Modern history of Syria

The European Union and the United Nations called on April 24 for swift political talks to end the long war in Syria, saying the latest territorial gains by Damascus and its allies had not brought peace any closer.

One in three Syrian children have known nothing but a lifetime of war, UNICEF said March 14, as the country's conflict enters its sixth year this week.

Forced from their homes and schools, orphaned by violence and drafted into work or fighting, a generation of Syria's children is being shaped by the conflict, UNICEF said in a new report.

The first Syrian cosmonaut who was sent to space now lives Istanbul as a refugee after fleeing the civil war in Syria with his family in 2012. 

Syria's opposition National Coalition welcomed a US plan to tackle the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) on Sept. 10, but also urged action against President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
      

The United States has begun reconnaissance flights over Syria to track Islamic State jihadists but insisted Tuesday it has "no plans" to coordinate with Syria on targeting the militants.
      

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad was sworn in Wednesday for a new seven-year term, warning Western and Arab governments they will pay dearly for backing those who took up arms against him.
      
In a triumphant speech delivered after he took the oath of office at a red carpet ceremony in Damascus, Assad branded the 2011 Arab uprisings a "fake spring".
      

The U.N. Security Council on July 14 authorized humanitarian access without Syrian government consent at four border crossings into rebel-held areas from Turkey, Iraq and Jordan, although Syria has warned it deems such deliveries an attack. 

President Barack Obama said Wednesday the U.S. will increase assistance to the Syrian opposition, opening the way for the likely training and possibly equipping of moderate rebels fighting to oust leader Bashar Assad.
     

Syria is to hold presidential elections on June 3, its Parliament Speaker announced.

Voting for Syrians outside the country, whose number has considerably increased amid an ongoing civil war, will be on May 28, according to Al Jazeera English.