Rappler's latest stories on syria politics
Syria to join Paris climate pact, isolating U.S.
(UPDATED) The United States mocks Syria's arrival in the climate change agreement, side-stepping the charge that it has isolated itself by being the world's sole hold-out
Turkey, Russia, US military chiefs seek better coordination against ISIS
3rd UPDATE Turkey Russia and the United States are all fighting ISIS though they support different camps and military tension remains
Offensive in Syria aimed at cutting off ISIS supply route
The Syrian Democratic Forces a Kurdish led alliance launch an offensive to capture the strategic northern town of Manbij with the help of coalition air strikes
Tunisia declares state of emergency after beach attack
In another firm response to the June 26 attack claimed by the Islamic State ISIS group that killed 38 foreign tourists several officials are sacked including the governor of the Sousse region where it took place
Security clampdown in Chad capital after 'Boko Haram' suicide attacks
Scores of police and soldiers patrol Chad s capital N Djamena a day after twin suicide bombings blamed on Boko Haram jihadists killed 24 people and wounded more than 100 in the first such attacks in the city
Boko Haram fight HQ shifting to Maiduguri – Nigeria military
Meanwhile President Muhammadu Buhari meets leaders of the G7 nations at a summit in Germany and reaffirms his pledge to crack down on the Islamists while calling for greater regional and international cooperation
$500 million appeal for Iraq to be launched – UNICEF
The announcement comes a day ahead of a meeting in Paris of the US led coalition of countries working to defeat the jihadist group in Iraq and Syria
Singapore detains two 'self-radicalized' teenagers
Singapore one of Asia s most affluent cities and a regional base for thousands of multinational companies is a prime target for attacks by militant groups
Draconian laws' false sense of security
Real concerns exist about the abuse of these laws They offer little in the way of oversights and protections They also can be misused for political ends
Emwazi father says no proof his son is 'Jihadi John'
Jassem Emwazi: There is nothing that proves what is being circulated in the media that the accused is my son Mohammed
Identity of ISIS executioner 'Jihadi John' revealed
UPDATED Jihadi John is Kuwaiti born London computer programmer Mohammed Emwazi according to experts and the media
France seizes passports of would-be jihadists
UPDATED It is the first time the measure has been used in France following its introduction as part of a raft of new counter terrorism laws in November
Obama confirms US hostage killed, UAE rejoins the fray
UPDATED US President Barack Obama confirms the death of hostage Kayla Jean Mueller held by the Islamic State ISIS in Syria
Japan defends seizing journalist's passport over ISIS fear
Cabinet Secretary Suga: If a Japanese national enters Syria we have assessed that there is a high risk that the person would face immediate danger to his life like being captured by ISIL militants and other Islamic extremists
Unease as France reels from series of bloody attacks
While the motives behind the incidents remain unclear the violence jars nerves after repeated jihadist calls for lone wolf action in France over its fight against Islamic extremism
Syria's Assad forms government, 11 new ministers
Most of the new ministers were in economic postings in a potential nod to the dire economic straits in which Syria finds itself after more than three years of war and the deaths of 190 000 people
Assad renames Halqi as Syria prime minister
The appointment comes 3 weeks after Bashar al Assad was inaugurated a 3rd term following an election denounced as a farce by exiled opposition
Syria's Assad to be sworn in while world looks away
Assad will be sworn in for another 7 year term at his palace overlooking the capital more than three years into a war that has killed more than 170 000 people and forced millions to flee their homes
Syria rebels say IS caliphate 'null and void'
Their statement comes a day after the ruthless Islamic State declared a caliphate straddling Iraq and Syria
Japan PM seeks limelight as global elite gathers in Davos
The focus of the first full day reflects a more traditional business agenda with participants debating issues including the relationship between Africa s economic and population growth
Syria rebels besiege Qaeda-linked jihadists
The new front in Syria s increasingly complex civil war opened less than three weeks away from a planned peace conference
Hezbollah-backed Syria troops rout rebels in Qusayr
Qusayr is strategic because is located just 10 kilometers six miles from Lebanon and links Damascus to the coast
Syria gets 'blowback' after playing with fire in Iraq
After the 2003 US led invasion analysts and officials say Damascus looked the other way as those same routes became conduits for Al Qaeda linked fighters Now many are headed back into Syria to fight for jihadist groups
Syria assures PH of Filipinos' safety
The Syrian government assures the Philippines that Filipinos in the strife torn nation are safe as Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario returns to Damascus
Syria opposition unites as Israel fires warning shots
After four days of marathon talks in Qatar the Syrian National Council finally signed up to a wider more representative bloc centerd on a government in waiting as demanded by Arab and Western states
Assad declares amnesty but excludes 'terrorists': Syria TV
Assad issues an amnesty for all crimes committed in Syria up until today with the notable exception of terrorist crimes
Syria's Aleppo pounded as civilian refuge 'targeted'
Bombardments by troops saw fighting ground to a standstill on Tuesday September 11 in Syria s second city Aleppo a watchdog said amid reports a civilian refuge was targeted in the same province
Aleppo battle rages as both sides report atrocities
The Syrian army pressed its assault on rebels in commercial capital Aleppo on Sunday August 12 while both sides reported atrocities and Arab foreign ministers postponed a planned meeting
General says all Damascus retaken, Aleppo pounded
The Syrian army said it has seized the last rebel held district of the capital as insurgents in Aleppo came under heavy bombardment by regime forces
Syria threatens to use chemical arms if attacked
Syria admitted Monday July 23 it has chemical weapons and warned of using them if attacked though not against its own civilians
Syria: Feared forces launch new assault on Damascus
Feared forces headed by Pres Bashar al Assad s brother used helicopter gunships in a new offensive against rebels in Damascus on Sunday
Syria's top officials killed in suicide attack
4th UPDATE The bombing which an official blamed on a bodyguard attending a meeting of security chiefs at their Damascus headquarters prompted US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta to warn that Syria was spinning out of control
Attack on Syria village targeted rebels, activists: UN
A variety of weapons were used in an attack on the Syrian village of Treimsa where more than 150 people were killed this week with the homes of rebels and activists bearing the brunt the UN mission said on Saturday July 14
Assad regrets Syrian downing of Turkish plane
Syrian President Bashar al Assad regretted that his country s defense forces shot down a Turkish fighter jet on June 22 he said in an interview with the Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet published Tuesday July 3
Deadly raid on Syria TV after Assad speaks of 'war'
An attack on a pro government television channel s offices near Damascus killed three staff on Wednesday June 26 after President Bashar al Assad said Syria was in a state of war
Over 14,400 killed in 15-month Syria revolt: NGO
More than 14 400 people have been killed in Syria in the 15 month revolt against President Bashar al Assad s regime including 2 302 in the past month alone a monitoring group said on Thursday
Arabs urge UN action amid fears of civil war
Arab leaders called Saturday June 2 for UN action as at least 39 people were killed in Syria amid growing fears that envoy Kofi Annan s peace plan is failing and the country is heading for all out civil war
West expels Syrian envoys over Houla massacre
The coordinated envoy expulsions followed mounting international outrage over the massacre on Friday in the central town of Houla in which at least 108 people including 49 children were killed according to UN figures
Syria shells rebel bastion, Assad hits out at 'criminals'
Syrian forces sent shells crashing into rebel stronghold Rastan on Thursday May 17 a watchdog said hours after President Bashar al Assad branded the armed opposition as criminals infiltrated by Al Qaeda
