Syria
Latest news and information on Syria.
Spanish architect spent 40 days in US jail over 2011 Syria holiday
A 32-year-old architect from Pamplona found himself jailed and then deported after declaring on a US visa application that he had taken a family holiday to Syria in 2011, before civil war broke out.
Spanish police raid luxury Costa del Sol properties linked to Syria's Assad
Police in southern Spain on Tuesday staged raids targeting assets of the family of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, a judicial source said.
Spain probes Syrian intelligence chief over alleged torture
A Spanish judge on Monday ordered an investigation into the alleged torture and execution of a Syrian man after a case was filed by his sister, a Spaniard of Syrian origin.
Russia withdraws request to refuel warships in Ceuta
Russia has withdrawn a request for its aircraft carrier group to be refuelled at the Spanish port of Ceuta, authorities confirmed.
Spain under pressure to stop refuel of Russian warships
Spain is facing international pressure to refuse permission for a Russian warship flotilla to refuel in Ceuta en route to continuing airstrikes against the Syrian city of Aleppo.
Refugees arrive in Spain (but really want to be in Germany)
Spain's glacial rate of taking in refugees got a slight boost on Tuesday with 20 new arrivals from Greece and 27 more on their way, but some still have their sights set on Germany.
Spanish journalist freed from Syria feared being sold to Isis
One of three Spanish journalists released after nearly a year held hostage in Syria by an Al Qaeda-linked group said on Tuesday that he feared being sold to the Islamic State group, which regularly kills captives.
Three Spanish journalists kidnapped in Syria freed
Three Spanish journalists kidnapped in Syria some 10 months ago were freed on Saturday and flew home home from Turkey on Sunday, the Spanish Press Federation and the government said.
Assad wants to be known as the 'man who saved Syria'
President Bashar al-Assad says he wants to be remembered 10 years from now as the person who saved Syria, according to an interview with Spanish newspaper El Pais published on Saturday.
Moroccan arrested in Pamplona for planning to join Isis and go to Syria
Police have arrested a man in the northern Spanish city for planning to travel to Syria to join Isis, as well as for recruiting people for jihad.
Engaging with Assad is 'lesser evil' insists Spain following Paris attacks
Spain's foreign minister has spoken out strongly in favour of engaging with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad to deal with the terror threat in Europe, just days after deadly attacks in Paris.
Spain rules out Syria airstrikes but pledges support in fight against Isis
As European defence ministers unanimously backed a French request for help in defeating Isis, Spain appeared to step back from joining bombing raids over Syria.
Spain calls for dialogue with Bashar al-Assad to resolve Syria crisis
"We don't like al-Assad, but Nixon didn't like Mao, and he reached an agreement with him," said Spain's foreign minister José Manuel García-Margallo.
Rajoy horrified by drowned toddler image and calls for Syria solution
Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Thursday urged world powers to help end the war in Syria after the "horrifying" sight of a dead Syrian toddler on a Turkish shore.
‘I should be so lucky’: The Syrian refugee chasing his dream in Spain
Jalal Maher, 32, is an English teacher in Madrid. He’s an avid language learner, an animal lover and, above all, a massive Kylie fan. Oh, and another thing – he’s a Syrian refugee.
'No theory ruled out' over journos missing in Syria
Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said on Wednesday "no theory is being ruled out" about what has happened to the three Spanish journalists missing for 10 days in war-torn Syria.
Syria kidnap fears for three Spanish journalists
Three Spanish freelance journalists have gone missing in Syria where they were reporting from the northwestern Aleppo region, the head of a Spanish press federation said on Tuesday.
Assad warns that Spain attack was 'tip of iceberg'
In an interview with a Swedish newspaper, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has warned that Spain’s terrorist attacks ten years ago, as well as those in London and the recent Charlie Hebdo shootings are just "the tip of the iceberg" when it comes to terrorism in Europe.
More than 6,000 have left Europe for Isis jihad: EU
EU Justice Commissioner Věra Jourová said Europeans who have gone to join jihadist Isis fighters in Syria may number more than 6,000.
Prison without bail for mother of jihad twins
A mother who was planning to send her 16-year-old twin sons to Syria to join a jihadist group has been sent to prison without bail, while the boys’ father has walked free.
Four detained in reported jihadist group
Update: The Spanish Civil Guard arrested a Moroccan couple in Badalona early on Tuesday as well as their two sons who were about to travel to Syria, the Spanish interior ministry said.
Iraq suicide bomber was treated in Spain
A Libyan suicide bomber who carried out an attack in the name of Isis in October in Iraq received medical treatment in Spain, prompting fears that others who were radicalized after being treated in the country could carry out attacks on Spanish soil.
WhatsApp messages lift lid on Isis mindset
"We eat well. We wear designer clothes and we don't have to steal," one young Moroccan man, who emigrated to Barcelona, told his friend recently, before setting off to Syria to join the terrorist group Isis.