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
Turkish-backed Syrian forces intensify attacks on US-aligned Syrian Kurdish group The Turkish army and its allied Syrian factions have recently increased attacks against the Syrian Democratic Forces in northeast Syria. Syria
Syrian jihadist group in Idlib replaces security squad with 'moral police' Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Idlib has ended the work of its security apparatus that has been accused of controlling people’s lives. Syria
Amid escalation in Idlib, residents fear renewed Russian-backed offensive Syrian government forces have stepped up their attacks against Idlib, causing civilian casualties as Russian warplanes continue to raid different areas of northwestern Syria on an almost daily basis. Syria
Lebanese energy plan includes Syria A meeting of Jordanian, Egyptian, Lebanese and Syrian ministers seems to have cracked Syria's isolation. Jordan
Jihadist group in Idlib bans pro-opposition news channel Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has banned the pro-opposition Orient News channel from media coverage in Idlib, raising fears about the state of press freedom in Syria’s Idlib. Syria
Lebanon won't deport six detained Syrian refugees Five of the six men are from Syria's Daraa province, where government forces and rebels have clashed in recent months. Lebanon
French court upholds conviction of Assad's uncle in money laundering case A French court last year sentenced Rifaat al-Assad to four years in prison and ordered the forfeiture of his French real estate assets. Syria
Syrian jihadist group works to attract tribes in Idlib Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has been paying more attention to Arab tribes and clans to benefit from them in expanding its influence in social circles and in recruitment processes. Syria
Syrian forces enter war-torn Daraa, opposition alleges rights abuses The Syrian government and rebel groups recently reached a cease-fire deal in the southern city that played a large role in the 2011 uprising. News Brief
Syrian Kurdish parties feel abandoned by US in wake of Turkish-backed attack Turkey stepped up its attacks against Kurds in Syria, which raised concerns among the Kurdish forces over the US and Russian roles. Syria
Syrian tribe forms Shura Council in Idlib with blessing from jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Idlib demanded all the tribes in the areas it controls to coordinate with it to form separate Shura councils, with the aim of controlling the decisions taken by these tribes and expanding its popular base. Syria
Amnesty report says Syrian refugees return to torture, rape The report documented human rights violations carried out by Syrian intelligence officers against 66 Syrians who returned to the war-torn country, including 13 children. Syria
