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.
ISIS likely culprit behind attack on US-backed SDF in east Syria - analysis
This matters because if ISIS is on the rise in parts of Syria, then it will require coordination between Damascus and the SDF. The SDF controls a third of Syria.
Jordan wants stability in southern Syria but unclear if it's willing to help - analysis
Israel risks overplaying its hand in Syria amid Druze-Bedouin conflicts - analysis
Will Israel’s airstrikes help the Druze in Syria? - analysis
Chikli denounces Syria's Sharaa as 'barbaric terrorist murder who should be eliminated'
"We must not stand idly by in the face of the Islamo-Nazi terror regime of al-Qaeda operatives in suits," Chikli stated.
IDF seeks to stop dozens of Israeli civilians infiltrating Syria
Clashes in Sweida: Why are Druze, Bedouin, Israeli forces fighting in this Syrian city? - explainer
Here is everything you need to know about Sweida in Syria, who is fighting, and why Israel is now involved.
Druze in Israel protest sectarian clashes in Syria, block traffic in northern Israel
Syrian government forces have entered the city of Sweida in southern Syria, a stronghold of the Druze community, following two days of violent clashes that left dozens dead.
Syria announces ceasefire in Sweida after agreement with local leaders, IDF strikes regime targets
Syrian troops entered the predominantly Druze city on Tuesday following two days of clashes, the first time government forces have deployed to Sweida since the new government took power.
Syria must demonstrate capacity to govern effectively if seeking peace with Israel - editorial
The sectarian violence in Suwayda is precisely the kind of chaos that makes Israel deeply wary of normalization.
Israeli-Syrian security arrangement: A new model of normalization? - opinion
A renewed security agreement between Israel and Syria could lead to a new kind of normalization.
Gideon Sa'ar welcomes Syria's participation in EU-Middle East Meeting
"We welcome the participation of the Syrian minister. We will be together in the same meeting. Let's see what will happen," Saar told reporters ahead of Monday's meeting.
What role is Israel playing in the clashes between Druze and Bedouins in Syria? - analysis
Israel has demanded southern Syria be demilitarized. This has had the result of creating a vacuum in southern Syria. The government claims that it wants to protect civilians and restore order.
Republicans Overseas Israel urge US action to protect Druze in southern Syria amid escalation
"Druze community leaders presented us with alarming reports about terrorist forces linked to Jabhat al-Nusra threatening innocent Druze populations," stated Chairman Attorney Marc Zell.
WATCH: IDF strikes Syrian tanks that advanced towards sectarian violence, near Israel's border
Since Sunday, 89 people have been killed and at least 100 wounded in armed clashes in Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida.
