Syrian Democratic Forces

February 13, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

US pushes countries to repatriate nationals in Syria’s displaced-persons camps

The US is urging countries to repatriate their nationals who reside in displaced-persons camps in eastern Syria. The potential change comes at a critical juncture in Syria after the fall of the Bashar...

February 10, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

US-backed Syrian Free Army continues to patrol Tanf area in southern Syria

On February 9, the Syrian Free Army (SFA) said in a post on social media that it provided medical services to more than 60 Bedouin patients in southern Syria as part of a mobile clinic. The Syrian...

February 6, 2025 | |

Macron Invites Syrian Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa to Visit France

Al-Sharaa Expected to Travel to France in Coming Weeks: French President Emmanuel Macron on February 5 invited Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to visit France, becoming the first...

February 4, 2025 | |

Erdogan and Syria’s New President Al-Sharaa Meet in Ankara to Discuss Defense Pact

Turkey and Syria to Agree on a Defense Partnership: Syria’s new transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are expected to discuss a joint...

January 31, 2025 | Hussain Abdul-Hussain |

Syria gets a new autocrat as Sharaa styles himself ‘president’

If the economy tanks, it’s likely Sharaa will return to his Islamic roots and produce a state similar to ISIS

January 30, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Ahmad al Sharaa’s Victory Conference: Syria’s new era and an exclusive translation of Sharaa’s speech

On January 29, Syria’s new leadership, headed by Ahmad al Sharaa—formerly known as Abu Mohammad al Jolani, the emir of Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) and previously the leader of Al Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate,...

January 26, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

The strategic Tishrin Dam has become a flashpoint in post-Assad Syria

The Tishrin Dam on the Euphrates River in Syria has become a key point of conflict in the country’s post-Assad era. Since the fall of dictator Bashar al Assad’s regime on December 8, the dam has been...

January 21, 2025 | |

Kurdish-Led Syrian Democratic Forces Battle Turkish Proxies Amid Calls for Their Dissolution 

Battles Near Tishreen Dam Continue: Heavy fighting between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) around the Tishreen...

January 15, 2025 | Sinan Ciddi, Sophia Epley

Turkey and HTS: A New Era of Extremism in Syria?

Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2023, Syria is now controlled by an alliance of opposition groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). While there has...

January 8, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Iran-Backed Militias Face Crisis After Assad’s Fall in Syria

Four years ago, in January 2020, a US drone carried out a strike in Iraq near Baghdad International Airport, killing Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force leader Qasem...

January 8, 2025 | Sinan Ciddi |

Trump can’t leave Syria to others

After the fall of Bashar Assad‘s regime in Syria, the incoming Trump administration faces a complex set of challenges. Despite President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to reduce U.S....

January 8, 2025 | Sinan Ciddi |

Turkey Is Preparing to Invade Syria, Then Israel?

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is making no effort to disguise his ambitions. In a bold declaration following the first meeting of Turkey’s cabinet, Erdogan made it clear that he intends to...

January 7, 2025 | Bill Roggio |

U.S. continues to target the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria

The US launched a series of strikes against the Islamic State’s (IS) network in Iraq and Syria over the past week. The operations are part of the US military’s continuing effort to degrade the Islamic...

January 7, 2025 | |

Turkey Pushing for ‘Elimination’ of Kurdish-Led, U.S.-Allied Syrian Democratic Forces

Clashes Intensify Between SDF and SNA over Tishrin Dam: Clashes have escalated between the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) and the U.S.-allied and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic...

December 23, 2024 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Can Syria’s New Leader Unite Armed Factions Into One Army? 

Syria’s new leader Ahmad al-Sharaa – who also uses the nom-de-guerre Abu Mohammad al Jolani — has pledged to dissolve existing armed factions and integrate their fighters into a newly formed...

December 20, 2024 | Sinan Ciddi |

Turkey’s Overreach in Syria: Erdogan Is ‘Playing with Fire’

In a recent Foreign Policy article, Steven Cook and I highlighted how Turkey may be overplaying its hand in Syria. With events evolving rapidly, it seems that Turkish President Recep...

December 20, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Syria Is At A Crossroads. What’s At Stake Now?

Can the new government stabilize the country? Additionally, can Washington make sure it doesn’t miss an opportunity to leverage a decade of work with the Kurds and other partners?

December 20, 2024 | |

‘Slip of the Tongue’: Turkey Denies Ceasefire Deal with Kurds, as Erdogan Teases Expansionism

Turkey Denies Ceasefire With U.S.-Backed Syrian Forces: Turkey’s Defense Ministry denied on December 19 that it had agreed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal with the Kurdish-led...

December 18, 2024 | Clifford D. May |

The day after in Syria

Curb your enthusiasm

December 17, 2024 | Bill Roggio |

US military strikes Islamic State camps and personnel in central Syria

On December 16, the US military launched a second round of strikes against Islamic State personnel and infrastructure in Syria since the fall of the regime of Bashir al Assad on December 8. US operations...