Austin Tice's mother says White House a 'hurdle' to his return

Debra Tice, whose son Austin disappeared while reporting on the Syrian war in 2012, called on the White House to do more to ensure his safe return.

United States

CENTCOM investigating latest Syria drone strike for civilian harm

The admission of potential civilian harm comes after the US defense secretary ordered a new review of a separate lethal strike in Syria.

Syria

Idlib opens first zoo

A zoo featuring both wild and domestic animals has opened in Idlib as part of a larger project to restore normal amenities to the war-torn region of Syria.

Syria

HTS subsidizes bread in Idlib as part of attempt to govern

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani is subsidizing the rapidly increasing cost of bread in Idlib in response to growing resentment against his organization.

Syria

Unprecedented COVID spread plagues health sector in Syria's Daraa

The number of COVID cases has increased steadily in most of the cities and towns of Daraa during the past few weeks amid a deteriorating health sector.

Syria

Idlib’s children become breadwinners amidst rising poverty

Worsening living conditions and soaring poverty rates in Idlib force more and more children to drop out of school and start working to help their families meet their basic needs.

Syria

Gaming offers livelihood for some young Syrians

Video games have recently become a way to earn money for young Syrians amid scarce job opportunities in all fields and financial hardships.

Syria

Islamic State down but not out in Syria and Iraq: Pentagon report

Also, Al-Monitor’s on-the-ground reporting on the security situations in Syria and Iraq, including the impact of the Turkish lira crisis on Idlib.

Syria

US amends sanctions regulations to ease aid delivery in Syria

An amended general license allows NGOs in Syria to take part in otherwise prohibited activities, including new investment in Syria and transactions with the Syrian government.

Syria

Deteriorating Turkish lira hurts residents in Syria's Idlib

The depreciation of the Turkish lira against the US dollar has resulted in worsening living conditions in Idlib and increased the people’s resentment against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the Salvation Government, which they hold primarily responsible for the economic crisis.

Syria

Syrian-Kurdish couple sets Amude's cinema ghosts to rest

Since a deadly fire in 1960, going to the cinema has been taboo in the Kurdish town of Amude in northeastern Syria, and a couple who recently emigrated from Europe hopes to change things.

Syria

Drought parches Idlib governorate

Drought has dried up the Duwaisat Dam reservoir, west of Idlib, hitting farmers hard.

Syria