Omran Daqneesh became a symbol of the suffering in Aleppo after a heartbreaking photo showing him sitting in the back of an ambulance — bloodied, dazed, dusty and confused — went viral on social media. 
 
 Doctor in #Aleppo just sent this photo of a dazed child who survived an airstrike pic.twitter.com/IHLDc6KPh8 — Raf Sanchez (@rafsanchez) August 17, 2016 
 
 Now, photos and video of Omran show a young boy in good health and living in Aleppo, which is now under firm control of the Syrian regime. 
 
 A pro-Assad reporter, Kinana Alloush, who once posted a selfie with the dead bodies of rebel fighters, published the first pictures of Omran and his family since they were struck by bombardments conducted by the regime of Bashar al-Assad. 
 
 "The child Omran, those who tried to shed Syrian blood mislead the news that he was hit by the Syrian Arab Army," she wrote. "Here he now lives in the Syrian state with its army, its leader and its people." 
 
 Other pro-regime outlets and the Kremlin-funded video news agency Ruptly also conducted interviews with the boy (Russia is a major ally of the Syrian regime). 
 
 That raises questions over whether the boy is being exploited for a pro-Assad agenda or the family had been forced to conduct the interview. 
 
 Last year, images of Omran being loaded into the emergency vehicle were posted on social media — where it quickly went viral — by rebel groups, including the The Syrian Civil Defense and Aleppo Media Center (AMC). 
 
 It highlighted the suffering of besieged civilians in east Aleppo, drawing the world's attention to the crisis. His brother later died of his wounds. 
 
 But now media loyal to the Assad government appears to be spinning the story for their own agenda. 
 
 In the interview posted by Alloush, Omran's father said he changed his son's name and shaved him to protect him from media attention. "They wanted to trade in his blood and published his photos," he said. 
 
 He added that he refused offers by rebel groups to leave Syria because they want to damage the reputation of the country's army. The family reportedly fled to regime-held west Aleppo as soon as they had a chance. 
 
 It's not the first time that children who went viral on social media during the Syrian civil war are being exploited from one side or another for propaganda purposes. 
 
 Bana Alabed, the 7-year-old girl who tweeted her experience of living in besieged Aleppo, was depicted with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan after her family was evacuated from the devastated Syrian city and allowed into Turkey, with permission to remain. 
 
 I was pleased to host @AlabedBana and her family at the Presidential Complex today. Turkey will always stand with the people of Syria. pic.twitter.com/VuPtmFl7Lr — Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RT_Erdogan) December 21, 2016 
 
 In a video, Bana can be heard telling Erdoğan: “Thank you for supporting the children of Aleppo and help us to get out from war. I love you.” ||||| BEIRUT (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - A young Syrian boy, whose stunned image covered in dust and blood became an iconic symbol of suffering in Aleppo, has appeared in new footage posted by a pro-Syrian government television presenter. 
 
 Omran Daqneesh and his father appeared in a video clip, apparently still living in Aleppo telling the reporter, Kinana Allouche, he didn’t want to leave Syria. 
 
 A photograph of the wounded boy, sitting blankly and alone in the back of an ambulance after an airstrike, was circulated worldwide last August, highlighting the suffering of civilians in besieged east Aleppo. His older brother, Ali, died from his wounds after the attack. 
 
 Daqneesh’s father told the reporter his son was in good health in Aleppo - now under the control of President Bashar al-Assad’s forces. He said he had cut his son’s hair and changed his name to protect him from being kidnapped and accused rebels of intimidating the family. 
 
 It was not clear whether the family had been coerced into taking part in the short video posted on Facebook, the first time the boy had been seen publicly since he was wounded. 
 
 However, Valerie Szybala from the Syria Institute, an independent research organisation focused on Syria, said the family was unlikely to have been speaking freely. 
 
 “They are under government control now and this is a government that we know arrests and tortures anyone that speaks out against it ... to me the situation seems to suggest this is probably coerced,” Szybala told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. 
 
 Rebel resistance in Aleppo ended last December after years of fighting and months of bitter siege and bombardment that culminated in a bloody retreat, as insurgents agreed to withdraw in a ceasefire. 
 
 Syria’s civil war, which erupted in 2011 has killed an estimated 465,000 people. ||||| Images and a short video clip show Omran Daqneesh for the first time since he was wounded in a regime airstrike 
 
 New footage emerges of Syrian boy who gave a face to the suffering in Aleppo 
 
 New footage has emerged of Omran Daqneesh, the boy whose bloodied and dusty image gave a face to the suffering of Aleppo’s civilians in last year’s siege. 
 
 'I filmed the Syrian boy pulled from the rubble - his wasn't a rare case' Read more 
 
 The images were posted on the social media account of a pro-Syrian government television presenter and appeared to show the young boy in good health and living in Aleppo, which is now under the control of forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad. 
 
 
 
 As the rebels retreated from Aleppo, reports had emerged that the Daqneesh family had crossed over into government territory, but they had not been heard from until now. 
 
 
 
 
 
 The images and a short video clip posted by Kinana Alloush – a reporter who once posted a selfie with the corpses of rebel fighters – marked the first time Omran had appeared publicly since he was wounded in a regime airstrike. 
 
 An image of Omran, stunned and sitting alone in the back of an ambulance after a regime airstrike, quickly went viral when it emerged last August and highlighted the suffering of east Aleppo’s besieged civilians. His brother later died of his wounds from the same airstrike. 
 
 In a short interview clip posted by Alloush, Omran’s father tells the TV presenter that he did not hear a plane above his house before the strike and said he rejected offers to leave Syria by parties wishing to damage the reputation of the country’s armed forces. He said that he changed his son’s name and his hairstyle to evade individuals who threatened to kidnap him and accused rebels of intimidating him. 
 
 It was unclear if the family had been coerced into conducting the interview. The Syrian government has carried out similar disinformation efforts in the past, promising benefits to defectors or displaced civilians if they speak out against alleged rebel crimes. ||||| Image copyright @khalediskef Image caption Journalist Khaled Iskef took a selfie with Omran Daqneesh (2nd left) and his family 
 
 New pictures have emerged of Omran Daqneesh, the young Syrian boy who became a symbol of civilian suffering in the city of Aleppo last year. 
 
 A bloodied Omran was filmed after what activists said was an air strike on a rebel enclave that killed his brother. 
 
 On Sunday, he was photographed at his new home in the city, which is now under full government control. 
 
 In interviews with pro-government journalists, Omran's father complained that he had been used as "propaganda". 
 
 Image copyright AFP Image caption The image of Omran sitting in an ambulance sparked international compassion 
 
 Mohammed Daqneesh told a reporter from Iran's Al-Alam TV that the Syrian opposition and international media had wanted to use Omran to attack President Bashar al-Assad. 
 
 "They wanted to trade in his blood and published his photos," he added. 
 
 Mr Daqneesh said he had been sitting with his then five-year-old son when their home was hit on 17 August and that he had not heard a plane overhead. 
 
 He added that Omran had suffered only minor injuries and that the blood on his son's face had dripped on to him from one of his own wounds. 
 
 Image copyright Reuters Image caption Omran Daqneesh's home was destroyed 
 
 As he searched for his three other children among the rubble, "gunmen" took Omran to an ambulance in the street outside and started filming him, Mr Daqneesh said. They then took him to hospital despite there being no need, he added. 
 
 Video footage of Omran being carried from a damaged building and being placed on a seat in the back of an ambulance by an unarmed man who appeared to be a rescue worker was filmed by the pro-opposition Aleppo Media Centre (AMC), after what it said was a series of overnight Russian air strikes on the Qaterji district. 
 
 A doctor at the hospital where Omran was taken told the BBC at the time that he had a head wound that required stitches and was suffering from shock. 
 
 When troops pushed into eastern Aleppo at the end of last year, Mr Daqneesh and his family reportedly chose to cross into government-controlled territory along with thousands of other civilians, rather than be evacuated to rebel-held Idlib province. ||||| Washington (CNN) Russian involvement in the 4½-year-old Syrian civil war seems to be escalating, with NATO's secretary general confirming Tuesday a second incursion by Russian planes into Turkish airspace and saying Russian ground troops were in Syria as well. 
 
 Damascus skies erupt with anti-aircraft fire as the US and its allies launch an attack on Syria's capital early on April 14, 2018. US President Donald Trump announced airstrikes in retaliation for Syria's alleged use of chemical weapons. Trump says the strikes are part of a sustained military response, in coordination with France and the United Kingdom. 
 
 Damascus skies erupt with anti-aircraft fire as the US and its allies launch an attack on Syria's capital early on April 14, 2018. US President Donald Trump announced airstrikes in retaliation for Syria's alleged use of chemical weapons. Trump says the strikes are part of a sustained military response, in coordination with France and the United Kingdom. 
 
 Bodies lie on the ground in the rebel-held city of Douma, Syria, on April 8, 2018. According to activist groups, helicopters dropped barrel bombs filled with toxic gas on Douma, which has been the focus of a renewed government offensive that launched in mid-February. The Syrian government and its key ally, Russia, vehemently denied involvement and accused rebel groups of fabricating the attack to hinder the army's advances and provoke international military intervention. 
 
 A child receives medical treatment after a village was attacked in the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta region on February 25, 2018. Several people were treated for exposure to chlorine gas, opposition groups said, as airstrikes and artillery fire from the regime continued. CNN was unable to independently verify claims that chlorine was used as a weapon. 
 
 A child receives medical treatment after a village was attacked in the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta region on February 25, 2018. Several people were treated for exposure to chlorine gas, opposition groups said, as airstrikes and artillery fire from the regime continued. CNN was unable to independently verify claims that chlorine was used as a weapon. 
 
 A member of the Syrian pro-regime forces fires a machine gun as a comrade holds his feeding ammunition belt on November 11, 2017. It was during an advance toward rebel-held positions west of Aleppo. 
 
 A member of the Syrian pro-regime forces fires a machine gun as a comrade holds his feeding ammunition belt on November 11, 2017. It was during an advance toward rebel-held positions west of Aleppo. 
 
 Residents of the war-torn city of Douma break their Ramadan fast on June 18, 2017. 
 
 Residents of the war-torn city of Douma break their Ramadan fast on June 18, 2017. 
 
 Members of the UN Security Council raise their hands on April 12, 2017, as they vote in favor of a draft resolution that condemned the reported use of chemical weapons in Syria. 
 
 Members of the UN Security Council raise their hands on April 12, 2017, as they vote in favor of a draft resolution that condemned the reported use of chemical weapons in Syria. 
 
 This photo, provided by the activist Idlib Media Center, shows dead children after a suspected chemical attack in the rebel-held city of Khan Sheikhoun on April 4, 2017. Dozens of people were killed, according to multiple activist groups. The United States responded a few days later by launching between 50-60 Tomahawk missiles at a Syrian government airbase. US officials said the base was home to warplanes that carried out the chemical attack. Syria has repeatedly denied it had anything to do with the attack. 
 
 This photo, provided by the activist Idlib Media Center, shows dead children after a suspected chemical attack in the rebel-held city of Khan Sheikhoun on April 4, 2017. Dozens of people were killed, according to multiple activist groups. The United States responded a few days later by launching between 50-60 Tomahawk missiles at a Syrian government airbase. US officials said the base was home to warplanes that carried out the chemical attack. Syria has repeatedly denied it had anything to do with the attack. 
 
 Arabic writing that reads "some day we will return" is seen on a bus window as civilians evacuate Aleppo on December 15, 2016. The evacuations began under a new ceasefire between rebels and pro-government forces. 
 
 Arabic writing that reads "some day we will return" is seen on a bus window as civilians evacuate Aleppo on December 15, 2016. The evacuations began under a new ceasefire between rebels and pro-government forces. 
 
 Smoke rises after an airstrike in Aleppo on October 4, 2016. 
 
 Smoke rises after an airstrike in Aleppo on October 4, 2016. 
 
 This still image, taken from a video posted by the Aleppo Media Center, shows a young boy in an ambulance after an airstrike in Aleppo, Syria, on August 17, 2016. It took nearly an hour to dig the boy, identified as Omran Daqneesh, out from the rubble, an activist told CNN. The airstrike destroyed his home, where he lived with his parents and two siblings. Director of the Aleppo Media Center Yousef Saddiq said Omran's 10-year-old brother, Ali, died from his injuries. 
 
 This still image, taken from a video posted by the Aleppo Media Center, shows a young boy in an ambulance after an airstrike in Aleppo, Syria, on August 17, 2016. It took nearly an hour to dig the boy, identified as Omran Daqneesh, out from the rubble, an activist told CNN. The airstrike destroyed his home, where he lived with his parents and two siblings. Director of the Aleppo Media Center Yousef Saddiq said Omran's 10-year-old brother, Ali, died from his injuries. 
 
 Members of a Syrian opposition group attack the headquarters of al-Assad regime forces in the Aleppo villages of Nubul and al-Zahraa on February 12, 2016. 
 
 Members of a Syrian opposition group attack the headquarters of al-Assad regime forces in the Aleppo villages of Nubul and al-Zahraa on February 12, 2016. 
 
 A sandstorm blows over damaged buildings in the rebel-held area of Douma, east of Damascus, on September 7, 2015. 
 
 A sandstorm blows over damaged buildings in the rebel-held area of Douma, east of Damascus, on September 7, 2015. 
 
 A refugee carries mattresses as he re-enters Syria from Turkey on June 22, 2015, after Kurdish People's Protection Units regained control of the area around Tal Abyad, Syria, from ISIS. 
 
 A refugee carries mattresses as he re-enters Syria from Turkey on June 22, 2015, after Kurdish People's Protection Units regained control of the area around Tal Abyad, Syria, from ISIS. 
 
 A Syrian child fleeing the war gets lifted over fences to enter Turkish territory illegally near a border crossing at Akcakale, Turkey, on June 14, 2015. 
 
 A Syrian child fleeing the war gets lifted over fences to enter Turkish territory illegally near a border crossing at Akcakale, Turkey, on June 14, 2015. 
 
 Nusra Front fighters inspect a helicopter belonging to pro-government forces after it crashed in the rebel-held Idlib countryside on March 22, 2015. 
 
 Nusra Front fighters inspect a helicopter belonging to pro-government forces after it crashed in the rebel-held Idlib countryside on March 22, 2015. 
 
 Rebel fighters dig caves in the mountains for bomb shelters in the northern countryside of Hama on March 9, 2015. 
 
 Rebel fighters dig caves in the mountains for bomb shelters in the northern countryside of Hama on March 9, 2015. 
 
 Medics tend to a man's injuries at a field hospital in Douma after airstrikes on September 20, 2014. 
 
 Medics tend to a man's injuries at a field hospital in Douma after airstrikes on September 20, 2014. 
 
 Volunteers remove a dead body from under debris after shelling in Aleppo on August 29, 2014. According to the Syrian Civil Defense, barrel bombs are now the greatest killer of civilians in many parts of Syria. The White Helmets are a humanitarian organization that tries to save lives and offer relief. 
 
 Volunteers remove a dead body from under debris after shelling in Aleppo on August 29, 2014. According to the Syrian Civil Defense, barrel bombs are now the greatest killer of civilians in many parts of Syria. The White Helmets are a humanitarian organization that tries to save lives and offer relief. 
 
 Photographs of victims of the Assad regime are displayed as a Syrian army defector known as "Caesar," center, appears in disguise to speak before the House Foreign Affairs Committee in Washington. The July 31, 2014, briefing was called "Assad's Killing Machine Exposed: Implications for U.S. Policy." Caesar, apparently a witness to the regime's brutality, smuggled more than 50,000 photographs depicting the torture and execution of more than 10,000 dissidents. CNN cannot independently confirm the authenticity of the photos, documents and testimony referenced in the report. 
 
 Photographs of victims of the Assad regime are displayed as a Syrian army defector known as "Caesar," center, appears in disguise to speak before the House Foreign Affairs Committee in Washington. The July 31, 2014, briefing was called "Assad's Killing Machine Exposed: Implications for U.S. Policy." Caesar, apparently a witness to the regime's brutality, smuggled more than 50,000 photographs depicting the torture and execution of more than 10,000 dissidents. CNN cannot independently confirm the authenticity of the photos, documents and testimony referenced in the report. 
 
 Rebel fighters execute two men on July 25, 2014, in Binnish, Syria. The men were reportedly charged by an Islamic religious court with detonating several car bombs. 
 
 Rebel fighters execute two men on July 25, 2014, in Binnish, Syria. The men were reportedly charged by an Islamic religious court with detonating several car bombs. 
 
 A giant poster of al-Assad is seen in Damascus on May 31, 2014, ahead of the country's presidential elections. He received 88.7% of the vote in the country's first election after the civil war broke out. 
 
 A giant poster of al-Assad is seen in Damascus on May 31, 2014, ahead of the country's presidential elections. He received 88.7% of the vote in the country's first election after the civil war broke out. 
 
 A US ship staff member wears personal protective equipment at a naval airbase in Rota, Spain, on April 10, 2014. A former container vessel was fitted out with at least $10 million of gear to let it take on about 560 metric tons of Syria's most dangerous chemical agents and sail them out to sea, officials said. 
 
 A US ship staff member wears personal protective equipment at a naval airbase in Rota, Spain, on April 10, 2014. A former container vessel was fitted out with at least $10 million of gear to let it take on about 560 metric tons of Syria's most dangerous chemical agents and sail them out to sea, officials said. 
 
 A man holds a baby who was rescued from rubble after an airstrike in Aleppo on February 14, 2014. 
 
 A man holds a baby who was rescued from rubble after an airstrike in Aleppo on February 14, 2014. 
 
 An injured man is helped following an airstrike in Aleppo's Maadi neighborhood on December 17, 2013. 
 
 An injured man is helped following an airstrike in Aleppo's Maadi neighborhood on December 17, 2013. 
 
 Syrian children wait as doctors perform medical checkups at a refugee center in Sofia, Bulgaria, on October 26, 2013. 
 
 Syrian children wait as doctors perform medical checkups at a refugee center in Sofia, Bulgaria, on October 26, 2013. 
 
 Residents run from a fire at a gasoline and oil shop in Aleppo's Bustan Al-Qasr neighborhood on October 20, 2013. Witnesses said the fire was caused by a bullet from a pro-government sniper. 
 
 Residents run from a fire at a gasoline and oil shop in Aleppo's Bustan Al-Qasr neighborhood on October 20, 2013. Witnesses said the fire was caused by a bullet from a pro-government sniper. 
 
 The UN Security Council passes a resolution September 27, 2013, requiring Syria to eliminate its arsenal of chemical weapons. Al-Assad said he would abide by the resolution. 
 
 The UN Security Council passes a resolution September 27, 2013, requiring Syria to eliminate its arsenal of chemical weapons. Al-Assad said he would abide by the resolution. 
 
 An aerial view shows the Zaatari refugee camp near the Jordanian city of Mafraq on July 18, 2013. 
 
 An aerial view shows the Zaatari refugee camp near the Jordanian city of Mafraq on July 18, 2013. 
 
 Rebels launch a missile near the Abu Baker brigade in Al-Bab, Syria, on January 16, 2013. 
 
 Rebels launch a missile near the Abu Baker brigade in Al-Bab, Syria, on January 16, 2013. 
 
 Syrians look for survivors amid the rubble of a building targeted by a missile in the al-Mashhad neighborhood of Aleppo on January 7, 2013. 
 
 Syrians look for survivors amid the rubble of a building targeted by a missile in the al-Mashhad neighborhood of Aleppo on January 7, 2013. 
 
 A father reacts after the deaths of two of his children in Aleppo on January 3, 2013. 
 
 A father reacts after the deaths of two of his children in Aleppo on January 3, 2013. 
 
 The bodies of three children are laid out for identification by family members at a makeshift hospital in Aleppo on December 2, 2012. The children were allegedly killed in a mortar shell attack that landed close to a bakery in the city. 
 
 The bodies of three children are laid out for identification by family members at a makeshift hospital in Aleppo on December 2, 2012. The children were allegedly killed in a mortar shell attack that landed close to a bakery in the city. 
 
 Smoke rises in the Hanano and Bustan al-Basha districts in Aleppo as fighting continues through the night on December 1, 2012. 
 
 Smoke rises in the Hanano and Bustan al-Basha districts in Aleppo as fighting continues through the night on December 1, 2012. 
 
 An Israeli tank crew sits on the Golan Heights overlooking the Syrian village of Breqa on November 6, 2012. Israel fired warning shots toward Syria after a mortar shell hit an Israeli military post. It was the first time Israel fired on Syria across the Golan Heights since the 1973 Yom Kippur War. 
 
 An Israeli tank crew sits on the Golan Heights overlooking the Syrian village of Breqa on November 6, 2012. Israel fired warning shots toward Syria after a mortar shell hit an Israeli military post. It was the first time Israel fired on Syria across the Golan Heights since the 1973 Yom Kippur War. 
 
 A Syrian rebel walks inside a burnt section of the Umayyad Mosque in Aleppo hours before the Syrian army retook control of the complex on October 14, 2012. 
 
 A Syrian rebel walks inside a burnt section of the Umayyad Mosque in Aleppo hours before the Syrian army retook control of the complex on October 14, 2012. 
 
 Smoke rises over the streets after a mortar bomb from Syria landed in the Turkish border village of Akcakale on October 3, 2012. Five people were killed. In response, Turkey fired on Syrian targets and its parliament authorized a resolution giving the government permission to deploy soldiers to foreign countries. 
 
 Smoke rises over the streets after a mortar bomb from Syria landed in the Turkish border village of Akcakale on October 3, 2012. Five people were killed. In response, Turkey fired on Syrian targets and its parliament authorized a resolution giving the government permission to deploy soldiers to foreign countries. 
 
 Free Syrian Army fighters are reflected in a mirror they use to see a Syrian Army post only 50 meters away in Aleppo on September 16, 2012. 
 
 Free Syrian Army fighters are reflected in a mirror they use to see a Syrian Army post only 50 meters away in Aleppo on September 16, 2012. 
 
 A Syrian man carrying grocery bags dodges sniper fire in Aleppo as he runs through an alley near a checkpoint manned by the Free Syrian Army on September 14, 2012. 
 
 A Syrian man carrying grocery bags dodges sniper fire in Aleppo as he runs through an alley near a checkpoint manned by the Free Syrian Army on September 14, 2012. 
 
 Family members mourn the deaths of their relatives in front of a field hospital in Aleppo on August 21, 2012. 
 
 Family members mourn the deaths of their relatives in front of a field hospital in Aleppo on August 21, 2012. 
 
 A Free Syrian Army fighter runs for cover as a Syrian Army tank shell hits a building across the street during clashes in the Salaheddine neighborhood of central Aleppo on August 17, 2012. 
 
 A Free Syrian Army fighter runs for cover as a Syrian Army tank shell hits a building across the street during clashes in the Salaheddine neighborhood of central Aleppo on August 17, 2012. 
 
 Rebel fighters with the Free Syrian Army capture a police officer in Aleppo, Syria, who they believed to be pro-regime militiaman on July 31, 2012. Dozens of officers were reportedly killed as rebels seized police stations in the city. 
 
 Rebel fighters with the Free Syrian Army capture a police officer in Aleppo, Syria, who they believed to be pro-regime militiaman on July 31, 2012. Dozens of officers were reportedly killed as rebels seized police stations in the city. 
 
 Syrian refugees walk across a field in Syria before crossing into Turkey on March 14, 2012. 
 
 Syrian refugees walk across a field in Syria before crossing into Turkey on March 14, 2012. 
 
 Supporters of al-Assad celebrate during a referendum vote in Damascus on February 26, 2012. Opposition activists reported at least 55 deaths across the country as Syrians headed to the polls. Analysts and protesters widely described the constitutional referendum as a farce. "Essentially, what (al-Assad's) done here is put a piece of paper that he controls to a vote that he controls so that he can try and maintain control," a US State Department spokeswoman said. 
 
 Supporters of al-Assad celebrate during a referendum vote in Damascus on February 26, 2012. Opposition activists reported at least 55 deaths across the country as Syrians headed to the polls. Analysts and protesters widely described the constitutional referendum as a farce. "Essentially, what (al-Assad's) done here is put a piece of paper that he controls to a vote that he controls so that he can try and maintain control," a US State Department spokeswoman said. 
 
 Delegates from Arab League member states and Turkey discuss a response to the government's crackdown in Syria on November 16, 2011. 
 
 Delegates from Arab League member states and Turkey discuss a response to the government's crackdown in Syria on November 16, 2011. 
 
 Jamal al-Wadi speaks in Istanbul on September 15, 2011, after an alignment of Syrian opposition leaders announced the creation of a Syrian National Council -- their bid to present a united front against Bashar al-Assad's regime and establish a democratic system. 
 
 Jamal al-Wadi speaks in Istanbul on September 15, 2011, after an alignment of Syrian opposition leaders announced the creation of a Syrian National Council -- their bid to present a united front against Bashar al-Assad's regime and establish a democratic system. 
 
 Syrian children walk over bricks stored for road repairs during a spontaneous protest June 15, 2011, at a refugee camp near the Syrian border in Yayladagi, Turkey. 
 
 Syrian children walk over bricks stored for road repairs during a spontaneous protest June 15, 2011, at a refugee camp near the Syrian border in Yayladagi, Turkey. 
 
 Anti-government protesters demonstrate in Daraa on March 23, 2011. In response to continuing protests, the Syrian government announced several plans to appease citizens. 
 
 Anti-government protesters demonstrate in Daraa on March 23, 2011. In response to continuing protests, the Syrian government announced several plans to appease citizens. 
 
 An injured man lying in the back of a vehicle is rushed to a hospital in Daraa, Syria, on March 23, 2011. Violence flared in Daraa after a group of teens and children were arrested for writing political graffiti. Dozens of people were killed when security forces cracked down on demonstrations. 
 
 An injured man lying in the back of a vehicle is rushed to a hospital in Daraa, Syria, on March 23, 2011. Violence flared in Daraa after a group of teens and children were arrested for writing political graffiti. Dozens of people were killed when security forces cracked down on demonstrations. 
 
 Displaced Syrian residents wait to receive food aid distributed by the UN Relief and Works Agency at the besieged al-Yarmouk camp, south of Damascus, Syria, on January 31, 2014. According to the UN Envoy for Syria, an estimated 400,000 Syrians have been killed since an uprising in March 2011 spiraled into civil war. See how the conflict has unfolded. 
 
 Displaced Syrian residents wait to receive food aid distributed by the UN Relief and Works Agency at the besieged al-Yarmouk camp, south of Damascus, Syria, on January 31, 2014. According to the UN Envoy for Syria, an estimated 400,000 Syrians have been killed since an uprising in March 2011 spiraled into civil war. See how the conflict has unfolded. 
 
 "It's unacceptable, it's dangerous, and it's reckless behavior and it adds to the tensions," Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told CNN about the incursions into Turkish airspace. 
 
 "We see the violation of the Turkish airspace becomes more important, more dangerous, because it happens in a context where we see more fighting, more Russian military presence in Syria." 
 
 Stoltenberg expressed alarm over how the Russian military grows on several fronts in Syria. 
 
 "So we have seen a substantial military buildup by Russia in Syria, both in the air with the combat planes and air defense systems, but also an increasing number of ground troops," he said. "In addition to that, they have deployed naval assets, a large number of naval assets close to the Syrian shores. And they continue to do so." 
 
 Alleged airspace violations 
 
 The first violation of Turkey's airspace is reported to have happened Saturday. The second was Sunday, officials said. 
 
 Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a warning for Moscow, according to the nation's semiofficial news agency, Anadolu. 
 
 "If Russia loses a friend like Turkey, with which it has conducted many businesses, it will lose a lot," he said. 
 
 NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg condemns Russia's incursion into Turkish airspace. 
 
 In addition to the incursion reports, the Turkish air force said a MiG-29 fighter jet of an unidentified nationality had interfered Monday with eight Turkish F-16s on the Turkey-Syria border. The Turkish air force reported the jet put its planes under a radar lock for four minutes and 30 seconds. 
 
 Stoltenberg rebuked Russian combat aircraft for two alleged violations of Turkey's airspace. 
 
 "We also have seen two of them, two violations of Turkish airspace," he said at a news conference. "Intelligence that we have received provides me with reason to say it doesn't look like an accident." 
 
 Turkey has been a member of NATO since 1952, and alliance rules say that an attack on any of the 28 member states should be treated as an attack on all. 
 
 Stoltenberg said the "substantial buildup of Russian forces in Syria" includes "ground troops in connection with the air base they have." 
 
 Stoltenberg said he doubted that Russia, which has been conducting airstrikes in Syria, was interested primarily in fighting the terrorist group ISIS, also known as ISIL. 
 
 "I'm also concerned that Russia is not targeting ISIL but instead attacking the Syrian opposition and civilians," he said. 
 
 U.S.: Russia moved weapons, troops into Syria 
 
 The Pentagon also is worried about Russia's military activity in Syria. 
 
 The latest U.S. assessment indicates that Russia has moved ground combat weapons and troops to operate them into areas of western Syria where anti-regime forces are, according to two American defense officials. The United States sees the move as Russia "stepping up its ground activity" in Syria to attack those forces, rather than ISIS elements, according to one of the officials. 
 
 But Russian officials deny ramping up military activity. Officials quoted by state media said there would be no ground operation in Syria and -- in contrast to what officials had said earlier -- Russia would try to prevent any "volunteers" from going to Syria. 
 
 The tension between Russia and Turkey, however, appears to be escalating. The two countries are at odds over the civil war in Syria, with Russia backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. 
 
 "I discussed the situation in Syria with Foreign Minister Lavrov in New York last week," Stoltenberg said, referring to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. "I urge Russia to play a constructive and cooperative role in the fight against ISIL. And to strive for a negotiated political solution to the conflict in Syria." 
 
 Conflicting reports on strikes in Syria 
 
 As diplomats talked, the violence in Syria continued unabated. 
 
 Syrian state media reported that joint Russian and Syrian airstrikes had hit ISIS targets in the modern city of Palmyra, adjacent to its ancient ruins. The airstrikes hit "ISIS hideouts," destroying 20 armored vehicles, three ammunition dumps as well as rocket launch pads, the SANA news agency reported, citing unnamed military sources. 
 
 The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Russian strikes in and around Palmyra killed at least 15 ISIS militants and destroyed vehicles, posts and ammunition dumps there. Four more members of the terrorist group died in strikes in Raqqa, the Syrian city that has been referred to as ISIS' de facto capital. 
 
 But Russian state media denied the Palmyra strikes. 
 
 "All foreign media reports suggesting that Russian planes have allegedly launched airstrikes on the city of Palmyra are totally untrue," Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said, according to Tass 
 
 "We don't rule out that terrorists may be preparing provocations in this and other settlements — to blast mosques and then demonstrate fake photo and video materials with accusations against Russian aircraft on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic," the general said in the Tass report. 
 
 However, another Russian state news agency, RIA Novosti, reported that Russian jets hit ISIS targets 28 kilometers (about 17 miles) from Palmyra. 
 
 Obama authorizes resupply of opposition 
 
 On Monday, U.S. President Barack Obama authorized the resupply of Syrian Kurds and the Arab-Syrian opposition as part of a strategy to put pressure on ISIS from the north and strengthen the border, according to two senior administration officials. 
 
 The approval came at a National Security Council meeting Thursday. 
 
 CNN reported over the weekend that Obama emphasized to his team that the United States would continue to support the Syrian opposition as Russia enters the war-torn country. 
 
 "President Obama was clear that we intend to continue our efforts to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL in Syria and to keep supporting the moderate Syrian opposition," an official said. 
 
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 Russia's aims questioned 
 
 Russia has said it is conducting military operations to wipe out ISIS and other extremist groups. U.S. officials have seen the effort primarily as a move to bolster al-Assad, a close ally -- a goal Russian President Vladimir Putin does not deny. 
 
 It's believed the Russians are positioning weapons to support a Syrian ground offensive, officials said. 
 
 The equipment includes artillery as well as four BM-30 multiple-launch rocket systems -- all considered to be highly accurate. The latter is capable of rapid-fire rocket launches. 
 
 Officials: Russia brings electronic jamming equipment 
 
 Several weeks ago, Russia moved about half a dozen artillery pieces into the port of Latakia. 
 
 The United States originally thought the move might be for defense of the port, but the latest action is an indication of potential ground attacks in the coming days, an official said. 
 
 The weapons have been spotted between Homs and Idlib and west of Idlib. 
 
 It is not clear if they're now in final position for possible artillery strikes. 
 
 The officials also said Russia has moved electronic jamming equipment into Syria. Both a truck-mounted system and a number of pods that can go on aircraft have been observed. The equipment could potentially give the Russians the ability to jam electronics of U.S-backed coalition aircraft. ||||| Get daily updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Thank you for subscribing! Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email 
 
 Usually you snap a selfie on holiday, with your mates or just having a bit of fun. 
 
 But this selfie with corpses from Syrian journalist Kinana Allouch has left many shocked and horrified. 
 
 The veteran journalist works for Addounia TV, seen by many as a mouthpiece for the Assad regime. 
 
 Her Facebook profile includes a picture of her posing with the brutal dictator, Bashar al-Assad. 
 
 Her selfie appears to be a triumphant message of victory against terrorists during the battle now raging in Aleppo. 
 
 But angry Facebook commentators said the bodies belonged to rebel fighters. 
 
 One, Ashraf Abdullah, called her a "war criminal" and warned her "everything is being recorded". 
 
 As well as her notorious selfie, Allouche posted pictures of herself with Syrian army soldiers . 
 
 She reports on Aleppo, Syria's second city, which was once known for its ancient markets and hilltop fort. 
 
 But since 2012, a bloody battle has raged between the regime and rebels. At least 50,000 Syrians are believed to have fled the city. 
 
 In March, both sides agreed to a ceasefire, but Russian-backed regime forces are said to be attacking the rebel-held neighbourhoods 
 
 (Image: Getty) 
 
 Kyle Orton, a research fellow at the Henry Jackson Society who studies Syrian propaganda, said "gloating" photos like this one are quite rare, but "triumphalist reporting" is very common. 
 
 He told The Mirror : "The intention of pictures like this from the Assad regime and its surrogates is to say: 'We're tough enough to protect you - or to hurt you if you abandon us - so stay with us.' It's both a threat and an inducement. 
 
 "The dead in the picture will be presented by the regime as from the Islamic State, al-Qaeda, or some other extremist force - who are, in the regime's telling, its only opponents. Who they actually are is not clear at this time. 
 
 "The regime and its sympathizers regularly use the term 'rats' to describe the armed opposition, though Assad has - perhaps drawing on his medical background - called them 'germs'. 
 
 "In either event the dehumanization of the opposition and the need to exterminate it is a well-worn trope in regime circles." 
 
 The regime is not the only side in the Syrian civil war to use propaganda. A crack rebel Syrian sniper recently filmed himself killing victims and posted it online . 
 
 And ISIS regularly uses hi-tech cameras to make gruesome videos of executions of its enemies and hostages.
– The Syrian boy who drew worldwide attention last August after he was bloodied by an airstrike in Aleppo has resurfaced looking like any other healthy 5-year-old. But some are cautioning that looks can be deceiving. In interviews with pro-government outlets—including reporter Kinana Allouche, who once shared a selfie with the bodies of rebel fighters—Omran Daqneesh is seen next to his father as the older man accuses rebels of using Omran as a propaganda tool. "They wanted to trade in his blood and published his photos," he says, per the BBC. Mohamad Daqneesh, who lost an older son in the airstrike, adds he refused rebel offers to leave Aleppo because the rebels only seek to hurt the reputation of the Syrian Army, per Mashable. Allouche notes "those who tried to shed Syrian blood mislead the news that he was hit by the Syrian Arab Army. Here he now lives in the Syrian state with its army, its leader and its people." The interview marks a decided turn for the regime of Bashar al-Assad, who last year said the photo of Omran in an ambulance was "forged." But a rep for the Syria Institute suspects a propaganda campaign has only just begun and says the family was "probably" coerced. Since rebels withdrew from Aleppo in December, "they are under government control now and this is a government that we know arrests and tortures anyone that speaks out against it," the rep tells Reuters. The Assad regime is known to offer incentives to those who speak out against rebels, reports the Guardian.