(Zaman Al Wasl- Agencies)- A cessation of hostilities in Syria came into effect at the agreed time of midnight on Saturday (2200 GMT Friday), under a U.S.-Russian plan whichwarring sides in the five-year conflict have said would to commit to. Syria's regime and rebels warring against it have...

Syria's branch of al Qaeda, one of its most powerful Islamist rebel groups, called for an escalation in fighting against the government and its allies, adding to the dangers facing an agreement to halt fighting set to start on Saturday. The government and rebel groups have agreed...

Last July, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad seemed to be losing his battle against rebel forces. Speaking to supporters in Damascus, he acknowledged his army's heavy losses. Western officials said the Syrian leader’s days were numbered and predicted he would soon be forced to the...

Russia Friday halted the deportation of three Syrian asylum seekers to Damascus in a last-minute reprieve after an outcry from rights groups including Amnesty International, activists said. Officials Thursday had escorted the three men from war-ravaged Aleppo to Moscow's Vnukovo airport and...