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.

|ByAMED MARDIN
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

The ousting of longtime Syrian president Bashar al-Assad by rebels was the result of an extremely rapid offensive, ending the widely condemned Ba'athist regime after over 50 years

|ByAARON REICH
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

Forty-nine Syrians have begun training in Turkey, as part of a new program that will allow Syrian troops to use Turkish military barracks and academies.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
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

HTS, a former al Qaeda affiliate, was proscribed in 2017, meaning that Britain designated it as a terrorist group, making it illegal to support or join it.

|ByREUTERS

Lebanon to work with Syria to strengthen borders

Both countries agreed to fix smuggling and border issues as well as Syrian deposits in Lebanese banks.

JANUARY 11, 2025ByREUTERS
Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati meet with Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus, Syria, January 11, 2025.

Post-Assad Syria: The end of Baathism and the rise of Islamism - opinion

Perhaps Abu Mohammed al-Julani will defy the grim precedent, maybe he will break away from Salafi jihadism and break the cycle that has consumed countless others.

JANUARY 11, 2025BySAMUEL J. HYDE
Images of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafez al-Assad, are riddled with bullet holes as fighters of the ruling Syrian body inspect the damage at a military site, in Damascus on December 14, 2024.

Katz convenes meeting on Turkey’s Middle East influence – sources

Turkey was mentioned more than 10 times in the report, a signal of Israel’s fear that rhetoric by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan against Israel may transform into actions.

JANUARY 8, 2025ByAMICHAI STEIN
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a press briefing during NATO’s 75th anniversary summit in Washington, US, July 11, 2024.

EU may lift Syria sanctions to support recovery, says French FM

Targeted measures under discussion include easing financial transactions, improving air transport, and reducing sanctions on the energy sector to address Syria’s severe power shortages.

JANUARY 8, 2025ByTHE MEDIA LINE STAFF
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (l-r) meets with the new Syrian ruler Abu Mohammed al-Julani, with her French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot on the right. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock makes a surprise visit to Syria around four weeks after the fall of long-term ruler Bashar al-Assad.

US to ease aid restrictions for Syria in show of support for new government, WSJ reports

The move reportedly authorizes the Treasury Department to issue waivers to aid groups and companies providing essentials such as water, electricity, and other humanitarian supplies.

JANUARY 6, 2025ByREUTERS
PEOPLE GATHER during a celebration called by HTS at Umayyad Square in Damascus in December.

Turkey's position boosted by HTS' coup in Syria - opinion

Turkey rises after Assad’s fall, aiming to shape Syria’s future and curb Kurdish autonomy.

JANUARY 6, 2025ByNEVILLE TELLER
TURKEY’S FOREIGN MINISTER Hakan Fidan meets with Syria’s de facto leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani in Damascus last month. After the Syrian people themselves, it is Turkey that has emerged as the biggest winner from the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the writer maintains.

Julani asked to protect historic Syrian synagogue in Syria by Israeli rabbi

Rabbi Binyamin Hamra, son of the late Rabbi Avraham Hamra, appealed to Julani to protect the country’s Jewish community and preserve its historic sites, including the Jobar Synagogue.

JANUARY 5, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Jewish pupils in the Maimonides school in 'Amārah al Juwwānīyah, in the historic Maison Lisbona in Damascus. The photo was taken shortly before the exodus of most of the remaining Syrian Jewish community in 1992.

Sunni-Shia divide: Power struggles shaping the Middle East’s future - opinion

Iran and Turkey are vying for dominance, impacting regional stability, alliances, and Israel’s strategic challenges in an evolving geopolitical landscape.

JANUARY 4, 2025ByDAVID BEN-BASAT
HOUTHI MILITARY spokesman Yahya Saree delivers a statement in Sanaa, Yemen, last month.

Syria's Alawites fear retribution under the new regime, given former Assad ties

How the rebels treat the sizeable Alawite population, will be some kind of litmus test of whether the takeover of Damascus leads to violent revenge against former Assad loyalists

JANUARY 3, 2025ByMATHILDA HELLER
Fighters affiliated with Syria's new administration inspect a car at a checkpoint in Syria's western coastal city of Latakia, which is an Alawite stronghold, on December 26, 2024

Syria's Julani meets with Ukraine's foreign minister, SANA says

HTS leader discussed wheat supplies with Ukraine after Russia cut Syria off due to ousting of Assad.

DECEMBER 30, 2024ByREUTERS
Top rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Julani speaks to a crowd at Ummayad Mosque in Damascus, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad, Syria December 8, 2024.