Exclusive Rubio said 'no meeting' with Syria’s Shibani in Munich unless Kurdish commander included Rubio’s insistence was aimed at satisfying lawmakers demanding stronger US support for the SDF. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Syria begins prisoner exchange with Druze militia in south: What to know The Suwayda area has seen significant instability since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, complicating government efforts to address sectarian factionalism. Syria
Turkey to repatriate its ISIS fighters from Iraq as jihadis escalate Syria attacks Ankara will repatriate its nationals from among thousands of fighters transferred from Syria, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said. Turkey
Canada becomes latest Western country to lift Syria sanctions: What to know Like the US, Canada had strained relations with Syria during the civil war but is now showing signs of engagement. Syria
Feature After SDF-Damascus truce, is Kurdish haven still safe for Syria's Alawites? By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
US military pulls out of Syria’s Al-Tanf garrison in major shift By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Turkey bombs Syria, Iraq in response to Istanbul terror attack Fears are rising in Syria's Kurdish-controlled northeast over a potential military incursion by Turkey. Syria
Syrian jihadist group HTS challenges Turkish-backed factions Hayat Tahrir al-Sham tried to enter the Turkey-backed factions’ stronghold to support Ahrar al-Sham that refused to support the newly formed leadership by some groups within the movement. Syria
Infighting in Turkish-backed faction leads to tension in Syria's Afrin It seems Hayat Tahrir al-Sham lost a loyal faction after several currents with the Turkish-backed Ahrar al-Sham factions isolated the movement’s current leadership and appointed their own leader. Syria
Turkey points to Kurdish militants for deadly Istanbul bombing Turkish security forces have arrested a Syrian woman they say confessed to carrying out the attack under instructions from Kobani, but both the Kurdistan Workers Party and Syrian Kurdish forces deny any involvement. Turkey
Syrian jihadi group exploits poverty in Idlib to attract new members Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which controls Idlib, is taking advantage of the difficult living conditions of the people to attract more people into its ranks by offering high salaries. Syria
Why is Iran allying itself with Syrian tribal brigade in Aleppo? A group of Iranian clerics visited the headquarters of the Baqir Brigade, Iran's ally, in the city of Aleppo. The brigade has played a major role in curbing Russian influence in Aleppo in favor of Iran. Syria
Turkey turns up pressure on allies in Syria Turkey is using the jihadis’ march into Afrin to push its rebel allies in Syria to reorganize as a coherent, disciplined force. But what happens next if the factions fail to do so by the reported year-end deadline? Turkey
Lebanon begins vaccination campaign as cholera cases soar The crisis-hit country’s collapsing water and sewage infrastructure has opened a breeding ground for waterborne illness. Lebanon
Culture Syrian Kurds ban niqab in schools in northeast Syria The decision to ban the niqab at schools by the US-aligned Syrian group has angered some Arab constituents. Syria
Turkey, Israel relaunch security ties during historic visit On a historic official visit to Ankara, and after meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced the official resumption of bilateral security relations. Israel
Syrian man sentenced in Turkey for burning two alive under Islamic State A Turkish court has sentenced a Syrian man for ordering the burning executions of two Turkish nationals in 2016, but many aspects of the grisly murder remain in the dark. Turkey
US blacklists Syrian military officials over 2013 chemical attack Three Syrian military officers were designated for their alleged participation in the August 2013 sarin gas attack on Ghouta. Syria
