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Image: SANA/dpa/picture alliance
Image: SANA/dpa/picture alliance
Bashar Assad
Born on September 11, 1965, Bashar Assad took control of Syria after his father died in 2000.
Skip next section All Content on this topic
All Content on this topic
'Systematic torture' in Syria
Former international prosecutors have accused the Syrian government of large-scale killing and torture. Their report, backed by Qatar, is based on photographic evidence from a military police defector.
Iran out of Geneva 2 talks
The UN secretary-general has withdrawn an invitation for Iran to attend Geneva 2 talks on Syria's war. Plans for negotiations fell into disarray after Iran accepted the UN's invitation to attend
Iran invite sparks controversy
Opponents of the Syrian government have threatened not to attend peace talks in Switzerland after UN chief Ban Ki-moon extended an invitation to Iran. The Syrian National Coalition demanded the invite be retracted.
Assad denies comments
Syrian President al-Assad's office has denied that he had said he would refuse to relinquish power. The quote came from a speech he gave earlier in the day in Damascus, as reported by Russia's Interfax news agency.
Syrian opposition to attend talks
Syria's main opposition group has agreed to attend internationally sponsored peace talks due to begin in Switzerland next Wednesday. The talks are aimed at finding a political solution to the three-year conflict.
Jihadists for Assad
The Assad regime profits from the presence of the brutal jihadists fighting against it in Syria.
Possible Aleppo cease-fire
Damascus is seeking a regional cease-fire and a prisoner swap with opposition fighters, the Syrian foreign minister has said. The news came during a press conference in Moscow just days ahead of Syria peace talks.
Kerry wants opposition at table
US Secretary of State John Kerry has urged Syrian opposition members to attend the Geneva II peace talks next week. Russia's foreign minister, meanwhile, has said Iran will "inevitably" take part in the conference.
Syrian rebel infighting
Scores of people have died in fighting between Syrian rebel groups and al Qaeda-linked militants. The intra-rebel conflict has reportedly overshadowed the war against the Syrian regime in some parts of the country.
Syria opposition chief re-elected
The head of the Syrian National Coalition has won a second term. The Western-backed opposition group currently faces divisions within its ranks over whether to attend upcoming international peace talks in Geneva.
Rebel vs. rebel in Syria
Syrian rebels have seized a compound held by al Qaeda-linked militants as their one-time allies used car bombs against them. Dozens have now been killed as infighting escalates within opposition forces.
Syria toxins deadline delay
Naval teams on their way to remove chemical weaponry toxins from Syria have turned back, with the likelihood of an end-of-year deadline being met appearing increasingly unlikely. Ships changed course for Cyprus for now.
Divided Lebanon
Syria's civil war has deeply divided Lebanon. Violence is set to continue in 2014.
Syria 'barrel bombs' kill dozens
Syrian forces have dropped barrel bombs on the northern city of Aleppo, killing dozens, activists have said. Meanwhile the UN has said Syria is unlikely to meet its December 31 deadline for eliminating chemical weapons.
Ban wants Iran at Syria talks
The United Nations has thrown its weight behind Iran taking its place at the Syrian peace talks conference in January. The United States has so far resisted moves to grant Iran an invitation.
French 'pessimism' over Syria
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has said he is "pessimistic" about the strength of the moderate opposition to Syria's government. Fabius voiced skepticism about the likelihood of success at planned peace talks.
Time's 'Person of the Year'
Time magazine has named Pope Francis its "Person of the Year," less than nine months after he became pontiff. Whistleblower Edward Snowden picked up the second spot. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was fourth.
More Syria refugees to Germany
Germany has said it will take on a further 5,000 refugees escaping the almost three-year conflict in Syria. The new figure doubles the number of Syrians now offered refuge in the country.
Killing children
The Syrian conflict is the most brutal of the 21st century, with children often the victims.
Evidence against Syria regime
The UN rights chief has announced evidence linking the Syrian regime to war crimes. A UN inquiry has never specifically said which leaders at what level of government it considers responsible for the serious violations.
Syria conference date set
A date has finally been set for long-hoped-for talks aimed at ending the conflict in Syria. The announcement comes after many months of laborious effort to bring the warring parties to the negotiating table.
'Scores killed' in Damascus
Ferocious fighting in the eastern suburbs of the Syrian capital, Damascus, has killed scores of rebels and government troops. Foreign fighters are said to be among those taking part.
Powerbroker
Putin is enjoying a resurgence in the Middle East. But Russia's position could be short-lived.
Destroying Syria's stockpiles
Internationally, countries are hardly fighting over the task of destroying Syria's chemical weapons.
Syrian refugees flee offensive
Thousands of Syrian refugees have crossed into Lebanon, fleeing a major government offensive in the Qalamoun mountains. Meanwhile, Syrian rebels have blown up a government building, killing dozens of soldiers.
'No capacity' in Albania
Albania has turned down a request for it to host the destruction of Syria’s arsenal of chemical weapons. Syria agreed to their destruction as part of a UN Security Council deal to avoid US military strikes.
Syrian Kurds consolidate power
Ethnic Kurds in northeastern Syria have declared an interim administration in the wake of gains against Islamist rebels in the region. Long oppressed under the Syrian regime, Kurds are now seeking more autonomy.
Divided communities
A fence separating Israel and the Syrian Golan Heights is not the only thing causing a division.
Ready to talk
The Syrian opposition has said it will go to Geneva, but critics say its demands are unrealistic.
Opposition boost for 'Geneva 2'
The Syrian National Coalition has agreed in principle to attend peace talks aimed at ending more than two years of bloodshed. However, it has also set out a series of pre-conditions for its participation.
No Syria peace talks yet
International and regional powers have failed to agree on a date for Syria peace conference. Russia’s desire for Iran to be invited, and US opposition to the idea, appears to have been the main stumbling block.
Syria's humanitarian tragedy
The United Nations has reported that 9.3 million Syrians now need outside humanitarian assistance, a 36 percent increase since June. Neighboring nations have warned that they cannot handle the exodus of refugees.
'Iran's Vietnam'
Does the optimism over nuclear talks with Iran mean the West could make a deal over Syria?
Disarming Syria
The OPCW destroys Syria's chemical weapons production facilities, but challenges lie ahead.
Syrian stalemate
No one seems in a position to win Syria's civil war, but that is good news for President Assad.
Showing support
Not all Christians in Syria are backing Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Criticism over UN Syria aid
A UN aid chief has told the Security Council that its recent attempts to ease Syria's humanitarian crisis have made little difference. The government and rebel fighters have done little to facilitate aid efforts.
Hope for Syria?
The president of the Syrian National Council does not believe peace talks will be successful.
Christian exodus in Syria
Christians in Syria are under attack by Jihadists who consider them 'pro Assad' by default.
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Mounting challenges to new Syria talks
Western and Middle Eastern leaders are working to unite Syria's divided opposition. But Syrian's Bashar al-Assad has already put the brakes on any hopes for a deal.
Questions over Geneva talks
Arab and Western foreign ministers have urged the Syrian opposition to attend Geneva peace talks next month. Those talks may be in jeopardy over disagreements on the role of President Bashar al-Assad's government.
Suicide bomber hits Hama
A truck laden with explosives was detonated by a suicide bomber at an army checkpoint in the Syrian city of Hama. At least 30 people were killed, with dozens more seriously injured.
'Rebel without a choice'
Said Mermet joined the Free Syrian Army to fight a dictator, not to take revenge.
Risky business
In Syria, the OPCW is facing the most complex mission in its history - and the timetable is tight.
Red Cross kidnapping in Syria
Gunmen have kidnapped Red Cross workers in Syria, state media reported. However, SANA did not give more details, including the nationalities of those held. Separately, two car bombs have exploded in Damascus.
Rebels commit war crimes in Syria: HRW
A human rights group says it has evidence of crimes against humanity committed by the Syrian rebels. Human Rights Watch says fighters linked to al-Qaeda executed nearly 200 civilians in several pro-government villages in August.
Nobel Peace Prize
The 2013 prize reocognizes the OPCW's difficult work, but Syria's broader problems remain.
Rebels guilty of 'war crimes'
Human Rights Watch has accused groups within the Syrian opposition of committing atrocities against civilians. The allegations come as world leaders seek to arrange peace talks aimed at ending the Syrian civil war.
Syria's escalating crisis
It began as peaceful protests and became a civil war. DW takes a closer look at the Syrian conflict.
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