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 opens first public trial of former Assad regime official Atef Najib

Syria has opened its first public trial for a former Assad regime official, Atef Najib, marking a shift toward accountability. The trial focuses on crimes committed in Dara’a and Damascus.

APRIL 26, 2026|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Atef Najib, a brigadier general and former head of the Political Security Department in Daraa during Syria's ousted President Bashar al-Assad's rule, who is accused of committing war crimes, attends a trial session at the Palace of Justice, in Damascus, Syria, April 26, 2026.

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan meets with Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Turkey, April 17, 2026.

Syrian President al-Sharaa positions country for regional role in Gulf, EU meetings

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited the Gulf last week as part of his efforts to shore up support for Damascus across the Middle East and Europe amid rising regional tensions.

APRIL 25, 2026|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

A worker tears down the pictures of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, Lebanon's late Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at a gas station in Nubl, in rural Aleppo, Syria, December 11, 2024.

Syria accuses Hezbollah-linked cells of plotting attacks, signaling break from Assad-era alliance

Damascus is moving against networks it says planned assassinations, bombings, and rocket fire, raising new questions about sovereignty and power after Bashar Assad’s fall.

APRIL 24, 2026|ByRIZIK ALABI / THE MEDIA LINE

Amjad Yusuf, main suspect accused of the 2013 Tadamon massacre, April 24, 2026

Main suspect in Syria's Tadamon massacre arrested, ministry says

Amjad Yousef was arrested in the Hama province in western Syria, where he had been hiding since the overthrow of Bashar Assad in 2024.

APRIL 24, 2026|ByREUTERS

Rabbi reportedly target of Hezbollah plot in Syria, Damascus arrests five

The alleged target was named as Rabbi Michael Khoury by KAN and Radio Free Syria.

APRIL 12, 2026ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD

The Islamic Republic uses its proxies, such as Hezbollah and Hamas to conduct jihad: a religious war aimed at imposing a radical interpretation of Sharia law worldwide.

Syria, Jordan, Turkey sign deal to launch regional trade corridor

The agreement prioritizes the railway sector, including a proposal to link Anatolia in the north with the port of Aqaba in the south and extend toward the Gulf.

APRIL 9, 2026ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE

View of Amman from Temple of Hercules ruins at Amman Citadel on July 27, 2025 in Amman, Jordan.

As US and Iran talk truce, Israel digs in for a 'forever war' - analysis

Israel's creation of "buffer zones" in Gaza, Syria, and now Lebanon reflects a strategic shift after the attacks of October 7, 2023, one that puts the country in a semi-permanent state of war.

APRIL 9, 2026ByREUTERS

IDF FORCES in southern Lebanon.

Syria, Israel, and the regional war – what lies ahead?

Syria has kept out of the war; its president pledged a stable Syria that could offer partnerships in energy and economy. But all of that might change as Syria may vote to join a war after all.

APRIL 7, 2026ByNIR BOMS, KHALED HOMSI

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa attends the Ministry of Awqaf conference titled "Unity of Islamic Discourse" at the Conference Palace in Damascus, Syria, February 16, 2026.

As war reshapes the region, Kurds returns to center stage - opinion

As war with Iran deepens, the long-ignored Kurdish question emerges as a decisive factor in the region’s future.

APRIL 6, 2026ByAMED MARDIN

Iranian Kurdish fighters from the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) take part in a training session at a base on the outskirts of Erbil, Iraq February 12, 2026.

IDF kills senior IRGC Quds Force officials in strikes against Iranian regime

IRGC-QF Imam Hussein Division artillery chief Kamil Melhem and Unit 840 chief Asghar Bagheri were killed in separate strikes on Sunday, the military confirmed on Monday.

APRIL 6, 2026ByJAMES GENN

An IDF infographic detailing senior leaders of the IRGC-QF's Imam Hussein Division killed by the IDF, published April 6, 2026.

Zelensky’s Syria visit symbolizes new future for Middle East diplomacy - analysis

Ukrainian President Zelensky’s visit to Syria marks a symbolic step toward a peaceful future, fostering cooperation between Syria, Turkey, and Ukraine despite regional conflicts.

APRIL 6, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) in Damascus, April 5, 2026.

Zelensky, Sharaa meet to discuss security cooperation in light of Iran war

It was the Ukrainian leader's first trip to Syria since diplomatic relations were re-established at the end of last year following the fall of Syria's long-time strongman Bashar al-Assad.

APRIL 5, 2026ByREUTERS

krainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) meets with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) on April 5, 2026.

Syria condemns UAE embassy attack, Gulf nations voice outrage over protests

Protests targeting the UAE Embassy in Damascus spark regional condemnation, with Gulf nations criticizing the attack as a violation of international law, while Syria seeks to restore UAE ties.

APRIL 5, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Men walk past the UAE Embassy in Damascus on December 12, 2024; illustrative.

Iran launches barrage of missiles towards central Israel, Netanyahu speaks with Trump

Hamas claims disarmament means continued genocide in Gaza • Trump sets deadline for Iranian deal • US, Israel choose strike targets in case deal with Iran not reached

APRIL 5, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Streaks of light illuminate the sky during an interception attempt amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, as seen from Tel Aviv, Israel, March 23, 2026.