State Department spokesman says Washington 'will not express any support for efforts to normalize or rehabilitate' Syrian leader after Emirati foreign minister travels to Damascus

Trip by top Emirati diplomat, the first since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011, comes as Damascus seeks economic opportunity and Gulf looks to counter Iran

Syrian media says air defense systems activated against 'hostile targets from the direction of Israel'; IDF mum on alleged strikes; no casualties immediately reported

Military hopes to have full coverage of northern airspace within two years, as part of plan to establish a nationwide air defense umbrella

Jennifer Wenisch and husband 'bought' woman and child as slaves in Mosul; girl was chained up outside and died 'agonizing death of thirst in the scorching heat,' say prosecutors

Pentagon says death of Abdul Hamid al-Matar in northwest of country 'will disrupt the terrorist organization's ability to further plot and carry out global attacks'

UK authorities say Ali Harbi Ali began planning to kill two other lawmakers two years ago, ended up targeting Amess because he supported airstrikes in Syria

Amnesty International researcher says executions show 'the Syrian government’s disregard for international law, especially right to life'

Eighth Brigade, which joined forces with Syria's army two years ago, could disarm amid reconciliation process in southern Daraa province

No US casualties in coordinated attack on al-Tanf, which comes a week after pro-Iran fighters vowed a 'harsh' response to an alleged Israeli-US joint strike originating from there