How realistic is Erdogan’s vision for security belt from Syria to Iraq?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he is bent on creating an “end-to-end” security belt along Turkey’s southern borders with Syria and Iraq — a vision too ambitious given the political and topographic conditions of the areas in question.

Turkey

Syrian opposition fears more Russian attacks in Idlib to pressure Turkey

Russia has escalated its attack against Idlib, as the Syrian opposition fears that Moscow will resort to further escalation after talks about rapprochement attempts between Turkey and the Syrian government.

Syria

Idlib farmers harvest figs amid shelling, landmines

Farmers in the Jabal al-Zawiya area that has recently witnessed escalating bombardment by Syrian government and Russian forces, are braving dangers to harvest their fig crops.

Syria

Culture

Falling waters of Euphrates, Tigris rivers reveal submerged archaeological sites

The drop of the water levels in recent years has uncovered many archaeological and ancient sites that were submerged beneath the two historic rivers in Syria, Iraq and Turkey.

Syria

US strikes Iran-backed militias in Syria for third day

The White House sought to halt attacks on American troops in Syria by authorizing airstrikes on a depot used by the IRGC. Local militias have responded by firing more rockets.

Syria

US airstrikes target bunkers used by Iran-linked militias in Syria

US President Joe Biden authorized the strikes in a bid to deter harassment of US troops in Iraq and Syria.

Syria

Islamic State threatens Kurdish workers in northeast Syria

The Islamic State is threatening to kill employees in the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor if they continue to report to their jobs.

Syria

Turkey signals new rules of engagement to Syrian Kurds, Damascus

Turkish strikes on Syrian government troops and overt Kurdish attacks on targets inside Turkey signal that both sides are changing the rules of the game as Ankara eyes normalization with Damascus.

Turkey

Oil smuggling in Syria worsens pollution in Euphrates River

The residents living near the Euphrates River in northeast Syria are suffering the consequences of water pollution mainly caused by oil spills resulting from smuggling operations between the areas held by the Kurdish forces and the Syrian government.

Syria

Syrian jihadist group in Idlib purges hard-liners

A prominent Egyptian resigned from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s Shura Council as the group sidelines hard-line members.

Syria

Turkey grapples with policy change on Syria 

Ankara's complex ties with Moscow, the political cost of Syrian refugees and looming elections are all dictating dialogue with Damascus on Ankara, but it has yet to come up with a plan to proceed.

Turkey

Turkey completes more than 62,000 homes in Idlib, but will refugees return home?

Syrian refugees fear that the Turkish government will go ahead with its plan to deport them to northwest Syria.

Syria