-
TOPIC
 / location

Syria

Syria
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Syria. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Capital
Damascus
Head of State
President Bashar al-Assad
Head of Government
Prime Minister Hussein Arnous
Russian President Vladimir Putin enters a hall for the meeting with Syria’s president at the Kremlin in Moscow. Photo: Kremlin pool via AFP
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.

Saudi Arabia

‘Anything can happen’: Saudi-UAE rift risks tearing Middle East apart

4
US-China relations

Opinion | Why China’s response to Trump’s chaos will be to wait and watch

videocam
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.

SDF fighters walk near an armoured vehicle in Hasakah, Syria, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Islamic State

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.

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Middle East

US strike in Syria kills leader tied to Isis ambush that left 3 Americans dead

Bilal Hasan al-Jasim was allegedly ‘directly connected’ to the incident, which has sparked a series of retaliatory attacks by US forces.

In this US Army photo taken from an undisclosed location in December shows an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter as it prepares to support Operation Hawkeye Strike. Photo: US Air Force via AFP
Pakistan

Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia plan defence deal to counter chaos in Middle East

Iran’s neighbours are worried that the US’ increasingly erratic behaviour may pose a risk to regional power balance and trade, analysts say.

videocam
6
Vladimir Putin

How Putin’s focus on Ukraine war leaves allies Venezuela, Iran and Cuba exposed

Russia’s war in Ukraine leaves allies Venezuela, Iran and Cuba vulnerable, exposing security failures and eroding trust in Moscow’s global influence.

Middle East

US says it carried out new ‘large-scale’ strikes against Isis in Syria

The attack is the latest response to a shooting by a lone militant that killed two American soldiers and a US civilian interpreter.

videocam
US airmen load GBU-31 munition systems onto an F-15E Strike Eagle in support of Operation Hawkeye Strike in December. Photo: US Air Force via AFP
Middle East

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.

Columns of smoke rise from Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah neighbourhoods amid intense clashes between government forces and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces. Photo: AFP
Middle East

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.

Islamic State

Britain, France bombed suspected Isis arms dump in Syria: UK defence ministry

Intelligence analysis identified an underground facility believed ‍to contain weapons and explosives in mountains ‍near Palmyra, the UK said.

Middle East

‘Hell to pay’: Trump warns Hamas and Iran after talks with Netanyahu

Trump presses for Hamas disarmament in Gaza, warns Iran of further US action if it reconstitutes nuclear programme.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. Photo: Reuters
Middle East

Sectarian tensions flare and turn deadly in Syria after mosque bombing

Clashes erupt between protesters from the Alawite religious minority and counterdemonstrators after a mosque attack in Homs.

A crowd looks on as security forces are deployed after clashes erupted during a protest by members of the Alawite community in the city of Latakia, Syria on Sunday. Photo: EPA
Middle East

Blast in Syria kills 8 at mosque targeting Alawite minority in Homs

Authorities investigate explosive devices planted during Friday prayers, heightening sectarian tensions and fears among minorities.

videocam
Israel-Gaza war

Bethlehem celebrates first festive Christmas since Gaza war

After two years of cancelled festivities, the ‘City of the Nativity’ revives its iconic parades and tree lighting as a fragile truce holds in Gaza.

4
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Middle East

US strikes at Isis fighters in Syria after 3 Americans killed

At least five Isis members were killed in a ‘large-scale’ strike hitting 70 Isis targets across central Syria.

US President Donald Trump salutes as a US Army carry team moves a flagged-draped transfer case containing the remains of Ayad Mansoor Sakat, a US civilian working as an interpreter, at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Australia

Millions raised for ‘hero of Australia’ who stopped gunman at Bondi Beach

Over 40,000 people have donated about US$1.5 million to Ahmed al Ahmed, the Syrian-Australian Muslim hero who saved Jewish lives.

videocam
Donald Trump

Trump expands US travel ban and restrictions to include another 20 countries

The clampdown affects people seeking to travel to the US as visitors as well as those hoping to emigrate there.

Middle East

Trump vows retaliation after 2 US troops and a civilian killed in Syria ambush

This is the first attack on American service members to inflict casualties since the fall of Assad a year ago.

videocam
US President Donald Trump talks to the press before boarding Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Donald Trump

Syria’s year of ‘epic’ transformation earns it Trump’s protection

Washington is lifting sanctions and has rebuked Israel for its attacks, as the US throws its weight behind Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration.

videocam
US President Donald Trump (left) shakes hands with Syria’s President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the White House in Washington last month. Photo: AP
Middle East

A year after Assad’s fall, can Syria’s new leader deliver lasting peace?

Despite progress, sectarian violence and Kurdish tensions persist as President Ahmed al-Sharaa pushes toward future elections.

videocam
Israel-Gaza war

Trump invites Netanyahu to White House as US warms to Syria’s president

Another invitation to Israel’s leader was issued after Syria’s president made a historic visit to the White House a few weeks ago.

Middle East

Pope Leo urges Lebanon’s leaders to unite for peace

The first US pope arrived in Beirut from Istanbul, where sought to give Lebanon’s long-suffering people a message of hope.

Pope Leo XIV and Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun shake hands as they meet at the Presidential Palace during Leo’s first apostolic journey, in Baabda, Lebanon on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
China-Middle East relations

Why Xinjiang casts a long shadow over China and Syria’s efforts to rebuild ties

The new Syrian government needs help in rebuilding, but Beijing is deeply concerned about Uygur militant groups inside the country.

videocam
15
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi with Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani ahead of their meeting in Beijing on November 17. Photo: Xinhua
China-Middle East relations

China looks to get relations with Syria ‘back on track’ after Assad’s downfall

In first meeting with counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani, Foreign Minister Wang Yi urges new regime to act against Xinjiang militant groups.

videocam
Middle East

Syria detains security forces over sectarian violence that killed hundreds

The arrests follow a July rampage in Sweida where government fighters effectively sided with Bedouin clans against the Druze.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement