Middle East

World News

Voices From East Aleppo: 'They Gave Us 2 Choices Only — Leave Or Die'

11:57am December 14, 2016

Tuesday, there was word of a cease-fire brokered by Russia and Turkey. It appears to have fallen apart and plans to evacuate residents have stalled. People inside Aleppo describe the situation to NPR.

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World News

Desperate Syrian Civilians Eager To Evacuate Eastern Aleppo

11:57am December 14, 2016

by Alison Meuse

There are conflicting reports as to whether civilians are being evacuated from the rebel-held part of Aleppo. It's also not know if a cease-fire is still in place.

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Syrians leave a rebel-held area of Aleppo toward the government-held side on Tuesday, during an operation by Syrian government forces to retake the embattled city. U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon expressed alarm over reports of atrocities against civilians Monday,

World News

Cease-Fire In Aleppo Crumbles; Civilians Still Trapped In War Zone

11:42am December 14, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

Reports from eastern Aleppo have described horrific bloodshed as the Syrian regime and its allies overpower rebel forces. A cease-fire was planned to allow evacuations, but the deal has fallen apart.

World News

East Allepo Mayor Pleads For Help From The International Community

7:57am December 14, 2016

by Eleanor Beardsley

An agreement has been reached to evacuate Syrian civilians from rebel-held parts of Aleppo, but there are conflicting reports on whether the evacuations have begun.

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World News

Syrian Civilians Wait To Be Evacuated From Besieged City Of Aleppo

6:05am December 14, 2016

Steve Inskeep talks to New York Times reporter Anne Barnard about Syrian government forces retaking Aleppo, and what it means for the war in Syria.

World News

Pro-Regime Forces Reach Agreement With Syrian Rebels In Aleppo

4:30pm December 13, 2016

NPR's Robert Siegel interviews Pawel Krzysiek with the International Committee of the Red Cross, about the deal pending to allow civilians to safely leave eastern Aleppo.

As Syrian Troops Close In On Rebels In Aleppo, Civilians Are In Need

7:58am December 13, 2016

by Eleanor Beardsley

A French parliamentary delegation, just returned from Syria's border with Turkey, has called for U.S. and European troops to create a humanitarian corridor to get civilians out of Aleppo.

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World News

Syrian Government Forces Are Close To Crushing Rebellion In Aleppo

7:58am December 13, 2016

by Alice Fordham

Hopes that international diplomacy might achieve a ceasefire or peace deal have faded, as fighters loyal to Syria's president press into the last opposition areas of the city.

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A wall in Tartus is covered in posters commemorating the lives of men who died fighting on Assad's side. Graffiti on the wall says, "Tartus doesn't die."

World News

In A Pro-Assad Stronghold, Security Comes At A Heavy Price

5:11pm December 12, 2016

by Alice Fordham

The city is known as "Mother of the Martyrs" due to its high number of pro-regime fighters who've died in the years of war. Most who live here are Alawite Muslims, as is President Bashar Assad.

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World News

Pentagon Chief Ash Carter Makes Unannounced Trip To Baghdad

7:41am December 12, 2016

by David Welna

Defense Secretary Ash Carter visited Baghdad on Sunday to discuss the battle to retake Mosul from ISIS. On Monday, he's in Israel, which becomes the first U.S. ally to receive the F-35 fighter.

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