Iraqi government forces paused in their push to recapture western Mosul from ISIS militants Saturday because of the high rate of civilian casualties, a security forces spokesman said. Residents escaping the besieged area have told of Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition airstrikes demolishing...

Syrian rivals will tackle all agenda items at peace talks this week, including political transition, the United Nations mediator Staffan de Mistura said Friday, warning not to expect "miracles." The fifth round of stalled U.N.-backed negotiations have started in Geneva, with a mandate to...

Australia rejected 500 Syrian refugees on security grounds during more than a year of vetting while accepting 12,000 eligible for resettlement from Middle Eastern camps, an official said Thursday. Immigration and Border Protection Minister Peter Dutton said the deadly rampage near Britain's...

Syrian rivals were to resume U.N.-brokered peace talks in Geneva Thursday, with escalating violence and deadlock on key issues dimming hopes of a breakthrough. U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura tried to strike an optimistic note when the previous round ended last month. He insisted...