Syrian Civil War

Syria says it has taken control of Aleppo's Sheikh Maksoud neighborhood, Kurdish forces deny claims

The Syrian forces combed through 90% the neighbourhood according to the SANA News Agency, while Kurdish representatives assured Reuters that their forces were still present in Aleppo.

|ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN, REUTERS
Members of the Syrian Civil Defence work to extinguish a fire after shelling amid renewed clashes between the Syrian army and the Syrian Democratic Forces in Aleppo, Syria, January 8, 2026.
Security forces affiliated with the Ministry of the Interior stand guard in the Ashrafieh neighbourhood, which they have taken control of, according to the Interior Ministry, following battles with the Syrian Democratic Forces, in Aleppo, Syria, January 9, 2026.

Syrian Army to strike Aleppo as Kurdish forces reject evacuation after ceasefire announcement

A ceasefire was declared in Aleppo by Syria's Defense Ministry after clashes with Kurdish forces, with Damascus claiming it will "escort departing militants" to northeastern Syria.

|ByJAMES GENN, REUTERS
A member of the security forces stands guard as residents flee Aleppo's Ashrafieh Kurdish neighbourhood on January 7, 2026. Civilians were fleeing Kurdish neighbourhoods of Aleppo on January 7 after the Syrian army declared them "closed military zones", amid ongoing fighting with Kurdish-led forces.

Damascus declares curfew in Aleppo following clashes with SDF

Syria’s government declared Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh a closed military zone as fighting with SDF escalated, with civilian deaths reported and mass evacuations underway.

|ByJAMES GENN
An emergency meeting in Homs Governorate, Syria, between security officials and leaders of local tribes to address local violence, November 23, 2025.

Brutal double murder triggers curfew, heavy security presence in Homs, Syria

The killings rapidly inflamed sectarian and tribal tensions, again exposing how fragile the city’s social fabric remains after years of deeply rooted wartime divisions. 

|ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE

How an anti-ISIS operation in Syria got bogged down in tribal politics - analysis

It is important to look back at how various forces involved in the Syrian turmoil go to this point in order to understand this complex conflict.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A Coalition convoy of US led international coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) stops to test fire their M2 machine guns and MK19 grenade launcher in the Middle Euphrates River Valley in the Deir ez-Zor province, Syria, November 22, 2018

Druze protests in Syria stokes solidarity in Lebanon, Israel - analysis

The protests in Syria are momentous and come after many years where the minority community has suffered in southern Syria.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2023BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Supporters of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad carry his pictures and flags during a demonstration in the mainly Druze city of Sweida

UN aid set to resume to NW Syria after 'understanding' with Damascus

In July Russia refused to allow UN aid to continue to reach northwest Syria, now that aid is set to resume

AUGUST 9, 2023ByREUTERS
Al-Hol displacement camp, Syria

Syria’s Assad and the Arab League at a crossroads - analysis

Can they move from pushing for stability in Syria to creating real stability in Sudan? Is the region entering a new diplomatic era?

MAY 18, 2023BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
UAE PRESIDENT Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan bids farewell to Syrian counterpart Bashar Assad, at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi, last month

Did Jordan carry out airstrikes on drug traffickers in Syria? - analysis

Jordan supported Syria's return to the Arab League but at the same time also wants the war-torn country to crack down on the drug trade.

MAY 8, 2023BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Fighters from the Free Syrian Army are seen in Yadouda area in Daraa, Syria May 29, 2018.

Arab League readmits Syria as relations with Assad normalize

Syria was suspended from the Arab League in 2011 after cracking down on protests against the regime.

MAY 7, 2023ByREUTERS
Saudi Arabia hosts a meeting of foreign ministers from Iraq, Jordan, Egypt and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to discuss Syria's return to the Arab League in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, April 14, 2023.

Aid convoy successfully reaches rebel-held northwest Syria

After previous attempts to send aid have been blocked, an aid convoy has made it to earthquake-ravaged northwestern Syria.

FEBRUARY 15, 2023ByREUTERS
Syria earthquake damage

Why is an ex-Syria War jihadist fighting for Ukraine against Russia?

Rustam Azhiev, better known by his nom-de-guerre Abdul Hakim al-Shishani, led Ajnad al-Kavkaz in Syria and now leads Chechen fighters in the Ukrainian Foreign Legion.

JANUARY 10, 2023ByMICHAEL STARR
Rustam Azhiev, now leader of Chechen units in the Ukrainian Foreign Legion against Russia, is seen firing an anti-armor weapon in city of Bakhmut in the Donbas.

Syria opposition uneasy after Turkish, Syrian defense ministers' Moscow meeting

The way was paved last year through meetings between the security chiefs of the countries, whose rapprochement had seemed unthinkable.

JANUARY 4, 2023ByREUTERS
Demonstrators gather during a protest against Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu's comments on reconciliation of the opposition with the Syrian government, in the rebel-held city of Azaz, Syria August 12, 2022.

Protesters storm governor's office in southern Syrian city, two killed in clashes

This is a rare occurence in Sweida province, which has mainly been spared from the violent unrests of the last decade in Syria.

DECEMBER 4, 2022ByREUTERS
Smoke rises near a building as people take part in a protest in Sweida, Syria, December 4, 2022, in this picture obtained by Reuters.