Turkish forces, together with the rebel Free Syrian Army, will cross the Syrian border "shortly", President Tayyip Erdogan’s communications director said early on Wednesday, as a surprise withdrawal of US troops made way for the Turkish incursion.

Turkish military, Syrian rebel forces to cross into Syria 'shortly': Erdogan's aide

Among the destroyed buildings of Syria's Aleppo, a battered sign between two army checkpoints welcomes visitors to an area earmarked to become a beacon of post-war reconstruction.

In Syria's Aleppo, reconstruction makes slow start

Russia on Friday announced that Syrian government forces would ceasefire in the northwestern province of Idlib from Saturday morning. An agreement was reached on "a unilateral ceasefire by Syrian government forces in the Idlib de-escalation zone, from 6:00 am on August 31," the Russian Reconciliation Centre for Syria said in a statement.

Russia announces government ceasefire in Syria's Idlib from Saturday

The Israeli air force struck in Syria to prevent an Iranian force from launching an attack on the Jewish state with drones armed with explosives, the army said Sunday.

Israeli jets hit targets in Syria to prevent Iranian drone attack: army

Russia-backed Syrian forces found Abu Abdo and family this week in Khan Sheikhoun, a town which almost all other residents had fled during shelling in an offensive to take the area from rebel fighters.

Family stayed in Syrian town during offensive as rebels ousted

French President Emmanuel Macron and Russia's Vladimir Putin on Monday agreed changes in Ukraine had bolstered the chances of peace in its east but clashed on Syria, as the Russian leader made a rare bilateral visit to a key EU power.

Russia's Vladimir Putin voices 'cautious optimism' on Ukraine in meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron

Syria's army has captured a strategically important town in Idlib in the rebels' last major enclave, a war monitor and a military media unit run by its ally Hezbollah reported on Sunday.

Syrian army takes strategic town from rebels in new advance

Syrian regime forces seized a town on the edge of Idlib province Sunday, a monitor said, their first ground advance since resuming an offensive on the jihadist-dominated enclave more than three months ago.

Syria regime gains ground in deadly Idlib push: Monitor

Still reeling from his sudden deportation from Turkey with just the clothes on his back, Mohammad Hassan stood in the arrivals hall at a border crossing in northern Syria unsure what to do next.

Deported from Turkey, Syrians return to unfamiliar country

Sudan's protesters and ruling generals Wednesday inked a deal that aims to install a civilian administration, a key demand of demonstrators since president Omar al-Bashir was deposed in a coup three months ago.

Sudan protesters, army rulers ink power sharing deal

Days after a blackout on mobile internet services ended, Sudanese are shocked by the content of online videos and photographs that appear to document last month's deadly raid on demonstrators.

Shock and anger as videos of brutal Sudan raid belatedly go viral

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tuesday that Israel's fighter jets "can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran," in his latest comments directed at his country's arch-foe.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu warns Israel's jets 'can reach' Iran

Iran has pressed Britain to release the captured Iranian oil tanker and called its seizure "maritime piracy", Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Monday. British Royal Marines impounded the tanker in Gibraltar on Thursday on suspicion it was carrying oil to Syria in violation of European Union sanctions. Iran denies the vessel was headed to Syria, where the government of President Bashar al-Assad is an ally of Tehran.

Iran urges UK to free captured oil tanker, calling it 'maritime piracy'

At least seven civilians were killed in air strikes by the Syrian government on the northwest province of Idlib on Saturday. Around 15 other suffered injuries in the attacks by President Bashar al-Assad regime.

Syria: 7 civilians killed in air strikes by Assad regime

Ethiopia`s prime minister on Friday urged Sudan`s military rulers and civilian opposition to exercise "bravery" in trying to agree on a transition to democracy after the worst bloodshed since the overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir.

Ethiopia attempts to mediate Sudan crisis after bloodshed

US President Donald Trump on Sunday told Syria and Russia to stop "bombing the hell" out of Syria's last jihadist stronghold Idlib. "Hearing word that Russia, Syria and, to a lesser extent, Iran, are bombing the hell out of Idlib Province in Syria, and indiscriminately killing many innocent civilians.

'STOP!' bombing, killing in Syria's Idlib: US President Donald Trump

The Kremlin said on Friday that it was Turkey's responsibility to stop militants in Syria's Idlib province from firing on civilian and Russian targets. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the comments when asked about a suggestion from Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to implement a ceasefire in Idlib.

Kremlin says onus is on Turkey to rein in militants in Syria's Idlib

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin late on Thursday that a ceasefire in Syria`s Idlib must be implemented to prevent more civilian deaths and a refugee influx to Turkey, Erdogan`s office said in a statement.

We need a ceasefire in Syria's Idlib: Turkey's Erdogan to Putin

Turkey has equipped an array of mainstream Syrian rebels it backs with fresh supplies of weaponry to help them try to repel a major Russian-backed assault, senior opposition officials and rebel sources said on Saturday.

Turkey sends weapons to Syrian rebels facing Russian-backed assault

Air strikes and shelling killed 13 civilians in northwestern Syria on Tuesday, a monitor said, in the latest escalation to rattle a months-old truce and spark displacement.

Escalation in Syria's Idlib rattles months-old truce

Pope Francis on Sunday urged world leaders to try again to bring peace to Libya and in Syria where millions of refugees and people displaced by conflict should be helped to return home.

Pope Francis urges Libya peace, return of refugees to Syria

In 2+2 dialogue, US-Japan discuss enhancing ties with India As part of a shared vision for the Indo-Pacific region, the US and Japan have agreed to grow ties with India, along with countries like Australia and South Korea.

News brief: Big stories of the day

By Jonathan Hall Involved in armed conflicts on two fronts, in eastern Ukraine and Syria, the Russian Federation’s dual campaigns are often closely associated with one another.

Western sanctions are driving Russia’s focus on the Middle East

What is the significance of Golan Heights

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