White House makes it official : US "at war" with IS
The White House declared the United States was at war with Islamic State radicals, seeking to rub out another semantic flap over its Syria policy.
White House insists Obama authorized to strike IS
The White House insisted that President Barack Obama was authorized to strike the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria under a law passed by Congress.
What will the US-led war against jihadists look like?
Barack Obama's vow to take the fight to jihadists will expand a US-led air war already underway and likely require deploying more special forces.
Islamic State beheads second US reporter
The so-called "Islamic State" released a video showing a masked militant with a London accent apparently beheading an American journalist.
Video of Kazakhstanis in Syria is a manipulation: political expert
Kazakh political analyst Yerlan Karin called the video purporting to show Kazakhstani citizens fighting in Syria an information manipulation.
16 Kazakhstanis join militants of Islamic State of Iraq
At least 16 Kazakhstanis are know to have joined the extremist militants of the Islamic State of Iraq.
Besieged UN peacekeepers in Syria ready to use 'deadly force'
Filipino members of a UN peacekeeping force besieged by Syrian rebels on the Golan Heights are ready to use "deadly force" to defend themselves.
Angelina Jolie calls for new bid to end Syria war
Angelina Jolie called for a new bid to bring peace to Syria which she said was destabilising the whole region and bringing misery to millions.
75 Philippine UN peacekeepers defy Syria rebels
Dozens of heavily armed Philippine peacekeepers defied Syrian rebels in a Golan Heights standoff.
A mother's appeal as fears mount for Syria hostages
The mother of a US hostage who has been threatened with death by jihadist leaded for his life amid mounting fears for Americans captured in Syria.
Japanese man feared kidnapped by Syrian militants
Japan's government said it was investigating a video that appears to show a kidnapped Japanese man being interrogated by Syrian militants.
UN takes aim at Islamist oil grab in Syria, Iraq
The UN Security Council backed a Russian initiative to bar trade in oil with Islamists in Iraq and Syria.
Arab states to mark end of Ramadan from Monday
The Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr that marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan will begin on Monday in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring states.
De Mistura to succeed Brahimi as Syria peace mediator
Italian-Swedish diplomat Staffan de Mistura will be the new UN mediator for Syria, taking on the Herculean task of finding a political solution to the devastating civil war, diplomats say.
Syrian opposition elects Hadi el-Bahra as new leader
The Syrian National Coalition, the main exiled opposition group seeking the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, elected Saudi-based Syrian opposition figure Hadi el-Bahra as its new president.
India nurses in Iraq conflict 'to be freed'
A group of 46 Indian nurses trapped in Iraq are to be freed, one of them told AFP Friday, in a rare piece of positive news in a crisis threatening "Syria-like chaos".
Obama seeks $500 mn to train, equip Syrian rebels
The White House has asked lawmakers for $500 million to train and equip vetted Syrian rebels, in what would be a significant escalation of US involvement in a conflict that has spilled into Iraq.
Last dangerous chemicals shipped from Syria: watchdog
The last of Syria's declared chemical agents have been shipped from the war-torn country after months of delays and are en route for destruction at sea, the world's chemical watchdog said.
More than 50 million driven from homes by war, crisis: UN
The number of people driven from their homes by conflict and crisis has topped 50 million for the first time since World War II, with Syria hardest hit, the UN refugee agency said.
Danish hostage freed in Syria after 13 months
A Danish freelance photographer has been freed after being held hostage in Syria for 13 months, the Danish government said.