Syria

Story #1: Rebels gain the upper hand in the Syria uprising

While it’s taken nearly two years since the uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad began, the core of his regime is showing signs of crumbling as rebels knock on the door of Syria’s capital, Damascus. But Assad isn’t showing signs he’s ready to roll over. What will 2013 bring? 1

Syria Year End Quiz

Test your knowledge on some of the big developments related to Syria in 2012.
Canada ready to join NATO coalition if chemical weapons used in Syria

Amid growing fears that the Syrian regime will use chemical weapons against its own people, Canada has developed a contingency plan to join a NATO coalition ready to deal with the worst-case scenario, CTV News has learned. 3
Baird calls on China, Russia to pressure Syrian regime on chemical weapons

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird is calling on China and Russia to lean on the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad as reports emerge he could unleash chemical weapons on his own people. 3
Monitoring firm confirms Internet service in Syria largely restored

A U.S.-based firm that monitors online activity has confirmed a 'largely complete' restoration of Internet service in Syria following a two-day, nationwide blackout.
Israel reports 'direct hit' on target in Syria, stoking fear of widening conflict

An Israeli tank struck a Syrian army vehicle Monday after a mortar shell landed on Israeli-held territory, the military said, in the first direct confrontation between the countries since the Syrian uprising broke out, sharpening fears that Israel could be drawn into the civil war next door. 5
Britain leads shift in Western approach to ousting Syria's Assad

Western efforts to oust Syrian President Bashar Assad shifted dramatically Wednesday, with Britain announcing it will deal directly with rebel military leaders.
Little change in daily toll as violence continues amid Syria 'truce'

Syrian warplanes and artillery struck rebellious suburbs east of Damascus, while rebels attacked regime positions elsewhere near the capital Sunday, violence that marred the third day of what was meant to be a four-day holiday truce, activists said.
Syrian refugees in Egypt tops 150,000, UN says

The UN refugee agency said Thursday the number of Syrian refugees who have fled their country's civil war and found shelter in Egypt has now topped 150,000 -- a significant jump from last month's figure of 95,000.
Rights watchdog says Syria appears to be using cluster bombs

An international human rights group said Sunday it has obtained new evidence that Syrian troops are using cluster bombs - widely banned munitions that pose a grave risk to civilians because they burst into bomblets over large areas and often linger on the ground, detonating only when touched.
Angelina Jolie makes case for Syrian refugees in Iraq

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie is in Iraq meeting with leaders about the plight of an estimated 50,000 refugees who fled to escape violence in Syria.
AP Interview: New envoy seeks unified voice on Syria

The new UN special envoy to Syria admitted on Sunday that he faces a difficult job trying to broker peace in Syria and said his first task is overcoming divisions within the Security Council that stymied the efforts of his predecessor.
Journalists grieve for slain comrades in Syria

Conflict has made for a costly year for journalism, CTV's South Asia Bureau Chief Janis Mackey Frayer writes for The Desk.