Syrian Kurds designate graves for those who die abroad

To prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the Kurdish-led autonomous administration in Syria is burying any residents who die abroad in designated graves near border crossings.

Syria

Are there any partners for Turkey among radicals in Idlib?

The reopening of the M4 highway in Idlib remains a tall task for Turkey, which is grappling with how to remove jihadi groups from the area.

Syria

Syria’s Ras al-Ain to open trade crossing with Turkey

Turkey is constructing a border crossing linking the opposition-held city of Ras al-Ain in northeastern Syria with Turkish territory.

Syria

Intel: Turkey says S-400 stance unchanged despite US pressure

Turkey’s stance on its S-400s hasn’t changed, even as the United States appeared to dangle support in Syria in exchange for Ankara abandoning the controversial Russian missile defense systems, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Tuesday.

Syria

Extended lockdown brings more burdens for Syrian Kurds

Residents in the Kurdish-controlled areas in Syria are criticizing the autonomous administration’s lockdown measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus, in the absence of alternative sources of income.

Syria

Battles rage in Syria despite coronavirus cease-fires

Clashes are raging between Turkish-backed Syrian rebels and Syrian Kurdish groups east of the Euphrates River in what Syrian Kurds claim that is a Turkish effort to prevent displaced civilians from returning to their homes.

Syria

Islamic State spreading terror once again in Syrian desert

The Islamic State is taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic and resuming its activities against regime forces in the Syrian desert.

Syria

How Syrian opposition is trying to stop coronavirus from reaching its areas

The Syrian opposition-led government is penalizing anyone involved in smuggling operations in a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Syria

Intelligence sharing remains key to fight against IS

The Islamic State is continuing to carry out guerrilla attacks; developing and maintaining a comprehensive intelligence picture of the group is seen as an important weapon to keep its militants at bay.

Iraq

Intel: Why Russia is getting involved in Mideast COVID-19 fight

Syria has requested assisted from Moscow to fight the coronavirus outbreak, as Russia implements a campaign to cultivate its image as a "caring power," approaching Middle East leaders to work together against the spread of the virus.

Near East

Intel: State Department backs up watchdog report on Syria chemical weapons use

The United States agrees with the recent assessment of a global chemical weapons watchdog that found the Syrian regime used banned weapons against its own people, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday.

Syria

Islamic State seeks comeback under cover of coronavirus

Iraqi authorities are worried the Islamic State will rear its head again now that the US-led coalition's anti-terror efforts have been put on hold, in part due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Iraq