Germany Says Growing Number Of Militants Heading to Syria, Iraq: AP
Germany's domestic intelligence agency has said that the number of extremists traveling to Syria and Iraq is continuing to grow.
Agency head Hans-Georg Maassen said that the latest evidence shows that 790 people have traveled from Germany to join militant groups in the Middle East, an increase of 40 people since October.
Russian deputy FM discusses Syria with U.S. ambassador: TASS
TASS reports that Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, has spoke with U.S. Ambassador to Moscow John Tefft about finding a political settlement to the Syria crisis.
Syria peace talks are set to begin in Geneva on Jan. 29, though there is doubt as to who will actually attend.
British Teacher Struck Off For Plans To Commit Terror With IS
A British chemistry teacher found guilty of plotting to commit mass murder with the IS group in Syria has been banned from teaching for life.
Jamshed Javeed, 31, from the northern town of Bolton, was one of a group of men who became radicalized and wanted to join IS. Javeed quit his teaching job but was stopped from traveling by his wife, who hid his passport.
Javeed was jailed for six years last March.
Syrian Opposition Sets New Preconditions For Syria Talks: AP
The Saudi-backed Syrian opposition has said that it will only attend the upcoming Syria peace talks in Geneva if sieges in the country are lifted and other conditions are met, AP reports.
In a statement released at the end of daylong meetings in Saudi Arabia late Tuesday, the Higher Negotiating Committee referred to the "necessity of realizing genuine improvements on the ground before starting in the negotiating process."
The group said that it is waiting for a reply from the United Nations regarding its preconditions.
Kurdish PYD Not Invited To Geneva 'To Keep Turkey At Talks': Today's Zaman
Turkish daily Today's Zaman opines that the Syrian Kurdish PYD has not been invited to the Syria peace talks in Geneva in order to avoid a Turkish boycott of the talks.
Another Explosion In Syria's Homs: Al Manar TV
Lebanon's Al Manar TV is reporting as breaking news that there has been an explosion today in the Al-Hamra district of Homs, a day after a similar attack left 25 people dead.
Al Manar is a satellite television channel affiliated with the Hizbullah group and broadcasting out of Beirut.
No Peace Talks Without Kurds: Syrian Opposition's Manna
The co-leader of the Syrian Democratic Council, Haytham Manna has told Reuters that he will not take part in Syria peace talks unless two Kurdish leaders, Saleh Muslim and Ilham Ahmed, were also invited.
Manna's comments come a day after UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura sent invites to join the talks, set to start on Jan. 29, without including the Kurdish leaders.
Manna is not part of the main, Saudi-backed opposition delegation.
Syria's Saudi-Backed Opposition Resumes Discussions In Riyadh
Syria's Saudi-backed opposition has resumed discussions in a luxury hotel in the Saudi capital of Riyadh this morning to decide whether or not to attend peace talks in Geneva, AFP reports.
Speaking to AFP at the venue in a luxury Riyadh hotel, spokesman for the High Negotiations Committee (HNC), Monzer Makhous, said the talks could last "perhaps all day".
"There will be no comment until they finish," he said.
Iranian Deputy FM In Moscow For Consultations Ahead Of Syria Talks
Russia's RIA Novosti is reporting this morning that Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has arrived in Moscow this morning for consultations ahead of the Syria talks.
The Syria talks are set to begin on Jan. 29 in Geneva.
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