1 hour ago Key players in Syria's latest eruption of violence, from the Druze and Bedouin to government forces

Clashes that shook southern Syria this week have killed hundreds of people, including civilians, and drawn in an array of both local and international players, harking back to the dynamics of the country’s nearly 14-year civil war

Politics

9 h. ago Two dead and several injured after Israeli strike on Gaza’s only Catholic church

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni blamed Israel for the attack while the Pope said he was ‘deeply saddened’ by the deaths

Events

13 h. ago Drone footage shows Israel’s huge missile strike on Syria’s military HQ

Israel has released drone footage of a huge missile strike on Syria’s military HQ on Wednesday (16 July).

Events

16 h. ago Syrian president condemns Israel’s attacks on Damascus and vows to protect Druze community

Ahmed al-Sharaa thanks American, Arab and Turkish mediators as efforts to restore order in city of Sweida continueSyria’s interim president has condemned Israel for “wide-scale targeting of civilian and government facilities” after the Israeli military struck Damascus on Wednesday as it sought to intervene in clashes between the Syrian army and Druze fighters.Israel’s strikes would have pushed “matters to a large-scale escalation, except for the effective intervention of American, Arab, and Turkish mediation, which saved the region from an unknown fate”, Ahmed al-Sharaa said in his first televised statement since the attacks. Continue reading...

Politics

18 h. ago Syrian government and Druze minority leaders announce new ceasefire as Israeli strikes continue

Convoys of government forces have begun withdrawing from the city of Sweida

Politics

22 h. ago Israel strikes Syria as news reader ducks for cover live on air before US wades in

The news reader was live on TV when a an Israeli strike blew up part of a building behind her, forcing her to duck for cover amid threats of further attacks on Syria

Politics

30 h. ago Moment Syrian TV journalists are sent running for cover during live broadcast as huge blasts from Israeli airstrikes erupt behind them

Israel had vowed to ramp up its attacks unless Syrian government forces withdrew from the southern city of Suwayda

Politics

31 h. ago Israel strikes Syria’s defence ministry in third day of attacks on the country

Intervention comes as clashes between the Syrian army and Druze militias in the south of the country escalateMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe Israeli military struck the Syrian defence ministry in Damascus twice on Wednesday as it intervened in the clashes between the Syrian army and Druze fighters in southern Syria in the country’s deadliest violence in months.The strikes collapsed four floors of the ministry and ruined its facade. Syrian state media said that at least two officers had been wounded and staff were reportedly sheltering in the building’s basement. Continue reading...

Events

31 h. ago Israel strikes Syria’s defence ministry in third day of attacks

Intervention comes as clashes between the Syrian army and Druze militias in the south of the country escalateMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe Israeli military struck the Syrian defence ministry in Damascus twice on Wednesday as it intervened in the clashes between the Syrian army and Druze fighters in southern Syria in the country’s deadliest violence in months.The strikes collapsed four floors of the ministry and ruined its facade. Syrian state media said at least two officers had been wounded and staff were reportedly sheltering in the building’s basement. Continue reading...

Events

34 h. ago Israel targets Syrian capital after days of sectarian fighting

Benjamin Netanyahu claims to be protecting the Druze, a religious sect suspicious of Syria’s new government

Politics

37 h. ago Israel threatens to escalate involvement in Syria as a ceasefire collapses

Clashes have intensified in Syria after a ceasefire between government forces and Druze armed groups broke down

Events

52 h. ago Photos in southern Syria after soldiers move in to quell sectarian violence

Injured government soldiers and civilians were treated after Syrian troops moved into the city of Sweida and surrounding areas after clashes broke out between Druze militiamen and Sunni Bedouin tribes in southern Sweida province.

Events

3 d. ago Here's what triggered the latest deadly sectarian clashes in Syria, and why it matters

Clashes in Syria between Bedouin tribes, government forces, and the Druze minority have left dozens dead, raising fears of escalating violence

Events

3 d. ago Clashes between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin clans in Syria kill more than 30 people

Clashes between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin clans in Syria's Sweida province have killed more than 30 people and injured nearly 100

Events

4 d. ago Syria's massive wildfires brought under control after days of intense battles

Syria’s worst wildfires in years have been brought under control after 10 days of intense firefighting

Events

4 d. ago UK special forces carry out secret 'kill' operation against top Isis bomb

The 'kill' was ordered on June 10 - three weeks later, David Lammy became the first British minister in 14 years to visit the country.

Events

6 d. ago DWP next steps for PIP assessments which will affect millions

The benefit supports people who live with a long-term health condition or disability to help cover their extra costs

Politics

6 d. ago Israeli strike kills 10 children queuing at Gaza medical clinic, officials say

Aid groups call strike ‘blatant violation of international humanitarian law’ while ceasefire talks continue

Events

7 d. ago Tighter borders and aid cuts could risk greater instability, UN migration chief warns

The head of the United Nations’ migration agency has warned that tightening borders while cutting development aid could further worsen instability in crisis-hit countries

Events

7 d. ago EU strikes deal with Israel to increase aid shipments to Gaza

Influx of food and other essentials will be co-ordinated via UN rather than controversial new aid scheme, says EU official

Politics