Syrian Observatory for Human Rights

February 10, 2026 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Syria joins anti-Islamic State coalition meeting as territory transition with SDF continues

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al Shaibani took part in a meeting of the US-led anti-Islamic State coalition in Saudi Arabia on February 9. Syria joined the coalition in November as its...

December 31, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Jordan carries out airstrikes in Syria against drug smugglers

The Kingdom of Jordan conducted airstrikes in Syria that targeted drug smugglers between December 23 and 25. The strikes came days after reports at the Jordan News Agency, a state media...

December 19, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

US highlights anti-Islamic State operations after soldiers killed in Syria

On December 17, US Central Command (CENTCOM) provided new information on operations against the Islamic State (IS) in Syria. “US and partner forces in Syria have conducted nearly 80 operations since...

December 13, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

3 Americans killed, 3 injured in Islamic State ambush attack in Palmyra, Syria

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that “two U.S. service members and one U.S. civilian were killed, and three service members were injured, as a result of an ambush by a lone ISIS [Islamic...

September 26, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Syrian integration in focus as Syrian President Sharaa speaks at UN

On September 24, Syrian interim President Ahmed al Sharaa addressed the UN General Assembly and spoke about the country’s attempt to rebuild itself after years of conflict. “Syria...

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...

July 28, 2025 | David Daoud |

Syrian Druze are not entitled to self-determination, and Kurds cannot yet pursue secession

Syria is a patchwork of identities, par for the course in a region where novel nationalities vie with tribe and religion for the citizenry’s loyalty. For most of the country’s history, the Assad family...

July 17, 2025 | |

Netanyahu Delineates ‘Red Lines’ in Syria as Sharaa Accuses Israel of Sowing Civil War

‘Protecting Our Druze Brothers’: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on July 17 laid out two red lines regarding Israel’s use of military force in Syria, following days...

April 3, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Turkey reportedly plans to take control of airbases in Syria

Media reports indicate that Turkish forces are planning on deploying to the Tiyas Airbase, also known as the T4, and the Palmyra military airport in Syria’s Homs province—two sites recently...

March 18, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Syrian authorities continue crackdown on Hezbollah and its affiliates

Tensions have once again flared along Syria’s western border with Lebanon, following intense clashes in February when the newly formed Syrian army deployed reinforcements to Al Qusayr in western...

March 7, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Fierce clashes erupt between Assad loyalists and government forces in western Syria

On March 6, Syria witnessed the most intense and bloodiest clashes between the new Syrian government and loyalists to dictator Bashar al Assad since the Assad regime’s downfall on December 8. These battles...

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 8, 2025 | Mariam Wahba, Ahmad Sharawi

Syria’s new Minister of Justice: A profile of Shadi Mohammed al Waisi

Shadi Mohammed al Waisi is the newly appointed Minister of Justice in the transitional government in Syria. Al Waisi has faced criticism from Syrian activists and international media after videos surfaced...

December 17, 2024 | David Daoud |

Israel’s Bashan Arrow operation in Syria continues

As the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad was collapsing on December 8, Israel set in motion a contingency plan that anticipated the situation. In recent weeks, the military intelligence...

December 16, 2024 | |

Intense IDF Strikes Reported on Former Assad Regime’s Military Sites in Syria

Israeli Air Force Reportedly Strikes Weapons Sites in Tartus: The IDF reportedly targeted weapons sites belonging to the ousted regime of former President Bashar al-Assad in the...

December 11, 2024 | David Daoud |

Israel Secures its interests in Syria

Bashar al Assad’s regime fell in the early morning of December 8, withering away in the face of a mere 11-day onslaught by a coalition of opposition armed groups. Israel found itself caught off-guard by...

December 10, 2024 | |

‘Everything Assad Got From Iran and Russia Has Been Destroyed’: Israel Ramps Up Attacks on Syria’s Arsenals

Hundreds of Strikes: The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on December 10 reported ‘hundreds’ of bombing sorties by Israeli warplanes against abandoned Syrian military weapons...

April 24, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Be skeptical of reports of Iran ‘withdrawing’ from Syria

The fact is that these kinds of reports have been floated in the past.

February 21, 2024 | |

At Least Two Reported Killed in Alleged Israeli Airstrike in Damascus

An alleged Israeli airstrike in Damascus killed two people, Syrian state-run media reported on February 21. The reports claim that Israeli planes launched several missiles that hit...

May 18, 2023 | Hussain Abdul-Hussain, Matthew Zweig

The Arab League’s Misguided Faith in Bashar al-Assad

The organization has lifted his suspension based on promises he’s unlikely to keep.