SECTIONS

Syria

WorldOctober 10

Global Insight: Govt handling of NZ jihadist 'irresponsible'

Momentous events in northern Syria show the New Zealand government continues to be irresponsible in its handling of New Zealand jihadist Mark Taylor, Professor Robert Patman says.
WorldJuly 7

Russian-led assault in Syria leaves over 500 civilians dead

At least 544 civilians have been killed and over 2,000 people injured since a Russian-led assault on the last rebel bastion in northwestern Syria began two months ago, rights groups and rescuers said on Saturday
Russian-led assault in Syria leaves over 500 civilians dead
Russian-led assault in Syria leaves over 500 civilians dead
WorldJune 26

India most dangerous country for women - poll

India is the world's most dangerous country for women due to the high risk of sexual violence and being forced into slave labour, according to a poll of global experts released.
India most dangerous country for women - poll
India most dangerous country for women - poll
WorldApril 20

Man linked 9/11 attack captured in Syria - Pentagon

A man linked to the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, who was said to have praised "violent jihad," was captured in Syria by US-backed forces more than a month ago, the Pentagon
WorldApril 16

Putin predicts global 'chaos' if West hits Syria again

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that further Western attacks on Syria would bring chaos to world affairs, as Washington prepared to increase pressure on Russia with new economic sanctions.
Putin predicts global 'chaos' if West hits Syria again
Putin predicts global 'chaos' if West hits Syria again
WorldApril 8

Dozens killed in suspected Syria gas attack

A chemical attack on a rebel-held town in eastern Ghouta killed dozens of people, a medical relief organisation and a rescue service said, and Washington said the reports - if confirmed - would demand an immediate international response.
Dozens killed in suspected Syria gas attack
Dozens killed in suspected Syria gas attack
WorldFebruary 18

Confusion reigns over 300 dead Russians in Syria

The United States is still unsure who directed a Feb. 7 attack on U.S. and U.S.-backed forces in Syria, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Saturday, even as he acknowledged accounts that Russian civilian contractors were involved.
Confusion reigns over 300 dead Russians in Syria
Confusion reigns over 300 dead Russians in Syria
WorldFebruary 10

Israeli-Iranian tensions rise after planes shot down

Syrian anti-aircraft fire shot down an Israeli jet on Saturday, the military said, after Israel intercepted an Iranian drone launched from Syria and struck an Iranian target there.
Israeli-Iranian tensions rise after planes shot down
Israeli-Iranian tensions rise after planes shot down
WorldJanuary 30

Tests link Syrian government to largest sarin attack

The Syrian government's chemical weapons stockpile has been linked for the first time by laboratory tests to the largest sarin nerve agent attack of the civil war.
Tests link Syrian government to largest sarin attack
Tests link Syrian government to largest sarin attack
WorldJuly 9

US-Russian ceasefire deal holding in Syria

A US-Russian brokered ceasefire for southwest Syria held through the day, a monitor and rebels said on Sunday, in the first peacemaking effort of the war by the US government under President Donald Trump.
US-Russian ceasefire deal holding in Syria
US-Russian ceasefire deal holding in Syria
AustraliaJune 22

Aus to resume air strikes in Syria after Russia threat

Australia said it would resume air strikes into Syria, ending a two-day suspension implemented after the downing of a Syrian military aircraft triggered a Russian threat against Washington-led coalition planes.
WorldJune 1

US-led coalition strike kills founder of IS media outlet

An air strike by the US-led coalition has killed the founder of the Islamic State propaganda media outlet Amaq in the eastern Syrian province of Deir al-Zor, his brother said in a Facebook post on Wednesday (local time).
WorldMay 31

Russia fires cruise missiles at IS targets

A Russian warship and submarine have fired four cruise missiles from the Mediterranean at Islamic State targets near the Syrian city of Palmyra, the Defence Ministry said.
WorldApril 30

US-led fight on IS has killed 352 civilians: Pentagon

At least 352 civilians have been killed in US-led strikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria since the operation began in 2014, the US military said in a statement.
US-led fight on IS has killed 352 civilians: Pentagon
US-led fight on IS has killed 352 civilians: Pentagon
WorldApril 27

US calls for pressure on Russia to end Syria war

The US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, pushed the UN Security Council to focus "all eyes and all pressure" on Russia to try and end the Syrian conflict and pressed for council action even if it faces a veto by Moscow.
US calls for pressure on Russia to end Syria war
US calls for pressure on Russia to end Syria war
WorldApril 19

Assad forces have more chemical weapons: Israel

Israel's military said it believes Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces still possess several tonnes of chemical weapons, issuing the assessment two weeks after a chemical attack that killed nearly 90 people in Syria.
Assad forces have more chemical weapons: Israel
Assad forces have more chemical weapons: Israel
WorldApril 13

Chemical weapons experts to investigate Syria attack

A team of experts from the global chemical weapons watchdog has been sent to Turkey to collect samples as part of an investigation into an alleged chemical weapons attack in Syria last week that killed 87 people.
Chemical weapons experts to investigate Syria attack
Chemical weapons experts to investigate Syria attack
WorldApril 11

G7 seek broad support to isolate Syria's Assad

The Group of Seven major global powers were joined by Middle Eastern allies in a push to isolate Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, hours before the US secretary of state flies to Moscow, Assad's top backer.
G7 seek broad support to isolate Syria's Assad
G7 seek broad support to isolate Syria's Assad
DunedinNovember 17

Council votes to resettle refugees

The ''nightmare'' Syrian conflict and terror attacks in Paris demonstrates the need to extend the hand of friendship to refugees, a Dunedin city councillor says.
Council votes to resettle refugees
Council votes to resettle refugees
WorldFebruary 11

Syria peace talks hit more trouble

The United States has demanded that Syria allow aid into the "starving" city of Homs, as talks aimed at ending three years of civil war hit more trouble over the future of President Bashar al-Assad.
Syria peace talks hit more trouble
Syria peace talks hit more trouble
WorldFebruary 11

Syria talks in disarray amid torture claims

Syrian and international delegates have arrived in Switzerland for peace talks that few believe can succeed as the three-year-old civil war and geopolitical acrimony it has brought show no sign of abating.
Syria talks in disarray amid torture claims
Syria talks in disarray amid torture claims
WorldFebruary 11

Iran invitation throws Syria talks into doubt

An unexpected last-minute UN invitation for Iran to a peace conference on Syria has thrown the talks into doubt, with Washington demanding Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon withdraw his offer and the Syrian opposition threatening to pull out.
Iran invitation throws Syria talks into doubt
Iran invitation throws Syria talks into doubt
EditorialFebruary 9

Children caught in the crossfire

Eminent New Zealand anthropologist, historian and author Dame Anne Salmond stated ''an ageing society that does not care for its children has a death wish''.
WorldJanuary 13

Record aid appeal for Syria launched

The United Nations has appealed for a record $US6.5 billion for Syria and its neighbours to help 16 million people, many of them hungry or homeless victims of a conflict that has lasted 33 months with no end in sight.
Record aid appeal for Syria launched
Record aid appeal for Syria launched
WorldDecember 15

Children among Syria air attack dead

Thirty-six people, nearly half of them children, were killed when Syrian army helicopters dropped improvised "barrel bombs" on the disputed northern city of Aleppo, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says.
Children among Syria air attack dead
Children among Syria air attack dead