Syria

Actors John Hurt (left), Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Olivia Thirlby in 'Damascus Cover,' Howard Kaplan's 39-year-old novel (Damascus Cover)

June 19, 2018, 1:33 am

Israel-Syria spy thriller screens in Tel Aviv before US debut

'Damascus Cover,' based on the 40-year-old novel by Howard Kaplan, has seen a long road to release

By Michael Harel

This file photo provided on Friday October 20, 2017 by the government-controlled Syrian Central Military Media, shows Iran's army chief of staff Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, left, looking at a map with senior officers from the Iranian military as they visit a front line in the northern province of Aleppo, Syria. (Syrian Central Military Media, via AP, File)

June 14, 2018, 4:09 pm

IDF general warns foreign officials Iran setting up bases in Syria

Kan broadcaster airs leaked footage of Military Intelligence chief telling visiting security ministers that Tehran's looking not to support Assad, but to attack Israel

By Judah Ari Gross

In this May 16, 2018 file photo, a boy buys a Ramadan decoration depicting the Egyptian Liverpool soccer player Mohamed Salah in Sayyeda Zeinab market in preparation for the holy month of Ramadan, in Cairo, Egypt. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, File)

June 14, 2018, 2:58 pm

Root root root for whoever: 8 things to know for June 14

Excitement in Israel over the World Cup is strangely high for a country with no one to cheer for, and history is turned on its head

By Joshua Davidovich

IDF soldiers clash with Palestinians in Al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of the West Bank city of Hebron, on December 31, 2017. (Wisam Hashlamoun/Flash90)

June 14, 2018, 2:07 pm

Ministers set to criminalize filming IDF activities

Publishing footage of soldiers' actions with the intention of 'harming state security' could carry punishment of up to 10 years in prison

By TOI staff

In this file photo from October 2, 2010, released by the official website of the Iranian supreme leader's office, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, right, talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Tehran, Iran. (Office of the Supreme Leader, via AP, File)

June 14, 2018, 1:42 am

Assad: Iran’s presence is non-negotiable, but deal over south Syria possible

Syrian dictator says Tehran's relationship with Damascus won't be 'part of any settlement'; claims Israel, US blocking agreement

By Agencies and TOI staff

Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman arrives for the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on June 10, 2018. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

June 13, 2018, 11:53 pm

Liberman blocks army officials from attending Knesset defense meetings

Two subcommittees have for months been trying unsuccessfully to get information regarding IDF readiness on northern border, opposition MKs charge

By Stuart Winer

A Pantsir-S1 weapons system, illustrative (YouTube screenshot)

June 12, 2018, 7:18 pm

Syrian military reinforcing its air defenses near Israeli Golan — report

Pro-Assad commander reveals plan to Reuters days after Israel launches surprise drill in north, as regime forces fight to clear out remaining rebel pockets in southern Syria

By Judah Ari Gross

Under the watchful eye of an instructor, left, Batool Lababidi, a Syrian orphan from Aleppo, stands outside her room at an orphanage in Jarablus, northern Syria, May 30, 2018. (Lefteris Pitarakis/AP)

June 11, 2018, 11:42 am

Syrian orphans who fled Aleppo find new home

After being forced to switch locations 3 times to avoid fighting, dozens of children finally settle in Jarablus, near the Turkish border

By Sarah El Deeb and Malak Harb

An Israeli soldier next to Merkava Mark IV tanks in the Golan Heights during a military drill on May 7, 2018. (AFP PHOTO / JALAA MAREY)

June 10, 2018, 10:27 am

IDF launches surprise exercise in Golan Heights amid lingering Iran tensions

Army says explosions, large troop movements should be expected in northern Israel over next few days; reservists called up

By Judah Ari Gross

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, meets with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Qingdao on June 9, 2018. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AFP)

June 10, 2018, 8:40 am

Putin, Rouhani meet, declare continued cooperation in Syria

Rouhani says 'more serious and important' dialogue needed between Russia and Iran following 'illegal' US withdrawal from nuclear pact

By TOI staff and AFP

Members of the Russian military stand past a banner showing Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, shaking hands with Syrian President Bashar Assad, at Abu al-Zuhur checkpoint in the western countryside of Idlib province on June 1, 2018. (AFP PHOTO / George OURFALIAN)

June 10, 2018, 5:04 am

Assad denies Russia is in on Israeli airstrikes and deal to remove Iran

Syrian leader says there's no coordination or even advanced knowledge of attacks in Moscow, but admits to possible rifts in Damascus-Moscow-Tehran axis

By TOI staff and AP

Syrians and Palestinians wave their flags during a festival held inside the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria on Friday, Aug. 2, 2013 to commemorate Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day. (AP Photo)

June 8, 2018, 2:12 pm

Scores of Syrians, Palestinians march through Damascus to mark Quds Day

Rallies reported in various cities across Muslim world on Iran-backed day of protest against Israel

By Agencies

An illustrative of Syrian army soldiers taking a position in November 2013. (photo credit: AP/SANA)

June 8, 2018, 9:44 am

22 pro-regime fighters killed by IS in south Syria, says monitor

Attack comes after no Islamic State presence recorded in the area in more than a year, UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says

By AFP

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a meeting with French Economy Minister and entrepreneurs at the French Economy Ministry in Paris on June 6, 2018. (AFP PHOTO / ERIC PIERMONT)

June 7, 2018, 8:17 pm

Assad no longer immune if he harbors Iranian forces, Netanyahu warns

PM says Israel will destroy Syria's troops, criticizes west Europe for 'living in the past' and not understanding that the Middle East is realigning to counter Tehran

By AFP

Before and after satellite images of the Syrian nuclear reactor at al-Kibar, which was reportedly struck by Israel in 2007.(AP/DigitalGlobe)

June 6, 2018, 6:12 am

MKs warned about Syria’s nuke plans years before 2007 reactor strike – report

Committee headed by Yuval Steinitz sent PM Sharon a memo in 2004 saying that Damascus was working on a nuclear program

By TOI staff