Syria Conflict

A US soldier keeps watch during a patrol in Syria's northeastern city Qamishli, in the Hasakeh province, mostly controlled by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), on Jan. 9, 2025.

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US troops in Syria's Kurdish northeast will remain in single base near Rmeilan oil fields

The consolidation comes as tensions rise between Iran and Israel, heightening risks for remaining US forces.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Members of Turkish Police Special Forces secure the area near the Interior Ministry on Oct. 1, 2023.

Turkey detains dozens of ISIS suspects in raids tied to Syria-based network

A nationwide sweep targeted the group's financial and propaganda networks as Ankara steps up efforts to counter the jihadi extremist group in Syria.

Cryptocurrency giant Binance opens trading access to Syria: What to know

Binance’s announcement comes after the United States and the European Union lifted most economic sanctions on Syria last month.

A Tunisian woman wearing a "burkini", a full-body swimsuit designed for Muslim women, walks in the water with a child on August 16, 2016 at Ghar El Melh beach near Bizerte, north-east of the capital Tunis. (Photo by FETHI BELAID / AFP) (Photo by FETHI BELAID/AFP via Getty Images)

Syria mandates burkinis for women at public beaches: What to know

The decree has sparked concern that Syria’s new government could be veering toward a more strict Islamist governance system.

Latest News

Interview

US believes Syria’s Sharaa at risk of assassination, Trump envoy says

US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack meets Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa in Damascus, on May 29, 2025.

Tom Barrack

Tom Barrack

US special envoy for Syria

UAE’s Al Habtoor Group to send business delegation to Syria: What to know

Khalaf Ahmad al-Habtoor, Chairman of the al-Habtoor Group, attending the World Premiere of La Perle in Dubai

What to know about 1,500-year-old Byzantine tomb uncovered in Syria

tomb

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Trump to sign sweeping order rescinding Syria sanctions

People queue in front of a teller next to a pile of banknotes of different currencies at a commercial bank affiliated with Syria's central bank in Damascus on December 16, 2024. Governments worldwide are stepping up efforts to engage with Syria's new interim rulers, just over a week after Islamist-led rebels ousted president Bashar al-Assad, ending decades of brutal rule and civil war. (Photo by Louai Beshara / AFP) / "The erroneous CAPTION appearing in the metadata of this photo by Louai Beshara has been

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

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

People walk past election campaign billboards depicting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a candidate for the upcoming presidential vote, in the capital Damascus, on May 25, 2021.

After Arab League vote, US 'skeptical' Syria’s Assad will make concessions

The Syrian government has yet to grant any major concession in exchange for its regional reintegration.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu

Analysis

Turkey Elections: A Kilicdaroglu election win could overhaul Syria policy

The opposition leader is seen as someone who would have more clout at the negotiating table with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, especially on migration and security issues in northern Syria.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Syria's empty seat is pictured during an emergency meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in Cairo on May 7, 2023. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Arab League readmits Syria, paving the way for Assad to attend Saudi summit

With Syria's readmittance, Assad is now expected to attend the Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia on May 19.

A woman sits outside a tent at a camp for those displaced by conflict in the countryside near Syria's northern city of Raqa on December 19, 2022. (Photo by Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP) (Photo by DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Assad will demand high price for return of refugees

Arab League at risk of getting caught between US and Syria over sanctions policy.

Week in Review

Andrew Parasiliti

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (R) speaks with his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi in Damascus on May 3, 2023. - Raisi congratulated al-Assad on May 3 for "achieving victory" in the country's 12-year-long civil war, in which Tehran has been a major ally. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP) (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Syria, Iran expand agreements, praise China after Assad-Raisi meeting

Syria and Iran signed a number of agreements during Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s historic visit and Raisi invited Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to visit Iran.

A Turkish Bayraktar TB2 combat drone is on view during a presentation at the Lithuanian Air Force Base in Siauliai, Lithuania, on July 6, 2022.

Turkey’s drones are killing Kurdish children in northeast Syria

Turkey's drone campaign to undermine Kurdish rule in Syria continues unabated, with children paying a heavy price.

Arab League ambassadors gather for an emergency meeting in Cairo on April 5, 2023,

Arab League calls emergency meeting on crisis in Sudan, readmitting Syria

The Arab League will address Syria's readmittance to the alliance and the ongoing violence in Sudan.

LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images

Iran's president meets Palestinian Hamas, Islamic Jihad leaders in Syria

The meeting between Raisi and Palestinian officials comes days after Palestinian militants fired dozens of rockets from the Gaza Strip toward southern Israel in response to the death of Islamic Jihad prisoner Khader Adnan.

Kobane

Syria’s Kurds turn to UAE to ease tensions with Assad

An alleged trip to the UAE capital by Syrian Democratic Forces chief Mazloum Kobane, which Emirati officials deny, came just before he was targeted by a Turkish drone last month.

An exterior view of the building of US Department of the Treasury is seen on March 27, 2020 in Washington, DC.

US, Turkey blacklist Syrian militants' financial facilitators

The new sanctions target members of US-designated terrorist groups Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Katibat al-Tawhid wal-Jihad.

The silhouette of an Israeli soldier is outlined in the sky by a flare fired to search for a rocket that landed near Kibbutz Meitsar in the Israeli annexed Golan Heights, April 9, 2023. - Israel launched artillery strikes on Syria early morning on April 8 after several rockets were fired from there and landed in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israel's retaliatory strike to rocket attacks from Syria -- which no one has claimed -- is the latest episode in escalating violence in the region. (Photo by JALA

Israel carries out airstrikes in Aleppo, Syria: local media

The incident near Aleppo followed suspected Israeli strikes on a Hezbollah center in central Syria over the weekend, and as Arab foreign ministers meet in Jordan to normalize relations with Assad.

BAKR ALKASEM/AFP via Getty Images

US does not confirm Turkey’s claim of killing Islamic State leader in Syria

The US administration said it had no information to support Ankara’s claim to have killed the Islamic State leader.