Syria
US-backed forces enter Syrian city of Raqqa
By Bill Van Auken, 7 June 2017
The offensive against the ISIS-controlled city has been accompanied by an escalating US military presence in Syria and renewed clashes with government-backed forces.
US-backed Iraqi forces carry out “annihilation tactics” in Mosul
By James Cogan, 30 May 2017
Secretary of Defense Mattis implied that the “tactics” included the extra-judicial execution of wounded or captured alleged ISIS militants, which would constitute a war crime.
US airstrike targets pro-Assad forces in Syria
By Jordan Shilton, 19 May 2017
The US attack is the second in six weeks directly targeting forces loyal to the Assad regime, following the April 6 cruise missile attack on the al-Shayrat airbase.
Washington levels new allegations against Syria on eve of Geneva talks
By Jordan Shilton, 18 May 2017
The unsubstantiated claims appeared aimed at blocking any settlement within the context of a ceasefire brokered by Russia, Turkey and Iran earlier this month.
US bombs kill 11 civilians in Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 12 May 2017
The Pentagon has stepped up airstrikes, inflicting a growing toll in civilian lives, in preparation for a siege of the Syrian city of Raqqa.
US-Turkish tensions mount over plan to arm Syrian Kurdish militia
By Bill Van Auken, 11 May 2017
The announcement that the Pentagon will begin directly arming the Syrian Kurdish YPG came just a week before President Erodgan is set to visit the White House.
US and Russia discuss “safe zones” in Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 4 May 2017
Trump and Putin spoke Tuesday for the first time since the US launched a cruise missile attack on a Syrian air base where Russian troops were stationed.
US bombings in Syria and Afghanistan
A new stage in the repudiation of international law
By Mike Head, 29 April 2017
The ever-greater assertion of US militarism has brought humanity to the point where the rules of war are being nakedly flouted.
US defense secretary targets Syria with chemical weapons allegation
By Bill Van Auken, 22 April 2017
The charge against Damascus is aimed at providing a pretext for renewed US aggression.
Syrian rebels massacre at least 126 civilians in suicide bomb blast
By Jordan Shilton, 17 April 2017
The general indifference shown to the victims of this brutal massacre exposes once again the hypocrisy of the crusaders for “human rights” in the US and Europe.
Russia and Iran issue warning against further US attack on Syria
By Jordan Shilton, 15 April 2017
Russia and Iran warned that any US attack in Syria would have “grave consequences” for the region and the world.
Australian academics witch-hunted for challenging US lies on Syria attack
By Mike Head, 14 April 2017
The media campaign, designed to silence public discussion about the latest US aggression, is a flagrant attack on the basic democratic right of free speech.
New Zealand government and opposition back US war in Syria
By Tom Peters, 14 April 2017
Both the government and the Labour Party support Trump’s attack on Syria, with Prime Minister Bill English declaring he would consider sending troops.
Britain’s Guardian cynically poses as opponent of war in Syria
By Chris Marsden, 14 April 2017
The Guardian is arguing for continued pressure to be placed on Trump in order to extract the necessary quid pro quo from Washington in return for British and European support for the US war drive in Syria.
Talks in Moscow fail to dispel rising US-Russian tensions
By Bill Van Auken, 13 April 2017
Five hours of talks between US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Russian officials left relations between the two major nuclear powers at what both sides described as a low point.
US claims of Syria nerve gas attack: The anatomy of a lie
By Patrick Martin, 13 April 2017
All available evidence suggests that the tragedy in Khan Sheikhoun is a deliberate provocation organized by the American CIA and its clients among the Syrian “rebels.”
While US media promotes CIA chemical weapons claims to push for war
Deaths from US bombings triple in Syria, Iraq
By Patrick Martin, 12 April 2017
A new report shows that American bombing has killed far more civilians in Iraq, including children, than reportedly died in last week’s alleged chemical attack in Syria.
Turkish government presses for military escalation in Syria
By Halil Celik, 12 April 2017
Top Turkish officials are insisting that last week’s US strike on Syria will have no impact unless Washington follows it up with a broader military campaign.
White House Press Secretary: Hitler didn’t “sink to using chemical weapons”
By Clara Weiss, 12 April 2017
Sean Spicer falsely stated Tuesday that Nazi leader Adolf Hitler did not use chemical weapons, triggering widespread popular anger and disgust in the US and internationally.
White House threatens more strikes on Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 11 April 2017
The threat of renewed US military action against Syria followed a Russian-Iranian warning that such action would cross “red lines,” prompting retaliation in kind.
Pseudo-left endorses imperialist onslaught against Syria
By Andre Damon, 11 April 2017
The middle-class political parties with roots in the anti-war protest movement of the 1960s have become cheerleaders for US imperialism.
Upcoming SEP/IYSSE public meetings
No to war in Syria!
11 April 2017
WSWS writer Bill Van Auken will be speaking at a meeting in New York City on April 15, and other meetings are currently scheduled in California, Michigan, Oregon, Louisiana, Massachusetts and Illinois.
What is behind the German drive to war with Syria?
By Johannes Stern, 11 April 2017
Following the Merkel government’s declaration of support for the US attack on Syria, the German media launched a campaign for the expansion of aggression against the country.
The airstrikes in Syria and the war drive of American imperialism
By Joseph Kishore, 10 April 2017
A relentless logic of military escalation is taking over in Washington, dominated by demands for the overthrow of Assad and a confrontation with Russia.
Under US instruction, UK foreign secretary abandons visit to Russia
By Chris Marsden, 10 April 2017
In line with the Trump administration, the Conservative government is demanding regime change in Syria and preparing a military offensive to that end.
Australian workers and youth speak out against US strike on Syria
By our reporters, 10 April 2017
The anti-war sentiments of ordinary people stand in sharp contrast to the militarist positions of Labor, the Liberal-Nationals and the corporate media.
Australian establishment backs US strike on Syria
By James Cogan, 10 April 2017
The line-up behind Washington by the government and opposition Labor Party has been replicated across the media.
UK: Corbyn issues mealy-mouthed personal protest as Labour Party lines up behind Syria war drive
By Robert Stevens, 10 April 2017
Corbyn’s statement only served to underscore the domination of the pro-war right within the Labour Party.
Spanish ruling class closes ranks behind Washington’s attack on Syria
By Alejandro López, 10 April 2017
Spanish social democrats and their political and media allies are now lining up behind the Trump administration after it began bombing Syria.
Canadian PM gives full-throated support to US missile strike on Syria
By Roger Jordan, 10 April 2017
Trudeau’s remarks make clear that Canada is preparing to expand its military intervention both in the Middle East and against Russia in Eastern Europe.
Florida anti-war protesters attacked, arrested in police provocation
By Matthew Taylor, 10 April 2017
First-hand evidence clearly show that the incident on Friday was provoked by the sheriff’s department in concert with a well-known right-wing provocateur.
European governments support Trump’s attack on Syria
By Johannes Stern, 8 April 2017
Following the American attack on the al-Shayrat airbase, the governments of Europe have almost unanimously declared their support for the bombardment, which killed at least nine civilians.
The US attack on Syria: A prelude to wider war
By Andre Damon, 8 April 2017
The United States’ blatantly illegal attack on Syria has immediately drawn demands for further escalation from leading Democrats and the media.
Lies and hypocrisy over Syrian “gas attack”
By Patrick Martin, 8 April 2017
The chemical weapons supposedly used in Idlib were destroyed three years ago under US supervision.
France: Libération makes “humanitarian” case for imperialist war in Syria
By Anthony Torres, 8 April 2017
The French “left” daily published front-page pictures of gassed Syrian children in an odious attempt to stampede public opinion into accepting an imperialist intervention in Syria.
US launches cruise missile attack against Syrian government
By James Cogan, 7 April 2017
The barrage is the first direct assault by the United States on the Russian- and Iranian-backed government of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
German politicians and media push for war with Damascus
By Johannes Stern, 7 April 2017
In the aftermath of the alleged gas attack in Idlib, German politicians and media outlets have switched to war mode.
The bombing of Syria: A new chapter in the US drive for global hegemony
By Bill Van Auken, 7 April 2017
Once again the United States has concocted a pretext to justify the violation of another country’s sovereignty.
Syria’s alleged gas attack: An imperialist provocation
By Bill Van Auken, 6 April 2017
The events in Syria’s Idlib province have all the earmarks of a US intelligence provocation designed to provide the pretext for a new military intervention in the Middle East.
US seizes on dubious gas attack to push for expanded Syrian war
By Jordan Shilton, 5 April 2017
The prospect of a direct US-led assault on the Syrian regime cannot be underestimated, with the alleged gas attack providing the pretext.
German air force provides target coordinates for massacre of civilians in Syria
By Johannes Stern, 1 April 2017
The massacre at Mansoura, with up to 420 killed, recalls the criminal history of Germany’s Luftwaffe.
Tillerson pledges long-term US military role in Iraq and Syria
By Jordan Shilton, 23 March 2017
The Trump administration commitment to establish “interim zones of stability” in Syria will require a substantial increase in the US military presence in the country.
Fighting flares in Damascus as US escalates air war in Syria
By Jordan Shilton, 22 March 2017
The renewed fighting underscores the highly unstable situation into which the Trump administration is preparing to send a further 1,000 US marines.
Israel air raid targets government positions as Syrian conflict intensifies
By Jordan Shilton, 18 March 2017
Syrian government forces fired anti-aircraft missiles at Israeli aircraft carrying out air strikes near Palmyra, amid reports that the US bombed a mosque near Aleppo, killing 46 civilians.
Letter from a Syrian reader: “There is a new sentiment of solidarity in the ranks of the poor people”
18 March 2017
The WSWS has received the following correspondence from a reader and supporter in Damascus on the situation in Syria after six years of a civil war instigated and abetted by the major imperialist powers.
Pentagon prepares to send a thousand more troops into Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 17 March 2017
The Pentagon is preparing to submit a request that would double the number of ground troops now deployed inside Syria, signaling a qualitative escalation of the US intervention in the war-torn country.
US airstrike kills 23 civilians as Marines deploy to Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 10 March 2017
The escalation of the US intervention in both Syria and Iraq is resulting in a rising toll of civilian casualties in both countries.
Canadian military preparing for new role in Syria, extension of Ukraine mission
By Roger Jordan, 4 March 2017
The use of Canadian troops to police so-called safe zones in Syria would see Ottawa integrated even more fully into the US-led war for regime change in Damascus.
Turkey prepares for military escalation in the Middle East
By Halil Celik, 3 March 2017
Ankara is expected to expand its intervention in the wars in Syria and Iraq, while also threatening Iran.
Washington accuses Russia of bombing US-backed forces in Syria
By Jordan Shilton, 2 March 2017
The incident underscores the explosive character of the Syria conflict, which could rapidly escalate into a direct clash between nuclear-armed powers.
Juan Cole promotes Washington’s lies at University of Michigan talk on Syria
By Carlos Delgado, 27 February 2017
The professor sought to whitewash the role of US imperialism in Syria and provide support for the political establishment’s anti-Russia campaign.
Pentagon prepares plan to deploy ground troops in Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 17 February 2017
The dispatch of conventional ground troops to Syria as well as an intensification of US airstrikes are reportedly both under consideration.
Syria talks restart in Astana as fighting continues
By Jordan Shilton, 15 February 2017
The talks began just days after an Amnesty International report detailed the mass extrajudicial execution of an estimated 13,000 opponents of the Assad government at a Damascus prison.
Interview: Syrian student in US separated from family by Trump’s travel ban
By Zac Corrigan and Kevin Martinez, 13 February 2017
An undergraduate student at San Diego State University tells of the effect on her family of President Trump’s executive orders targeting refugees and immigrants from several Muslim-majority countries.
White House to issue executive order on “safe zones” in Syria, ban on Muslim immigrants and refugees
By Niles Niemuth, 27 January 2017
The leak of the draft executive order to the media on Thursday was preceded by an extended interview with ABC News in which Trump endorsed US-controlled “safe zones” inside Syria.
Syrian government, “rebels” meet for talks in Kazakhstan
By Bill Van Auken, 25 January 2017
In the wake of the strategic defeat suffered by the CIA-backed Islamist militias, the US participated only as an observer in the talks brokered by Russia.
Joint Russian, Turkish bombing campaign in Syria deepens NATO crisis
By Bill Van Auken, 20 January 2017
The joint Russian-Turkish action came on the eve of the inauguration of Donald Trump, who is reportedly preparing a major escalation of US intervention in the region.
Syria accuses Israel of launching missile strike against military airport in Damascus
By Niles Niemuth, 14 January 2017
Israel reportedly carried out its third attack against Syria in as many months even as a ceasefire in the six-year-old US-stoked civil war continues to hold.
US air strike kills 20 civilians in Syria
By Jordan Shilton, 11 January 2017
Details of last week’s raid in Idlib province emerged as Democrats and Republicans in the Senate introduced bipartisan legislation to intensify punitive measures against Russia over its interventions in Syria and Ukraine.
US-Russian tensions sharpen over Syria
By Jordan Shilton, 10 January 2017
The carrying out of a ground raid by US special forces troops in eastern Syria makes clear Washington’s determination to escalate the conflict.
The media campaign on Russian hacking and the US debacle in Syria
By Andre Damon, 9 January 2017
Despite the absence of any factual evidence in the report released last week by US intelligence agencies on alleged Russian hacking, the media campaign for war shows no signs of abating.
Russia and Turkey broker ceasefire in Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 30 December 2016
The ceasefire, which excludes ISIS and Al Qaeda, as well as the Kurdish militia, is supposed to lay the foundations for peace talks in Kazakhstan.
Turkey claims to have brokered cease-fire in Syria
By Alex Lantier, 29 December 2016
On Wednesday, Turkish officials announced that they had reached an agreement with their Russian and Iranian counterparts to extend a cease-fire declared in Aleppo to all of Syria.
Cause of fatal Christmas Day Russian military plane crash still undetermined
By Niles Niemuth, 28 December 2016
Russian investigators have downplayed the possibility that the plane was brought down Sunday by a bomb or missile, instead focusing on mechanical failure or pilot error.
Mosul, Iraq and Obama’s legacy of war
By James Cogan, 22 December 2016
There is no doubt as to the overriding motive behind the 1991 Gulf War, years of sanctions on Iraq, the 2003 US invasion and the blood-letting in Mosul—oil.
Russia, Iran and Turkey issue joint declaration on Syrian settlement
By Bill Van Auken, 22 December 2016
The joining of Turkey, a NATO ally, with Moscow and Tehran has provoked anger and recriminations from the US establishment and media.
The International Socialist Organization and the fall of Aleppo
By Andre Damon, 20 December 2016
The crisis of the US-backed proxy war for regime change in Syria has provoked a furious response from the pseudo-left apologists for US imperialism.
While decrying “massacre” in Aleppo, US steps up bloodshed in Mosul
By Bill Van Auken, 16 December 2016
The hypocrisy of US denunciations of Syria, Russia and Iran for the suffering in Aleppo is exposed by the plight of the besieged Iraqi city of Mosul.
British Labour MPs lead demands for UK action in Syria
By Robert Stevens and Julie Hyland, 15 December 2016
Britain’s parliament held an “emergency” debate on Syria against the backdrop of a major debacle for US imperialism and its British ally.
Washington’s hypocrisy over the fall of Aleppo
By Bill Van Auken, 15 December 2016
The hysterical denunciations by Western governments and media of alleged atrocities in eastern Aleppo are a measure of the debacle for US imperialism in Syria.
Syrian government retakes eastern Aleppo
By Bill Van Auken, 14 December 2016
Under a deal brokered between Turkey and Russia, Islamist militias have agreed to evacuate the last remaining area of the city under their control.
US sends more ground troops to support Kurdish militias in Syria
By James Cogan, 12 December 2016
The increased involvement of American forces will heighten already tense relations between the United States and Turkey.
US-backed Islamist militias abandon Aleppo’s old city as Syrian army advances
By Alex Lantier, 8 December 2016
Reports are emerging that Washington is pressing opposition forces in Aleppo to abandon the city and continue fighting elsewhere.
Russia and China block UN resolution as Syrian army continues advance in Aleppo
By Jordan Shilton, 6 December 2016
The Syrian army and Shia militias backing its offensive in eastern Aleppo have now taken control of approximately two-thirds of “rebel”-held districts.
Moscow in secret talks with Syrian “rebels”
By Bill Van Auken, 2 December 2016
The talks brokered between Russia and Turkey are a further manifestation of the debacle facing the US regime change campaign.
Mosul and imperialist “human rights”
By James Cogan, 2 December 2016
The attitude of the imperialist powers to war crimes is determined by whether they benefit from them.
Australia’s Socialist Alternative agitates for escalation of US intervention in Syria
By Will Morrow, 2 December 2016
Socialist Alternative’s commentary on Syria closely aligns with the most hawkish sections of the US military and intelligence apparatus.
Pentagon advances coverup for September bombing of Syrian army
By Bill Van Auken, 1 December 2016
The claim that the massacre of as many as 90 Syrian soldiers was a “human error” carried out in “good faith” is contradicted by the US military’s own admissions.
New York Times vents Washington’s rage over debacle in Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 30 November 2016
The Times has churned out countless lying editorials and columns justifying the bloodbath instigated by US imperialism in Syria as a “human rights” crusade.
US-backed “rebels” face rout in Aleppo
By Bill Van Auken, 29 November 2016
Syrian government forces have seized some 40 percent of the area previously controlled by militias led by the Al Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front.
Israel carries out airstrikes against ISIS ally in Syria
By Jean Shaoul, 29 November 2016
Sunday’s airstrikes highlight the increasing danger of a wider war involving nuclear-armed powers.
US arms Syrian Islamists with surface-to-air missiles
By Bill Van Auken, 23 November 2016
The portable missiles have been placed in the hands of the so-called “rebels” in an apparent attempt to escalate the conflict in advance of the change in US administrations.
Syrian fighting intensifies amid growing signs of military escalation under Trump
By Bill Van Auken, 17 November 2016
The offensive has been accompanied by an increasingly hysterical campaign in the media against any easing of tensions with Moscow under a Trump administration.
Growing crisis surrounds US-backed offensive in Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 11 November 2016
The assault on the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa has exposed the sharp tensions between the disparate forces that constitute Washington’s allies.
After state crackdown, Turkey’s HDP halts its parliamentary activities
By Halil Celik, 8 November 2016
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his AKP party are moving towards an authoritarian presidential system.
US-backed Kurdish militia announces assault on ISIS capital in Syria
By James Cogan, 7 November 2016
The largely rhetorical announcement appears primarily aimed at bolstering Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
US-backed Islamist rebels launch offensive in Syria
By Jordan Shilton, 29 October 2016
Continuing its grotesque double standards over human rights violations, the US media broadly welcomed an Islamist rebel offensive in Aleppo that included indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas.
Aleppo, Mosul and “war crimes”
By Bill Van Auken, 28 October 2016
Those denouncing Russia for “war crimes” in Aleppo have carried out atrocities over the course of the past three quarters of a century that vastly eclipse the events in the embattled Syrian city.
Civilian toll mounts as Mosul offensive enters second week
By Bill Van Auken, 26 October 2016
There are increasing reports that ISIS fighters are being funneled from Mosul across the border into Syria.
Obama administration split on “Plan B” for Syria intervention
By Bill Van Auken, 25 October 2016
The US National Security Council reportedly discussed proposals to provide heavy weapons to Al Qaeda-linked rebels, but took no decision.
Turkish bombing in Syria threatens wider war
By Bill Van Auken, 22 October 2016
The fractious and mutually antagonistic alliances forged by Washington in its interventions in Syria and Iraq threaten to explode into a regional and perhaps a world war.
EU foreign ministers adopt statement denouncing Russia and Syria
By Alex Lantier, 18 October 2016
The European Union statement is aligned with the flood of anti-Russian propaganda emanating from Washington over the NATO war for regime change in Syria.
US steps up anti-Russian rhetoric over Syria as EU foreign ministers meet
By Robert Stevens, 17 October 2016
The US, UK and France are seeking to impose additional sanctions on Russia over the conflict in Syria.
The ISO and the New America think tank denounce opposition to the war in Syria
By Eric London, 17 October 2016
The ISO last week published an interview on its Socialist Worker web site with a journalist linked to the New America think tank who advocates an escalation of the US military intervention in Syria.
Western foreign ministers to meet in London to discuss Syria intervention
By Robert Stevens, 15 October 2016
The efforts by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to assemble a “coalition of the willing” behind military action in Syria is being led by the Labour Party.
German government expands military operations in the Middle East
By Johannes Stern, 14 October 2016
In future, German soldiers will monitor Syrian airspace on board NATO’s AWACS reconnaissance planes.
Turkey and Russia seal pipeline deal
By Peter Schwarz, 12 October 2016
Erdogan and Putin met in Istanbul on Monday, discussed the war in Syria and sealed an agreement to construct the long-planned Turkish Stream gas pipeline.
Russia warns US strikes against Syria may lead to war
By Alex Lantier, 10 October 2016
A US attack on Syrian government targets, which is being actively discussed by the White House, could trigger war between the world’s main nuclear-armed powers.
German government urges tougher action against Russia and Syria
By Johannes Stern, 10 October 2016
With the conflict between the US and Russia intensifying dramatically, the German government has hardened its attitude towards Moscow.
Kerry charges “war crimes” as US escalates tensions with Russia
By Bill Van Auken, 8 October 2016
The US secretary of state charged Moscow with “war crimes” as US-backed, Al Qaeda-affiliated “rebels” appeared close to defeat in Aleppo.
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