Damascus

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.

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

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.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
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.

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.

|ByREUTERS
Syrian security forces take control of Al-Hol camp in the desert region of Hasakeh Province, Syria, on January 21, 2026

Damascus says it took over Ash Shaddadi base as part of US-coordination framework

In a short statement, the defense authority in Damascus said its army assumed control of the facility south of Al Hasakah city. The announcement did not specify when the transfer took place.

|ByTHE MEDIA LINE STAFF

After years of war, world’s oldest synagogue paintings are revealed as intact in Damascus

Jewish sites and synagogues suffered lootings and bombardment over the course of the war, which followed the emigration of virtually all Syrian Jews.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2025ByGRACE GILSON/JTA
The Dura Europos Synagogue wall paintings in the National Museum of Damascus on September 16, 2025.

Israeli-Syrian security pact expected to be signed by end of year - report

"There is progress in the talks with Israel" and “by the end of the year,” the two countries are expected to sign several agreements,  the official said.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2025BySAM HALPERN
Illustrative of an Israel flag and Syria flag, with soldiers and weapons.

Syrian foreign minister to discuss lifting of US sanctions in Washington this week, Axios reports

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani is due to meet US lawmakers in Washington to discuss lifting sanctions and advancing a security deal with Israel, Senator Lindsey Graham was cited as saying.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2025ByREUTERS
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, August 12, 2025.

Syria's Sharaa says talks with Israel could yield results 'in coming days'

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said talks with Israel on a security pact may conclude within days, stressing respect for Syria’s airspace and UN monitoring.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERS
(L-R) Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on the backdrop of Syrian and Israeli flags (illustrative)

Syria, US, Jordan back pact to stabilize Sweida, launching transitional phase

Damascus said the agreement includes an understanding with Washington to seek security arrangements with Israel regarding southern Syria.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Members of Syrian security forces ride on a back of a truck after Syrian troops entered the predominantly Druze city of Sweida on Tuesday following two days of clashes, in Sweida, Syria July 15, 2025.

Israel proposes new Syria security pact based on Egypt treaty, offers withdrawal

Israel has presented Syria with a new security proposal, modeled on the 1979 Egypt peace pact, featuring a demilitarized zone and no-fly zone south of Damascus, in exchange for phased withdrawals.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
IDF soldier operating on Israel's border with Syria, September 9, 2025.

Damascus condemns Israeli airstrikes on military sites in Homs, Latakia, and Palmyra

The ministry called on the international community, especially the UNSC, to take a firm and clear stance to halt these repeated violations and ensure respect for Syria’s territorial integrity.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2025ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
Operations of IDF troops in southern Syria, August 20, 2025.

Is new Syrian faction Saraya al-Jawad local, proxy or propaganda? Experts weigh in

Experts say the group may be an independent local offshoot of coastal networks or a proxy for actors using a new label to disrupt regional security.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2025ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
A youth rides his bicygle next to a destroyed car following clashes between Syria's new authorities and supporters of deposed president Bashar al-Assad in the town of Jableh in the coastal province of Latakia on March 10, 2025.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s US visa sets stage for UN debut, high-stakes diplomacy

It will be al-Sharaa’s first appearance before the UN since taking office, lending the speech both political and symbolic weight.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2025ByRIZIK ALABI / THE MEDIA LINE
Members of US Congress meet with Syrian transitional president Ahmed al-Sharaa, August 19, 2025.

Damascus pushes for normality with diplo ties as airstrikes reportedly puncture calm - analysis

The visits come after reported airstrikes in Homs and Lattakia and explosions at Damascus airport.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
SYRIAN PRESIDENT Ahmed al-Sharaa attends the opening of the Damascus International Fair, the first held since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, in Damascus, last week. ‘Sharaa is engineering something I call neo-jihadism,’ says the writer.