Latest in Tag: Syria Highlight
Latest in Tag: Syria
The Middle East: Rising and falling stars
By Fadi Elhusseini In 2011, Turkey was seen as an unstoppable regional power and a rising star, led by its Justice and Development Party (AKP). But the arrival of the Arab Spring heralded a deep change in the region. Turkey’s prominence began to fade and Iran’s potential appeared to be rising with the progress it …
A Russian death in Syria
How significant is Russia’s first military death in Syria? Fiona Clark in Moscow takes a look at the polls and finds that support is still strong – but for how long? Vadim Kostenko was buried earlier this week. The 19-year-old’s open casket was carried through the streets of his home town by fellow soldiers to …
UN chief calls for Syria solution with future of Assad ‘decided by the Syrian people’
UN chief Ban Ki-moon has warned that disagreements over the fate of Syrian President Assad must not impede efforts to end the four-year Syrian civil war. Diplomats meet again in two weeks to discuss a political solution. United Nations General-Secretary Ban Ki-moon said Saturday that this week’s talks on the Syrian war had been taken …
US ground troops set for Syria deployment
The US has announced it will be sending a small group of special forces in support of rebels fighting the “Islamic State” militant group. Defense Secretary Carter said the move was in line with US strategy in Syria. The US announced on Friday the first deployment of ground troops to Syria, while diplomats from external …
Opinion: you have to talk to your enemies too
The USA has fundamentally shifted its stance in the Syrian conflict. Now, Assad ally Iran will also be invited to participate in a new round of talks. The move is overdue, says DW’s Matthias von Hein. After some four years of death, dying and destruction in Syria, there is finally movement among the deadlocked parties. …
Syria talks to test Iran, Russia’s ‘intentions,’ says Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s FM has said that the Vienna talks will show if Tehran and Moscow are “serious” about a political solution to the Syrian conflict. The statement comes as Russia makes a record number of airstrikes in Syria. Saudi Arabia said Wednesday that international talks in Vienna will test whether Tehran and Moscow are “serious” …
Shoukry to participate in Friday talks on Syria in Vienna
The talks will discuss the activation of the political process in Syria after over four years of conflict
Iran invited to Syria talks
Washington has said that an invitation will be sent to Tehran for upcoming talks on political transition in Syria. Defense Secretary Carter also spoke of US plans to ramp-up its military campaign in Syria
Obama administration to step up strategy to fight Islamic State
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has said the US will ramp up air strikes against the terror group in Syria and Iraq. His testimony comes as Russia and Syrian government forces step up their own attacks on the group. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter said on Tuesday the Obama administration is stepping up its military campaign …
Omani FM meets Syria’s Assad as flurry of diplomacy continues
Oman’s foreign minister has visited Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus amid a whirlwind of diplomatic activity to resolve the crisis. Oman is known to play a mediator role in the region. Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi and Assad talked in Damascus on Monday as regional and international actors mount a new offensive to …
Egypt, Saudi positions on Syrian crisis beginning to converge: Political analyst
Al-Sisi, Saudi foreign minister agree to hold quarterly consultations
Syrian rebels reject cooperation with Russia, demand end of bombing
Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebels have rebuffed cooperation with Russia against the “Islamic State” and holding elections. Their response came after Russia suggested it could work with the rebels
Russian airstrikes kill scores in northern Syria: Monitor
Russia has carried out airstrikes in a rebel-held area in Syria, killing numerous insurgents and civilians, according to a monitor. Several governments have accused Moscow of targeting opponents of the Assad regime
Steinmeier’s futile diplomacy in Saudi Arabia and Iran
The problem of Syria’s civil war came up frequently on German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s recent trip to Saudi Arabia and Iran. Solutions to it did not. DW’s Dagmar Engel traveled with the minister. “We are not here as mediators.” During his trip to the Middle East, the German foreign minister would use variations of …
My piece of hope: Karam would trade his laptop for peace anytime
Even though his laptop is the most valuable thing Karam brought with him when he fled Syria, he would get rid of it right away to make sure his parents are safe and to enjoy life the way he did, before the war. As hundreds of thousands of refugees are entering Germany, the country is …
Syrian army advances against rebels near Aleppo
Backed by Russian jets, Syrian government troops have edged forward in the northern province of Aleppo. Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev has said Moscow’s air strikes in Syria were a bud to protect its national interests. Since Moscow started its air campaign in Syria on September 30, the Syrian army and its allies have launched four …
German Foreign Minister Steinmeier urges Iran to work towards peace in Syria
Iran should use its influence to get the Syrian regime to discuss political transition, Berlin’s top diplomat Frank-Walter Steinmeier told an Iranian newspaper. He gave the interview ahead of an official visit to Tehran. Germany and Iran must have a joint interest to “stop the bloodshed,” in Syria, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told “Iran,” …
Syria and Russia launch huge offensive on rebels in Aleppo
The Syrian military has begun a major ground offensive on the country’s second city of Aleppo. The advance in northern Syria has been supported by the Russian air force. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday that in the past 24 hours, “dozens” of Russian airstrikes had struck the area which is controlled …
US, Russia seek deal to fly in Syria’s dangerous skies
Russian jets have had a series of close encounters with American and Turkish aircraft. Western officials have called the situation dangerous and see a risk of conflict in Middle Eastern skies. Spencer Kimball reports. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he is concerned. Russian and American warplanes are both operating in an active war zone, …
US, Russia turn to direct military talks over Syria airspace grievances
US and Russian defense officials are “closer” to hashing out “safety procedures” as both countries fly sorties over Syria. The talks come amid reports that Iran is deploying troops, the latest in the Syrian conflict. Defense officials from the US and Russia held military-to-military talks on Wednesday in a bid to establish “basic safety procedures” …
4 young Egyptians named among dead migrants
The news comes following the documentation of high numbers of Egyptian minors travelling to Italy
Retaliatory rockets fired at Russia embassy in Damascus
Two rockets have struck the Russian embassy in Damascus. The attack took place as hundreds of people were gathering for a demonstration in support of Russia’s intervention in Syria.
Russia’s President Putin meets Saudi defence minister to discuss political solution in Syria
Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with Saudi Arabia’s Defence Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two discussed a political solution in Syria, where Moscow has carried out airstrikes since late September.
Putin’s proxy war
President Putin turned 63 this week, but, as he savored his birthday cake, did the thought occur to him that he might have bitten off more than he could chew with his Syria strategy? Fiona Clark in Moscow investigates. Shortly after Russian warships fired 26 cruise missiles from the Caspian Sea into Syria, some 1,500 …
Shoukry ‘coordinates’ with Lavrov on Syria, as Russia faces criticism for civilian deaths
Reports suggest Russia struck civilian targets in northern Homs
Russian strikes in Syria ‘sectarian’ intervention: Islamists
“Iranian/Russian” strikes favour Al-Assad’s criminal Alawite regime
Al-Sisi discusses counter terrorism with Tunisian counterpart
Béji Caïd Essebsi is the first Tunisian president to visit Egypt since the spark of the 2011 Arab Spring
Putin’s new war, old foes
As Russia embarks on an anti-“Islamic State” bombing campaign in Syria, President Vladimir Putin seems to be reverting to tried and true tactics. Fiona Clark reports from Moscow
Egypt backs Russia, asserts itself against Saudi Arabia’s Syria strategy
Airstrikes come as Egypt’s relations with Russia improve, but support likely to remain rhetorical
Merkel skeptical of Turkey’s ‘safe zone’ proposal
German Chancellor Merkel has said that Turkey’s proposal for a “safe zone” in northern Syria may risk the lives of refugees housed there. Her statement comes as Germany struggles to cope with the migrant influx.