Rappler's latest stories on Syria war
Syria war records lowest monthly death toll in 9 years
Of the total deaths, some 51 people were killed in shelling and air strikes by the Syrian regime, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says
Iranian commander killed near Damascus – monitor
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights calls the death of Farhad Dabirian, a commander in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an 'assassination'
First civilian flight since 2012 lands in Aleppo
The flight comes days after the government announced it had wrested the entire region around the second city of Aleppo back from jihadists and their rebel allies
Russia warns against Turkey operation in Syria
(UPDATED) President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to launch an operation in Idlib by the end of the month if Damascus fails to withdraw its troops behind Turkish military positions
Turkey, Russia trade accusations as Syria tensions rise
(UPDATED) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatens to strike Syrian regime forces 'everywhere' if his soldiers come under renewed attack
Idlib displacement worst since start of Syria war – U.N.
'In just 10 weeks, since 1 December, some 690,000 people have been displaced from their homes in Idlib and surrounding areas,' says the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Syria regime must halt 'escalation of violence' – EU
'All parties have the obligation to protect civilians. The regime and its allies must cease indiscriminate military attacks and respect international humanitarian law,' says the European Union
U.N. chief announces creation of constitutional committee on Syria
The committee is to include 150 members – a third picked by the regime, another by the opposition, and the remaining third by the United Nations
Putin, Erdogan to 'activate' cooperation on Syria – Kremlin
Turkey and Russia back opposing sides in the Syrian conflict but have worked closely, along with Iran, to find a political solution for Syria
Damascus to let civilians flee rebel-held Idlib
The Idlib region, which sits on the Turkish border, is now the last major stronghold of opposition to the Russia-backed government of President Bashar al-Assad
Syria force combs last ISIS hideouts in Baghouz
Syrian Democratic Forces spokesman Mustefa Bali says a victory announcement would be premature
Syria force to pluck more civilians from last ISIS pocket
'God had promised us a caliphate and we went to it. I feel there will be no victory although they (jihadists) tell us victory is near,' says a Syrian woman who is a wife of a deceased ISIS fighter
Turkey expects creation of Syria 'security zone' in 'few months'
'We expect the promise of a security zone, a buffer zone aimed at protecting our country from terrorists to be fulfilled in few months,' says President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
2018 death toll Syria war's lowest at under 20,000 – monitor
(UPDATED) The war in Syria leaves 19,666 people dead in 2018, the lowest in nearly 8 years
Pompeo to meet Netanyahu in Brazil after Syria decision
The meeting comes at the heels of US President Donald Trump's announcement that he would bring home all 2,000 American troops from Syria
U.N. wants Syria to account for war dead, detainees
The UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria says it is crucial to push the Syrian government to give a full account after it began in May to release death notifications
China, Russia denounce 'blackmail' as rift with U.S. exposed at UN
The United States' relations with China and Russia continue to plummet amid President Donald Trump's accusations against the two countries
8 south Syria towns return to regime control under deals – monitor
The agreements for the 8 towns are reached even as regime air strikes on Saturday pounded other opposition holdouts
UN chief appeals for end to fighting in south Syria
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for a return to ceasefire arrangements agreed by Russia, the United States and Jordan
U.S.-led strike hits regime positions in east Syria – state media
'Some of our military positions between Albu Kamal and Hmeimeh were hit this morning in an aggression by American coalition warplanes,' a military source says
Blasts shake Damascus as U.S. and allies launch Syria strikes
As dawn broke, plumes of smoke can be seen rising from the city's north and east
Russia says 'no victims' among Syrian civilians, military
The Russian military says that 103 cruise missiles were fired including Tomahawk missiles but that Syrian air defense systems managed to intercept 71 cruise missiles
U.S. takes aim at Russia over alleged Syria chemical attack
The US State Department says Russia, 'with its unwavering support' for the Syrian regime, would be ultimately responsible
Fresh raids pound Syria's rebel Douma after talks falter
(3rd UPDATE) Forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad are accused of using 'poisonous chlorine gas,' but state media says these allegations are rebel 'fabrications'
First rebels leave Syria enclave under Russian-brokered deal
(UPDATED) It comes as a spokesman for the Faylaq al-Rahman rebel group in the southern rebel pocket of Ghouta announces that 'agreement has been reached for a ceasefire, through the auspices of the United Nations'
Syria regime pummels besieged Eastern Ghouta
More than 930 civilians have been killed in the nearly 3-week assault on the last rebel enclave outside the capital, where dozens suffered overnight from a suspected chlorine attack
Aid convoy quits Syria enclave as regime presses onslaught
Dozens of United Nations trucks reach the main town of Douma, the first aid convoy to arrive since a bloody Russian-backed assault began more than two weeks ago
The week in photos: February 17-23, 2018
This week's selection of photo highlights here and around the world
11 Turkish troops killed in deadliest day of Kurdish offensive in Syria
The fatalities follow Turkey sending troops and launching air strikes against Kurdish militia in Northern Syria
U.S.-backed Israel vows action vs Iran 'entrenchment' in Syria
The United States supports Israel for its strikes in Syria, blaming Iran for escalating violence in the war-wracked country
UN chief calls for immediate de-escalation in Syria
'He calls on all to work for an immediate and unconditional de-escalation of violence and exercise restraint,' says UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric
Death toll tops 220 in 4-day regime assault on Syria rebel enclave
Violence has also flared in eastern Syria on Thursday, February 8, where the US-led coalition says it has killed at least 100 pro-regime fighters to fend off an attack on its Kurdish allies
Turkey hits Syria Kurd militia again after ground attack threats
Turkey accuses the YPG of being the Syrian offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which has waged a rebellion in the Turkish southeast for more than 3 decades
Medical evacuations begin from besieged Syria rebel bastion
Red Crescent official Ahmed al-Saour says 29 seriously ill people were due to be evacuated
UN blames Damascus for 'golden opportunity missed' at Syria peace talks
Staffan de Mistura, UN envoy for Syria, says 'we did not have real negotiations,' blaming in particular the government delegation's apparent lack of interest in discussing anything besides the fight against 'terrorism'
Erdogan, Putin agree joint push to end Syria war
President Vladimir Putin and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan have agreed to push for the creation of a 'de-escalation' zone in Syria's key northern province of Idlib, currently controlled by jihadists
Civilians in ISIS-held Raqa under fire 'from all sides' – Amnesty
Residents trapped in the Syrian city of Raqa face the threat of air strikes and intense artillery fire
U.S.-backed Syria force advances in Raqa, battles for base
The Syrian Democratic Forces says its fighters had liberated the neighborhood of Al Romaniya on the western front of Raqa
Syria fighting eases as safe zones plan begins – monitor
A deal signed to create 4 safe zones takes effect
Russia, Turkey, Iran sign deal to set up Syria safe zones
The agreement provides for a ceasefire a ban on all flights rapid deliveries of humanitarian aid to the designated areas and the return of refugees
Human Rights Watch, war on drugs, SWS survey | Midday wRap
Watch the midday newscast with Margie de Leon
Obama denounces Aleppo 'horror' as evacuation suspended
UPDATED The world as we speak is united in horror at the savage assault by the Syrian regime and its Russian and Iranian allies on the city of Aleppo says President Barack Obama
Air raids pound Aleppo as U.S. decries 'war crimes'
3rd UPDATE Western powers meeting in Paris called for the resumption of peace talks and for civilians to be allowed to leave Aleppo where tens of thousands have already fled a fierce regime offensive
Russia says Syria army halts Aleppo attacks as rebels cornered
The UN envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura says talks to end the nearly 6 year war should resume soon
UN to vote on Aleppo ceasefire resolution – diplomats
Despite concessions by the resolution s drafters – an early version demanded a 10 day truce – it remains uncertain whether Moscow will use its veto in the council to torpedo the measure
Syrian army advances in Aleppo as civilians flee
UPDATED After the recent advances the regime is comfortably in control of half of former rebel territory in the city s east says Syrian Observatory for Human Rights head Rami Abdel Rahman
'Catastrophic day' as Syria regime pounds rebel Aleppo
Syrian government troops begin a new assault on the rebel side of Aleppo as they renew their bid to recapture the east of the city
Russian-declared ceasefire goes into effect in Aleppo
UPDATED The so called humanitarian pause is the second time Russia and its regime ally have declared passages open for evacuations
US says Syrian regime using starvation as 'weapon of war'
Washington is currently weighing further sanctions against Syria and a push for justice at the International Criminal Court in the Hague
EU drops sanctions threat against Russia over Syria
UPDATED The watered down statement says the EU strongly condemns the attacks by the Syrian regime and its allies notably Russia on civilians in Aleppo and calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities
