Syria arrivals surge 111% as government bets on tourism revival The country welcomed 3.52 million visitors during the first half of 2026, more than double the figure recorded a year earlier, as the government pushes to reconnect to the world and promote tourism as a pillar of economic recovery. Syria
Syria seizes arms shipment on Iraq border destined for Hezbollah The operation comes as part of the Syrian authorities' efforts to curb illicit arms smuggling through its territory, namely intended for Hezbollah. Lebanon
Syria, US hold first business forum since sanctions relief: What to know The one-day forum in Damascus was organized by Syria’s Ministry of Economy and Industry and the US-Syria Business Council, which was established in Washington last June to advance trade and investment between the two nations. Syria
Explainer How Macron seeks to carve out France's role in new Syria French President Emmanuel Macron became the first Western leader to visit Syria since the fall of the Assad regime, showcasing Paris' support for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa while seeking to secure a share of the country's emerging reconstruction market. Syria
Assyrian family properties in Syria threatened by illegal seizures The numerous parties to the Syrian war are ignoring the theft and forgeries of properties of minorities in the country, including the properties of Syriac Assyrians who have fled the war. Syria
Syrian Kurds seek support amid Turkish threats of military action Syrian government forces have deployed in north Syria in anticipation of a Turkish military operation. Syria
Iran's Khamenei tells Erdogan to avoid military action in north Syria The Turkish president and his Russian counterpart were both in Tehran for a key regional meeting on the war-torn Syria. Iran
Syrian government, Russia escalate attacks in Idlib amid looming Turkish operation Syrian and Russian forces are intensifying their bombing campaign in Syria’s Idlib before the tripartite summit between the Russian, Turkish and Iranian leaders in Tehran, further worrying the Syrian factions. Syria
Pentagon warns Turkey against renewed invasion of Syria A US defense official called for a political process to end Turkey's perpetual battles with Kurdish militants. Turkey
HTS arrests members of little-known Syrian group behind attacks against Turkish army in Idlib Hayat Tahrir al-Sham announced that it arrested most members of the Ansar Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Brigade, a small, little-known jihadist group that is hostile to HTS and has repeatedly targeted Turkish forces in Idlib. Syria
Is Syrian government withdrawing from Tal Rifaat in favor of Turkey? FSA forces are carrying out military maneuvers in preparation for the battle against Kurdish forces in Tal Rifaat, while Turkey is bringing in more reinforcements. Syria
US kills top Islamic State leader in Syria, Pentagon says Syria's Kurdish-led forces alleged Maher al-Aghal was also affiliated with Turkey-backed opposition group Ahrar al-Sharqiya. Syria
UN Security Council extends Syria cross-border aid for six months Aid agencies say the short-term extension puts more than 4 million Syrian lives on the line. Syria
Culture Syrian musicians carve out small space in Istanbul’s live music scene Istanbul’s Syrian-run small art spaces have become a conduit of connection between locals and the refugee population through music amid high running anti-refugee sentiment across the country. Syria
Energy company touts oil-for-food scheme as Syrian aid route tightens With Syria's sole remaining route for cross-border aid in peril, a London-based oil company is lobbying for an initiative that would see the proceeds of Syrian oil being used for aid, with the money going to the UN rather than Damascus. Syria
Russia vetoes UN measure renewing aid to northwest Syria "People will die because of this vote," US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said of the Security Council's failure to reauthorize the cross-border mechanism. Syria
