Syria

Read recent Syrian news stories and current events on Newser.com

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Turkey Deploys Troops to Syrian Border

As Russia denies reports it wants Bashar al-Assad out

(Newser) - Turkey is apparently not turning the other cheek, with the country's media today reporting that a military deployment is en route to its border with Syria. A dozen trucks and short-range antiaircraft missiles are making their way toward the south-central Kilis Province, which contains both a military base and...

Assad: Syria Is in State of 'Real War'

3 killed as gunmen storm pro-Assad TV station

(Newser) - After more than a year of describing the uprising against his rule as the work of scattered militant groups, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad now says the country is at war. "We are in a state of real war, in every aspect of the words, and when we're in...

As NATO Meets, Turkey Blasts Syria as 'Open Threat'

Turkish PM Erdogan issues a warning to Damascus

(Newser) - Turkey is hardening its stance against Syria, even as NATO meets today to discuss Syria's downing of a Turkish jet last week. Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned in an address to his parliament that Syrian troops would be considered an "open threat" if they come near his...

Turkey to NATO: Syria Attacked Us All

Turkish officials push alliance to discuss Syrian violence

(Newser) - Turkey's message to NATO: We were all attacked this weekend. Turkey said today it will tell the military alliance that Syria's downing of a Turkish jet constitutes an attack on all NATO countries under article 5 of its treaty, the AP reports. Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc made...

Dozens Defect Syrian Army as Rebels Cry Genocide

Europe calls for measured response to downed Turkish plane

(Newser) - The Syrian military has been hit with a raft of new defections: Six officers and 33 soldiers today quit the country for Turkey. Reports suggest they brought their families along, bringing the total number to 224 people. Accounts differ as to whether the defectors included an army general. They add...

Turkey Demands NATO Meeting Over Downed Jet

Says plane was shot over international waters

(Newser) - Turkey acknowledges its F-4 Phantom may have crossed into Syrian airspace briefly, but it left immediately and had been back in international airspace for 15 minutes when Syria shot it down Friday, reports the BBC . "According to our conclusions, our plane was shot down in international airspace, 13 nautical...

Downed Turkish Warplane 'May Have Crossed Border'

But Syria shouldn't have been surprised: President Gul

(Newser) - A Turkish fighter jet shot down by Syria may well have violated its airspace, Turkey's president admitted today. But he said that such high-altitude border crossings happen all the time. "It is routine for jet fighters to sometimes fly in and out over borders... when you consider their...

Syria Shoots Down Turkish Fighter Jet

Downed plane further frays poor Syria-Turkey relations

(Newser) - Syria confirmed this morning that it did shoot down a Turkish F-4 fighter jet yesterday, saying it was flying low and well inside Syrian airspace, reports the BBC . Turkey has not said yet whether it considers the incident provocative, and much could depend on whether the plane's crew survived....

Syrian Pilot Defects With Plane
 Syrian Pilot Defects With Plane 
Jun 21, 2012 11:51 AM CDT

Syrian Pilot Defects With Plane

He's staying in Jordan on 'humanitarian grounds'

(Newser) - A Syrian fighter pilot deserted today—and he took his jet with him. A pilot identified as Colonel Hassan Hamada, 44, went AWOL during a training mission near the Jordanian border today, then landed in Jordan and requested political asylum, Reuters reports. His motives aren't terribly mysterious: His hometown...

CIA Guiding Weapons to Syrian Rebels

Help for rebels balanced by fear of al-Qaeda getting weapons

(Newser) - Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are buying and funneling automatic rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, ammunition, and even antitank weapons to Syrian rebels—and in the middle of that shadowy network, a small number of CIA officers are helping to coordinate who gets those weapons, reports the New York Times . The CIA...

Assad May Be Offered Clemency Deal

Syrian leader could get invite to Geneva peace talks

(Newser) - To end the conflict in Syria, American and British officials are considering offering Bashar al-Assad safe passage to peace talks in Geneva and a chance to avoid being prosecuted for his regime's crimes against civilians if he gives up power, according to the Guardian . "It is hard to...

Cameron Says Putin Ready to Ditch Assad, But...

...Russians say PM's remarks 'don't correspond to reality'

(Newser) - After a G20 meeting with Vladimir Putin, Brit Prime Minister David Cameron told reporters that the Russian leader had made it "explicit" that he's ready for Bashar al-Assad to go. There are "differences over how the transition should take place," but "it is welcome that...

Wily UK Blocks Russian Helicopters Bound for Syria

Insurance withdrawn for MV Alaed cargo vessel

(Newser) - Following a request from Washington , the UK has moved to block Russia from delivering refurbished attack helicopters to Syria. London's Standard Club withdrew the insurance for the Russian cargo vessel allegedly carrying the copters, the MV Alaed, as it was about 50 miles off the north coast of...

Obama, Putin: Syria Violence Must End

Two leaders meet on sidelines of the G20

(Newser) - President Obama and Vladimir Putin agreed today on the need for a political process in Syria to prevent civil war in the violence-torn country in a much-awaited one-on-one meeting at the G20. The two leaders met for two hours, and emerged emphasizing their commonalities. Highlights:
  • On Syria: Obama said that
...

Russian Warships Head to Syria
 Russian Warships Head to Syria 
Jun 18, 2012 11:56 AM CDT

Russian Warships Head to Syria

Sent to protect local Russian nationals: insider

(Newser) - Russia is planning to send a pair of warships to Syria "outside of their schedule," according to Russian news; their reported aim is to protect Russian nationals. The ships will journey to the port city of Tartus, home to a Russian naval base, the AFP reports. On board...

Obama, Putin Head for G20 Showdown

But overall Greece expected to dominate conversation

(Newser) - President Obama will meet with Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in Mexico today, in what promises to be a contentious tête-à-tête, the AFP reports. It will be Obama's first meeting with Putin since his re-ascendance to Russia's presidency, and the leaders don't seem...

11 Dead as Syria Shells Homs
 11 Dead as Syria Shells Homs 
Jun 17, 2012 9:01 AM CDT

11 Dead as Syria Shells Homs

'Clear escalation' since UN pullout, say activists

(Newser) - A day after the UN abandoned its mission in Syria , Bashar al-Assad's troops are turning up the heat in Homs, riddling the city with shelling that activists say has killed at least 11 so far. "Around 85% of Homs is now under shelling or bombardment with mortar rounds...

Russian Arms Exporter: 'This Is Not a Threat, but ...'

The stuff we're selling to Syria works really well, he warns

(Newser) - It's Russia's turn in the war of words playing out over Moscow's role in supplying arms to Syria. In an interview with the New York Times , the man in charge of arms exports notes that Moscow has been sending missile-defense systems to Syria for some time, and...

UN Observers Abandon Syria Mission

They say it's become too dangerous

(Newser) - Another ominous development in Syria: UN observers called it quits today because of the rising violence. The Norwegian general in charge of the 300-person mission complained of a "lack of willingness" from both sides to stop fighting, reports the BBC . Gen. Robert Wood also noted a spike in violence...

UN: 'Stench of Death' Hangs in Air in Haffa

Observers find town deserted and in ruins

(Newser) - United Nations observers found a deserted town with ruined buildings and the stench of death in the air after finally being allowed into Haffa, where the US and UN had warned of a looming massacre . "A strong stench of dead bodies was in the air," said a spokeswoman...

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