Syrian War News Updates -- January 1, 2016

The Telegraph: More than 55,000 died in Syria in 2015 as Isil claims twin attacks in Syrian Christian neighbourhood

At least 13 of the people killed in Qamishli attack, claimed by Isil, were Christian, according to posters hung in a local church

More than 55,000 people were killed in Syria during 2015, a leading casualty monitor said on Thursday, as Isil claimed responsibility for twin bombings in a Christian neighbourhood in north Syria.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it had documented 55,219 deaths during 2015, the fifth year of Syria’s conflict, including more than 2,500 children.

The bitter war has claimed the lives of more than 260,000 people, displacing more than half the country’s pre-war population and forcing the flight of more than 4 million refugees.

Syria War News Updates -- January 1, 2016

Death toll in Syria tops 55,000 in 2015 -- DW
Syria: Over 55,000 people including 2,500 children killed in 2015, says monitoring agency -- IBTimes
U.S.-backed alliance advances against Islamist groups in Syria's north: spokesman -- Reuters
Syrian government forces advance with Russian airstrike support -- ABC News Australia
Syrian army launches assault against rebels near border with Israel -- Reuters
Syrian army attacks rebel forces on Israeli border -- Arutz Sheva
Syria conflict: 'At least 16 dead' in three restaurants blasts -- BBC
IS restaurant bombings kill 16 in northern Syrian city -- AP
Syria: 40,000 civilians starving to death in town besieged by Assad forces and Hezbollah, says monitoring agency -- IBTimes
French jets strike IS oil sites in Syria: minister -- AFP
Cardiff businessman who went to Syria and became ISIS cyber expert killed in US drone strike -- Mirror
Syrian activists: Opposition supporter who joined Islamic State militants dies in Syria -- AP
Report: Iran appoints new commander in Syria -- Al Arabiya
Russia destroyed main threat to its pilots in Syria -- Pravda
US officials believe Russia’s military campaign in Syria is sustainable -- Rudaw
Three Months of Russian Aerospace Forces Operation in Syria in Details -- Sputnik
Can FSA get back on its feet after Russian intervention? -- Mona Alami, Al-Monitor
Ahead of Syria talks, powers can’t agree who is a terrorist -- Rudaw
Bottle Brothers: How Syrian Children Scavenge To Survive In Turkey -- RFE
Syria and a dictator's children: Keeping the family business going -- FOX News