Syria

Syria, officially known as the Syrian Arab Republic, is an Arab nation in the Middle East, situated in the Levant region. The country boasts a rich history and some of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. 

In 1963, Syria's government was taken over by the Ba'ath Party, led by Hafez al-Assad. For decades, he and his son and successor, Bashar al-Assad, would rule the country in a reign that has been highly criticized for being totalitarian and for carrying out widespread human rights abuses. 

In 2011, a major civil war broke out in Syria, leaving governance of the country fractured between the Russia- and Iran-backed Assad regime based in Syria's largest city and capital of Damascus, US-backed rebel groups led by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Turkey-backed forces, and Islamists under the banner of Hay'at Tahir al-Shams (HTS). 

However, in December 2024, HTS and its allies carried out a major offensive from their base of operations in the Idlib province, eventually fully ousting the Assad regime and seizing control of Damascus as well as other major cities such as Homs and Aleppo. Currently, HTS has been spearheading the establishment of a new Syrian interim government. However, the country still remains fractured between them, Assad loyalists, Turkey-backed forces, and the SDF and its allies. 

Syria seeks balance in Sweida amid Druze-Bedouin clashes, Israeli strikes - analysis

As tensions rise in southern Syria, the government seeks to balance humanitarian aid with regional stability amidst Israeli strikes.

Syrian security forces walk together along a street, after clashes between Syrian government troops and local Druze fighters resumed in the southern Druze city of Sweida early on Wednesday, in Sweida, Syria July 16, 2025.
INTERNAL SECURITY FORCES stand guard at a checkpoint as buses arrive for the Syrian Arab Red Crescent’s evacuation of civilians from Sweida last week. The Druze in Sweida and nearby villages still face an urgent threat of massacre, says the writer.

The blind spot of the West: Failed collaboration with jihadists - opinion

People hold a Druze flag, following deadly clashes between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes and government forces, in Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, Syria July 25, 2025.

Sharaa's treatment of minorities does not bode well for Middle East stability - opinion

Bedouin fighters stand together, following the Syrian presidency's announcement of a ceasefire after days of violence in Sweida province triggered by clashes between Bedouin fighters and Druze factions, in Sweida, Syria, July 19, 2025

Syrian extremists executed American Druze who sought to aid his family


'I am Hamas': Syrian national bites ear off Israeli tourist vacationing in Greece - report

The Israeli national was also arrested after the attacker claimed he made racist comments, though the Israeli national remains in hospital.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators carry a banner during a protest against the arrival of an Israeli cruise ship in the port of Piraeus near Athens, Greece, June 12, 2025.

Voices from the Arab press: Damascus between the Druze, Alawites, and Kurds

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.

WORKERS MAINTAIN power generation transformers in the Al-Kiswah area of the Damascus countryside, in Syria, May 26.

Syria, Israel agree to further talks on de-escalating conflict, Ekhbariya TV reports

On Friday, US envoy Tom Barrack said officials from both countries spoke about de-escalating the situation in Syria during the talks on Thursday.

 Ahmed Al-Sharaa standing atop Mount Qasioun, overlooking the fall of Damascus, December 9, 2024.

UN confirms aid delivered to Sweida after nearly 150,000 displaced by violence

More than 145,000 people have been displaced by the recent fighting, the WHO said, with many sheltering in makeshift reception centers in Daraa and Damascus.

 People carry a person, injured in recent clashes in Syria's Sweida province, as casualties receive treatment at a field medical point, following renewed fighting between Bedouin fighters and Druze gunmen, despite an announced truce, in Deraa, Syria July 18, 2025

France's top court says arrest warrant for Assad is invalid, new one can be issued

Mariana Pena, senior legal officer at Open Society Justice Initiative, which helped gather evidence against Assad, described the court's ruling as "a missed opportunity for justice."

 A wall painted with a damaged drawing of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is pictured in the al-Qadam neighbourhood in Damascus, Syria, March 26, 2025.

Syria, US and France hold 'frank' talks, urge success of Syria's transition

Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer met in Paris with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, also known as Asaad al-Shaibani, in the presence of US Ambassador Tom Barrack.

L to R: US Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, and Syria Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani.

Israel at War day 658: What's going on in Gaza, Yemen?

UN aid chief demands evidence after Israel accuses staff of links to Hamas • Security forces thwart attacks in West Bank • Firefighters combat fire in northern Israel

Protesters, mainly Houthi supporters, rally to show support to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, in Sanaa, Yemen July 25, 2025.

Netanyahu, Druze spiritual leader meet in Jerusalem amid Syria ceasefire

This meeting comes ahead of Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer's meeting with US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Paris.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Druze leader Sheikh Muwafaq Tarif at the Prime Minster’s Office in Jerusalem on July 24, 2025.

At least two killed, 70 injured as blast rocks Syria's Idlib

Raed Al-Sale, Syria’s minister of emergency and disaster management, said rescue teams were carrying out an evacuation.

Mahmoud al-Hamoud's son sits near tents installed next to his damaged house, as returning Syrians prepare to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, in Idlib, Syria March 28, 2025.

Israel's Dermer to meet Syrian FM, US envoy Barrack in Paris to discuss southern Syria

Dermer will also discuss the upcoming Iranian nuclear negotiations with European officials, ahead of the talks between European nations and Iran that will take place in Istanbul.

Head of the negotiations for hostages release Ron Dermer speaks at the Jewish News Syndicate conference in Jerusalem, on April 28, 2025.

Iraq’s prime minister meets new anti-ISIS mission commander

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Brig.-Gen. Kevin J. Lambert, the new commander of the anti-ISIS mission in Iraq.

 US soldiers are seen during a handover ceremony of Taji military base from US-led coalition troops to Iraqi security forces, in the base north of Baghdad, Iraq August 23, 2020.