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

Palmyra

Syria

May 19, 2026

Damascus 9:09 pm

21°C

AFP via Getty Images

Car bomb in Syrian capital leaves 1 dead, 23 injured: What to know

Tuesday's bombing is the latest in a string of recent security incidents in Damascus.

NICOSIA, CYPRUS - APRIL 24: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives for an informal meeting of European Union leaders on April 24, 2026 in Nicosia, Cyprus. The EU heads of state and government are meeting over two days to discuss the conflict in Iran and the Middle East, including freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the effects of high fuel prices, and how Europe may contribute to de-escalation and a peace agreement. (Photo by Byron Smith/Getty Images)

Syria's Sharaa renews ban on Israeli imports in customs law: What to know

The renewal comes even as Damascus pursues US-backed security talks with Israel aimed at reducing tensions along the border.

Latest News

Analysis

Ports and infrastructure: UAE embraces new economic order in Syria

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives to attend the second day of the first Syrian-Emirati (United Arab Emirates) Investment Forum, at the People's Palace in Damascus on May 12, 2026. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP via Getty Images)

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Interview

UK fintech brings foreign currency accounts to Syrians at home

A Syrian citizen exchanges old banknotes for new notes released and distributed by the central bank, at a bank in the capital, Damascus, on Jan. 3, 2026.

Interview

Syrian Kurdish commander Kobane says Turkey visit ‘in the making,’ Ocalan meeting possible

Mazloum Kobane, commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), speaks during the pan-Kurdish "Unity and Consensus" conference in Qamishli in northeastern Syria on April 26, 2025.

Mazloum Kobane

Mazloum Kobane

SDF commander in chief

Lebanon authorities release Salafist cleric Khaled Hablas: What to know

Khaled Hablas

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

A view of a makeshift hospital which was used by the Free Syrian Army fighters in Qusair June 6, 2013, a day after the Syrian army took control of the town from rebel fighters. Syrian troops and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters pushed toward villages near Qusair on Thursday, a day after driving rebels from the border town shattered in weeks of combat. Insurgents seeking to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were putting up a fierce fight around the villages of Debaa and Buwayda as their opponents attacke

FSA Commander Speaks From Qusair Just Before Its Fall

Just hours before the Syrian army retook control of the town of Qusair, Al-Monitor spoke with an opposition commander about the ongoing battle and Hezbollah’s role in the fighting.

An image of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad is seen on a car's windscreen as Hezbollah supporters celebrate, after the Syrian army took control of Qusair from rebel fighters, in the Shi'ite town of Hermel June 5, 2013. Syrian government forces and their Lebanese Hezbollah allies seized control of the border town of Qusair on Wednesday, dealing a major defeat to rebel fighters battling to overthrow Assad. REUTERS/Jamal Saidi (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST MILITARY CONFLICT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) -

After Qusair, Is Hezbollah Finished in Syria?

Will Hezbollah continue its military involvement in Syria?

Ferhat Savun aged 11, walks to school through the town of Cizre in Sirnak province, near the border with Syria March 24, 2013. Picture taken March 24, 2013. Turkey's fledgling peace process with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militant group is all over the headlines. After three decades of war, 40,000 deaths and a devastating impact on the local economy, everybody seems ready for peace. Pro-Kurdish politicians are focused on boosting minority rights and stronger local government for the Kurds, who make u

Syrian Kurdish NGOs Prevent Recruitment of Youth Soldiers

NGOs fight to keep impoverished Syrian Kurdish youth from being militarized by political parties.

U.S. Representative Peter King (R-NY) (R) and Representative Christopher Smith (R-NJ) talk to the media after meeting with House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) to discuss the relief fund hold up in Congress for Hurricane Sandy victims at the United States Capitol in Washington January 2, 2013. REUTERS/Gary Cameron (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3C23T

Republican Congressman King Opposes US Arms to Syrian Rebels

Congressman Peter King of New York discusses US policy toward Syria and the Middle East.

Lebanese Army soldiers stand atop of their army vehicle as they secure the area, during a protest organised by Syrians living in Lebanon in support of Syria's regime, in Sidon, southern Lebanon, May 12, 2013. The poster in the background depicts Syria's late President Hafez al-Assad (C, top), father of current President Bashar al-Assad (C, bottom), Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah (L) and Lebanon's parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri (R). REUTERS/Ali Hashisho (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL

Pro-Hezbollah Sunni Sheikhs Face Assassination Attempts in Lebanon

As tensions stemming from the Syrian crisis continue to mount in Lebanon, two pro-Hezbollah Sunni sheikhs become the target of assassination attempts.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (C), European Council President Herman Van Rompuy (L) and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso attend a news conference after the European Union-Russian Federation (EU-Russia) Summit in Yekaterinburg June 4, 2013. President Vladimir Putin defended on Tuesday Russia's right to sell arms to the Syrian government but said Moscow had not yet delivered advanced S-300 air defence systems to Damascus. REUTERS/Mikhail Klimentyev/RIA Novosti/Kremlin (RUSSIA - Tags: POLIT

Europe Stays on Sidelines As Syria Conflict Unfolds

Europe keeps to the sidelines while Russia and the United States work on the Syrian conflict, while Syria’s neighbors wait quietly, holding the real leverage over the opposing sides.

The Mideast in Venice

Nine Middle Eastern countries are represented at the Venice Biennale, including a piece aptly called "Resistance" from a Turkish artist.

United Arab Emirates

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives at Rabat airport on June 3, 2013, at the start of a tour of the Maghreb region. REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal (MOROCCO - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX10AEL

Assad Toys With Erdogan Over Riots

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is losing the high ground in his response to protests.

Syrian trucks are parked near the gate at the Rabia border crossing, the main border post between Iraq and Syria, July 24, 2012. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani (IRAQ - Tags: CONFLICT CIVIL UNREST CRIME LAW POLITICS) - RTR359VB

Gunmen Attack Convoy Of Syrian Cargo Trucks in Iraq

Al-Qaeda in Iraq may be behind an attack on four cargo trucks carrying highly flammable material from Iraq to Syria on June 2.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks to the media about Syria at the State Department in Washington May 31, 2013. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX107CG

John Kerry Derails Focus On Syria’s Humanitarian Crisis

US Secretary of State John Kerry’s recent statement aligning Syrian rebel interests with Israel’s strategic concerns is a serious flaw.

People watch Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah as he appears on a screen during a live broadcast to speak to his supporters at an event marking Resistance and Liberation Day, in Bekaa valley May 25, 2013. The leader of Lebanese guerilla movement Hezbollah said his group would stay in the Syrian war "to the end of the road" and bring victory to its ally President Bashar al-Assad. Hassan Nasrallah, head of the militant Shi'ite Muslim group, said in a televised speech on Saturday Syria and Leb

US, Iran and Rumors of Conspiracy

The US and Iran may be facing a common enemy.

President of the Syrian National Council George Sabra speaks during a conference for the reconstruction of Syria, at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai November 21, 2012. REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3AOOH

Syrian External Opposition Says No Deal With Assad

Syria's external opposition rules out talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while internal opposition forces consider negotiations.