Syria Conflict

An Israeli military tank patrols along the border fence separating northern Israel from southern Lebanon on November 24, 2025. Hezbollah held the funeral on November 24 for its top military chief and other members of the militant group a day after Israel killed them in a strike on Beirut's southern suburbs. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Lebanon-Israel direct talks pause operation against Hezbollah — but for how long?

The US blocked Israel from widening its strikes on Hezbollah this week, yet another flare-up in their enduring conflict seems likely despite first direct talks between Lebanon and Israel.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Syrian Kurds lift placards and flags during a rally calling for an autonomous administration and Kurdish rights in Syria's predominantly Kurdish northeastern city of Qamishli, on Sept. 17, 2025.

Ankara: Jailed PKK chief favors unitary Syria, no separate Kurdish defense force

The militant leader called for “police-like” security units in Syrian Democratic Forces areas during his landmark meeting with a Turkish parliamentary delegation, according to a transcript summary.

An aerial view shows the destruction across Yarmouk camp, Damascus, Syria, on Nov. 8, 2025.

What role is Jordan playing in Syria's reconstruction?

As Syria’s southern neighbor, Jordan is already positioning itself as a logistics hub and diplomatic broker for Syria’s reconstruction.

A boy sits outside the entrance to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) building complex in Gaza City, on Sept. 6, 2025.

Interview

UNRWA plans Turkey office to boost Gaza, Syria aid as pledges dip

Speaking exclusively to Al-Monitor, UNRWA’s Tamara Alrifai said the upcoming Turkey office would help the agency to expand its operations not only in Gaza but also in Syria.

Latest News

Analysis

A Trump bargain: Pardon Netanyahu in exchange for Israel-Syria security deal?

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - OCTOBER 13: U.S. President Donald Trump (2R) is welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) at Ben Gurion International Airport on October 13, 2025 in Tel Aviv, Israel. President Trump is visiting the country hours after Hamas released the remaining Israeli hostages captured on Oct. 7, 2023, part of a US-brokered ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Trump warns Israel not to 'interfere' in Syria after deadly raid

Bakr ALkasem / AFP via Getty Images

Exclusive

Top PYD official Aldar Khalil: 'Syria is telling Kurds to separate'

Kurdish official Aldar Khalil, who played a key role in establishing Syria's semiautonomous Kurdish region in 2013, during an interview in Qamishli on Dec. 22, 2018.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Analysis

PKK leader Ocalan gains legitimacy in Turkey, bigger sway over Syria’s Kurds

People take part in a demonstration to call for the liberation of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan outside the European Council in Strasbourg, eastern France, on Sept. 15, 2025.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Sharaa, Druze leaders

As Suwayda agreement takes shape, here are key Druze players in Syria

The Syrian Druze community has three prominent religious leaders, as well as a number of armed groups that continue to operate in the area after the civil war.

Druze men greet each other as they wait near the border fence in the town of Majdal Shams, in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, as Syrian Druze who had crossed over the day before to the village, cross back to return to Syrian, on July 17, 2025. Syrian government forces have withdrawn from the whole of Sweida province after days of sectarian bloodshed in the heartland of the Druze minority, a war monitor and witnesses said July 17, 2025. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP) (Photo

Analysis

Trump’s Syria gamble tested by unrest in Suwayda

The recent bloodshed in southern Syria is testing the Trump administration’s policy toward the war-torn country and complicating hopes for its potential normalization with Israel.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

A picture shows a view of the damage following Israeli strikes on the Syrian army and Defense Ministry headquarters in Damascus, on July 16, 2025.

Israel’s defense chief to visit Pentagon following Syria, Iran strikes: What to know

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz is expected to meet in Washington with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and other senior American officials to discuss the latest developments in Iran and Syria.

A member of the Syrian security forces examines burnt vehicles amid ongoing clashes in the southern Syrian city of Suwayda, July 16, 2025.

Syria: Over 370 killed in Suwayda as fragile truce holds, Sharaa promises Druze local control

A fragile ceasefire signed by Damascus and Suwayda leaders appeared to hold, as Syria's president vowed accountability for those behind violence against the Druze community.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomes UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed with official ceremony during the latter’s official visit to Ankara, July 16, 2025.

Analysis

UAE leader visits Turkey, emphasizing shift from rivalry to regional alignment

The presidents of Turkey and the UAE discussed ways to deepen cooperation on trade, defense and regional diplomacy as both nations navigate new opportunities amid shifting balances in the Middle East.

Ezgi Akin

By Ezgi Akin , Rosaleen Carroll

Members of the Druze community demonstrate before Israeli forces by the barbed-wire fence separating the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights and Syria near Majdal Shams, on July 16, 2025.

Israeli Druze breach Syria border, call for 'day of rage' over Suwayda clashes

The Israeli Druze leadership announced a one-day labor strike on Wednesday and called on all Israeli Druze to go to the border and cross it in order to assist their Syrian brethren in Suwayda.

A woman walks past a mural depicting Lebanese Druze politician Walid Jumblatt (bottom, R) and Syrian Druze nationalist leader Sultan al-Atrash, in the predominantly Druze city of Beit Jann on November 16, 2023. Around 150,000 Druze, Arab adherents of an esoteric offshoot of Shiite Islam, live in Israel. Most identify as Israelis and the men -- not women -- are conscripted into the military, many serving in combat units. The Druze community is concentrated in 16 villages in northern Israel, among them Beit J

Lebanon's Druze mobilize in solidarity with Syria's Suwayda: What to know

Druze leaders in Lebanon are voicing their growing concerns over the deadly violence unfolding in Suwayda while members of the community are trying to cross the border into Syria.

Two armed men gesture as a car burns near the site of clashes between Druze and Bedouin factions on July 14, 2025 in Suwayda, Syria.

Live Updates

Syria says army withdrawing from Suwayda after deadly clashes with Druze

The withdrawal follows reportedly an understanding between Damascus and local Druze leaders to end the fighting after days of deadly violence.

Syrian security forces stand with their guns atop a truck on July 15, 2025, near Suwayda, Syria.

Analysis

Is Sharaa’s Druze crackdown a warning to Syria’s Kurds?

Syrian Kurds, who control a quarter of Syria's territory in the north and the northeast, are closely watching events unfold in Suwayda.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Members of Syria's security forces drive through the predominantly Druze city of Suwayda on July 15, 2025, following Israeli bombardment amid clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters.

Analysis

Will Israel's airstrikes in Druze city derail Syria normalization talks?

The violent clashes in Syria and subsequent Israeli attack have pushed a potential bilateral security agreement further off.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

A member of Syria's security forces stands under a sign in the predominantly Druze city of Sweida (Suwayda), on July 15, 2025, following clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters.

Syria announces ceasefire in Druze city of Suwayda: What to know

The ceasefire followed deadly clashes between the Druze of Suwayda and Bedouin tribes that left over 100 people dead.

Barrack and Sharaa

'One road to Damascus': Syria's Kurds recoil as US envoy urges deal with Sharaa

Tom Barrack’s call for Kurdish integration under a central Syrian government reflects a shift in US policy, drawing concern from Kurdish leaders about their future autonomy.