Turkish-backed Syrian rebels are fighting street battles with ISIS militants in the city of al-Bab, and progress in taking it from the extremists has been slowed by efforts to avoid civilian casualties, Turkey's defense minister said Friday. The rebels, backed by Turkish special forces,...

Russia has begun a drawdown of its military forces in Syria, news agencies quoted the head of the Russian General Staff as saying Friday. "In accordance with the decision of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, (President) Vladimir Putin, the Russian...

Jordanian state media say authorities plan to prosecute 12 Jordanians on suspicion of hate speech aimed at victims of the New Year's nightclub shooting attack in Turkey. Two Jordanians were among the 39 people killed in the Istanbul shooting for which the extremist group Islamic State...

Japan recalled its ambassador to South Korea Friday to protest the placing of a statue symbolizing victims of Japanese wartime sex slavery outside its consulate in the city of Busan last month. In a move likely to reignite a feud over the so-called "comfort women", Japan's chief government...