Syria

Syria, officially known as the Syrian Arab Republic, is an Arab nation in the Middle East, situated in the Levant region. The country boasts a rich history and some of the oldest inhabited cities in the world.

In 1963, Syria's government was taken over by the Ba'ath Party, led by Hafez al-Assad. For decades, he and his son and successor, Bashar al-Assad, would rule the country in a reign that has been highly criticized for being totalitarian and for carrying out widespread human rights abuses.

In 2011, a major civil war broke out in Syria, leaving governance of the country fractured between the Russia- and Iran-backed Assad regime based in Syria's largest city and capital of Damascus, US-backed rebel groups led by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Turkey-backed forces, and Islamists under the banner of Hay'at Tahir al-Shams (HTS).

However, in December 2024, HTS and its allies carried out a major offensive from their base of operations in the Idlib province, eventually fully ousting the Assad regime and seizing control of Damascus as well as other major cities such as Homs and Aleppo. Currently, HTS has been spearheading the establishment of a new Syrian interim government. However, the country still remains fractured between them, Assad loyalists, Turkey-backed forces, and the SDF and its allies.

Syrian army soldiers filmed chanting death threats against Jews in Damascus

The demonstration came after Israel rejected the Board of Peace's 15-point proposal for Gaza, reiterating that Hamas must first be disarmed.

AUGUST 17, 2026|ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD

Syrian Arab Army soldiers pose for a photograph near Aleppo, January 17, 2026; illustrative.

A banner for journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared while reporting in Syria in 2012, hangs outside the National Press Club building in Washington, US, May 2, 2023.

Austin Tice’s fate remains a mystery fourteen years following his disappearance in Syria

The longest-held US journalist in history disappeared near Damascus in 2012, and his family still believes he may be alive and may have been transferred to Iran after the fall of the Assad regime.

AUGUST 16, 2026|ByRIZIK ALABI / THE MEDIA LINE

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa shake hands during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on January 28, 2026.

Renewed Moscow-Damascus flights signal revival of ties after Assad's fall - analysis

Syria is expanding its airline network, adding flights from numerous countries over the past year as Damascus seeks to reconnect with the region and Europe.

AUGUST 16, 2026|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Daily life is gradually returning to parts of Homs as Syria begins to emerge from years of war, with easing US restrictions raising hopes for renewed investment and economic recovery.

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'People are now happy': Syria emerges from isolation on the road to recovery

With US restrictions easing and economic activity returning, Syria is beginning to look beyond the Assad era

AUGUST 13, 2026|ByDANA BEN-SHIMON

Syria's Sharaa unveils regional strategy, seeks Israel security arrangement

Ahmed al-Sharaa presented Syria's emerging foreign policy: closer ties with Washington, continued engagement with Moscow, eventual security arrangements with Israel, avoidance of regional conflicts.

JULY 27, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa speaks as he attends the 23rd edition of the annual Doha Forum, in Doha, Qatar, December 6, 2025.

Two Israelis caught by IDF after crossing Syria border, as Syria reports military raid in Quneitra

According to the military, troops dispatched to the Hermon located the two, returned them to Israeli territory, and transferred them to police.

JULY 27, 2026BySARAH BEN-NUN

View of the Israeli border area with Syria, as seen from the northern Golan Heights, April 11, 2026.

Iran threatens Britain and Gulf States, Guterres pushes Syrian sovereignty

The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup with Shifra Jacobs - the top stories, clear and concise.

JULY 26, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST PODCASTS

Smoke seen following reported missile launch from Iran toward Jordan, July 22, 2026.

Sharaa: Syria working to reach security deal with Israel, will not give up on Golan Heights claim

Additionally, Syria has no intention of intervening militarily in Lebanon, although Syria is discussing ways to help overcome the crisis there with the Lebanese government.

JULY 26, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa (L) arrives to receive UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the People's Palace in Damascus on July 25, 2026

Golan Heights 'are Syrian territory,' UN chief Guterres stresses during Damascus visit

The UN Secretary-General addressed post-war reconstruction and territory disputes at his press conference during the first visit to Syria by a UN chief since the Assad regime.

JULY 26, 2026ByRUBY SADIKMAN

Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa receives UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the People's Palace in Damascus, July 25, 2026

It’s time Israel arms the Kurds and helps to bring about Kurdistan - opinion

Israel arming and supporting Kurdish factions will provide Israel with direct leverage to erode Tehran’s internal control.

JULY 26, 2026BySUZAN QUITAZ

IRANIAN FEMALE fighters from the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) stand with their rifles after training session at a base on the outskirts of Erbil, Iraq, in 2026.

France returns 23 artifacts to Syria after 15 year-long loan amid Macron’s historic Damascus visit

The artifacts were originally loaned in 2010 and 2011 to the Arab World Institute (IMA ) in Paris from museums in Damascus, Aleppo, Latakia, and Palmyra.

JULY 26, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM

French President Emmanuel Macron and Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa presided over the official handover ceremony of the artifacts, which took place at the People's Palace in Damascus, July 7, 2026.

Arab tribal ‘war tent’ raises fears of Kurdish-Arab violence in eastern Syria - analysis

Armed tribal gatherings near Hasaka and threats against Kurds are fueling fears of renewed communal violence as Damascus tries to calm tensions in eastern Syria.

JULY 25, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

A new batch of Arab tribesmen, estimated in the thousands, departs from Idlib and its surrounding countryside toward the southern city of Sweida, Syria, on July 18, 2025.

UN chief visit to Syria seen by Damascus as key step towards reconstruction after war - analysis

UN Chief António Guterres arrived in Damascus on Saturday for the first visit by a UN chief in 17 years, pledging support as Syria seeks reconstruction and renewed international ties.

JULY 25, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) receives UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the People's Palace in Damascus on July 25, 2026.

At least 35 killed, 30 injured in Syria bus collision on Damascus road

A collision involving a civilian bus and a vehicle carrying Syrian security forces killed at least 35 people and injured 30 on the Deir al-Zor-to-Damascus road.

JULY 25, 2026ByREUTERS