Syria

Syrian detention camp for suspected ISIS relatives nearly empty, former director says

Al-Hol, near the Iraqi border, was one of the main detention camps for relatives of suspected Islamic State fighters who were detained during the US-backed campaign against the jihadist group.

CHILDREN, PART of a group of detainees, look through a fence at al-Hol camp after the Syrian government took control of it following the withdrawal of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in Hasaka, Syria, January 21, 2026.
ISIS militants

Controlled chaos: Terrorism is used as a political tool - opinion

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa signs a ceasefire agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces, Damascus, January 18, 2026.

Syrian government focuses on attracting new economy investments, ties with Central Asia states

The world's largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford seen in the North Sea during NATO Neptune Strike 2025 exercise on September 24, 2025 in the North Sea.

Middle East nations cautious as US military presence grows near Iran - analysis


Besieged Kobane faces humanitarian disaster amid Syrian government, SDF deadlock

Reports say Kobane's ‘roads remain closed, while food and medical supplies are barred from entry’ to an area of 600,000 people.

Members of the Syrian government internal security forces gather in the northern Syrian town of Sirrin as they wait to enter the city of Kobane on February 2, 2026.

Israel's national security dependent on supporting Kurdish cause, Kurdish leader says

“National security is achieved only through support for the cause. We are talking about a new Middle East with four key countries: Syria, Iraq, Turkey, and Iran. The Kurds are in all of them."

Security for the protest is provided by the local Asayish (Kurdish Police) during a demonstration for Kurdish rights on February 10, 2026 in Qamishli, Syria. The protests called for the protection of Kurdish rights and the achievements of the Rojava revolution as the region

Australia issues temporary ban on citizen from Syrian camp amid terror concerns

Thirty-four Australians in a northern Syrian facility holding families of suspected Islamic State militants are expected to return home after their release was conditionally approved by authorities.

Members of the Syrian Kurdish Asayish security forces gather at the Kurdish-run al-Hol camp, which holds relatives of suspected Islamic State (IS) group fighters in the northeastern Hasakeh governorate, on April 18, 2025.

Poll: 65% of Syrians favor US engagement, 59% say peace with Israel is likely

Opinions were more divided on full diplomatic normalization with Israel, while public assessments of Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa were largely favorable.

 Direction and distance sign for the Syrian capital of Damascus at Mount Bental Israeli military outpost on the Syrian border

IDF kills PIJ terrorists on Lebanon-Syria border as groups continue trying to smuggle weapons

Israel, with the help of Syria's new government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, has succeeded at blocking much of the cross-border Lebanon-Syria weapons smuggling activities.

 IDF soldiers operate on Mount Hermon, on the border between Israel and Syria, December 12, 2024

Australia’s ISIS camp dilemma exposes Syria’s growing post SDF chaos - analysis

The ISIS detainees were mostly captured in 2019 when ISIS was defeated in its last enclave near the Euphrates River by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces.

People walk at the Kurdish-run al-Hol camp, which holds relatives of suspected Islamic State (IS) group fighters in the northeastern Hasakeh governorate, on April 18, 2025.

Albanese says won't help Australians in Syrian camp holding families of suspected IS terrorists

"We have a very firm view that we won't be providing assistance or repatriation," Albanese told ABC News.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks on the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026 during a federal parliament sitting following the Bondi terror attack at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, January 20, 2026.

Why Syria's FM is changing his messaging to Israel - and why it matters - analysis

Syria’s foreign minister is hinting that Damascus and Jerusalem may be able to come to more arrangements in the future, in the wake of talks held in Paris in January.

Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani speaks during a press conference in Damascus, May 20, 2025; illustrative.

Thirty-four Australians released from a camp holding families of suspected ISIS terrorists in Syria

Hukmiya Mohamed, a co-director of Roj camp, told Reuters that the 34 Australians had been released to their families, who had come to Syria for the release.

A woman and child walk in the the al-Hol camp in Syria's northeastern Al-Hasakah Governorate on July 28, 2024, as Syrian families of suspected Islamic State fighters prepare to return to their homes in the countryside of Deir Ezzor.

IDF kills six terrorists in Rafah terror tunnel

In a statement, the IDF said the operative’s activity violated the ceasefire framework and posed a threat to Israel’s northern communities.

Israeli soldiers stand on rubble in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, December 8, 2025.