Syria&#39;s opposition will attend fresh peace talks hosted by the United Nations in Vienna, its media office announced on Tuesday, but said dates were not yet confirmed.

In a written statement, the Syrian Negotiations Commission&#39;s press office said the opposition would take part in a new round of negotiations, which were &quot;the UN Geneva talks, but taking place in Vienna&quot;.

The dates for the talks were not yet confirmed, the SNC added.&nbsp;

The latest round of UN-backed Syria peace talks concluded in Geneva in mid-December with no notable progress towards ending the country&#39;s nearly seven-year war.

Talks were expected to resume on January 21 in Switzerland.

The UN declined to comment on the change of venue or confirm dates for the new round.&nbsp;

Several diplomatic tracks have thus far failed to resolve Syria&#39;s conflict.&nbsp;

Russia, a steadfast supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has announced it will host a peace congress on January 29 and 30 in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

With regime ally Iran and rebel backer Turkey as co-hosts, the summit specifically aims to set up a new constitution for post-war Syria.

The SNC did not announce whether it was attending those talks, but dozens of Syrian rebel factions rejected the Sochi initiative in December.&nbsp;

Syria&#39;s government has said it would attend the Sochi talks.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The UN declined to comment on the change of venue or confirm dates for the new round.

Syria's opposition will attend fresh peace talks hosted by the United Nations in Vienna, its media office announced on Tuesday, but said dates were not yet confirmed. In a written statement, the Syrian Negotiations Commission's press office said the opposition would take part in a new round of negotiations, which were "the UN Geneva talks, but taking place in Vienna". The dates for the talks were not yet confirmed, the SNC added. The latest round of UN-backed Syria peace talks concluded in Geneva in mid-December with no notable progress towards ending the country's nearly seven-year war. Talks were expected to resume on January 21 in Switzerland. The UN declined to comment on the change of venue or confirm dates for the new round. Several diplomatic tracks have thus far failed to resolve Syria's conflict. Russia, a steadfast supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has announced it will host a peace congress on January 29 and 30 in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. With regime ally Iran and rebel backer Turkey as co-hosts, the summit specifically aims to set up a new constitution for post-war Syria. The SNC did not announce whether it was attending those talks, but dozens of Syrian rebel factions rejected the Sochi initiative in December. Syria's government has said it would attend the Sochi talks.

Syria opposition to attend new UN-backed talks in Vienna

Turkey&#39;s President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday the United States was trying to create a &quot;terror army&quot; on the country&#39;s southern frontier by training a Syrian border force that includes a Kurdish militia and pledged to crush it before it came into being.

On Sunday, the U.S.-led coalition said it was working with the mainly Kurdish YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to set up a new 30,000-strong border force.

The plan has infuriated Turkey, which considers the YPG to be an extension of the PKK, a Kurdish group waging an insurgency in southern Turkey and deemed a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union.

Erdogan also said Turkey&#39;s armed forces had completed preparations for an operation against the Kurdish-controlled region of Afrin in northwest Syria and the town of Manbij.

Erdogan also said Turkey's armed forces had completed preparations for an operation against the Kurdish-controlled region of Afrin in northwest Syria and the town of Manbij.

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday the United States was trying to create a "terror army" on the country's southern frontier by training a Syrian border force that includes a Kurdish militia and pledged to crush it before it came into being. On Sunday, the U.S.-led coalition said it was working with the mainly Kurdish YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to set up a new 30,000-strong border force. The plan has infuriated Turkey, which considers the YPG to be an extension of the PKK, a Kurdish group waging an insurgency in southern Turkey and deemed a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union. Erdogan also said Turkey's armed forces had completed preparations for an operation against the Kurdish-controlled region of Afrin in northwest Syria and the town of Manbij.

United States tried to create a 'terror army' in Syria: Turkey President Erdogan

Two people have been arrested on charges of helping a Muslim man &quot;forcibly&quot; convert a Kerala woman and attempting to take her to Syria to be sold off to Islamic State terrorists.

Fayaz and Siyad, both natives of North Paravur near Kochi, were arrested on Wednesday following investigations based on a complaint by the 25-year-old woman, who was rescued from Saudi Arabia and brought home last year by her family.

The two are friends of Muhammad Riyaz from Thalassery in Kannur district, the prime accused in the case.

&quot;They have been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act,&quot; Ernakulam Rural SP A V George said, adding a hunt is on to arrest eight more accused, including Riyas, in the case.

He said the police have begun a probe into their alleged link with the Islamic State terrorists.

George said both Fayaz and Siyad were arrested based on the woman&#39;s complaint that she was allegedly tortured by them in a house in North Paravoor before Riyaz took her abroad.

The woman had alleged that Riyaz pretended to be in love with her when she was studying in Bengaluru in 2014 and forced her to convert to Islam and married her.

The woman from Pathanamthitta was brought up in Gujarat. She had moved the Kerala High Court last year seeking an NIA probe against Riyaz for attempting to take her to Syria from Saudi Arabia and sell her to the Islamic State terrorists as a sex slave.

She has also alleged that her marriage was registered using forged documents.

Fayaz and Siyad, both natives of North Paravur near Kochi, were arrested on Wednesday following investigations based on a complaint by the 25-year-old woman, who was rescued from Saudi Arabia and brought home last year by her family

Two people have been arrested on charges of helping a Muslim man "forcibly" convert a Kerala woman and attempting to take her to Syria to be sold off to Islamic State terrorists. Fayaz and Siyad, both natives of North Paravur near Kochi, were arrested on Wednesday following investigations based on a complaint by the 25-year-old woman, who was rescued from Saudi Arabia and brought home last year by her family. The two are friends of Muhammad Riyaz from Thalassery in Kannur district, the prime accused in the case. "They have been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act," Ernakulam Rural SP A V George said, adding a hunt is on to arrest eight more accused, including Riyas, in the case. He said the police have begun a probe into their alleged link with the Islamic State terrorists. George said both Fayaz and Siyad were arrested based on the woman's complaint that she was allegedly tortured by them in a house in North Paravoor before Riyaz took her abroad. The woman had alleged that Riyaz pretended to be in love with her when she was studying in Bengaluru in 2014 and forced her to convert to Islam and married her. The woman from Pathanamthitta was brought up in Gujarat. She had moved the Kerala High Court last year seeking an NIA probe against Riyaz for attempting to take her to Syria from Saudi Arabia and sell her to the Islamic State terrorists as a sex slave. She has also alleged that her marriage was registered using forged documents.

2 held over bid to sell off Kerala woman to IS after 'forced conversion'

Pope Francis, in his annual &quot;state of the world&quot; address called on Monday for all nations to support dialogue to ease tensions on the Korean peninsula and to work for a legally binding ban on nuclear weapons.&nbsp;

In the speech, Francis also repeated his call for a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians and respect for the &quot;status quo&quot; of Jerusalem following US.&nbsp;

President Donald Trump`s decision to recognize the city as Israel`s capital.&nbsp;

&quot;It is of paramount importance to support every effort at the dialogue on the Korean peninsula, in order to find new ways of overcoming the current disputes, increasing mutual trust and ensuring a peaceful future for the Korean people and the entire world,&quot; Francis said.&nbsp;

The pope addressed envoys from more than 180 countries a day before North Korea and South Korea are due to hold talks expected to address North Korea&#39;s participation in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, which some diplomats see as a possible opening for discussions on other topics such as humanitarian issues and divided families.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, asserted that he had a nuclear button at the ready, Trump tweeted that the US button was bigger and more powerful.&nbsp;

&quot;Nuclear weapons must be banned,&quot; Francis said, quoting a document issued by Pope John XXIII at the height of the Cold War and adding that there is &quot;no denying that the conflagration could be started by some chance and unforeseen circumstance&quot;.&nbsp;

Noting that the Holy See was among 122 states that last year agreed a United Nations treaty to ban nuclear weapons, he called for a &quot;serene and wide-ranging debate&quot; on disarmament.&nbsp;

The United States, Britain, France and others boycotted the talks that led to the treaty, instead pledging commitment to a decades-old Non-Proliferation Treaty.&nbsp;

At the individual greetings after the speech, Francis spent more time chatting with South Korea`s envoy, Jonghyun Jeong, than with most other diplomats.&nbsp;

Washington&#39;s new ambassador to the Vatican, Callista Gingrich, attended along with her husband, former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich.&nbsp;

Addressing climate change, Francis called for a &quot;united effort&quot; to remain committed to the 2015 Paris accord on reducing carbon emissions. French President Emmanuel Macron is trying to breathe new life into the agreement after Trump announced that the United States would withdraw.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Francis, who has made the defence of migrants and refugees a major plank of his pontificate, warned against &quot;stirring up primal fears&quot; of newcomers.&nbsp;

&quot;There is a need, then, to abandon the familiar rhetoric and start from the essential consideration that we are dealing, above all, with persons,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

Migration has become a top political issue in countries including the United States, Italy and Germany.

At the individual greetings after the speech, Francis spent more time chatting with South Korea`s envoy, Jonghyun Jeong, than with most other diplomats.

Pope Francis, in his annual "state of the world" address called on Monday for all nations to support dialogue to ease tensions on the Korean peninsula and to work for a legally binding ban on nuclear weapons. In the speech, Francis also repeated his call for a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians and respect for the "status quo" of Jerusalem following US. President Donald Trump`s decision to recognize the city as Israel`s capital. "It is of paramount importance to support every effort at the dialogue on the Korean peninsula, in order to find new ways of overcoming the current disputes, increasing mutual trust and ensuring a peaceful future for the Korean people and the entire world," Francis said. The pope addressed envoys from more than 180 countries a day before North Korea and South Korea are due to hold talks expected to address North Korea's participation in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, which some diplomats see as a possible opening for discussions on other topics such as humanitarian issues and divided families. Earlier this month, after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, asserted that he had a nuclear button at the ready, Trump tweeted that the US button was bigger and more powerful. "Nuclear weapons must be banned," Francis said, quoting a document issued by Pope John XXIII at the height of the Cold War and adding that there is "no denying that the conflagration could be started by some chance and unforeseen circumstance". Noting that the Holy See was among 122 states that last year agreed a United Nations treaty to ban nuclear weapons, he called for a "serene and wide-ranging debate" on disarmament. The United States, Britain, France and others boycotted the talks that led to the treaty, instead pledging commitment to a decades-old Non-Proliferation Treaty. At the individual greetings after the speech, Francis spent more time chatting with South Korea`s envoy, Jonghyun Jeong, than with most other diplomats. Washington's new ambassador to the Vatican, Callista Gingrich, attended along with her husband, former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich. Addressing climate change, Francis called for a "united effort" to remain committed to the 2015 Paris accord on reducing carbon emissions. French President Emmanuel Macron is trying to breathe new life into the agreement after Trump announced that the United States would withdraw. Francis, who has made the defence of migrants and refugees a major plank of his pontificate, warned against "stirring up primal fears" of newcomers. "There is a need, then, to abandon the familiar rhetoric and start from the essential consideration that we are dealing, above all, with persons," he said. Migration has become a top political issue in countries including the United States, Italy and Germany.

In 'State of World' speech, Pope urges dialogue in Korea, nuclear ban

Syrian regime forces on Sunday seized a strategic town as they pushed towards a jihadist-held airbase in an offensive to reclaim ground in northwestern Idlib province, a monitor said.&nbsp;

Government forces backed up by Russian air power are conducting an operation to carve out a foothold in the southeast of the province, the last one that had remained completely beyond regime control.&nbsp;

Troops captured Sinjar, the &quot;biggest town in southeast Idlib&quot;, from Syria&#39;s former Al-Qaeda affiliate and were within 14 kilometres (9 miles) of the Abu al-Duhur military base, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.&nbsp;

The base -- which government troops lost to the jihadists in 2015 after a two-year siege -- could provide President Bashar al-Assad&#39;s forces with a vital forward post in the Idlib province.

The drive into the region is aimed at securing a key road that links Syria&#39;s second city of Aleppo -- recaptured by the government just over a year ago -- to the capital Damascus, the Observatory said.

State news agency SANA reported Saturday evening that the regime forces had taken control of &quot;some towns and villages in the southeast&quot; of Idlib province.

Since the start of the operation in late December, Assad&#39;s forces have recaptured roughly 60 towns and villages on the border between Idlib and neighbouring Hama province, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said.&nbsp;

In response to the situation on the ground the jihadists&#39; &quot;military council&quot; under leader Mohammad al-Jolani convened an &quot;urgent meeting&quot;, coalition Hayat Tahrir al-Sham said.&nbsp;

&quot;The campaign by the criminal regime will not be easy,&quot; said the group, dominated by the one-time Al-Qaeda affiliate, previously known as Al-Nusra Front.

More than 340,000 people have been killed in Syria and millions displaced since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.

Russia&#39;s intervention in support of Assad has shifted the balance firmly in the regime&#39;s favour.&nbsp;

Government forces backed up by Russian air power are conducting an operation to carve out a foothold in the southeast of the province, the last one that had remained completely beyond regime control

Syrian regime forces on Sunday seized a strategic town as they pushed towards a jihadist-held airbase in an offensive to reclaim ground in northwestern Idlib province, a monitor said. Government forces backed up by Russian air power are conducting an operation to carve out a foothold in the southeast of the province, the last one that had remained completely beyond regime control. Troops captured Sinjar, the "biggest town in southeast Idlib", from Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate and were within 14 kilometres (9 miles) of the Abu al-Duhur military base, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The base -- which government troops lost to the jihadists in 2015 after a two-year siege -- could provide President Bashar al-Assad's forces with a vital forward post in the Idlib province. The drive into the region is aimed at securing a key road that links Syria's second city of Aleppo -- recaptured by the government just over a year ago -- to the capital Damascus, the Observatory said. State news agency SANA reported Saturday evening that the regime forces had taken control of "some towns and villages in the southeast" of Idlib province. Since the start of the operation in late December, Assad's forces have recaptured roughly 60 towns and villages on the border between Idlib and neighbouring Hama province, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said. In response to the situation on the ground the jihadists' "military council" under leader Mohammad al-Jolani convened an "urgent meeting", coalition Hayat Tahrir al-Sham said. "The campaign by the criminal regime will not be easy," said the group, dominated by the one-time Al-Qaeda affiliate, previously known as Al-Nusra Front. More than 340,000 people have been killed in Syria and millions displaced since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests. Russia's intervention in support of Assad has shifted the balance firmly in the regime's favour.

Syria regime forces push towards Idlib airbase: Monitor

A Russian helicopter crashed in Syria on New Year&#39;s Eve killing both pilots following a technical fault, Moscow&#39;s defence ministry said Wednesday.

The Mi-24 military helicopter was flying to Hama, northwestern Syria, and there was no firing from the ground, agencies quote the ministry as saying.&nbsp;

&quot;Both pilots died in a hard landing 15 km (nine miles) from the air base,&quot; the ministry said, adding that a technician had been injured and taken to another air base at for emergency treatment.

A Russian helicopter crashed in Syria on New Year's Eve killing both pilots following a technical fault, Moscow's defence ministry said Wednesday

A Russian helicopter crashed in Syria on New Year's Eve killing both pilots following a technical fault, Moscow's defence ministry said Wednesday. The Mi-24 military helicopter was flying to Hama, northwestern Syria, and there was no firing from the ground, agencies quote the ministry as saying. "Both pilots died in a hard landing 15 km (nine miles) from the air base," the ministry said, adding that a technician had been injured and taken to another air base at for emergency treatment.

Russian helicopter crashes in Syria, 2 dead

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron will meet in Paris on January 5.&nbsp;

The two leaders are expected to discuss the Syrian crisis along with the Palestinian situation.&nbsp;

The Elysee source said &quot;the question of human rights will also be raised&quot; during the&nbsp;meeting.

Both Erdogan and Macron had previously expressed strong concerns over the ongoing Syrian conflict.

The Turkish President was seen criticising the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, earlier this week, calling him a terrorist.

He also noted that peace is difficult to reach Syria under Assad&#39;s rule.

Emmanuel Macron stressed on France&#39;s commitment toward initiating peace talks involving all parties in the six-year-old Syrian conflict, including al-Assad.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

Erdogan and Macron are expected to discuss the Syrian crisis along with the Palestinian situation

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron will meet in Paris on January 5. The two leaders are expected to discuss the Syrian crisis along with the Palestinian situation. The Elysee source said "the question of human rights will also be raised" during the meeting. Both Erdogan and Macron had previously expressed strong concerns over the ongoing Syrian conflict. The Turkish President was seen criticising the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, earlier this week, calling him a terrorist. He also noted that peace is difficult to reach Syria under Assad's rule. Emmanuel Macron stressed on France's commitment toward initiating peace talks involving all parties in the six-year-old Syrian conflict, including al-Assad. (With inputs from Reuters)

Turkey and France to discuss Syrian crisis in Paris?

Syrian regime forces advanced against jihadists Saturday on the edge of the northwestern province of Idlib, the last outside government control, a monitor and the state news agency said.

Government and allied forces backed by Russian warplanes have since Monday been battling mostly jihadist fighters in an area straddling the border between Idlib and Hama provinces.

The fighting, which could signal the start of a major offensive to seize Idlib province from rebels dominated by a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, escalated on Thursday.

On Saturday, regime troops advanced, seizing several villages and surrounding areas, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor. 
State news agency SANA said regime forces had taken control of five villages, areas and &quot;strategic hills&quot; in the northeast of Hama province.

An AFP correspondent said civilians continued to flee areas near the battle zone, heading north towards the provincial capital of Idlib with their belongings piled high on pickup trucks.

&quot;We were the target of strikes more than once -- we couldn&#39;t stay,&quot; said Abu Ahmed, a man in his 60s from the southeast of Idlib province, fleeing with his family in a pickup.

&quot;I don`t know how to say how I feel, leaving my land and home at my age. We are leaving without even knowing where we&#39;re headed.&quot;

In the Maaret al-Numan area, some people have put up tents, pots and pans piled at the entrance flaps.

&quot;We escaped for the sake of the children. They were terrified by air raids and strikes,&quot; said Abu Khaled, a bearded man in his thirties wearing a red and white checkered keffiyeh headscarf.

The father-of-four, originally from Hama province, had already fled once with his family -- to Idlib, where they lived in a camp for the displaced.

Since Thursday, the clashes have killed 32 soldiers and allied members of paramilitary units, as well as 29 rebels from Islamist groups or from former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham, the Observatory said.

Twenty-one civilians have also died.

Government forces first aim to take control of the southeast of Idlib province, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said.

This would allow the regime to have full control of a road that links the capital Damascus to the government-held second city of Aleppo.

Russia intervened on the side of President Bashar al-Assad&#39;s regime in 2015, helping it to take back control of swathes of territory including Aleppo.

The forces of Syrian General Suheil Hassan, on the front lines of the battle against the Islamic State group in the east of the country, are leading the Idlib offensive, the Observatory said.

&quot;After finishing off IS, the regime&#39;s forces are concentrating their operations on Idlib`s jihadists,&quot; Abdel Rahman said.

Outside Damascus, the rebel holdout region of Eastern Ghouta has also come under increasing bombardment from Assad&#39;s forces in the past weeks.

On Saturday, seven civilians were killed in different areas of the enclave, most of them in regime artillery fire, the Observatory said.

Eastern Ghouta has been under government siege since 2013, causing severe food and medicine shortages for some 400,000 residents.

The war in Syria has killed more than 340,000 people and displaced millions from their homes since it began in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests. 
&nbsp;

Government and allied forces backed by Russian warplanes have since Monday been battling mostly jihadist fighters

Syrian regime forces advanced against jihadists Saturday on the edge of the northwestern province of Idlib, the last outside government control, a monitor and the state news agency said. Government and allied forces backed by Russian warplanes have since Monday been battling mostly jihadist fighters in an area straddling the border between Idlib and Hama provinces. The fighting, which could signal the start of a major offensive to seize Idlib province from rebels dominated by a former Al-Qaeda affiliate, escalated on Thursday. On Saturday, regime troops advanced, seizing several villages and surrounding areas, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor. State news agency SANA said regime forces had taken control of five villages, areas and "strategic hills" in the northeast of Hama province. An AFP correspondent said civilians continued to flee areas near the battle zone, heading north towards the provincial capital of Idlib with their belongings piled high on pickup trucks. "We were the target of strikes more than once -- we couldn't stay," said Abu Ahmed, a man in his 60s from the southeast of Idlib province, fleeing with his family in a pickup. "I don`t know how to say how I feel, leaving my land and home at my age. We are leaving without even knowing where we're headed." In the Maaret al-Numan area, some people have put up tents, pots and pans piled at the entrance flaps. "We escaped for the sake of the children. They were terrified by air raids and strikes," said Abu Khaled, a bearded man in his thirties wearing a red and white checkered keffiyeh headscarf. The father-of-four, originally from Hama province, had already fled once with his family -- to Idlib, where they lived in a camp for the displaced. Since Thursday, the clashes have killed 32 soldiers and allied members of paramilitary units, as well as 29 rebels from Islamist groups or from former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham, the Observatory said. Twenty-one civilians have also died. Government forces first aim to take control of the southeast of Idlib province, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said. This would allow the regime to have full control of a road that links the capital Damascus to the government-held second city of Aleppo. Russia intervened on the side of President Bashar al-Assad's regime in 2015, helping it to take back control of swathes of territory including Aleppo. The forces of Syrian General Suheil Hassan, on the front lines of the battle against the Islamic State group in the east of the country, are leading the Idlib offensive, the Observatory said. "After finishing off IS, the regime's forces are concentrating their operations on Idlib`s jihadists," Abdel Rahman said. Outside Damascus, the rebel holdout region of Eastern Ghouta has also come under increasing bombardment from Assad's forces in the past weeks. On Saturday, seven civilians were killed in different areas of the enclave, most of them in regime artillery fire, the Observatory said. Eastern Ghouta has been under government siege since 2013, causing severe food and medicine shortages for some 400,000 residents. The war in Syria has killed more than 340,000 people and displaced millions from their homes since it began in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

Regime forces advance against jihadists in northwest Syria

A second batch of sick Syrian civilians, most of them children, left the besieged rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta, aid officials said Thursday, but hundreds of critical patients remained trapped.

Four evacuations took place on Tuesday and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/first-few-patients-evacuated-from-besieged-syria-rebel-enclave-27900">another group of 12 made it out late Wednesday</a>, but a top humanitarian envoy questioned a deal under which medical emergencies are used as bargaining chips.

A total of 29 emergency medical cases are expected to be evacuated under a deal with the government that saw rebels release 26 individuals, including workers detained during fierce clashes with the army in March.

The numbers are still a far cry from the nearly 500 patients in the Damascus suburb the UN said weeks ago would die if they did not urgently receive better treatment.

&quot;Yesterday we evacuated 12 patients together with their family members, the majority of them are children,&quot; International Committee of the Red Cross spokeswoman Ingy Sedky said.

At the Syrian Red Crescent headquarters in Douma, an AFP correspondent saw the latest group of evacuees waiting for ambulances to pick them up.

Among them was Abdel Rahman, a seven-month-old baby with respiratory assistance in his mother`s arms. A Red Crescent worker tried to make another baby smile.

&quot;Most of them suffer from cancer, chronic diseases and heart diseases,&quot; Sedky said, adding that the evacuees were transferred to Damascus.

From the list of 500 urgent cases announced in November at least 16 have already died for lack of medical assistance.

Around 400,000 people live in the Eastern Ghouta area on the edge of the Syrian capital.

The enclave is controlled by rebels, the dominant faction among them Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam), and has been under siege by the government for four years.Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian

Refugee Council and currently a UN special envoy for humanitarian access in Syria, was critical of the deal that allowed the patients to leave.

The agreement between the rebels and the government was reached with support from Turkey, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, and led to the release of 26 men held by Jaish al-Islam rebels.

It is &quot;not a good agreement if they exchange sick children for detainees that means children become bargaining chips in some tug of war,&quot; Egeland told the BBC.

&quot;That shouldn`t happen. They have a right to the evacuation and we have an obligation to evacuate them,&quot; he said.

According to the Observatory, the first five released by the rebels are workers who were caught in the fighting earlier this year.&nbsp;

Among them are civilian hostages who had been held for several years as well as pro-regime fighters, said the British-based monitor`s head Rami Abdel Rahman, without providing further details on the exchange.

It was not immediately clear when the next batch of patients would be evacuated.

Mohammed Alloush, a leader with Jaish al-Islam, said the total number of hostages and prisoners his group would release would match the 29 medical evacuations.

The Eastern Ghouta region is one of four &quot;de-escalation&quot; zones agreed in May in a deal brokered by government backers Russia and Iran and rebel supporter Turkey.

The agreement led to a short-lived reduction in violence but the government kept up its blockade. Dozens have been killed in recent weeks, including civilians struck by rebel shelling on central Damascus.

A second batch of sick Syrian civilians, most of them children, left the besieged rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta

A second batch of sick Syrian civilians, most of them children, left the besieged rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta, aid officials said Thursday, but hundreds of critical patients remained trapped. Four evacuations took place on Tuesday and another group of 12 made it out late Wednesday, but a top humanitarian envoy questioned a deal under which medical emergencies are used as bargaining chips. A total of 29 emergency medical cases are expected to be evacuated under a deal with the government that saw rebels release 26 individuals, including workers detained during fierce clashes with the army in March. The numbers are still a far cry from the nearly 500 patients in the Damascus suburb the UN said weeks ago would die if they did not urgently receive better treatment. "Yesterday we evacuated 12 patients together with their family members, the majority of them are children," International Committee of the Red Cross spokeswoman Ingy Sedky said. At the Syrian Red Crescent headquarters in Douma, an AFP correspondent saw the latest group of evacuees waiting for ambulances to pick them up. Among them was Abdel Rahman, a seven-month-old baby with respiratory assistance in his mother`s arms. A Red Crescent worker tried to make another baby smile. "Most of them suffer from cancer, chronic diseases and heart diseases," Sedky said, adding that the evacuees were transferred to Damascus. From the list of 500 urgent cases announced in November at least 16 have already died for lack of medical assistance. Around 400,000 people live in the Eastern Ghouta area on the edge of the Syrian capital. The enclave is controlled by rebels, the dominant faction among them Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam), and has been under siege by the government for four years.Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council and currently a UN special envoy for humanitarian access in Syria, was critical of the deal that allowed the patients to leave. The agreement between the rebels and the government was reached with support from Turkey, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, and led to the release of 26 men held by Jaish al-Islam rebels. It is "not a good agreement if they exchange sick children for detainees that means children become bargaining chips in some tug of war," Egeland told the BBC. "That shouldn`t happen. They have a right to the evacuation and we have an obligation to evacuate them," he said. According to the Observatory, the first five released by the rebels are workers who were caught in the fighting earlier this year. Among them are civilian hostages who had been held for several years as well as pro-regime fighters, said the British-based monitor`s head Rami Abdel Rahman, without providing further details on the exchange. It was not immediately clear when the next batch of patients would be evacuated. Mohammed Alloush, a leader with Jaish al-Islam, said the total number of hostages and prisoners his group would release would match the 29 medical evacuations. The Eastern Ghouta region is one of four "de-escalation" zones agreed in May in a deal brokered by government backers Russia and Iran and rebel supporter Turkey. The agreement led to a short-lived reduction in violence but the government kept up its blockade. Dozens have been killed in recent weeks, including civilians struck by rebel shelling on central Damascus.

12 more patients evacuated from Syria rebel enclave

Aid workers have evacuated the first few ill patients from Syrian rebel bastion Eastern Ghouta under a deal struck after the UN said hundreds are in critical condition following a four-year government seige.

Three children and a man were loaded overnight into ambulances bound for hospitals in Damascus before being transported out past government lines that have held the region&#39;s estimated 400,000 residents in a stranglehold since 2013.

A total of 29 emergency medical cases are expected to be evacuated under a deal with the government that saw rebels release five workmen detained during fierce clashes with the army in March.

The four patients allowed out were a girl with haemophilia, a baby with the autoimmune disorder Guillain-Barre, a child with leukaemia, and a man in need of a kidney transplant, Red Crescent official Ahmed al-Saour told AFP.

Eight-year-old Ingy, the girl with haemophilia, gave a broad smile as she boarded an ambulance, wearing a woolly hat and gloves against the cold.

In another ambulance, one-year-old Mohammed lay in the lap of a Red Crescent worker, his mother sitting beside them in a long black cloak and a veil showing only her eyes.

&quot;The operation is a positive step which will bring some respite to the people of Eastern Ghouta,&quot; said International Committee of the Red Cross spokeswoman Ingy Sedky.

&quot;We hope these medical evacuations are only the beginning.&quot;

The Syrian American Medical Society, another medical relief organisation, said the remainder of the 29 critical cases approved for evacuation should leave in the coming days.

The dominant rebel faction in Eastern Ghouta, Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam), said the rebels had agreed to free some of their prisoners in return for the evacuations.

&quot;We have agreed to the release of a number of prisoners... in exchange for the evacuation of the most urgent humanitarian cases,&quot; the group said a statement.

The years of government seige have caused severe shortages in Eastern Ghouta, one of the last remaining rebel strongholds in Syria.While some food is still grown locally, or smuggled in, humanitarian access to the region has been limited despite regular appeals from aid agencies.

Last week, Jan Egeland, the head of the UN&#39;s humanitarian taskforce for Syria, said at least 16 people had died while waiting for evacuation from Eastern Ghouta.

A list put together several months ago of nearly 500 civilians in desperate need of evacuation was rapidly shrinking, said Egeland.

&quot;That number is going down, not because we are evacuating people, but because they are dying,&quot; he told reporters in Geneva.

&quot;We have confirmation of 16 having died on these lists since they were resubmitted in November, and it is probably higher,&quot; he said, highlighting the case of a baby who died on December 14, as the latest round of Syria peace talks in Geneva ended in failure.

Egeland said evacuations and efforts to bring aid into the region had been blocked by a lack of authorisations from the Syrian authorities.

The Eastern Ghouta region, near the capital Damascus, is one of four &quot;de-escalation&quot; zones agreed in May in a deal brokered by government backers Russian and Iran and rebel supporter Turkey.

The agreement led to some reduction in fighting but the government kept up its blockade and renewed its bombardment of the enclave in mid-November.

The government stands accused by its critics of using sieges of civilians as a weapon in its war against the rebels.

Rebel fighters pulled out of second city Aleppo and third city Homs, as well as districts of Damascus, only after prolonged blockades caused serious hardship to their families and other civilians.

More than 340,000 people have been killed and millions have been driven from their homes since Syria&#39;s conflict erupted with anti-government protests in 2011.

A total of 29 emergency medical cases are expected to be evacuated under a deal with the government

Aid workers have evacuated the first few ill patients from Syrian rebel bastion Eastern Ghouta under a deal struck after the UN said hundreds are in critical condition following a four-year government seige. Three children and a man were loaded overnight into ambulances bound for hospitals in Damascus before being transported out past government lines that have held the region's estimated 400,000 residents in a stranglehold since 2013. A total of 29 emergency medical cases are expected to be evacuated under a deal with the government that saw rebels release five workmen detained during fierce clashes with the army in March. The four patients allowed out were a girl with haemophilia, a baby with the autoimmune disorder Guillain-Barre, a child with leukaemia, and a man in need of a kidney transplant, Red Crescent official Ahmed al-Saour told AFP. Eight-year-old Ingy, the girl with haemophilia, gave a broad smile as she boarded an ambulance, wearing a woolly hat and gloves against the cold. In another ambulance, one-year-old Mohammed lay in the lap of a Red Crescent worker, his mother sitting beside them in a long black cloak and a veil showing only her eyes. "The operation is a positive step which will bring some respite to the people of Eastern Ghouta," said International Committee of the Red Cross spokeswoman Ingy Sedky. "We hope these medical evacuations are only the beginning." The Syrian American Medical Society, another medical relief organisation, said the remainder of the 29 critical cases approved for evacuation should leave in the coming days. The dominant rebel faction in Eastern Ghouta, Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam), said the rebels had agreed to free some of their prisoners in return for the evacuations. "We have agreed to the release of a number of prisoners... in exchange for the evacuation of the most urgent humanitarian cases," the group said a statement. The years of government seige have caused severe shortages in Eastern Ghouta, one of the last remaining rebel strongholds in Syria.While some food is still grown locally, or smuggled in, humanitarian access to the region has been limited despite regular appeals from aid agencies. Last week, Jan Egeland, the head of the UN's humanitarian taskforce for Syria, said at least 16 people had died while waiting for evacuation from Eastern Ghouta. A list put together several months ago of nearly 500 civilians in desperate need of evacuation was rapidly shrinking, said Egeland. "That number is going down, not because we are evacuating people, but because they are dying," he told reporters in Geneva. "We have confirmation of 16 having died on these lists since they were resubmitted in November, and it is probably higher," he said, highlighting the case of a baby who died on December 14, as the latest round of Syria peace talks in Geneva ended in failure. Egeland said evacuations and efforts to bring aid into the region had been blocked by a lack of authorisations from the Syrian authorities. The Eastern Ghouta region, near the capital Damascus, is one of four "de-escalation" zones agreed in May in a deal brokered by government backers Russian and Iran and rebel supporter Turkey. The agreement led to some reduction in fighting but the government kept up its blockade and renewed its bombardment of the enclave in mid-November. The government stands accused by its critics of using sieges of civilians as a weapon in its war against the rebels. Rebel fighters pulled out of second city Aleppo and third city Homs, as well as districts of Damascus, only after prolonged blockades caused serious hardship to their families and other civilians. More than 340,000 people have been killed and millions have been driven from their homes since Syria's conflict erupted with anti-government protests in 2011.

First few patients evacuated from besieged Syria rebel enclave

Russia has started establishing a permanent military presence at naval and air bases in Syria, the defence minister said on Tuesday as parliament ratified a deal with Damascus to cement Russian presence in the country, the RIA news agency reported.

The deal, signed on January 18 will expand the Tartus naval facility, Russia&#39;s only naval foothold in the Mediterranean, and grant Russian warships access to Syrian waters and ports, Viktor Bondarev, head of the upper house security and defence committee, told RIA.

RIA news agency separately quoted Sergei Shoigu as saying: &quot;Last week the Commander-in-Chief (President Vladimir Putin) approved the structure and the bases in Tartus and in Hmeimim (air base). We have begun forming a permanent presence there.&quot;

The Tartus naval facility, in use since the says of the Soviet Union, is too small to play host to larger warships.

According to the RIA report, the agreement will allow Russia to keep 11 warships at Tartus, including nuclear vessels.

The agreement will last for 49 years and could be prolonged further.

The Hmeimim air base, from which Russia has launched numerous air strikes in support of President Bashar al-Assad during his war with rebels, can now be used by Russia indefinitely, according to the deal.

Russia has started establishing a permanent military presence at naval and air bases in Syria, Russian defence minister said on Tuesday

Russia has started establishing a permanent military presence at naval and air bases in Syria, the defence minister said on Tuesday as parliament ratified a deal with Damascus to cement Russian presence in the country, the RIA news agency reported. The deal, signed on January 18 will expand the Tartus naval facility, Russia's only naval foothold in the Mediterranean, and grant Russian warships access to Syrian waters and ports, Viktor Bondarev, head of the upper house security and defence committee, told RIA. RIA news agency separately quoted Sergei Shoigu as saying: "Last week the Commander-in-Chief (President Vladimir Putin) approved the structure and the bases in Tartus and in Hmeimim (air base). We have begun forming a permanent presence there." The Tartus naval facility, in use since the says of the Soviet Union, is too small to play host to larger warships. According to the RIA report, the agreement will allow Russia to keep 11 warships at Tartus, including nuclear vessels. The agreement will last for 49 years and could be prolonged further. The Hmeimim air base, from which Russia has launched numerous air strikes in support of President Bashar al-Assad during his war with rebels, can now be used by Russia indefinitely, according to the deal.

Russia establishes permanent presence at Syrian bases, report

Australian air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria are soon to come to an end, Defence Minister Marise Payne said on Friday.

However, Australian operations in the region would continue.&nbsp;

The Australian government has decided to pull back its six Super Hornet planes after three years.

The fighter jet variants were deployed as part of the US-led coalition in the Middle East.

The decision followed the Iraqi declaration of victory over Islamic State.

Close to 80 personnel are part of the Special Operations Task Group in Iraq which includes the Australian special forces; these would continue to be deployed in the region.&nbsp;

&quot;Following discussions with Iraq and with members of the international coalition, the Australian government has determined that we will bring home our six Super Hornet strike aircraft from the Middle East,&quot; Payne told reporters.

Australia&#39;s presence in the Middle East dates back to 2014 as part of US-led efforts against Islamic State.

(With inputs from Reuters)

 
&nbsp;

Australia's presence in the Middle East dates back to 2014 as part of US-led efforts against Islamic State

Australian air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria are soon to come to an end, Defence Minister Marise Payne said on Friday. However, Australian operations in the region would continue. The Australian government has decided to pull back its six Super Hornet planes after three years. The fighter jet variants were deployed as part of the US-led coalition in the Middle East. The decision followed the Iraqi declaration of victory over Islamic State. Close to 80 personnel are part of the Special Operations Task Group in Iraq which includes the Australian special forces; these would continue to be deployed in the region. "Following discussions with Iraq and with members of the international coalition, the Australian government has determined that we will bring home our six Super Hornet strike aircraft from the Middle East," Payne told reporters. Australia's presence in the Middle East dates back to 2014 as part of US-led efforts against Islamic State. (With inputs from Reuters)

Australia to end air strikes in Iraq and Syria, pulls back Super Hornets

The National Investigation Agency registered a case against five people in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/about-100-keralites-suspected-to-have-joined-islamic-state-kerala-police-24004" target="_blank">Kerala for their alleged links to the IS</a>.

The case was registered under sections 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities(Prevention) Act.&nbsp;A person is charged under the aforementioned section if he is found to be having&nbsp;a link with a terrorist organisation with an intention to expand its activities in the country.&nbsp;

The case was registered against the suspects in Kochi on Saturday.&nbsp;

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Kerala: NIA registered a case against 5 people with suspected ISIS links in Kochi under sections 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act yesterday.
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/942241696338685954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The Kerala police had in November alleged that about 100 Keralites have joined the Islamic State.&nbsp;

The police based its arguments on the basis of evidence collected from 300 voice clips and messages from Whatsapp, telegram messaging applications and other social media platforms, PTI reported.

NIA is investigating the cases of people disappearing in Kerala.&nbsp;These people had left Kerala under mysterious circumstances and are suspected to have joined the ISIS.

The case is registered under sections 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities(Prevention) Act

The National Investigation Agency registered a case against five people in Kerala for their alleged links to the IS. The case was registered under sections 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities(Prevention) Act. A person is charged under the aforementioned section if he is found to be having a link with a terrorist organisation with an intention to expand its activities in the country. The case was registered against the suspects in Kochi on Saturday. Kerala: NIA registered a case against 5 people with suspected ISIS links in Kochi under sections 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act yesterday. — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2017 × The Kerala police had in November alleged that about 100 Keralites have joined the Islamic State. The police based its arguments on the basis of evidence collected from 300 voice clips and messages from Whatsapp, telegram messaging applications and other social media platforms, PTI reported. NIA is investigating the cases of people disappearing in Kerala. These people had left Kerala under mysterious circumstances and are suspected to have joined the ISIS.

Kerala: NIA registers case against 5 for alleged IS links

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday gave the order for a partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria during a visit to the country&#39;s airbase there, news agencies reported.&nbsp;

&quot;I order the defence minister and the chief of general staff to start withdrawing the Russian group of troops to their permanent bases,&quot; Putin said as he visited Hmeimim airbase, RIA Novosti news agency reported. &quot;I have taken a decision: a significant part of the Russian troop contingent located in Syria is returning home to Russia.&quot;

The news was reported by Russia's RIA Novosti news agency

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday gave the order for a partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria during a visit to the country's airbase there, news agencies reported. "I order the defence minister and the chief of general staff to start withdrawing the Russian group of troops to their permanent bases," Putin said as he visited Hmeimim airbase, RIA Novosti news agency reported. "I have taken a decision: a significant part of the Russian troop contingent located in Syria is returning home to Russia."

Putin orders partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria: Agencies

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-police-responding-to-reports-of-explosion-police-tweet-26472">Explosion in Manhattan, trains being evacuated</a>

The New York Police Department was responding to reports of an explosion of unknown origin on Monday morning in midtown Manhattan at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue, according to the police department&#39;s official Twitter feed.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-elected-congress-president-unopposed-26455">Rahul Gandhi elected Congress president, unopposed</a>

Rahul Gandhi has been elected president of the Indian National Congres. He was elected unopposed.&nbsp;

Mullappally Ramachandran of the Congress said 89 nomination proposals were received, all of which were valid.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/indias-shubhankar-sharma-wins-joburg-open-with-total-score-of-23-under-par-26468">India&#39;s Shubhankar Sharma wins Joburg Open with total score of 23 under 264</a>

Shubhankar Sharma became the first Indian golfer to clinch the Joburg Open today, his maiden European Tour title that also earned him a ticket to the prestigious British Open next year.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/vladimir-putin-orders-withdrawal-of-russian-troops-from-syria-ria-26456">Putin orders partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria: Agencies</a>

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday gave the order for a partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria during a visit to the country&#39;s airbase there, news agencies reported.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/confirmed-virat-kohli-and-anushka-sharma-are-now-married-26476">Confirmed! Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma are now married</a>

After days of speculation, Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and actress Anushka Sharma are now officially married. The couple had flown to Italy a few days back with their immediate family members where the ceremony took&nbsp;place.

Explosion in Manhattan, trains being evacuated The New York Police Department was responding to reports of an explosion of unknown origin on Monday morning in midtown Manhattan at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue, according to the police department's official Twitter feed. Rahul Gandhi elected Congress president, unopposed Rahul Gandhi has been elected president of the Indian National Congres. He was elected unopposed. Mullappally Ramachandran of the Congress said 89 nomination proposals were received, all of which were valid. India's Shubhankar Sharma wins Joburg Open with total score of 23 under 264 Shubhankar Sharma became the first Indian golfer to clinch the Joburg Open today, his maiden European Tour title that also earned him a ticket to the prestigious British Open next year. Putin orders partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria: Agencies Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday gave the order for a partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria during a visit to the country's airbase there, news agencies reported. Confirmed! Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma are now married After days of speculation, Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and actress Anushka Sharma are now officially married. The couple had flown to Italy a few days back with their immediate family members where the ceremony took place.

WION Evening News Brief, December 11, 2017

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-police-responding-to-reports-of-explosion-police-tweet-26472">Explosion in Manhattan trains being evacuated</a>

The New York Police Department was responding to reports of an explosion of unknown origin on Monday morning in midtown Manhattan at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue, according to the police department&#39;s official Twitter feed.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-elected-congress-president-unopposed-26455">Rahul Gandhi elected Congress president, unopposed</a>

Rahul Gandhi has been elected president of the Indian National Congres. He was elected unopposed.&nbsp;

Mullappally Ramachandran of the Congress said 89 nomination proposals were received, all of which were valid.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/indias-shubhankar-sharma-wins-joburg-open-with-total-score-of-23-under-par-26468">India&#39;s Shubhankar Sharma wins Joburg Open with total score of 23 under 264</a>

Shubhankar Sharma became the first Indian golfer to clinch the Joburg Open today, his maiden European Tour title that also earned him a ticket to the prestigious British Open next year.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/vladimir-putin-orders-withdrawal-of-russian-troops-from-syria-ria-26456">Putin orders partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria: Agencies</a>

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday gave the order for a partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria during a visit to the country&#39;s airbase there, news agencies reported.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/confirmed-virat-kohli-and-anushka-sharma-are-now-married-26476">Confirmed! Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma are now married</a>

After days of speculation, Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and actress Anushka Sharma are now officially married. The couple had flown to Italy a few days back with their immediate family members where the ceremony took&nbsp;place.

Explosion in Manhattan trains being evacuated The New York Police Department was responding to reports of an explosion of unknown origin on Monday morning in midtown Manhattan at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue, according to the police department's official Twitter feed. Rahul Gandhi elected Congress president, unopposed Rahul Gandhi has been elected president of the Indian National Congres. He was elected unopposed. Mullappally Ramachandran of the Congress said 89 nomination proposals were received, all of which were valid. India's Shubhankar Sharma wins Joburg Open with total score of 23 under 264 Shubhankar Sharma became the first Indian golfer to clinch the Joburg Open today, his maiden European Tour title that also earned him a ticket to the prestigious British Open next year. Putin orders partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria: Agencies Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday gave the order for a partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria during a visit to the country's airbase there, news agencies reported. Confirmed! Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma are now married After days of speculation, Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and actress Anushka Sharma are now officially married. The couple had flown to Italy a few days back with their immediate family members where the ceremony took place.

A British terrorist&nbsp;who fought to overturn Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi and joined the ranks of the Islamic State group in Syria was sentenced to 10 years in prison Friday.

Mohammed Abdallah, 26, who has dual British and Libyan nationality, joined the &quot;Tripoli Brigade&quot; in 2011 along with his brother, Abdalraouf.

Abdallah&#39;s brother was shot and paralysed from the waist down in battle, the trial in London heard.

In 2014, Abdallah headed to Syria with help from his wheelchair-bound brother, who set up a &quot;hub&quot; for would be Islamic State fighters from his home in Manchester, northern England.

He was arrested when he returned to London&#39;s Heathrow airport in September 2014.

In 2016, Sky News published files from an Islamic State defector which listed Abdallah as a specialist sniper with expertise in using the &quot;Dushka&quot; - a Russian-made heavy machine gun.

Abdallah was found guilty on Thursday of possessing a Kalashnikov assault rifle, receiving &pound;2,000 (2,300 euros, $2,700) for terrorism and membership of Islamic State.

Abdallah in court denied pledging allegiance to Islamic State and said he was instead imprisoned by jihadists. He claimed he had only travelled to Syria to donate money to poor people.

But judge Maura McGowan said Abdallah had &quot;bragged&quot; about acquiring weapons and was &quot;totally committed&quot; to signing up to the Islamic State group.

&quot;Your commitment to violence abroad is clear and you have not shown any sign of changing your views or attitudes,&quot; she said.

Abdallah&#39;s trial was delayed after a terror attack at Manchester Arena in May this year by bomber Salman Abedi, in which 22 people were killed.

Abedi attended the same mosque as the Abdallah brothers and reportedly visited Abdalraouf in prison in the months leading up to the attack.

Mohammed Abdallah, 26, who has dual British and Libyan nationality, joined the 'Tripoli Brigade' in 2011 along with his brother, Abdalraouf

A British terrorist who fought to overturn Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi and joined the ranks of the Islamic State group in Syria was sentenced to 10 years in prison Friday. Mohammed Abdallah, 26, who has dual British and Libyan nationality, joined the "Tripoli Brigade" in 2011 along with his brother, Abdalraouf. Abdallah's brother was shot and paralysed from the waist down in battle, the trial in London heard. In 2014, Abdallah headed to Syria with help from his wheelchair-bound brother, who set up a "hub" for would be Islamic State fighters from his home in Manchester, northern England. He was arrested when he returned to London's Heathrow airport in September 2014. In 2016, Sky News published files from an Islamic State defector which listed Abdallah as a specialist sniper with expertise in using the "Dushka" - a Russian-made heavy machine gun. Abdallah was found guilty on Thursday of possessing a Kalashnikov assault rifle, receiving £2,000 (2,300 euros, $2,700) for terrorism and membership of Islamic State. Abdallah in court denied pledging allegiance to Islamic State and said he was instead imprisoned by jihadists. He claimed he had only travelled to Syria to donate money to poor people. But judge Maura McGowan said Abdallah had "bragged" about acquiring weapons and was "totally committed" to signing up to the Islamic State group. "Your commitment to violence abroad is clear and you have not shown any sign of changing your views or attitudes," she said. Abdallah's trial was delayed after a terror attack at Manchester Arena in May this year by bomber Salman Abedi, in which 22 people were killed. Abedi attended the same mosque as the Abdallah brothers and reportedly visited Abdalraouf in prison in the months leading up to the attack.

British terrorist who fought in Syria gets 10-year jail

A bomb blast in the Syrian city of Homs killed eight people and injured around 16 in a bus on Tuesday, media reports said.&nbsp;

The blast took place near al-Baath university, in the streets of &nbsp;Akrama neighbourhood - home to members of the Alawite minority to which President Bashar al-Assad belongs.&nbsp;

Most victims were university students, reports said.&nbsp;

&quot;At least eight people died when a mini-bus exploded on the edge of the Akrama neighbourhood,&quot; the head of the Britain-based monitor, Rami Abdel Rahman, told AFP.

However, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack as yet, reports further said.&nbsp;

Earlier, Islamic state had taken responsibility for a similar attack in Homs in May, where four people were killed and 32 were injured after a bomb was planted in a car.&nbsp;

Akrama has under attack many times this year itself. However, the deadliest one ever encountered was one which killed dozens of school children in October 2014.

Many of the passengers were university students, Homs Governor Talal Barazi told state-run Ikhbariya television. The blast hit the Akrama neighbourhood, near al-Baath university.

A bomb blast in the Syrian city of Homs killed eight people and injured around 16 in a bus on Tuesday, media reports said. The blast took place near al-Baath university, in the streets of Akrama neighbourhood - home to members of the Alawite minority to which President Bashar al-Assad belongs. Most victims were university students, reports said. "At least eight people died when a mini-bus exploded on the edge of the Akrama neighbourhood," the head of the Britain-based monitor, Rami Abdel Rahman, told AFP. However, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack as yet, reports further said. Earlier, Islamic state had taken responsibility for a similar attack in Homs in May, where four people were killed and 32 were injured after a bomb was planted in a car. Akrama has under attack many times this year itself. However, the deadliest one ever encountered was one which killed dozens of school children in October 2014.

Bus bomb kills eight passengers in Syria's Homs city: Report

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ayodhya-case-next-hearing-in-supreme-court-in-february-2018-25932" target="_blank">Ayodhya case: Supreme Court defers case to February next year</a>

The Supreme court has fixed the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/babri-masjid-ramjanmabhoomi-dispute-a-timeline-25799" target="_blank">&nbsp;Ayodhya dispute matter</a>&nbsp;for further hearing on February 8, 2018.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-evidence-to-link-mallya-to-fraud-charge-says-his-lawyer-in-uk-court-25947" target="_blank">No evidence to link Mallya to fraud charge, says his lawyer in UK court</a>

Mallya&rsquo;s defence lawyer&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/repeatedly-said-charges-against-me-fabricated-and-baseless-mallya-25834">Clare Montgomery today told the Westminster Magistrates&nbsp;</a>Court that there was no evidence against the liquor baron to extradite him to India The UK court is hearing a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/vijay-mallya-arrested-in-london-appears-in-court-granted-bail-20957">case related to money laundering&nbsp;</a>and fraud with Mallya owing several Indian banks around Rs 9,000 crores.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-to-hear-rohingya-petition-on-january-31-25945" target="_blank">Supreme Court to hear Rohingya petition on January 31</a>

The Supreme Court has scheduled the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-to-hear-rohingya-refugees-pil-challenging-deportation-22374" target="_blank">&nbsp;hearing for Rohingya refugees deportation&nbsp;</a>on January 31. The apex court has posted all petitions relating to the deportation of Muslim Rohingya refugees for a detailed hearing in January.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/al-qaedas-top-leader-killed-in-us-afghan-joint-op-25926" target="_blank">Top al Qaeda leader Omar </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/al-qaedas-top-leader-killed-in-us-afghan-joint-op-25926" target="_blank">Mansoon</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/al-qaedas-top-leader-killed-in-us-afghan-joint-op-25926" target="_blank"> killed in US-Afghan joint operation</a>

Al Qaeda&nbsp;leader, as well as over 80 other militants, have been killed in a joint operation by Afghan and US officials in Afghanistan, reports say. The leader, Omar Khetab, famously known as&nbsp;Omar Mansoon was gunned down during the attack, Afghan&#39;s Intelligence agency National Directorate of Security (NDS) was reported saying.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/bus-bomb-kills-eight-passengers-in-syrias-homs-city-state-media-25940" target="_blank">Bus bomb kills eight passengers in Syria&#39;s Homs city: Report</a>

A bomb blast in the Syrian city of Homs killed eight people and injured around 16 in a bus on Tuesday, media reports said.&nbsp;The blast took place near al-Baath university, in the streets of &nbsp;Akrama neighbourhood - home to members of the Alawite minority to which President Bashar al-Assad belongs.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Ayodhya case: Supreme Court defers case to February next year The Supreme court has fixed the Ayodhya dispute matter for further hearing on February 8, 2018. No evidence to link Mallya to fraud charge, says his lawyer in UK court Mallya’s defence lawyer Clare Montgomery today told the Westminster Magistrates Court that there was no evidence against the liquor baron to extradite him to India The UK court is hearing a case related to money laundering and fraud with Mallya owing several Indian banks around Rs 9,000 crores. Supreme Court to hear Rohingya petition on January 31 The Supreme Court has scheduled the hearing for Rohingya refugees deportation on January 31. The apex court has posted all petitions relating to the deportation of Muslim Rohingya refugees for a detailed hearing in January. Top al Qaeda leader Omar Mansoon killed in US-Afghan joint operation Al Qaeda leader, as well as over 80 other militants, have been killed in a joint operation by Afghan and US officials in Afghanistan, reports say. The leader, Omar Khetab, famously known as Omar Mansoon was gunned down during the attack, Afghan's Intelligence agency National Directorate of Security (NDS) was reported saying. Bus bomb kills eight passengers in Syria's Homs city: Report A bomb blast in the Syrian city of Homs killed eight people and injured around 16 in a bus on Tuesday, media reports said. The blast took place near al-Baath university, in the streets of Akrama neighbourhood - home to members of the Alawite minority to which President Bashar al-Assad belongs.

WION Evening News Brief, December 5, 2017

&nbsp;Russian Security Council secretary Nikolai Patrushev said on Thursday Moscow was already preparing to withdraw its military contingent from Syria, Russian news agencies reported.

&ldquo;Preparations are underway,&rdquo; RIA news agency quoted Patrushev as saying.

The chief of the Russian military general staff said last week Russia&rsquo;s military force in Syria would likely be significantly reduced and a drawdown could start before the end of the year.

&nbsp;

'Preparations are underway,' RIA news agency quoted Patrushev

Russian Security Council secretary Nikolai Patrushev said on Thursday Moscow was already preparing to withdraw its military contingent from Syria, Russian news agencies reported. “Preparations are underway,” RIA news agency quoted Patrushev as saying. The chief of the Russian military general staff said last week Russia’s military force in Syria would likely be significantly reduced and a drawdown could start before the end of the year.

Russia  preparing military withdrawal from Syria: Report

Russia launched a scathing attack Tuesday on the global chemical weapons watchdog, accusing it of bias in its probe into the Khan Sheikhun gas attack in Syria earlier this year.

In a speech to the annual gathering of the members of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Moscow&#39;s representative lashed what he called &quot;unprofessional and politically-biased working methods&quot; by the body&#39;s inspectors.

This &quot;probably came down from an order on high where some of the Western countries wanted their own version of the bombing in Khan Sheikhun with chemical weapons,&quot; said Georgy Kalamanov, Russia&#39;s deputy minister of trade and industry.

The April 4 attack on the opposition-held Syrian village triggered global outrage as images of dying children were shown worldwide. More than 80 people died, and the United States just days later launched missile strikes on a Syrian airbase.

A joint OPCW and UN body, known as the joint mechanism or JIM, has found that it was the Syrian air force that dropped sarin gas on Khan Sheikhun.

But that finding has been fiercely contested by Damascus.

Russia has also rejected the investigation as flawed because the experts did not travel to Khan Sheikhun and said inspectors relied on witnesses that it says were linked to the opposition of President Bashar al-Assad.

It has called for the investigation to be put aside and for a new one to be carried out. Moscow has also twice used its power of veto at the UN Security Council to block the renewal of the JIM.

&#39;Double standard&#39;&nbsp;

Syria was being hit by &quot;unfounded accusations&quot; of chemical weapons use even though for years it &quot;has been combatting terrorism and extremism that has been sponsored from outside,&quot; said Kalamanov, adding that was a &quot;double standard&quot; which is only &quot;undermining the credibility of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the OPCW.&quot;&nbsp;

The issue of Syria has dominated the annual talks in The Hague of the 192 countries which have ratified the arms treaty, which commits all member states to rid the world of chemical weapons.

Many delegates have bemoaned the lack of condemnation of Syria, which joined the convention in 2013 under Russia and US pressure, at the OPCW.

&quot;Chemical weapons use by the Syrian Arab Republic remains the most serious violation of the CWC in the convention&rsquo;s 20-year history and the greatest modern challenge to the global norm against chemical weapons use,&quot; said top US official Andrea Hall.

France insists &quot;we cannot accept that a member state to the OPCW has violated our convention by using chemical weapons and does not accept its responsibilities,&quot; said French ambassador Philippe Lalliot.

The JIM, set up two years ago, has also concluded that Syrian regime forces were behind two chlorine gas attacks in 2014 and 2015, while the so-called Islamic State jihadist group used mustard gas in 2015.

The debate at the OPCW headquarters comes as UN-backed talks on ending the six-year civil war in Syria resumed in Geneva.

Russia launched a scathing attack Tuesday on the global chemical weapons watchdog, accusing it of bias in its probe into the Khan Sheikhun gas attack in Syria earlier this year

Russia launched a scathing attack Tuesday on the global chemical weapons watchdog, accusing it of bias in its probe into the Khan Sheikhun gas attack in Syria earlier this year. In a speech to the annual gathering of the members of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Moscow's representative lashed what he called "unprofessional and politically-biased working methods" by the body's inspectors. This "probably came down from an order on high where some of the Western countries wanted their own version of the bombing in Khan Sheikhun with chemical weapons," said Georgy Kalamanov, Russia's deputy minister of trade and industry. The April 4 attack on the opposition-held Syrian village triggered global outrage as images of dying children were shown worldwide. More than 80 people died, and the United States just days later launched missile strikes on a Syrian airbase. A joint OPCW and UN body, known as the joint mechanism or JIM, has found that it was the Syrian air force that dropped sarin gas on Khan Sheikhun. But that finding has been fiercely contested by Damascus. Russia has also rejected the investigation as flawed because the experts did not travel to Khan Sheikhun and said inspectors relied on witnesses that it says were linked to the opposition of President Bashar al-Assad. It has called for the investigation to be put aside and for a new one to be carried out. Moscow has also twice used its power of veto at the UN Security Council to block the renewal of the JIM. 'Double standard' Syria was being hit by "unfounded accusations" of chemical weapons use even though for years it "has been combatting terrorism and extremism that has been sponsored from outside," said Kalamanov, adding that was a "double standard" which is only "undermining the credibility of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the OPCW." The issue of Syria has dominated the annual talks in The Hague of the 192 countries which have ratified the arms treaty, which commits all member states to rid the world of chemical weapons. Many delegates have bemoaned the lack of condemnation of Syria, which joined the convention in 2013 under Russia and US pressure, at the OPCW. "Chemical weapons use by the Syrian Arab Republic remains the most serious violation of the CWC in the convention’s 20-year history and the greatest modern challenge to the global norm against chemical weapons use," said top US official Andrea Hall. France insists "we cannot accept that a member state to the OPCW has violated our convention by using chemical weapons and does not accept its responsibilities," said French ambassador Philippe Lalliot. The JIM, set up two years ago, has also concluded that Syrian regime forces were behind two chlorine gas attacks in 2014 and 2015, while the so-called Islamic State jihadist group used mustard gas in 2015. The debate at the OPCW headquarters comes as UN-backed talks on ending the six-year civil war in Syria resumed in Geneva.

Chemical arms watchdog politically biased over Syria: Russia

Saudi Arabia&#39;s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman said his country will &quot;wipe out terrorists from the face of the earth&quot; at the first meeting of the Islamic counter-terrorism alliance in Riyadh.

In past years, terrorism has been functioning in all of our countries... with no coordination, this ends today, with this alliance,&quot; Prince Mohammed bin Salman said.

The Islamic counter-terrorism alliance called the &nbsp;Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition(IMCTC) formed in 2015 by Prince Salman sees itself as a &quot;pan-Islamic unified front&quot; with as many as 41 member countries in its fold.

The alliance, however, excluded Saudi Arabia&#39;s &quot;enemies&quot; - &nbsp;Iran, Syria and Iraq.

Qatar stayed away from the coalition as Saudi Arabia cut ties with the country two months ago.

At the post-meet press conference Lt. General&nbsp;Abdulelah Al Saleh said the coalition will establish its headquarters in Riyadh where defense ministers of member countries will meet every year.

Saleh stressed that the common goal of the countries is to &quot;combat terrorism and not at creating a Sunni bloc&quot;. 
&nbsp;

Lt. Gen. Abdulelah Al Saleh said the coalition will establish its headquarters in Riyadh where defense ministers of member countries will meet every year.

Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammed bin Salman said his country will "wipe out terrorists from the face of the earth" at the first meeting of the Islamic counter-terrorism alliance in Riyadh. In past years, terrorism has been functioning in all of our countries... with no coordination, this ends today, with this alliance," Prince Mohammed bin Salman said. The Islamic counter-terrorism alliance called the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition(IMCTC) formed in 2015 by Prince Salman sees itself as a "pan-Islamic unified front" with as many as 41 member countries in its fold. The alliance, however, excluded Saudi Arabia's "enemies" - Iran, Syria and Iraq. Qatar stayed away from the coalition as Saudi Arabia cut ties with the country two months ago. At the post-meet press conference Lt. General Abdulelah Al Saleh said the coalition will establish its headquarters in Riyadh where defense ministers of member countries will meet every year. Saleh stressed that the common goal of the countries is to "combat terrorism and not at creating a Sunni bloc".

Will pursue terrorists until they are wiped out, declares Saudi Arabia's crown prince Salman

At least 53 civilians, including 21 children, perished early Sunday morning when Russian air strikes hit &quot;residential buildings&quot; in a village held by the Islamic State group in eastern Syria, a monitor said.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the strikes hit the village of Al-Shafah in Deir Ezzor province, on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River.

The Observatory relies on a network of sources inside Syria, and says it determines whose planes carry out raids according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions used.

The monitor had initially given a death toll of 34 civilians but the number spiked after more bodies were recovered.

&quot;The toll increased after removing the debris in a long day of rescue operation,&quot; Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told AFP, adding the strikes hit &quot;residential buildings&quot;.

At least 18 people were also wounded in the air raids, he added.

Russia is a close ally of Syria&#39;s President Bashar al-Assad, and in September 2015 began a military intervention in support of his government that has gradually helped Damascus regain territory.

Syria&#39;s Deir Ezzor is one of the last places IS jihadists hold territory in the country, after being driven from their major strongholds including their one-time de facto Syrian capital Raqa city.

The oil-rich eastern province that borders Iraq was once almost completely under IS control, but the jihadists now hold just nine percent of Deir Ezzor, according to the Observatory.

They have faced two separate offensives there, one led by the regime with Russian backing and the other by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters.

More than 340,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.

The latest strikes come as the United Nations tries to revitalise its flagging efforts to end a six-year civil war that has left Syria devastated and huge swathes of its population refugees.

On Tuesday, the eighth round of UN-brokered talks will kick off.

They have achieved little so far, but may be bolstered by the opposition&#39;s decision to bring a unified delegation to Geneva for the first time.

For progress to happen rival sides will need to overcome the hurdle that has derailed past discussions: the fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

He retains Moscow&#39;s support but is loathed by much of Syria&#39;s rebel opposition who want him gone.

Backed by Russia&#39;s decisive military support, Assad&#39;s government has regained control of 55 percent of the country, including major cities Damascus, Aleppo, Homs and Hama, and around two-thirds of the population lives in regime-held areas.

The rest is carved up between rebel factions, jihadists and Kurdish forces.

Some experts believe that Russia has clearly put itself in the driver&#39;s seat in recent months, especially as US President Donald Trump&#39;s administration has pulled back from Syrian diplomatic front.

Russia, fellow regime ally Iran and rebel-backer Turkey have hosted negotiations in the Kazakh capital Astana that led to the creation of four &quot;de-escalation zones&quot; which produced a drop in violence, though deadly air strikes and battles continue in some areas.

And this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin called for a &quot;congress&quot; of Syrian regime and opposition figures, a move backed by Ankara and Tehran.&nbsp;

Six Russian Tu-22M3 long-range bombers hit Islamic State targets in Syria's Deir al-Zor province on Sunday, Russia's Defense Ministry said

At least 53 civilians, including 21 children, perished early Sunday morning when Russian air strikes hit "residential buildings" in a village held by the Islamic State group in eastern Syria, a monitor said. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the strikes hit the village of Al-Shafah in Deir Ezzor province, on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River. The Observatory relies on a network of sources inside Syria, and says it determines whose planes carry out raids according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions used. The monitor had initially given a death toll of 34 civilians but the number spiked after more bodies were recovered. "The toll increased after removing the debris in a long day of rescue operation," Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told AFP, adding the strikes hit "residential buildings". At least 18 people were also wounded in the air raids, he added. Russia is a close ally of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, and in September 2015 began a military intervention in support of his government that has gradually helped Damascus regain territory. Syria's Deir Ezzor is one of the last places IS jihadists hold territory in the country, after being driven from their major strongholds including their one-time de facto Syrian capital Raqa city. The oil-rich eastern province that borders Iraq was once almost completely under IS control, but the jihadists now hold just nine percent of Deir Ezzor, according to the Observatory. They have faced two separate offensives there, one led by the regime with Russian backing and the other by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters. More than 340,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests. The latest strikes come as the United Nations tries to revitalise its flagging efforts to end a six-year civil war that has left Syria devastated and huge swathes of its population refugees. On Tuesday, the eighth round of UN-brokered talks will kick off. They have achieved little so far, but may be bolstered by the opposition's decision to bring a unified delegation to Geneva for the first time. For progress to happen rival sides will need to overcome the hurdle that has derailed past discussions: the fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. He retains Moscow's support but is loathed by much of Syria's rebel opposition who want him gone. Backed by Russia's decisive military support, Assad's government has regained control of 55 percent of the country, including major cities Damascus, Aleppo, Homs and Hama, and around two-thirds of the population lives in regime-held areas. The rest is carved up between rebel factions, jihadists and Kurdish forces. Some experts believe that Russia has clearly put itself in the driver's seat in recent months, especially as US President Donald Trump's administration has pulled back from Syrian diplomatic front. Russia, fellow regime ally Iran and rebel-backer Turkey have hosted negotiations in the Kazakh capital Astana that led to the creation of four "de-escalation zones" which produced a drop in violence, though deadly air strikes and battles continue in some areas. And this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin called for a "congress" of Syrian regime and opposition figures, a move backed by Ankara and Tehran.

Russian strikes kill 53 civilians in Syria's Deir Ezzor: Monitor

Russian air strikes on Sunday killed 34 civilians, among them 15 children, in a village held by the Islamic State group in Syria&#39;s eastern Deir Ezzor province, a monitor said.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the strikes hit the village of Al-Shafah, on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The Observatory relies on a network of sources inside Syria, and says it determines whose planes carry out raids according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions used.

Russia is a close ally of Syria&#39;s President Bashar al-Assad, and in September 2015 began a military intervention in support of his government that has gradually helped Damascus regain territory.

Syria&#39;s Deir Ezzor is one of the last places Islamic State jihadists hold territory in the country, after being driven from their major strongholds including their one-time de facto Syrian capital Raqa city.

The oil-rich eastern province that borders Iraq was once almost completely under Islamic State control, but the jihadists now hold just nine percent of Deir Ezzor, according to the Observatory.

They have faced two separate offensives there, one led by the regime with Russian backing and the other by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters.

More than 340,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the strikes hit the village of Al-Shafah, on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, in the early hours of Sunday morning

Russian air strikes on Sunday killed 34 civilians, among them 15 children, in a village held by the Islamic State group in Syria's eastern Deir Ezzor province, a monitor said. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the strikes hit the village of Al-Shafah, on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, in the early hours of Sunday morning. The Observatory relies on a network of sources inside Syria, and says it determines whose planes carry out raids according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions used. Russia is a close ally of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, and in September 2015 began a military intervention in support of his government that has gradually helped Damascus regain territory. Syria's Deir Ezzor is one of the last places Islamic State jihadists hold territory in the country, after being driven from their major strongholds including their one-time de facto Syrian capital Raqa city. The oil-rich eastern province that borders Iraq was once almost completely under Islamic State control, but the jihadists now hold just nine percent of Deir Ezzor, according to the Observatory. They have faced two separate offensives there, one led by the regime with Russian backing and the other by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters. More than 340,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.

Russian strikes kill 34 civilians in Syria's Deir Ezzor: Monitor

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