Latest Syria government News
UN refugee agency tells Cyprus to stick to the law in its efforts at sea to thwart refugee boats
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The United Nations' refugee agency said Friday that Cypriot efforts at sea to stop numerous Syrian refugee-laden boats departing Lebanon from reaching the European Union-member island nation mustn’t contravene international human rights laws or put passengers at risk. ...
Attack blamed on IS militants kills 22 pro-government fighters in central Syria
BEIRUT (AP) — An attack on pro-government fighters by suspected members of the Islamic State group in central Syria killed 22 pro-government fighters, an opposition war monitor and pro-government media reported Friday. Gunmen attacked a bus carrying members of the Quds Brigade, a...
The trial of a former Syrian general over alleged role in war crimes starts in Stockholm
STOCKHOLM (AP) — The trial of a former Syrian army general over his alleged role in war crimes committed in 2012 in his home country started at a Stockholm court Monday, a first according to a human rights organization. Syria has been ravaged by civil war for over 13 years. ...
Lebanon official urges restrictions on Syrian refugees after slaying blamed on Syrian gang
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s caretaker interior minister said Tuesday that this week's slaying of a local politician by what authorities say was a gang of Syrian nationals signals the need to restrict the number of refugees entering the country from neighboring Syria. Bassam Mawlawi...
Cyprus president and Lebanese caretaker premier urge EU financial aid to curb migration from Lebanon
BEIRUT (AP) — The Lebanese caretaker prime minister and the Cypriot president are calling on the European Union to provide financial support to help cash-strapped Lebanon stop migrants from reaching European shores. President Nikos Christodoulides’ visit to Beirut Monday,...
US braces for retaliation after attack on Iran consulate — even as it says it wasn't involved
WASHINGTON (AP) — Shortly after an airstrike widely attributed to Israel destroyed an Iranian consulate building in Syria, the United States had an urgent message for Iran: We had nothing to do with it. But that may not be enough for the U.S. to avoid retaliation targeting its...
Tehran vows response after strike blamed on Israel destroyed Iran's Consulate in Syria and killed 12
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran on Tuesday vowed to respond to an airstrike widely attributed to Israel that destroyed Iran’s Consulate in the Syrian capital of Damascus the previous day and killed 12 people, including two Iranian generals and a member of the Lebanese militant Hezbollah group. ...
Cyprus president asks EU Commission chief to get Lebanon to stop migrants from leaving its shores
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The president of Cyprus said on Tuesday that he has personally asked the head of the European Union’s executive arm to intercede with Lebanese authorities to stop boatloads of Syrian refugees from heading to the east Mediterranean island nation. President...
Syria reports Israeli airstrikes near the city of Aleppo. A war monitor says 44 people are dead
BEIRUT (AP) — The Syrian army says Israeli airstrikes on Friday near the northern city of Aleppo killed or wounded “a number of” people and caused damage. A war monitor said the strikes killed 44, most of them Syrian troops. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human...
US imposes more Iran sanctions and hits Syrian regime with penalties for drug trafficking
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on a money exchanger and a group of firms across six countries involved in commodity shipments and business transactions that benefit Iran's military and the Houthi militant group in Yemen and the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon. ...
