(Reuters) - The Syrian government and some opposition figures will start a second round of talks in Moscow on Monday focusing on humanitarian issues, although a broader agreement is unlikely as Syria's main opposition group continues to boycott the talks.
do not expect any big breakthrough towards ending a conflict
January's unproductive first round of consultations in Moscow was shunned by the main political opposition group, the Western-backed Syrian National Coalition
take part only if the talks were to lead to the departure of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, an ally of Russia
Russia says fighting terrorism in Syria should be the top priority now and has called on the opposition to work with Assad to that end
Randa Kassis, a former SNC member who now favors talking to Damascus because of the rise of radical Islamists in Syri
focus on confidence-building measures including ensuring access for humanitarian aid
Moscow has not said which opposition figures will attend. But the line-up is likely to be similar to January, when more than 30 representatives of various groups attended, most from groups tolerated by Assad or who agree that working with Damascus is necessary to combat the rise of Islamic Stat
released 650 prisoners from at least three prisons in Damascus on March 25-27, including women, children, political prisoners and fighter
release of these people to the talks would be "just an ac
At any given time, there are about 70 refugees who have fled the war in Syria. They share the bunk beds inside, six to a room.
They are among the two million people Turkey has taken i
Many are housed in state-of-the-art refugee camps throughout the country, but those who have connections and more money choose to come to Istanbul in hopes of easier communication with foreign embassies, faster passage to what they hope will be a more comfortable life in Europe
The war has split and scattered all of their families around the world. Bekandy's father is still back in Syria, her fiancé and mother are in London.
He hopes his good deeds might somehow help reunite him with his family, which is now split into three parts, spread across Europe.
His wife and six-year-old son are on the line from Athens. Their eldest daughter — just 15 — is in Germany.
Lezieh says ISIS drew that X on his house in Aleppo, marking it to show his was a Christian home. He says militants tried to recruit him, threatened to kidnap his children and bombed his new business
Now Lezieh gets by with donations from parishioners and hopes to see his family all in one place soon. He tries to smile through the tears. He has to. His daughter is calling.
Syrian Christians struggling in Turkey and other European countries. ISIS has not made it easy for them to live in Syria which is why they must flee the country.
aid agencies intensified their warnings on Tuesday about the toll on civilians and hospitals, which are running critically low on medical supplies.
The Houthis, acknowledging their alliance with Iran but denying acting on its orders, have been able to extend their offensive despite intensifying airstrikes by Saudi warplanes across Yemen.
physicians had treated more than 500 people in the last two weeks in Aden, including burn victims from explosions at an ammunition depot and passengers on a bus that had apparently come under shelling.
unable to reinforce its surgical teams or bring in supplies
not been able to negotiate the safe arrival of the aircraft.
Battle in Yemen has left many displaced and in need of goods and healthcare. The blockade has made it difficult for humanitarian organizations to deliver aid to Yemen.
This was an interesting video because it interviewed dozens of artists and groups that are drawing, painting and spray painting graffiti art in Egypt. It gives insight to why these people feel the need to express themselves and why they are drawing what they do.
The saudi king never promised his people democracy.However, he promised them a better life. This great article, makes you think that by giving the young saudis better life and free abroad education in one step toward democracy that never been promised.
The country's prime minister recently called on western powers to help him stop the spread of what he calls 'militancy' in his country.
There are more than 225,000 Libyans registered in militias. They receive state salaries but often act outisde of government control, taking orders from local or political commanders.
Groups in Libya's eastern Cyrenaica region and in the southern Fezzan region have called for independence
In Cyrenaica, former rebel leader Ibrahim al-Jathran and his 20,000 men strong militia say they now run local affairs, with Jathran and his men controlling facilities that account for 60 percent of Libya's oil wealth.
With images of violence and torture coming out of Syria daily, a U.N. panel on stated what many people consider obvious: ISIS has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, and leaders of the militant group should be held accountable by organizations such as the International Criminal Court.
Mr. Hassi also dismissed recent footage released by the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS or ISIL, showing the beheading of a group of Egyptian Christians
He said it was “a fabricated Hollywood-like video” concocted by his opponents “to create divisions between us and the Egyptian people,”
Humanitarian aid will not be affected, the government official said. Syrians with passports are still allowed to cross into Syria
Turkey has kept its borders open to refugees since the start of Syria's civil war four years ago, but it has come under criticism for doing too little to keep foreign fighters crossing and joining militant groups including Islamic State
divided between government forces and insurgent groups fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad in a conflict estimated to have killed 200,000 people
The closure of the Turkish border posts also comes after an air strike on Sunday
After fighting increased in Syria, Turkey decided to close dow two border crossings that lead to Syria as a precaution. Until this point, Turkey has kept its borders open to Syrian refugees and even so it still has been criticized for doing too little to stop foreign fighters from entering Syria.
An article urging for people to realize the significance of ISIS' actions. The destruction of artifacts is the erasure of history, these actions lead the author to despise ISIS.
Rates of poverty, unemployment, administrative corruption and the violation of freedoms continue to soar in Egypt, and many people including activists are still frustrated. Five years after the revolutions a "tense calm" still remains in Egypt. Tanks have been in Tahrir Square this January incase of uprisings and constant searches in people's flats keep occurring of suspected activists promoting uprisings.
Heavy government gun fire hits city Fears that Muslim festival could spark violence 1,7000 civilians dead since protests began Syrian troops advanced through the central city of Hama in a fresh crackdown a day after government forces killed 24 people.
JERUSALEM -- Israeli police say three young Palestinians carrying automatic weapons, explosive devices and knives were shot and killed by security forces near Jerusalem's Old City after one opened fire and wounded two officers. Police spokeswoman Luba Samri says the attack took place Wednesday after Israeli paramilitary border police officers noticed three people who aroused their suspicion near the Damascus Gate of the Old City.
This articles expresses what happened in 2011 in Egypt during the Arab Spring in the photos that have been put together. They express emotion and meaning that spread through the media to know what was occurring at the time in Egypt. Marches, demonstrations, and civil resistance occurred January 25 to overthrow the regime, President Hosni Mubarak.
Pope Francis has decided to take on the task of ending the ongoing religious conflicts that are ripping apart the Middle East and sending millions of people fleeing for their lives. He will get an opportunity when he hosts the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during his travels to the West.