Iran-backed militia in Syria says it’s ‘fully prepared’ to battle Israel
The head of a large Iranian-backed Iraqi militia that has been fighting in Syria said his group was ‘fully prepared’ to fight Israel if Damascus asked it to.
Syria
Russia seeks two-day ceasefire in Damascus suburb; dozens killed by air strikes
Russia proposed a two-day ceasefire on Monday in the last major rebel stronghold near the Syrian capital Damascus, where warplanes killed at least 41 people in two days of air strikes as Russian-backed government forces tried to capture the area.
Iran’s Syria Bases Near Israel Have Apocalyptic Intent
The locations of some of Iran’s military installations in Syria, including some within 30 miles of Israeli territory in the Golan Heights, may be motivated more by Tehran’s desire to provoke an Islamic end-of-the-world cataclysm than for strategic value, contends an expert on Shiite religious dogma.
Russia declares ‘death’ of body probing Syria chemical attacks
Russia’s UN ambassador said Wednesday the expert body that has determined responsibility for chemical weapons attacks in Syria ‘is dead’ — but Moscow is ready to discuss ‘a new mechanism.’
Israel may ‘target’ Iran activity in Syria, Netanyahu said to tell Macron
Israel sees Iranian activity in Syria as “a target” for its forces, and may carry out strikes against Iranian objectives if security needs require it, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told French President Emmanuel Macron in a phone call this week.
Putin holds summit with Turkey, Iran to discuss Syria peace deal
Russian President Vladimir Putin is in talks with leaders of Turkey and Iran to end the civil war in Syria that has been raging since 2011.
Iran’s plans in Syria hint at goal of establishing powerful Shiite ‘Red Crescent’
Iran’s top military officer signed agreements in Syria last month that will keep Iranian forces there indefinitely with a pledge to help the Bashar Assad regime rebuild damaged military bases, according to the main opposition group to Tehran’s Islamic rulers.
Putin’s plan to end Syrian war strengthens Russian influence in Middle East
Russian President Vladimir Putin briefed President Trump by phone Tuesday on Moscow’s plans for ending Syria’s 6-year-old civil war, a development that likely will keep U.S. foe Bashar Assad in power in Damascus and underscores Russia’s growing influence in the Middle East.
On surprise Russia trip, Assad and Putin talk post-war Syria
On a surprise trip to Russia, Syria’s Bashar Assad discussed potential new peace initiatives for post-war Syria with Russian President Vladimir Putin who declared that Russia’s two-year military campaign in Syria is wrapping up, the Kremlin said Tuesday.
Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump discuss Syria, Ukraine, North Korea in hour-plus call
US President Donald Trump described the conversation with the Kremlin chief as a ‘great call’ and said the two leaders spoke ‘very strongly about bringing peace to Syria.’
Netanyahu presses Putin on keeping Iran out of Syria
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone about a ceasefire deal in the Syrian civil war and Iranian presence near Israel’s borders with the war-torn country, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
US declares NKorea a terror sponsor; new sanctions expected
President Donald Trump announced Monday the U.S. is putting North Korea’s ‘murderous regime’ on America’s terrorism blacklist, despite questions about Pyongyang’s support for international attacks beyond the assassination of its leader’s half brother in February.
IDF fires at Syrian army position in Golan
Israeli tank units in the Golan Heights fired a warning shot at a Syrian army position inside a no-man’s land along the Israeli-Syrian frontier Sunday evening.
IDF Chief of Staff: Israel willing to share intelligence with Saudis
Gadi Eisenkot has offered to share Israeli intelligence about Iran with Saudi Arabia, in remarks published in a rare interview with a Saudi newspaper published in London.
Russia vetoes U.S. resolution to probe chemical attack in Syria
Russia used its U.N. Security Council veto power on Thursday to stop a U.S.-drafted resolution that would have extended an investigation into allegations that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons on his own people earlier this year.
Russian long-range bombers strike Islamic State targets in Syria
Six Russian long-range bombers struck Islamic State targets near the town of Albu Kamal in Syria’s Deir al-Zor Province on Wednesday, the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement.
UN to vote on rival resolutions on chemical weapons in Syria
The United States is calling for a vote Thursday on a resolution that would extend the mandate of experts working to determine who was responsible for chemical attacks in Syria, which is likely to face Russian opposition.
US, Russia headed for showdown over Syria chemical weapons probe
Russia and the United States were on a collision course ahead of a UN Security Council vote Thursday on the fate of a UN-led probe to determine who is behind chemical attacks in Syria’s six-year war.
Appeals court lets Trump travel ban go partially into effect
A U.S. appeals court in California on Monday let President Donald Trump’s latest travel ban go partially into effect, ruling the government can bar entry of people from six Muslim-majority countries with no connections to the United States.
Iranians built new military base in Syria
Iran is building a new military facility in Syria, the BBC has reported based on a Western intelligence source.