Latest Syria News
The Latest: Three of President Donald Trump’s cabinet picks face Senate hearings
Three of President Donald Trump’s cabinet picks prepared to face skepticism and intense grilling from Democratic senators during their confirmation hearings Thursday. What we’re following: 1. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s second hearing: Kennedy will...
Middle East latest: Eight hostages are released from Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners
Hamas released eight hostages on Thursday — five Thai farm workers and three dual German-Israeli nationals — in exchange for 110 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. This is the third round of exchanges in the Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which is now in its...
Leader of rebels who toppled Syrian President Bashar Assad is named country's interim president
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The Syrian factions that toppled President Bashar Assad last month named an Islamist former rebel leader as the country‘s interim president on Wednesday in a push to project a united front as they face the monumental task of rebuilding Syria after nearly 14 years of civil...
A mysterious meeting with Syrian president is at the center of spy chief's nomination fight
WASHINGTON (AP) — When Tulsi Gabbard returned to Washington from a clandestine sit-down with Syria’s then-president Bashar Assad eight years ago this month, she was greeted with a flurry of criticism. Lawmakers and civil society groups chastised Gabbard, then a Hawaii...
Russian government delegation makes first official visit to Syria since Assad's fall
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — A delegation of Russian officials arrived in Damascus on Tuesday for the first such visit to Syria since the fall of former President Bashar Assad. Assad, an ally of Moscow, took refuge in Russia after his ouster in December in a lightning rebel offensive. ...
Middle East latest: Palestinians return to their homes in northern Gaza for a second day
Crowds of displaced Palestinians made the arduous journey back to heavily destroyed northern Gaza for a second day Tuesday, under a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. More than 375,000 Palestinians have crossed into northern Gaza since Israel allowed their return on Monday...
The discovery of brutal mass graves in Syria reveals Assad's legacy of horror
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The charred remains of at least 26 victims of the Bashar Assad government were located Tuesday by Syrian civil defense workers in two separate basements in rural Damascus. The discovery adds to the growing tally of mass graves unearthed since the fall of the...
EU cautiously agrees roadmap to ease sanctions on Syria in wake of Assad's downfall
BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union foreign ministers on Monday agreed to begin lifting sanctions on Syria, while insisting that the measures should be reimposed if they see any abuses by the country’s new rulers. The EU started to impose asset freezes and travel bans on Syrian...
UN refugee chief calls for more help for Syria as refugees begin to return en masse
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The United Nations refugee chief said Saturday that some 200,000 refugees have returned to Syria from neighboring countries since the government of Bashar Assad was overthrown last month. The influx comes after an estimated 300,000 refugees returned from...
Shiite pilgrims make annual pilgrimage in Iraq amid regional upheaval
BAGHDAD (AP) — Thousands of Shiite pilgrims dressed in black marched on Saturday, heading on foot toward the golden twin-domed shrine of Imam Moussa al-Kadhim in the northwestern Baghdad district of al-Kadhimiyah. The site in the Iraqi capital holds great religious significance...
