Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived for talks in Saudi Arabia on Monday to further strengthen ties as part of a Gulf tour. The two Sunni powers have become increasingly close over the past year, sharing in particular a backing for the opposition in Syria’s war. Before beginning his Gulf trip in Bahrain on Sunday, … Read more
Syria’s army advanced on Friday to the outskirts of a key Islamic State group bastion that is also being targeted by Turkey’s army and allied forces, a monitor said. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said regime soldiers and allied fighters were now 1.5 kilometres (one mile) from Al-Bab in northern Syria. The Observatory … Read more
A nationwide ceasefire between Syrian government forces and rebel groups has come into effect. The truce, brokered by Russia and Turkey, which will act as guarantors, began at midnight (22:00 GMT). The deal includes many rebel groups but not jihadists such as the so-called Islamic State, or the Kurdish YPG. The ceasefire appeared to be … Read more
The Syrian government has suspended the evacuation of civilians and fighters from eastern Aleppo, accusing rebels of breaking terms of the deal. Government sources said rebels had blocked the evacuation of civilians from two pro-government towns elsewhere in Syria, agreed under the truce. Meanwhile buses carrying people from eastern Aleppo were fired upon. At least … Read more
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced alarm “over reports of atrocities against a large number of civilians” in Syria’s city of Aleppo. Mr Ban urged all the sides, particularly Syria’s government and its allies, to protect civilians. UN humanitarian adviser Jan Egeland earlier said Syria and Russia were “accountable” for any atrocities committed by pro-government … Read more
Syrian government forces have retaken the largest rebel-controlled district in eastern Aleppo, state media report. The capture of Masaken Hanano, in north-east Aleppo, could give Syria’s army line-of-fire control over other opposition-held areas, activists say. The government resumed its offensive to retake eastern Aleppo on 15 November. Some 275,000 people are under siege. The assault … Read more
Though Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin seem to agree on a number of issues, there is one they apparently don’t see eye to eye on. While Trump argues that Hillary Clinton is too weak to be president of the United States, the Russian President appears to be genuinely afraid of Clinton. Evidence is growing that … Read more
Russia and the US have announced an agreement on Syria starting with a “cessation of hostilities” from sunset on Monday. Under the plan, the Syrian government will end combat missions in specified areas held by the opposition. Russia and the US will establish a joint centre to combat so-called Islamic State and al-Nusra fighters. The … Read more