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Syria

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Syria. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Damascus

Head of State

President Bashar al-Assad

Head of Government

Prime Minister Hussein Arnous

A UK Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft at an undisclosed location in the Middle East. RAF Typhoon FGR4s joined French aircraft in a joint strike against the Daesh group in Syria on Saturday, the UK defence ministry said. Photo: EPA / SGT Lee Goddard / Handout

Islamic State

Britain, France bombed suspected Isis arms dump in Syria: UK defence ministry

Intelligence analysis identified an underground facility believed ‍to contain weapons and explosives in mountains ‍near Palmyra, the UK said.

4 Jan 2026 - 1:38PM

Middle East

‘Hell to pay’: Trump warns Hamas and Iran after talks with Netanyahu

30 Dec 2025 - 4:49PM

Middle East

Sectarian tensions flare and turn deadly in Syria after mosque bombing

29 Dec 2025 - 12:40PM

Middle East

Blast in Syria kills 8 at mosque targeting Alawite minority in Homs

Authorities investigate explosive devices planted during Friday prayers, heightening sectarian tensions and fears among minorities.

27 Dec 2025 - 12:45AMvideocam

The aftermath of the explosion inside Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque in the Wadi al-Dahab neighborhood of Homs. Photo: SANA/AFP

Israel-Gaza war

Bethlehem celebrates first festive Christmas since Gaza war

After two years of cancelled festivities, the ‘City of the Nativity’ revives its iconic parades and tree lighting as a fragile truce holds in Gaza.

25 Dec 2025 - 10:59AM

Middle East

US strikes at Isis fighters in Syria after 3 Americans killed

At least five Isis members were killed in a ‘large-scale’ strike hitting 70 Isis targets across central Syria.

20 Dec 2025 - 6:46PM

Australia

Millions raised for ‘hero of Australia’ who stopped gunman at Bondi Beach

Over 40,000 people have donated about US$1.5 million to Ahmed al Ahmed, the Syrian-Australian Muslim hero who saved Jewish lives.

17 Dec 2025 - 8:38PMvideocam

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) meets Ahmed al Ahmed at a hospital in Sydney on Tuesday. Photo: Australian Prime Minister Office/AP

Donald Trump

Trump expands US travel ban and restrictions to include another 20 countries

The clampdown affects people seeking to travel to the US as visitors as well as those hoping to emigrate there.

17 Dec 2025 - 4:53PM

Middle East

Trump vows retaliation after 2 US troops and a civilian killed in Syria ambush

This is the first attack on American service members to inflict casualties since the fall of Assad a year ago.

14 Dec 2025 - 3:41AMvideocam

Donald Trump

Syria’s year of ‘epic’ transformation earns it Trump’s protection

Washington is lifting sanctions and has rebuked Israel for its attacks, as the US throws its weight behind Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration.

13 Dec 2025 - 4:00PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump (left) shakes hands with Syria’s President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the White House in Washington last month. Photo: AP

Middle East

A year after Assad’s fall, can Syria’s new leader deliver lasting peace?

Despite progress, sectarian violence and Kurdish tensions persist as President Ahmed al-Sharaa pushes toward future elections.

9 Dec 2025 - 8:44AMvideocam

People gather as they celebrate the first anniversary of Bashar al-Assad’s fall, at Ummayad Square in Damascus, Syria on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

Trump invites Netanyahu to White House as US warms to Syria’s president

Another invitation to Israel’s leader was issued after Syria’s president made a historic visit to the White House a few weeks ago.

2 Dec 2025 - 3:07PM

Middle East

Pope Leo urges Lebanon’s leaders to unite for peace

The first US pope arrived in Beirut from Istanbul, where sought to give Lebanon’s long-suffering people a message of hope.

1 Dec 2025 - 1:09AM

China-Middle East relations

Why Xinjiang casts a long shadow over China and Syria’s efforts to rebuild ties

The new Syrian government needs help in rebuilding, but Beijing is deeply concerned about Uygur militant groups inside the country.

30 Nov 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi with Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani ahead of their meeting in Beijing on November 17. Photo: Xinhua

China-Middle East relations

China looks to get relations with Syria ‘back on track’ after Assad’s downfall

In first meeting with counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani, Foreign Minister Wang Yi urges new regime to act against Xinjiang militant groups.

18 Nov 2025 - 2:19AMvideocam

Syrian foreign minister Asaad Al-Shaibani said the country needed “genuine strategic partnerships, especially with China”. Photo: AFP

Middle East

Syria detains security forces over sectarian violence that killed hundreds

The arrests follow a July rampage in Sweida where government fighters effectively sided with Bedouin clans against the Druze.

17 Nov 2025 - 1:35PM

Middle East

Gaddafi’s son released on bail after 10 years in a Lebanon prison

Hannibal Gaddafi was released after a Libyan delegation paid a drastically reduced bail, ending his detention over a missing cleric.

11 Nov 2025 - 1:50PM

Donald Trump

Syria joins alliance against Isis after Trump hosts ex-jihadist president

President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s White House visit caps a remarkable turnaround for a former jihadist who once had a US$10 million bounty on his head.

11 Nov 2025 - 4:01PM

US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa in the Oval Office. Photo: Syrian Presidency Press Office via AP

Middle East

Syria leader arrives in US for Trump visit after removal from terror blacklist

Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose rebel forces ousted Assad, has been working to present a moderate image, in a break from his group’s violent past.

9 Nov 2025 - 7:51AMvideocam

Turkey

In the Middle East’s diplomatic drama, Turkey takes centre stage

Once censured by the West, Ankara is now the go-to go-between for Washington, Europe and Damascus in a fast-changing region.

8 Nov 2025 - 4:00PMvideocam

Middle East

US accuses Iran of plot to kill Israeli ambassador in Mexico

The Revolutionary Guards’ elite Quds Force was allegedly behind a plan to assassinate diplomat Einat Kranz-Neiger.

8 Nov 2025 - 2:07AMvideocam

A man in Tehran in October holds a portrait of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who was killed in an Israeli strike in June, while a banner shows Quds Force General Qassem Soleimani (left), who was killed in a US drone attack in 2020, and two late Hezbollah leaders. Photo: AP

Germany

Germany arrests Syrian suspected of plotting ‘jihadist’ attack

Interior minister says Germany’s terrorist threat remains heightened, though the suspect’s activities were ‘detected in time’.

3 Nov 2025 - 1:19PM

A police vehicle drives out of the Tiergarten district court in Berlin. Photo: dpa

Diplomacy

Opinion | What Syria’s post-war pivot to China reveals about the new world order

Damascus views engagement with Beijing as a pathway to legitimacy, leverage – and the US$216 billion it needs to rebuild.

1 Nov 2025 - 1:30PM

Israel

Israel air strikes in Lebanon continue despite Gaza ceasefire deal

The Lebanese president condemned the ‘heinous Israeli aggression’ that came just hours after the US-backed Gaza truce took effect.

11 Oct 2025 - 3:32PM

Middle East

Syria to select post-Assad parliamentary members in process deemed undemocratic

A third of the members are appointed by interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has said it is impossible to hold direct elections now.

5 Oct 2025 - 11:39AM

Residents on a motorcycle ride past war-damaged buildings in a suburb of Damascus, Syria. Photo: AP

Britain

UK police shoot dead 1 in Manchester synagogue terror attack

Jihad Al-Shamie was shot dead by officers, and two other men and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of acts of terrorism.

3 Oct 2025 - 10:50PMvideocam

Members of the Jewish community comfort each other near to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Manchester on Thursday. Photo: PA via AP

Israel-Gaza war

Netanyahu defies UN walkout, vows to ‘finish the job’ in Gaza

The speech was given amid ICC accusations and a genocide case, leading many delegates to walk out just as Israel’s leader was about to speak.

26 Sep 2025 - 10:40PM

United Nations General Assembly

First Syrian president in nearly 60 years arrives in US for UN meeting

Ahmad al-Sharaa has sought to restore ties with Arab countries and the West since Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December.

22 Sep 2025 - 7:08AM

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Syria

Britain, France bombed suspected Isis arms dump in Syria: UK defence ministry

Intelligence analysis identified an underground facility believed ‍to contain weapons and explosives in mountains ‍near Palmyra, the UK said.

‘Hell to pay’: Trump warns Hamas and Iran after talks with Netanyahu

Sectarian tensions flare and turn deadly in Syria after mosque bombing

Blast in Syria kills 8 at mosque targeting Alawite minority in Homs

Authorities investigate explosive devices planted during Friday prayers, heightening sectarian tensions and fears among minorities.

Bethlehem celebrates first festive Christmas since Gaza war

After two years of cancelled festivities, the ‘City of the Nativity’ revives its iconic parades and tree lighting as a fragile truce holds in Gaza.

US strikes at Isis fighters in Syria after 3 Americans killed

At least five Isis members were killed in a ‘large-scale’ strike hitting 70 Isis targets across central Syria.

Millions raised for ‘hero of Australia’ who stopped gunman at Bondi Beach

Over 40,000 people have donated about US$1.5 million to Ahmed al Ahmed, the Syrian-Australian Muslim hero who saved Jewish lives.

Trump expands US travel ban and restrictions to include another 20 countries

The clampdown affects people seeking to travel to the US as visitors as well as those hoping to emigrate there.

Trump vows retaliation after 2 US troops and a civilian killed in Syria ambush

This is the first attack on American service members to inflict casualties since the fall of Assad a year ago.

Syria’s year of ‘epic’ transformation earns it Trump’s protection

Washington is lifting sanctions and has rebuked Israel for its attacks, as the US throws its weight behind Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration.

A year after Assad’s fall, can Syria’s new leader deliver lasting peace?

Despite progress, sectarian violence and Kurdish tensions persist as President Ahmed al-Sharaa pushes toward future elections.

Trump invites Netanyahu to White House as US warms to Syria’s president

Another invitation to Israel’s leader was issued after Syria’s president made a historic visit to the White House a few weeks ago.

Pope Leo urges Lebanon’s leaders to unite for peace

The first US pope arrived in Beirut from Istanbul, where sought to give Lebanon’s long-suffering people a message of hope.

Why Xinjiang casts a long shadow over China and Syria’s efforts to rebuild ties

The new Syrian government needs help in rebuilding, but Beijing is deeply concerned about Uygur militant groups inside the country.

China looks to get relations with Syria ‘back on track’ after Assad’s downfall

In first meeting with counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani, Foreign Minister Wang Yi urges new regime to act against Xinjiang militant groups.

Syria detains security forces over sectarian violence that killed hundreds

The arrests follow a July rampage in Sweida where government fighters effectively sided with Bedouin clans against the Druze.

Gaddafi’s son released on bail after 10 years in a Lebanon prison

Hannibal Gaddafi was released after a Libyan delegation paid a drastically reduced bail, ending his detention over a missing cleric.

Syria joins alliance against Isis after Trump hosts ex-jihadist president

President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s White House visit caps a remarkable turnaround for a former jihadist who once had a US$10 million bounty on his head.

Syria leader arrives in US for Trump visit after removal from terror blacklist

Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose rebel forces ousted Assad, has been working to present a moderate image, in a break from his group’s violent past.

In the Middle East’s diplomatic drama, Turkey takes centre stage

Once censured by the West, Ankara is now the go-to go-between for Washington, Europe and Damascus in a fast-changing region.

US accuses Iran of plot to kill Israeli ambassador in Mexico

The Revolutionary Guards’ elite Quds Force was allegedly behind a plan to assassinate diplomat Einat Kranz-Neiger.

Germany arrests Syrian suspected of plotting ‘jihadist’ attack

Interior minister says Germany’s terrorist threat remains heightened, though the suspect’s activities were ‘detected in time’.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | What Syria’s post-war pivot to China reveals about the new world order

Damascus views engagement with Beijing as a pathway to legitimacy, leverage – and the US$216 billion it needs to rebuild.

Israel air strikes in Lebanon continue despite Gaza ceasefire deal

The Lebanese president condemned the ‘heinous Israeli aggression’ that came just hours after the US-backed Gaza truce took effect.

Syria to select post-Assad parliamentary members in process deemed undemocratic

A third of the members are appointed by interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has said it is impossible to hold direct elections now.

UK police shoot dead 1 in Manchester synagogue terror attack

Jihad Al-Shamie was shot dead by officers, and two other men and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of acts of terrorism.

Netanyahu defies UN walkout, vows to ‘finish the job’ in Gaza

The speech was given amid ICC accusations and a genocide case, leading many delegates to walk out just as Israel’s leader was about to speak.

First Syrian president in nearly 60 years arrives in US for UN meeting

Ahmad al-Sharaa has sought to restore ties with Arab countries and the West since Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December.

Opinion | What Syria’s post-war pivot to China reveals about the new world order