Syria, which marks 10 years of war next week, has recorded nearly 16,000 virus cases in government-held parts of the country.

'Tens of thousands of people are believed held in Syrian prisons since the country's civil war broke out in 2011.'

The Trump administration announced economic and travel sanctions meant to put pressure on Syrian President Assad and his inner circle.

'I always laugh when this question is raised, because the more important question which should be asked is: Was al-Baghdadi really killed or not?'

The U.S.-backed force fighting the Islamic State group says the Kurdish-led force will resume its attack on the last area held by the extremists.

'An Islamic State suicide bomber targeted a joint convoy of US and allied Kurdish forces in northern Syria on Monday.'

'The latest wave of shelling and airstrikes in northern Syria is the most serious violation of a truce reached by Russia and Turkey.'

Russia revealed last week it had positioned more than a dozen ships off the Syrian coast, raising fears of a wide-scale offensive that could mark the last major battle in the seven-year civil war.

'The Russians and Iranians would be making a grave humanitarian mistake...'

'Francis appealed on Sunday to the international community and "all the actors involved" to use diplomacy, dialogue and negotiations.'