Syrian Civil War

Syria, Iraq stir hope despite memories of war with resumption of Shiite pilgrimages- analysis

The prospect of renewed activity has also revived concerns among Syrians who remember the involvement of Iran-backed armed groups in the country's civil war.

|ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
Shiite muslim pilgrims hold portraits of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah (R), Imam Ali (C) and depiction of Sayyida Zaynab bint Ali ibn Abi Talib (L) as they march to the shrine city of Karbala ahead of commemorations for Arbaeen on July 19, 2026.
Jordan occupies a critical position between Israel, Iraq and Syria, making the kingdom an important buffer against weapons smuggling, militant infiltration and Iranian efforts to expand its regional influence.

Syrian, Jordanian military chiefs discuss defense cooperation to counter border security threats

“The call addressed a number of issues of mutual interest and ways to advance cooperation and coordination between Syria and Jordan in the defense field.”

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
(L-R) Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on the backdrop of Syrian and Israeli flags (illustrative)

Why does Trump wants Israel to withdraw from Syria, and what does it mean for the IDF? - analysis

For Israel, there is no real strategic or tactical need to keep up the friction with Syrian villages along the buffer zone - and a re-think may be necessary in the future.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri meets with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani in Beirut, Lebanon, July 2, 2026.

Syrian FM visits Beirut after Trump suggests Damascus should fight Hezbollah

The Syrian minister, Asaad al-Shibani, met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on his first stop, and then headed for a meeting with the parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah.

|ByREUTERS

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.

Inter-rebel clashes resume in northwest Syria after collapse of truce

Intense fighting raged near rugged terrain around Kafr Jana village in northern Aleppo where both sides sent reinforcements.

OCTOBER 17, 2022ByREUTERS
Demonstrators hold a Syrian opposition flag 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.

Lebanon to start returning Syrian refugees, despite rights groups' fears

Lebanese officials believe that the situation in Syria has de-escalated enough to send refugees back to their home country.

OCTOBER 12, 2022ByREUTERS
SIX-YEAR-OLD Awan Al-Aziz stands in a tent at a refugee camp near the Turkish border in Syria in June. (Khalil Ashawi/Reuters)

With a Russian nudge, Turkey and Syria step up contacts

The contacts reflect a Russian policy shift as Moscow steels itself for a protracted conflict in Ukraine and seeks to secure its position in Syria.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022ByREUTERS
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and intelligence chief Hakan Fidan are seen before a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, August 24, 2018.