Damascus

September 16, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi, William Doran, Sinan Ciddi

Renewed Fighting Between Kurds and Government Forces Threatens Syria’s Unity

Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian forces traded rocket artillery fire near Deir Hafir, east of Aleppo, on September 10. While no military personnel were killed, two civilians died and...

September 16, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi, Natalie Ecanow

The Saudi-Qatari Competition for Influence in Syria

With the Syrian state still in its formative stage, lacking a defined political identity, two Gulf monarchies – Qatar and Saudi Arabia – are seeking to dominate Syria. This competition will only intensify...

September 12, 2025 | |

IDF Discloses Arrests of Iranian IRGC Operatives in Syria

Unit 840 Suspects Arrested: The IDF revealed on September 12 that during a series of special operations over the past several months, it had arrested and eliminated at least seven...

September 7, 2025 | Sinan Ciddi |

Turkey is escalating tensions in the Mediterranean (again)

Turkey is once again stoking tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean – this time by undermining the sovereignty of Greece and Cyprus while wagering that Washington and Brussels will look the other way....

September 5, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Profiles of militias in newly formed Druze national guard in Suwayda, Syria

On August 23, armed factions in the Suwayda province, Syria announced the formation of a national guard under the leadership of the Druze spiritual leader Hikmat al Hijri, the most prominent...

September 4, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Tensions grow between Damascus and eastern Syria amid continuing efforts to integrate factions

On September 2, the state-controlled Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that Damascus intercepted an arms shipment destined for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the US-supported military force...

September 3, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Syria Is No Longer a Narco-State, But the Captagon Trade Rolls On

Interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa pledged to dismantle his country’s massive illegal drug trade when he took power in December, but the dangerous amphetamine captagon is still flowing. On September...

August 28, 2025 | |

Israeli Air Force Strikes Former Base Used by Pro-Iran Militias Near Damascus

Airstrikes Near Syrian Capital: The IDF reportedly carried out several airstrikes south of the Syrian capital of Damascus on August 27, targeting a base near al-Kiswah city that...

August 27, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Can Syria’s New Leaders and U.S.-Backed Forces Unite to Defeat ISIS?

US Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led a delegation to Syria that met with Syria’s transitional President, Ahmed al-Shara’a, on...

August 25, 2025 | |

Security Deal With Israel Is Likely, Syrian President Says

Talks in ‘Advanced’ Stage: Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa told representatives of Arab media outlets that Syria and Israel are in “advanced” talks on a security...

August 24, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

US-led raid kills senior Islamic State ‘official’ in Syria

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that a raid by US forces killed a “senior ISIS [Islamic State] member” in Atmeh in northwest Syria’s Idlib province on August 19. “Combined Joint...

August 21, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

For the First Time in 25 Years, Syria Acknowledges Direct Talks With Israel

Israel and Syria are talking — and for once, no one is denying it. Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani met with an Israeli delegation in Paris on August 19, the Syria’s official news agency announced....

August 19, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Syria’s Deadly Wrong Turn

Ahmed al-Shara’s attempts to concentrate power and spurn Syria’s minorities are destabilizing the country.

August 19, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Druze City Offers Syria’s Leader Yet Another Challenge

Things are not getting any easier for Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and his fractured country. On August 18, hundreds of Druze demonstrated in the city of Suwayda — where they make up the...

August 15, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

UN Report Ties New Syrian Army to Coastal Massacres

The Syrian coastal massacres in March marked one of the deadliest violent episodes since the downfall of the Assad regime. An August 11 report by the United Nations’ Independent International Commission...

August 14, 2025 | |

Turkey Signs Military Accord With Syrian Government

Latest Developments Military Memorandum Signed: Turkey’s Ministry of Defense has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Syria for the training of Syrian troops and military...

August 14, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Stalled Syria-SDF Deal Risks Sparking Wider Conflict

Clashes have erupted between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeastern Syria. Since August 2, the SDF has reported five clashes, leaving tens wounded. The...

August 13, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Turkey ramps up military support for Syria

On August 13, the Turkish Ministry of Defense announced that Turkish Minister of Defense Yasar Guler and Syrian Minister of Defense Murhaf Abu Qusra signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU)...

August 12, 2025 | Hussain Abdul-Hussain |

Assad Is Gone. The Syrian Problem Persists

Nine months after Bashar al-Assad’s fall and Ahmad al-Sharaa’s rise to power, the UN Security Council met to address Syria’s ongoing crisis. The Council urged Damascus to establish a government “of...

August 11, 2025 | Sinan Ciddi |

Erdoğan’s Long Game in Syria

When Bashar al-Asad’s regime abruptly collapsed in December 2024, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan saw more than just a regional upheaval. He saw a long-awaited opportunity.  With Iran’s...