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Barack Obama has agreed to support the Syrian rebels, while Vladimir Putin backs Bashar al-Assad

Obama and Putin remain divided on Syria

The leaders of Russia and the United States, now openly backing opposing sides in Syria's civil war, played down their differences after talks today where tensions had clearly flared over the escalating conflict.

News • 17 Jun 13

Syrian rebel fighters hold position in the northwestern town of Maaret al-Numan

Syria dismisses chemical weapons claim as 'lies'

The Syrian government has dismissed as "full of lies" claims from the United States that it used chemical weapons.

News • 15 Jun 13

Bashar al-Assad said the US has no right to interfere in Syria's politics

Assad downplays chances of negotiated solution

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said in a newspaper interview that he will not step down before elections and that the US has no right to interfere in his country's politics.

News • 19 May 13

The US said it would need definitive proof of chemical weapon use in Syria before action would be taken

US fears Syria has used chemical weapons

The US has said that the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad had probably used chemical weapons on a small scale in the country's civil war.

News • 26 Apr 13

The number of Europeans fighting in Syria is estimated at around 500

'Hundreds of Europeans' fighting with Syria rebels

The European Union's counter-terrorism co-ordinator has warned that hundreds of Europeans are now fighting with rebel forces in Syria against Bashar al-Assad's regime.

News • 24 Apr 13

Bashar al-Assad accused the west of hypocrisy yesterday

Up to 15 killed in Syrian air strikes

A Syrian government air strike has killed 15 people, including nine children, in a district of the northern city of Aleppo.

News • 07 Apr 13

Turkish authorities seize guns bound for Syria

Turkish authorities say they have seized thousands of guns in a warehouse by the Syrian border.

News • 29 Mar 13

Aleppo has been destroyed during two years of fighting

Syrian sides trade blame after 'chemical attack'

Syria's government and rebels have accused each other of launching a deadly chemical attack near the northern city of Aleppo.

News • 19 Mar 13

John Kerry (L) speaks to Syrian opposition leader Moaz al-Khatib at the 'Friends of Syria' meeting in Rome

US to send food, medical supplies to Syrian rebels

Western and Arab governments have pledged more political and material support for the civilian Syrian opposition.

News • 28 Feb 13

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the violence was 'a road to mutual destruction'

Car bomb kills 50 people in Damascus

A car bomb killed more than 50 people and wounded 200 in central Damascus when it blew up on a busy highway close to ruling Baath Party offices and the Russian Embassy.

News • 22 Feb 13

People pictured in a bazaar next to a rubbish heap in the northern city of Aleppo

Red Cross says Syrian situation 'catastrophic'

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has described the humanitarian situation in Syria as "catastrophic".

News • 18 Feb 13

Russia is Syria's main arms supplier and has long been an ally of President Bashar al-Assad

Syrian opposition leader ready for talks

Syrian opposition leader Moaz Alkhatib said he would accept negotiations with Bashar al-Assad's deputy but said talks must be based on the principle of the regime's departure.

News • 04 Feb 13

Sergei Lavrov ruled out mass evacuation of Russian nationals from Syria

Russian minister says dialogue with Assad needed

Russia’s Foreign Minister has warned there can be no peaceful outcome in Syria while opponents of President Bashar al-Assad continue to demand he leaves the country.

News • 23 Jan 13

Reports had suggested Bashar al-Assad's troops had used chemical weapons

US says chemical weapons not used in Syria

The US has denied a media report that chemical weapons have been used in the Syrian conflict.

News • 16 Jan 13

A Syrian patient sits in a bed at Dar Al-Ajaza psychiatric hospital in the heart of the Old City of Aleppo

Syria war a 'staggering humanitarian crisis'

Syria's civil war is unleashing a "staggering humanitarian crisis" as hundreds of thousands of refugees flee violence, an international aid agency said.

News • 14 Jan 13

Eamon Gilmore said it is deplorable that Bashar al Assad has not heeded calls for a peaceful transition of power

Gilmore wants UN to refer Syria to ICC

Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore has said those responsible for the deaths of 60,000 people in the Syrian conflict have to know there will be consequences for their actions and they will be brought to justice.

News • 11 Jan 13

Ban Ki-moon said Mr Assad's speech did not contribute to a solution

Ban Ki-moon 'disappointed' by Assad speech

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced his disappointment with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's rejection of peace talks with his enemies.

News • 08 Jan 13

Syria blames rebels for petrol station blast

Syria has said a car bomb at a crowded petrol station in Damascus on last night was set off by "terrorists", a term it uses for rebels seeking to topple President Bashar al-Assad.

World • 04 Jan 13

The bomb went off as dozens gathered at the petrol station

11 killed in Syria petrol station bombing

At least 11 people have been killed with many more wounded after a car bomb exploded at a petrol station in the Syrian capital Damascus.

News • 04 Jan 13

Syrian troops clash with rebels near Damascus

Syrian government war planes have bombed opposition-held areas of Syria and President Bashar al-Assad's forces and rebels fought on the outskirts of the capital.

News • 01 Jan 13

Syrian troops battle rebels in Damascus suburb

Syrian government troops backed by tanks battled to recapture a strategic Damascus suburb from rebels who have advanced within striking distance of the centre of Syria's capital.

News • 31 Dec 12

More than 40,000 people have been killed and several cities destroyed in Syria's civil war

Russia says neither side will win Syrian civil war

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said neither side can win the war in Syria, and that China and Russia would be unable to persuade President Bashar al-Assad to quit if they tried.

News • 22 Dec 12

Syrian jets bomb Palestinian camp in Damascus

Syrian fighter jets fired at least two rockets at the Palestinian Yarmouk camp in Damascus, killing up to 25 people.

News • 17 Dec 12

Asian women who were working in Syria are seen inside a bus leaving the war-torn country with the help of the International Organisation for Migration

Assad uses Scud missiles against Syria rebels

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces have fired Scud-style ballistic missiles against rebels in recent days, US and NATO officials have confirmed.

News • 13 Dec 12

Two rebel fighters crouch on the back of their machine gun mounted pick up truck as they approach an exposed intersection in an Aleppo neighbourhood

Syrian rebels choose joint commander

Syrian rebel groups have chosen a former officer to head a new Islamist-dominated command.

News • 08 Dec 12