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Washington Warns Israel Against Supporting the “SDF”

Informed sources told Al-Modon that senior officials in the U.S. administration have warned the Israeli government against providing any form of support to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), amid rapidly shifting political and security dynamics in Syria—particularly in the country’s north and east.

Enough Tampering with the Fate of Our People… Leave!

A striking paradox lies in the fact that the PKK—long a military tool of the former regime —now opposes a system that has officially recognized the Kurds as an integral component of society, Abdul Hakim Bashar argues in Al-Thawra.

Betrayal… or Political Miscalculation?

Repeated statements by U.S. officials emphasized support for the new Syrian authority and for a unified Syrian state, Faisal Alloush argues in Ultra Syria.

Why Are Syrians Not Preoccupied with Democracy?

If the struggle for daily sustenance once diverted broad sectors of society from democratic concerns, the situation has since grown immeasurably worse as a result of the catastrophic war Syria has endured, Faisal Allouche argues.

How Will Beit Jin Alter the Damascus–Tel Aviv Equation?

Hussam Taleb, a political analyst based in Damascus, told 963+ that the Beit Jin assault, and the Israeli aggression that followed—met with local resistance—marks a turning point in the nature of Israel’s military operations.

Detainees from Daraa Missing in Israeli Prisons

While Israel sometimes releases detainees a few hours after their arrest, others remain in custody with no information about their condition or location, according to Enab Baladi.

Israeli and Turkish Fighter Jets Avoid Direct Clash Over Syria

According to Israel’s Channel N12, citing the Turkish opposition outlet Sozcu, Turkish F-16s conducted reconnaissance flights in the same area where Israeli jets were operating and issued “warning messages” via electronic warfare systems, al-Modon writes.

The Caesar Act: Sanctions, Impact, and the Path Forward

The return of refugees and transitional justice remain unresolved issues that prevent the lifting of sanctions, Matt Zweig, one of the lawmakers behind the Caesar act, told Al-Majalla.

What is Ahmed al-Sharaa’s Position?

What is Ahmed al-Sharaa’s position & does he need an official status to legitimize his authority, Wael al-Sawah asks.

The New Syria and the Absence of the People

Joulani faces immense challenges in consolidating control and managing the country, Rania Moustapha writes in al-Araby al-Jadeed.

How the World Reacted to the Fall of Assad

The Iranian Foreign Ministry blamed Assad for not resisting. 

Déjà Vu in Syria: A New Chapter in an Old Story

Like many oppressed peoples, Syrians cling to fleeting moments of triumph that momentarily lift their spirits after years of despair, Wael Sawah argues in Daraj.

SDF Attack on National Army Threatens to Ignite Fronts

The Interim Government, which administers areas controlled by the Syrian opposition in northern Syria, issued a statement confirming that the National Army had been ordered to retaliate intensively against the sources of fire, al-Araby al-Jadeed writes.

Syrian Foreign Minister Meets Iranian President

President Pezeshkian highlighted the importance of intensifying mutual visits between the officials of both countries to serve their shared interests, al-Watan writes.

Bad News: Iran is Not Going Anywhere in Syria

Lavrentiev said Russia’s military mandate in Syria does not include preventing arms transfers to Lebanon via Syria, an issue that Israel must address directly with Iran and the Syrian regime without expecting Russian intervention, Basheer Al-Baker said in Al-Modon.

Why Israel Intensified Strikes in Syria Now

 In a pattern similar to its ongoing bombardment of Lebanon, Israel has significantly intensified airstrikes in Syria, Enab Baladi writes.

Is Assad Realigning His Position?

Evident signs of Assad’s shift toward the “axis of moderation” emerged after the Manama summit in May 2024, Shawkat Gharzeldin writes in al-Araby al-Jadeed.

Israeli Attack Cuts Off Homs-Damascus Highway

Israeli airstrikes on Monday targeted areas in the Homs province countryside in central Syria, marking an escalation in attacks against Hezbollah-linked sites. 

A Tour of the Syrian Astana Track Next Week

In the lead-up to the Astana negotiations, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Turkish and Russian intelligence officers held a meeting at the Russian checkpoint near the village of Tarnaba, al-Araby al-Jadeed reports.

Trump in the Eyes of the Syrians

A political analyst told +963 Media that lifting U.S. sanctions on Syria depends on achieving a political solution aligned with UN Resolution 2254.

A New European Envoy Destined for Failure

Syrians brace for inevitable disappointment as Europe appears to bend to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s pressure for a shift in EU policy toward the Damascus regime, Ali Safar writes in Syria TV.

Who Rules Southern Syria?

Iran’s alleged aim to establish a drug trafficking corridor targeting Israel and Jordan has only intensified local resistance, 963 media writes.

Israel Reveals Kidnapping Carried out in Syria Two Months Ago

Notably, Israel’s announcement of the arrest of a figure in Quneitra coincided with a kidnapping operation in the Batroun area of northern Lebanon, which targeted a “senior member” of Lebanese Hezbollah. 

Assad and Jumping Between Boats

It seems likely that Israel will not be content with its limited ground incursion into Syria, al-Modon writes.

Explosion Kills One in Central Damascus

According to a local source speaking to +963, the explosion occurred at the entrance of the al-Sharqiya roundabout near the Golden Mazzeh Hotel.

“Assad’s Syria”: A Delicate Balance

“Syria’s future remains uncertain: will it face repercussions for resisting Israeli expansion or be rewarded for its neutrality?”, Abeer Nasr asks.

Maher al-Assad’s Fourth Division Distances Itself from Hezbollah

According to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the division’s leadership issued orders prohibiting the transfer of weapons or the accommodation of Hezbollah members and Iranian militias within the 4th Division’s headquarters and bases.

Rent in Damascus Up by 60 Percent

Mezzeh has become a preferred location for many members of Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, especially in light of recent events in Lebanon, Zaman al-Wasl writes.

Syrians’ Preferences in the US Elections

The opposition’s support for Trump is based largely on the belief that he would take a stronger stance against the Iran axis, but Syria is not a priority for him, Marwan Kabalan writes in al-Araby al-Jadeed.

The US Elections in Syrian Calculations

If Trump wins, US interest in Syria may wane, leaving the Syrian issue to Israeli-Russian agreements, Abdul Basit Sida writes in Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

Iran Intensifies Property Purchases in Deir-ez-Zor

Geopolitical expert Ahmed al-Jassem pointed out that Iran and the party are trying to change the demographic composition of the border areas with Iraq, Syria TV says.

There Won’t Be An All-out War!

The iranian response is expected to be measured and agreed upon, according to the pro-government al-Watan.

Has the Assassination Phase Begun in Suweida?

Civil activist Rawad Sadiq survived an assassination attempt yesterday afternoon while travelling from Suweida to the town of Al-Kafr on his motorcycle, Syria TV reports.

SDF Arrests Secretary of Baath Party Hassakeh Branch

In June, a source revealed to the Syria TV website that the SDF is heading to escalate against the Syrian regime “in response to contacts and rapprochement between the regime and Turkey.”

What is the U.S. Doing in the Syrian Jazira?

The U.S. is moving beyond conventional strategies, exploring options such as restructuring the Autonomous Administration and SDF, Aqeel Saeed Mahfoud writes in Athr Press.

U.S. Movements at Hemo Base West of Qamishli

The Hemo base is of strategic importance, housing training centers for SDF special forces and a U.S. intelligence office, according to Athr Press.

Iranian Bank Will Start Operations in Syria Soon

At the recent meetings of the Syrian-Iranian ministerial committee in Tehran, Dr. Khalil emphasized the eagerness to elevate bilateral relations, according to al-Watan.

IRGC Advisers Killed in Israeli Strike in Damascus

Tasnim News, Iran’s news agency, quoted the IRGC’s public relations, stating that two “advisers were killed by the Zionist entity”, according to Enab Baladi.

Iran-Syria Discuss Use of Local Currency in Trade

Prime Minister Hossein Arnous and the Governor of the Central Bank of Iran, Mohammad Reza Farzin, recently convened to discuss the utilization of local currencies in trade exchanges between Syria and Iran.

Syrian Questions That Do Not Need Answers

On the second day of the Gaza truce, a tragic airstrike in Idlib claimed ten innocent lives, Saba Madawar writes in al-Modon.

The Suweida Mouvement Seen from Up Close

Syrians are holding onto hope that the movement unfolding in the city of Suweida will serve as a beacon of change, Ali Safar writes in Syria TV

Al-Assad Was Absent from Nasrallah’s Speech

It is evident that the Iranian axis is not willing to sacrifice the Syrian regime to protect the Hamas movement, according to Ibrahim Rayhan in Syria TV.

Hassakeh Cotton Season in Trouble

The Syrian government has set the purchase price of cotton at 10,000 Syrian pounds, Athr Press reports.

A Step Toward Damascus-Ankara Reconciliation

The complementarity of Iranian and Russian roles in the Syrian-Turkish reconciliation file is evident, Munzer Eid writes in the pro-government al-Watan.

Suweida’s Awakening

This Suweida protest transcends sectarian boundaries, encompassing not only the Druze population but also Christians, residents of various faiths, and tribal Muslims, according to Saba Madwar in al-Modon.

Did HTS Arrest Qahtani On Charges of Treason?

Communication between Qahtani and the international coalition occurred with the knowledge and approval of HTS leadership, according to Syria TV.

What is Mekdad Doing in Tehran?

Mekdad’s visit to Tehran coincides with an unprecedented living crisis in Syria, al-Souria Net reports.

Can Law Achieve What Eludes Politics?

The Assad regime’s reliance on economic ties with Iran and Russia has impeded its recovery, Hassan Aswad writes in Syria TV.

Opposition Coalition Faces New Fate in Ankara

The opposition is currently considering the possibility of partially withdrawing from Turkey and relocating to Qatar, according to Athr Press.

Erdogan-Assad Meeting: Immediate or Postponed?

Turkey said a meeting with Assad should be preceded by a roadmap on terrorism, stability and the political stage, Samir Salha underlines in Syria TV.

Daraa: Three Assassinations in One Day

One person was killed and four others were wounded on Sunday during three assassination incidents in the city of Nawa, according to Zaman al-Wasl.

Decline of U.S. Influence in the Middle East

Emerging countries that aspire to create a new multilateral international order are taking proactive steps and are no longer satisfied with merely reacting, according to Nader al-Omari in al-Watan.

No to the Rehabilitation of Criminals

A group of Syrian and Lebanese intellectuals and politicians have released a joint statement denouncing the efforts of certain Arab governments to normalize relations with Damascus.

Assad Bets on the Next Earthquake

In an op-ed to al-Modon, Muhanad Haj Ali compared the Syrian regime policies and decision-making to a hostage-taker’s.

Iran Militias Moving to Eastern Syria?

Relations between the Syrian regime and Iran have recently been tense against the backdrop of Tehran’s delay in oil supply, according to Syria TV.

Mouvement on Riyadh-Damascus Road

A new process to breathe vitality into the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Syria is ongoing, according to al-Watan.

What Happened Over the Weekend in Syria

Israeli strike, ISIS attack and Italian drug trafficker arrested in Syria. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

China Waiting to Expand Investment in Syria

Beijing could be waiting for the political situation in Syria to improve to boost bilateral economic ties, according to Athr Press.

British Diplomat Hails Israeil Airstrikes in Syria

The British Special Envoy for Syria said Israeli airstrikes against Iranian military posts are the only effective way to end the crisis, according to North Press.

Assad’s Orphans in Aleppo

Excerpts of an op-ed by Iyad al-Jaafari in al-Modon, in which he underlines the strong Iranian influence in Aleppo.

Recap: Turkey Moves in Northeast Syria

Turkey has promised to root out “terrorists” from Northeast Syria, as part of its military operation in the Northeast, despite U.S. pressure.

Biden Extends State of Emergency in Syria, Iraq, Yemen

The U.S. will consider changes in policies and actions of the Syrian government in determining whether to continue or terminate this national emergency, according to Asharq al-Awsat.

What Happened Over the Weekend in Syria

Fighting between fighters close to Russia and Iran, students in Syria threatened by aid cuts, and rainstorms wreak havoc in camps. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

What Happened Over the Holidays in Syria

U.S. confirms support for SDF, but hints at infiltration in eastern Syria base, while Israel strikes west of Damascus. Catch up on everything that happened over the holidays.

Iranian Militias Switch Positions in Syria

After the attacks on Erbil, Iranian militias across Syria undertook redeployment and repositioning operations, according to Asharq al-Awsat.

Aleppo Industrialists Face Regime

The Syrian regime wants to promote Iranian imports, at the expense of Syrian industrialists, according to Darwish Khalifa in al-Tareek.

Syrian Opposition Makes New Bid to Unite Against Assad

The Syrian opposition is holding talks in Qatar in a bid to unite its groups, as Assad consolidates influence and normalizes ties with Arab countries, according to al-Araby al-Jadeed.

Meslet: Regime Return to Arab League is Crime Reward

Meslet, the leader of the Syrian opposition, has called for Arab countries to halt normalization with Damascus and not to allow the regime back to the Arab League, according to Syria TV.

Russia Reviews South Syria Strategy

Russia is trying to decrease the influence of the eighth brigade in south Syria, in order to bolster the government’s presence there, according to North Press.

What Happened Over the Weekend in Syria

Healthcare worker killed in the al-Hol camp, Iran calls for lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria, and U.S. convoy expelled from Qamishli village. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

ISIS Kills Six Pro-Iran Militants in Syria Desert

At least six pro-Iran militants, including a Revolutionary Guard commander, were killed, in a snap attack by a suspected ISIS group in the Syrian desert, according to Zaman al-Wasl.

Assad, Iran Minister Discuss New Projects

President Assad discussed with minister Qasemi the implementation of mutually beneficial projects between Iran and Syria, according to SANA.

America Is Not Leaving the Middle East

No major changes in the position of America in the Middle East are to be expected, according to Robert Ford for Asharq al-Awsat.

Coalition Foils Rocket Attack in Syria

The U.S.-led coalition fighting ISIS in Syria said Tuesday they had foiled an attack in Deir-ez-Zor, according to Asharq al-Awsat.

Ex-intel Chief Confirms Role of Israel in Soleimani Killing

Israel’s former military intelligence chief says the country was involved in the American airstrike that killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in January 2020, according to Asharq al-Awsat.

Russian Forces Kill Five HTS Members East of Idleb

Five members of HTS have been killed by shelling from the regime and Russian forces along the Rabat frontline in the eastern Idleb countryside, according to Baladi News.

Syrian Soldier Killed in Israeli Missile Raid

A Syrian soldier was killed Thursday in an Israeli missile raid from the occupied Golan Heights into southern Syria, according to Asharq al-Awsat.

Iranian President Raisi to Visit Syria and UAE

Sources in Syria and the UAE expect that Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi will soon visit Damascus and Abu Dhabi to discuss stability and cooperation, Rai al-Yom reports.

First Joint Iranian Syrian Bank in Syria

The Iranian Trade Promotion Organization said that Syria and Iran are establishing a joint bank to facilitate trade, according to Athr Press.

Syrian Foreign Minister Visits Iran

The Syrian Foreign Minister will be in Iran for two days to discuss bilateral relations, according to North Press.

Why the EU Consensus on Syria Could be Slowly Unravelling

Although EU countries have refused to recognize the legitimacy of Bashar al-Assad’s regime since the beginning of the Syrian revolution, this consensus is being challenged, according to al-Araby al-Jadeed.

How Would Syria Change and ‘Moderate?’

Cooperation with the regime in Syria will not necessarily lead to its moderation, Hazem Saghieh writes in an op-ed in Asharq al-Awsat.

Russia Plan to Destabilize Eastern Syria

Russia has planned to destabilize the northern and eastern parts of Syria in order to expand its influence there, according to al-Hal Net.

What Happened Over the Weekend in Syria

Aid from Belarus to Syria, U.S. lawmakers question Biden strike, and Fourth Division withdraws from Daraa. Catch up on everything over the weekend.

Opposition President Receives Italian Delegation

The President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition, Salem al-Meslet, received a delegation from the Italian Foreign Ministry to discuss the recent developments in Syria, according to the SOC media department.

Israel Launches Airstrikes on Damascus

Israel carried out airstrikes on the Syrian capital and drones targetted Iranian positions in Deir-ez-Zor, according to North Press.

US Priorities in Syria Don’t Include Iran Withdrawal

The administration of US President Joe Biden has set five priorities in Syria, none of which call for the withdrawal of Iran, in contrast to the previous administration of President Donald Trump, Asharq al-Awsat writes.

Five Soldiers Killed in Syria Attack: Monitor

A general and four soldiers were killed Sunday in an attack in eastern Syria, where jihadist groups are active, al-Araby al-Jadeed reports.

What Happened Over the Weekend in Syria

The refugee crisis amplifies at EU-Belarus borders, Opposition warns against normalization with the regime, and the chief spy of Syria in Cairo. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

UAE Syria Move: Not Unpredicted but Still Untimely

The recent move by the UAE, which sent its top diplomat to Syria to meet the regime’s president Bashar al-Assad, comes in a period of American disinterest for the Syria file.

Syria, Iran Sign Executive Program on Scientific, Cultural Cooperation

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Iranian Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (MSRT) signed on Monday an executive program on scientific, cultural, and research cooperation between Iran and Syria, according to SANA.

What Happened Over the Weekend in Syria

China expresses support to Syria, Iran evacuates base fearful of an Israeli attack, and racist attack in Turkey. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

Putin and Bennett Agree to Drive Iran Out of Syria

Following their meeting on October 22nd, Nafta Bennett and Vladimir Putin have agreed to let Israel attack Iran in Syria, while Russia turns a blind eye, according to al-Modon.

New Details on Israel Targeting of Damascus Area

Exclusive sources have disclosed new details about Israel using rockets to target Hezbollah and Iranian militia positions near the town of al-Dimas in Rural Damascus, according to Sawt al-Asima.

Israeli Drone Bombs Hezbollah Positions in Quneitra

On Monday morning, an Israeli drone targeted positions of Hezbollah and pro-regime militiamen in the southern Syrian governorate of Quneitra, according to Baladi News.

14 Soldiers Killed in Damascus Bus Attack, Promises of Revenge

An attack near a bus carrying Syrian soldiers in the Syrian capital Damascus led to the death of 14 regime soldiers, sparking vengeful promises from the regime and condemnation by Russia and Iran, according to SANA and Syrian TV.

Fighting Intensifies Between Regime Allies in Deir-ez-Zor

Fighting between the National Defense militia and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in the eastern countryside of Deir-ez-Zor is getting more violent, as both sides bring in reinforcement, according to SY-24.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Iran threatens Israel, unrest in Idleb, and Syria discusses relations with Serbia. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

Syria Accuses Israel of Assassinating ex-MP

Syria has accused Israeli forces of assassinating Medhat al-Saleh, a former MP who had spent 12 years in jail in Israel, al-Araby al-Jadeed writes.

Israeli Airstrike Kills Four in Central Syria: Monitor

An Israeli airstrike in central Syria killed one Syrian soldier and three pro-Iranian fighters on Wednesday, a Britain-based war monitor said, according to al-Araby al-Jadeed.

Disappearance of Young People from Deir-ez-Zor Markets!

Young people have completely disappeared from the markets of the eastern city of Deir-ez-Zor, as the regime launches a campaign to capture them and enroll them in the army, according to SY-24.

New Iranian Fuel Convoy Enters Lebanon via Syria

A fifth fuel convoy crossed from Syria to Lebanon after unloading Iranian fuel-laden ships in the Syrian port of Baniyas, according to al-Souria Net.

Iran Admits Economic Losses in Syria

Iran has lost out in economic competition to Russia and other countries in Syria, according to the deputy chairman of the Syrian-Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Asharq al-Awsat reports.

A Report on Syrian-Lebanese Relations Over the Past Two Weeks

Hazem Saghieh reflects on the new dynamic emerging between Syria and Lebanon, as a new government is formed in Beirut with many pro-Syria figures, according to Asharq al-Awsat.

For the U.S., Better Syria than Iran in Lebanon

As Lebanon prepares to receive much-needed Egyptian gas through Syria, the general impression is that this bargain would allow the regime to rehabilitate itself regionally.

Scorched Earth in Syria’s Daraa al-Balad

In Daraa al-Balad, after a truce agreement was reached, some people have returned to destroyed houses or scorched earth, Asharq al-Awsat writes.

Qatar Condemns Syria Regime Attack on Daraa

Qatar on Sunday has condemned the Syrian regime’s “brutal attack” on the southern part of the city of Daraa, saying it led to the displacement of dozens of families, according to Zaman al-Wasl.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Israeli airstrikes on Damascus and Homs, the SDF conducts business with companies under sanctions and arrests ISIS leaders in al-Hassakeh. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Fires in Masyaf, the Foreign Ministry in Syria condemns statements by the west and a migration wave in Daraa. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

4th Division Thwarts Agreement in Daraa

The 4th Division wishes to conduct a military operation on Daraa al-Balad, which makes it refuse any de-escalation agreement in the area, according to Baladi News.

Sabbagh Represents Assad in Raisi Oath Ceremony

Hammoda Sabbagh, the Speaker of the Syrian Parliament, is on an official visit to Iran to represent President Bashar al-Assad in the oath ceremony of Raisi, the Syria Times writes.

Daraa Residents Rebel Against Regime Forces

After the regime attempted to raid neighborhoods in Daraa al-Balad, a rebel movement has emerged in the city in solidarity with the besieged region, according to Baladi News.

Russia Confirms Strike of Iranian Stronghold by Israel

The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that Syria thwarted a strike carried out by Israeli jets against the Sayeda Zainab a stronghold of Iran and its militias, according to Asharq al-Awsat.

Russia to Open Naval School Branch in Tartous

Russia has unveiled plans to open a Naval School in the Syrian port of Tartous, as part of its plans to consolidate influence in Syria, according to North Press.

The Syrian Regime’s Discrete Virtues

Hazem Saghieh recalls in Asharq al-Awsat the story of Omar, who was detained in the infamous Sednaya prison, and how it ironically shielded him from disastrous outcomes.

Astana 16 Talks Start in Nur-Sultan

The 16th round of Astana talks was just kicked off. Delegations will discuss cross-border aid, the security situation in Idleb, as well as the political solution to the Syrian crisis, SANA reports.

Syria and the ‘American Test’ for Russia

As a meeting about the Syrian conflict prepares in Rome, the Biden administration’s position towards Syria and Russia is still subject to debate, according to Asharq al-Awsat.

Biden Criticized for Leniency on Syria

Members of the US congress are criticizing the Biden administration for not imposing new sanctions on the Syrian regime, and even lifting those imposed on a prominent pro-Assad businessman, according to Asharq al-Awsat.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Assad congratulates the new Iranian president while 17 Syrian refugees drowned on their way to Italy. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

Iranian Exports to Syria Up 73%

Iranian exports to Syria stood at 49 million US dollars, whereas Syrian imports only reached two million dollars, according to al-Souria Net.

What to Expect From the Russia-US Summit

Experts say that a mutual understanding bet ween on Syria between Putin and Biden could be reached in the upcoming summit, according to Athr Press.

Russia “Disciplines” Al-Assad

Columnist Absi Simsim explains in this commentary piece for al-Araby al-Jadeed what’s behind Russia’s recent comments on the possibility of early elections in Syria.

Syria… Russian-Iranian cultural invasion

Iran is doubling its effort to culturally influence Syrian society but is facing strong Russian competition according to the Levant News.

Security Tensions Escalate in Sayyida Zainab

Tensions are rising between locals from the Shia-majority Sayyida Zainab suburb of Damascus and Iranian militias, leading to the cordoning off of the area, an opposition media reports

Iranian Militia Murders Eastern Aleppo Family

A family of four was killed by Iranian militias while collecting truffles in the Maskanah countryside of eastern Aleppo, reports Baladi News. 

Lavrov, Ashkenazi Discuss Syria

Russian and Israel foreign ministers have pledged to stop Iranian activities in Syria, reports Al-Souria Net.

Microfinance: What Is It and Why Now?

A new law to encourage microfinance banks aims to create jobs and achieve sustainable development, writes Alsouria Net.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Biden defends US airstrike on Iranian-backed militia, the Foreign Ministry demands an end to “US aggression,” and Syrian Negotiations Committee calls on the EU. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

A Syrian Ray of Hope in a German Court?

Germany’s invocation of universal jurisdiction sends a clear message to the Assad regime, argues Elias Harfoush.

Robert Ford Opens Up To the Syrian Observer

The Syrian Observer sat down for an interview with the former US ambassador in Damascus Robert Ford to discuss his opinion on the new US administration’s role in Syria.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Record numbers of Syrians are food insecure, 12 die in Aleppo bomb blast, and Iran announced a new direct shipping line to Latakia. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

Anti-Assad Demonstrations Rage in Idleb

Hundreds of Idleb residents have joined protests demanding the right to return to their cities and villages, according to Baladi News.

What Happened Over the Weekend

UN urges repatriation of children, car bomb kills five in Afrin, clashes in Hassakeh, and Assad issues housing law. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

Seven Daraa Central Committees Members Targeted

Assassinations are continuing to plague southern Syria, with members of the Central Committees, who are trying to implement the reconciliation agreements, being targeted reports Enab Baladi.

Russia, Iran Meet on Syria

Sergey Lavrov and Mohammad Javad Zarif have met to discuss the crisis in Syria, the need for diplomatic efforts and plans for another meeting of the Astana countries writes The Syria Times.

Iran Tries to Expand in Daraa

Iran is continuing to push into Daraa with the Fourth Division, claiming to be searching for Islamists, which is refuted by locals in the area reports Baladi News.

Has SDF-Assad Partnership Been Dissolved?

Negotiations between the regime and the Syrian Democratic Forces have fallen apart, although a military confrontation is not anticipated reports Baladi News.

The Last 24 Hours in Syria

Two Syrians are charge in Germany, an Islamist group launches an attack in Idleb, a landmine kills 10 Russian backed fighters, and Syria wishes to import more oil.

Why Another Term for Assad?

With Russian approval, President Assad has been allowed to run in Syria’s next election, but he could be made to make changes to the constitution writes Annahar.

What Happened During the Holidays

Israel have conducted another airstrike killing one, a car bomb killed children in northeastern Syria, calls for US to lift sanctions and ISIS launch attack against Syrian army. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

Observations on the Return of ISIS in Syria

The recent attack by the Islamic State, which left dozens of regime soldiers dead, has shown the strength of the Islamic State and reaffirmed the need to confront them militarily writes Syria TV.

One Year of the Caesar Act

A year after the Caesar Act was signed, the US has reiterated its desire to see the Assad regime seek a political solution to the conflict in Syria writes Baladi News.

Mikdad: Assad Will not Leave Power Whatever Happens

During a meeting between Mikdad and Lavrov, the new Foreign Minister insisted that Assad must remain in power and that he has no intention of leaving office reports Annahar.

Is America on the Verge of Winning in Syria?

As the Biden team begins its work next month, it needs to reassess American policy in Syria, Robert Ford, former U.S. Ambassador to Damascus writes

The Battle of the Syrian Presidency Rages On

The Syrian presidential election is due to take place next year, but the issue of who will run and how refugees will be able to vote has become a contentious issue writes Al-Modon.

Is the Syrian South Trekking Out Again?

Amid political inaction Khalid al-Mahamid has called for the forming of a new political movement, which it is hoped will unite the south and achieve progress towards a political solution writes Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

Has the Syrian Conflict Become ‘Tied’ to Other Files?

Parties involved in the Syria crisis are making diplomatic efforts to secure political gains, before the Biden administration take control in Washington writes Asharq Al-Awsat.

Rouhani To Mikdad: Iran Will Always Stand by Syria

Foreign Minister Faisal Mikdad has met with Hassan Rouhani and discussed challenges that the two countries face and means of strengthening their relationship writes SANA.

Syria: Government and Opposition Submit Documents in Geneva

All parties to the Syrian Constitutional Committee have submitted documents outlining their visions for the future, as the latest round of talks came to an end reports Asharq Al-Awsat.

Prominent Iranian Militia Leader Dies of Coronavirus

It has been announced the Maj. Gen. Abdul Rasul Astwar Mahmoud Abadi of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard has died after contracting the coronavirus reports Alsouria Net.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Russian-backed Eighth Brigade fighters arrested, Syrian families chased out of their homes, Turkey continues attack against the SDF and Jordan stops infiltration attempt. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

SNC has Missed the Train

Following the disastrous announcement of an elections commission, questions are now being ask about whether the SNC should be dissolved and replaced writes Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

Nirvana Complex Project Kicks Off in Hijaz Station

Instructions have been given to begin work on the commercial project at Hejaz station in Damascus, which will include shops and a five-star hotel writes Sowt Al-Asima.

Iranian Flags Drape Deir ez-Zor Celebrations

To mark three years since the ouster of the Islamic State from al-Bukamal, celebrations were held, with large flags and pictures of the late Qassem Solemani reports Alsouria Net.

Assad Regime Gives Militias a Makeover

The Syrian regime has made a number of promotions, in an effort to increase its influence and control in the eastern province of Deir ez-Zor reports Nedaa Syria.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Six killed in missile strike in al-Bukamal, Russia says refugee conference is just the start, difficulties in securing gas and fuel and two Turkish soldiers killed. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

Refugee Conference Kicks off in Damascus

The International Conference for the Return of Refugees has begun in Damascus, with many speakers from foreign countries discussing the issues and means to secure returns writes SANA.

Assad’s Full Speech at the Refugee Conference

President Assad delivered a speech at the International Conference for the Return of Refugees in Damascus and said that effort were being made to provide all services needed for returning Syrians writes SANA.

The Latest on the Barter Deal with Iran

Syria and Iran have announced that a barter agreement will go into effect, with olive oil and lentils being exchanged for sunflower oil reports Al-Watan.

Air Force Intelligence Negotiates Recovering Weapons 

The regime’s forces have surrounded the town of al-Karak al-Sharqi and are threatening to storm the area and shoot anyone present, if seized weapons are not returned reports Nedaa Syria.

Is Iran Reproducing Lebanon Example in Syria? 

Many properties and areas in southern Damascus are being taken over by Iran, and residents fear the model of Beirut is being replicated reports Baladi News.

Why US Elections Present Syrians With a Complex Dilemma

With just days to go until the US presidential election, Syrian are wondering what each candidate will mean for them and the future of their country reports Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

Russia, Turkey Hold Syria Meeting in Moscow

Meeting have been held in both Moscow and Tehran, to discuss a variety of different issues, including the situation in Idleb reports Alsouria Net.

Iran Inaugurates Trade Center in Damascus

Iran has open a new trade centre in Damascus, which will provide space for companies, as well as exhibition spaces, although some have opposed an increased Iranian presence writes The Levant.

What Need Is There for Negotiations Between Syria and Israel?

Syria and Israel have been on opposite sides for decades, but recent rumours have suggested that secret negotiations are taking place between the two countries writes Asharq Al-Awsat.

Will the UAE Interfere in the Syria-Israel Case?

The recent peace agreement between the UAE and Israel was barely acknowledged by Syria, but not for lack of interest, but rather due to the complicated relationship between the two countries writes Annahar.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Syria speaks out on the recent clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan, coronavirus cases on the rise across Syria and Iran calls on US to withdraw. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

Iran To Improve Syria’s Defenses

Iran has announced that it will bolster its defences in Syria, as part of its plans to provide the region’s countries with military assistance writes Al-Masdar.

Liwa Fatemiyoun’s Uncanny Ashura Rituals

On the occasion of Ashura, Fatemiyoun have gathered in Damascus to celebrate, something which is not familiar to residents of the city writes Alsouria Net.

COVID-19 Update

The coronavirus is spreading across Syria, with regime controlled area seemingly worse hit, as some hospitals close their doors to non-coronavirus related illnesses.

Iran Asks Turkey to Implement Sochi Agreements

An Iranian delegation in Syria has called on Turkey to implement the Sochi agreement and respect the sovereignty of Syria and its territorial integrity writes The Syria Times.

Regime High-Ranking Officer Dies of Coronavirus

A regime officer from Deir ez-Zor has succumb to the coronavirus, amid reports of other senior military officials also dying writes Shaam Network.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Russia condemn recent Israeli airstrikes, the number of Syrian killed in the Beirut Port explosion has risen, Iran has complained about a recent involving a US fighter jet and it was confirmed that the SDF are recruiting children. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

Iraqi Fighters Arrive in Aleppo

Aleppo Governorate has witnessed the arrival of militia forces from Iraq, who have been sent to bolster the western countryside of Aleppo reports SY 24.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Israeli army helicopters strike military targets, Syria and Iran lash out at US and the 25th Special Mission Forces Division arrive at frontlines. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Coronavirus detected in Idleb, a senior Iranian officer killed, drone attack on the Hemeimeem airbase, Iran reject OPCW resolution and pro-Iranian fighters killed. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

Iran, Syrian Regime Sign Comprehensive Agreement

Iran and Syria have announced the signing of an agreement that will increase military cooperation between the two sides, but it also looks similar to an agreement signed in 2018 writes Alsouria Net.

Astana Guarantors Set Out Their Priorities in Syria

The guarantors of the Astana process have held a video meeting to discuss ongoing issues in Syria and to reaffirm their commitment to the country’s political unity and territorial integrity writes Alsouria Net.

Russian Delegation Surveys al-Ward Oil Field

A Russian delegation has visited the al-Ward oil field in Deir ez-Zor, amid tensions between militias in al-Mayadeen city reports Deir Ezzor 24.

Israel kills Nine More Iran-Backed Fighters

Israel has conducted a number of airstrikes in Syria, targeting and killing Iran-backed groups operating in the east and south of the country writes Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

Russia Expands in Southern Syria Through Fifth Corps

Russia is seeking to take control of southern Syria, by expanding the Fifth Corps, and serve as a direct challenge to the Iranian deployment in the area writes Baladi News.

What Is the Caesar Act and How Will New US Sanctions Impact Syria?

The new US sanctions on Syria penalises any person or company that assists the Assad regime or contributes to the country’s reconstruction, putting Syria in a state of near-complete isolation writes Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

Between Shapour Bakhtiar and Hussein Arnous

The appointment of Hussein Arnous, as Prime Minister of Syria, brings to mind the appointment of Shapour Bakhtiar as Prime Minister of Iran, which failed to save the Shah of Iran writes The New Arab.

What Happened Over the Weekend

The pound falls yet further, pro-Iranian fighters killed, car bomb attack kills eight, a new coronavirus case and Cuba condemns Caesar Act. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Displaced Idleb citizens return to their homes, Russia cargo ships head for Tartous, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham swap prisoners with the regime and Syrian government shells Daraa village. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

IRGC Advisor Killed

Abu al-Fadhel Serlak, who was operating as an advisor for the IRGC, was killed in southeastern Idleb, although it is not clear how he died writes Syria TV.

Syrian MP Insults Putin, Refuses to Apologize

Khaled al-Aboud threatened to attack Russian forces in Syria and lashed out at them for suggesting that  they might abandon Assad writes Baladi News.

Israel Bombs Syrian Army Troops Near Palmyra

Israeli warplanes have fired missiles from Lebanese airspace at Syrian soldiers in Palmyra, killing at least three reports Al-Masdar.

Syria Pressured to Curb Influence of Iran, Turkey

There is a possibility that Syria could be brought back in to the international community, if it is willing to curb the Turkish and Iranian influence on its territories writes Asharq Al-Awsat.

Damascus Countryside Fights the Coronavirus

Regime officials have patrolled towns in the Damascus countryside and have quarantined those they suspect of having contracted the coronavirus reports Sowt al-Asima.

The US Sanctions Syrian Minister of Defense

The United States has sanctioned Syria’s Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Ali Abdullah Ayoub, for his actions on the behalf of the regime.

The Struggle for the State in Syria

A panel called “The Struggle for the State in Syria” discussed what the future held for Syria and what problems it might face writes Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

Syria’s Brutal War Enters 10th Year

The bloody conflict in Syria has entered its tenth year, with much of the population displaced and the country and its economy in ruins writes Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

First Syrian Born on the Turkish-Greek Border

A Syrian child has been born on the border between Turkey and Greece, and his father has promised to try and make the crossing into Europe reports Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

Will the Moscow Summit Create a Syrian Gaza in Idleb?

The presidents of Turkey and Russia are meeting to discuss the situation in Idleb and to try and find a solution that can reduce the violence reports Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

Iran Halts Religious Tourism to Syria

In an effort to halt the spread of the coronavirus, Iran has suspended religious trips to sites in Syria and Cham Wings have cancelled flights to Tehran writes Sowt al-Asima.

40,000 Flee Attacks in Idlib Over Last 2 Days

Continued attacks by Russia and the Assad regime are forcing families from their homes and towards the border with Turkey writes Anadolu News Agency.

Tehran Prepares to Build 30,000 Housing Units in Syria

Tehran had reached an agreement with Damascus to build 30,000 houses in Syria and to establish Iranian-Syrian companies in the field of construction, transportation and infrastructure writes Asharq Al-Awsat.

Syria May Be the Test Case for Russia’s Influence

Russia has been instrumental in Syria and the actions have shown them to be a powerful force, but Asharq Al-Awsat asks if that will continue.

208 People From Daraa Killed in 2019

Over 2019, the southern province of Daraa saw multiple assassination and arrests of former opposition fighters, despite the settlement agreements writes Brocar Press.

ISIS Kills 10 Regime Troops in Deir ez-Zor

The Islamic State has launched yet another surprize attack in in eastern Deir ez-Zor has left 10 regime soldiers dead reports Zaman Al Wasl.

Deir ez-Zor Rises up Against Iranian Presence

Popular anger is rising in Deir ez-Zor, with residents taking to the streets to demand that the Iranian militias and regime forces leave the area reports Al-Modon.

Arrest Campaign Follows Protests in Deir ez-Zor

Regime forces, with support from the Iranian militias, have conducted a campaign of arrests, following protests and demonstrations reports Deir Ezzor 24.

Four Syrian Rebels Killed in Libya

Despite denials about their presence in Libya, reports have emerged about the death of four Syrian fighters from the Syrian National Army reports Zaman Al Wasl.

Soleimani Divides the World in Death and in Life

The killing of Qassem Soleimani in a US drone strike has deepened the sharp divisions across the world writes Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

A Post-Soleimani Phase in Syria

With the death of Soleimani, his successor is going to have to decide what type of relationship he wants with the regime and the other parties in Syria.

What Happened Over the Weekend

The weekend’s events were dominated by the recent assassination of the Iranian military commander of the al-Quds forces, Qassem Soleimani. Catch up on everything that happened.

What We Missed Over the Holidays

Russia moves to prevent Hezbollah drug trade, 90 regime fighters die in Idleb, call for action to prevent a humanitarian crisis and US strikes against Iran-backed groups. Catch up on everything that happened over the holidays.

ISIS Attacks Kill Four in Deir ez-Zor

The Islamic State have launched attacks in Deir ez-Zor, killing fighters from Assad’s forces and members of the National Defense militia reports Deir Ezzor 24.

What Happened Over the Weekend

UN condemnation of Israeli actions in the Syrian Golan, ancient relics saved from ISIS and unexploded ordinance kills two children in Daraa. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

Regime Airstrikes Kills Child, Wounds 7 in Idleb

Regime barrel bombs that hit a bakery have killed a child and wounded a number of other children in northern Idleb province reports Zaman Al Wasl.

22 Elite Troops Killed in Surprise Rebel Attack in Idleb

Opposition forces launched a surprize attack against the elite Tiger Force and Iranian militias near the town of al-Mshairfah east of Idleb city, killing 22 reports Zaman Al Wasl.

A Practical Guide for NATO Members to Understand Turkey

Turkey is attending a NATO meeting in the UK this week and the issue of northern Syria is expected to be high on the agenda writes Anadolu Agency.

Assad: ISIS Prisoners Could Face Trial in Syria

In an interview with Paris Match, President Bashar al-Assad talked about the killing of the leader of ISIS and the presence of foreign forces writes SANA.

Death Toll From Qah Massacre Rises

Women and children are reported to be among the dead, following a cluster rocket attack on the refugee camp in the northern Idleb countryside writes Alsouria Net.

Fresh Israeli Airstrikes Hit Syria

Israeli airstrikes have hit a number of targets across the country, causing damage to buildings, injuring some and causing a number of fatalities.

Protests Erupt Again in Daraa

Daraa is witnessing fresh protests, with resident demanding the fall of the regime and for the fates of the disappeared to be revealed writes Brocar Press.

Rebels Kill 12 Regime Fighters in Lattakia

Regime forces have tried and failed to push rebels out of the Kabana hilltops in coastal Lattakia province, with 12 regime fighters being killed reports Zaman Al Wasl.

Trump and Putin Planned What Happened Hand in Hand

A new report on the developments in northern Syria has said that the US and Russia orchestrated events to their benefit and that Iran was the biggest loser writes Alsouria Net.

10,000 Syrians Have Assets Frozen Over 2019

The Assad regime is using a 2012 law to confiscate the property of Syrians and transfer ownership to the regime writes Alsouria Net.

What Happened Over the Weekend

President Assad calls for withdrawal of foreign troops, US troops to move to Iraq, Kurdish groups withdraw from border and ISIS fighters recaptured. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

Trump’s Syria Legacy

The decision by Donald Trump to withdraw US forces from Syria has left a vacuum in the country that will be filled and fought over by other countries writes Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

Has the Sultan Learned From the Tsar?

While both Russia and Turkey have intervened militarily in Syria, they have done so in different manners, which could lead to very different outcomes writes Asharq Al-Awsat.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Continued Turkish attacks in northern Syria, a new military force in Deir ez-Zor, ISIS attack in Qamishli and EU countries suspend arm sales to Turkey. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

A Game of Losers in Syria

US President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw troops has thrown northern Syria into chaos, but no one is set to win writes Asharq al-Awsat.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Erdogan says operation east of Euphrates to start imminently, Russian airstrikes hit Idleb, Iranian presence grows and motorcycle bomb explodes in Aleppo. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

A Season of Diplomatic Pilgrimages to Damascus Approaches

A handshake between Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Walid al-Muallem has led to speculation that some Arab countries are ready to restore relations with Damascus writes Al-Watan.

What Happened Over the Weekend

A conference on Syria by the Turkish opposition, anti-regime protests in Deir Ezzor, and the announcement of the reopening of a border crossing with Iraq, are among the main news of the weekend

Iran Calls for Foreign Withdrawals

Iran has repeated its calls for all foreign forces to leave Syria and respect Syria’s territorial integrity reports SANA.

Racist Shihabi Is Presented as an Economic “Savior”

Fares al-Shihabi, who recently appeared on a TV channel owned by Samer Foz, is well known for his inflammatory and hostile statements about the Syrian people writes Brocar Press.

17 Pro-Iran Militants Killed in Eastern Syria

Israel is suspected of carrying out an airstrike in the Euphrates Valley, killing at least 17 Iran backed militants reports Zaman Al Wasl.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Drone attacks in Hama, Iranian oil unloaded in Syria, damages to churches recorded and anti-regime protests in Idleb. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

Bouthaina Shaaban Visits Khan Sheikhoun

Bouthaina Shaaban visited Khan Sheikhoun to congratulate the army and promise that every inch of Syrian land will be liberated writes Al-Watan.

Syria and China Discuss Bilateral Relations

The two sides discussed the advances of the Syrian Arab Army and the opportunities for China to take part in the reconstruction writes SANA.

American Disruption in Syria

The United States is continuing to be a disrupting force in Syria, refusing to engage in any solution to the crisis, while also offering no alternatives writes Al-Arab.

Tripartite Military Meeting in Albu Kamal

Under the watchful eye of the Iranians, Syrian and Iraqi delegations held a meeting to discuss the situation on the eastern border reports Deir ez-Zor 24 Network.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Diplomatic discussions dominate the 13th Astana talks, Turkey vows action east of the Euphrates and a ceasefire is declared in Idleb. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

Israel to Strike Iranian Sites in Iraq

The Israelis have conducted a series of successful strikes against Iranian targets in Syria and plans to continue the strategy in Iraq writes

Iranian Militias Join Soleimani in Albu Kamal

Coinciding with a visit by Qasem Soleimani to Albu Kamal, 150 fighters from a militia which calls itself the “Imam al-Hujja Brigade” has arrived in the city reports Baladi News.

Israel Hits Iran and Hezbollah in Southern Syria

An Israeli attack on Tel al-Hara and Tel al-Ahmar and Nabaa al-Sakhr has killed a number of fighters and caused material damage to Iranian and Hezbollah positions reports Etihad Press.

The Crisis Cell Bombing That Changed the Course of Syria

When an explosion killed four Assad officers, a potential coup and overthrow of the Assad ruling family was prevented and the course of the war was changed forever writes Al-Modon.

Idleb and Its Countryside Drowns in Drugs

Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and Iranian militias are facilitating the smuggling and selling of drugs across Syria, leaving many addicted to the harmful substances writes Ana Insan.

Fear Invades Lattakia

A surprize attack on the Jabal al-Turkman front by opposition forces left tens of fighters wounded and spread fear on the streets of Lattakia reports Al-Modon.

Syria — Between Iran and America

As tensions between Iran and the United States increases, Syria is stuck in the middle get pulled apart from both sides writes The Syrian Observer.

Army Posts Hit by Israel in Monday-Dawn Strikes

A flurry of Israeli airstrikes hit a number of targets across Syria, including scientific research centers, missile defense systems and positions controlled by Hezbollah writes Zaman Al Wasl.

Maher al-Assad Is Angry!

Major General Maher al-Assad, brother of the president, is agitated by the investigations that have targeted some of his closest allies writes Al-Modon.

Moscow and the Game of Tracks

Since its intervention, Moscow’s priorities have shifted and it is now looking to form relationships with the US and Israel writes Al-Araby al-Jadeed.

President Assad receives Ali Asghar Khaji

Ali Asghar Khaji highlighted the important relationship between Syria and Iran, while updating President Assad on Iran’s nuclear developments reports SANA.

Dramatizing the War for Extortion

US President Donald Trump has increased pressure on Iran, and also his allies, saying that they should contribute to the protection provided to their ships writes Al-Watan.

Pro-Iran Militants Loot Aleppo’s Antiquities

Seemingly with permission from the Directorate of Islamic Endowments and the Directorate of Museums and Archeology in Aleppo, Iranian militias have been looting archeological sites writes Zaman Al Wasl.

Will Russia Resort to Maher al-Assad?

Russia is considering handing control of the conflict in Hama over to Maher al-Assad, following a string of failures in the region, although his close ties to Iran are of concern writes Baladi News.

Four Parties Pressure Iran to Reduce Presence in Syria

Iran is being pushed from all side when it comes to its presence in Syria, while also participating in Idlib’s battles either from the Western Aleppo countryside or northern Hama’s gateways writes Asharq al-Awsat.

Ammunition Depot Explosion Rocks Syrian Capital

An ammunition depot located in a military zone in Mashrou Dummar, a western suburb of the Syrian capital exploded on Saturday reports Al-Araby al-Jadeed.

Russia Redeploys Regime Militias

Reinforcments from the Fifth Corps have been sent to various areas in the Lattakia countryside following heavy losses in clashes reports Al-Modon.

Conflict Over Syrian Ports Between Russia and Iran

A planned takeover of the Banyas port by Iran, has stoked concern and competition with Russia, who see the growing Iranian influence as a problem writes Ayyam al-Suria.

Hariri: Russia Studying Alternative Options in Syria

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, the head of the Syrian Negotiations Commission said that Russia is focused on finding an alternative solution in Syria.

Why Do Syrians Celebrate When Israel Bombs Their Land?

Syrians living in opposition held areas have taken to celebrating Israeli strikes against regime targets, just as regime supporters celebrate strikes on civilian areas in Idleb writes Ana Insan.

New US Strategy in Syria to Pressure Russia, Face Iran

The United States has developed a new strategy that aims to curb the influence of Iran in Syria, but makes little mention of political resolutions to the crisis writes Asharq al-Awsat.

Does the Regime Need the Idleb Battle?

While the regime pushes forward with its assault on Idleb and the Hama countryside, appetite among young men to go and fight is waning writes Al-Modon.

Dozens of Families Evacuated From Khan Sheikhoun

As regime and Russia attacks on Idleb intensify, hundreds of thousands of families have been forced to seek safety near the Turkish border reports Alsouria Net.

Astana’s Failure Leading to a Military Solution in Idleb

The 12th round of Astana talks failed to create the required agreements, which Syria and Russia blame of Turkey’s unwillingness to uphold its commitments writes Al-Watan.

James Jeffrey: We Want Full Iranian Withdrawal From Syria

The US Special Representative for Syria, James Jeffrey, has said that Iran’s presence in Syria threaten neighboring countries like Israel and creating an unstable atmosphere writes Asharq al-Awsat.

Trump Is Not a Warmonger

As the US tighten sanction on Iran’s oil trade, talk about a possible confrontation rises and Iran looks to circumnavigate the sanctions writes Al-Watan.

Russia and Turkey Divided Over Idleb

The failure of the recent Astana talks have increased tensions between Russia and Turkey and created more confusion about what could happen in Idleb writes Ana Press.

Three Reasons Behind the Assad Regime’s Crisis

The Assad regime is facing an increasingly tough situation as the country and its internal politics are pulled apart by Russia and Iran writes Hurriya Press.

Instagram Bans the Syrian Presidency

The social media site Instagram has closed the account belonging to the Syrian presidency, as well as a number of accounts owned by Iranians reports Al-Modon.

Assassinations Rock Southern Syria

Despite a Russian-mediated deal with the opposition, assassination have been on the rise, reflecting the power struggle between Iran and Russia writes Asharq al-Awsat.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Syrian denial of Russian Iranian conflicts, Syrian delegation visits Crimea, civilians killed in Idleb, ISIS attacks in Homs and Iranian control over Aleppo airport. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Israeli airstrikes on Hama’s countryside, regime airstrikes in Idleb, Turkish reinforcements sent to the border and Leishmaniasis disease spreads across Raqqa. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

Sheikho Warns About the Forced Return of Syrian Refugees

Syrian refugees living Lebanon have been subjected to appalling attacks and have faced extreme pressure to return home, despite the prevailing conditions in Syria writes the Syrian National Coalition.

Russia and Iran Divide up Syria’s Security 

Despite being allies, Iran and Russia are competing to take control of Syria’s state institutions and have made a number of new appointments to ensure their influence writes Al-Modon.

Bashar Talal al-Assad Steps out of Line

A recent rebellion by Bashar Talal al-Assad in Qardaha could point to a much bigger division between the Assad regime and their strongest national ally, the Alawites reports Al-Modon.

Iran’s Presence on Syrian Coast Angers Russia

Iran is set to take control of the facility in the fall and will be used to restores Iran’s presence in the Mediterranean reports Asharq al-Awsat.

Fifth Corps Attacks Assad Intelligence in Daraa

Members of Russia’s Fifth Corps have attacked regime checkpoints and accused those in charge of them of treating local residents badly and imposing unfair tolls writes Human Voice.

Israel Strikes Iranian Positions in Aleppo

While Israel did not comment on the strikes, they are believed to have hit a munitions storehouse and a center for logistical supply reports Alsouria Net.

The South’s Uprising Escalates Again

Broken regime promises and a continuing deterioration of living conditions in the southern province of Daraa have pushed people to protest writes Human Voice.

Who Is Besieging Turkey in Idleb: Russia or America?

As the deescalation agreement that governs Idleb continues to crumble, active parties are exploring a potential assault on the region and the implications that it could have writes Al-Araby al-Jadeed.

Iran to Take Lattakia Port

Reports of the possibility that Iran could take control of the port of Lattakia have ramped up tensions between them and Russia, as the two countries jostle for influence in a post war Syria writes Ana Press.

The Rebuilding of Syria and Conflicting Interests

While Assad has achieved success on the ground, he now faces new battles on the diplomatic stage, which look set to be an insurmountably task writes Anadolu News Agency.

Has Assad Really Won?

Recent protests in southern Syria have shown that, while Assad has taken control of much of Syria, opposition on the ground still remains reports Syria TV.

The Rise of Private Security

Young men are signing up to join private security firms, some of which are being backed by foreign powers, and providing protection to religious pilgrims writes Al-Modon.

Six Problems for Assad

Despite Bashar al-Assad now being in control of the large majority of the country, his problems are far from over writes Alsouria Net.

Trump “100 Percent” Favors Keeping US Troops in Syria

In December of last year, US President Donald Trump said that he would pull out all 2,000 US troops from Syria, but now appears to be changing his mind writes Al-Araby al-Jadeed.

Clashes Escalate in Aleppo

Hezbollah has joined regime forces in fighting opposition forces in and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham in the Aleppo countryside reports Al-Modon.

France Proposes Amendments to the Constitution

France has reportedly reached out to Moscow to break the impasse of the constitutional committee and speed up the process of elections in Syria writes Asharq al-Awsat.

Will Zarif’s “Uprising” End?

The rejection of Zarif’s resignation has put an end to the controversy for now, but some are expecting it to unravel in the future writes Al-Akhbar.

Assad Meets Khamenei and  Rouhani

The leaders of the two countries reiterated their commitment to eliminating terrorism and rejecting the schemes and plots of the West writes SANA.

UAE Lead Efforts to Rehabilitate the Syrian Regime

The UAE was the first Arab state to reopen its embassy in Damascus, but other Arab and Western states have been more reluctant without a political solution writes Hurriya Press.

Warsaw: The Failure of the American-Israeli Project

The recent Warsaw summit aimed to create a united front against Iran, but failed to create a consensus of ideas or opinions writes Al-Watan.

Regime Escalates Attacks on Khan Sheikhoun

Regime attacks has forced over 30,000 people to flee their homes, but the safety of other villages and the camps on the border is relative reports Alsouria Net.

Opposition Chief Meets US Special Envoy to Syria

President Mustafa expressed his hope that UN Security Council Resolution 2254 will be implemented and that the de-escalation zone agreement in Idleb will be adhered to reports The Syrian National Coalition.

What Happened Over the Weekend

German warnings of a US withdrawal, Islamic State sleeper cells, the Warsaw conference and humanitarian corridors. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

Iran’s Changing Strategy

With the announcement that the US is to withdraw from Syria, Iran has been adapting its plans to fit a new landscape and ensure that it comes out on top writes Al-Watan.

Syria Condemns Terrorist Attack in Iran

The blast, which killed and injured a number of members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, was claimed by Jaish al-Adl reports SANA.

Leaders of Turkey, Russia, Iran to Meet for Syria Summit

The fourth trilateral summit between Turkey, Russia and Iran will explore the ongoing violence in Idleb and the formation of the constitutional committee reports Anadolu Agency.

What Happened Over the Weekend

An 11-year-old Syrian found dead, SDF continue to close in on ISIS, Iranian plans for missile productions and Russian artillery kills six. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

Muallem and Pedersen Meet in Tehran

The two diplomats meet in Tehran to discuss the constitutional committee and the upcoming summit that will be held in Russia writes Al-Watan.

What Happened Over the Weekend

The Adana Agreement, Kurds talk with the regime, Israeli airstrikes and a northern security zone. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

Washington Tries to Mobilize Allies Against Iran

US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, is visiting the Middle East to try an secure support for America’s policies and its post Syria strategy writes Al-Watan.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Israeli attacks on Damascus airport, civilian killed in the Idleb de-escalation zone and residents of the Tadamon neighborhood refused the right to return. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

The “Good Assad”

As the conflict in Syria looks to be heading into the final act, regional powers are seeking to understand what the Syria of the future holds for them and how they can use Assad writes Al-Modon.

Who Will Pay the Price?

Following the announced withdrawal of US forces from Syria, other parties are scrambling to come up a strategy writes Al-Araby al-Jadeed.

Has the Assad Regime Arrested Nawaf al-Bashir?

Nawaf Ragheb al-Bashir is a close ally of Iran and has been responsible for implementing Iranian agendas in eastern Syria writes Alsouria Net.

Dream Cities Only for the Rich

There is a desperate need for housing in Syria, but there have been complaints that the houses being built are exclusively for the wealthy reports Al-Ayam.

Secret Meeting Between SDC and Government

The SDC said that it was ready to hand over the border with Turkey and become incorporated in the Syrian army reports Damas Post.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Turkish plans to attack east of the Euphrates draws support and warnings, Russian and Syrian business grows closers and Syrians return to Hajin. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

Syrian Media Says No Attack on Airport

Syrian regime media denied an attack near Damascus airport after reports that explosions were heard in the area reports Al-Araby al-Jadeed.

US Suggests Ending Astana, Sochi Talks on Syria

US Special Representative for Syria Engagement James Jeffrey has said that if a constitutional committee cannot be formed, the Astana talks should be cancelled reports Asharq al-Awsat.

Iran to Open University in Syria

As part of the growing ties between the two countries, Iran is set to open a university for graduate and post graduate studies in Syria reports Anadolu Agency.

Syria and Iran Vow to Continue Fighting Terrorism

During a meeting with President Assad, Syria and Iran vowed to continue their fight, while also promising to strive for a political solution reports The Syria Times.

The New American Policy in Syria

After much confusion, the United States have announced a clear strategy on Syria and what they hope to achieve writes Al-Hurra channel.

What Did Khamis and his Ministers do in Aleppo?

None of the projects promised by the Government in Aleppo are being implemented as Syria’s second largest city remains largely controlled by militias, Al-Modon reports

Iran: No Long-Term Presence in Syria

Iran is seeking to dispel rumours about tensions with Russia over its presence on Syrian soil, Al-Hal writes

Syria’s Solution Rug

The conflict in Syria is a tangled mess of conflicting groups and ideas and the search for a political solution is likely to be long and hard writes Asharq al-Awsat.

The Regime Withdraws Law No. 10?

Even with the withdrawal of Law No. 10, the ability of the regime to seize property has not been diminished writes Sada al-Sham.

What Happened Over the Weekend

US airstrikes on civilians, protests in Idleb, women and children released and Jan Egeland resigns. Catch up on everything you missed over the weekend.

Displaced Syrians Stripped of Their Property

The implementation of Law No. 10 has forced many to sell their homes for a fraction of their price or simply give it up writes Alsouria Net.

A National Coalition Delegation in Idleb

The Syrian National Coalition is pleased with the progress of the Idleb agreement and hopes it leads to the revitalization of the political process.

What Happened Over the Weekend

The return of festivals, Syrian-Iranian business, regime casualties and a withdrawal by the opposition. Catch up on everything you missed over the weekend.

Syrian and Turkish Security Meet in Tehran

This meeting marks the first time since the start of the war in Syria when the two sides have sat down with each other reports Damas Post.

Two US Army Soldiers Killed by ISIS Car Bomb

Recently, joint US and SDF operations have been pushing hard in eastern Deir ez-Zor to eliminate the last pockets of the Islamic State writes Zaman Al Wasl.

Assad Grants Iran a New Project in Lattakia

Iran has been granted the rights to build a new power station in Lattakia, which will be able to generate 540 megawatts reports Alsouria Net.

Iran Aims for the Shi’Ification of Deir ez-Zor

In an attempt to increase its popularity and influence, Iran is trying, with limited success, to create loyal residents in Deir ez-Zor writes Alsouria Net.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Meetings at the United Nations, criticism of the US presence, the Nasib Border Crossing and
an attack in Gaziantep. Catch up on everything that happened in Syria over the weekend.

Israel Vows to Continue Operations in Syria

Despite recently increased tensions with Russia, Israel has said that it will continue to target Iranian military positions in Syria reports Anadolu Agency.

What Happened Over the Weekend

Chemical weapons, condolences from Syria, suspected US airstrikes and Russians accusation directed at Israel. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.

Iranian-Gulf Relations and the Syrian Crisis

Iran’s relationship with Syria has pushed the country down a particular path, but it is still possible to change course writes Al-Arabiya.

Confusion Surrounds the Downing of a Russian Plane

Accusations have been made on all sides after a Russian plane was shot down by Assad’s forces, killing 15 Russian soldiers writes Asharq al-Awsat.

Raid on the Mezzeh Airbase

The recent attack on the Mezzeh military airbase reveals the interplay between nations and their influence in the region writes Al-Hayat.

Assad Meets with Iranian Defense Minister

Both the President of Syria and the Iranian Defence Minister stressed the importance of developing long-term cooperation writes SANA

Iran and Shia Islam Spread in Old Damascus

Iran is going to great lengths to restore and preserve Shia religious sites in Old Damascus, as part of its plan to spread Iranian influence writes Al-Hal

Damascus and the Kurds: Mutual Delusions

It was hoped that the visit by the Kurdish-Arab Syrian Democratic Council to Damascus would be able to find commonality between to two sides writes Asharq al-Awsat

The Fate of Syria’s Druze

Syria’s Druze community have tried to remain neutral during the Syrian war, but local events could force their hand writes Asharq al-Awsat.

Syria: The Revolution Betrayed

The hopes that the uprising sowed have been betrayed by the treachery of people both in and outside the country writes Al-Araby al-Jadeed

Will Assad Move on Idleb?

As operations in Daraa near their end, Idleb ponders its future writes Souriatna

They Are Laughing at Syria, Not With It

While the regime may believe that it has the support of other nations, it is being mocked behind its back writes Geroun

Syria Stands, With or Without Iran

Ali Akbar Velayati is not right to say that, if not for Iran, Syria would have fallen writes Al-Watan

The Syrian ‘Deal of the Century’

All eyes are on Helsinki and the upcoming summit between Trump and Putin writes Asharq al-Awsat

Iranians Killed in Airstrikes on Syrian Base

Israel was blamed for the airstrike that killed an unknown number of Iranians, but they denied the reports writes Asharq al-Awsat

The Daraa Bargain

Daraa is facing the same fate as Aleppo and Ghouta writes Al-Araby al-Jadeed

Rami Makhlouf’s Prophesy

The agreement made between the interested parties, has ensured that no-one is losing out during the government’s assault on Darra, apart from the opposition factions writes Al-Hayat

Horan: A Chronicle of a Death Foretold

The images of displaced Syrians from Daraa province ignites memories of Syrian seasonal workers in Lebanon writes Daraj

No Reconciliation for Daraa

The opposition claimed that the terms of the deal were tantamount to a humiliating surrender writes Al-Modon

Foreign Influence Draws New Borders Throughout Syria

A plethora of foreign powers have staked an interest in the Syrian conflict and the shape of their influence in the country’s future is starting to become clearer writes Asharq al-Awsat

What Happened Over the Weekend

Attacks on graveyards, funding for the White Helmets, an assault on Darra and diplomatic relations with Abkhazia. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend

What Happened Over the Weekend

Arrest warrants, ISIS attacks, investment opportunities and a potential amnesty. Catch up on the biggest event in Syria from the weekend

Southern Syria’s Fate: Settlement or Battle?

While there has been numerous statements and agreements made, the picture of what is to come in southern Syria is still unclear writes Sada al-Sham

Southern Syria’s Fate: Settlement or Battle?

While there have been numerous statements and agreements made, the picture of what is to come in southern Syria is still unclear writes Sada al-Sham

Israel Paves the Way for Assad to Move South

Israel has agreed not to interfere with military operation on the border, in exchange for a withdrawal of Iranian backed forces writes Enab Baladi

Opinion: Airstrikes to Curb Russia

The Western strikes on Syria have shown Russia, Iran and the regime there is no true victory ahead of them, Ammar Dioub writes

What After the Eastern Ghouta?

Geroun explores the reasons behind the Ghouta’s collapse and looks to the future for the enclave and the groups that controlled it

Iranians Killed in Attack on T4 Air Base

Iranian media releases the names of the four killed in Israel’s strike on the central Syrian facility, Alsouria Net reports

New Weapons Used by the Regime in Daraa

The use of new military technology in Syria’s south is being seen as a warning to opposition factions there, according to Alsouria Net

Opinion: Turkey’s Options After Afrin

Writing in Al-Watan, Anas Wahib al-Kurdi details the options Turkey now faces to realize its vision in northern Syria

What’s Behind Egypt’s Rush to Rebuild Syria?

Both the Assad regime and its foes in the region could be banking on Cairo to facilitate the right conditions for a profitable reconstruction, Enab Baladi writes

Events in Syria Over the Weekend

Rumors spread around death of top regime figure, U.S. calls for nations to hold Assad to account, and car crash kills top intelligence chief

Events in Syria Over the Weekend

New Israeli strikes on Syria have pushed the U.N. to call for ‘immediate and unconditional de-escalation’

Syria News Roundup: Feb. 6

Iran calls on Turkey to respect ‘Syrian sovereignty’ in Afrin, while Moscow claims downed Russian pilot ‘committed suicide,’ Al-Hal reports

Anger in Damascus Over Sochi’s Closing Statement

The official Syrian media’s distortion of the conference’s closing statement is evidence of its discontent, Ibrahim Hamidi writes

Opinion: No Reconstruction for Syria

Assad’s allies Russia and Iran will not foot the money needed to bankroll the upcoming rebuilding phase, Jihad Yazigi writes

Opinion: Black Holes or a Turbulent Downfall?

Washington’s ignorance and failure in implementing its foreign policy are clear indicators of the impending collapse of the U.S. empire, Assad’s chief propagandist writes in Al-Mayadeen

Opinion: How Can Assad Be Overthrown, Then?

With the West now reluctant to support regime change in Syria, its current priority is establishing a watertight opposition for future elections, Wael Sawah writes

Opinion: Then Who Was Defeated in the Syrian War?

Writing in Al-Hayat, Wael Sawah asks how we can accept a victor in Syria if so many active parties have failed to achieve their most important interests

Opinion: Victory is Not an Orphan

Writing for Al-Modon, Sataa Nour El-Din asks which army will assume the narrative of victory following the defeat of ISIS

Opinion: Syria — Is It Over?

Assad’s failure to secure the areas he retakes will be the opposition’s last hope in gaining public support, a former media executive writes for Saudi-owned newspaper

Russia Accumulates ‘Odious Debts’ in Syria

The Syrian government is making significant economic concessions to Russia, which will have long-term damaging effects on the Syrian economy, Enab Baladi writes

Opinion: An Alternative to Assad Has Become a Necessity

The Syrian opposition’s failure to propose a suitable alternative to Assad has helped the Syrian president to defy international pressure to step down, Walid al-Bunni argues

Drums of War Sound at Their Strongest in Daraa

Opposition fighters struggle to hold off pro-regime assault on Daraa as Assad enacts yet another scorched-earth policy on one of Syria’s major cities, Enab Baladi writes

Opinion: Why Insist on the Astana Conferences?

We should be wary of placing too much hope on the outcome of the most recent Astana talks, as the three previous rounds in the Kazakh capital produced little results, Walid al-Bunni writes

Opinion: Syrian De-Escalation Zones Are Only Ink on a Map

Abdulnasser Al-Ayed explains that for Russia’s ‘safe zone’ proposal to work, Moscow will need to consider U.S. concerns despite attempts to sideline Washington in the Syrian peace process

Israeli Rockets Target Military Site Near Damascus Airport

Syrian state media reports Israeli attack targeted area southwest of Damascus airport, as opposition sources claim strike destroyed weapons cache for Lebanese Hezbollah militants fighting inside Syria

Militiamen of Shiite Villages Resettled in Qusayr Town: Source

Fighters and their families from Foua and Kafraya have taken up new residence in an area cleared by Iran and Hezbollah in 2013 with a view of creating a Shiite presence there, opposition outlet Zaman al-Wasl reports

Opinion: Trump Is Forced to Be Serious

The Assad regime is scrambling to receive assurances from allies and make sense of U.S. policy after the Trump administration’s surprise strike on a Syrian air base. But Damascus is failing to see that rules of the game have already changed, Yahya Al-Aridi writes for opposition outlet All4Syria

Assad Regime, Allies Intensify Attacks on Damascus and its Countryside

Opposition media center reports that Syrian government forces and allied militias continue to target rebel-held areas with heavy bombardment, now for the 40th day in a row, as the death toll rises in some residential districts

Did Iran Order the Clearing of Umayyad Mosque’s Historic Shops?

Opposition outlet All4Syria reports on a recent decision to remove the old stalls from the grounds of the Umayyad Mosque, one of the most important Shiite pilgrimage sites in Damascus, with local council citing ‘abuse of antiquities’ as reason for action

Hama Battles Intensify Amid Reports of Shiite, Regime and Russian Deaths

Activists and monitoring groups claim FSA troops kill over 50 Shiite militants in four weeks of fighting throughout Hama province, meanwhile a rebel missile attack kills Russian and regime personnel in the province’s northern countryside, opposition website Zaman al-Wasl reports

Displacement of Syrians from 4 Towns is Price for Freeing Kidnapped Qataris

Opposition members and activists decry the forced relocation of thousands of civilians from the “four Syrian towns” as part of a negotiation deal to release kidnapped Qatari businessmen, Paula Istih writes for Saudi-owned Asharq Al-Awsat

‘They Have No Choice’: Documenting Assad’s Violations in Al-Waer

Report by U.K.-based human rights group documents regime violations in the Al-Waer neighborhood of Homs, including the killing of nearly 900 civilians, in the lead-up to resettlement operations being carried out, opposition media reports

Opinion: Consequences of the American Strike in Syria

Donald Trump’s decision to strike the Shayrat base earlier this month was less about changing the balance of power in Syria, but instead represented a nod to his domestic rivals showing his willingness to act as a strong and decisive leader, Abdel Moneim Ali Eissa writes for loyalist outlet Al-Watan

Syria … Post the U.S. Strike!

Trump had to send a message to all parties supporting Assad that he won’t just resort to Syrian talks but will be part of the joint offensives in Syria, Tariq Alhomayed writes

Shiite Militias Attempt to Win Over Mahardah Christians With News of Fake Gains

Iraqi Shiite militias fighting in the Hama countryside recently launched a media campaign alongside their military efforts to take back the town, attempting to win public support among Christian residents by falsely claiming to have recaptured a number of churches, opposition outlet All4Syria writes

Opinion: Is a Political Solution Still Feasible in Syria?

In a special op-ed for The Syrian Observer, the coordinator-general of the High Negotiations Committee explains that untying the Syrian knot will require isolating external influence on the Syrian scene, a transition with the establishment of a new political system, and the firm application of international law in order to hold war criminals to account

Assad to Croatian Media: We Have No Other Option Except Victory

President Bashar al-Assad gave an interview to Croatian newspaper Vecernji List published Thursday, in which he reflects on six years of conflict, the negotiation process and the fight against terrorism. The following is the full text as published by government news agency SANA

Russia Blocks Iranian Land-for-Power Deal on Syrian Coast

Media activist Mohammed al-Saheli claims Russians stationed at the Hmeimim airbase in Lattakia denied Iran century-long rights to obtain land in the Qandil Valley in exchange for power supply to the coastal areas, opposition outlet writes

Chemicals Once Again: Liberating Syria From the Grip of Assad

Operations by the U.S.-led coalition to liberate Raqqa will not be enough as long as Assad and his regime continue their abuse against their own people, the real source of resentment which allows terrorism to thrive, Randa Taqi al-Din writes for Saudi-owned Al-Hayat newspaper

The Curse of Minority Rule: Could the Kurds be Syria’s New Alawites?

With the power balance in northern Syria looking as if it could tip the way of the Kurds, will Syria’s previously neglected community repeat the mistakes of Assad’s dominant minority experience, Eyed al-Jaafari asks in Lebanese Al-Modon

Russian Media Attacks Assad for Failure to Defend Damascus

As intense fighting continues in areas of the capital, a Russian daily newspaper rebukes the regime and backs opposition claims that government forces fled from battles and that Republican Guard units suffered heavy losses, website Alsouria Net reports

Assad the Servant of All and Master of None

After an Israeli attack against an Iranian weapons shipment to Hezbollah in Syria, the writing is on the wall that Assad no longer commands respect anywhere as Russia and Iran try in vain to prop up a discredited regime

The Winners and Losers in Geneva Talks

As the results of Geneva talks divide the opposition delegation into parties of optimists and pessimists, the regime is swiftly extending its control, leaving little doubt that the revolution is nearing its end

Syrian Opposition Rejects Regime Proposal for Unity Government

Syrian lead opposition negotiator Nasr al-Hariri told reporters that the regime’s proposal for a national unity government during the political transition phase is not backed by any previous UN resolutions

Opinion: De Mistura Must Unite Syrian Opposition in Geneva Talks

De Mistura must try and unite the opposition delegations if the Geneva talks are to be successful, and any future solution will require UN member states to stop funding terrorism and collaborate with the Syrian government, writes Samer Dahi for loyalist Al-Watan

Opinion: Iran’s Decline

The decline of Iran’s dominance is inevitable due to its diverging interests with Russia in Syria and the emergence of an American policy shift

Astana 2 Puts Jordan’s Intentions to the Test in Daraa

The recent inclusion of Amman into the Astana consultations bloc may herald the end of Jordanian support for the Free Syrian Army in southern Syria, writes Samer Dahi for loyalist Al-Watan

Syrian Army is Geo-localised: Syrian Expert

An interview with Kheder Khaddour on why, despite its weak fighting capabilities, the Syrian army remains a key element of the regime’s survival strategy. Here is the second part of the interview.

Jamal Suleiman: Russians Want to Tame Armed Opposition, Not Legitimize Them

Opposition outlet AlSouria Net speaks with the Syrian actor and member of the Cairo platform about next week’s negotiations in Geneva with the Assad regime, the role rebel groups will play, as well as Moscow’s intentions surrounding the political process in Syria

The Gates of Hell Open Up in Northern Syria

Lebanese website Al-Modon comments on the fracturing of opposition forces in Syria’s northern provinces as internal fighting forces factions to side with one of the two main rebel groups, Ahrar al-Sham or Al-Qaeda’s affiliate Jabhat Fateh al-Sham

Opinion: A Russian Constitution For Syria

The draft constitution has been prepared by Russian experts in order to speed up the political process

Rouhani Meets Syrian PM in Tehran Ahead of Astana Talks

Iranian president hails the liberation of Aleppo as a critical step towards establishing peace and stability in Syria as countries ready to gather in Kazakhstan for negotiations on the crisis

Iran Increases Stake in Syria’s Oil, Communications Sectors

Syria and Iran sign contracts on economic cooperation in oil, mobile communications, agriculture, animal resources and industry, with an additional agreement to develop Syria’s ports currently in the pipeline

Obama: Worst American President to Become Former President

Obama’s two terms and the lie of the bloody Arab Spring made us feel that George W. Bush was a dove of peace. Bush did not, in practice, destroy anywhere but Iraq, given that Afghanistan was already destroyed, whereas Obama went ceaselessly from Syria to Libya and Yemen.

Opinion: Waiting for Trump

Walid Bunni asks whether the US president-elect will continue the Obama administration’s stance in denying the goals and freedoms of the region’s people for the past eight years

Opinion: After the Battle of Aleppo… Russia and the Political Settlement

What Moscow is trying to achieve with the political settlement depends to a large extent on the Turkish and Iranian positions, and on the possibility of reaching clear agreements between these actors amid independent efforts to direct their battles in ways which achieve only their interests

Aleppans on the Syrian Coast: We Want to Return to Our City

Displaced Aleppans in Lattakia and Tartous are eager to return to their embattled city to prevent demographic change after the regime and Russia declared victory against rebel fighters there

Abdah, Hijab Arrive in Doha for Talks on Developments in Syria

Syrian opposition leaders meet with Qatari foreign minister to discuss the political and military situation, including the Assad regime’s assault on villages in the Barada valley outside Damascus

Opinion: Because Astana Alone is Not Enough

Is it really possible for Russia, Turkey and Iran to achieve a lasting solution which enables Syrians to choose their political system in a secular and democratic state, as stated by the three countries following meetings in Moscow?

Opinion: Does Sharing Syria Mean Partitioning It?

Does sharing Syria in its current state mean dividing it among its occupying powers? The facts say that the forces which control Syria today will not be able to coexist within this division, Walid Bunni argues

Assad: US Supports Terrorists By Calling Them Moderate Opposition

President Bashar al-Assad has accused the US of sponsoring terrorist groups in Syria by labeling them ‘moderate opposition’. In an interview with the Russian TV channels, Russia 24 and NTV, the Syrian president said the United States tried to promote the idea of so-called moderate opposition in Syria.

Following is the full text of the interview:

Opinion: Iran’s Dilemma After Aleppo

Will Iran spend 2017, which is fast approaching, fighting to take over the remaining Syrian towns including the Damascus countryside which is still partly under the control of the rebels?

Opinion: Why Idleb?

What does Donald Trump have to do with Iran and Russia’s insistence that rebel fighters be evacuated to Idleb exclusively, even though areas of the Damascus countryside under opposition control are much closer? Walid Bunni explains

Opinion: Is the Islamic State Group Nearing its End?

Does the fall of the ISIS-held town of Dabiq to Western-backed forces signal the end of the radical Islamist group, and could its legacy live on following its possible demise?

Opinion: Trump, Like Putin and Assad, Does Not See People in Syria

Trump symbolically and practically has given a green light to finish off Aleppo city, and he has become, along with Obama, partners with Putin in the most horrific stage the city has endured in its long history, writes Abdel Wahab Bedarkhan

Opinion: The Greatest Threat to International Peace and Security

After nearly six years, and due to the complexities and overlaps of international actors and players – regionally and internally – it became clear that the strings are no longer pulled by the Syrians or even regional states as the conflict has mutated into score-settling between super powers, chiefly the US and Russia

Opinion: Why All This Brutality in Aleppo?

The push by Assad and his allies to achieve decisive victories before the end of Obama’s term, and the beginning of an unpredictable Trump presidency, could explain the brutality which they are employing against Aleppo, the Damascus countryside, and the eastern and western Ghoutas

Damascus Rejects Opposition Conference with ‘Russian Guarantees’

Damascus has rejected a proposal from Moscow to host a broad conference for the Syrian opposition with “Russia’s guarantees” aiming to form an expanded opposition coalition ahead of possible peace negotiations in Geneva

Obama, Khamenei, Assad Share Cautious Optimism on Trump Presidency

Confusion heads political expectations worldwide, with cautious optimism and wishful thinking being shared between the current US administration, Russia, Iran and Assad, as concrete details around what a Trump presidency would look like remain unclear

Is it Time For the Regime to Displace Southern Damascus?

Opposition negotiators trying to spare the area what happened in other areas, like Daraya and Moadamiya, especially given that the regime is trying to take control of the southern countryside of Damascus

Assad: Can Trump Deliver What He Promised?

Syrian President Bashar al Assad said on Tuesday Damascus would have to “wait and see” if U.S. President-elect Donald Trump would change Washington’s policy on Syria but that he was ready to cooperate with him in fighting militants. Following is the full text, as published in SANA

Opinion: In Syria, Trump Equals Obama

Despite the president-elect’s promises to withdraw American power from the region and revert to a more isolationist strategy, history shows us that major changes in US foreign policy rarely occur with the rotation of presidential administrations, writes Eyyad al-Jaafari

‘The Walls of Fear’ Return, Armed, to Damascus

An increase in state repression and random violence has contributed to the spread of “war commanders” and the occurrence of a coup in social segments to the benefit of the emerging “new guard” of businessmen

Deal for Four Cities… And Death From One Side

Despite the implementation of the “four cities” agreement, it is not possible to compare — in any sense at all — the siege of Zabadani and Madaya which are under opposition control, and the siege of Kefraya and Foua which are under the control of the regime and its militias

Assad: US and its Western Allies Are to Blame for Failure of Latest Ceasefire

Bashar al-Assad told Serbian newspaper Politika the US’ “secret collaboration with terrorists is the reason why all attempts at a ceasefire and political transition in Syria have so far failed.” Following is the full text of the interview as published by SANA, the official news agency.

Opinion: Aleppo and the Ring of Fire

The issue that is difficult to find a clear explanation for so far is the reduction in the intensity of the bombardment. Is there something threatening the Russian aircraft? Or is Putin sending a message to the Iranians after the dispute that erupted between them that they will lose without his support?

Opinion: Russia’s Predicament in Aleppo

One of the most likely reason’s for Russia’s announcement to halt raids on Aleppo may be that Moscow has begun to sense the weight of international pressure upon it, and has begun to resent the situation of international embarrassment which the developments in Aleppo have caused

Opinion: The Aleppo Tangle and the Iranian-Russian Plan

Russia’s victory in enabling the regime and Iran’s militias to enter eastern Aleppo will comprise a major turning point in the Syrian war and will lead to a major disruption in the balance of forces to favor Iran, its militias, and the Assad regime

Opinion: Opposition on Verge of Abandoning Political Process

This development represents a departure by the opposition because of the blatant shift in Russia’s role from a joint position in international oversight of the political process, alongside the US, to a direct party to the war, alongside the regime, against the Syrian people

Opinion: Let Us Announce Our Defeat

“It is Syrians alone — opposition or loyalist — who have no interest in continuing the conflict and this absurd war, and this back and forth between two nihilistic forces, the regime and its opposition”

Opinion: Syria and the US Elections

Bashar al-Assad and the Iranians are working to impose their agenda on the next US president from now

Salamah Kilah: America Sold Syria to Russia

US betrayed Syrian revolution because it wanted to destroy the country’s military infrastructure as it did in Iraq, says prominent thinker and author

Damascus: Iranian Operations Room to Spread Shiism

Coordination office has issued publications and religious texts with the aim of bringing together the Sunni and Shiite doctrines and working toward bridging the differences in ideology

Opinion: There is a Solution for Syria in Hangzhou

If what we hear is true, the solution is based on acknowledging the status quo and surrendering to the rule of the current regime despite the killing, destruction and displacement that it has carried out over the last five years.

The Turkish Incursion in the North and its Dimensions

“What happened recently for the Turkish leadership to decide to send its tanks and soldiers inside Syrian territory and support some of the rebel groups to regain Jarablus from ISIS?”

Why Do the Kurds Insist on Being the Country’s Achilles’ Heel?

Until recently, Damascus saw the Kurds as an ally able to help pressure a wide geographical area that needed hundreds of thousands of soldiers and at the same time would constitute a thorn in the Turkish throat, which was greedy to swallow Syrian geography and people at the same time.

Iran After Russia… and the Lessons of the Turkish Turnaround

The clashes that have erupted in Hassakeh between the Kurdish PYD militia and the forces of Assad’s mafia regime may be one of the swift results of this common approach and a first indication of the new understandings between Turkey and Russia, which Iran may not be far from.

Assad and Syria’s Kurds: A Change in the Rules of Engagement

Following the recent Turkey-Iran-Russia strategic alliance, Assad sought to find a role to play in the Kurdish file, choosing to strike Hassakeh in order to be at the center of the Kurdish issue

Are the Kurds More Dangerous Than ISIS?

Today, the governments of Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria act based on a conviction they are reluctant to proclaim publicly, which is that the Kurds are more dangerous than ISIS

8 Iranian Soldiers Killed in Aleppo

Disputes between regime forces and the so-called Hezbollah increased in the past two days after the fighters from Jaish al-Fatah had launched a series of attacks in southwest Aleppo

End of Aleppo’s Siege Changes Syria Talks Agenda

The regime had been pursuing a political-military plan based around extending its control over Aleppo and waiting for American-Russian pressure to hold a round of negotiations in which the regime would be the victorious party

Clinton’s plan: Overthrow Assad

It is possible to expect Clinton’s policy to be built on a review of the views of five women from among those expected to play a major role in her administration

Is There an American-Russian Deal for Syria?

Russia and Iran’s militias launched a heavy assault on Aleppo last month, allowing Iranian forces and allied Iraqi and Lebanese sectarian militias, as well as what remains of the Syrian army still loyal to Assad, to impose a siege on eastern Aleppo

Dawn of a Solution in Syria and the Russian Role

It is expected that Russia will redouble its efforts politically and militarily until the end of this year to create a situation in Syria that allows them to achieve most of their aims from the intervention

US Proposal to Russia Links Fighting Nusra Front and Ceasefire With Political Transition

According to a seven-page draft agreement, Moscow and Washington are considering high-level coordination beyond “carrying out air defense” in Syria’s skies, to reach a level of “direct cooperation” between the two armies and their intelligence agencies against Nusra Front and ISIS

Social Media Users Celebrate ‘Death’ of Baghdadi

Unconfirmed reports of the death of Islamic State Caliph send social media sites into a frenzy as intelligence officials downplay likelihood of leader’s killing

Syrian Crisis Beats German Crisis in World War II

Aleppo remains the most destroyed and devastated, representing 58% of the ruined surfaces in Syria due to the regime’s heavy bombing, with explosive barrels and Russian missiles

Aleppo: A City That Refuses to Die

“Aleppo: The Rise and Fall of Syria’s Great Merchant City,” Philip Mansel, 238 pages, I.B. Tauris, London, 2016

The Syrian Truce and the Siege of Turkey

Before the implementation of the truce, Russia attacked opposition-held areas in the north and Aleppo and cut supply routes and arms and fighters’ corridor from Turkey

What Is The Russian Withdrawal Hiding?

Moscow’s role in Syria was an attempt to draw attention to their strength following the fall of the Soviet Union, and therefore to their influential role at the head of the new world hierarchy

How Will the Russia-US Deal Strengthen Nusra and ISIS in Syria?

The armed opposition’s acceptance of the ceasefire could open a wide door for Nusra and ISIS to bring a large number of fighters into their ranks, as the two strike religious chords with “feelings of injustice” and portraying themselves as the “only two parties” in Syria standing against Assad, Russia and their allied militias

Assad To Spanish Paper: ’80 Countries Support Terrorists in Syria’

Bashar al-Assad said on Saturday he was ready for a ceasefire, on condition “terrorists” did not use a lull in fighting to their advantage and that countries backing insurgents halted support for them. Below is the interview as published by the Syrian news agency SANA

Opinion: Saudi Ground Intervention in Syria

Fighting on the ground in Syria appears to be reaching a new approach and is the first time that Saudi Arabia is willing to participate in a ground offensive to fight ISIS in Syria

What are Syrians’ Options After the Failure of Geneva?

It is necessary that the Syrian people and the opposition’s political and military institutions seriously consider their options in order to prevent the continuation of destruction in Syria and forestall the displacement of Syrians

Opinion: ‘As-Salaam Alaikum, Mr. Envoy’

Despite doctors’ continuous warnings to stay away from the video, the brutal and ugly content, I eventually dared to follow the envoy’s speech, to try to find a glimmer of hope or beam of light for the great Syrian people — or what remains of it

Exaggerated Fears and Hopes About Syria

The haze surrounding the Syrian issue has led to many overstatements by political analysts, politicians, and even ordinary Syrians, both in relation to the fears and dangers threatening Syria, and to the hopes of Syrians

A Most Critical Turn in the History of the Syrian Revolution

The US retreat from the Middle East, Russian expansionism in the region, and an increase in Tehran’s influence in Syria and the region has led the pro-Assad camp to dominate the Syrian file as we witness a decline of other influential regional and international players from the scene

Fleeing From One Place to the Next

As if the injustices of war were not enough, I suffer from the injustice of the male society in which I live. Women like me have no right to dream or to express their opinions, even if they work as paramedics in field hospitals.

The Assassination of Samir Kuntar: An Embarrassment for Iran, Hezbollah

“Hezbollah finds itself in an awkward position as its militia is unable to launch a wide response against Israel for fear of its response, which may result in more human losses in Hezbollah ranks, especially since a third of its fighters have perished in Syria”

Aleppo Rebels Overstretched as Attack Shifts to Defense

Opposition factions in Aleppo are currently fighting on several fronts, including against ISIS and Kurdish militias in the northern countryside, and against the regime in the province’s south, west and north

Five Obstacles for the Security Council’s Syria Resolution

The resolution opted for constructive ambiguity and mutual concessions in an attempt to secure a consensus. The result was a final draft outlining the maximum Moscow could get, and the minimum Washington would surrender

Opinion: Did Velayati Offer Assad Asylum?

“The presence of Assad in Damascus is necessary and when the duty arises, we will receive him in Iran.” says Velayati

Vienna and the Challenges of the Syrian Issue

The Syrian opposition finds itself today in front of a significant test: either to push for a unified effort and full coordination before entering into the political process, or face being placed on a list of terrorist organizations

Opinion: Who Brought Foreigners to Syria?

Fearing the idea that the fall of Damascus was imminent, there was increased competition to control the victorious opposition forces

Vienna II: Much Ado About Nothing

These talks have exhibited these countries’ clear abandonment of their responsibility to protect Syrian civilians and maintain the security and integrity of the members of the international community

Syrian Opposition Says Vienna Statement Not Up to Snuff

“The Vienna statement is a reflection of Russian efforts, which began with a military intervention in Syria, killing Syrians for a month and a half,” Coalition member states

Opinion: What If Putin Succeeds in Syria?

As the Syrian regime embraces the “Russian protection”, it finally becomes ready to engage in arbitration and partnership without the fear of being forced to divide its power

Russia Struggles to Hide its Casualties in Syria

Ukrainian intelligence sources claim the bodies of 26 Russian soldiers killed in Syria were secretly transported to a Crimean port city in the past few days

Iranian Commander Killed in Hama Battles

Second Revolutionary Guard leader to die in a under a week as Tehran maintains its officers are only serving in ‘advisory’ roles

Iranian Development and Ethnic Cleansing: Shaping a ‘Useful’ Syria

“It is expected those who work for Iran [in Syria] will likely invest in the Syrian real estate and urban renewal sectors after the nuclear agreement is finalized and the freezing of Iranian assets is lifted”

Opinion: The Russians Are Saving Assad from Iran

American suspicions increased after the Russians submitted hundreds of requests, to several countries, to gain permission for their military jets to cross the latter’s airspace to reach Syria, and assemble there

Michel Kilo: Secret Symbiosis of Iran and ISIS

Terrorism was not born in a vacuum; it is rather a product of a sectarian regime that wants to penetrate and destroy the Islamic world by using terrorism, Kilo says

Iran Forms New Battalions in Hama

Two battalions are stationed in Ethraiya, and two others led by Hezbollah guard the road to the city of Homs

Assad Gives Interview to Hezbollah’s al-Manar

Assad has given a lengthy interview to Hezbollah’s channel al-Manar. Below is the interview as translated and published by SANA, the Syrian official news agency

Opinion: What Happened Between Opposition and Kremlin in Moscow?

The difference between Moscow and the Syrian opposition has become vulnerable to a change in the past few months due to three factors: changes on the ground in Syria, a shift in regional and international attitudes towards the crisis, and the opposition’s favorable position towards terrorism

Could This Be the Beginning of a Solution to the Syrian Crisis?

“Many observers believe that the shifts we are now witnessing will not be like what preceded them, and we may see a significant result if the ongoing negotiations between the active regional and international players goes well”

Opinion: Iran Between Two Fantasies

Tehran is helping Assad cope with his manpower shortage by recruiting mercenaries in Lebanon, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Iraq

Opinion: Iran at a Fork in the Road on Syria

De Mistura believes that in the Geneva 3 meeting, Iranian backing, representation of the opposition by more than just the coalition, and a Russian-American understanding will eliminate the reasons for the failure of Geneva 2

Hezbollah Prepares for the Post-Assad Phase

Hezbollah is no longer obsessed with protecting Assad from falling, and is now seriously discussing the protection of its areas of influence inside Syria, as well as ensuring its supply routes and strategic depth

Two Similar Programs on Two Different Channels

The vulgar ways in which televised interviews are conducted only causes the viewer to sympathize with the criminal instead of condemn his acts

Assad, Iran, ISIS, Al-Qaeda: The Vicious Cycle of Terrorism

Mobilization and counter-mobilization, terrorism and counter-terrorism led the Arab region into a vicious cycle that will not be easy to break. It is a process that could endure for years to come, and will give both Iran and Israel hope to achieve their expansion ambitions at the expense of dismantling Arab societies

Opinion: Defending Assad for $37

Despite a desperate Assad increasingly relying on Iraqi, Afghani and Iranian mercenary, his forces are continuing to lose ground

Assad Awaits Reward From US-Iranian Nuclear Deal


Obama has decided to provide Iran with an instant reward of $200 billion when signing the nuclear deal, which will undoubtedly be funnelled into Syria and other regional conflicts.

Opinion: ISIS, Who Released the Beast?

“This medieval organization exploits the injustice and oppression suffered in the Arab and Islamic region, just as Nasrallah and Khamenei do, to send the desperate young men in the region to die – hoping to find in heaven what they have been denied on earth”

Tehran: Syrian No-Fly Zone Would Be a Mistake

Iranian officials claim move would not benefit regional security, urging the prevention of cross-border terrorist infiltration into Syria must be a priority

Syria’s Friends and Enemies Share Fears of Regime Collapse

The Assad regime’s recent setbacks did not only push its “allies” to act to defend its interests in strategic areas, but also pushed its “enemies” to move to save it – or the rest of it – preventing its fall in the remaining Syrian geography

Opinion: Morons and Traitors

Hezbollah’s war in Syria is an Iranian war, and a lost cause too

The Myth of Syria’s Recovery

What new developments have led some to conclude the Syrian crisis is on its way to a solution?

Extended Interview With Zahran Alloush

Army of Islam commander speaks with al-Souria Net on Iran’s growing influence inside the regime, plans for the reconstruction phase following Assad’s fall, and accusations about the groups human rights abuses

In the Countdown to Assad’s Downfall

Communities traditionally loyal to the Assad regime are reconsidering their support, as many Syrians see a serious decline of the regime’s popularity in its areas of influence

Will the Battle for Qalamoun Decide the Fate of Syria?

“Qalamoun will be a test for the region, as a battle for Qalamoun is widely considered a turning point that will determine the control for Damascus and the fate of the Assad regime”

De Mistura Begins Consultations in Geneva


Consultations begin in Geneva between the UN envoy and Syrian government and opposition parties in an attempt to resolve the ongoing crisis, with some observers skeptical about the outcome

Decisive Storm and the Syrian Challenge

Regional powers should consider directing the Saudi-led alliance towards Syria in an attempt to enforce a peaceful political settlement

Syria’s Political and Armed Opposition Agree on Five Points

Delegation headed by Coalition President Khaled Khoja met with members of revolutionary and military forces, along with representatives of elected local councils to discuss the political, military and assistance affairs of the Syrian revolution

President Khoja Speaks on Recent Rebel Gains

Syrian National Coalition president delivers speech to the Syrian people after rebel forces make significant advances in several provinces

De Mistura Invites Iran to Geneva III

UN special envoy says an official invitation was directed to the Iranian foreign minister to attend the conference in Geneva this May

How Can We Preserve the Unity of Syria?

Syrians who wish to maintain Syria as a homeland for all Syrians, those who wish to reconstruct it as a unified homeland for the next generations, must take responsibility and contribute in shaping the fate of their country and its future

The Syrian South
: A Model for Change


Recent developments in the country’s south were key in changing the influence of the political and military powers in the region, which extends from Qalamoun in the north to Daraa in the south

ISIS’ Lethal Recruitment Mechanism

Recruitment through brainwashing is perhaps the clearest example of the group’s desperation to exploit all financial and human resources in its bid to attract as many followers as possible

Sectarian Militias Secure Damascus Airport

Photos show the Iraqi Rapid Intervention Regiment manning security for arriving Iraqis at Damascus airport

The World’s Back is Turned on Syria’s Agony

Is it all a daydream – or a nightmare – when I call for the withdrawal of foreign militias, the end to shelling, the punishment of the guilty, the return of refugees and displaced people to their homes, and an effective Arab role to stop the machine of death?

Malek: Assad Regime on Brink of Economic Collapse

“The dollar exchange rate has doubled five times since 2011…The regime does not foresee or recognize its economic collapse because it will take place before its military collapse”

Why is an ‘Arab Axis’ Necessary?

There is now an absence of an effective Arab axis, capable of countering Iranian ambitions that exploit sectarian divides, along with the Israeli ambition to fragment and burn the region

Opinion: Taking the War on Terror to the Next Level

The Middle East has witnessed a flurry of diplomatic activity in recent months, including visits by various leaders from around the world to the region’s capitals

Major Essam ar-Rayes: We Will Reach Damascus


“We are facing an occupation that does not only target our land, but also countries located beyond our territory. Our defeat here today will be theirs tomorrow”

Opinion: the Four Players in the Syrian Arena

The clinching argument for the cynical pirouette is that a deal with Russia might give some of Assad’s opponents a share of power in Damascus

Only a Miracle Can Save Us

What is needed now in Syria is a semi-miracle to end corruption and fragmentation, whilst pushing for an internationally-backed political solution

FSA Takes Sheikh Miskeen

Regime brigade defeated by Free Syrian Army, Nusra front seizes 120 anti-aircraft missiles


Assad to Foreign Affairs Magazine: Human Rights Violations Rare in Syria

President Assad to Foreign Affairs Magazine: Israel is supporting terrorist organizations in Syria. President Assad gave an interview to the American magazine Foreign Affairs published on Monday. Following is the full text of the interview, as published by SANA

I am the Syrian Charlie

I was killed by an army that holds my own nationality because the same leaders who marched in Paris a few days ago kept their mouths shut

Kerry Supports Syria Peace Push by Russia

“The United States is particularly concerned about the continued catastrophe that is unfolding in Syria where nearly three-quarters of the entire country are displaced people,” Kerry said

The Dream of Kurdish Sovereignty

The creation of a Kurdish state inside Syria would likely involve further conflict with bordering countries

The Miracle of Syria's Homeland Bosom


Is a similar meaning of Syria’s “homeland’s bosom” shared globally? Or does it possess a special meaning for Syrian people because the world betrayed them?

Opinion: Assad will Use a Truce to Rearm

Assad would exit power and a hybrid administration consisting of the remains of the current government and the moderate opposition would be formed, and each party would continue to control the areas it currently oversees

US Syria Envoy: We Believe in the Unity of Syria

Asharq Al-Awsat speaks with the US State Department’s Daniel Rubinstein about continuing efforts to secure a political solution to the conflict

Opinion: Re-drawing the Map of the Levant

The regime is now trying to lift the blockade imposed by Syrian rebels and Islamist fighters on the neighborhoods and nearby villages still loyal to Assad in Aleppo, as well as seizing the military initiative in the rest of northwestern Syria

Syrian Sunni Tribes Unite: Statement

The tribes of Al-Mawali, Al Hadedeen and other unnamed tribal components held a conference to unite against Assad

Opinion: Did US Intelligence Truly Underestimate IS?

Despite all the warnings of the gravity of the Syrian crisis, Obama always reiterated that Syrian rebels are nothing but a bunch of farmers and medical doctors, refusing to support them

Obama’s Strategic Gambles in Syria and Iraq

Although it was made clear that there will not be Western cooperation with Assad against the Islamic State, the role of Assad in creating the Islamic State in the first place has been sidelined

Opinion: Assad’s ISIS Gambit II

Mouallem’s statement coincided with one from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov calling for coordination with the relevant countries

What is Going on in Oslo?

Regime refused to participate in the ‘second track’ diplomacy meeting

Opinion: Nasrallah’s Communication Confusion

Nasrallah polishes the image of the Assad regime and went as far as saying that the ideology of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria had been taught in Gulf schools for many years

Moaz Khatib's Eid Gift

The sheikh appears to have lost touch with reality

The Role of Oil and Gas in the Syrian Conflict

Although attention was first focused on the role of a plan for a Qatari pipeline to Europe through Syria in Doha’s efforts to topple the regime there, other parties tried to take advantage of the war in Syria to present themselves as a future alternative

Iraq Events Are a Revolution

The trade in terrorism was mastered by the Iranian and Syrian regimes, and today Maliki’s sectarian regime has entered the race

An Israeli Perspective on Syria

In response to the open-ended Syrian civil war and the policy dilemmas it raises, the Israeli government has essentially decided to take a backseat

The Future Presidents of Iran and Syria

The gravest crime Tehran committed is in Syria as the Iranian regime is responsible for the tragedy of hundreds of thousands of Syrians

New War, Old Faces

Bloodied in the crucible of the struggle against US-led forces in Iraq, Iraqi militia fighters are lending their battlefield expertise to Bashar Al-Assad’s regime

Celebrating Assad’s Triumph

The exhausted regime has become completely dependent on its allies

The Assad Regime: Winning on Points

The Assad regime is clawing its way back to a position of dominance in the Syrian conflict. But it can only maintain that position as long as the armed conflict endures

Expert Explains Regime Economic Survival Strategies

In an attempt to understand the strategies the Syrian regime uses to keep the dollar exchange rate at 150 Syrian Pounds, Zaman al-Wasl spoke with economist and researcher, Samir Seifan

Sweida Rejects Extremism

Nasrallah is trying to convey the message that the Assad regime protects minorities

The early reversal on minorities in Syria

During the first two years of the Syrian Revolution, the regime treated the minorities like a polite child who did not make problems

Geneva II: Change in Light of Continuity

The U.S. and Russia have agreed on what’s needed, but it is up to the Syrian parties to find out how to get there

Killing Syrians: The Evil Quartet

The Alexa storm, the crimes of Bashar Assad, the failure of the international community, and the inefficiency and subordination of the opposition are all failing the Syrian people

Opinion: The Plan to Eliminate the Free Syrian Army

Despite all the massive support the Syrian regime received, it failed to defeat the opposition which is still competing for control of the rest of the country’s cities, and which once again has besieged the capital and blocked the road to the airport

Al-Qaeda says it shot down Syria drone

Cameras mounted on the unmanned, remote-controlled aircrafts were being used by government troops to take aerial photos of rebel sites: Jabhat al-Nusra

Ali Saleh was Smarter than Assad

Saleh knew he could not continue as president after so much blood was spilled in Yemen

Syrian Icon Hussein Harmoush Still Alive: Source

A prominent advocate for Syrian detainess said that the Lieutenant Colonel Hussein Harmoush is still alive and has not been executed as some believed

Opinion: The Great Bear slips up again

Putin’s Russia has lost in Syria, because it overlooked the fact that the Syrian people will defeat the Assad regime

Transcript of interview with Jeffrey Feltman

Feltman tells Raghida Dergham not holding the Geneva 2 conference means that Assad will be running in the next presidential election

What are the consequences of rejecting Geneva 2?

Walid al-Bunni, the former Spokesman for the National Coalition, asks if it is still possible to talk about a revolution of a people against a tyrant as it was in its first year

Opinion: The Syrian Regime and International Intersection

The worst case scenario overcome by the regime is that it is no longer required to account for its use of WMDs against civilians through a clear and blatant violation of all international laws and human and ethical considerations

Who are Syria’s BIG FIVE Insurgent leaders?

If we confine our choices to leaders with broad appeal in the Arab and Islamist mainstream — excluding both al-Qaida and Kurdish leaders — we get the following five, listed in order

Obama Condemns Regime and Extremists in UN Speech

There must be a strong Security Council Resolution to verify that the Assad regime is keeping its commitments, and there must be consequences if they fail to do so

Al-Qaeda Commander Killed

The Free Syrian Army denied responsibility in Abu-Abdallah al-Libi’s death

Syria Welcomes Russian Initiative

Moallem said Syria welcomed the Russian initiative as a way to preserve Syrian lives and infrastructure.

Assad Calls Obama 'Weak'

The Middle East is a powder keg, and today the flame is coming very near, Assad says

Response to Iran's Yahya Rahim Safavi

Iran’s campaign aims at masquerading their aggressive behaviour towards the Syrian people and deceiving the Iranian public

All the Tyrant's Men: Chipping Away at the Assad Regime's Core

Bashar’s maternal uncle and cousins, the Makhlouf family, head the security and telecommunications sectors, a major cash cow. Cousin Hafez Makhlouf heads the General Intelligence Directorate in Damascus, where Iyad Makhlouf works as well

Al-Anfal Campaign in Ghouta

The Syrian army believed that what happened in Ghouta was a media war, following an official justification classifying yesterday’s massacres as being mere images carried by channels “that are partners in the bloodshed” affecting the Syrian people

Work as Usual Over Eid al-Fitr: PM

Halqi instructed all ministries and authorities to continue to provide the best services to citizens, especially in health and electricity, during the holiday.

Iran Visit Successful: PM

Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi travelled to Tehran to congratulate the new Iranian president

Weekend: Has Assad Won the War?

Assad’s visit to Daraya, a city that has been fully destroyed by his forces is an attempt to show victory

Assad’s Alawite Support Base Erodes

Assad is increasingly dependent on Hezbollah and Iranian forces, who now take leading role in operations

The Syrian Shrapnel

Russia wanted to affirm that Russia today is different from that Russia which stood helpless when its Serbian ally was disciplined

The War to Liberate Syria

Waiting for the United States to change its mind and become convinced of the necessity of arming the opposition effectively would mean giving the regime an undetermined period of time to gradually eradicate the opposition

Opinion: The War to Liberate Syria

Waiting for the United States to change its mind and become convinced of the necessity of arming the opposition effectively, not just verbally and theoretically, would mean giving the regime an undetermined period of time to gradually eradicate the opposition

King Abdullah II: The view from Amman

The King of Jordan speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat on the Syrian crisis and its impact on Jordan and the Middle East

Opinion: Obama's Disappointing Abandonment

The US has political and geostrategic interests in the Middle East but Obama, with his huge failure to pressure Putin, reflects an abandonment of these interests

Opinion: Opening a new front against Assad

With Iran’s economy already struggling, a boycott of its products in the Arab world could be devastating. Russia could also expect a boycott of its products, says Shobakshi

Opinion: When the Russian Baath Scolds Damascus

What is truly suspicious is the emergence of American signs pointing to the toppling of the balance of power in a way rendering it unlikely to see President Al-Assad stepping down in the near future

Syria’s Strategic Balance at a Tipping Point

The fall of the Syrian town of Qusair to Assad’s forces shows that the regime is poised to secure its position for the long term. The opposition must address its serious shortcomings

Opinion: Obama, isolationist in Syria

Obama chose the wrong stance in syria and allowed the Assad regime, along with the Iranians and Hezbollah, to besiege the popular uprising until it became a danger to the region

Opinion: The trap of sectarianism

Even a reverse reading of Afghanistan’s experience would be a misleading one, as the concurrence between the Americans and the Jihadists was an agreement of interest, rather than an alliance under one regional political umbrella

Al-Dardari to Form Government?

Rumors say government is ‘cleaning’ Dardari, preparing him to gain a position in the opposition, as part of a political trick targeting the revolution

Can Russia and the West End Syria’s Chaos?

For analysts familiar with the politics of Syria, the country’s descent into chaos amounts to an all-too-predictable pattern. It also parallels what Rami Makhlouf, a major regime figure and first cousin of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, bluntly announced that, among other things, Syrians faced the Assad regime or domestic and regional chaos.

Opinion: Syria Conference and Middle Ground Solution Formula

Secretary of State Kerry chose to recognize in Kremlin the existence of “significant common interests with respect to Syria” for both the American and Russian sides, thus reassuring Putin that the end of the war will only be secured through dual sponsorship – whose lines are drawn by Washington and Moscow – and that the Libya experience will not be reiterated as promised by Obama and repeated by NATO on many occasions.

Statement of the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria on current Developments

With the acceleration of recent events in the context of the blessed Syrian revolution, the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria addresses this statement to the Syrian, Arab and Muslim people, and to free people everywhere, to clarify events and outline our position and responsibilities.

Israel ‘Playing with Fire’: Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi Monday condemned Israeli strikes on Syria, saying Israel was “playing with fire.”

Syrians Will Decide Their Own Fate: Mehmanparast:

The Syrian people alone must be responsible for deciding their destiny through free elections and without foreign interference, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Monday.

Looking for Plan B in Damascus

Although it was never likely to lead to a victory so decisive as to turn the tide against the rebels and silence its critics, it has forced both the rebels to re-examine their tactics and some of their assumptions about the ongoing struggle.

Statement regarding Russia’s continued Arms support of Assad

The Syrian people find no justification or excuse of Russia’s continued arms support of an authoritarian regime adamant to hold on to power, against the will of the people, and at the expense of thousands of lives.

The Syrians between the Cup of Tyranny and the Poisons of Terrorism

Between a dictatorship and a less dictatorial tyranny that will last for a while, neither the Arabs’ situation during their spring nor the Iraqis’ situation a decade after Saddam’s fall is revealing that the hefty price that was paid is enough to launch a transitional phase, setting the foundations for the recognition of the rights of the other oppositionist as the only way to ensure stability and end the killing.

President al-Assad: Foreign Interference is Red Line, Unrest in Syria Will Have Domino Effect throughout the Region

President Bashar al-Assad said that foreign interference is a red line, adding that if the unrest in Syria leads to the partitioning of the country or if the terrorist forces take control of Syria, or both of the above, the situation will inevitably first spill over into neighboring countries and then create a domino effect throughout the Middle East and beyond.

Iran Supports Political Solution, Rejects Foreign Intervention in Syria

Advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Iranian Revolution , Ali Akbar Velayati, stressed on Monday that Syria’s people and government represent a steadfast citadel in face of Zionism, adding that the current events are aimed at weakening the resistance in the region.

Stances on the Syrian Crisis Redraw the Map of the Region

Headlines describing the 24th Arab Summit held in Doha this week reflect profound division over Syria and Qatar’s role in effecting change in the Arab Region. Doha has taken over the presidency of the Arab league for what could be one of the most important years of the transitional period.

Abdullahian Tells al-Arabi: AL Should Not Take Side in Crisis in Syria

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs, Hossein Amir Abdullahian, said after a press conference with AL secretary-general Nabil al-Arabi, that “We believe the AL should play a balanced role in this issue and it should not be a side in the crisis in Syria.”

The Horrors of What Comes After the Image

It is no simple matter either for Moaz al-Khatib to sit at the summit, in front of the revolution’s flag rather than the flag of the Syrian Arab republic, which we have known for decades. Likewise, it is no simple matter that none of the leaders of the delegation left the hall this time.

Syrian Opposition Leader Resigns

Moaz al-Khatib, leader of the Western-based Syrian opposition coalition has resigned, citing frustrations with the body’s inability to advance the fight against President Bashar Assad.

Let Genie out of the Bottle!

The “eternal” alliance and “unbreakable bond” between Israel and the US is but the real threat, because it hasn’t been used for peace in the Middle East, but for wars, killing and blood.

UN to Probe Alleged Syrian Chemical Weapons Attack

US ambassador to Syria Robert Ford, who left Damascus almost a year ago, said that there isn’t enough evidence to support claims of a chemical attack but that the issue was under investigation.

UN to Probe Alleged Syrian Chemical Weapons Attack

US ambassador to Syria Robert Ford, who left Damascus almost a year ago, said that there isn’t enough evidence to support claims of a chemical attack but that the issue was under investigation.

Syrian Coalition establishes a framework for future political solutions

As the Syrian Coalition is keen on elevating the suffering of the Syrian people, the protection of Syria’s national unity, saving Syria from the crimes committed by Assad’s regime, and preventing foreign interference, the committee developed the following framework for any political solution:

Paving a new silk road

Increasing trade between Syria and Iran vastly favors Tehran

Kerry: His View on the Syrian Conflict

The US failure to intervene in Syria has ruined everything that has been achieved—with great difficulty—in the war on extremist ideology and terrorist groups

How will al-Assad leave?

Assad’s ouster is inevitable, but how will it be achieved? What price will be paid by Syria and the entire region? This is the fundamental question and the crux of the matter. If the intention is to let the Syrian people topple Assad by themselves, this represents a real danger for a variety of reasons.

Syria: The Forest and the Trees

Because Syria is a country of paramount importance, the issue there is not just about toppling the regime, while retaining the same inherited and historical structure, including the ideology, of the regime itself. Indeed, we are dealing here with a smaller version of countries like Germany and Japan after the Second World War, in that they were countries whose internal circumstances led them to destabilise their regions and subsequently the world.

Damascus without al-Assad and Cairo’s fears

Iran is a difficult puzzle to resolve. After losing Syria, as well as losing half of its oil revenue as a result of Western sanctions, Tehran may be obliged to agree to a truce and the freezing of its nuclear program. Even if this were to happen, Gulf States are still facing numerous threats, particularly with the al-Maliki government in Iraq explicitly falling under Iran’s sway.

Halfaya: Blood Sacrificed for Bread

The National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces reminds the international community of its moral and humanitarian obligations, as this new massacre came just before the visit of the international envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi to Damascus, and amidst the talk about new initiatives. The massacre also came after the world’s powers knew of the regime’s use of Scud missiles and their failure to react towards such serious violations by taking any serious actions necessitated by international laws and humanitarian obligations.

The Damage Done by Playing for Time

The damage done by playing for time has extended to areas outside Syria in the last two months. The members of the alliance supporting Assad, from Russia and Iran to Lebanon, have found the opportunity to play off the regional situation; they have taken steps, whose importance varies one country to another.