Syria

Syria’s main insurgent group seeks to distance itself from past al-Qaida ties

By Ghaith Alsayed, Bassem Mroue, Associated Press

The leader of an insurgent group that rules much of northwest Syria is rebranding his organization by cracking down on extremist factions and spreading a message of pluralism and religious tolerance.

WATCH: U.S., UK oppose decision to reinstate Syria to Arab League

By Matthew Lee, Associated Press

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said they opposed the move. But they also allowed it was up to the Arab League to determine its membership.

Arab League votes to reinstate Syria’s membership after 12-year suspension

By Mohamed Wagdy, Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press

Arab government representatives in Cairo voted Sunday to return Syria to the Arab League after a 12-year suspension, according to the organization.

Syrian and Iranian leaders sign long-term oil and trade agreements, bolstering economic ties

By Albert Aji, Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press

The presidents of Iran and Syria have signed a series of long-term trade agreements in Damascus to bolster economic ties between the two allies.

What the holy month means for Muslims in Turkey and Syria amid earthquake destruction

By Amna Nawaz, Zeba Warsi

Friday is Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. But in southern Turkey and northwestern Syria, festivities have been muted by a mood of mourning and calls for help months after twin earthquakes…

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News Wrap: Pope prays for peace in Ukraine, Middle East in Easter address

In our news wrap Sunday, Israel struck targets in Syria in retaliation for rare rocket fire from its neighbor yesterday, Pope Francis prayed for Ukrainians, Russians and people of the Middle East in his Easter Sunday address, Los Angeles school…

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Tensions build at Jerusalem shrine after Syria rocket fire, Israeli retaliation

By Ilan Ben Zion, Associated Press

Israeli warplanes and artillery struck targets in Syria following rare rocket fire from the northeastern neighbor, as Jewish-Muslim tensions reached a peak Sunday at a volatile Jerusalem shrine with simultaneous religious rituals.

Israeli airstrikes on Syria intensify, raise tensions with Iran

By Bassem Mroue, Josef Federman, Associated Press

Israel has intensified its airstrikes in Syria in recent weeks, killing two Iranian military advisers and temporarily putting the country's two largest international airports out of service.

WATCH: Pentagon says 6 U.S. troops have traumatic brain injuries after Syria attacks

By Associated Press

The Pentagon said Thursday that an additional six troops were injured in attacks last week in northeastern Syria that U.S. officials have blamed on Iranian-backed militants.

U.S. launches airstrikes in Syria after suspected Iranian-made drone kills U.S. contractor

By Lou Kesten, Bassem Mroue, Jon Gambrell, Associated Press

The Pentagon says a strike Thursday by a suspected Iranian-made drone killed a U.S. contractor and wounded five American troops and another contractor in northeast Syria.