Syrian civil war

Sen. Graham threatens

'No one in Syria is listening to me or other US officials'

US senator warns Damascus that continued moves toward Raqqa could trigger Caesar Act sanctions 'on steroids' and permanently damage ties with Washington.

Syrian army seizes major oil fields as Kurdish forces lose ground

Syrian forces, backed by Arab tribal fighters, advanced across northeast Syria, seizing major oil fields and cities amid clashes with Kurdish-led forces.

Amid celebrations and unrest

Syria marks one year since Assad’s fall

Syria reflects on a year of celebration and violence as Sharaa urges unity amid ongoing insecurity, minority fears, and competing foreign influences.

'It’s all over'

Report reveals how Iran and Hezbollah quit on Assad

AFP reveals Iran and Hezbollah abandoned Assad as rebels stormed Damascus, fleeing overnight and leaving bases, consulates, and documents behind before Assad escaped to Russia.

New Syria gov't pledges help on missing US citizens

Syria's new authorities commit to assisting the United States in locating and repatriating missing American citizens or their remains, a significant development following the lifting of US sanctions.

Amid reconstruction

Trump open to lifting Syria sanctions

US President Donald Trump says he is considering lifting sanctions on Syria to support the country's post-civil war reconstruction. Syria's foreign ministry welcomes the move as a step toward peace and prosperity.

Erdogan claims 'Israel fears end of Syrian civil war'

Turkish president calls on international community to stop Israel after the Jewish State took action to protect Syria's Druze community.

Report:

Iran's secret plan to take over Syria fell with Assad

Leaked Iranian documents detail a failed strategy to cement influence in post-war Syria, disrupted by the 2024 ouster of President Bashar al-Assad.

Body of former Syrian President reportedly dug up

Footage shows what appears to be the mausoleum of Hafez al-Assad with a hole in the center where the grave marker once stood. It is unknown what befell the former leader's remains.

Report:

US sets demands for Syria to gain sanctions relief

Reuters reports that the US has presented Syria with a set of conditions for partial sanctions relief.

Calls for stability

Germany reopens embassy in Damascus

Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock reopens her country’s embassy in Damascus, marking the first time in 13 years that Germany has had a diplomatic presence in Syria.

Israel ramps up deterrence on Syrian border

IAF fighter planes have been called in several times recently to chase off Syrian regime representatives who neared the Druze-controlled areas in southern Syria.

Ritchie Torres:

'Where are protesters on Syria massacre? No Jews, No News'

New York Congressman questions the silence of those who spent a year and a half protesting Israel after over 1,000 people, mostly civilians, were massacred in Alawite areas in Syria.

Syria clashes:

Bomb explodes in Damascus as tensions continue to rise

According to Arab media, the bomb attack targeted a General Security patrol in the Mazzeh neighborhood in Damascus. It is unclear if the explosion caused any casualties.

Syria launches probe of alleged massacre of Alawite civilians

Syria’s interim government announces an investigation after the killing of Alawite civilians in clashes in the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus.

Defense Minister Katz:

We will soon allow Druze laborers to work in Israel

Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the cabinet approved an aid program for Druze and Circassians in Israel and added that Druze from Syria will soon be able to come to work in the Golan Heights.

Syria:

Dozens dead in clashes between regime forces and Assad loyalists

Clashes in Latakia result in the deaths of at least 28 fighters loyal to ousted President Bashar Al-Assad, along with 16 security personnel and four civilians.

IDF confirms strike on Assad regime weapons

IAF strikes weapons storage site near Tartus, 'due to recent developments in the area.'

Syria forms committee to draft constitutional declaration

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa announces establishment of a committee tasked with drafting a constitutional declaration to guide the country’s transition.

Unusual directive:

Netanyahu and Katz order IDF to protect Druze village in Syria

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, instruct IDF to prepare to protect Druze village of Jaramana, near Damascus in Syria.

Message from the troops:

'Shabbat Shalom from frozen Syria!'

Soldiers from Battalion 8551 operating on Mount Hermon at the Syrian border sent a video from the snow-covered mountain.

Syria:

Transitional president sets 4-5 year timeline for elections

Syria's transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, estimates it would take between four and five years to organize presidential elections, cites need for vast infrastructure which needs to be re-established.

Assad's cousin who led deadly 2011 crackdown arrested

Syria’s new leadership announces the arrest of Atif Najib, a cousin of ousted President who is accused of leading a deadly 2011 crackdown on rebels in Daraa.

Ahmed al-Sharaa named Syria's interim president

Syria's new leadership announces that Ahmed al-Sharaa, who became the country's de facto leader after his rebel group ousted Bashar Al-Assad, has been appointed interim president.

UN official:

Nearly 200,000 Syrian refugees have returned since Assad's fall

UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi says that, between December 8 and January 16, approximately 195,200 Syrians made their way back home.

Erdogan threatens:

If Israel doesn't withdraw from Syria, impact to affect everyone

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan holds party meeting, discussing progress on Gaza ceasefire deal and the situation in Syria.

Tanks, intelligence documents, and weapons seized in Syria

Over 3,300 weapons confiscated from Syrian territory so far, IDF spokesperson confirms.

Biden to leave decision on Syria sanctions to Trump

US officials say the Biden administration is expected to leave the decision on lifting sanctions against Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its leader to the incoming Trump administration.

US eases some sanctions on Syria

US issues six-month general license allowing specific transactions with the Syrian government, including certain energy sales and related activities, to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid to the country.

Red Cross President:

'Identifying the missing in Syria could take years'

President of International Committee for the Red Cross says that uncovering the fate of those who went missing during Syria's civil war will be a monumental undertaking that could span several years.

'Protect remaining Jews'

The unordinary letter from the rabbi to Syria's new leader

Rabbi Binyamin Hamra, the spiritual leader of the Syrian community in Israel, sent a letter to Ahmad al-Sharaa asking him to protect the country's remaining Jews and Jewish holy sites.

Syria's new curriculum: Jews are 'damned and have gone astray'

Syria’s newly formed government under fire following proposed changes to the school curriculum which some perceive as introducing an Islamist bias.

Dramatic footage:

100 Shaldag soldiers raided, dismantled Syrian missile factory

In September, troops from the Shaldag Unit raided and destroyed an underground compound for manufacturing precision missiles in the Masyaf area, deep in Syrian territory.

Golan Heights:

Foreign Minister Sa'ar meets with UNDOF command

Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar visited the Syrian border where he met with the command of UNDOF and IDF soldiers.

Minister Avi Dichter:

'Turkey is becoming the new Iran in Syria'

Agriculture Minister speaks to Arutz Sheva about the war against Hamas and Hezbollah, warns not to place too much trust in Syria's new leaders given their associations with Al Qaeda.

Syrian FM optimistic about stronger ties with Saudi Arabia

Syria’s new Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shibani, visits Saudi Arabia, the first foreign trip by Syria’s new leadership following their rise to power last month.

Syria:

Rebel military leader confirmed as country's new defense minister

Syria's newly formed transitional government confirms appointment of Murhaf Abu Qasra, the Islamist military commander who led the offensive against Assad, as the country's new defense minister.

Report:

US expressed concern over violent attacks in Syria

US officials tell Axios that Washington has raised concerns with Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, the new foreign minister in Syria’s transitional administration, over recent reports of violent attacks carried out by groups across the country.

Syria appoints foreign fighters to military leadership roles

Syria’s new leadership integrates individuals from the Uyghur community, a Jordanian, and a Turkish national into the country’s armed forces, part of effort to unify rebel groups into a professional military structure.

Watch:

IDF forces operate in Quneitra

For the first time, footage shows IDF forces operating in the southern Syrian town of Quneitra.

Syrian rebel leader:

'Holding elections could take up to four years'

Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, explains that drafting a new constitution might require up to three years and it will take around a year for Syrians to witness significant changes.

Two relatives of Assad arrested while attempting to flee Lebanon

Wife and daughter of Duraid Al-Assad, a cousin of Syria’s deposed President Bashar Al-Assad, were arrested at Beirut's airport while attempting to leave the country using allegedly forged passports.

Foreign Minister:

New Syrian government is a gang of terrorists, not a stable gov't

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar discusses situation in Syria, noting threats to Israel and instability of new government.

Arab League warns Iran against ‘fuelling strife’ in Syria

Arab League urges Iran to avoid actions that could inflame tensions in Syria, following the ouster of Tehran's ally Bashar Al-Assad.

Syria launches crackdown following deadly attack in Tartus

Syria’s newly established authorities initiate major security operation in Tartus province, a day after 14 policemen were killed by Assad supporters.

Syrian rebels demand compensation from Iran

In light of Iran's support for the Assad regime over the years, the rebels in Syria are demanding compensation of hundreds of billions of dollars from Iran.

Syrian rebel groups agree to dissolve to join government

Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the de facto leader of the post-Assad Syria, announces that he reached an agreement with the leaders of the various rebel groups to consolidate their forces under the new Defense Ministry.

Israel's message to Syria's new leader

Israel made clear to Ahmad al-Sharaa that as long as no trustworthy force comes to replace the IDF, it will take steps to ensure its own security.

Teacher Discovers:

Vanished student became Syrian foreign minister

As'ad al-Shaybani, who was appointed Foreign Minister of Syria after the fall of the regime, had been a student in Turkey until recently. His teacher had been looking for him for two weeks before he learned of his new post.

Khamenei claims:

'The Islamic Republic doesn’t have proxy forces'

In a long rant on X, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei attacked the US and Israel for their involvement in Syria and claimed: 'You Zionists haven’t won; you’ve been defeated.'

50 years later:

Part of crashed IDF helicopter found on Mt. Hermon

IDF soldiers found the rotor of Super Hornet 017, which crashed on the slopes of Mt. Hermon in 1974, shortly before the area was relinquished to the Syrians.

Prominent rebel figure appointed Syrian defense minister

Syria's new leadership appoints Murhaf Abu Qasra, a prominent figure in Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, as defense minister in the interim government.

US lifts bounty on leader of Syrian rebels

Top US diplomat for the Middle East meets Syria's de facto leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa, tells him that Washington would no longer pursue a reward for his arrest.

Putin:

'Israel is the main beneficiary of the situation in Syria'

Russian President refutes claims that Russia's nine-year intervention in Syria was a failure, voices concerns about Israel's military activities in the region following the ousting of Assad.

Guterres:

'Israeli airstrikes are violations of Syria's sovereignty'

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for Israel to stop striking strategic weapons and military infrastructure in Syria and called on both sides to respect the buffer zone.

Syrian rebel leader:

'Syria is no longer a threat to the West, lift the sanctions'

Ahmed Al-Sharaa, head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and de facto leader of Syria, says the country is exhausted by the ongoing war and is no longer a threat to its neighbors or to the West.

Erdoğan:

'Turkey is bigger than Turkey, we can't limit ourselves'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that history assigned Turkey a mission to expand its borders.

Minister Chikli:

'Kurds must be granted independence, Turkey expelled from NATO'

Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli calls for recognition of Kurdish independence, consequences for Erdogan as Turkish and Turkish-backed forces threaten Kurdish areas of northern Syria.

New Syrian government representatives meet with Druze leaders

Representatives of Syria's transitional government met with leaders in Sweida, the capital of the Jabal Druze region to discuss government services and the need to show that the new government is tolerant towards religious minorities.

'IAF not striking in that area'

PM assures mother of US journalist imprisoned in Syria

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assures Debra Tice, the mother of American journalist Austin Tice, who has been imprisoned in Syria since 2012, that Israel's airstrikes in Syria are not being conducted in areas where Tice might be held.