Damascus
latest news & developments
Break Damascus bread in Jozi
A refugee family is producing traditional Syrian Pita bread and pastries for the South African market.
Syria announces presidential election date
Syria’s governement says a presidential election will take place on June 3, but Western leaders say the vote is a "parody of democracy".
Syrian forces may have used gas without Assad’s permission
Government forces may have carried out the Damascus chemical attack without the personal permission of President Bashar al-Assad, says a report.
Syria: John Kerry suggests possible US military intervention
US Secretary of State John Kerry has laid the groundwork for potential military action against the Syrian government over a chemical weapons attack.
Damascus: Chemical weapons blamed in massacre
An apparent gas attack in Damascus is thought to be the most significant use of chemical weapons since the gassing of Kurds 25 years ago.
Activists blame Syria deaths on chemical attack
Dozens of people have been killed and wounded in a fierce army bombardment of areas near Damascus, a Syrian NGO has said.
Syria: Car bomb kills 53 people, 200 wounded
A car bomb has killed 53 people and wounded 200 in central Damascus when it blew up on a busy highway close to ruling Baath Party offices.
Syria: Deadly Damascus car bomb explodes near Baath Party offices
A car bomb shook the centre of Damascus, killing several people and incinerating cars on a busy highway close to offices of the ruling Baath party.
Protests, suicide bombings threaten UN’s Syria plan
Tens of thousands have protested across Syria as a suicide bombing rocked the capital, killing 11 people fuelling scepticism over a UN peace plan.
Syrian opponents turn to assassinations
Syrian President Bashar Assad’s opponents appear to be resorting to assassinations of loyalist military officers in an escalation of their campaign.
Arab summit appears divided over approach to Syria
Arab leaders will call for Syria to implement a ceasefire, but there’s little faith that President Bashar al-Assad will halt his crackdown.
Syrian uprising: Why it matters
The uprising in Syria is swiftly transforming into a civil war that could lay waste to the country and the fallout is bleeding outside its borders.
State TV reports on mass deaths in Syria bombing
State television in Syria has reported gruesome images from twin bomb attacks on security buildings in the countries capital.
Small-town force vs Syrian army
Just 30 kilometres from Damascus a village holds onto a fragile liberty, writes <b>Ian Black</b>.
Damascus suicide bombing claims 25 lives
Damascus has been hit by a suicide bomb, killing 25 and wounding dozens, with state media blaming ‘terrorists’ for the second such attack.