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In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrians hold national flags and portraits of Syrian President Bashar Assad during a protest against US President Donald Trump's move to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, in Homs, Syria, on March 26, 2019. (SANA via AP)
March 26, 2019, 6:13 pm
Syrians protest US recognition of Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights
Demonstrations against Trump’s move held in cities throughout Syria, minister calls for ‘a strong response’ during Damascus rally
By AFP and TOI staff
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows women and children who has been liberated from the Islamic State group in the Hamima area east of the historic town of Palmyra, Syria on Nov. 8, 2018. (SANA via AP)
November 8, 2018, 8:02 pm
Syria says military freed Druze hostages from Islamic State
State media claims troops liberated remaining 19 women and children abducted by jihadist group in July, but war monitor says prisoner swap ended ordeal
By Albert Aji and Bassem Mroue
This photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA on October 20, 2018, shows Abeer Shalgheen and her four children after being freed by the Islamic State jihadist group that kidnapped them on July 25 during a raid by the extremists on the southern province of Sweida, Syria. (SANA via AP)
October 20, 2018, 8:23 pm
Islamic State frees 6 Syrian Druze women, children in deal with Assad regime
Monitor says IS to receive 60 of its prisoners, $27 million as part of swap for members of ethno-religious minority taken captive in the war’s deadliest attack on the community
By Bachir El Khoury
September 7, 2018, 1:37 pm
In first since 2010, Israeli Druze leaders visit compatriots in Syria
‘We’re visiting our relatives and holy sites,’ says organizer of trip that violates Israel’s enemy states law. ‘I see nothing wrong with that’
By TOI staff
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, mourners from the Druze community attend a mass funeral of people killed a day earlier by a series of suicide bombings launched by the Islamic State's fighters on the eastern and northern countryside of the southern province of al-Sweida, Syria, on July 26, 2018. (SANA via AP)
August 5, 2018, 9:40 am
Islamic State said to execute Druze hostage from Syria’s Sweida
Family of teenager reportedly receive videos of his final words, decapitation; terror group kidnapped over 30 following attack that killed more than 250
By AFP
In this Tuesday, July 17, 2018, photo, released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian troops flash the victory sign next to the Syrian flag in Tell al-Haara, the highest hill in the southwestern Daraa province, Syria. (SANA via AP)
July 31, 2018, 6:09 pm
South Syria jihadists say they will trade kidnapped Druze for evacuation
War monitor says Islamic State fighters are trapped in last pocket of Daraa province after Russian-backed regime offensive
By AFP
An Israeli soldier guides a mobile artillery piece near the border with Syria in the Golan Heights, July 25, 2018. (AP/Ariel Schalit)
July 31, 2018, 6:54 am
Amid Assad offensive, Israel said to close border to Syrians seeking treatment
Operation Good Neighbor reportedly frozen for first time in five years as regime forces complete takeover of area from rebel groups
By TOI staff
Syrians, displaced by fighting in the country's southwest, approach the border fence between Syria and Israel the Syrian village of Bariqu in the southern province of Quneitra, on July 17, 2018 (AFP /JALAA MAREY)
July 31, 2018, 6:16 am
Israel said to be trying to prevent massacre of Syrians on Golan Heights border
Israeli officials reportedly ask Russia to ensure Assad forces don’t harm civilians as they complete takeover of area from rebel groups
By TOI staff
Syrian troops raise the Syrian flag in the border town of Quneitra in the Syrian Golan Heights on July 27, 2018. (AFP Photo/Youssef Karwashan)
July 31, 2018, 3:13 am
Syria boots IS from Golan Heights, retaking full control of frontier with Israel
Assad forces complete six-week-long bloody campaign to regain command of war-torn country’s southwest corner for first time in seven years
By AP and TOI staff
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrians inspect the site of a suicide attack in Sweida, Syria, July 25, 2018. (SANA via AP)
July 30, 2018, 5:14 pm
Dozens of Druze women, children kidnapped by IS in southern Syria
Residents of Sweida and monitor group say kidnappings took place during attack by jihadists last week that left over 250 dead
By Layal Abou Rahal
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, mourners from the Druze community attend a mass funeral of people killed a day earlier by a series of suicide bombings launched by the Islamic State's fighters on the eastern and northern countryside of the southern province of al-Sweida, Syria, on July 26, 2018. (SANA via AP)
July 28, 2018, 5:04 pm
10,000 Israeli Druze hold solidarity rally for community battered by IS in Syria
About 250 Syrian Druze were killed this week in Islamic State attacks — the biggest blow they’ve suffered in 7 years of civil war
By TOI staff and AFP
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrians inspect the site of a suicide attack in Sweida, Syria, July 25, 2018. (SANA via AP)
July 26, 2018, 7:36 pm
Islamic State attack leaves Syrian Druze reeling from largest losses of war
Monitor raises death toll in Sweida to 246 as members of minority group bury the dead; Russia, Hezbollah condemn assault
By Maya Gebeily
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrians inspect the site of a suicide attack in Sweida, Syria, July 25, 2018. (SANA via AP)
July 26, 2018, 2:23 am
Islamic State kills hundreds in assault on southern Syria Druze city
Bombings and raids on Sweida and surrounding towns called one of deadliest attacks in history of civil war; Syria blames countries ‘supporting terror’ in likely jab at Israel
By AFP
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrians inspect the site of a suicide attack in Sweida, Syria, July 25, 2018. (SANA via AP)
July 25, 2018, 2:14 pm
Dozens killed in suicide bombings in southern Syrian Druze area
Blasts in city of Sweiba apparently timed to coincide with attacks by a group linked to IS on a number of nearby villages
By Albert Aji
Syrian rebel fighters ride a tank in Daraa, southwestern Syria, on June 23, 2018. (AFP / Mohamad ABAZEED)
June 24, 2018, 2:11 am
Russian jets bombard southern Syria for first time as offensive looms
Airstrikes target areas near Daraa as regime looks to retake strategic region bordering Israel and Jordan, ending ceasefire brokered between Moscow, Washington and Amman
By AFP
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