Damascus

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
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.
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
Women and children seen inside al-Hol camp, amongst them some 6,200 women and children from around 40 nationalities, and including relatives of suspected Islamic State jihadists in the desert region of Hasakah province on January 25, 2026 in Al Hasakah, Syria.

Moving suspected ISIS prisoners to Iraq shows Washington doesn’t fully trust Damascus, expert says

Professor Eytan Gilboa warned that Tehran may pressure Iraq to allow the country to become a ground to challenge the Sharaa regime.

|ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Nechirvan Barzani, President of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan Region, gives a joint press conference with France's Foreign Minister in Arbil, the regional capital, on February 5, 2026.

Iraq's Kurds emerge as Middle East's key diplomatic players at Munich Security Council - analysis

The KRG has helped smooth the transition in eastern Syria by working with Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces, also hosting US forces and other anti-ISIS coalition forces.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Six Roman-era statues stolen from Damascus museum reopened after Assad's ouster

Six Roman-era statues were stolen from Syria’s National Museum in Damascus, prompting a security probe and closure of the historic institution.

NOVEMBER 11, 2025ByJOANIE MARGULIES
People visit the National Museum of Damascus after it reopened, a month after the ousting os Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, January 9, 2025

Trump-Sharaa meeting marks 'historic turning point' in US-Syria relations, Wilson tells 'Post'

Congressman Wilson hails the Syrian President's White House visit as a "miracle of diplomacy," predicting the end of estrangement and the potential for an Abraham Accords-style peace with Israel.

NOVEMBER 11, 2025ByAMICHAI STEIN
Congressman Wilson, Syrian President Sharaa during a meeting in Washington

Syria carries out pre-emptive operations against Islamic State cells

The raids come ahead of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to Washington in an effort to join a US-led anti-Islamic State coalition.

NOVEMBER 8, 2025ByREUTERS
A Bedouin fighter walks with a weapon near damaged cars and buildings, 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.

Ahmed al-Sharaa's road to Washington DC - analysis

Shara’s trip to Washington follows Trump’s meetings with Central Asian leaders and comes as the US works on a resolution for an international force in Gaza.

NOVEMBER 8, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa speaks during a meeting with Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Russia, October 15, 2025.

US military presence in Damascus: Exactly what Syria, and Israel, needs - analysis

An American force in or near Damascus at a strategic site such as an airport could be just the thing Syria needs at the moment.

NOVEMBER 6, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
US President Donald Trump meets Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in this handout released on May 14, 2025

Syrian Democratic Forces arrest five ISIS cell members in Raqqa raid

The raid was supported by the US-led coalition against ISIS, who provided air cover and intelligence, leading to the arrest of the terror cell which had planned attacks in northeast Syria.

NOVEMBER 3, 2025ByJAMES GENN
SDF arrests a five-man ISIS terror cell north of Raqqa, November 1, 2025.

Jewish traveler says locals 'radiated love for Israel' during Syria trip

Avi Gold’s visit to Syria stands out for the unexpected affection he received from locals, including a special encounter with one of Damascus's last Jews.

NOVEMBER 3, 2025ByYOAV ETIEL
Avi Gold in Damascus wearing a scarf with the Syrian flag, over an illustrative backdrop of the flag.

Syrian-Azerbaijani cooperation could reshape regional trade, experts say

Over the past two years, Syrian-Azerbaijani relations have seen notable progress after a prolonged period of stagnation.

NOVEMBER 2, 2025ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with President of Azerbaijan’s Republic Ilham Aliyev, July 12, 2025.

Syria seeks Lebanese help to extradite former regime officers accused of war crimes

“Syrian government bodies informed the Lebanese side of the need for cooperation” in this sensitive case, sources told The Media Line.

NOVEMBER 2, 2025ByRIZIK ALABI / THE MEDIA LINE
People and traffic move at the entrance of Daraya, on the outskirts of Damascus on October 29, 2025.

Syria’s Justice Ministry tells TML Sweida investigation committee will hold public trials

Officials frame public trials as a transparency test after July’s clashes, with legal observers watching for access rules, indictments, and independent monitoring.

OCTOBER 31, 2025ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
People stand next to a destroyed tank turret, following deadly clashes between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes, and government forces, in Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, Syria July 25, 2025.