More than 350,000 people have been killed in the decade-old war in Syria, the United Nations human rights office said on Friday in its first report since 2014 on the death toll, adding that the tally was an "undercount".

Syria war: UN says 350,000 death toll is an 'undercount'

Pentagon said that a drone strike hit a vehicle in north-western Syria&nbsp;killing a senior<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/cia-says-al-qaeda-is-regrouping-post-taliban-takeover-in-afghanistan-report-413469"> Al Qaeda</a> leader. The north-western region of Syria is largely rebel-controlled.

The airstrike was conducted near Idlib. There are no initial indications of civilian casualties.

"A&nbsp;strike near Idlib, Syria&nbsp;on a senior Al Qaeda leader. The&nbsp;initial indications are that they struck the individual that they were targeting and that they don't have any indications at this time of civilian casualties. But they continue to look into that&nbsp;of course," John Kirby Pentagon spokesman said.

Watch:

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US&nbsp;has carried out attacks in Idlib before&nbsp;targeting <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/terrorist-vs-terrorist-al-qaeda-leader-zawahiri-claims-credit-for-911-islamic-state-asks-if-he-is-still-alive-412505">Al Qaeda</a> terrorists&nbsp;and the slain leader of the Islamic State Group, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who was hiding in the province after fleeing from eastern Syria.

Large parts of Idlib remain in the hands of the Syrian-armed opposition which is&nbsp;dominated by radical groups including the Hayat Tahrir al-sham.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/exclusive-brother-of-afghan-killed-in-us-drone-strike-demands-compensation-thanks-wion-414114">Exclusive: Brother of Afghan killed in US drone strike demands compensation</a>

The latest US&nbsp;strike comes just days after the US. admitted killing civilians instead of terrorists in a drone strike in Afghanistan.&nbsp;The strike had killed ten&nbsp;civilians including children. It was carried out during the final days of the US&nbsp;troop pull-out from Afghanistan last month.

The drone strike was meant to hit a suspected ISIS-K&nbsp;operation. The terror group had carried out a suicide attack on Kabul airport on August 26.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/afghanistan-top-us-general-warns-of-civil-war-says-al-qaeda-isis-may-grow-410913">Also Read:&nbsp;Top US General warns of civil war, says al Qaeda, ISIS may grow</a>

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby added&nbsp;that defence secretary Lloyd Austin has directed the secretary of the Air Force&nbsp;to appoint a senior officer to handle the review of the ill-fated airstrike.

"Part of that review will be to examine the investigation itself, the thoroughness of the investigation, to study the degree to which any policies, procedures or targeting mechanisms may need to be altered going forward," Kirby said.

The Pentagon spokesman said the review is expected to take 45 days.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Pentagon said that a drone strike hit a vehicle in north-western Syria killing a senior Al Qaeda leader. The north-western region of Syria is largely rebel-controlled.

Pentagon said that a drone strike hit a vehicle in north-western Syria killing a senior Al Qaeda leader. The north-western region of Syria is largely rebel-controlled. The airstrike was conducted near Idlib. There are no initial indications of civilian casualties. "A strike near Idlib, Syria on a senior Al Qaeda leader. The initial indications are that they struck the individual that they were targeting and that they don't have any indications at this time of civilian casualties. But they continue to look into that of course," John Kirby Pentagon spokesman said. Watch: US has carried out attacks in Idlib before targeting Al Qaeda terrorists and the slain leader of the Islamic State Group, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who was hiding in the province after fleeing from eastern Syria. Large parts of Idlib remain in the hands of the Syrian-armed opposition which is dominated by radical groups including the Hayat Tahrir al-sham. Exclusive: Brother of Afghan killed in US drone strike demands compensation The latest US strike comes just days after the US. admitted killing civilians instead of terrorists in a drone strike in Afghanistan. The strike had killed ten civilians including children. It was carried out during the final days of the US troop pull-out from Afghanistan last month. The drone strike was meant to hit a suspected ISIS-K operation. The terror group had carried out a suicide attack on Kabul airport on August 26. Also Read: Top US General warns of civil war, says al Qaeda, ISIS may grow Pentagon spokesman John Kirby added that defence secretary Lloyd Austin has directed the secretary of the Air Force to appoint a senior officer to handle the review of the ill-fated airstrike. "Part of that review will be to examine the investigation itself, the thoroughness of the investigation, to study the degree to which any policies, procedures or targeting mechanisms may need to be altered going forward," Kirby said. The Pentagon spokesman said the review is expected to take 45 days. (With inputs from Agencies)

Senior Al Qaeda leader killed in drone strike in Syria: US

Criticising the presence of foreign troops in Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin said they are there against the will of the Syrian government. They are also blocking the consolidation of the war-torn country, the Kremlin said on Tuesday. &nbsp;

The president was talking about to numerous US troops in eastern Syria, who are working with Kurdish-led fighters, in battling the Islamic State group, as well as Turkish forces stationed in northern Syria. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Russia is building its military influence in Africa

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In a rare meeting in Moscow on Monday, the president met his Syrian counterpart Bashar Assad. Putin said the presence of the foreigners is illegal as they don't have permission to be there from the United Nations or Syria's government. &nbsp;

In September 2015, Russia joined Syria's 10-year-old conflict when the Syrian military appeared close to collapse. The country has since helped in tipping the balance of power in favour of Assad, whose forces now control much of the country.

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Across Syria, hundreds of Russian troops are deployed and they also have a military air base along Syria's Mediterranean coast. &nbsp;

The state media in Damascus reported that Assad and Putin discussed cooperation between their armies and ways to continue operations to gain control of the last rebel-held areas in Syria. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Criticising the presence of foreign troops in Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin said they are there against the will of the Syrian government. They are also blocking the consolidation of the war-torn country, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.

Criticising the presence of foreign troops in Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin said they are there against the will of the Syrian government. They are also blocking the consolidation of the war-torn country, the Kremlin said on Tuesday. The president was talking about to numerous US troops in eastern Syria, who are working with Kurdish-led fighters, in battling the Islamic State group, as well as Turkish forces stationed in northern Syria. Watch: Russia is building its military influence in Africa × In a rare meeting in Moscow on Monday, the president met his Syrian counterpart Bashar Assad. Putin said the presence of the foreigners is illegal as they don't have permission to be there from the United Nations or Syria's government. In September 2015, Russia joined Syria's 10-year-old conflict when the Syrian military appeared close to collapse. The country has since helped in tipping the balance of power in favour of Assad, whose forces now control much of the country. Also Read | Russian President Putin to self-isolate over virus cases in 'inner circle': Kremlin Across Syria, hundreds of Russian troops are deployed and they also have a military air base along Syria's Mediterranean coast. The state media in Damascus reported that Assad and Putin discussed cooperation between their armies and ways to continue operations to gain control of the last rebel-held areas in Syria. (With inputs from agencies)

In meeting with Assad, Putin slams foreign troops’ presence in Syria   

The UN's Syria envoy said he held "very good discussions" in Damascus Saturday, and expressed hopes that a committee to discuss a post-war constitution for the country could soon reconvene.

"We had very substantial, very good discussions," Norwegian diplomat Geir Pedersen said after meeting Syria's Foreign Minister Faisal al-Meqdad.

"We discussed... the economic and humanitarian challenges here in Syria, the challenges when it comes to livelihoods, and what we all can do the help to improve that situation."

The envoy said he hoped "to move forward also on the constitutional committee" working towards a post-war constitution, and that it would be "possible to call for a sixth round" of talks between its members.

The UN-backed committee made up of 45 people, 15 delegates each representing the Damascus regime, the opposition and civil society&nbsp; was created in September 2019 but has since made little headway.

Pedersen said a fifth session in January had been "a missed opportunity and disappointment".

Since then, Bashar al-Assad in July took the oath of office for a fourth term as Syria's president, after officially winning 95 percent of the vote in an election dismissed abroad.

After clawing back large parts of the country from rebels and jihadists with key Russian backing over the years, he vowed to make "liberating those parts of the homeland that still need to be" one of his top priorities.

Endless rounds of UN-backed peace talks have failed to stem Syria's war, which has killed around 500,000 people and displaced millions since it started with the brutal suppression of anti-government protests in 2011.

In recent years UN efforts have instead focused around the work of the constitutional committee.

The UN's Syria envoy said he held "very good discussions" in Damascus Saturday, and expressed hopes that a committee to discuss a post-war constitution for the country could soon reconvene.

The UN's Syria envoy said he held "very good discussions" in Damascus Saturday, and expressed hopes that a committee to discuss a post-war constitution for the country could soon reconvene. "We had very substantial, very good discussions," Norwegian diplomat Geir Pedersen said after meeting Syria's Foreign Minister Faisal al-Meqdad. "We discussed... the economic and humanitarian challenges here in Syria, the challenges when it comes to livelihoods, and what we all can do the help to improve that situation." The envoy said he hoped "to move forward also on the constitutional committee" working towards a post-war constitution, and that it would be "possible to call for a sixth round" of talks between its members. The UN-backed committee made up of 45 people, 15 delegates each representing the Damascus regime, the opposition and civil society was created in September 2019 but has since made little headway. Pedersen said a fifth session in January had been "a missed opportunity and disappointment". Since then, Bashar al-Assad in July took the oath of office for a fourth term as Syria's president, after officially winning 95 percent of the vote in an election dismissed abroad. After clawing back large parts of the country from rebels and jihadists with key Russian backing over the years, he vowed to make "liberating those parts of the homeland that still need to be" one of his top priorities. Endless rounds of UN-backed peace talks have failed to stem Syria's war, which has killed around 500,000 people and displaced millions since it started with the brutal suppression of anti-government protests in 2011. In recent years UN efforts have instead focused around the work of the constitutional committee.

UN envoy hopeful Syria constitution talks to resume

Five years after the fighting ended in Syria's Aleppo, Ghadi Francis takes a look at how the famed merchant city is rebuilding itself.

The West Asia Post: Syria's merchant city builds itself

Dozens of Syrians who returned home from abroad have been subject to detention, disappearance and torture by security forces,&nbsp;Amnesty&nbsp;International&nbsp;said Tuesday, warning Syria is not yet safe for repatriation.

In a report titled&nbsp;“You’re going to your death,”&nbsp;the rights group documented a series of violations by security forces against 66 Syrians, including 13 children, who have returned since 2017.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-the-cost-of-10-years-of-devastating-war-in-syria-387504">Explainer | The cost of 10 years of devastating war in Syria</a>

Amnesty&nbsp;said the cases proved "that no part of Syria is safe to return to."&nbsp;

"Syrian intelligence officers have subjected women, children and men returning to Syria to unlawful or arbitrary detention, torture and other ill-treatment, including rape and sexual violence, and enforced disappearance," the rights group said.&nbsp;

Among the cases listed, the rights group documented five cases of returnees who died in detention.

The fates of 17 others who were forcibly disappeared remain unknown,&nbsp;Amnesty&nbsp;said.

The rights group also documented 14 cases of sexual violence committed by security forces, including seven cases of rape, committed against five women, a teenage boy and a five-year-old girl. &nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-cannot-take-new-refugee-burden-foreign-minister-says-409265">Turkey cannot take new refugee burden, foreign minister says</a>

“Any government claiming Syria is now safe is wilfully ignoring the horrific reality on the ground,"&nbsp;Amnesty&nbsp;said, calling on European governments to "immediately halt any practice directly or indirectly forcing people to return to Syria".

More than 6.6 million Syrians have sought refuge abroad since the start of the conflict in 2011, with most resettling in neighbouring countries such as Turkey and Lebanon.&nbsp;

Denmark, Sweden, and Turkey have recently upped the pressure on refugees to return home after a decade of war, arguing most of the country is now safe,&nbsp;Amnesty&nbsp;said.&nbsp;

The Syrians interviewed by&nbsp;Amnesty&nbsp;include returnees from Lebanon, which for years has exerted pressure on refugees to return.&nbsp;

The report cited testimony from a Syrian woman, Alaa, who was arrested along with her 25-year-old daughter at a border crossing as they came back from Lebanon.

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The two were detained for five days.&nbsp;

“They removed my daughter’s clothes. They handcuffed her and hung her on the wall. They beat her. She was totally naked. One put his penis inside her mouth," the report quoted Alaa as saying.

Dozens of Syrians who returned home from abroad have been subject to detention, disappearance and torture by security forces, Amnesty International said Tuesday, warning Syria is not yet safe for repatriation.

Dozens of Syrians who returned home from abroad have been subject to detention, disappearance and torture by security forces, Amnesty International said Tuesday, warning Syria is not yet safe for repatriation. In a report titled “You’re going to your death,” the rights group documented a series of violations by security forces against 66 Syrians, including 13 children, who have returned since 2017. Also read | Explainer | The cost of 10 years of devastating war in Syria Amnesty said the cases proved "that no part of Syria is safe to return to." "Syrian intelligence officers have subjected women, children and men returning to Syria to unlawful or arbitrary detention, torture and other ill-treatment, including rape and sexual violence, and enforced disappearance," the rights group said. Among the cases listed, the rights group documented five cases of returnees who died in detention. The fates of 17 others who were forcibly disappeared remain unknown, Amnesty said. The rights group also documented 14 cases of sexual violence committed by security forces, including seven cases of rape, committed against five women, a teenage boy and a five-year-old girl. Also read | Turkey cannot take new refugee burden, foreign minister says “Any government claiming Syria is now safe is wilfully ignoring the horrific reality on the ground," Amnesty said, calling on European governments to "immediately halt any practice directly or indirectly forcing people to return to Syria". More than 6.6 million Syrians have sought refuge abroad since the start of the conflict in 2011, with most resettling in neighbouring countries such as Turkey and Lebanon. Denmark, Sweden, and Turkey have recently upped the pressure on refugees to return home after a decade of war, arguing most of the country is now safe, Amnesty said. The Syrians interviewed by Amnesty include returnees from Lebanon, which for years has exerted pressure on refugees to return. The report cited testimony from a Syrian woman, Alaa, who was arrested along with her 25-year-old daughter at a border crossing as they came back from Lebanon. The two were detained for five days. “They removed my daughter’s clothes. They handcuffed her and hung her on the wall. They beat her. She was totally naked. One put his penis inside her mouth," the report quoted Alaa as saying.

Returning Syrian refugees face torture, rape: Amnesty

Millions in Iraq and Syria are facing water shortage as the region's longest river the Euphrates dries up. The Euphrates was a lifeline for many countries. The shortage has led to a shortfall of hydropower.

Drought hits West Asia's longest Euphrates river

Authorities have warned that an oil spill the size of New York City, that has spread across the Mediterranean, could reach Cyprus.

20,000 tonnes of fuel oil had spilled last week from a power plant in Baniyas, located on Syria's Mediterranean coast.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974. The Republic of Cyprus has effective control over the southern two-thirds of the island.&nbsp;

The government said Tuesday it had not "located" any sign of the oil spill in the areas under its control and that it had conveyed its readiness to help authorities in the north in tackling any pollution.

"Unfortunately... we have not received any information or any response from the authorities of the illegal regime, and so we remain alert," Environment Minister Costas Kadis told Cyprus News Agency.

The deputy head of the executive office in the Tartous governorate, Bassam Hamoud had said that the Tartous governor has formed a committee to deal with the pollution resulting from the leak as soon as the incident took place.

The committee was given full authority to contain the situation, he added.

Syria's electricity minister has said that the size of the leak ranged from two to four tonnes of fuel.

Although the Syrian government said the leak was small and limited, the minister of agriculture, rural development and environment in Cyprus, Costas Kadis, said on Monday that they are systematically monitoring the situation and are ready to intervene if necessary.

Syria suffers from huge fuel shortages that affects electricity. The country's government promotes the switch to alternative energy, especially solar power.

Authorities have warned that an oil spill the size of New York City, that has spread across the Mediterranean, could reach Cyprus. 20,000 tonnes of fuel oil had spilled last week from a power plant in Baniyas, located on Syria's Mediterranean coast.

Authorities have warned that an oil spill the size of New York City, that has spread across the Mediterranean, could reach Cyprus. 20,000 tonnes of fuel oil had spilled last week from a power plant in Baniyas, located on Syria's Mediterranean coast. Cyprus has been divided since 1974. The Republic of Cyprus has effective control over the southern two-thirds of the island. The government said Tuesday it had not "located" any sign of the oil spill in the areas under its control and that it had conveyed its readiness to help authorities in the north in tackling any pollution. "Unfortunately... we have not received any information or any response from the authorities of the illegal regime, and so we remain alert," Environment Minister Costas Kadis told Cyprus News Agency. The deputy head of the executive office in the Tartous governorate, Bassam Hamoud had said that the Tartous governor has formed a committee to deal with the pollution resulting from the leak as soon as the incident took place. The committee was given full authority to contain the situation, he added. Syria's electricity minister has said that the size of the leak ranged from two to four tonnes of fuel. Although the Syrian government said the leak was small and limited, the minister of agriculture, rural development and environment in Cyprus, Costas Kadis, said on Monday that they are systematically monitoring the situation and are ready to intervene if necessary. Syria suffers from huge fuel shortages that affects electricity. The country's government promotes the switch to alternative energy, especially solar power.

Authorities warn oil spill the size of New York City can reach Cyprus

Syria's longest river, Euphrates is drying. Because of this, there is an increase in risk of dam turbines grinding to a halt. The aid groups and engineers have warned of a looming humanitarian crisis.

Syria's longest river, Euphrates dries

Syria's air defence system engaged "hostile targets" over the capital Damascus late Thursday, state news agency SANA reported, with a military source claiming they were Israeli missiles.

"The Israeli enemy launched an aerial attack... targeting positions near Damascus and around the city of Homs," the military source told SANA.

"Our air defence responded to the missiles and shot most of them down," it added.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said that "Israeli missiles targeted arms depots and military positions of" Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, between Damascus and Homs.

Neither SANA nor the Observatory reported any damage or casualties.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-2200-people-have-died-in-deadly-haiti-earthquake-locals-claim-406983">Also read |&nbsp;More than 2,200 people have died in deadly Haiti earthquake, locals claim</a>

Lebanese media also reported two missiles fell in the Qalamoun region bordering Lebanon.

The Israeli army rarely acknowledges its strikes in Syria and a spokesperson told AFP it did "not comment on foreign media information".&nbsp;

However, since the start of the war in Syria ten years ago, Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes on Syrian territory, targeting regime positions as well as allied Iranian forces and members of Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Israel regularly underlines that it will not allow Syria to become a stronghold of its sworn enemy Iran.

The Syrian conflict, which began in 2011 with the regime's repression of pro-democracy protests, has grown increasingly complex over the past decade, drawing in more and more parties.&nbsp;

According to the Observatory, the war has left nearly half a million people dead.

Syria's air defence system engaged "hostile targets" over the capital Damascus late Thursday, state news agency SANA reported, with a military source claiming they were Israeli missiles.

Syria's air defence system engaged "hostile targets" over the capital Damascus late Thursday, state news agency SANA reported, with a military source claiming they were Israeli missiles. "The Israeli enemy launched an aerial attack... targeting positions near Damascus and around the city of Homs," the military source told SANA. "Our air defence responded to the missiles and shot most of them down," it added. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said that "Israeli missiles targeted arms depots and military positions of" Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, between Damascus and Homs. Neither SANA nor the Observatory reported any damage or casualties. Also read | More than 2,200 people have died in deadly Haiti earthquake, locals claim Lebanese media also reported two missiles fell in the Qalamoun region bordering Lebanon. The Israeli army rarely acknowledges its strikes in Syria and a spokesperson told AFP it did "not comment on foreign media information". However, since the start of the war in Syria ten years ago, Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes on Syrian territory, targeting regime positions as well as allied Iranian forces and members of Iran-backed Hezbollah. Israel regularly underlines that it will not allow Syria to become a stronghold of its sworn enemy Iran. The Syrian conflict, which began in 2011 with the regime's repression of pro-democracy protests, has grown increasingly complex over the past decade, drawing in more and more parties. According to the Observatory, the war has left nearly half a million people dead.

Syria says air defence shot down Israeli missiles

US President Joe Biden has been criticised for being ill-informed about where US troops are stationed. During a recent interview, Biden incorrectly stated that the US had not stationed the military in Syria.

Joe Biden incorrectly states that US has not stationed military in Syria

Regime&nbsp;shelling&nbsp;has killed&nbsp;four&nbsp;children&nbsp;in&nbsp;Syria's last major rebel bastion in the&nbsp;northwest&nbsp;of the country, a Britain-based war&nbsp;monitor&nbsp;said Sunday.

The artillery fire late Saturday&nbsp;hit a residential area in the south of the jihadist-dominated bastion of Idlib, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The victims in the village of Qastoun in the Hama province were from the same family, it said.

The Idlib region is home to nearly three million people, two-thirds of them displaced from other parts of the country during the decade-long civil war.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-says-thousands-fled-fighting-in-syrias-daraa-403264">Also read |&nbsp;UN says thousands fled fighting in Syria's Daraa</a>

It is dominated by&nbsp;Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, but rebels and other jihadists are also present.

A ceasefire deal brokered by&nbsp;regime&nbsp;ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey has largely protected the region from a new government offensive since March 2020.

But&nbsp;regime&nbsp;forces have stepped up their&nbsp;shelling&nbsp;on the south of the bastion since June.&nbsp;

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad took the oath of office for a new term last month, vowing to make "liberating those parts of the homeland that still need to be" one of his top priorities.

Syria's war has killed around half a million people since starting in 2011 with a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests.

Regime shelling has killed four children in Syria's last major rebel bastion in the northwest of the country, a Britain-based war monitor said Sunday. The artillery fire late Saturday hit a residential area in the south of the jihadist-dominated bastion of Idlib, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Regime shelling has killed four children in Syria's last major rebel bastion in the northwest of the country, a Britain-based war monitor said Sunday. The artillery fire late Saturday hit a residential area in the south of the jihadist-dominated bastion of Idlib, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The victims in the village of Qastoun in the Hama province were from the same family, it said. The Idlib region is home to nearly three million people, two-thirds of them displaced from other parts of the country during the decade-long civil war. Also read | UN says thousands fled fighting in Syria's Daraa It is dominated by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, but rebels and other jihadists are also present. A ceasefire deal brokered by regime ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey has largely protected the region from a new government offensive since March 2020. But regime forces have stepped up their shelling on the south of the bastion since June. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad took the oath of office for a new term last month, vowing to make "liberating those parts of the homeland that still need to be" one of his top priorities. Syria's war has killed around half a million people since starting in 2011 with a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests.

Regime shelling kills four children in northwest Syria: Monitor

Foreign jihadists based in Syria's last major rebel bastion killed at least six regime fighters in an attack Friday in the northwest of the country, a war monitor said.&nbsp;

Four Uzbek fighters were also killed after they sneaked up on regime forces on the southern edge of the jihadist-dominated stronghold, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syrian-army-bombards-rebel-bastion-killing-seven-civilians-399757">Syrian army bombards rebel bastion killing seven civilians</a>

The Idlib region, which is home to nearly three million people, is dominated by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate but other rebels and jihadist groups are also present.

An international ceasefire deal has since March 2020 stemmed a Russia-backed regime assault to retake the bastion, though some small jihadist groups have refused the agreement and continued to attack pro-Damascus fighters on its edges.

Friday's attack occurred on the outskirts of the town of Maaret al-Numan, retaken by regime forces in their latest military campaign early last year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-says-thousands-fled-fighting-in-syrias-daraa-403264">UN says thousands fled fighting in Syria's Daraa</a>

The war in Syria, which began in 2011 with a crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, has left more than half a million people dead and several million displaced.

Foreign jihadists based in Syria's last major rebel bastion killed at least six regime fighters in an attack Friday in the northwest of the country, a war monitor said.

Foreign jihadists based in Syria's last major rebel bastion killed at least six regime fighters in an attack Friday in the northwest of the country, a war monitor said. Four Uzbek fighters were also killed after they sneaked up on regime forces on the southern edge of the jihadist-dominated stronghold, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Also read | Syrian army bombards rebel bastion killing seven civilians The Idlib region, which is home to nearly three million people, is dominated by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate but other rebels and jihadist groups are also present. An international ceasefire deal has since March 2020 stemmed a Russia-backed regime assault to retake the bastion, though some small jihadist groups have refused the agreement and continued to attack pro-Damascus fighters on its edges. Friday's attack occurred on the outskirts of the town of Maaret al-Numan, retaken by regime forces in their latest military campaign early last year. Also read | UN says thousands fled fighting in Syria's Daraa The war in Syria, which began in 2011 with a crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, has left more than half a million people dead and several million displaced.

Foreign jihadists kill six pro-regime fighters in Syria

The United Nations on Thursday called for a ceasefire in the flashpoint Syrian province of Daraa where it said recent fighting forced 18,000 to flee.

Fighting between government forces and armed opposition groups in the southern province last month killed at least 28 people.

The clashes have died down over the past week but were the most intense since the government seized back control of the region from rebels in 2018.

"The escalation in hostilities has forced at least 18,000 civilians to flee Daraa al-Balad since 28 July," the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said.

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The government attacks focused on Daraa al-Balad, a southern district of Daraa's provincial capital and a former opposition hub that continues to house ex-rebel fighters.

"There needs to be an immediate ceasefire to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Daraa," Bachelet said in a statement.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says Russian-mediated ceasefire talks are underway between government forces and representatives of opposition fighters.

Russian-backed Syrian troops and allied forces recaptured Daraa province from rebels in 2018, in a symbolic blow to the anti-government uprising born in its provincial capital in 2011.&nbsp;

Thousands of fighters evacuated under a Moscow-brokered deal, but many former rebels also stayed on in the province, some joining the regime forces.

State institutions have returned to the province but the army has still not deployed in some areas including Daraa al-Balad.

Last month's clashes came after government forces tightened control around Daraa al-Balad in a bid to pressure opposition fighters there to withdraw to rebel-held territory in Syria's north.

"In recent days, they have only been allowing pedestrians out of Daraa al-Balad along the al-Saraya road, subjecting people to strict security checks," the UN said.

Bachelet said civilians in Daraa al-Balad were effectively "under siege".&nbsp;

"They are facing checkpoints, restrictions on their movements, tanks on the streets and their property is being seized and stolen," she said.

The United Nations on Thursday called for a ceasefire in the flashpoint Syrian province of Daraa where it said recent fighting forced 18,000 to flee. Fighting between government forces and armed opposition groups in the southern province last month killed at least 28 people.

The United Nations on Thursday called for a ceasefire in the flashpoint Syrian province of Daraa where it said recent fighting forced 18,000 to flee. Fighting between government forces and armed opposition groups in the southern province last month killed at least 28 people. The clashes have died down over the past week but were the most intense since the government seized back control of the region from rebels in 2018. "The escalation in hostilities has forced at least 18,000 civilians to flee Daraa al-Balad since 28 July," the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said. Also read | Tigray rebels take control of UNESCO site Lalibela: Residents The government attacks focused on Daraa al-Balad, a southern district of Daraa's provincial capital and a former opposition hub that continues to house ex-rebel fighters. "There needs to be an immediate ceasefire to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Daraa," Bachelet said in a statement. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says Russian-mediated ceasefire talks are underway between government forces and representatives of opposition fighters. Russian-backed Syrian troops and allied forces recaptured Daraa province from rebels in 2018, in a symbolic blow to the anti-government uprising born in its provincial capital in 2011. Thousands of fighters evacuated under a Moscow-brokered deal, but many former rebels also stayed on in the province, some joining the regime forces. State institutions have returned to the province but the army has still not deployed in some areas including Daraa al-Balad. Last month's clashes came after government forces tightened control around Daraa al-Balad in a bid to pressure opposition fighters there to withdraw to rebel-held territory in Syria's north. "In recent days, they have only been allowing pedestrians out of Daraa al-Balad along the al-Saraya road, subjecting people to strict security checks," the UN said. Bachelet said civilians in Daraa al-Balad were effectively "under siege". "They are facing checkpoints, restrictions on their movements, tanks on the streets and their property is being seized and stolen," she said.

UN says thousands fled fighting in Syria's Daraa

A war monitor said that 13 combatants and three civilians were killed on Thursday in Syria's southern province of Daraa. The clashes were fiercest since the area came under regime control.&nbsp;

Russian backed Syrian army had recaptured Daraa from rebels in 2018. This was a symbolic blow to anti-government uprising uprising.

State institutions have returned, but the army still hasn't deployed across the whole province, and tit-for-tat bombings and assassinations between former opposition figures and regime forces have since become routine.&nbsp;

Tensions flared on Thursday, leading to what the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights called the "most violent and broadest clashes in Daraa since it came under regime control".

Regime forces fired artillery shells towards Daraa al-Balad. There was also a ground push.

The gunmen launched a counterattack across many parts of the Daraa countryside where they seized several regime positions. They also captured regime fighters.

 
"Eight Syrian regime and allied militia fighters died during clashes across Daraa province in recent hours," the Observatory said.

"Gunmen also captured more than 40 members of the regime forces" in Daraa's western and eastern countryside, it said.

According to the Observatory, artillery fire from regime forces in several areas killed five gunmen and three civilians, including a mother and her child.&nbsp;

Many former rebels stayed in Daraa instead of evacuating under a Moscow-brokered deal, either joining the army or remaining in control of parts of the province.

A war monitor said that 13 combatants and three civilians were killed on Thursday in Syria's southern province of Daraa. The clashes were fiercest since the area came under regime control.

A war monitor said that 13 combatants and three civilians were killed on Thursday in Syria's southern province of Daraa. The clashes were fiercest since the area came under regime control. Russian backed Syrian army had recaptured Daraa from rebels in 2018. This was a symbolic blow to anti-government uprising uprising. State institutions have returned, but the army still hasn't deployed across the whole province, and tit-for-tat bombings and assassinations between former opposition figures and regime forces have since become routine. Tensions flared on Thursday, leading to what the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights called the "most violent and broadest clashes in Daraa since it came under regime control". Regime forces fired artillery shells towards Daraa al-Balad. There was also a ground push. The gunmen launched a counterattack across many parts of the Daraa countryside where they seized several regime positions. They also captured regime fighters. "Eight Syrian regime and allied militia fighters died during clashes across Daraa province in recent hours," the Observatory said. "Gunmen also captured more than 40 members of the regime forces" in Daraa's western and eastern countryside, it said. According to the Observatory, artillery fire from regime forces in several areas killed five gunmen and three civilians, including a mother and her child. Many former rebels stayed in Daraa instead of evacuating under a Moscow-brokered deal, either joining the army or remaining in control of parts of the province.

Syria: Deadly clashes in Daraa kill 16

Syria`s Hend Zaza, at 12 the youngest athlete competing at the Tokyo Olympics, exited the table tennis tournament in the opening round on Saturday, snapping a selfie with her Austrian opponent to remember the occasion. 
 
Zaza was battling an opponent more than three times her age in 39-year-old Liu Jia in the women`s singles preliminary round but showed no sign of nerves, maintaining her composure despite a 4-0 defeat.

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"It was very tough to mentally be prepared for (the Olympics) but I think I somehow managed to overcome this, and this is the part that I think I did the best during the match," Zaza told reporters after the match. 
 
"The main lesson was the loss of this match, especially in the first match. So next time, I will be working hard to pass the first, second, third round, because I want to play more in this competition," she added.

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Her coach Adham Jamaan told reporters the paddler would need to continue practising, and she "would be okay". 
 
The youngest Olympian since 11-year-old Spanish rower Carlos Front in 1992. Zaza was born in Hama, Syria, to an athletic family and started playing table tennis at the age of five. 
 
She has been able to participate in only two or three external matches a year due to the Syrian civil war, Jamaan has said. 
 
Frequent power outages also restricted her to occasionally practise only during daytime hours. 
 
But Zaza beat the odds after winning the West Asia Olympic qualification tournament in Jordan last year, becoming the first Syrian paddler to qualify for the Olympics. 
 
"For the last five years, I`ve been through many different experiences, especially with the war happening around the country and the postponement of the funding for the Olympics," Zaza said. 
 
"It was very tough, but I had to fight for it. And this is my message to everyone who is in the same situation -- fight for your dream. Try hard regardless of the difficulties that you’re having and you will reach your hope."

Syria`s Hend Zaza, at 12 the youngest athlete competing at the Tokyo Olympics, exited the table tennis tournament in the opening round on Saturday, snapping a selfie with her Austrian opponent to remember the occasion.

Syria`s Hend Zaza, at 12 the youngest athlete competing at the Tokyo Olympics, exited the table tennis tournament in the opening round on Saturday, snapping a selfie with her Austrian opponent to remember the occasion. Zaza was battling an opponent more than three times her age in 39-year-old Liu Jia in the women`s singles preliminary round but showed no sign of nerves, maintaining her composure despite a 4-0 defeat. ALSO READ: China's Yang Qian wins first gold medal of Tokyo Olympics 2020 in women's 10m air rifle event "It was very tough to mentally be prepared for (the Olympics) but I think I somehow managed to overcome this, and this is the part that I think I did the best during the match," Zaza told reporters after the match. "The main lesson was the loss of this match, especially in the first match. So next time, I will be working hard to pass the first, second, third round, because I want to play more in this competition," she added. IN PICS| When India's Top Guns roared at the Olympics Her coach Adham Jamaan told reporters the paddler would need to continue practising, and she "would be okay". The youngest Olympian since 11-year-old Spanish rower Carlos Front in 1992. Zaza was born in Hama, Syria, to an athletic family and started playing table tennis at the age of five. She has been able to participate in only two or three external matches a year due to the Syrian civil war, Jamaan has said. Frequent power outages also restricted her to occasionally practise only during daytime hours. But Zaza beat the odds after winning the West Asia Olympic qualification tournament in Jordan last year, becoming the first Syrian paddler to qualify for the Olympics. "For the last five years, I`ve been through many different experiences, especially with the war happening around the country and the postponement of the funding for the Olympics," Zaza said. "It was very tough, but I had to fight for it. And this is my message to everyone who is in the same situation -- fight for your dream. Try hard regardless of the difficulties that you’re having and you will reach your hope."

Olympics Table Tennis: Tokyo Games' youngest competitor from Syria exits in first round

Syria's air defences intercepted Israeli missiles over Homs province early Thursday, the second airstrike this week, Syrian state media reported.

A military source told Syrian state news agency SANA that the attack had caused no casualties, inflicting only material damage.

"At 01:13 am... the Israeli enemy carried out an aerial attack targeting several positions in the Qusayr region of Homs province," SANA reported, citing the source.

"Our air defences intercepted the missiles... shooting most of them down," the military source said.&nbsp;

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the missiles had targeted military positions of the Lebanese Hezbollah group, destroying weapons depots.

The Syrian army recaptured Qusayr, a rebel stronghold near the Lebanese border, in 2013 after a blistering 17-day assault led by Hezbollah fighters. The city was strategically vital for the regime because it links the capital Damascus to the coast.

Seizing the stronghold was a major victory for Hezbollah, which has fought alongside President Bashar al-Assad's forces.&nbsp;

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Thursday's airstrikes were the second this week, after an Israeli attack on Monday killed five pro-Iran fighters allied with the regime, and destroyed the group's base and a nearby weapons depot in Aleppo, according to the Britain-based war monitor.&nbsp;

Since the Syrian civil war broke out in 2011, Israel has routinely carried out raids in Syria, mostly targeting government positions as well as allied Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah forces.

Israel rarely confirms strikes in Syria, but the Jewish state's army has said it hit about 50 targets in the war-torn country last year, without providing details.

Israel has said it is trying to prevent its arch-foe Iran from gaining a permanent military foothold on its doorstep.

Last month, Israeli airstrikes in central Syria killed at least 11 government troops and militiamen.

Syria's air defences intercepted Israeli missiles over Homs province early Thursday, the second airstrike this week, Syrian state media reported. A military source told Syrian state news agency SANA that the attack had caused no casualties, inflicting only material damage.

Syria's air defences intercepted Israeli missiles over Homs province early Thursday, the second airstrike this week, Syrian state media reported. A military source told Syrian state news agency SANA that the attack had caused no casualties, inflicting only material damage. "At 01:13 am... the Israeli enemy carried out an aerial attack targeting several positions in the Qusayr region of Homs province," SANA reported, citing the source. "Our air defences intercepted the missiles... shooting most of them down," the military source said. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the missiles had targeted military positions of the Lebanese Hezbollah group, destroying weapons depots. The Syrian army recaptured Qusayr, a rebel stronghold near the Lebanese border, in 2013 after a blistering 17-day assault led by Hezbollah fighters. The city was strategically vital for the regime because it links the capital Damascus to the coast. Seizing the stronghold was a major victory for Hezbollah, which has fought alongside President Bashar al-Assad's forces. Also read | Explainer | The cost of 10 years of devastating war in Syria Thursday's airstrikes were the second this week, after an Israeli attack on Monday killed five pro-Iran fighters allied with the regime, and destroyed the group's base and a nearby weapons depot in Aleppo, according to the Britain-based war monitor. Since the Syrian civil war broke out in 2011, Israel has routinely carried out raids in Syria, mostly targeting government positions as well as allied Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah forces. Israel rarely confirms strikes in Syria, but the Jewish state's army has said it hit about 50 targets in the war-torn country last year, without providing details. Israel has said it is trying to prevent its arch-foe Iran from gaining a permanent military foothold on its doorstep. Last month, Israeli airstrikes in central Syria killed at least 11 government troops and militiamen.

Israeli missiles shot down in Syria: state media

Syrian army on Thursday, bombarded Idlib region on Thursday. This killed seven civilians including three children, said Britain-based Syrian Observatory of Human Rights. Idlib is a bastion of the rebels and this is the third bombardment in a week.

Several people were seriously wounded in the morning bombardment of the village of Iblin, south of Idlib

Syrian army has stepped up its bombing of the northwestern enclave since Saturday. It was the day when President Bashar al-Assad took oath for a new term. He vowed to make "liberating those parts of the homeland that still need to be" one of his top priorities.

Strikes on the Idlib villages of Sarja and Ehsin on the same day killed 14 civilians. Seven of these were children.

Two days earlier shelling of Idlib and the town of Fuaa further north killed nine civilians, three of them children, the Observatory said.

Controlled by an alliance dominated by Al-Qaeda's former Syria affiliate, the Idlib region is home to nearly three million people, two-thirds of them displaced from other parts of the country.

A March 2020 deal brokered by the rival sides' main foreign backers Russia and Turkey has eased fighting on the front line but the region remains in the government's sights.

Elsewhere in the country, Kurdish-led forces control a large swathe of the east after expelling the Islamic State group from the region.

And Turkey and its Syrian proxies hold a long strip of territory along the northern border.

(With inputs from agencies)

Syrian army on Thursday, bombarded Idlib region on Thursday. This killed seven civilians including three children, said Britain-based Syrian Observatory of Human Rights.

Syrian army on Thursday, bombarded Idlib region on Thursday. This killed seven civilians including three children, said Britain-based Syrian Observatory of Human Rights. Idlib is a bastion of the rebels and this is the third bombardment in a week. Several people were seriously wounded in the morning bombardment of the village of Iblin, south of Idlib Syrian army has stepped up its bombing of the northwestern enclave since Saturday. It was the day when President Bashar al-Assad took oath for a new term. He vowed to make "liberating those parts of the homeland that still need to be" one of his top priorities. Strikes on the Idlib villages of Sarja and Ehsin on the same day killed 14 civilians. Seven of these were children. Two days earlier shelling of Idlib and the town of Fuaa further north killed nine civilians, three of them children, the Observatory said. Controlled by an alliance dominated by Al-Qaeda's former Syria affiliate, the Idlib region is home to nearly three million people, two-thirds of them displaced from other parts of the country. A March 2020 deal brokered by the rival sides' main foreign backers Russia and Turkey has eased fighting on the front line but the region remains in the government's sights. Elsewhere in the country, Kurdish-led forces control a large swathe of the east after expelling the Islamic State group from the region. And Turkey and its Syrian proxies hold a long strip of territory along the northern border. (With inputs from agencies)

Syrian army bombards rebel bastion killing seven civilians

Although&nbsp;initial reports did not indicate any casualties or damage,&nbsp;US&nbsp;forces in eastern Syria took indirect fire on Saturday, a US&nbsp;defence official said.

It was the latest incident in a series of attacks on US&nbsp;personnel in Iraq and Syria in recent days.&nbsp;On the condition of anonymity, the official&nbsp;told Reuters, the attack occurred in Conoco, Syria. 
 
US&nbsp;diplomats and troops in Iraq and Syria were targeted in three rocket and drone attacks on Wednesday alone, including at least 14 rockets hitting an Iraqi air base hosting US&nbsp;forces, wounding two American service members.

As there haven't been immediate claims of responsibility for these attacks, analysts believe&nbsp;they were carried out by Iranian-backed militias. 
 
Iraqi militia groups aligned with Iran had vowed to retaliate after US&nbsp;strikes on the Iraqi-Syrian border killed four of their members last month. 
 
Iran has denied supporting attacks on US&nbsp;forces in Iraq and Syria, and condemned US&nbsp;air strikes on Iranian-backed groups. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Although initial reports did not indicate any casualties or damage, US forces in eastern Syria took indirect fire on Saturday, a US defence official said. It was the latest incident in a series of attacks on US personnel in Iraq and Syria in recent days.

Although initial reports did not indicate any casualties or damage, US forces in eastern Syria took indirect fire on Saturday, a US defence official said. It was the latest incident in a series of attacks on US personnel in Iraq and Syria in recent days. On the condition of anonymity, the official told Reuters, the attack occurred in Conoco, Syria. US diplomats and troops in Iraq and Syria were targeted in three rocket and drone attacks on Wednesday alone, including at least 14 rockets hitting an Iraqi air base hosting US forces, wounding two American service members. As there haven't been immediate claims of responsibility for these attacks, analysts believe they were carried out by Iranian-backed militias. Iraqi militia groups aligned with Iran had vowed to retaliate after US strikes on the Iraqi-Syrian border killed four of their members last month. Iran has denied supporting attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria, and condemned US air strikes on Iranian-backed groups. (With inputs from agencies)

No casualties, damage in attack against US forces in Syria: Official

Steep bread and diesel price hikes went into force in government-held parts of war-torn Syria on Sunday, bringing more pain for civilians in a long-running economic crisis.&nbsp;

The price of diesel fuel nearly tripled and the price of bread doubled, according to the official SANA news agency, only days after Damascus announced an increase in the price of petrol.

The move coincided with a decree issued by President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday that increases by 50 per cent public sector salaries and sets the minimum wage at 71,515 Syrian pounds a month ($57 at the official rate), up from 47,000 pounds ($37).&nbsp;

In a second decree, Assad raised public sector and military pensions by 40 per cent, according to SANA.&nbsp;

According to a revised price list published by SANA on Saturday night, one litre of diesel fuel will now cost 500 pounds, up from the 180 pounds users in most sectors were paying previously.

Mustafa Haswiya, of the state-run Syrian Company for the Storage and Distribution of Petroleum Products, said 80 per cent of Syria's hydrocarbon needs are purchased from abroad using foreign currency.

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"It was necessary to raise prices in order to reduce the import bill," which would otherwise have risked making oil products unaffordable, SANA quoted him as saying.

The price of subsidised bread doubled to 200 Syrian pounds. The state-run Syrian Foundation for Bakeries said that the rising price of diesel fuel contributed to the increase, according to SANA.

The pro-government Al-Watan daily on Sunday said the diesel fuel hike will lead to "an increase in the price of transportation within and across provinces" by more than 26 per cent and will make other goods more expensive too.

It said the transport, agriculture and industrial sectors will see a rise in production costs, leading to further inflation.&nbsp;

The cost of heating homes will also climb by 178 per cent, Al-Watan said, making it all the more inaccessible.

Damascus has repeatedly raised fuel prices in recent years to tackle an accelerating economic crisis sparked by the country's decade-long civil war and compounded by sanctions.

The latest price hikes came nearly two weeks after the government in neighbouring crisis-hit Lebanon raised fuel prices by more than 35 per cent to combat shortages that authorities there blame in part on smuggling to Syria.&nbsp;

Steep bread and diesel price hikes went into force in government-held parts of war-torn Syria on Sunday, bringing more pain for civilians in a long-running economic crisis.

Steep bread and diesel price hikes went into force in government-held parts of war-torn Syria on Sunday, bringing more pain for civilians in a long-running economic crisis. The price of diesel fuel nearly tripled and the price of bread doubled, according to the official SANA news agency, only days after Damascus announced an increase in the price of petrol. The move coincided with a decree issued by President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday that increases by 50 per cent public sector salaries and sets the minimum wage at 71,515 Syrian pounds a month ($57 at the official rate), up from 47,000 pounds ($37). In a second decree, Assad raised public sector and military pensions by 40 per cent, according to SANA. According to a revised price list published by SANA on Saturday night, one litre of diesel fuel will now cost 500 pounds, up from the 180 pounds users in most sectors were paying previously. Mustafa Haswiya, of the state-run Syrian Company for the Storage and Distribution of Petroleum Products, said 80 per cent of Syria's hydrocarbon needs are purchased from abroad using foreign currency. Also read | 17 years after founding Virgin Galactic, Branson bound for space "It was necessary to raise prices in order to reduce the import bill," which would otherwise have risked making oil products unaffordable, SANA quoted him as saying. The price of subsidised bread doubled to 200 Syrian pounds. The state-run Syrian Foundation for Bakeries said that the rising price of diesel fuel contributed to the increase, according to SANA. The pro-government Al-Watan daily on Sunday said the diesel fuel hike will lead to "an increase in the price of transportation within and across provinces" by more than 26 per cent and will make other goods more expensive too. It said the transport, agriculture and industrial sectors will see a rise in production costs, leading to further inflation. The cost of heating homes will also climb by 178 per cent, Al-Watan said, making it all the more inaccessible. Damascus has repeatedly raised fuel prices in recent years to tackle an accelerating economic crisis sparked by the country's decade-long civil war and compounded by sanctions. The latest price hikes came nearly two weeks after the government in neighbouring crisis-hit Lebanon raised fuel prices by more than 35 per cent to combat shortages that authorities there blame in part on smuggling to Syria.

Syria govt raises bread, diesel prices as crisis deepens

Kurdish authorities in Syria on Saturday slammed the UN Security Council for failing to reopen an aid crossing to the northeast despite approving deliveries through the frontier with Turkey.&nbsp;

"We are not opposed to aid deliveries to the Syrian people... but we are opposed to double standards," the Kurdish administration said in a statement.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-restarts-cross-border-aid-to-syria-but-shuts-access-point-312631">UN restarts cross-border aid to Syria but shuts access point</a>

"This decision deepens our humanitarian tragedy by continuing the seige imposed on us from all sides," it added in a statement.

The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously approved an extension of humanitarian aid to a rebel-held part of Syria through the Bab al-Hawa crossing from Turkey in the country's northeast.

But a request to reopen for one year a second crossing point at Al-Yarubiyah, which allows supplies to reach northeastern Syria from Iraq, was dropped.

Al-Yarubiyah was closed last year after Russia and China vetoed UN Security Council resolutions authorising it to remain open.

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Kurdish authorities and international aid groups had lobbied for it to be reopened but their appeal failed, sparking a backlash.&nbsp;

"The Council has... once again failed to address the significant and life-threatening challenges populations in northeast Syria are facing in accessing humanitarian assistance," David Miliband of the International Rescue Committee said in a statement on Friday.

"Needs have increased by nearly 40 per cent, while the IRC and other NGOs have experienced chronic shortages of essential supplies."

Amnesty International also slammed the UNSC vote as a "compromise" that overlooked the humanitarian tragedy in northeast Syria which is home to sprawling displacement camps housing relatives of the Islamic State group.&nbsp;

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"This compromise resolution is once again an example of Russia ignoring the humanitarian needs of Syrians," Amnesty's Sherine Tadros said in a statement.&nbsp;

For its part, the Syrian government welcomed the UNSC vote that authorised aid deliveries for only six months, down from 12.

On Saturday, Syrian state television quoted Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad as saying that the vote affirmed the unity of Syrian territory.

"External crossings are no longer the main tool for delivering aid," Mekdad said. "Deliveries from within Syria are now the main" channel, he added.

Kurdish authorities in Syria on Saturday slammed the UN Security Council for failing to reopen an aid crossing to the northeast despite approving deliveries through the frontier with Turkey.

Kurdish authorities in Syria on Saturday slammed the UN Security Council for failing to reopen an aid crossing to the northeast despite approving deliveries through the frontier with Turkey. "We are not opposed to aid deliveries to the Syrian people... but we are opposed to double standards," the Kurdish administration said in a statement. Also read | UN restarts cross-border aid to Syria but shuts access point "This decision deepens our humanitarian tragedy by continuing the seige imposed on us from all sides," it added in a statement. The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously approved an extension of humanitarian aid to a rebel-held part of Syria through the Bab al-Hawa crossing from Turkey in the country's northeast. But a request to reopen for one year a second crossing point at Al-Yarubiyah, which allows supplies to reach northeastern Syria from Iraq, was dropped. Al-Yarubiyah was closed last year after Russia and China vetoed UN Security Council resolutions authorising it to remain open. Also read | Kurdish forces arrest dozens in security sweep against IS families Kurdish authorities and international aid groups had lobbied for it to be reopened but their appeal failed, sparking a backlash. "The Council has... once again failed to address the significant and life-threatening challenges populations in northeast Syria are facing in accessing humanitarian assistance," David Miliband of the International Rescue Committee said in a statement on Friday. "Needs have increased by nearly 40 per cent, while the IRC and other NGOs have experienced chronic shortages of essential supplies." Amnesty International also slammed the UNSC vote as a "compromise" that overlooked the humanitarian tragedy in northeast Syria which is home to sprawling displacement camps housing relatives of the Islamic State group. Also read | WHO warns of 'humanitarian disaster' in Syria if cross-border aid not renewed "This compromise resolution is once again an example of Russia ignoring the humanitarian needs of Syrians," Amnesty's Sherine Tadros said in a statement. For its part, the Syrian government welcomed the UNSC vote that authorised aid deliveries for only six months, down from 12. On Saturday, Syrian state television quoted Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad as saying that the vote affirmed the unity of Syrian territory. "External crossings are no longer the main tool for delivering aid," Mekdad said. "Deliveries from within Syria are now the main" channel, he added.

Syria Kurds slam UN aid crossing vote as unfair

Russia, Iran and Turkey will continue to co-operate in Syria against Islamic State (IS) and other militants, said RIA new agency. The new agency cited a joint statement by the nations.

The three powers were at international talks in Kazakhstan's city of Nur-Sultan to discuss the Syria conflict

Meanwhile, AFP cited diplomatic sources who said that a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) vote on extending cross-border aid into war-torn Syria's rebel-held northwest has been postponed to try to soften veto-wielder Russia's stance

"The idea is Friday now," one diplomatic source said on condition of anonymity, with another source saying postponing would allow for "more time to finish the negotiation."&nbsp;

The vote was originally set for Thursday. The vote is to take place on a draft resolution to keep open the only remaining entry point for aid into northwest Syria that bypasses Damascus.&nbsp;

The UN's cross-border aid authorization, in place since 2014 and sharply curtailed last year under pressure from Moscow, expires on Saturday.

Russia, which holds veto power at the council and is a staunch ally of the Syrian regime, may block the renewal, preferring to see aid delivered across front lines from Damascus and arguing the existing crossing is used to supply arms to rebel fighters.

During a meeting on the issue Tuesday, Moscow had "maintained its position, which has been clear for a long time," a Russian diplomat told AFP.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia, Iran and Turkey will continue to co-operate in Syria against Islamic State (IS) and other militants, said RIA new agency. The new agency cited a joint statement by the nations.

Russia, Iran and Turkey will continue to co-operate in Syria against Islamic State (IS) and other militants, said RIA new agency. The new agency cited a joint statement by the nations. The three powers were at international talks in Kazakhstan's city of Nur-Sultan to discuss the Syria conflict Meanwhile, AFP cited diplomatic sources who said that a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) vote on extending cross-border aid into war-torn Syria's rebel-held northwest has been postponed to try to soften veto-wielder Russia's stance "The idea is Friday now," one diplomatic source said on condition of anonymity, with another source saying postponing would allow for "more time to finish the negotiation." The vote was originally set for Thursday. The vote is to take place on a draft resolution to keep open the only remaining entry point for aid into northwest Syria that bypasses Damascus. The UN's cross-border aid authorization, in place since 2014 and sharply curtailed last year under pressure from Moscow, expires on Saturday. Russia, which holds veto power at the council and is a staunch ally of the Syrian regime, may block the renewal, preferring to see aid delivered across front lines from Damascus and arguing the existing crossing is used to supply arms to rebel fighters. During a meeting on the issue Tuesday, Moscow had "maintained its position, which has been clear for a long time," a Russian diplomat told AFP. (With inputs from agencies)

Syria: Russia, Iran, Turkey to continue cooperation against IS, says report

The protesters gathered outside the home of the latest victim, a 16-year-old girl who residents said was murdered on Monday by her father.

Hundreds in Northeast Syria protest against honour killings

Iran denied on Saturday US&nbsp;accusations that Tehran supported attacks on US&nbsp;forces in Iraq and Syria, and condemned US&nbsp;airstrikes on Iranian-backed militants there, state media reported. 
 
On Tuesday, the United States told the UN&nbsp;Security Council that it targeted Iran-backed militia in Syria and Iraq with airstrikes to deter the militants and Tehran from conducting or supporting further attacks on US&nbsp;personnel or facilities. 
 
But Iran's UN&nbsp;envoy, Majid Takht Ravanchi, said: "Any claim to attribute to Iran... any attack carried out against American personnel or facilities in Iraq is factually wrong and void of the minimum requirements of authenticity and reliability," according to the official news agency IRNA. 
 
Under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, the 15-member Security Council must immediately be informed of any action that states take in self-defence against armed attack. 
 
Washington told the United Nations that the airstrikes hit facilities used by militia blamed for an escalating series of drone and rocket attacks against US&nbsp;forces in Iraq. 
 
But Ravanchi said: "The US&nbsp;argument that such attacks were conducted to deter ...Iran and the so-called Iran-backed militia groups from conducting or supporting further attacks..., has no factual or legal ground, as it is founded on mere fabrication as well as arbitrary interpretation of Article 51." 
 
"The attacks by the United States are conducted in flagrant violation of international law," Ravanchi said in a letter, quoted by IRNA. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Iran denied on Saturday US accusations that Tehran supported attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria, and condemned US airstrikes on Iranian-backed militants there, state media reported.

Iran denied on Saturday US accusations that Tehran supported attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria, and condemned US airstrikes on Iranian-backed militants there, state media reported. On Tuesday, the United States told the UN Security Council that it targeted Iran-backed militia in Syria and Iraq with airstrikes to deter the militants and Tehran from conducting or supporting further attacks on US personnel or facilities. But Iran's UN envoy, Majid Takht Ravanchi, said: "Any claim to attribute to Iran... any attack carried out against American personnel or facilities in Iraq is factually wrong and void of the minimum requirements of authenticity and reliability," according to the official news agency IRNA. Under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, the 15-member Security Council must immediately be informed of any action that states take in self-defence against armed attack. Washington told the United Nations that the airstrikes hit facilities used by militia blamed for an escalating series of drone and rocket attacks against US forces in Iraq. But Ravanchi said: "The US argument that such attacks were conducted to deter ...Iran and the so-called Iran-backed militia groups from conducting or supporting further attacks..., has no factual or legal ground, as it is founded on mere fabrication as well as arbitrary interpretation of Article 51." "The attacks by the United States are conducted in flagrant violation of international law," Ravanchi said in a letter, quoted by IRNA. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran denies links to attacks on US forces in Iraq, Syria

US military spokesperson Colonel Wayne Marotto has said that American forces in Syria launched “self-defence” artillery attacks on Monday after being hit by a barrage of missiles.

The exchange of fire came a day after the Pentagon launched three strikes in eastern Syria and western Iraq, which it claimed were directed at pro-Iran militants.

The attack on Monday evening resulted in no injuries, according to a US military spokesman.

This is a vital and strategic location, and US forces supporting the Syrian Democratic Forces have a base here.

"US Forces in Syria, while under multiple rocket attack, acted in self-defence and conducted counter-battery artillery fire at rocket launching positions," wrote Colonel Wayne Marotto, the spokesperson for the US-led Coalition to defeat ISIS.

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Initial report: At approx. 7:44 PM local time, U.S. Forces in Syria were attacked by multiple rockets. There are no injuries and damage is being assessed. We will provide updates when we have more information.
— OIR Spokesman Col. Wayne Marotto (@OIRSpox) <a href="https://twitter.com/OIRSpox/status/1409596661698117632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2021</a></blockquote>
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“There are no injuries and damage is being assessed,” Marotto wrote.

Footage broadcast by Syrian state news agency SANA shows rockets allegedly being fired towards a US military base at the Al-Omar oil field in eastern Syria's Deir Ezzor province. 
 
Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-carries-out-air-strikes-in-iraq-and-syria-target-iran-backed-militia-groups-394356/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

SANA did not say who was behind the rocket fire, but the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights blamed it on pro-Iranian militias. 
 
Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-have-drones-with-7000-km-range-says-irans-top-commander-394311">We have drones with 7,000 km range, says Iran's top commander</a>

The development came less than 24 hours after the US launched airstrikes against three targets it said were used by pro-Iran groups in eastern Syria and western Iraq.

(With inputs from agencies)

US military spokesperson Colonel Wayne Marotto has said that American forces in Syria launched “self-defence” artillery attacks on Monday after being hit by a barrage of missiles.

US military spokesperson Colonel Wayne Marotto has said that American forces in Syria launched “self-defence” artillery attacks on Monday after being hit by a barrage of missiles. The exchange of fire came a day after the Pentagon launched three strikes in eastern Syria and western Iraq, which it claimed were directed at pro-Iran militants. The attack on Monday evening resulted in no injuries, according to a US military spokesman. This is a vital and strategic location, and US forces supporting the Syrian Democratic Forces have a base here. "US Forces in Syria, while under multiple rocket attack, acted in self-defence and conducted counter-battery artillery fire at rocket launching positions," wrote Colonel Wayne Marotto, the spokesperson for the US-led Coalition to defeat ISIS. Initial report: At approx. 7:44 PM local time, U.S. Forces in Syria were attacked by multiple rockets. There are no injuries and damage is being assessed. We will provide updates when we have more information. — OIR Spokesman Col. Wayne Marotto (@OIRSpox) June 28, 2021 × “There are no injuries and damage is being assessed,” Marotto wrote. Footage broadcast by Syrian state news agency SANA shows rockets allegedly being fired towards a US military base at the Al-Omar oil field in eastern Syria's Deir Ezzor province. Watch: SANA did not say who was behind the rocket fire, but the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights blamed it on pro-Iranian militias. Also Read | We have drones with 7,000 km range, says Iran's top commander The development came less than 24 hours after the US launched airstrikes against three targets it said were used by pro-Iran groups in eastern Syria and western Iraq. (With inputs from agencies)

US army retaliates after Iran-backed militias target American base in eastern Syria

Republic Day Parade 2024: We are only days away from celebrating India’s 75th Republic Day. Indians all over the country are pumped up to watch the annual grand parade in New Delhi. Our men and women in uniforms are also braving the chilly weather and practising for the show&nbsp;on the capital’s iconic Kartavya Path.

As the ritual of the day always has been since 1950 to invite the head of state of a foreign country as chief guest, this year India has invited France’s President Emmanuel Macron to grace the Republic Day parade with his presence.&nbsp;

The invitation to Macron is not just for pomp and show but has underlying geopolitical meaning to it.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-dark-ages-in-south-asia-2800-year-old-settlement-discovered-in-pm-modis-hometown-vadnagar-680744">No 'Dark Ages' in South Asia? 2800-year-old settlement discovered in PM Modi's hometown Vadnagar</a>

As we all wait for the day to watch tricolour balloons in the blue sky of New Delhi with the roaring sounds of Tejas and Sukhoi aircraft, here is a complete guide on buying tickets to the Republic Day Parade 2024.

<h2>Republic Day Parade 2024: Time and other details</h2>

Date: January 26

Day: Friday

Time of parade: 9:30-10:00 am

Parade path: Vijay Chowk to India Gate&nbsp;

Parade distance: 5 km

Venue: Kartavya Path, New Delhi&nbsp;

<h2>Republic Day Parade 2024: Special features&nbsp;</h2>

This Republic Day, there will be two all-women contingents in the parade. The first, with 144 personnel, includes 60 soldiers from the Army and the rest from the Indian Air Force and Navy, featuring Agniveer soldiers.&nbsp;

The second contingent, led by women doctors, consists of nurses from the Armed Forces Medical Services.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/do-not-panic-indian-airlines-slipped-this-note-to-passenger-stuck-in-loo-for-entire-trip-680766">'Do not panic': Indian airlines slipped THIS note to passenger stuck in loo&nbsp;for entire trip</a>

Delhi Police will also feature an all-women contingent this year, for the first time in the force’s history.

<h2>Republic Day Parade 2024: Ticket prices</h2>

Indian nationals can take reserved or unreserved sets that are priced at ₹500 or ₹20 respectively. However, the booking for tickets started on January 10. The tickets will be available until January 25 but a limited number of tickets will be available per day.

<h2>Republic Day Parade 2024: How to buy tickets online, a step-to-step guide</h2>

1. Visit the Ministry of Defence’s official web portal at www.aamantran.mod.gov.in.

2. Login or create a new account.&nbsp;

3. Fill in personal details such as name, birthdate, mobile number, etc. Verify the authentication code sent to the registered mobile number (OTP).

4. Choose the desired event from the options that include the FDR Republic Day Parade, Republic Day Parade, and Beating the Retreat.&nbsp;

5. For verification purposes, provide attendee information and upload an original Photo ID.

6. Secure tickets by completing the online payment process.

<h2>Republic Day Parade 2024: How to buy tickets offline</h2>

Offline tickets will be available at IDTC Travel Counters, the Government of India Tourist Office and DTDC Counters.

Moreover, Departmental Sale Counters will sell the tickets from 10 am to 5:30 pm daily while the Parliament House Reception Office will sell the tickets from 11 am to 4 pm.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-vegetarian-man-served-dead-rat-at-mumbais-barbeque-nation-files-fir-over-companys-casual-response-680889">India: Vegetarian man 'served' dead rat at Mumbai's Barbeque Nation; files FIR over company's casual response</a>

The Government of India Tourist Office will remain closed on Sundays while the Parliament House Reception Office will remain closed on weekends and holidays.

1.&nbsp;Visit an authorised offline outlet or designated ticket counter for Republic Day events.

2.&nbsp;Provide identity proof and fill out a physical form with personal details including name, birth date, mobile number, etc.

3.&nbsp;Choose the desired event from the options that include FDR Republic Day Parade, Republic Day Parade, Beating the Retreat

4.&nbsp;For verification purposes, provide attendee information and provide a photocopy of the original Photo ID.

5.&nbsp;Secure tickets by completing the payment process,

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Republic Day Parade 2024: We are only days away from celebrating India’s 75th Republic Day. Indians all over the country are pumped up to watch the annual grand parade in New Delhi.

Republic Day Parade 2024: We are only days away from celebrating India’s 75th Republic Day. Indians all over the country are pumped up to watch the annual grand parade in New Delhi. Our men and women in uniforms are also braving the chilly weather and practising for the show on the capital’s iconic Kartavya Path. As the ritual of the day always has been since 1950 to invite the head of state of a foreign country as chief guest, this year India has invited France’s President Emmanuel Macron to grace the Republic Day parade with his presence. The invitation to Macron is not just for pomp and show but has underlying geopolitical meaning to it. Also Read | No 'Dark Ages' in South Asia? 2800-year-old settlement discovered in PM Modi's hometown Vadnagar As we all wait for the day to watch tricolour balloons in the blue sky of New Delhi with the roaring sounds of Tejas and Sukhoi aircraft, here is a complete guide on buying tickets to the Republic Day Parade 2024. Republic Day Parade 2024: Time and other details Date: January 26 Day: Friday Time of parade: 9:30-10:00 am Parade path: Vijay Chowk to India Gate Parade distance: 5 km Venue: Kartavya Path, New Delhi Republic Day Parade 2024: Special features This Republic Day, there will be two all-women contingents in the parade. The first, with 144 personnel, includes 60 soldiers from the Army and the rest from the Indian Air Force and Navy, featuring Agniveer soldiers. The second contingent, led by women doctors, consists of nurses from the Armed Forces Medical Services. Also Read | 'Do not panic': Indian airlines slipped THIS note to passenger stuck in loo for entire trip Delhi Police will also feature an all-women contingent this year, for the first time in the force’s history. Republic Day Parade 2024: Ticket prices Indian nationals can take reserved or unreserved sets that are priced at ₹500 or ₹20 respectively. However, the booking for tickets started on January 10. The tickets will be available until January 25 but a limited number of tickets will be available per day. Republic Day Parade 2024: How to buy tickets online, a step-to-step guide 1. Visit the Ministry of Defence’s official web portal at www.aamantran.mod.gov.in. 2. Login or create a new account. 3. Fill in personal details such as name, birthdate, mobile number, etc. Verify the authentication code sent to the registered mobile number (OTP). 4. Choose the desired event from the options that include the FDR Republic Day Parade, Republic Day Parade, and Beating the Retreat. 5. For verification purposes, provide attendee information and upload an original Photo ID. 6. Secure tickets by completing the online payment process. Republic Day Parade 2024: How to buy tickets offline Offline tickets will be available at IDTC Travel Counters, the Government of India Tourist Office and DTDC Counters. Moreover, Departmental Sale Counters will sell the tickets from 10 am to 5:30 pm daily while the Parliament House Reception Office will sell the tickets from 11 am to 4 pm. Also Read | India: Vegetarian man 'served' dead rat at Mumbai's Barbeque Nation; files FIR over company's casual response The Government of India Tourist Office will remain closed on Sundays while the Parliament House Reception Office will remain closed on weekends and holidays. 1. Visit an authorised offline outlet or designated ticket counter for Republic Day events. 2. Provide identity proof and fill out a physical form with personal details including name, birth date, mobile number, etc. 3. Choose the desired event from the options that include FDR Republic Day Parade, Republic Day Parade, Beating the Retreat 4. For verification purposes, provide attendee information and provide a photocopy of the original Photo ID. 5. Secure tickets by completing the payment process, (With inputs from agencies)

US carries out air strikes against Iran-backed militia in Iraq, Syria 

The United States Air Force (USAF) attacks on eastern Syria near the Iraqi border killed at least five Iran-backed militia fighters on Monday. According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, "at least 5 Iran-backed Iraqi militia fighters were killed and numerous more were wounded in an attack by US bombers.

The United States Air Force (USAF) attacks on eastern Syria near the Iraqi border killed at least five Iran-backed militia fighters on Monday. According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, "at least 5 Iran-backed Iraqi militia fighters were killed and numerous more were wounded in an attack by US bombers." According to the US Department of Defence, US combat aircraft have hit Iranian-backed insurgents' positions in the Syrian-Iraqi border region. Watch: The war monitor also confirmed the news that military positions were among the targets attacked. The strikes are the second such US attack on Iran-backed militias in Syria since President Joe Biden came to power, according to the Pentagon. Also Read | We have drones with 7,000 km range, says Iran's top commander "At President Biden's direction, US military forces earlier this evening conducted defensive precision airstrikes against facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups in the Iraq-Syria border region. The targets were selected because these facilities are utilized by Iran-backed militias that are engaged in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks against US personnel and facilities in Iraq," the Pentagon said in a statement late on Sunday. Also read: Secret UK defence documents found at a bus stop in Kent "Specifically, the US strikes targeted operational and weapons storage facilities at two locations in Syria and one location in Iraq, both of which lie close to the border between those countries. Several Iran-backed militia groups, including Kata'ib Hezbollah (KH) and Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS), used these facilities," the statement added. In recent months, US interests in Iraq have been repeatedly attacked, with the US regularly blaming Iran-linked Iraqi militias for rocket and other assaults against US forces stationed in Iraq. According to the Observatory, US strikes on facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups in east Syria killed more than 20 combatants in February. The strikes were in response for a rocket attack in Iraq that killed one civilian contractor and injured a US military member and other coalition troops, according to the Pentagon. (With inputs from agencies)

Five militia fighters killed in US strikes near Syria-Iraq border

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday that 10,000 Islamic State fighters continue to be held in detention in camps run by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and that this situation was 'untenable'. 
 
Speaking at the opening of a meeting in Rome to renew international efforts to combat the Islamist militia, Blinken said Washington continued to urge countries, including the 78 member countries of the coalition against Islamic State, to take back their citizens, who had joined the group. 
 
"This situation is simply untenable. It just can't persist indefinitely. The United States continues to urge countries of origin, including coalition partners, to repatriate, rehabilitate, and where applicable, prosecute their citizens," Blinken said in his opening remarks. 
 
Another key element of defeating Islamic State on a permanent basis required addressing the threats from the group outside Iraq and Syria, and namely in Africa, Blinken said. 
 
Originally an offshoot of al Qaeda, Islamic State seized large swathes of Iraq and Syria from 2014, imposing a reign of terror with public beheadings and attacks by supporters abroad. 
 
Islamic State was declared militarily defeated in 2017 but has since waged a steady insurgency across parts of northern Iraq and a porous border with neighbouring Syria. 
 
Recent months have witnessed more than 25 deadly attacks that Iraqi officials attribute to Islamic State militants. The January bombing of a crowded Baghdad market killed more than 30 people. 
 
Militant groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State have also grown stronger in recent years, despite the deployment of thousands of regional, Western and UN&nbsp;troops across West Africa's Sahel region.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday that 10,000 Islamic State fighters continue to be held in detention in camps run by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and that this situation was 'untenable'.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday that 10,000 Islamic State fighters continue to be held in detention in camps run by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and that this situation was 'untenable'. Speaking at the opening of a meeting in Rome to renew international efforts to combat the Islamist militia, Blinken said Washington continued to urge countries, including the 78 member countries of the coalition against Islamic State, to take back their citizens, who had joined the group. "This situation is simply untenable. It just can't persist indefinitely. The United States continues to urge countries of origin, including coalition partners, to repatriate, rehabilitate, and where applicable, prosecute their citizens," Blinken said in his opening remarks. Another key element of defeating Islamic State on a permanent basis required addressing the threats from the group outside Iraq and Syria, and namely in Africa, Blinken said. Originally an offshoot of al Qaeda, Islamic State seized large swathes of Iraq and Syria from 2014, imposing a reign of terror with public beheadings and attacks by supporters abroad. Islamic State was declared militarily defeated in 2017 but has since waged a steady insurgency across parts of northern Iraq and a porous border with neighbouring Syria. Recent months have witnessed more than 25 deadly attacks that Iraqi officials attribute to Islamic State militants. The January bombing of a crowded Baghdad market killed more than 30 people. Militant groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State have also grown stronger in recent years, despite the deployment of thousands of regional, Western and UN troops across West Africa's Sahel region.

Blinken: 'Untenable' for 10,000 IS fighters still to be held in Syria

In response to drone attacks against US personnel and facilities in Iraq, America has carried out airstrikes against Iran-backed militia in Iraq and Syria. At least 5 Iran-backed Iraqi militia fighters have been killed and several others wounded in the attack.

US carries out air strikes in Iraq and Syria, target Iran-backed militia groups

Failure to renew a cross-border aid operation into Syria which expires next month could result in a new "humanitarian disaster" for the country`s rebel-held region in the northwest, a World Health Organization spokesman said on Friday. 
 
Christian Lindmeier told a Geneva news briefing that a failure of the UN&nbsp;Security Council to renew the mandate for another year on July 10 would make it impossible to deliver vaccines to the region, including COVID-19 vaccines.

Failure to renew a cross-border aid operation into Syria which expires next month could result in a new "humanitarian disaster" for the country`s rebel-held region in the northwest, a World Health Organization spokesman said on Friday.

Failure to renew a cross-border aid operation into Syria which expires next month could result in a new "humanitarian disaster" for the country`s rebel-held region in the northwest, a World Health Organization spokesman said on Friday. Christian Lindmeier told a Geneva news briefing that a failure of the UN Security Council to renew the mandate for another year on July 10 would make it impossible to deliver vaccines to the region, including COVID-19 vaccines.

WHO warns of 'humanitarian disaster' in Syria if cross-border aid not renewed

Syrian mother Umm Saeed was so desperate to find her two jailed sons she even sold the family furniture to pay "fixers", but a decade of deceit has left her no closer to the truth.

"Had they asked for my heart, I would have handed it over," the 63-year-old mother told AFP by phone from central Syria, using a pseudonym for fear of reprisal.

But "they lied to me".

In war-torn Syria, where tens of thousands of people have disappeared into a murky web of regime jails infamous for torture, a booming trade has emerged for "fixers" offering to help families locate or save their loved ones.

Policemen, lawyers, businessmen and even lawmakers, with security&nbsp;and judicial contacts, demand steep fees to dig up information about a disappeared son or brother, allow a visit, reduce their sentence, or obtain their release.

Some efforts are successful, while more often scammers pocket the money and stop answering phone calls.

It's normal families who seek out the so-called fixers, but sometimes they receive cold calls persuading them to pay up for a photo or voice recording, only to vanish with the money.

AFP spoke to members of eight such families, most of whom asked that their real names not be used.

Umm Saeed said her two sons were detained in 2012.

"Whenever someone told me about a potential middleman, I would go to them," said the mother, who suffers from heart problems.

She paid a lawyer who asked for the equivalent of more than $3,000 but "did not provide the slightest bit of information".

Another man claiming to be a policeman was paid with a mobile phone after saying he could get her permission to visit Sednaya, a notorious prison in Damascus.

But when she showed up at the jail which Amnesty International calls a "slaughterhouse", she was told the pass was fake and sent away.

"I sold my home furniture and my daughters' gold. I have nothing left," she said.

'Black market'

Diana Semaan, a researcher at Amnesty,&nbsp;said the government's policy of silence on the fate of detainees had created a "black market" for information.

"Families, desperate for information, end up paying huge amounts of money, sometimes their entire life savings, to intermediaries and 'middlemen' close to the Syrian government," she explained.

Suaad, 45, said her family in northern Syria had paid 20 million pounds to various brokers over the years to try to find her brother since he disappeared in 2013.

In April, someone contacted the family asking for payment to release him.

But after they raised the cash, "he told us my brother had died three days earlier", Suaad said.

Two weeks later, another person rang, offering a phone call with her brother.

When the call came, there was no audible voice on the other end of the line; all they got for their money was static.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says around half a million people have entered regime jails since the 2011 start of Syria's conflict, of whom 60,000 have died of poor detention conditions or torture.

Another mother, 56-year-old Umm Yahya, said she had managed to visit her son just once, six months after he was detained in Idlib, northwest Syria, in 2012.

"I barely recognised him. His weight had dropped from 110 (240 pounds) to less than 50 kilos," she said.

She has heard nothing since.

Her family has over the years poured a small fortune into the pockets of possible intermediaries, selling two plots of land and a house in Idlib to cover the costs,&nbsp;but to no avail.

Her husband has grown increasingly reluctant to squander the family's savings. Two years ago, a lawyer asked for $10,000, but her husband refused.

"If a hundred more people turned up, even if there was just a one per cent chance of success, I would do it again," said Umm Yahya.

Estimated $900 million in bribes

The Association of Detainees and Missing Persons at Sednaya prison accused the regime in a report earlier this year of using detention as a means to extort money and "increase the influence of security services, their leaders, influential people in its government, some judges and lawyers."

It carried out hundreds of interviews showing that families had paid a total of more than $2.7 million over the years in return for the promise of information, a visit or a release from jail.

Based on that figure, the association estimates that the Syrian regime has made almost $900 million through "extortion" of families over the past decade.

Noura Ghazi, director of Nophotozone, an association that helps detainees' relatives, said many lawyers "invested" in state security courts.

Most of them deceive the families, "but some pay bribes to judges and to the security apparatuses, while taking a percentage or just their fees, and succeed in getting a person released", she said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/countries-relying-on-chinese-vaccines-reporting-covid-19-surge-report-393242">Also Read |&nbsp;Countries relying on Chinese vaccines reporting COVID-19 surge: Report</a>

Though most efforts fail, three people told AFP they had managed to transfer their relative to a better jail or even to have them freed.

Tamer said his family spent the past two years trying to save his brother Nizar from death in detention.

Nizar was arrested in 2018 in southern Syria despite having signed a so-called "reconciliation deal" with the regime.

The family learned he had been taken to Sednaya and was to appear before a military court infamous for handing out death sentences.

An MP asked for a payment of $40,000, but the family did not trust him.

They agreed instead to pay the same amount to a lawyer but only after his sentence was reduced and he was transferred. Within a month, he delivered and they paid.

Then a presidential pardon reduced his sentence further and Nizar was set free, returning home after having shed 30 kilos.

Tamer said that had they known about the upcoming pardon, they would have done it all anyway.&nbsp;

"All we wanted was to get him out of there as soon as possible."

Syrian mother Umm Saeed was so desperate to find her two jailed sons she even sold the family furniture to pay "fixers", but a decade of deceit has left her no closer to the truth.

Syrian mother Umm Saeed was so desperate to find her two jailed sons she even sold the family furniture to pay "fixers", but a decade of deceit has left her no closer to the truth. "Had they asked for my heart, I would have handed it over," the 63-year-old mother told AFP by phone from central Syria, using a pseudonym for fear of reprisal. But "they lied to me". In war-torn Syria, where tens of thousands of people have disappeared into a murky web of regime jails infamous for torture, a booming trade has emerged for "fixers" offering to help families locate or save their loved ones. Policemen, lawyers, businessmen and even lawmakers, with security and judicial contacts, demand steep fees to dig up information about a disappeared son or brother, allow a visit, reduce their sentence, or obtain their release. Some efforts are successful, while more often scammers pocket the money and stop answering phone calls. It's normal families who seek out the so-called fixers, but sometimes they receive cold calls persuading them to pay up for a photo or voice recording, only to vanish with the money. AFP spoke to members of eight such families, most of whom asked that their real names not be used. Umm Saeed said her two sons were detained in 2012. "Whenever someone told me about a potential middleman, I would go to them," said the mother, who suffers from heart problems. She paid a lawyer who asked for the equivalent of more than $3,000 but "did not provide the slightest bit of information". Another man claiming to be a policeman was paid with a mobile phone after saying he could get her permission to visit Sednaya, a notorious prison in Damascus. But when she showed up at the jail which Amnesty International calls a "slaughterhouse", she was told the pass was fake and sent away. "I sold my home furniture and my daughters' gold. I have nothing left," she said. 'Black market' Diana Semaan, a researcher at Amnesty, said the government's policy of silence on the fate of detainees had created a "black market" for information. "Families, desperate for information, end up paying huge amounts of money, sometimes their entire life savings, to intermediaries and 'middlemen' close to the Syrian government," she explained. Suaad, 45, said her family in northern Syria had paid 20 million pounds to various brokers over the years to try to find her brother since he disappeared in 2013. In April, someone contacted the family asking for payment to release him. But after they raised the cash, "he told us my brother had died three days earlier", Suaad said. Two weeks later, another person rang, offering a phone call with her brother. When the call came, there was no audible voice on the other end of the line; all they got for their money was static. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says around half a million people have entered regime jails since the 2011 start of Syria's conflict, of whom 60,000 have died of poor detention conditions or torture. Another mother, 56-year-old Umm Yahya, said she had managed to visit her son just once, six months after he was detained in Idlib, northwest Syria, in 2012. "I barely recognised him. His weight had dropped from 110 (240 pounds) to less than 50 kilos," she said. She has heard nothing since. Her family has over the years poured a small fortune into the pockets of possible intermediaries, selling two plots of land and a house in Idlib to cover the costs, but to no avail. Her husband has grown increasingly reluctant to squander the family's savings. Two years ago, a lawyer asked for $10,000, but her husband refused. "If a hundred more people turned up, even if there was just a one per cent chance of success, I would do it again," said Umm Yahya. Estimated $900 million in bribes The Association of Detainees and Missing Persons at Sednaya prison accused the regime in a report earlier this year of using detention as a means to extort money and "increase the influence of security services, their leaders, influential people in its government, some judges and lawyers." It carried out hundreds of interviews showing that families had paid a total of more than $2.7 million over the years in return for the promise of information, a visit or a release from jail. Based on that figure, the association estimates that the Syrian regime has made almost $900 million through "extortion" of families over the past decade. Noura Ghazi, director of Nophotozone, an association that helps detainees' relatives, said many lawyers "invested" in state security courts. Most of them deceive the families, "but some pay bribes to judges and to the security apparatuses, while taking a percentage or just their fees, and succeed in getting a person released", she said. Also Read | Countries relying on Chinese vaccines reporting COVID-19 surge: Report Though most efforts fail, three people told AFP they had managed to transfer their relative to a better jail or even to have them freed. Tamer said his family spent the past two years trying to save his brother Nizar from death in detention. Nizar was arrested in 2018 in southern Syria despite having signed a so-called "reconciliation deal" with the regime. The family learned he had been taken to Sednaya and was to appear before a military court infamous for handing out death sentences. An MP asked for a payment of $40,000, but the family did not trust him. They agreed instead to pay the same amount to a lawyer but only after his sentence was reduced and he was transferred. Within a month, he delivered and they paid. Then a presidential pardon reduced his sentence further and Nizar was set free, returning home after having shed 30 kilos. Tamer said that had they known about the upcoming pardon, they would have done it all anyway. "All we wanted was to get him out of there as soon as possible."

Syria 'fixers' cash in on despair of prisoners' families

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