Both have used brutal means to hold on to power, but much of what father Hafez built up has been torn down during civil war that failed to oust his son, Bashar, or change regime

Tension ramps up on border after suspected Kurdish militant blows himself up, Russian airstrike on Turkey-backed troops

Syrian Sunni Adnan al-Afiyuni, who was close to Shiite ruler Bashar al-Assad, killed by bomb outside capital; cleric was key figure in 2016 deal between regime and insurgents

In search for accomplices, anti-terror investigators establish that Abdullah Anzorov spoke with Russian-speaker from Idlib, telling him he'd 'avenged the Prophet' after beheading

Military vows it will continue to operate to prevent Assad forces from setting up army posts in demilitarized zone in Golan Heights

Syrian Health Ministry says 3 people died in Homs, Tartus and Latakia provinces; authorities in both countries yet to reveal full extent of damage from blazes

No casualties reported; regional heatwave causes blazes throughout Middle East, including in Syria, where two people are killed

3 organizations want German AG to investigate deadly sarin attacks on Eastern Ghouta in 2013 and Khan Shaykhun in 2017, arguing there is enough evidence to blame Damascus and Assad

Satellite images show one building completely destroyed, another damaged following last week's reported bombing near Aleppo

Official SANA news agency claims air defenses downed incoming missiles in area of populous northern city; no reports of casualties or damage