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
Syrians north of Aleppo prepare for Turkish military operation Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s pledge to carry out a new military operation on Turkey’s southern border sparked speculations as to the possible targets, which could include towns such as Tel Rifaat, Manbij and Kobani. Syria
The stumbling blocks facing Turkey’s new operation plan in Syria Kobani, Manbij and Tel Rifaat stand out as the main targets in a prospective new Turkish operation in northern Syria, but Erdogan might narrow his objectives to avoid tensions with the United States. Turkey
Release of Syrian soldier accused or war crimes stirs protests Protesters rallied in the city of al-Bab, which is controlled by factions allied with Turkey, demanding an investigation into the release by the opposition-affiliated military police of a soldier accused of murder and rape. Syria
Syrians reject trench dug by Turkish army near Aleppo The residents of Tadef in the Aleppo countryside are rejecting a military trench being dug by the Turkish army that would cross through their city, calling on changing its course and retaking control of the areas held by the Syrian government forces inside the city. Syria
Turkey threatens new Syria incursion amid NATO debate Erdogan ups the ante as NATO allies offer cool response to Ankara’s demands over Sweden, Finland membership. Turkey
Culture Teenage Syrian refugees in Lebanon find cricket a welcome distraction Cricket is emerging as a tool for social transformation and improving Syrian refugees’ education. Lebanon
Climate change makes life harder for displaced Syrians The extreme weather conditions caused by climate change have been particularly felt by the displaced living in camps across northwestern Syria, where NGOs are struggling to meet all of their needs. Syria
Iraqis murdered in Syria’s al-Hol camp Tens of thousands of Iraqi nationals, mostly women and children, are “stuck in limbo” in a camp in northeastern Syria as violence against them and regional risks increase. Iraq
Pentagon inquiry finds no fault in 2019 Syria strike that killed civilians Internal investigation blamed Syrian Kurdish forces for failing to mention the presence of civilians when calling in US airstrike. United States
Turkish-backed forces meet with rival HTS in north Syria Extensive meetings were held in the past days between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which controls Idlib, and the Levant Front, one of the most prominent and strongest groups of the Syrian National Army, in a bid to reach a compromise between the two sides. Syria
Syrians dodge military conscription Syrian military-age men are fleeing conscription, forcing them to defer their future or pay back the government. Syria
