Syria Conflict

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (2nd L), Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani (3rd R) and SDF commander Mazlum Kobane (4th R) meet on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, on Feb. 13, 2026 in Munich.

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.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Suwayda

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.

Women and children seen inside al-Hol camp, amongst them some 6,200 women and children from around 40 nationalities, and including relatives of suspected Islamic State jihadists in the desert region of Hasakah province on Jan. 25, 2026 in Al Hasakah, 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.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during a press conference after a Cabinet meeting to discuss both trade negotiations with the US and the situation in the Middle East, at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on July 30, 2025. Canada "intends" to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday, a dramatic policy shift he said was necessary to preserve hopes of a two-state solution. (Photo by Dave CHAN / AFP) (Photo by

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.

Latest News

Feature

After SDF-Damascus truce, is Kurdish haven still safe for Syria's Alawites?

Members of People's Defense Units (YPG) stand guard as Syrian government internal security personnel enter the northeastern city of Hasakeh, a Kurdish stronghold, on Feb. 2, 2026.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Rubio holds joint talks with Syria's FM, SDF commander in Munich

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (2nd L), Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani (3rd R) and SDF commander Mazlum Kobane (4th R) meet on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, on Feb. 13, 2026 in Munich.

US military completes evacuation of ISIS prisoners from Syria to Iraq

A member of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stands guard in a prison where men suspected to be afiliated with the Islamic State (IS) group are jailed in northeast Syria in the city of Hasakeh on Oct. 26, 2019.

US military pulls out of Syria’s Al-Tanf garrison in major shift

DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

A Syrian woman with her child walks near a Syrian-bound truck loaded with humanitarian aid.

4 million Syrians on brink of starvation as UN aid mechanism draws to close

Millions of Syrians are helplessly waiting in desperation as UN aid entry into Syria draws to an end amid expectations that Russia will veto a resolution authorizing cross-border aid into the war-torn country.

A woman carries a quilt as she crosses a field in the eastern Syrian village of Baghouz on March 13, 2020, a year after the fall of the Islamic State's (IS) caliphate.

Culture

Women in north Syria collect wild plants, medicinal herbs to sell

Women in northern Syria, especially those who became the sole breadwinners for their children after losing their husbands during the war, are collecting wild plants and medicinal herbs to make ends meet.

Abu Mari, a Syrian Bedouin livestock farmer who raises camels, goats and sheep, tends his flock in the village of Ghezlaniah, in the countryside of the Badia region, southeast of Damascus, Syria, April 20, 2021.

Syrian forces crack down on Islamic State in Syrian desert

The Syrian government forces are waging a revenge war against the Islamic State in the Syrian desert amid escalating attacks.

Members of the Free Syrian Army wave the flag of the Syrian opposition as they travel in a truck through the town of Hazano, in Idlib's northern countryside, as reinforcements are deployed from Aleppo's northern countryside to Idlib's countryside to counter an ongoing pro-regime offensive, Syria, Feb. 5, 2020.

Free Syrian Army defends areas of influence against IS, HTS cells

The internal fighting among FSA factions and the ambitions of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham to expand its control in the northwest of Syria did not prevent the Turkish-backed FSA factions from continuing their security operations to crack down on Islamic State cells in the countryside of Aleppo.

Local security forces inspect the scene of a car bomb explosion in the Turkish-held Syrian city of al-Bab.

Syrian armed groups clash outside Aleppo

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham entered the areas under the control of Turkish-backed factions in the countryside of Aleppo.

A Syrian beekeeper picks honey from his hives.

Culture

Beekeepers feel sting in northern Syria

Beekeeping in northwest Syria, which was once a traditional industry, faces challenges due to the war and its repercussions amid a lack of support.

ABDULAZIZ KETAZ/AFP via Getty Images

US drone strike kills al-Qaeda affiliate in northwest Syria

The rare drone strike in Idlib province was aimed to disrupt Huras al-Din's ability to stage terror attacks outside Syria, according to the Pentagon.

Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa attends the opening ceremony of the International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria at Bayan palace, Kuwait City, Kuwait, Jan. 30, 2013.

Syria-Bahrain ties continue to develop with bilateral talks, arrival of ambassador

Bahrain, like its ally the United Arab Emirates, is working to reestablish good ties with Syria.

A youth breaks a window as men smash up shops and homes believed to be owned by Syrian families.

Syrian refugees recount harassment, abuse in Turkey

Syrian refugees in Turkey are living in constant fear among rising attacks, while the Turkish government increases restrictions on them.

Civilians fleeing the battered Islamic State-held holdout of Baghouz.

Syrian Kurds, Arabs join forces to defend Manbij ahead of Turkish military operation

The Syrian Democratic Forces are seeking Arab tribes’ support in Manbij, northeast of Aleppo, ahead of the anticipated Turkish military operation in northern Syria.

A Turkish soldier mans a turret on an infantry fighting vehicle driving near the village of Yazi Bagh.

Why are Turkey’s allies fighting each other in Syria?

Turkey’s handling of recent clashes between allied groups in Syria has called its intention into question, with some arguing that the jihadi outfit controlling Idlib has gained a foothold in Afrin by using a Turkish-linked group as a Trojan horse.

NATO

NATO blinks as Turkey maintains threats to block Sweden, Finland from alliance

Turkey's strategy in blocking Sweden's and Finland’s NATO memberships could soon start to pay off.