Syria - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Palmyra

Syria

July 5, 2026

Damascus 10:49 pm

29°C

Farmers roast harvested wheat using fire in a field on the outskirts of Aleppo, Syria, on May 18, 2026.

Analysis

How Syria’s wheat fields turned into first battleground over reconstruction

A battle over wheat prices could be the first political contest over who reconstruction will benefit.

Haddon Barth

By Haddon Barth

An aerial view shows port of the western Syrian port city of Latakia, on Dec. 18, 2024.

Analysis

Can a UAE-backed Syria-Iraq corridor become Gulf's next trade route?

On June 26, Emirati and Syrian officials discussed plans for a logistics corridor connecting Syrian ports to Gulf markets via Iraq.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Volunteers of the Druze-led National Guard manage traffic at a checkpoint, Suwayda, Syria, Jan. 22, 2026.

Clashes between Druze fighters, Syrian forces raise fears of renewed violence

The episodes in Druze-majority Suwayda escalated amid kidnappings, various disputes, and absent movement on integrating Druze into state institutions.

Oil drilling near Dakhiliyah in the desert region of Hasakah, Syria, Jan. 25, 2026.

Syria launches gas project with Saudi firm in latest Gulf energy partnership

The project is the latest in a series of Gulf-backed investments aimed at rebuilding Syria's energy sector after the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

Latest News

Syria, Lebanon stress noninterference as Damascus mulls Hezbollah talks

Nawaf Salam and Asaad al-Shibani shake hands in Beirut on July 2, 2026.

At least 6 killed, 22 wounded in Damascus cafe explosion: What to know

Syrian security forces and people gather at the site of an explosion at a cafe in the capital, Damascus, on July 2, 2026.

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

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

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Danny Makki

In London, reporting on Syrian politics and culture

Ali Hashem

In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict

Cagatay Cebe

In Istanbul, reporting on security and counterterrorism

Turkish soldiers ride on a military vehicle in the center of Afrin, Syria March 24, 2018. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi - RC1B6933DB00

Turkey denies it's building wall around Afrin

Turkish-backed factions denied reports that Turkey is building a wall to separate Afrin from the northern Aleppo countryside, saying Ankara is actually boosting its security against potential Kurdish attacks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan attend a meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia April 8, 2019. Maxim Shipenkov/Pool via REUTERS - RC118C028D80

Intel: Why Turkey, Russia are not about to fall out over Idlib

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is accusing the Syrian government of seeking to “sabotage” Turkey’s relations with Russia with its assault on rebel-held Idlib.

Aleppo crippled by fuel crisis

Aleppo's fuel crisis will only worsen with US sanctions on Iranian oil and the Syrian Democratic Forces' decision to stop smuggled oil from entering the regime-controlled city.

Long-expected battle for Idlib may have begun

Backed by massive Russian air power, the Syrian regime has launched what may be the start of a long-feared offensive to retake opposition-held northern Hama and Idlib, in which an estimated 3 million inhabitants and civilians displaced from other areas are trapped.

A general view taken on May 8, 2019 shows the destruction in the village of Kansafrah following reported shelling on the rebel-held Idlib province on May 8, 2019. - Violence in the northwestern Syrian region of Idlib has displaced more than 150,000 people in the past week, the UN said, as the regime and Russia upped deadly bombardment of the jihadist bastion. (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP) (Photo credit should read OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP/Getty Images)

Syrian opposition says it won’t accept Russian soldiers in demilitarized area

A few days after the 12th round of Astana peace talks on Syria, the Syrian government and Russia resume heavy shelling in Idlib.

Smoke billows above building during reported shelling by government and allied forces, in the town of Hbeit in the southern countryside of the rebel-held Idlib province on May 3,2019. (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP) (Photo credit should read OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP/Getty Images)

Can assault on Idlib facilitate Russia-Turkey deal?

As the Russian Khmeimim base has come under militant shelling, the Russian military boosted the Syrian army assault on Idlib amid speculation over a back-channel Russian deal with Turkey.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia January 14, 2019. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool via REUTERS - RC1E4A498AC0

Saudis’ troubled ties in region threaten Trump's anti-Iran agenda

The Trump administration is tightening the screws on Iran, but Saudi Arabia, Iran's archnemesis, may not be of help drumming up support for the US policy given the state of its current relations in the Arab world.

Kuwaiti candidate and former parliament speaker Marzouq al-Ghanem speaks during a campaign rally in Kuwait City on November 22, 2016.
During the past decade, the parliament in the desert emirate has been dissolved five times by the emir due to political disputes and twice by courts over procedural flaws. The most recent occasion the emir exercised those powers was last month when he called a snap election following a crisis over petrol price hikes. / AFP / Yasser Al-Zayyat (Photo credit should read

Russia, Kuwait discuss common ground in regional conflicts

Russia embraces yet another US ally in the Gulf as Moscow seeks partners for its "inclusive collective security architecture" in the Middle East.

A construction site is seen in Aleppo, Syria February 8, 2018. Picture taken February 8,2018. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki - RC13AAE6E3B0

Russia, UN eye benefits of partnering in post-war Syria

The challenges of rebuilding Syria could bring Moscow and the United Nations closer for cooperation on virtually all critical issues.

A man holds a picture of jailed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan as people gather to celebrate Newroz, which marks the arrival of spring and the new year, in Istanbul, Turkey March 24, 2019. REUTERS/Kemal Aslan - RC1291C94940

Why did Turkey allow jailed Kurdish leader to meet lawyers after long pause?

In his first meeting with lawyers in eight years, imprisoned Kurdistan Workers Party leader Abdullah Ocalan called for "democratic negotiation" between Turkey and the Syrian Kurds and for hunger strikers protesting his treatment not to endanger their health.

A freed prisoner is seen after he was released by Israel in what Damascus described as Russian-mediated reciprocation for the repatriation of the body of a long-missing Israeli soldier, at the Quneitra crossing, Syria, in this handout released by SANA on April 28, 2019. SANA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THIS IMAGE - RC15296E83D0

Is Israel reconciled to Assad's staying power?

Turkish defense minister says the United States has "moved closer to our position" on Syria safe zone.

Turkish-backed Syrian rebels ride on trucks at Manbij countryside, Syria December 28, 2018. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi - RC12E3699180

Turkey claims progress on Syria safe zone

Despite claims from Ankara that Turkey and the United States are making headway on a safe zone in northern Syria, sources familiar with the talks say no tangible progress had been achieved and that Ankara's positive spin is likely inspired by empty US promises.