Deadly clashes erupted overnight as jihadist fighters attacked two besieged regime-controlled villages in northwestern Syria, a monitor said on Sunday.

The villages of Fuaa and Kafraya represent a tiny pocket of regime-held territory in Syria's northwest Idlib province, which is otherwise almost entirely controlled by various jihadist and hardline rebels.

Occasional skirmishes erupt there but the frontline has been quiet in recent months.&nbsp

Late Saturday, fighters from Al-Qaeda's former Syrian affiliate attacked Fuaa and Kafraya, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.&nbsp

"Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) began heavily shelling the two villages, and broke into Fuaa to attack local fighters," said Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman.&nbsp

"This is the fiercest attack in around three years," he told AFP.

The fighting, which was continuing Sunday, had killed six Syrian pro-regime fighters and at least three from HTS.

Syrian state news agency SANA also reported the attack, and said local fighters had been able to push HTS back.

Around 10,000 people, most of them Shiite Muslims, are estimated to live in the two villages. Syrian troops also hold some territory in Idlib's east, including the key Abu Duhur airbase.&nbsp

In apparent retaliation for the attack, Syrian warplanes pounded several towns around Fuaa and Kafraya on Sunday, AFP's correspondent and a monitor said.&nbsp

Fuaa and Kafraya are the only two places in Syria currently designated as besieged by the United Nations.

Siege tactics have been used throughout Syria's seven-year conflict, mostly by the government.&nbsp

Troops have employed the tactic alongside heavy bombing to cut off food and medicine to rebel-held areas, then coerce people to agree to leave in population transfer deals. After such agreements, the United Nations no longer considers those areas as besieged. &nbsp

The fate of Fuaa and Kafraya has been heavily impacted by such deals.&nbsp

They made up part of the Four Towns Agreement, a complex deal that saw tit-for-tat evacuations and aid deliveries between Fuaa and Kafraya on one hand, and the government-besieged towns of Zabadani and Madaya.&nbsp

Idlib, which lies on the border with Turkey, has seen its population balloon in recent years as fighters and civilians evacuated from other opposition areas are dumped there.&nbsp

Rebels overran most of Idlib in 2015, but the mainstream opposition's influence has dwindled as jihadists like HTS have solidified their grip on the province.

In recent months, regime forces have recaptured a sliver of the province and the Islamic State group is conducting hit-and-run attacks there against its HTS rival.&nbsp

Last week, clashes in Idlib between HTS and an IS sleeper cell made up of Iraqi jihadists left more than two dozen fighters dead, mostly from IS.&nbsp

In retaliation, the IS cell executed five HTS fighters it had abducted in Idlib, the Britain-based Observatory said Sunday.&nbsp

HTS also killed six IS members it had captured in the clashes.

The villages of Fuaa and Kafraya represent a tiny pocket of regime-held territory in Syria's northwest Idlib province, which is otherwise almost entirely controlled by various jihadist and hardline rebels

Deadly clashes erupted overnight as jihadist fighters attacked two besieged regime-controlled villages in northwestern Syria, a monitor said on Sunday. The villages of Fuaa and Kafraya represent a tiny pocket of regime-held territory in Syria's northwest Idlib province, which is otherwise almost entirely controlled by various jihadist and hardline rebels. Occasional skirmishes erupt there but the frontline has been quiet in recent months. Late Saturday, fighters from Al-Qaeda's former Syrian affiliate attacked Fuaa and Kafraya, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) began heavily shelling the two villages, and broke into Fuaa to attack local fighters," said Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman. "This is the fiercest attack in around three years," he told AFP. The fighting, which was continuing Sunday, had killed six Syrian pro-regime fighters and at least three from HTS. Syrian state news agency SANA also reported the attack, and said local fighters had been able to push HTS back. Around 10,000 people, most of them Shiite Muslims, are estimated to live in the two villages. Syrian troops also hold some territory in Idlib's east, including the key Abu Duhur airbase. In apparent retaliation for the attack, Syrian warplanes pounded several towns around Fuaa and Kafraya on Sunday, AFP's correspondent and a monitor said. Fuaa and Kafraya are the only two places in Syria currently designated as besieged by the United Nations. Siege tactics have been used throughout Syria's seven-year conflict, mostly by the government. Troops have employed the tactic alongside heavy bombing to cut off food and medicine to rebel-held areas, then coerce people to agree to leave in population transfer deals. After such agreements, the United Nations no longer considers those areas as besieged. The fate of Fuaa and Kafraya has been heavily impacted by such deals. They made up part of the Four Towns Agreement, a complex deal that saw tit-for-tat evacuations and aid deliveries between Fuaa and Kafraya on one hand, and the government-besieged towns of Zabadani and Madaya. Idlib, which lies on the border with Turkey, has seen its population balloon in recent years as fighters and civilians evacuated from other opposition areas are dumped there. Rebels overran most of Idlib in 2015, but the mainstream opposition's influence has dwindled as jihadists like HTS have solidified their grip on the province. In recent months, regime forces have recaptured a sliver of the province and the Islamic State group is conducting hit-and-run attacks there against its HTS rival. Last week, clashes in Idlib between HTS and an IS sleeper cell made up of Iraqi jihadists left more than two dozen fighters dead, mostly from IS. In retaliation, the IS cell executed five HTS fighters it had abducted in Idlib, the Britain-based Observatory said Sunday. HTS also killed six IS members it had captured in the clashes.

Deadly clashes as jihadists attack two besieged Syria regime villages

The Islamic State group had lost ground Saturday in a town on the Syrian-Iraqi border after pro-regime forces repelled a major attack the day before, a Britain-based monitor said.

Violent clashes were ongoing in Albu Kamal, which lies in the Euphrates Valley in eastern Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said.

"IS has retreated from inside the town to its western and northwestern parts" after pro-regime forces pushed back the jihadists, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said.

Pro-government reinforcements had arrived, he said.

On Friday, IS used at least 10 suicide bombers in its offensive on Albu Kamal, swiftly taking several of its neighbourhoods, the monitor said.&nbsp

It was the biggest attack on the town since the jihadist group lost it in November 2017, and the latest in a string of attacks by IS across Syria.

Neither Syrian state media nor the army reported Friday's attack on Albu Kamal.

The fighting in the town over the past 24 hours has killed 30 pro-regime fighters, the Observatory said.

These include 16 regime troops among them a general, as well as 14 non-Syrian combattants, notably Iranians and Lebanese Hezbollah movement fighters, the monitor said.

Twenty-one IS jihadists were also killed in that same period, including the 10 suicide bombers, according to the same source.

IS has ramped up its attacks against pro-regime forces since its fighters in May left their last bastion near Damascus under an evacuation deal with the regime.

IS in 2014 proclaimed a cross-border "caliphate" in Syria and neighbouring Iraq, but has since lost most of its territory to various military offensives.

Its presence is mostly confined to pockets of eastern Syria in the vast desert stretching from the country's centre to the border with Iraq.

Earlier this week, IS assaults in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor killed 45 pro-regime fighters.

On Thursday, IS jihadists also killed 22 pro-regime fighters in surprise attacks in the southern province of Sweida, a monitor said.

Violent clashes were ongoing in Albu Kamal, which lies in the Euphrates Valley in eastern Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said

The Islamic State group had lost ground Saturday in a town on the Syrian-Iraqi border after pro-regime forces repelled a major attack the day before, a Britain-based monitor said. Violent clashes were ongoing in Albu Kamal, which lies in the Euphrates Valley in eastern Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said. "IS has retreated from inside the town to its western and northwestern parts" after pro-regime forces pushed back the jihadists, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said. Pro-government reinforcements had arrived, he said. On Friday, IS used at least 10 suicide bombers in its offensive on Albu Kamal, swiftly taking several of its neighbourhoods, the monitor said. It was the biggest attack on the town since the jihadist group lost it in November 2017, and the latest in a string of attacks by IS across Syria. Neither Syrian state media nor the army reported Friday's attack on Albu Kamal. The fighting in the town over the past 24 hours has killed 30 pro-regime fighters, the Observatory said. These include 16 regime troops among them a general, as well as 14 non-Syrian combattants, notably Iranians and Lebanese Hezbollah movement fighters, the monitor said. Twenty-one IS jihadists were also killed in that same period, including the 10 suicide bombers, according to the same source. IS has ramped up its attacks against pro-regime forces since its fighters in May left their last bastion near Damascus under an evacuation deal with the regime. IS in 2014 proclaimed a cross-border "caliphate" in Syria and neighbouring Iraq, but has since lost most of its territory to various military offensives. Its presence is mostly confined to pockets of eastern Syria in the vast desert stretching from the country's centre to the border with Iraq. Earlier this week, IS assaults in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor killed 45 pro-regime fighters. On Thursday, IS jihadists also killed 22 pro-regime fighters in surprise attacks in the southern province of Sweida, a monitor said.

IS jihadists lose ground in Syria town after major attack: Monitor

Air strikes likely by Russia on a village in Syria's rebel-held Idlib province killed at least 44 people overnight, inflicting the highest death toll in a single attack on the region this year, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday.

"War planes, which are likely Russian, targeted the village of Zardana in northern rural Idlib overnight and caused the highest death toll in a single attack on the region including 11 women and six children," Rami Abdulrahman, the director of the Britain-based war monitor said.

The death toll is expected to increase as some of the 60 injured in the strikes were in a critical condition, he said. Rescue workers were still searching under the rubble for survivors.

The northwestern Idlib region remains the largest populated area of Syria in the hands of insurgents fighting the Damascus government.

The death toll is expected to increase as some of the 60 injured in the strikes were in a critical condition

Air strikes likely by Russia on a village in Syria's rebel-held Idlib province killed at least 44 people overnight, inflicting the highest death toll in a single attack on the region this year, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday. "War planes, which are likely Russian, targeted the village of Zardana in northern rural Idlib overnight and caused the highest death toll in a single attack on the region including 11 women and six children," Rami Abdulrahman, the director of the Britain-based war monitor said. The death toll is expected to increase as some of the 60 injured in the strikes were in a critical condition, he said. Rescue workers were still searching under the rubble for survivors. The northwestern Idlib region remains the largest populated area of Syria in the hands of insurgents fighting the Damascus government.

Air strikes kill at least 44 in Syria's Idlib: Monitor

The US&nbsp;government said on Wednesday it would&nbsp;release&nbsp;in&nbsp;Syria&nbsp;an American&nbsp;citizen detained on suspicion of being an Islamic State member, a move the&nbsp;AmericanCivil Liberties Union compared to dumping him on the road in a war zone.

The man, who holds dual US-Saudi citizenship and whose name has not been&nbsp;released, was captured&nbsp;in&nbsp;September&nbsp;in&nbsp;Syria&nbsp;by the US-backed&nbsp;Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of militias fighting against Islamic State, before being handed over to the United States.

He was then held in Iraq without legal representation until the&nbsp;American&nbsp;Civil Liberties Union intervened on his behalf in US&nbsp;federal court last October.

"The government has&nbsp;effectively&nbsp;admitted that it has no&nbsp;reason&nbsp;to continue detaining our client and that he does not pose a threat," said ACLU attorney Jonathan Hafetz in a statement.

"But, instead of offering a safe&nbsp;release, they want to&nbsp;dump an&nbsp;American&nbsp;citizen&nbsp;onto the side of the road in a war-torn country without any assurances of protection&nbsp;and no identification."

The United States previously said it had evidence that he had signed up as an Islamic State foreign fighter in 2014 and entered&nbsp;Syria&nbsp;in January 2015, according to court papers. The detainee, who has a degree in electrical engineering, is married with one child, according to court papers.

The administration had previously sought to transfer the man to an unidentified country, possibly Saudi Arabia.

In its notice filed to a Washington DC&nbsp;court on Wednesday, the Justice Department said it offered the man a choice of being&nbsp;released "either in a town or outside an Internally Displaced Person camp," but he would not agree to&nbsp;release&nbsp;options.

The Justice Department said it would&nbsp;release&nbsp;him in the unspecified town "no sooner than 72 hours hence."

"The government has effectively admitted that it has no reason to continue detaining our client and that he does not pose a threat," said Jonathan Hafetz

The US government said on Wednesday it would release in Syria an American citizen detained on suspicion of being an Islamic State member, a move the AmericanCivil Liberties Union compared to dumping him on the road in a war zone. The man, who holds dual US-Saudi citizenship and whose name has not been released, was captured in September in Syria by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of militias fighting against Islamic State, before being handed over to the United States. He was then held in Iraq without legal representation until the American Civil Liberties Union intervened on his behalf in US federal court last October. "The government has effectively admitted that it has no reason to continue detaining our client and that he does not pose a threat," said ACLU attorney Jonathan Hafetz in a statement. "But, instead of offering a safe release, they want to dump an American citizen onto the side of the road in a war-torn country without any assurances of protection and no identification." The United States previously said it had evidence that he had signed up as an Islamic State foreign fighter in 2014 and entered Syria in January 2015, according to court papers. The detainee, who has a degree in electrical engineering, is married with one child, according to court papers. The administration had previously sought to transfer the man to an unidentified country, possibly Saudi Arabia. In its notice filed to a Washington DC court on Wednesday, the Justice Department said it offered the man a choice of being released "either in a town or outside an Internally Displaced Person camp," but he would not agree to release options. The Justice Department said it would release him in the unspecified town "no sooner than 72 hours hence."

US plans to release American captured in Syria in September

At an unlikely cat shelter in rebel-held northern Syria, Mohammed Alaa al-Jaleel gently holds a feline patient on her back as an ultrasound probe is rolled across her pregnant belly. In a time of war, she is one of hundreds to have received medical attention at the makeshift animal clinic in Kafr Naha, an opposition-held town in Aleppo province. “If you want to show mercy to people, start by showing mercy to everything else,” says Jaleel, who runs Ernesto’s Cat Sanctuary-named after his favourite furry friend.

The 43-year-old, who grew up in Syria’s second city Aleppo, has been mad about cats since he was a boy. As a young adult in the city, he would drop by the butchers on his way home from work as an electrician to ask for scraps to feed street cats in his neighbourhood. When war broke out in 2011, he put down his tools to become an ambulance driver to help ferry the wounded-but never stopped bringing food to his feline friends.

As the war raged on and cat lovers fled the city, Jaleel was left with 170 cats to feed and a new nickname: the Cat Man of Aleppo. With the help of donations from friends and social media fans, he set up his first cat sanctuary in the city. But in late 2016, the regime ramped up its deadly bombardment of Aleppo’s opposition-held neighbourhoods as it sought to regain control of the whole city. “We started fleeing from neighbourhood to neighbourhood until, in the end, we escaped the city altogether,” Jaleel recalls.

Determined not to leave them behind, he and fellow feline fans managed to save 22 of the city’s cats. “We gave each family two cats in a plastic vegetable basket,” Jaleel says. Among them was Sukhoi, named after the stealth fighter jets of regime ally Russia. “He would zip in and grab food from right under the noses of the other cats, just like a Sukhoi jet,” he said. Syria’s war has killed more than 350,000 people and displaced more than half its pre-war human population, as well as many of its domestic animals.

After fleeing Aleppo, Jaleel set up his second shelter-named after Ernesto-in early 2017 and housed 18 of the 22 smuggled cats in the animal oasis. “The cats don’t just stay in just one house. They swap with each other and sleep in all of them,” Jaleel says, referring to rows of marble cubes with cat-sized entrances, engraved with names like Pouncer and Rose. Nearby, a grinder churns out streams of bright pink mincemeat that is then scooped out onto plates spread out on the ground for lunchtime.

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Eyes closed, a cat with a stripy, light ash coat dips its snow-white nose in, nibbling away. But the shelter, financed by online crowdfunding campaigns, does more than provide twice-daily meals: it also serves as an animal clinic with its in-house vet. “We treat all sorts of animals here for free: horses, cows and even chickens,” Jaleel says. During an inventory in January, he and his colleagues discovered they had handed out 7,000 medical prescriptions for free in less than a year.

Mohammad Watar was blown away when he brought in his cat for treatment after food poisoning. “There are no vets where I live. I asked people and they pointed me to the sanctuary,” he says. “I was so surprised to find this kind of thing existed during this war we’re all living,” says Watar. “I saw them treating all sorts of animals. It’s really beautiful.” Still, war is never far away: the sanctuary’s main building bears the marks of gunfire.

Last month, it cancelled a children’s party after a young boy was shot near the shelter, according to its English-language Facebook page. Footage posted online depicted a man in a cat sanctuary t-shirt carrying a child with blood streaming down his calf. Even the shelter’s cats are treated for war wounds, says the centre’s vet, Mohammed Yusuf. “Just like many people are wounded by all the different weapons in the area, animals too suffer the same injuries,” he said.

Some stay under observation at his clinic for weeks, but not all get the treatment they need. “We’re living in a war and facing severe shortages of veterinary medicines for wounds as well as vaccines,” Yusuf says. In a time of death and destruction, the pride of the sanctuary is its ability to carry out sonograms of animal mothers-to-be. “We examine them and diagnose how many fetuses there are and when they are due, and we prepare to welcome the new births,” Yusuf says.

The 43-year-old, who grew up in Syria’s second city Aleppo, has been mad about cats since he was a boy

At an unlikely cat shelter in rebel-held northern Syria, Mohammed Alaa al-Jaleel gently holds a feline patient on her back as an ultrasound probe is rolled across her pregnant belly. In a time of war, she is one of hundreds to have received medical attention at the makeshift animal clinic in Kafr Naha, an opposition-held town in Aleppo province. “If you want to show mercy to people, start by showing mercy to everything else,” says Jaleel, who runs Ernesto’s Cat Sanctuary-named after his favourite furry friend. The 43-year-old, who grew up in Syria’s second city Aleppo, has been mad about cats since he was a boy. As a young adult in the city, he would drop by the butchers on his way home from work as an electrician to ask for scraps to feed street cats in his neighbourhood. When war broke out in 2011, he put down his tools to become an ambulance driver to help ferry the wounded-but never stopped bringing food to his feline friends. As the war raged on and cat lovers fled the city, Jaleel was left with 170 cats to feed and a new nickname: the Cat Man of Aleppo. With the help of donations from friends and social media fans, he set up his first cat sanctuary in the city. But in late 2016, the regime ramped up its deadly bombardment of Aleppo’s opposition-held neighbourhoods as it sought to regain control of the whole city. “We started fleeing from neighbourhood to neighbourhood until, in the end, we escaped the city altogether,” Jaleel recalls. Determined not to leave them behind, he and fellow feline fans managed to save 22 of the city’s cats. “We gave each family two cats in a plastic vegetable basket,” Jaleel says. Among them was Sukhoi, named after the stealth fighter jets of regime ally Russia. “He would zip in and grab food from right under the noses of the other cats, just like a Sukhoi jet,” he said. Syria’s war has killed more than 350,000 people and displaced more than half its pre-war human population, as well as many of its domestic animals. After fleeing Aleppo, Jaleel set up his second shelter-named after Ernesto-in early 2017 and housed 18 of the 22 smuggled cats in the animal oasis. “The cats don’t just stay in just one house. They swap with each other and sleep in all of them,” Jaleel says, referring to rows of marble cubes with cat-sized entrances, engraved with names like Pouncer and Rose. Nearby, a grinder churns out streams of bright pink mincemeat that is then scooped out onto plates spread out on the ground for lunchtime. VIDEO: Meet Syria's 'cat man' Mohammed Alaa al-Jaleel, who has opened an animal clinic in Aleppo province to take care of hundreds of stray and abandoned cats pic.twitter.com/ftYOL0PRAD — AFP news agency (@AFP) June 4, 2018 × Eyes closed, a cat with a stripy, light ash coat dips its snow-white nose in, nibbling away. But the shelter, financed by online crowdfunding campaigns, does more than provide twice-daily meals: it also serves as an animal clinic with its in-house vet. “We treat all sorts of animals here for free: horses, cows and even chickens,” Jaleel says. During an inventory in January, he and his colleagues discovered they had handed out 7,000 medical prescriptions for free in less than a year. Mohammad Watar was blown away when he brought in his cat for treatment after food poisoning. “There are no vets where I live. I asked people and they pointed me to the sanctuary,” he says. “I was so surprised to find this kind of thing existed during this war we’re all living,” says Watar. “I saw them treating all sorts of animals. It’s really beautiful.” Still, war is never far away: the sanctuary’s main building bears the marks of gunfire. Last month, it cancelled a children’s party after a young boy was shot near the shelter, according to its English-language Facebook page. Footage posted online depicted a man in a cat sanctuary t-shirt carrying a child with blood streaming down his calf. Even the shelter’s cats are treated for war wounds, says the centre’s vet, Mohammed Yusuf. “Just like many people are wounded by all the different weapons in the area, animals too suffer the same injuries,” he said. Some stay under observation at his clinic for weeks, but not all get the treatment they need. “We’re living in a war and facing severe shortages of veterinary medicines for wounds as well as vaccines,” Yusuf says. In a time of death and destruction, the pride of the sanctuary is its ability to carry out sonograms of animal mothers-to-be. “We examine them and diagnose how many fetuses there are and when they are due, and we prepare to welcome the new births,” Yusuf says.

Watch: In war-torn Syria, ‘cat man’ starts rare animal clinic

There is evidence that attacks by the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State in the Syrian city of Raqqa last year broke international law by endangering the lives of civilians, human rights group Amnesty International said on Tuesday.

During its campaign to recapture the group’s Syrian capital, the coalition did not take enough account of civilians or take the precautions necessary to minimise harm to them, Amnesty said in a report.

It documented the cases of four families whose experiences it said were emblematic of wider patterns and provided “prima facie evidence that several coalition attacks which killed and injured civilians violated international humanitarian law”.

In an email, the coalition said it applies “rigorous standards to our targeting process and takes extraordinary efforts to protect non-combatants”.

It added that it strikes military objectives in accordance with the laws of armed conflict and is transparent about its procedures.

The campaign to capture Raqqa was waged from June to October last year by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias backed by coalition warplanes and special forces troops.

Reuters reporters in Raqqa during and after the campaign said that air strikes and fighting had caused massive destruction throughout the city, laying waste to entire districts.

The jihadist Islamic State had once used the city as the administrative centre of its self-declared caliphate, making it a planning centre for attacks by its followers around the world.

During the battle for Raqqa, IS fighters made it harder for the coalition offensive to avoid civilian deaths by operating among them and using them as human shields, Amnesty said.

Amnesty said it had interviewed 112 civilian residents of Raqqa during field research there in February, visiting the sites of 42 air, artillery and mortar strikes.

It said that in the four cases detailed in its report, air strikes using powerful munitions had hit buildings full of civilians who had been staying there for long periods.

It focused on the Aswad family, which it said lost eight members in a single air strike, the Hashish family, which it said lost 18 members, the Badran family which it said lost 39 members, and the Fayad family which it said lost 16 members.

“Witnesses reported that there were no fighters in the vicinity at the time of the attacks. Such attacks could be either direct attacks on civilians or civilian objects or indiscriminate attacks,” the report said of the four cases studied, adding that such attacks amounted to war crimes.

Amnesty called on the coalition and member states to acknowledge the scale of devastation, make public necessary information for an independent investigation and make reparations to victims.

During its campaign to recapture the group’s Syrian capital, the coalition did not take enough account of civilians or take the precautions necessary to minimise harm to them

There is evidence that attacks by the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State in the Syrian city of Raqqa last year broke international law by endangering the lives of civilians, human rights group Amnesty International said on Tuesday. During its campaign to recapture the group’s Syrian capital, the coalition did not take enough account of civilians or take the precautions necessary to minimise harm to them, Amnesty said in a report. It documented the cases of four families whose experiences it said were emblematic of wider patterns and provided “prima facie evidence that several coalition attacks which killed and injured civilians violated international humanitarian law”. In an email, the coalition said it applies “rigorous standards to our targeting process and takes extraordinary efforts to protect non-combatants”. It added that it strikes military objectives in accordance with the laws of armed conflict and is transparent about its procedures. The campaign to capture Raqqa was waged from June to October last year by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias backed by coalition warplanes and special forces troops. Reuters reporters in Raqqa during and after the campaign said that air strikes and fighting had caused massive destruction throughout the city, laying waste to entire districts. The jihadist Islamic State had once used the city as the administrative centre of its self-declared caliphate, making it a planning centre for attacks by its followers around the world. During the battle for Raqqa, IS fighters made it harder for the coalition offensive to avoid civilian deaths by operating among them and using them as human shields, Amnesty said. Amnesty said it had interviewed 112 civilian residents of Raqqa during field research there in February, visiting the sites of 42 air, artillery and mortar strikes. It said that in the four cases detailed in its report, air strikes using powerful munitions had hit buildings full of civilians who had been staying there for long periods. It focused on the Aswad family, which it said lost eight members in a single air strike, the Hashish family, which it said lost 18 members, the Badran family which it said lost 39 members, and the Fayad family which it said lost 16 members. “Witnesses reported that there were no fighters in the vicinity at the time of the attacks. Such attacks could be either direct attacks on civilians or civilian objects or indiscriminate attacks,” the report said of the four cases studied, adding that such attacks amounted to war crimes. Amnesty called on the coalition and member states to acknowledge the scale of devastation, make public necessary information for an independent investigation and make reparations to victims.

Evidence shows coalition attacks on Syria's Raqqa broke law: Amnesty

An offensive by the Islamic State jihadist group in eastern Syria has left at least 45 pro-regime fighters dead, a monitoring group said Tuesday.

IS fighters launched the offensive Sunday against Euphrates Valley villages controlled by government forces and their allies, and have retaken four of them, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

IS fighters launched the offensive Sunday against Euphrates Valley villages controlled by government forces and their allies, and have retaken four of them, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said

An offensive by the Islamic State jihadist group in eastern Syria has left at least 45 pro-regime fighters dead, a monitoring group said Tuesday. IS fighters launched the offensive Sunday against Euphrates Valley villages controlled by government forces and their allies, and have retaken four of them, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

IS kills 45 pro-regime fighters in east Syria assault

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said he plans to visit North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, North Korean state media reported on Sunday, potentially the first meeting between Kim and another head of state in Pyongyang.

"I am going to visit the DPRK and meet HE Kim Jong Un," Assad said on May 30, North Korea's KCNA news agency reported, using the initials of the country's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

There was no immediate comment from the Syrian president’s office.

Assad reportedly made the remarks as he received the credentials of North Korean Ambassador Mun Jong Nam.

Pyongyang and Damascus maintain good relations, and United Nations monitors have accused North Korea of cooperating with Syria on chemical weapons, a charge the North denies.

Both countries have faced international isolation, North Korea over its nuclear weapons programme, and Syria over its tactics during a bloody civil war.

Since the beginning of the year, however, North Korea's Kim has launched a flurry of diplomatic meetings with leaders in China and South Korea, and is scheduled to hold a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore on June 12.

Since taking power in 2011, Kim has not publicly met with another head of state in North Korea.

"The world welcomes the remarkable events in the Korean peninsula brought about recently by the outstanding political caliber and wise leadership of HE Kim Jong Un," Assad said, according to KCNA.&nbsp"I am sure that he will achieve the final victory and realize the reunification of Korea without fail."

According to South Korea's foreign ministry, North Korea established diplomatic relations with Syria in 1966, opening its embassy in Damascus. Syria opened its mission in Pyongyang in 1969.

Close military cooperation between the two countries began when North Korea sent some 530 troops including pilots, tank drivers and missile personnel to Syria during the Arab-Israeli war in October 1973.&nbsp

"The Syrian government will as ever fully support all policies and measures of the DPRK leadership and invariably strengthen and develop the friendly ties with the DPRK," Assad said, as quoted by KCNA.

Assad reportedly made the remarks as he received the credentials of North Korean Ambassador Mun Jong Nam

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said he plans to visit North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, North Korean state media reported on Sunday, potentially the first meeting between Kim and another head of state in Pyongyang. "I am going to visit the DPRK and meet HE Kim Jong Un," Assad said on May 30, North Korea's KCNA news agency reported, using the initials of the country's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. There was no immediate comment from the Syrian president’s office. Assad reportedly made the remarks as he received the credentials of North Korean Ambassador Mun Jong Nam. Pyongyang and Damascus maintain good relations, and United Nations monitors have accused North Korea of cooperating with Syria on chemical weapons, a charge the North denies. Both countries have faced international isolation, North Korea over its nuclear weapons programme, and Syria over its tactics during a bloody civil war. Since the beginning of the year, however, North Korea's Kim has launched a flurry of diplomatic meetings with leaders in China and South Korea, and is scheduled to hold a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore on June 12. Since taking power in 2011, Kim has not publicly met with another head of state in North Korea. "The world welcomes the remarkable events in the Korean peninsula brought about recently by the outstanding political caliber and wise leadership of HE Kim Jong Un," Assad said, according to KCNA. "I am sure that he will achieve the final victory and realize the reunification of Korea without fail." According to South Korea's foreign ministry, North Korea established diplomatic relations with Syria in 1966, opening its embassy in Damascus. Syria opened its mission in Pyongyang in 1969. Close military cooperation between the two countries began when North Korea sent some 530 troops including pilots, tank drivers and missile personnel to Syria during the Arab-Israeli war in October 1973. "The Syrian government will as ever fully support all policies and measures of the DPRK leadership and invariably strengthen and develop the friendly ties with the DPRK," Assad said, as quoted by KCNA.

Syria's Assad says will visit North Korea, news agency reports

President Bashar al-Assad said he would recover areas of Syria held by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and that US&nbspforces should learn the lesson of Iraq and leave the country.

In an interview with Russia Today, Assad also said the government had "started now opening doors for negotiations" with the SDF, a Kurdish dominated militia alliance that controls parts of northern and eastern Syria where US&nbspforces are stationed.

"This is the first option. If not, we`re going to resort to ... liberating those areas by force," he said, adding "the Americans should leave, somehow they`re going to leave".

Responding to US&nbspPresident Donald Trump`s description of him as "Animal Assad", the Syrian leader said: "What you say is what you are".

Assad also said the government had 'started now opening doors for negotiations' with the SDF

President Bashar al-Assad said he would recover areas of Syria held by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and that US&nbspforces should learn the lesson of Iraq and leave the country. In an interview with Russia Today, Assad also said the government had "started now opening doors for negotiations" with the SDF, a Kurdish dominated militia alliance that controls parts of northern and eastern Syria where US&nbspforces are stationed. "This is the first option. If not, we`re going to resort to ... liberating those areas by force," he said, adding "the Americans should leave, somehow they`re going to leave". Responding to US&nbspPresident Donald Trump`s description of him as "Animal Assad", the Syrian leader said: "What you say is what you are".

Assad says US will leave Syria, vows to retake SDF-held areas

Displaced from her home in Syria's Eastern Ghouta, Umaima al-Sheikh and her family sought refuge in an abandoned house across the country in Afrin.

The traditionally Kurdish town had been emptied of its residents just weeks earlier after a brutal Turkish-led offensive forced tens of thousands to flee.

"No one wants to live in a house that isn't theirs, or use other people's belongings," said Sheikh.

After staying briefly in rebel territory elsewhere in northern Syria, the 25-year-old moved to Afrin around a month ago with her husband Firas and two young children.

"We all want to be in our own homes, our own towns, but the situation forced us to settle in a house that isn't ours," Sheikh told&nbsp;in a leafy park in the town.

"The homes we left behind are now being lived in by other people, too. This is the case for everyone in Syria, not just us," she said.

Since war broke out in 2011, half of Syria's population has been displaced, including more than five million outside the country and another six million internally.

Among them are rebels and civilians transferred en masse from one bombed opposition area to another under "reconciliation" agreements.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has used such deals to retake territory, prompting charges he is reshuffling the country's demographics.

His April capture of Ghouta was sealed with the transfer of thousands of people to the rebel-held north, with many going on to Afrin.

The offensive by Turkish-backed rebels sparked a wave of accusations that Ankara was guilty of ethnic engineering, by resettling Syrian Arabs into Afrin after pushing out Syrian Kurds.

As many as 35,000 people have taken refuge in the Afrin region, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Some live in a pair of refugee camps in a rural area, but many have moved into the town's empty and ruined homes.

Mehdi Haymur and his young son picked through the rubble and debris at the entrance of one bombed-out apartment for anything salvageable.

They lifted a mismatched pair of torn, dust-covered cushions from the smashed cinderblocks and headed inside.

"We left Ghouta and lost our homes, land, and work. We were forced to leave Ghouta, and we also came here in a forced way," said Haymur.

With help from rebel military police, he and his family have squatted in several Afrin homes but their owners have arrived and asked them to leave.

The owner of the abandoned block where he lives now has allowed them to stay temporarily, Haymur told.

Ahmad al-Buri, 19, was displaced to Afrin from the outskirts of Ghouta's largest town of Douma.

"This is a Turkish zone, protected from Syrian regime bombardment. That's why I came here," said Buri.

Rebels also helped his family find an empty home in Afrin's Mahmudiyah district, and Buri has enlisted in the Turkish-backed police.

"If the owner of this house comes back and we have to leave, I don't know what we'll do. We'll have to find another home or go to a camp," he shrugged.

Those camps house an estimated 10,000 people, according to the United Nations' humanitarian coordination office (OCHA), which also confirmed the house-squatting.

"While some are paying rent, reports of internally displaced people residing in empty houses without obtaining the permission of their owners continue to emerge," it said.

Around 135,000 of Afrin's original residents stayed in the region as fighting continued, more than a third in the town itself, according to OCHA

Othman Khalil, a 57-year-old metal worker, refused to leave his home on Villa Street during the fight.

"There are families from Ghouta that come to our neighbourhood. We talk to each other," he said.

"They can come into Afrin but people originally from here cannot enter," said Khalil, whose friends escaped the town during clashes but have been unable to return.&nbsp;

A pair of Turkish-backed rebels guard one access route, checking the vehicles coming in and out.

OCHA has expressed increasing concern over "protracted displacement" from Afrin as security operations continue.

Syria's leading Kurdish Party, the People's Democratic Union (PYD), and the Observatory have both accused Ankara of seeking to change Afrin's ethnic makeup by resettling Arab families in Kurdish homes.

"There are strangers living in my nephew's house who won't leave," said Mahmoud Hassan, 58, a farmer in Afrin.&nbsp;

"People from Ghouta are good people, we can talk to them and there's peace between us," he told.&nbsp;

"But this isn't your house, you came and lived in it, and if the owner comes back, you need to get out before he complains."

On Saturday, hundreds of Syrian Kurds demonstrated in the northeastern city of Qamishli in protest at Turkey's military presence in Afrin.

The traditionally Kurdish town had been emptied of its residents just weeks earlier after a brutal Turkish-led offensive forced tens of thousands to flee

Displaced from her home in Syria's Eastern Ghouta, Umaima al-Sheikh and her family sought refuge in an abandoned house across the country in Afrin. The traditionally Kurdish town had been emptied of its residents just weeks earlier after a brutal Turkish-led offensive forced tens of thousands to flee. "No one wants to live in a house that isn't theirs, or use other people's belongings," said Sheikh. After staying briefly in rebel territory elsewhere in northern Syria, the 25-year-old moved to Afrin around a month ago with her husband Firas and two young children. "We all want to be in our own homes, our own towns, but the situation forced us to settle in a house that isn't ours," Sheikh told in a leafy park in the town. "The homes we left behind are now being lived in by other people, too. This is the case for everyone in Syria, not just us," she said. Since war broke out in 2011, half of Syria's population has been displaced, including more than five million outside the country and another six million internally. Among them are rebels and civilians transferred en masse from one bombed opposition area to another under "reconciliation" agreements. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has used such deals to retake territory, prompting charges he is reshuffling the country's demographics. His April capture of Ghouta was sealed with the transfer of thousands of people to the rebel-held north, with many going on to Afrin. The offensive by Turkish-backed rebels sparked a wave of accusations that Ankara was guilty of ethnic engineering, by resettling Syrian Arabs into Afrin after pushing out Syrian Kurds. As many as 35,000 people have taken refuge in the Afrin region, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Some live in a pair of refugee camps in a rural area, but many have moved into the town's empty and ruined homes. Mehdi Haymur and his young son picked through the rubble and debris at the entrance of one bombed-out apartment for anything salvageable. They lifted a mismatched pair of torn, dust-covered cushions from the smashed cinderblocks and headed inside. "We left Ghouta and lost our homes, land, and work. We were forced to leave Ghouta, and we also came here in a forced way," said Haymur. With help from rebel military police, he and his family have squatted in several Afrin homes but their owners have arrived and asked them to leave. The owner of the abandoned block where he lives now has allowed them to stay temporarily, Haymur told. Ahmad al-Buri, 19, was displaced to Afrin from the outskirts of Ghouta's largest town of Douma. "This is a Turkish zone, protected from Syrian regime bombardment. That's why I came here," said Buri. Rebels also helped his family find an empty home in Afrin's Mahmudiyah district, and Buri has enlisted in the Turkish-backed police. "If the owner of this house comes back and we have to leave, I don't know what we'll do. We'll have to find another home or go to a camp," he shrugged. Those camps house an estimated 10,000 people, according to the United Nations' humanitarian coordination office (OCHA), which also confirmed the house-squatting. "While some are paying rent, reports of internally displaced people residing in empty houses without obtaining the permission of their owners continue to emerge," it said. Around 135,000 of Afrin's original residents stayed in the region as fighting continued, more than a third in the town itself, according to OCHA Othman Khalil, a 57-year-old metal worker, refused to leave his home on Villa Street during the fight. "There are families from Ghouta that come to our neighbourhood. We talk to each other," he said. "They can come into Afrin but people originally from here cannot enter," said Khalil, whose friends escaped the town during clashes but have been unable to return. A pair of Turkish-backed rebels guard one access route, checking the vehicles coming in and out. OCHA has expressed increasing concern over "protracted displacement" from Afrin as security operations continue. Syria's leading Kurdish Party, the People's Democratic Union (PYD), and the Observatory have both accused Ankara of seeking to change Afrin's ethnic makeup by resettling Arab families in Kurdish homes. "There are strangers living in my nephew's house who won't leave," said Mahmoud Hassan, 58, a farmer in Afrin. "People from Ghouta are good people, we can talk to them and there's peace between us," he told. "But this isn't your house, you came and lived in it, and if the owner comes back, you need to get out before he complains." On Saturday, hundreds of Syrian Kurds demonstrated in the northeastern city of Qamishli in protest at Turkey's military presence in Afrin.

Displaced from Ghouta, Syrians seek refuge in emptied Afrin

Israel called on Monday for its arch-foe Iran to be denied any military presence in Syria, after Russia said Damascus' forces alone should control Syrian territory near the Israeli and Jordanian borders.

"Our position on Syria is clear," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his parliamentary faction in broadcast remarks. "We believe that there is no place for any Iranian military presence, anywhere in Syria."

Iran and Israel engaged in indirect negotiations this weekend over fighting in southwest Syria, according to a report on Saudi-owned news site Elaph.

Iran reportedly pledged to stay out of fighting in southwest Syria between Syrian forces and rebel groups while Israel said it will not intervene in battles near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights or the Israel-Jordan border so long as Hezbollah and Iranian-backed militias are not involved.

'Our position on Syria is clear,' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his parliamentary faction in broadcast remarks

Israel called on Monday for its arch-foe Iran to be denied any military presence in Syria, after Russia said Damascus' forces alone should control Syrian territory near the Israeli and Jordanian borders. "Our position on Syria is clear," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his parliamentary faction in broadcast remarks. "We believe that there is no place for any Iranian military presence, anywhere in Syria." Iran and Israel engaged in indirect negotiations this weekend over fighting in southwest Syria, according to a report on Saudi-owned news site Elaph. Iran reportedly pledged to stay out of fighting in southwest Syria between Syrian forces and rebel groups while Israel said it will not intervene in battles near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights or the Israel-Jordan border so long as Hezbollah and Iranian-backed militias are not involved.

Israel: Iran should be denied any military presence in Syria

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/want-shiv-sena-bjp-to-fight-together-in-2019-elections-amit-shah-139934">Want Shiv Sena, BJP to fight together in 2019 elections: Amit Shah</a>

BJP President Amit Shah said on Saturday that members of the party wanted to fight along with the Shiv Sena in the 2019 elections.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/want-shiv-sena-bjp-to-fight-together-in-2019-elections-amit-shah-139934">We have worked tirelessly for development: PM Modi in Odisha</a>

Prime minister Narendra Modi spoke about his government completing four years in power on Saturday and reiterated the development for all motto.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/four-years-of-modi-rahul-gandhis-report-card-139949">Four years of Modi: Rahul Gandhi's report card </a>

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday rated the Narendra Modi-led BJP government on its completion of four years in power.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-korean-president-met-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-saturday-seoul-139956">South</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-korean-president-met-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-saturday-seoul-139956"> Korean president met North Korea's Kim Jong-un Saturday: Seoul</a>

South&nbsp;Korean President Moon Jae-in met North&nbsp;Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Saturday to discuss Kim's possible upcoming summit with US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, the South&nbsp;said in the second inter-Korean summit in as many months.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-warns-syria-of-firm-measures-for-ceasefire-violations-139922">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-warns-syria-of-firm-measures-for-ceasefire-violations-139922"> warns Syria of ‘firm’ measures for ceasefire violations</a>

The United States on Saturday warned Syria that it will take "firm" action ahainst them if the regime of Bashar al-Assad violates a ceasefire deal, after Syrian aircraft dropped leaflets on a southern province ahead of an expected offensive.

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Want Shiv Sena, BJP to fight together in 2019 elections: Amit Shah BJP President Amit Shah said on Saturday that members of the party wanted to fight along with the Shiv Sena in the 2019 elections. We have worked tirelessly for development: PM Modi in Odisha Prime minister Narendra Modi spoke about his government completing four years in power on Saturday and reiterated the development for all motto. Four years of Modi: Rahul Gandhi's report card Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday rated the Narendra Modi-led BJP government on its completion of four years in power. South Korean president met North Korea's Kim Jong-un Saturday: Seoul South Korean President Moon Jae-in met North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Saturday to discuss Kim's possible upcoming summit with US President Donald Trump, the South said in the second inter-Korean summit in as many months. US warns Syria of ‘firm’ measures for ceasefire violations The United States on Saturday warned Syria that it will take "firm" action ahainst them if the regime of Bashar al-Assad violates a ceasefire deal, after Syrian aircraft dropped leaflets on a southern province ahead of an expected offensive.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The United States on Saturday warned Syria that it will take "firm" action ahainst them if the regime of Bashar al-Assad violates a ceasefire deal, after Syrian aircraft dropped leaflets on a southern province ahead of an expected offensive.

Residents of Daraa told AFP Friday that several different leaflets were scattered across the province, which has borders with Israel and Jordan and is expected to be among the next targets in the resurgent regime's reconquest.

“As a guarantor of this de-escalation area with Russia and Jordan, the United States will take firm and appropriate measures in response to Assad regime violations,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement late on Friday.

One of them, seen by a journalist contributing to AFP in the city of Daraa, includes a picture showing lined up bodies, presumably of anti-government fighters.

"This is the inevitable fate of anyone who insists on carrying arms," reads the leaflet.

The US warning comes weeks after a similar attack on a de-escalation zone in northeastern Syria held by US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. US ground and air forces repelled the more than four-hour attack, killing perhaps as many as 300 pro-Assad militia members, many of them Russian mercenaries.

Backed by Russian warplanes, ground forces from Iran and allied militia, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah, have helped Assad drive rebels from Syria’s biggest cities, putting him in an unassailable military position. They have recaptured all remaining insurgent areas near Damascus in recent weeks, including the densely populated eastern Ghouta area, as well as big enclaves in central Syria.

The government is now in its strongest position since the early months of the war in 2011, although still a long way from achieving Assad’s aim of reasserting sway over all of Syria. Anti-Assad rebels still control two large contiguous areas of territory in the northwest and southwest. Kurdish and allied Arab militia backed by the United States hold the quarter of Syria east of the Euphrates.

Residents of Daraa told AFP Friday that several different leaflets were scattered across the province, which has borders with Israel and Jordan and is expected to be among the next targets in the resurgent regime's reconquest

The United States on Saturday warned Syria that it will take "firm" action ahainst them if the regime of Bashar al-Assad violates a ceasefire deal, after Syrian aircraft dropped leaflets on a southern province ahead of an expected offensive. Residents of Daraa told AFP Friday that several different leaflets were scattered across the province, which has borders with Israel and Jordan and is expected to be among the next targets in the resurgent regime's reconquest. “As a guarantor of this de-escalation area with Russia and Jordan, the United States will take firm and appropriate measures in response to Assad regime violations,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement late on Friday. One of them, seen by a journalist contributing to AFP in the city of Daraa, includes a picture showing lined up bodies, presumably of anti-government fighters. "This is the inevitable fate of anyone who insists on carrying arms," reads the leaflet. The US warning comes weeks after a similar attack on a de-escalation zone in northeastern Syria held by US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. US ground and air forces repelled the more than four-hour attack, killing perhaps as many as 300 pro-Assad militia members, many of them Russian mercenaries. Backed by Russian warplanes, ground forces from Iran and allied militia, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah, have helped Assad drive rebels from Syria’s biggest cities, putting him in an unassailable military position. They have recaptured all remaining insurgent areas near Damascus in recent weeks, including the densely populated eastern Ghouta area, as well as big enclaves in central Syria. The government is now in its strongest position since the early months of the war in 2011, although still a long way from achieving Assad’s aim of reasserting sway over all of Syria. Anti-Assad rebels still control two large contiguous areas of territory in the northwest and southwest. Kurdish and allied Arab militia backed by the United States hold the quarter of Syria east of the Euphrates.

US warns Syria of ‘firm’ measures for ceasefire violations

Turkish police detained 51 suspected members of Islamic State in Istanbul on Friday, anti-terrorist police said.

The suspects were believed to be planning to travel back to conflict zones in Syria, they said in a statement, adding that all those detained were foreign nationals.

Islamic State has carried out numerous bombings across Turkey in recent years, including an attack on a nightclub in Istanbul on Jan. 1, 2017, in which 39 people were killed and a bombing in the city's historic heart that killed 12 in 2016.

Turkish operations against Islamic State suspects intensified at the end of last year ahead of the anniversary of the nightclub shooting.

The suspects were believed to be planning to travel back to conflict zones in Syria, they said in a statement, adding that all those detained were foreign nationals

Turkish police detained 51 suspected members of Islamic State in Istanbul on Friday, anti-terrorist police said. The suspects were believed to be planning to travel back to conflict zones in Syria, they said in a statement, adding that all those detained were foreign nationals. Islamic State has carried out numerous bombings across Turkey in recent years, including an attack on a nightclub in Istanbul on Jan. 1, 2017, in which 39 people were killed and a bombing in the city's historic heart that killed 12 in 2016. Turkish operations against Islamic State suspects intensified at the end of last year ahead of the anniversary of the nightclub shooting.

Turkey detains 51 suspected Islamic State members

Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Syrian counterpart on Saturday that foreign armed forces would soon leave Syria.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that "there were detailed discussions" between the two leaders, who last met in December at a Russian military air base in the Syria's coastal province of Latakia.

As reported by CNN, the two leaders hailed the beginning of a "political process" in Syria to fight off terrorism.

Putin said in a statement that "Foreign armed forces will be withdrawn from the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic."

He further acknowledged the victory of Syria in fighting off terrorism.

"We presume that, in connection with the significant victories and success of the Syrian army in the fight against terrorism, with the onset of a more active part", Putin added.

A group of countries including the United States, Turkey, Russia, and Iran had deployed their troops in Syria. Russia also emerged as Assad's most powerful support and it intervened on his behalf in 2015.

Further, Iran has also been a permanent ally of President Assad.

Assad's visit comes just over a week after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trip to Moscow.

It has been reported that Russia is unlikely to intervene in Israel's actions in Syria, despite Russia's condemnation of Israel's latest airstrikes on May 9.

Russia hinted last month it would supply advanced weapons to Assad despite Israeli objections.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Western attacks in the country removed any moral obstacle to arming Syria.

Syria has been embroiled in a complicated, multi-sided civil war involving foreign powers, rebels and jihadists.

The two leaders hailed the beginning of a "political process" in Syria to fight off terrorism

Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Syrian counterpart on Saturday that foreign armed forces would soon leave Syria. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that "there were detailed discussions" between the two leaders, who last met in December at a Russian military air base in the Syria's coastal province of Latakia. As reported by CNN, the two leaders hailed the beginning of a "political process" in Syria to fight off terrorism. Putin said in a statement that "Foreign armed forces will be withdrawn from the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic." He further acknowledged the victory of Syria in fighting off terrorism. "We presume that, in connection with the significant victories and success of the Syrian army in the fight against terrorism, with the onset of a more active part", Putin added. A group of countries including the United States, Turkey, Russia, and Iran had deployed their troops in Syria. Russia also emerged as Assad's most powerful support and it intervened on his behalf in 2015. Further, Iran has also been a permanent ally of President Assad. Assad's visit comes just over a week after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trip to Moscow. It has been reported that Russia is unlikely to intervene in Israel's actions in Syria, despite Russia's condemnation of Israel's latest airstrikes on May 9. Russia hinted last month it would supply advanced weapons to Assad despite Israeli objections. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Western attacks in the country removed any moral obstacle to arming Syria. Syria has been embroiled in a complicated, multi-sided civil war involving foreign powers, rebels and jihadists.

Putin hints at pulling out foreign armed forces from Syria

According to reports, explosions were heard on Friday in and around Syria's‬ Hama airport. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the series of explosions occurred near Hama's military airport and had been heard in Hama city.

Syrian media has not reported on the cause of the blasts. At least 11 pro-government troops have been killed while dozens were missing from the Syrian government and allied forces.

"Five blasts at least were heard inside Hama military airport ... targeting ammunition and fuel depots," the Observatory added.

It wasn't clear whether the blasts had been caused by technical failure inside the depots or were an attack, the war monitor noted.

Meanwhile, the remaining fighters started to withdraw from the last rebel-held enclave in central Syria on Wednesday. The move sealed the government's control over the area, opening a major stretch of the country's most important highway.

It further cemented President Bashar al-Assad's dominant position over the most populated parts of Syria after years of fighting, however, any new military campaign might risk direct conflict with foreign powers.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

It wasn't clear whether the blasts had been caused by technical failure inside the depots or were an attack

According to reports, explosions were heard on Friday in and around Syria's‬ Hama airport. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the series of explosions occurred near Hama's military airport and had been heard in Hama city. Syrian media has not reported on the cause of the blasts. At least 11 pro-government troops have been killed while dozens were missing from the Syrian government and allied forces. "Five blasts at least were heard inside Hama military airport ... targeting ammunition and fuel depots," the Observatory added. It wasn't clear whether the blasts had been caused by technical failure inside the depots or were an attack, the war monitor noted. Meanwhile, the remaining fighters started to withdraw from the last rebel-held enclave in central Syria on Wednesday. The move sealed the government's control over the area, opening a major stretch of the country's most important highway. It further cemented President Bashar al-Assad's dominant position over the most populated parts of Syria after years of fighting, however, any new military campaign might risk direct conflict with foreign powers. (With inputs from Reuters)

Syria: Explosions heard near airport in Hama city

Banned chlorine munitions were likely dropped on a Syrian neighbourhood in February, an international body on chemical weapons said on Wednesday after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the toxic chemical.

In its latest report on the systematic use of banned munitions in Syria's civil war, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) did not say which party was behind the attack on Saraqib, which lies in rebel-held territory in the province of Idlib.

But witnesses told OPCW investigators that the munitions were dropped in barrel bombs from a helicopter, a report released by the OPCW showed. Only Syrian government forces are known to have helicopters.

The report by the OPCW's fact-finding mission for Syria "determined that chlorine was released from cylinders by mechanical impact in the Al Talil neighbourhood of Saraqib."

About 11 people were treated after the attack on February&nbsp4&nbspfor mild and moderate symptoms of toxic chemical exposure, including breathing difficulties, vomiting and unconsciousness, the report said.

Samples taken from the soil, canisters and impact sites tested positive for other chemicals, bearing the "markers of the Syrian regime," said Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a biological and chemical weapons expert working in Syria.

The samples tested positive for precursors needed to make the nerve agent sarin, he said.

"These chemicals were detected in previous sarin attacks, Khan Sheikhoun, East Ghouta and no doubt Douma," Bretton-Gordon said.

The OPCW is also investigating a suspected chemical attack on April 7 in the Douma enclave near Damascus, which prompted missile strikes by the United States, France and Britain. Those findings are expected by the end of the month.

The conclusions on the Saraqib attack are based on the presence of two cylinders, which were determined as previously containing chlorine, witness testimony and environmental samples confirming "the unusual presence of chlorine", it said.

A joint OPCW-UN&nbspmechanism for Syria has previously concluded the Syrian government has used both sarin nerve agent and chlorine, killing and injuring hundreds of civilians. Rebels were found to have used sulphur mustard once on a small scale.

Reuters reported in January that tests found "markers" in samples taken at three attack sites between 2013 and 2017 from chemicals from the Syrian government stockpile.

The lab tests linked Ghouta and two other nerve agent attack sites, in the towns of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib governorate on April 4, 2017 and Khan al-Assal, Aleppo, in March 2013, to the stockpile handed over to the agency for destruction in 2014.

The government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has denied using chemical weapons and instead has blamed rebels for staging attacks to falsely implicate his forces in the atrocities.

The mechanism was disbanded in November following a Russian veto at the UN&nbspSecurity Council, a move which ratcheted up tension between Moscow and Western powers over chemical weapons use in Syria.

The OPCW is also investigating a suspected chemical attack on April 7 in the Douma enclave near Damascus

Banned chlorine munitions were likely dropped on a Syrian neighbourhood in February, an international body on chemical weapons said on Wednesday after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the toxic chemical. In its latest report on the systematic use of banned munitions in Syria's civil war, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) did not say which party was behind the attack on Saraqib, which lies in rebel-held territory in the province of Idlib. But witnesses told OPCW investigators that the munitions were dropped in barrel bombs from a helicopter, a report released by the OPCW showed. Only Syrian government forces are known to have helicopters. The report by the OPCW's fact-finding mission for Syria "determined that chlorine was released from cylinders by mechanical impact in the Al Talil neighbourhood of Saraqib." About 11 people were treated after the attack on February&nbsp4&nbspfor mild and moderate symptoms of toxic chemical exposure, including breathing difficulties, vomiting and unconsciousness, the report said. Samples taken from the soil, canisters and impact sites tested positive for other chemicals, bearing the "markers of the Syrian regime," said Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a biological and chemical weapons expert working in Syria. The samples tested positive for precursors needed to make the nerve agent sarin, he said. "These chemicals were detected in previous sarin attacks, Khan Sheikhoun, East Ghouta and no doubt Douma," Bretton-Gordon said. The OPCW is also investigating a suspected chemical attack on April 7 in the Douma enclave near Damascus, which prompted missile strikes by the United States, France and Britain. Those findings are expected by the end of the month. The conclusions on the Saraqib attack are based on the presence of two cylinders, which were determined as previously containing chlorine, witness testimony and environmental samples confirming "the unusual presence of chlorine", it said. A joint OPCW-UN&nbspmechanism for Syria has previously concluded the Syrian government has used both sarin nerve agent and chlorine, killing and injuring hundreds of civilians. Rebels were found to have used sulphur mustard once on a small scale. Reuters reported in January that tests found "markers" in samples taken at three attack sites between 2013 and 2017 from chemicals from the Syrian government stockpile. The lab tests linked Ghouta and two other nerve agent attack sites, in the towns of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib governorate on April 4, 2017 and Khan al-Assal, Aleppo, in March 2013, to the stockpile handed over to the agency for destruction in 2014. The government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has denied using chemical weapons and instead has blamed rebels for staging attacks to falsely implicate his forces in the atrocities. The mechanism was disbanded in November following a Russian veto at the UN&nbspSecurity Council, a move which ratcheted up tension between Moscow and Western powers over chemical weapons use in Syria.

Chlorine likely used in February attack in Idlib, Syria: OPCW

Europe needs to do more to end the war in Syria, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday as she received a peace award from Franciscan monks in the birthplace of St. Francis.

Merkel was given the Franciscan order's "Lamp of Peace," joining previous recipients such as former Polish president Lech Walesa, the Dalai Lama, the late Israeli president Shimon Peres and Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos.

In an acceptance speech in the basilica, its walls lined with frescoes by the 13th-century master Giotto, Merkel called Syria "one of the biggest humanitarian tragedies of our time" and said politicians had to work harder to end it.

"This conflict has become a conflict of regional interests, a conflict of religions … and that's why today's award reminds me and many other European leaders that we should be more involved in solving this conflict," she said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based war monitor, says more than half a million people have been killed in the Syrian war since it erupted seven years ago. About 85 percent of the dead were civilians killed by the forces of the Syrian government and its allies, according to the Observatory.

Speaking of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, Merkel said "Those who thought that the end of the Cold War would bring peace to Europe were wrong".

More than 10,000 people have been killed since April 2014 in a conflict that pits Ukrainian forces against Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Intermittent clashes continue despite a notional ceasefire and diplomatic peace efforts.

Merkel, the daughter of a Lutheran minister in what was then East Germany, lit a candle on the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi, the 13th century saint of preached peace and defence of nature.

The head of the Assisi convent, Father Mauro Gambetti, said the Franciscans had decided to give the award to Merkel, who has defended the rights of refugees trying to find a better life in Europe, because of her "commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence among peoples."

"This lamp is an inspiration for me. I will keep it on my desk," she said.

Merkel was given the Franciscan order's 'Lamp of Peace,' joining previous recipients such as former Polish president Lech Walesa

Europe needs to do more to end the war in Syria, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday as she received a peace award from Franciscan monks in the birthplace of St. Francis. Merkel was given the Franciscan order's "Lamp of Peace," joining previous recipients such as former Polish president Lech Walesa, the Dalai Lama, the late Israeli president Shimon Peres and Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos. In an acceptance speech in the basilica, its walls lined with frescoes by the 13th-century master Giotto, Merkel called Syria "one of the biggest humanitarian tragedies of our time" and said politicians had to work harder to end it. "This conflict has become a conflict of regional interests, a conflict of religions … and that's why today's award reminds me and many other European leaders that we should be more involved in solving this conflict," she said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based war monitor, says more than half a million people have been killed in the Syrian war since it erupted seven years ago. About 85 percent of the dead were civilians killed by the forces of the Syrian government and its allies, according to the Observatory. Speaking of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, Merkel said "Those who thought that the end of the Cold War would bring peace to Europe were wrong". More than 10,000 people have been killed since April 2014 in a conflict that pits Ukrainian forces against Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Intermittent clashes continue despite a notional ceasefire and diplomatic peace efforts. Merkel, the daughter of a Lutheran minister in what was then East Germany, lit a candle on the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi, the 13th century saint of preached peace and defence of nature. The head of the Assisi convent, Father Mauro Gambetti, said the Franciscans had decided to give the award to Merkel, who has defended the rights of refugees trying to find a better life in Europe, because of her "commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence among peoples." "This lamp is an inspiration for me. I will keep it on my desk," she said.

Merkel says Europe should do more to stop Syria war

Israel today launched missiles on Syria early on Thursday, the Israeli Army said.

Syria's news agency SANA said its anti-aircraft air defence intercepted Israeli missiles.

SANA news agency said it shot down Israeli missiles "one after the other".

SANA news agency said Israeli war planes were targeting Syrian territories with rockets early on Thursday.

Israeli war planes were shooting the rockets from inside the Occupied Palestinian territories and targeting the City of Baath in Quneitra province, it added.

Heavy explosions were heard in the Syrian capital Damascus,&nbsp;newswire AFP reported.

"The Syrian air defences are confronting a new wave of Israeli aggression rockets and downing them one after the other," state news agency SANA reported.

Syrian state television was broadcasting footage of its air defences firing at incoming rockets and playing patriotic songs, Reuters reported.

Israel's military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus said Israel had retaliated for an attack on its outposts in the strategic Golan Heights plateau.

Syria's news agency SANA said its anti-aircraft air defence intercepted Israeli missiles.

Israel today launched missiles on Syria early on Thursday, the Israeli Army said. Syria's news agency SANA said its anti-aircraft air defence intercepted Israeli missiles. SANA news agency said it shot down Israeli missiles "one after the other". SANA news agency said Israeli war planes were targeting Syrian territories with rockets early on Thursday. Israeli war planes were shooting the rockets from inside the Occupied Palestinian territories and targeting the City of Baath in Quneitra province, it added. Heavy explosions were heard in the Syrian capital Damascus, newswire AFP reported. "The Syrian air defences are confronting a new wave of Israeli aggression rockets and downing them one after the other," state news agency SANA reported. Syrian state television was broadcasting footage of its air defences firing at incoming rockets and playing patriotic songs, Reuters reported. Israel's military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus said Israel had retaliated for an attack on its outposts in the strategic Golan Heights plateau.

Israel fires missiles at Syria, explosions heard in Damascus

Israel has instructed local authorities in the Israeli-held Golan Heights to "unlock and ready (bomb) shelters" after identifying what the military described on Tuesday as "irregular activity of Iranian forces in Syria".

The announcement came minutes before U.S. President Donald Trump declared he was withdrawing from the 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran, a move that has stirred concern about a possible regional flare-up.

Israeli media said the order to prepare bomb shelters was unprecedented during Syria`s seven-year-old civil war, in which Israel is formally neutral, though it has carried out cross-border strikes at suspected deployments by Iranian forces supporting

Damascus and arms transfers to Hezbollah guerrillas.

Iran has blamed Israel for an April 9 strike that killed seven of its personnel at a Syrian airbase and has vowed revenge.&nbsp

In its statement, Israel`s military further said that its defence systems had been deployed "and IDF (Israel Defence Force) troops are on high alert for an attack".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a televised address after Trump`s announcement, lauding the U.S. president`s hard tack on Iran and alluding to the tensions over Syria.

"For months now, Iran has been transferring lethal weaponry to its forces in Syria, with the purpose of striking at Israel," Netanyahu said. "We will respond mightily to any attack on our territory."

US president's move has stirred concern about a possible regional flare-up.

Israel has instructed local authorities in the Israeli-held Golan Heights to "unlock and ready (bomb) shelters" after identifying what the military described on Tuesday as "irregular activity of Iranian forces in Syria". The announcement came minutes before U.S. President Donald Trump declared he was withdrawing from the 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran, a move that has stirred concern about a possible regional flare-up. Israeli media said the order to prepare bomb shelters was unprecedented during Syria`s seven-year-old civil war, in which Israel is formally neutral, though it has carried out cross-border strikes at suspected deployments by Iranian forces supporting Damascus and arms transfers to Hezbollah guerrillas. Iran has blamed Israel for an April 9 strike that killed seven of its personnel at a Syrian airbase and has vowed revenge. In its statement, Israel`s military further said that its defence systems had been deployed "and IDF (Israel Defence Force) troops are on high alert for an attack". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a televised address after Trump`s announcement, lauding the U.S. president`s hard tack on Iran and alluding to the tensions over Syria. "For months now, Iran has been transferring lethal weaponry to its forces in Syria, with the purpose of striking at Israel," Netanyahu said. "We will respond mightily to any attack on our territory."

Israel goes on high alert over Syria as Trump quits Iran deal

According to reports, a Russian helicopter crashed in Syria on Monday night. Moscow's defence ministry issued a statement noting that both the pilots had died in the mishap.&nbsp

Russian Ka-52 helicopter was on a routine flight over eastern Syrian regions when it crashed due to what is been reported as a technical fault.&nbsp

This is the second time in a week when Russian army's helicopter crashed in Syria. Last week, a Russian fighter jet crashed after taking off from an airbase, both the pilots were killed.&nbsp

At least 39 people were killed when a transport plane crashed on landing at the Hmeimim airbase in March this year. The incident is being reported as one of Russia's largest military losses to have occurred recently.&nbsp

(With inputs from agencies)

This is the second time in a week when Russian army's helicopter crashed in Syria

According to reports, a Russian helicopter crashed in Syria on Monday night. Moscow's defence ministry issued a statement noting that both the pilots had died in the mishap. Russian Ka-52 helicopter was on a routine flight over eastern Syrian regions when it crashed due to what is been reported as a technical fault. This is the second time in a week when Russian army's helicopter crashed in Syria. Last week, a Russian fighter jet crashed after taking off from an airbase, both the pilots were killed. At least 39 people were killed when a transport plane crashed on landing at the Hmeimim airbase in March this year. The incident is being reported as one of Russia's largest military losses to have occurred recently. (With inputs from agencies)

Syria: Russian helicopter crashes, both pilots get killed

Israel could respond to any Iranian attack on it from Syria by toppling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, an Israeli security cabinet minister said on Monday, hinting that Assad himself may be targeted for assassination.

Israel and Iran have traded blows over Syria since February, stirring concern that major escalation could be looming ahead of next week's review decision by U.S. President Donald Trump on the 2015 international nuclear deal with Tehran.

On April 9, an air strike killed seven Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps members at the Syrian base. Tehran blamed Israel and vowed unspecified retaliation, drawing Israeli counter-threats to broaden attacks on Iranian military assets in Syria.

Sharpening these warnings, Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said on Monday that Assad may find himself in Israel's sights.

"If Assad allows Iran to turn Syria into a military vanguard against us, to attack us from Syrian territory, he should know that would be the end of him, the end of his regime," Steinitz told the Ynet news site.

Asked if that meant Israel might assassinate Assad, Steinitz said: "His blood would be forfeit." He also appeared to suggest that his remarks did not reflect Israeli government policy, saying: "I'm not talking about any concrete proposal."

There was no immediate response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office or from Israel's Defence Ministry.

A Ynet text story had quoted Steinitz as saying explicitly that Israel would kill Assad, but this was not borne out by a video clip of the interview.

Iran, Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia and Russia have been reinforcing Damascus against a 7-year-old Syrian rebellion. The Israelis worry that Iran’s garrison will remain, linking with Hezbollah to form a broad Syrian-Lebanese front against them.

On Sunday, Israeli media carried what they described as an alert by Israel's intelligence services that Iran was planning a missile salvo against Israeli military bases from within Syria.

Some analysts interpreted the publication as a warning to Iran that its plans were known, lest it try to carry out the missile strike without explicitly claiming responsibility.

On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss Syria, where Moscow wants to see Assad's rule restored.

"Whoever is interested in Assad's survival should do the honour of telling Assad to prevent attacks on Israel," Steinitz said, alluding to Putin.

Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz hinted that Assad himself may be targeted for assassination

Israel could respond to any Iranian attack on it from Syria by toppling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, an Israeli security cabinet minister said on Monday, hinting that Assad himself may be targeted for assassination. Israel and Iran have traded blows over Syria since February, stirring concern that major escalation could be looming ahead of next week's review decision by U.S. President Donald Trump on the 2015 international nuclear deal with Tehran. On April 9, an air strike killed seven Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps members at the Syrian base. Tehran blamed Israel and vowed unspecified retaliation, drawing Israeli counter-threats to broaden attacks on Iranian military assets in Syria. Sharpening these warnings, Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said on Monday that Assad may find himself in Israel's sights. "If Assad allows Iran to turn Syria into a military vanguard against us, to attack us from Syrian territory, he should know that would be the end of him, the end of his regime," Steinitz told the Ynet news site. Asked if that meant Israel might assassinate Assad, Steinitz said: "His blood would be forfeit." He also appeared to suggest that his remarks did not reflect Israeli government policy, saying: "I'm not talking about any concrete proposal." There was no immediate response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office or from Israel's Defence Ministry. A Ynet text story had quoted Steinitz as saying explicitly that Israel would kill Assad, but this was not borne out by a video clip of the interview. Iran, Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia and Russia have been reinforcing Damascus against a 7-year-old Syrian rebellion. The Israelis worry that Iran’s garrison will remain, linking with Hezbollah to form a broad Syrian-Lebanese front against them. On Sunday, Israeli media carried what they described as an alert by Israel's intelligence services that Iran was planning a missile salvo against Israeli military bases from within Syria. Some analysts interpreted the publication as a warning to Iran that its plans were known, lest it try to carry out the missile strike without explicitly claiming responsibility. On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss Syria, where Moscow wants to see Assad's rule restored. "Whoever is interested in Assad's survival should do the honour of telling Assad to prevent attacks on Israel," Steinitz said, alluding to Putin.

Israeli response to Iran attack from Syria could be toppling Assad: Minister

UK's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson will visit Washington today. Johnson will meet US Vice President Mike Pence, National Security Advisor John Bolton among other Congress leaders.&nbsp;

Johnson will discuss a range of issues at Washinton with the Iran nuclear deal, Syria and North Korea on top of the agenda.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump described the Iran nuke deal as "insane" and has threatened to pull out of it on its renewal which is due on May 12.&nbsp;

Britain, France and Germany have been trying to keep Trump from abandoning the deal.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump described the Iran nuke deal as "insane" and has threatened to pull out of it on its renewal which is due on May 12

UK's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson will visit Washington today. Johnson will meet US Vice President Mike Pence, National Security Advisor John Bolton among other Congress leaders. Johnson will discuss a range of issues at Washinton with the Iran nuclear deal, Syria and North Korea on top of the agenda. US President Donald Trump described the Iran nuke deal as "insane" and has threatened to pull out of it on its renewal which is due on May 12. Britain, France and Germany have been trying to keep Trump from abandoning the deal.

UK Foreign Secretary heads to Washington to discuss North Korea, Syria and Iran nuke deal

Syria's war rages unabated despite a fall in the number of besieged civilians, a senior UN&nbspofficial said on Thursday, warning of a potential worsening of the conflict in the rebel-controlled governorate of Idlib.

UN&nbsphumanitarian adviser Jan Egeland said millions of civilians were still caught up in the seven-year-old conflict and many who escaped battle zones had to seek shelter in overcrowded camps for the displaced in Idlib in the northwest.

Insurgent officials say they fear an offensive against Idlib by Syria's military and its allies Russia and Iran, something humanitarian agencies say could produce civilian suffering on a greater scale than during the siege of Aleppo last year.

"We cannot have a war in Idlib. I keep saying that now to Russia, to Iran, to Turkey, to the United States, to anyone that can have an influence," Egeland told reporters.

He called for negotiations to protect the civilians, and said recent air raids in Idlib were a bad omen.

The war has been going President Bashar al-Assad's way since Russia intervened on his side in 2015. From holding less than a fifth of Syria in 2015, Assad has recovered to control the largest chunk of the country with Russian and Iranian help.

The Idlib region remains the largest populated area of Syria in the hands of insurgents fighting the Damascus government. Syrians have poured into Idlib at an accelerating rate over the last two years from areas recaptured by the army.

Egeland said about 11,000 Syrians are still under siege and two million are hard to reach with humanitarian aid, compared to 625,000 under siege and 4.6 million who were hard to reach a year ago.

"Full to the brim"

"The notion that it is ebbing, this war, is completely wrong. This war is on and it's still in the midst of the civilian population," Egeland told reporters.

Egeland added there were reports of deals to evacuate people from some of the remaining sieges including from the former Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk south of Damascus.

Those evacuees were likely to go to Idlib, Egeland said, under what he said were deals done without UN&nbspor other humanitarian involvement. Under such agreements between rebels and the government, insurgents facing military defeat are permitted to withdraw to opposition-held areas.

It would have been better to protect them where they were, since Idlib was already "full to the brim" with displaced civilians living in the open and in congested camps, or crammed into collective centres, he said.

"They arrive at 2 a.m. every night now, just to find they can hardly get a bed," he said.

Not all siege survivors go to Idlib. In eastern Ghouta, 40,000 were still in camps, with reports that men aged 16-65 were barred from leaving, Egeland said, adding UN&nbspaid access was severely restricted.

A rare positive development was a system of "deconfliction" - providing the warring parties with information about the locations of hospitals and other humanitarian sites. This year 500 sites had been added to 160 already in the system.

But there had been four air raids on deconflicted sites this year. Russia had given the UN&nbspreports on air strikes on two hospitals in March, Egeland said, adding that he also wanted reports on strikes on hospitals in northern Homs last week.

"If there is no accountability, the system doesn’t work. I’m refusing to give up," he said.

Insurgent officials say they fear an offensive against Idlib by Syria's military and its allies Russia and Iran

Syria's war rages unabated despite a fall in the number of besieged civilians, a senior UN&nbspofficial said on Thursday, warning of a potential worsening of the conflict in the rebel-controlled governorate of Idlib. UN&nbsphumanitarian adviser Jan Egeland said millions of civilians were still caught up in the seven-year-old conflict and many who escaped battle zones had to seek shelter in overcrowded camps for the displaced in Idlib in the northwest. Insurgent officials say they fear an offensive against Idlib by Syria's military and its allies Russia and Iran, something humanitarian agencies say could produce civilian suffering on a greater scale than during the siege of Aleppo last year. "We cannot have a war in Idlib. I keep saying that now to Russia, to Iran, to Turkey, to the United States, to anyone that can have an influence," Egeland told reporters. He called for negotiations to protect the civilians, and said recent air raids in Idlib were a bad omen. The war has been going President Bashar al-Assad's way since Russia intervened on his side in 2015. From holding less than a fifth of Syria in 2015, Assad has recovered to control the largest chunk of the country with Russian and Iranian help. The Idlib region remains the largest populated area of Syria in the hands of insurgents fighting the Damascus government. Syrians have poured into Idlib at an accelerating rate over the last two years from areas recaptured by the army. Egeland said about 11,000 Syrians are still under siege and two million are hard to reach with humanitarian aid, compared to 625,000 under siege and 4.6 million who were hard to reach a year ago. "Full to the brim" "The notion that it is ebbing, this war, is completely wrong. This war is on and it's still in the midst of the civilian population," Egeland told reporters. Egeland added there were reports of deals to evacuate people from some of the remaining sieges including from the former Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk south of Damascus. Those evacuees were likely to go to Idlib, Egeland said, under what he said were deals done without UN&nbspor other humanitarian involvement. Under such agreements between rebels and the government, insurgents facing military defeat are permitted to withdraw to opposition-held areas. It would have been better to protect them where they were, since Idlib was already "full to the brim" with displaced civilians living in the open and in congested camps, or crammed into collective centres, he said. "They arrive at 2 a.m. every night now, just to find they can hardly get a bed," he said. Not all siege survivors go to Idlib. In eastern Ghouta, 40,000 were still in camps, with reports that men aged 16-65 were barred from leaving, Egeland said, adding UN&nbspaid access was severely restricted. A rare positive development was a system of "deconfliction" - providing the warring parties with information about the locations of hospitals and other humanitarian sites. This year 500 sites had been added to 160 already in the system. But there had been four air raids on deconflicted sites this year. Russia had given the UN&nbspreports on air strikes on two hospitals in March, Egeland said, adding that he also wanted reports on strikes on hospitals in northern Homs last week. "If there is no accountability, the system doesn’t work. I’m refusing to give up," he said.

Syria's war grinds on, no respite for civilians, UN says

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