Feature

Fearing for safety, Syria's Alawites who fled to Lebanon have no plans to return

More than 30 members of one family spoke to Al-Monitor after fleeing into northern Lebanon from Syria amid a spasm of sectarian violence in the country. Many remain skeptical that it's safe to return.

By Katya Hovnanian-Alexanian

Syria's new government seizes 3 million Captagon pills in Aleppo

Authorities have pledged to crack down on Captagon as production and trade continue elsewhere in the region.

Syria

Russia's Putin sends letter to Sharaa offering Syria 'practical cooperation'

The letter follows Putin and Sharaa speaking on the phone in February and thousands of Syrians seeking refugee at Russia’s base in the country earlier this month.

Syria

Germany reopens embassy in Syria after 13-year closure: What we know

Berlin was a vocal critic of the Assad regime and after its fall, has repeatedly stressed the need to ensure the unity of Syria and equality between all of its components, including Kurds, Druze, Christians and Alawites.

Syria

Feature

'Afraid of what’s next': Alawites in Syria’s Homs on edge after revenge attacks

Alawites in Homs say the regime's overthrow has fueled sectarian tensions in the divided city.

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

After ceasefire, Lebanon and Syria patrol border as top US commander calls Haykal

Lebanon and Syria reached a ceasefire late Monday evening after another incident of deadly border clashes.

Lebanon

Israel pushes militarily in southern Syria as new strikes kill 3: What we know

Israel said earlier that it struck military sites in southern Syria while the government reported three civilians were killed.

Syria

Analysis

Turkey, alarmed by sectarian clashes, steps up Syria role, criticizes Iran

As last week’s bloody clashes in Syria have deepened divisions among Turkish experts over the country's future, Turkey’s priorities in Syria remain focused on countering the SDF and combating ISIS.

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Syria's Kurdish-led forces say Turkish strike kills 9 as Ankara mulls PKK peace

At least nine members of the same family, including seven children, were killed in an alleged Turkish drone strike on a rural area near Kobani.

Turkey

Syria urges citizens sheltering at Russia’s Hmeimim base to go home: What we know

Many local residents who fled killings targeting the Alawite community are resisting the government’s efforts to get them to return home, opting to remain at a Russian air base.

Syria

6 killed in Lebanon-Syria border clashes as Hezbollah denies role: What we know

Clashes erupted along the Lebanon-Syria border after three Syrian security personnel were reportedly killed, prompting shelling by Syrian forces and retaliatory fire from the Lebanese military.

Lebanon

Interview

In break with Netanyahu, Olmert urges Israel to recognize Syria’s Sharaa, open dialogue

Former Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert believes Israel should recognize the legitimacy of the Syrian interim administration, telling Al-Monitor in an interview that he believes that the two countries should open dialogue.