Syria's Assad wins fourth term in election US calls fraudulent

By the regime's count, President Bashar al-Assad won 95.1% of the vote, handing him another seven-year term.

News Brief

As Syrians vote in regime areas, Kurdish authorities close crossings

The Syrian Democratic Forces closed the crossings connecting their areas in northeast Syria to government-held areas to prevent the participation of the areas' inhabitants in the Syrian presidential elections.

Syria

HTS finesses tribes in Syria’s Idlib

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has increasingly been seen meeting with tribal elders in Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib, part of efforts to polish his image and that of his group.

Syria

Why Kurdish authorities in northeast Syria canceled fuel price hikes

The Autonomous Administration in northeastern Syria took back its decision to raise fuel prices after protests condemning the decision led to several casualties.

Syria

NGOs in northeast Syria warn of low water levels in hydroelectric dams

Tishrin Dam on the Euphrates River could shut down next month, which would affect electricity and water supplies for millions of people in autonomous administration, government and rebel territory.

Syria

Islamic State escalates operations against Syrian forces during Ramadan

The Islamic State has recently stepped up its operations against the Syrian government forces and their allied militias as IS cells spread in more areas in Syria.

Syria

Russia reveals deployment of nuclear-capable bombers to Syria airbase

Moscow has reportedly landed Tupolev Tu-22 bombers at Syria's Hmeimim Air Base for the first time.

Syria

Turkey touts assassination of top PKK militant as retribution to US

The Turkish media has trumpeted the killing of a high-ranking PKK militant by Turkish security forces in northern Iraq as a reprisal of the US support of the Syrian Kurdish groups, while Turkey seems to be a major blockade before Syrian Kurds’ desire for political recognition. 

Turkey

Biden administration poised to ax US oil company’s waiver for Kurdish-led northeast Syria

The decision to withdraw the waiver to produce and sell oil in Syria has been presented by administration officials as a policy correction, not a shift.

Syria

Little-known groups target Turkish military presence in Syria

Two little-known groups in northwest Syria are claiming responsibility for attacks against Turkish troops in the area, which some say may benefit al-Qaeda against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

Syria

Turkey, Russia pressure SDF to restore electricity to northeast Syria

The Syrian Democratic Forces continue to cut power in the areas under the control of the Turkish-backed opposition in northeast Syria, under the pretext that Turkey is responsible for the drop in water levels in the Euphrates River.

Syria

Syrian refugees’ long walk: why Amal is more than a puppet 

A giant puppet of a young Syrian girl will travel nearly 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles) from the Turkish-Syrian border to the United Kingdom.

Turkey