HTS

Washington’s Syrian mistake: Empowering HTS, endangering Kurds - opinion

History will record who stood by democratic values at this critical moment and who sacrificed these values for short-term interests.

A member of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stands guard as Syrian Kurds attend a protest in solidarity with people in Sweida, on July 17, 2025.
 Smoke rises, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, December 8, 2024.

On This Day: One year since Syrian rebels overthrew Assad regime, ending over 50 year rule

Armored personnel carriers stand outside a compound of the Syrian army's new 80th Division in northwest Syria, June 3, 2025.

Syrian army starts training in Turkey, while Ankara gains influence over Damascus gov't - analysis

 Rebel fighters ride a vehicle, after rebels led by HTS have sought to capitalize on their swift takeover of Aleppo in the north and Hama in west-central Syria by pressing onwards to Homs, in Hama, Syria December 6, 2024.

UK removes terrorism designation for HTS, formerly led by Syria's Ahmed Al-Sharaa


New Druze military organization announced in Suwayda

‘The organization should not be viewed in isolation from federalist tendencies and Netanyahu’s pro-Druze remarks,’ says Syria and Lebanon expert, Dr. Moran Levanoni

 Tareq Al-Shoufi announcing “The Suweyda Military Council.” February 25, 2025.

Syria calls for Israel's withdrawal from its lands, national dialog closing statement says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said recently that Israel would maintain the buffer zone as long as necessary.

  Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa holds a speech at the National Dialogue Conference on February 25, 2025 in Damascus, Syria

Syria’s new leadership faces a defining test - opinion

They must implement their international obligations in line with the extensive goodwill they have received from both regional partners and the global community.

SYRIA’S INTERIM President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with Fernando Arias, the head of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, in Damascus, earlier this month. The world expects Syria to pass trust tests and prove it has a national agenda completely unrelated to its past, says the writer

Syria to hold dialog conference amid criticism over inclusivity

A one-day dialogue in Damascus could signal a new chapter for Syria – but will HTS’s influence stifle real change?

 Members of preparatory committee host a session in Damascus, Syria February 20, 2025.

Syrian leader to visit Jordan on Wednesday, say Jordanian sources

The visit is the new interim leader's third foreign trip along with Saudi Arabia and Turkey since he came to power after leading a decisive rebel offensive which ousted Iran-backed Bashar al Assad.

 Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa attends a meeting with former rebel faction chiefs, in Damascus, Syria, December 24, 2024

Israel won't allow HTS forces in southern Syria, Netanyahu says

"We demand full demilitarization of southern Syria, in the provinces of Quneitra, Daraa, and Sweida," Netanyahu said at a military graduation ceremony.

A rebel led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham stands in the back of a vehicle in al-Rashideen, Aleppo province, Syria November 29, 2024.

Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa concludes landmark visit to Turkey

Al-sharaa's visit to Turkey marks the highest-level meeting since 2009, signaling a potential shift in Syrian-Turkish relations.

Syria's newly appointed president for a transitional phase Ahmed al-Shaara meets with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, February 4, 2025.

Syria and Turkey's growing relationship may affect Iran's proxy war on Israel - analysis

Turkey’s deepening ties with Syria could shift regional power dynamics, impacting Israel, Iran, and NATO while strengthening Hamas' backers.

Syria's newly appointed president for a transitional phase Ahmed al-Shaara meets with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, February 4, 2025.

Syria's Julani visits Riyadh: Is Saudi Arabia the Middle East's top dog? - analysis

Julani was born in Saudi Arabia, later lived in Damascus, and joined al-Qaeda before becoming the head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria.

 Syria's President Abu Mohammad al-Julani seen with Saudi Arabia's leader Mohammed bin Salman, in Riyadh, February 2, 2025

AANES ambassador to 'Post': 'Syria’s security needs Israel involved' - interview

Syrian Kurdish leader Ilham Ahmed says Israel must be part of the solution for Middle East security as tensions rise between the SDF and Islamist rulers in Damascus.

 AANES Kurdish fighters in Syria.