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Ahmad al-Sharaa

The latest news and top stories on Ahmad al-Sharaa. Born in Riyadh, he is a Syrian politician and former rebel commander who became President of Syria in January 2025, following his leadership of the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) offensive that toppled Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024. Previously known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, he led HTS, which evolved from an al-Qaeda affiliate, and has worked to rebrand the group towards local governance. His responsibilities include forming a transitional government, dissolving former state institutions, and seeking to lift international sanctions. He recently accused Israel of instigating conflict, later acknowledging mediation efforts.

Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa addresses the first meeting of Syria’s new transitional parliament in Damascus on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Middle East

First session of Syria’s parliament convenes after Assad’s ousting

The transitional body is tasked with laying the groundwork for democracy after decades of authoritarian rule and 13 years of civil war.

12 Jul 2026 - 9:37PM

Middle East

Explosions rock Damascus as France’s Macron visits Syria

7 Jul 2026 - 7:08PM

Ukraine war

Trump to meet leaders of Ukraine and Syria at Turkey Nato summit

6 Jul 2026 - 11:58AM

Middle East

Syria begins long-awaited first trial of Assad-era officials

Atef Najib was head of the Political Security Branch in southern Syria’s Daraa province under Assad. He faces charges related to the arrest and torture of teenagers in 2011.

26 Apr 2026 - 7:52PM

Judicial officials and people attend the first trial session at the Palace of Justice, in Damascus, Syria, on Sunday. Photo: AFP

My Take

My Take | Iran’s emergence as a major power should be welcome in a multipolar world

Countering US imperialism and Israeli state terrorism should now be an imperative for the entire international community.

13 Apr 2026 - 6:31AMvideocam

Middle East

Syrians protest against alcohol sale limits, personal freedom curbs

Hundreds of demonstrators in Damascus gathered in a silent protest against the move they say deepens sectarian divisions.

23 Mar 2026 - 1:10AM

Middle East

US presses Syria to shift from Chinese telecoms systems

Washington warned Damascus, which is considering buying Chinese telecoms technology, to buy from US or allied states.

27 Feb 2026 - 6:42AM

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

US pulls forces from Syria as new government exerts control

The Syrian army has already taken control of Al-Tanf military base, ending an American military presence that lasted for a decade.

19 Feb 2026 - 7:04AMvideocam

Middle East

Putin hosts Syrian leader in Moscow with Russian bases on agenda

Russian president hails progress in ties with Syria as Ahmad al-Sharaa visits Moscow for talks.

29 Jan 2026 - 12:32PM

Middle East

Syria gives Kurds 4 days to accept integration as US signals end of support

The government announced a new truce after seizing swathes of territory from the Syrian Democratic Forces.

21 Jan 2026 - 2:42PM

Syria

Syrian deal unravels as sides clash and Isis prisoners escape

Integration agreement with the SDF falters amid reports that hundreds of militants fled prison as government forces moved in.

20 Jan 2026 - 12:24PM

Syrian government forces stand guard outside al-Aqtan prison on the outskirts of Raqqa. Photo: AP

Middle East

Syrian government forces take Al-Omar oilfield as Kurds withdraw

Al-Omar was home to the largest US base in Syria. It had been controlled by Kurdish-led forces since 2017 after Islamic State group was pushed out.

18 Jan 2026 - 9:21PM

Syria

Kurdish fighters refuse to leave Syria’s Aleppo after truce

Kurdish fighters defy Aleppo truce, sparking fears of wider conflict amid civilian evacuations and international pressure.

9 Jan 2026 - 8:41PM

Syria

Deadly clashes in Aleppo shatter Syria’s fragile peace as thousands flee

Fierce fighting between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led SDF exposes the failure of a year-long plan to merge the two militaries.

8 Jan 2026 - 2:49PM

People flee Aleppo’s Ashrafiyah Kurdish neighbourhood on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

United Nations General Assembly

First Syrian president in nearly 60 years arrives in US for UN meeting

Ahmad al-Sharaa has sought to restore ties with Arab countries and the West since Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December.

22 Sep 2025 - 7:08AM

Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Sharaa landed in the US on Sunday ahead of a meeting of the UN General Assembly. Photo: SANA / AFP

Middle East

Fresh clashes in Syria as al-Sharaa’s interim government flails

The government is struggling to maintain a ceasefire in Sweida after clashes between Druze factions, while reintegrating the US-backed Kurdish SDF.

3 Aug 2025 - 9:05PM

Syria

Bedouin fighters leave Syrian Druze-majority city of Sweida after deadly clashes

Withdrawal follows fighting and a US-brokered agreement, with humanitarian aid now entering the southern province.

21 Jul 2025 - 11:56AM

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Ahmad al-Sharaa

First session of Syria’s parliament convenes after Assad’s ousting

The transitional body is tasked with laying the groundwork for democracy after decades of authoritarian rule and 13 years of civil war.

Explosions rock Damascus as France’s Macron visits Syria

Trump to meet leaders of Ukraine and Syria at Turkey Nato summit

Syria begins long-awaited first trial of Assad-era officials

Atef Najib was head of the Political Security Branch in southern Syria’s Daraa province under Assad. He faces charges related to the arrest and torture of teenagers in 2011.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}My Take | Iran’s emergence as a major power should be welcome in a multipolar world

Countering US imperialism and Israeli state terrorism should now be an imperative for the entire international community.

Syrians protest against alcohol sale limits, personal freedom curbs

Hundreds of demonstrators in Damascus gathered in a silent protest against the move they say deepens sectarian divisions.

US presses Syria to shift from Chinese telecoms systems

Washington warned Damascus, which is considering buying Chinese telecoms technology, to buy from US or allied states.

US pulls forces from Syria as new government exerts control

The Syrian army has already taken control of Al-Tanf military base, ending an American military presence that lasted for a decade.

Putin hosts Syrian leader in Moscow with Russian bases on agenda

Russian president hails progress in ties with Syria as Ahmad al-Sharaa visits Moscow for talks.

Syria gives Kurds 4 days to accept integration as US signals end of support

The government announced a new truce after seizing swathes of territory from the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Syrian deal unravels as sides clash and Isis prisoners escape

Integration agreement with the SDF falters amid reports that hundreds of militants fled prison as government forces moved in.

Syrian government forces take Al-Omar oilfield as Kurds withdraw

Al-Omar was home to the largest US base in Syria. It had been controlled by Kurdish-led forces since 2017 after Islamic State group was pushed out.

Kurdish fighters refuse to leave Syria’s Aleppo after truce

Kurdish fighters defy Aleppo truce, sparking fears of wider conflict amid civilian evacuations and international pressure.

Deadly clashes in Aleppo shatter Syria’s fragile peace as thousands flee

Fierce fighting between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led SDF exposes the failure of a year-long plan to merge the two militaries.

First Syrian president in nearly 60 years arrives in US for UN meeting

Ahmad al-Sharaa has sought to restore ties with Arab countries and the West since Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December.

Fresh clashes in Syria as al-Sharaa’s interim government flails

The government is struggling to maintain a ceasefire in Sweida after clashes between Druze factions, while reintegrating the US-backed Kurdish SDF.

Bedouin fighters leave Syrian Druze-majority city of Sweida after deadly clashes

Withdrawal follows fighting and a US-brokered agreement, with humanitarian aid now entering the southern province.

My Take | Iran’s emergence as a major power should be welcome in a multipolar world