Latest Bashar Assad News
Syria's president asks former communications minister to form a new government
BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad issued a decree Saturday in which he named former Communications Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali as the head of the new government following July’s parliamentary election, state media reported. Jalali, 55, has been under European Union...
Some Lebanese who fear war is coming have an unusual backup plan: Moving to Syria
BEIRUT (AP) — Residents of Beirut's southern suburbs have been scrambling to make contingency plans since an Israeli airstrike on an apartment building in a busy neighborhood killed a top Hezbollah commander and touched off fears of a full-scale war. For most, that means moving in...
Turkey and Russia resume joint patrols in northern Syria as Ankara seeks to mend ties with Assad
ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey and Russia have resumed joint military patrols in northern Syria after nearly a year's break, the Turkish Defense Ministry announced Saturday. Combined patrols began in the Operation Peace Spring area, the statement said, referring to a 30-kilometer (19-mile)...
Crossing between a government and opposition-held area in Syria closes after violence
IDLIB, Syria (AP) — A key crossing inside Syria between an area held by the government and one held by the opposition was closed again on Tuesday after violence followed its brief reopening this week. A local activist and a war monitor said that opposition groups protested the...
Proxy forces armed by Iran could take part in retaliation against Israel over Hamas leader's killing
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — As Iran threatens to respond to the suspected Israeli assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, the regional militias that the Islamic Republic has armed for decades could play a role in any attack. Here's a look at Iran's history of...
Italy plans to return an ambassador to Syria to reflect new diplomatic developments, minister says
ROME (AP) — Italy plans to send an ambassador back to Syria after a decade-long absence, the country’s foreign minister said, in a diplomatic move that could spark divisions among European Union allies. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking in front of relevant parliamentary...
Russia's Putin hosts Syria's Assad in the Kremlin as tensions rise in the Middle East
Russian President Vladimir Putin met President Bashar Assad of Syria in the Kremlin, video distributed by the Kremlin press service on Thursday showed. Putin told Assad he was concerned that tensions are rising in the Middle East, but neither leader provided further details on their...
UN envoy warns that threat of terrorism is `resurging' with attacks by Islamic State extremists
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The top U.N. envoy for Syria told the Security Council on Monday that the threat of terrorism is “resurging” with attacks by Islamic State extremists set to double this year, endangering civilians already facing a “protracted state of displacement and dire humanitarian...
Syrian President Assad's Baath Party clinches control of parliament, election results show
DAMASCUS (AP) — The results of Syria’s parliamentary elections, announced Thursday, showed that President Bashar Assad’s Baath Party has won a majority of seats, as expected. The elections for 250 parliamentary seats were held Monday at 8,151 centers in government-held areas of...
Syrian official who oversaw prison where alleged abuse took place arrested by US officials
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A former Syrian military official who oversaw a prison where human rights officials say torture and abuse routinely took place has been arrested, authorities said Wednesday. U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents took Samir Ousman al-Sheikh into custody last...
