several pictures showing the …
Shoukry meets Syrian opposition delegation to discuss political solution to conflict
Results of Egyptian initiative for non-violent transition remain uncertain, says expert
The Syrian tunnel and the spring
By Fadi Elhusseini When the first spontaneous explosions of the Arab democratic revolutions erupted in Tunisia in December 2010, many were hoping that this revolt might usher in a new beginning for the whole region. When Egypt joined Tunisia a few weeks later, hopes mounted and everyone started to think that the long-awaited moment had …
Beirut blast killed Lebanese security officer
The explosion happened at around midnight near an army checkpoint and a cafe where football fans were watching a World Cup match.
Syria government retakes strategic town on Turkey border: State TV
AFP – Syrian government forces on Sunday recaptured the strategic town of Kasab, near the only border crossing with Turkey in northwestern province of Latakia, state television reported. “Units from the army are reestablishing security in the province of Latakia after killing a large number of terrorists and destroying their weapons,” the television said, referring …
Syria prisoner releases begin after amnesty: Lawyer
The releases came a day after Syrian state television reported that Assad had declared an unprecedented amnesty, extending for the first time to those accused under the country’s anti-terrorism legislation.
Iran president visits Turkey hoping to fix troubled ties
Rouhani will meet his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, where the powerful neighbours are expected to discuss security concerns as well as trade opportunities.
In Syria’s ‘Berry Place,’ residents dodge bullets
The area is an island in the eastern district of Jobar, where rebels hold the east and the army controls the west.
Syrians stream to embassies to vote in controversial poll
Of the estimated three million Syrians living abroad, including both refugees and peacetime residents, only around 200,000 were entitled to vote on Wednesday, in 39 embassies abroad
Iran slams Syrian opposition chief, confirms poll monitors
Jarba is not running against Assad in a 3 June presidential vote but Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian hit out regardless.
Syria rebels to free 1,500 families for food, prisoners: Report
While the edges of Adra are under government control, the interior of the town, which has Sunni, Alawite and Christian communities, is in rebel hands.
Syria presidential campaign launches despite war
The election is being staged despite a raging civil war, with dozens of people dying across the country every day.
Deal clinched for rebel retreat from Syria’s Homs: negotiator
Around 2,250 people, mostly fighters, will evacuate the Old City area, which lies in the heart of Syria’s third city Homs
Syria bars refugees who fled via unofficial posts from voting
“Syrians who left Syria illegally do not have the right to vote in host countries,” Hisham Shaar was quoted as saying by pro-regime newspaper Al-Watan on Monday.
Syria calls presidential elections for 3 June
AFP- Syria said Monday it will hold presidential elections expected to return President Bashar Al-Assad to office on 3 June, despite a civil war that has killed more than 150,000 people. Underlining the ongoing violence in the country, mortar fire hit near the parliament building shortly before the election date was announced, killing two people. …
Mortar fire on Syria schools kills child, hurts 40: Media
AFP – Mortar rounds fired on schools in the Syrian capital on Tuesday killed a child and wounded more than 40 people, among them more children, state media said. Rebels fighting to oust President Bashar Al-Assad hold some territory on the outskirts of Damascus from which they have regularly launched mortar and rocket attacks targeting …