Syrian Crackdown
latest news & developments
Syria: Al-Qaeda wants to control Iraq and Turkey border zones
Al-Qaeda is fighting to drive rivals out of areas bordering Turkey and Iraq in a bid to control territory stretching from Iraq into northern Syria.
Syria fights back with hack attacks
The Syrian regime’s electronic army is hitting critical Western news organisations with disinformation.
Time for Brics to stop sitting on the fence over Syria atrocities
Brics should call for the Syrian government to permit the delivery of humanitarian aid across its borders, including from Turkey, writes Jan Egeland.
South Africa can contribute to ending bloodshed in Syria
The recent unification of Syria’s opposition could curb human rights violations against civilians, but international pressure is still needed.
Nobel laureate warns of ‘somalisation’ of Syria
Nobel Peace laureate Jose Ramos-Horta has warned Syria risks becoming a new Somalia as he voiced pessimism at any quick solution to the bloodshed.
Fighting ruptures ragged Syrian ceasefire
Fighting has erupted in a Damascus suburb and around a Syrian army base as a truce marking a Muslim holiday crumbled almost before it had begun.
Peace envoy warns Syria conflict could set region ‘ablaze’
International peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi has warned the Syria conflict risks setting the region "ablaze" as clashes broke out across with Lebanon.
Syria’s bloodiest day claims over 305 lives
More than 305 people were killed across Syria on Wednesday, making it the bloodiest single day of the 18-month revolt, an NGO has revealed.
Syria refugee exodus raises pressure for buffer zone
Syria’s refugee exodus is growing and up to 200 000 people could settle in Turkey alone if the conflict worsens, adding pressure for a buffer zone.
Syrian helicopter comes down under fire in Damascus
State television has confirmed a helicopter crashed in Damascus but gave no details as Bashar al-Assad continues to bombard rebel-held districts.
Syria’s Assad makes rare appearance amid Eid protests
Bashar al-Assad has made a rare public appearance for the end of Ramadan but activists say his forces are pressing on with a blitz of rebel areas.
Syrian regime on brink of collapse, says former PM
Syria’s former prime minister Riyad Hijab claims Bashar al-Assad’s regime is on the point of collapse, having lost control of most of the country.
Syrian war could engulf neighbours
Fears are growing that foreign funding of Syria’s rebels could lead to conflict in Turkey, Lebanon and beyond.
Syria’s Assad makes rare TV appearance
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has appeared on television for the first time in more than two weeks as his troops fight rebels in Aleppo.
Defection of stalwart PM deals blow to Syria’s regime
Syrian Prime Minister Riyad Hijab is the latest to jump ship as defections continue to rattle Bashar al-Assad’s increasingly unstable regime.