Syrian state media: Suspected Israeli airstrikes target Damascus
May 28, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) (AP) — Airstrikes attributed to Israel targeted Syria's capital city late Sunday, the first such strikes in nearly a month, Syrian state media reported.
Syrian air defenses responded to the strikes in the vicinity of Damascus and shot down some of them, state news agency SANA reported.
Emirati leaders invite Israel’s Netanyahu, Herzog, to join COP28 climate conference in Dubai
May 23, 2023 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Emirati leaders extended a long-sought invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to attend the U.N climate conference, known as COP28, in November.
Saudi surge of diplomacy brings Assad, Zelenskyy to Arab summit
May 19, 2023 GMTJEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia hosted an Arab League summit on Friday in which Syrian President Bashar Assad was welcomed back after a 12-year suspension and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise visit to rally support against Russia.
Syria’s Assad arrives in Saudi Arabia for regional summit, sealing his return to the Arab fold
May 18, 2023 GMTJEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad arrived on Thursday in Saudi Arabia to attend a regional summit that is expected to seal Syria's return to the Arab fold, marking his first visit to the oil-rich kingdom since Syria’s conflict began in 2011.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Syria's embattled President Bashar Assad received an invitation to attend the upcoming COP28 climate talks in Dubai later this year, even as the yearslong war in his country over his rule grinds on.
Hezbollah leader denies reports linking the Iran-backed group to Syria’s drug dealer
May 12, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group has denounced as "baseless lies" reports that one of Syria’s most well-known drug dealers, who was killed earlier this week in an airstrike near the Jordanian border, was linked to the Iran-backed group.
Turkey and Syria agree to improve ties after talks in Moscow
May 10, 2023 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Syria and Turkey agreed Wednesday to set up a “roadmap” to improve strained ties, following talks alongside Russia and Iran in Moscow.
The agreement comes a week after Syria and Arab governments meeting in Jordan agreed to establish a roadmap of their own to resolve Syria's lengthy civil war and bolster ties.
Saudi Arabia invites Syrian president to Arab summit
May 10, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Saudi Arabia has invited Syrian President Bashar Assad to the upcoming Arab League summit in the oil-rich kingdom, the Syrian president's office said on Wednesday. The news comes as Damascus continues to slowly return to the Arab fold, following a 12-year-period of political isolation.
Explosion near Syrian capital Damascus kills 1, injures 4
May 10, 2023 GMTDAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — An explosion close to a police station near the Syrian capital killed one officer and wounded four others Wednesday, state media reported.
The reports, citing the Interior Ministry, did not provide further details on the explosion in the town of Barzeh, just north of Damascus.
Saudi Arabia, Syria to reopen embassies restoring relations
May 9, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Saudi Arabia and Syria will reopen diplomatic missions between the two countries now that relations have improved 11 years after the facilities were closed, the two nations foreign ministries said Tuesday.
US, UK oppose Syria’s re-admission to Arab League
May 9, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Britain voiced dissatisfaction Tuesday with the weekend decision by the Arab League to re-instate Syria as a member.
As key votes loom, Turkish parties vow to send migrants home
May 9, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — For Nidal Jumaa, a Syrian from Aleppo, life in Turkey is tough. He works part-time at a furniture workshop and collects plastics and cardboard from trash cans that he sells for recycling, but can hardly afford the rent for his run-down house in a low-income neighborhood of Ankara.
UN chief hopes Syria’s return to Arab League helps end war
May 8, 2023 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. chief expressed hope Monday that Syria’s return to the Arab League and its engagement with regional powers could spur progress in resolving the 13-year Syrian civil war, as Damascus faced pressure to be transparent about chemical weapons.
What’s behind Syria’s return to the Arab League?
May 8, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The Arab League’s decision to re-admit Syria after shunning it for 12 years was a significant symbolic victory for Damascus, part of a larger regional realignment and an indication of the United States’ waning role, analysts say.
Airstrikes kill well-known Syrian drug kingpin
May 8, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Airstrikes over southern Syria early Monday killed one of the country’s most well-known drug dealers, an opposition war monitor and a pro-government radio station reported.
The rare attack came days after Jordan warned it would use force inside Syria to eliminate drug trafficking to its territories and from there to oil-rich Arab gulf nations.
Pariah no more? Arab League reinstates Bashar Assad’s Syria
May 7, 2023 GMTCAIRO (AP) — The Arab League agreed Sunday to reinstate Syria, ending a 12-year suspension and taking another step toward bringing Syrian President Bashar Assad, a long-time regional pariah, back into the fold.
Arab ministers to meet over Syria’s return to Arab league
May 5, 2023 GMTCAIRO (AP) — Diplomats from Arab nations are planning an emergency meeting in Cairo over the weekend about the fighting in Sudan and the prospect of Syria's return to the Arab League more than a decade after its membership was suspended, an official said Friday.
Iranian president meets Palestinian officials in Syria
May 4, 2023 GMTDAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Iran’s president met senior Palestinian officials in Damascus and expressed his country’s support to them Thursday as Tehran and Syria signed a series of agreements.
Damascus-based Palestinian official Khaled Abdul-Majid told The Associated Press that the delegation briefed Iran’s Ebrahim Raisi on the situation in the West Bank, Jerusalem and Gaza Strip.
Syria and Iran sign long-term oil and trade agreements
May 3, 2023 GMTDAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The presidents of Iran and Syria signed Wednesday a series of long-term cooperation agreements on oil and other sectors to bolster economic ties between the two allies.
Iran's Ebrahim Raisi, leading a large economic and political delegation, met with his Syrian counterpart, Bashar Assad, after landing in the war-torn country for a two-day visit — an Iranian president's first visit to Damascus since 2010.
US military says it targeted senior al-Qaida leader in Syria
May 3, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The U.S.-led coalition carried out a drone strike Wednesday in northwestern Syria targeting a senior al-Qaida leader, the U.S. military said.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said the strike hit a chicken farm near the town of Harem, killing one person.
Syrian refugees fearful as Lebanon steps up deportations
May 3, 2023 GMTQAB ELIAS, Lebanon (AP) — Lebanese officials are cracking down on Syrian refugees against the backdrop of a worsening economic crisis and political stalemate, an escalation that has caused a panic among Syrians in the country.
Syria: Israeli strikes hit province of Homs, causing fires
April 28, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Suspected Israeli airstrikes targeted the Syrian province of Homs early Saturday, state media reported.
Syria's state news agency, SANA, citing military officials, said that three civilians were wounded in the strike and that a civilian fuel station caught fire and a number of fuel tankers and trucks were burned.
In Lebanon, Iran FM visits Israel border, extolls Hezbollah
April 28, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Iran’s top diplomat visited Lebanon’s border with Israel on Friday where he expressed support for the Lebanese militant Hezbollah group in its struggle against their common enemy: Israel.
As Assad returns to Arab fold, Syrians watch with hope, fear
April 26, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Syrians living on opposite sides of the largely frozen battle lines dividing their country are watching the accelerating normalization of ties between the government of Bashar Assad and Syria's neighbors through starkly different lenses.
Moscow hosts more Turkey-Syria rapprochement talks
April 25, 2023 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Russia's defense minister hosted his counterparts from Iran, Syria and Turkey on Tuesday for talks that were part of the Kremlin's efforts to help broker a rapprochement between the Turkish and Syrian governments.
EU targets Syrian leader’s family over amphetamine business
April 24, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union on Monday slapped sanctions on several Syrians, including members of President Bashar Assad’s family, accusing them of making and trafficking an amphetamine that enriches and helps to prop up the regime.
Syrian pro-government media say Israel shelled border town
April 24, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Syrian pro-government media said Israel shelled targets in southern Syria early on Monday, near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, causing unspecified material damage. There was no immediate comment from Israel or a statement from the Syrian government.
Muslims end Ramadan, begin holiday amid war, reconciliation
April 20, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Large parts of the Muslim world marked the end of the fasting month of Ramadan at sundown Thursday and ushered in the holiday of Eid al-Fitr, but the festivities were overshadowed by raging battles for control of Sudan and a deadly stampede in Yemen.
Syria, Tunisia move to restore their diplomatic relations
April 18, 2023 GMTTUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisian President Kais Saied met Tuesday with Syria's chief diplomat and said his country wants to boost bilateral cooperation and preserve “historical ties of brotherhood” with Damascus, the official TAP news agency reported.
Saudi foreign minister visits Syria as relations thaw
April 18, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Saudi Arabia's top diplomat arrived in the Syrian capital on Tuesday, the first official visit by an official from the kingdom in more than a decade, the Syrian government said.
The visit by Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to Damascus follows that of his Syrian counterpart, Faisal Mikdad, to Riyadh last week.
Syria’s FM to Algeria, Tunisia to revive diplomatic ties
April 16, 2023 GMTALGIERS (AP) — Syria’s chief diplomat has started a visit to Algeria and Tunisia as part of efforts to revive diplomatic relationships in the Arab world, more than a decade after his country was globally isolated amid President Bashar Assad’s brutal crackdown on mass protests against his rule.
No consensus on Syrian Arab League return after Saudi summit
April 15, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — After meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss Syria's political fate, a group of regional leaders promised Saturday to continue talks to reach a political solution to the Syrian conflict, but stopped short of endorsing its return to the Arab League.
Austrians tried for allegedly helping Mossad shield Syrian
April 14, 2023 GMTVIENNA (AP) — Five former Austrian officials went on trial in Vienna on Friday accused of granting asylum to a suspected Syrian war criminal in Austria at the request of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency.
Syria, Saudi Arabia move toward restoring embassies, flights
April 13, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Syria and Saudi Arabia said Thursday they were moving toward reopening embassies and resuming flights between the two countries for the first time in more than a decade.
The joint statement followed a visit by Syria's top diplomat to the kingdom, the first since Saudi Arabia cut off diplomatic relations with Syria in 2012.
Syria’s rapprochement advances with Tunisia, Saudi Arabia
April 12, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Syria will reopen its embassy in Tunisia, state media reported Wednesday, as Syria’s top diplomat visited Saudi Arabia seeking to restore ties that have been severed for more than a decade.
Tensions build around Jerusalem shrine after Syria rockets
April 9, 2023 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli warplanes and artillery struck targets in Syria following rare rocket fire from the northeastern neighbor, as Jewish-Muslim tensions reached a peak Sunday at a volatile Jerusalem shrine with simultaneous religious rituals.
Israeli military retaliates after rockets fired from Syria
April 9, 2023 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military said its forces attacked targets in Syria early Sunday after six rockets were launched from Syrian territory in two batches toward Israel in a rare attack from Israel’s northeastern neighbor.
Israeli strikes on Syria intensify, raise tensions with Iran
April 5, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Suspected Israeli airstrikes in Syria in recent weeks have killed two Iranian military advisers, temporarily put the country’s two largest airports out of service, and raised fears of regional escalation.
Moscow hosts talks aimed at Syria-Turkey rapprochement
April 4, 2023 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Senior diplomats from Russia, Turkey, Syria and Iran wrapped up two days of talks in Moscow on Tuesday, part of the Kremlin's efforts to help broker a rapprochement between the Turkish and Syrian governments.
Syria says Israeli strikes in Damascus area kill 2 civilians
April 3, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Israel staged airstrikes on the southern suburbs of the Syrian capital of Damascus early Tuesday, killing two civilians and causing some material damage, Syrian state media reported.
Damascus residents said strong explosions were heard in the capital and its southern suburbs as Syrian state television reported that the country’s air defenses were confronting “an Israeli aggression.”
Israel shoots down drone coming from Syria following strikes
April 2, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Israeli airstrikes hit several sites in Syria's Homs province early Sunday, wounding five soldiers, Syrian state media reported. Hours later, the Israeli military said it shot down an “aircraft” that crossed from Syria into Israel's airspace.
Israeli strikes near Syrian capital kill Iranian adviser
March 31, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Israeli airstrikes hit the suburbs of Syria's capital city early Friday for the second day in a row, killing an Iranian adviser, the state media of Syria and Iran reported.
Loud explosions were heard over Damascus shortly after midnight Thursday, according to residents in the capital and the state news agency SANA.
EU official says major aid to Lebanon depends on IMF deal
March 31, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — A European Union official visiting Lebanon said Friday that the international body will increase its humanitarian assistance to the crisis-struck country, but that more significant long-term aid depends on reforms and a deal with the International Monetary Fund.
Israeli strikes hit suburbs of Syrian capital for 2nd day
March 30, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Israel staged airstrikes on suburbs of the Syrian capital of Damascus early Friday for the second day in a row, the state news agency reported. It gave no word on any casualties.
Loud explosions were heard over the Syrian capital shortly after midnight Thursday, according to residents in the capital and the state news agency SANA.
Cyprus relocates 76 Afghan, Syrian asylum-seekers to France
March 30, 2023 GMTNICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Cyprus’ Interior Ministry said Thursday 76 Afghans and Syrians seeking international protection have been relocated to France under a European Union program to ease the burden on Mediterranean countries receiving large numbers of migrants.
Syria says Israeli strikes near Damascus wound 2 soldiers
March 29, 2023 GMTDAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syrian state media said Israel staged airstrikes in the Damascus area early Thursday, wounding two soldiers and causing material damage.
Loud explosions were heard over the Syrian capital around 1:30 a.m., and the SANA state news agency said Syrian air defenses were “confronting hostile targets.” SANA, quoting an unidentifed military official, said some missiles were shot down by the air defenses.
Assad reshuffles Syria’s Cabinet amid harsh economic crisis
March 29, 2023 GMTDAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad replaced several Cabinet ministers Wednesday amid a sharp increase in prices and worsening economic conditions during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, state media reported.
US, UK sanction 6 Syria-linked amphetamine traffickers
March 28, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The U.S. and U.K. on Tuesday slapped sanctions on four Syrians and two Lebanese involved in manufacturing and trafficking the amphetamine drug Captagon, the two governments said. The six include cousins of Syrian President Bashar Assad and notorious Lebanese drug lynchpins.
Iran-backed fighters on alert in east Syria after US strikes
March 25, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Iran-backed fighters were on alert in eastern Syria on Saturday, a day afte r U.S. forces launched retaliatory airstrikes on sites in the war-torn country, opposition activists said.
Saudi Arabia, Syria may restore ties as Mideast reshuffles
March 24, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Saudi Arabia is in talks with Syria to reopen its embassy in the war-torn nation for the first time in a decade, state television in the kingdom reported late Thursday, the latest diplomatic reshuffling in the region.
Syria says Israel attacked Aleppo airport, no casualties
March 22, 2023 GMTDAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — An Israeli airstrike early Wednesday targeted the international airport in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, causing material damage and putting it out of service, Syria's state news agency reported.
Germany arrests Syrian accused of joining Islamic State unit
March 22, 2023 GMTBERLIN (AP) — German authorities have arrested a Syrian man accused of belonging to a unit of the Islamic State group in his homeland that kidnapped and killed opponents, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Palestinian commander killed in Syria buried in refugee camp
March 20, 2023 GMTDAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — A commander of the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad killed in Syria in what the group described as an assassination by Israeli agents was buried on Monday at a Palestinian refugee camp in the Syrian capital, Damascus.
Turkey’s top diplomat visits Cairo in effort to mend ties
March 18, 2023 GMTCAIRO (AP) — Turkey’s chief diplomat was in Cairo on Saturday for talks with Egyptian officials as the regional powers seek to mend their frayed ties after years of tension.
Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkey's foreign minister, arrived in the Egyptian capital early Saturday.
Putin, Assad discuss rebuilding Syria, regional issues
March 15, 2023 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Syrian leader Bashar Assad in the Kremlin on Wednesday for talks that focused on rebuilding Syria after a devastating civil war and efforts to stabilize the region.
Analysis: Syria rebuilding hopes dim as war enters year 13
March 15, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The recent deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria which caused billions of dollars in damage has boosted the prospects of Syria's once widely shunned president return to the Arab fold, but appears unlikely to jump-start large-scale reconstruction in the war-ravaged country.
Syrian president Assad arrives in Moscow, set to meet Putin
March 14, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad arrived in Moscow on Tuesday, where he is scheduled to meet top ally Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russia is a main backer of Assad and has a broad presence in Syria, where a 12-year uprising-turned-civil war has killed nearly half a million people and displaced half the country’s pre-war population.
UN inquiry commission: Quake aid was slow to reach Syria
March 13, 2023 GMTGENEVA (AP) — The international community and the Syrian government did not act quickly enough last month to help people in need in the rebel-held northwest after a deadly earthquake hit Turkey and conflict-ravaged Syria, a U.N.-backed commission said Monday.
Saudi deal with Iran worries Israel, shakes up Middle East
March 11, 2023 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — News of the rapprochement between long-time regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran sent shock waves through the Middle East on Saturday and dealt a symbolic blow to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has made the threat posed by Tehran a public diplomacy priority and personal crusade.