Russia protecting Syria forces – Kerry
Craig TaylorRussia’s military build-up in Syria appears to be limited to protecting its own forces in the country, US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday. BBC News – Middle East
Middle East
Putin assures Netanyahu over Syria
Russian President Vladimir Putin seeks to allay Israeli concerns at Russia’s military build-up in Syria during top-level talks in Moscow. BBC News – Middle East
Kerry seeks push to end Syria conflict
US Secretary of State John Kerry calls for a fresh diplomatic push to end the Syria conflict, after talks in London with the UK’s Philip Hammond. BBC News – Middle East
Syria ‘launches air raids on Palmyra’
Syrian war planes launch one of the heaviest bombardments yet on the city of Palmyra, held by Islamic State militants, activists say. BBC News – Middle East
Syria rebel training ‘a failure’
A US scheme to train Syrian rebels to combat Islamic State draws strong condemnation after a military official admits “only four or five” are still fighting. BBC News – Middle East
Assad vows not to ‘quit under pressure’
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad tells Russian media that he will not leave under foreign pressure and says Iran is “at Syria’s side”. BBC News – Middle East