syria
60 stories related to this topic, newest first.
Al JazeeraFormer Syrian General Denies Torture Charges at Start of Vienna Trial
Brigadier General Khaled al-Halabi, 63, and Lieutenant Colonel Musab Abu Rukba, 54, face charges including aggravated torture and sexual coercion for alleged acts in Raqqa between 2011 and 2013. The trial opened on 1 June 2026 and is scheduled to last until June 30.
abcnews.go.comTrump Administration Asked Russia to Press Assad for Release of Missing Journalist Austin Tice
Robert O'Brien asked Nikolai Patrushev to press Bashar al-Assad for the journalist's release. Multiple backchannel efforts across years did not succeed.
Al JazeeraGreece Reviews Asylum Status for Syrians and Afghans After Conflicts End
Greek authorities began reviewing protection status for Syrians and Afghans in February after the end of Syria's civil war and the 2021 Taliban takeover. The reviews target men and coincide with new returns legislation.
theyeshivaworld.comAustria to Hold First Trial of Syrian Officials on Torture Charges
Austria will prosecute two former Syrian regime officers accused of torture. The case marks the country's first war crimes trial involving Assad-era officials and will allow Syrian witnesses to testify.
news.sky.comU.S. Open to Sanctions Relief, Economic Support for Post-Assad Syria After Trump-al-Sharaa Call
The two leaders discussed supporting Syria's economy and recent regional developments. Ahmed al-Sharaa stated that lifting remaining U.S. sanctions is essential for economic revival.
abcnews.go.comEuphrates River Floods Prompt Civil Defense Response in Eastern Syria
Syria’s Civil Defense assisted families after the Euphrates river overflowed in the east. Rescue teams worked to reach affected households following the breach.
sana.syU.S. Special Envoy for Syria Steps Down as Ties with Damascus Advance
Tom Barrack is leaving the Syria envoy post while the administration moves toward full diplomatic relations with Damascus. The change follows his work on post-Assad outreach.
jpost.comSyrian Authorities Detain 18 Suspects in Assad Chemical Weapons Program
Syrian authorities have detained 18 individuals suspected of involvement in the former Assad regime's chemical weapons program. A new discovery of munitions and materials may assist investigators in tracing command structures.
news.google.comSyrian Railways Runs Fuel Trains on Damaged Network to Aleppo Plant
A freight train carrying 5,000 tonnes of fuel oil left Baniyas Refinery for the Aleppo Thermal Power Plant on a February morning. The route now requires a long detour because sections of the direct coastal line were destroyed during the civil war.
abcnews.go.comSyria Reports Flooding Along Euphrates After Turkish Dam Releases
Syria's energy ministry warned Thursday of rising water levels on the Euphrates River. Flooding has affected northern and eastern provinces after increased flows from Turkey and recent rains.
jpost.comSyrian Authorities Fill 11 Kurdish-Area Seats Through Indirect Selection Process
Syrian authorities completed selection of 11 parliament members from Kurdish-majority districts on May 24. Five seats went to Kurdish candidates under an indirect appointment system established by the constitutional declaration.
al-monitor.comRain ends drought in Syria but many farmers skip planting
Recent rainfall ended years of drought across Syria. Crop failures and subsidy reductions left many farmers unable to plant despite the improved weather.
theiranproject.comSyria Reports Higher Euphrates River Levels After Dam Release
Syrian authorities reported higher water levels along the Euphrates river following increased discharge from an upstream dam. Officials directed residents along the riverbanks to move inland due to possible flooding.
thehindu.comSyria Recovers Remnants of Assad Chemical Weapons Program
Syria's transitional government has located remnants of the former chemical weapons program, including raw materials and munitions. Authorities have detained 18 suspects linked to the program.
Breaking DefenseTurkey Hosts Record Efes 2026 Exercise With Nine New Nations
The largest edition of Turkey's Efes military exercise concluded May 22 after six weeks of day and night drills. Nine countries participated for the first time, including Syria with a 20-person unit.
Abc NewsSyrian Families Remain in Idlib Camps 18 Months After Assad's Ouster
More than one million internally displaced Syrians still live in tents. The interim government and aid groups face funding shortfalls while reconstruction costs reach hundreds of billions of dollars.
Australians Leave Syrian Camp and Return Home
Seven women and 14 children left al-Roj camp last week and are expected in Sydney and Melbourne as early as Tuesday afternoon. The group flew from Damascus to Doha on Monday before boarding flights with Australian passports.
sana.syNine Syrian Heritage Sites Added to Islamic World Cultural Organization List
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization added nine Syrian heritage sites to its protected list. The organization restored Syria's membership last year after a 14-year suspension.
The Sydney Morning HeraldAustralian Government Bars One ISIS-Linked Woman From Returning From Syria
The Albanese government has imposed a temporary exclusion order on one Australian woman linked to Islamic State who remains in Syria. The order prevents her from boarding any flight to Australia even if Syria deports her.
thehindu.comIraq Explores Overland Trade Route to Turkey Through Syria
Iraq is considering a 1,200-kilometer overland trade corridor to Turkey that would pass through Syria. The plan could alter regional trade patterns if implemented.
Defense NewsLibya and Syria Send Troops to Turkey Military Exercise
Libya and Syria deployed forces to Turkey's EFES-2026 exercise near Izmir. The drill ran through May 21 and involved over 10,000 personnel from 50 nations. Turkish officials described the participation as part of ongoing military cooperation programs.
al-monitor.comSyria President Ahmed al-Sharaa to Attend G7 Summit in France
Syria will participate in the June 15-17 G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, as a guest nation represented by President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The invitation was delivered to Syrian Finance Minister Yisr Barnieh during financial talks in Paris this week.
freepressjournal.inISIS Releases Propaganda Message Urging Fighters to Continue Operations in Syria
The Islamic State group issued a new propaganda message calling on its members and foreign fighters in Syria to continue fighting and avoid surrender. The statement targets areas including Deir ez-Zur, Raqqa, and the Syrian desert.
Los Angeles TimesUnited Nations Considers Response to Israeli Plan for Military Complex on Former UNRWA Site
The United Nations is reviewing Israel's approval of a defense ministry complex at the former UNRWA headquarters in east Jerusalem. UNRWA Deputy Commissioner General Natalie Boucly stated the matter is under consideration by the organization's legal council.
Al JazeeraCar Bomb Kills Syrian Soldier Near Damascus Defense Ministry
A car bomb exploded near a defense ministry building in Damascus on Tuesday, killing one Syrian soldier and wounding at least 21 people. Authorities said the blast occurred in the Bab Sharqi district after troops discovered an improvised explosive device.
NprUyghur Fighters Describe Role in Syrian Rebel Offensive That Toppled Assad
More than 40 Uyghur fighters and family members spoke to NPR about their participation in the Syrian civil war. They recounted how they joined rebel groups and took part in the November 2024 offensive that captured Aleppo.
finance.yahoo.comTotalEnergies, QatarEnergy and ConocoPhillips Sign Deal to Review Syria Offshore Block
The three energy companies have signed an agreement to assess an offshore block in Syria. The deal focuses on reviewing the potential of the block for future development. The announcement comes as the companies explore opportunities in the region.
thehindu.comTurkey Shifts Regional Policy Toward Stability in Syria and With Kurdish Groups
Turkey has moved from military operations in Syria and confrontation with Kurdish groups to supporting the new Syrian government and exploring a deal with the PKK. The policy change follows the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. Israel has expressed wariness about Turkey'…
yahoo.comFormer Syrian Official to Face Trial in Daraa Over 2011 Protest Crackdown
More than a decade after the Syrian revolution began, a former Assad-era official is on trial for allegations of torture, killings, and the violent suppression of protests in Daraa. Daraa is the birthplace of the 2011 uprising. Al Jazeera's Heidi Pett reported on the historic cas…
rediff.comAustralian Women Charged With Enslaving Kidnapped Woman After Return From Syria
At least two Australian women who returned from Syria have been charged with enslaving a kidnapped woman. The cases form part of broader efforts to hold foreigners accountable for crimes against humanity committed in Syria and Iraq. Al Jazeera correspondent Soraya Lennie reported…
Al JazeeraAssad Cousin Atef Najib Appears in Court in Damascus on Charges of Murder and Torture
Atef Najib, a brigadier general and former head of the Political Security Department in Deraa, faced the first substantive session of his trial on 10 May 2026. He has been charged with at least 10 crimes including murder, torture and responsibility for massacres, with 75 plaintif…
Abc NewsSyria's Interim President Removes Brother From Top Government Post
Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa issued a decree on Saturday removing his brother Maher al-Sharaa as secretary-general to the presidency. The move comes after the appointment drew accusations of nepotism. Al-Sharaa also named new governors for four provinces and a new in…
jpost.comSyrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa Announces First Cabinet Reshuffle Since Assad Ouster
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued late-night decrees changing several ministerial and provincial posts. The moves include new appointments for information, foreign, agriculture and oil-related provincial governors. The reshuffle occurs 18 months into a five-year transitiona…
jpost.comSyrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa meets Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Damascus
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa hosted Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the People's Palace in Damascus on Saturday. The meeting marks a high-level diplomatic engagement between the two neighboring countries. @FirstSquawk reported the encounter.
jpost.comKurdish Protesters Remove Government Billboard in Hasaka After Language Change
Local Kurdish residents in Hasaka removed a billboard at the Justice Palace on May 7 after authorities changed its languages from Kurdish and Arabic to English and Arabic. The protests occurred as Damascus works to integrate former SDF units into the national military and extend…
BBC NewsThree Women Linked to Islamic State Arrested in Australia After Returning from Syria
Four Australian women and nine children who had been held in a Syrian detention camp arrived in Melbourne and Sydney on Thursday after years linked to Islamic State. Police immediately arrested three of the women on charges including slavery offences described as crimes against h…
mumbrella.com.auAustralia Repatriates Women and Children from Syrian Detention Camps
A group of 11 women and children landed in Melbourne at about 5:30pm Thursday after departing Damascus the previous day, with another woman and child expected in Sydney. All hold Australian passports after more than seven years in al-Roj detention camp. Australian Federal Police…
jpost.comSyria Announces Thwarting Assassination Plot Linked to Hezbollah-Affiliated Cell
The Syrian Interior Ministry stated that authorities thwarted a plot by a Hezbollah-affiliated cell to assassinate government officials. Hezbollah issued a statement denying involvement and rejecting the accusations as false. The announcement came on Tuesday night, with Hezbollah…
dailyalert.orgJordan Conducts Airstrikes on Alleged Drug Labs in Syria's Suwayda Province
Jordanian air forces targeted drug production sites in Syria's Suwayda province on May 4, 2026, amid concerns over the Captagon trade. The strikes hit facilities linked to a local militia, with Jordanian officials citing coordination with Syria's new government. The action highli…
winnipegfreepress.comTwo Women Arrested After Returning From Syria
Australian police stated that women with alleged ties to Islamic State militants will be arrested and investigated if they return from Syria. The government was alerted that four women and nine children had booked flights from Damascus. Officials emphasized no assistance in repat…
thehindu.comTrial Begins in Damascus for Former Assad Official Atef Najib on Charges of Crimes Against Civilians
Atef Najib, cousin of Bashar al-Assad and former head of political security in Daraa, appeared in court in Damascus on April 26, 2026, facing charges related to crimes against the Syrian people. The trial marks the first for a former dignitary of the Assad regime, which fell in D…
mondoweiss.netJordan Conducts Airstrike on Suspected Drugs and Weapons Site in Syria's Sweida Province
Jordanian forces conducted a strike on a drugs and weapons storage facility in Sweida, Syria. The province, largely outside Damascus' control, has been a target for Jordan's cross-border operations against smuggling networks. These efforts focus on Captagon, a Syrian-made ampheta…
jewishpress.comJordanian Armed Forces Strike Arms and Drug Trafficking Sites on Syria Border
The Jordanian Armed Forces conducted strikes on arms and drug trafficking sites along the Jordan-Syria border early Sunday morning to prevent smuggling into Jordan. The operation targeted factories, workshops, and warehouses used by traffickers.
thehindu.comSyria Reports Australian Government Declined to Receive Families from Detention Camp
Syria has reported that the Australian government refused to accept families from a detention camp attempting to depart Damascus. Separately, an Australian official announced that China agreed to assist with jet fuel exports amid supply issues. Government officials also addressed…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewUS Calls for Repatriation of Citizens from Syrian Camps; Australia Declines
The Trump administration is in active communication with countries to facilitate the repatriation of citizens detained in Syrian camps following the fall of Islamic State. A group of Australian women and children who left al-Roj camp are stuck in Damascus due to the Australian go…
ReasonSupreme Court Hears Arguments on Trump Termination of TPS for Haitians and Syrians
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on whether the Trump administration can terminate Temporary Protected Status for hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Haiti and Syria. Justices considered the extent of judicial review over such executive decisions. The case could a…
FortuneSupreme Court Hears Arguments on Trump Bid to End TPS for Haitians and Syrians
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on whether the Trump administration can end temporary protected status for migrants from Haiti and Syria without judicial review. The case involves appeals of lower court orders blocking the terminations, potentially affecting up to 1.3 mill…
upi.comSupreme Court Hears Arguments on Revoking TPS for Haitian and Syrian Immigrants
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on whether the Trump administration can terminate Temporary Protected Status for hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Haiti and Syria. The administration seeks to end protections granted due to unsafe conditions in those countries,…
winnipegfreepress.comDefected Syrian Judge Leads Trial of Assad Cousin Atef Najib on War Crimes Charges
A Damascus court opened the trial of Atef Najib, cousin of former President Bashar al-Assad, on charges including premeditated murder and crimes against humanity. The presiding judge, Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan, had defected from the regime in 2013 and was sentenced to death in absent…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewSyrian Court Launches Public Trial of Ex-Assad Officials, Including General in Custody
A Syrian court in Damascus began the first public trial of officials from Bashar Assad's era, with former security chief Atef Najib appearing in person on charges of crimes against the Syrian people. Assad and his brother Maher were charged in absentia. The proceedings stem from…
middleeasteye.netSyria Holds First Public Trial of Assad-Era Official in Damascus
Syria has initiated its first public trial of an official from the era of former President Bashar al-Assad. Atef Najib, a cousin of Assad and former head of political security in Daraa province, faces charges related to crimes against the Syrian people. The trial stems from event…
theweek.comAustralian Women and Children Linked to Islamic State Attempt Return from Syrian Camp
A group of four women and nine children linked to Islamic State have left a detention camp in Syria in an effort to return to Australia. This follows a failed attempt in February. Australian officials stated that any returnees would face legal consequences if they committed crime…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewSyrian Authorities Accuse Hezbollah-Linked Cells of Plotting Attacks
Syrian authorities have accused cells linked to Hezbollah of planning attacks within the country, including assassinations, bombings, and rocket fire. This follows the fall of Bashar Assad and marks a departure from previous cooperation. The development involves networks allegedl…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewSyrian Authorities Arrest Five in Alleged Hezbollah-Linked Plot Near Golan Heights
Syrian authorities foiled a plot by a Hezbollah cell planning rocket attacks from Quneitra near the Golan, arresting five members. The incident follows recent counterterrorism operations, including busts of other cells and a drug smuggling interception. Syria's UN representative…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewSyrian President Affirms Support for Four Seas Initiative Ahead of EU Meeting on May 11
Syria's President has confirmed the country's commitment to the Four Seas Initiative, which aims to bridge Syria with Asia, the Gulf, and Europe. The president also expressed anticipation for a meeting with the European Union on May 11 to foster cooperation and partnership. The s…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewSyrian Authorities Detain Man Accused in 2013 Tadamon Civilian Killings
Syrian authorities have arrested Amjad Youssef, accused of leading the mass killing of civilians in Damascus's Tadamon district in April 2013. Footage of the incident, showing bound and blindfolded victims shot and dumped in a pit, emerged in 2022. The arrest follows the toppling…
ynet.co.ilIsraeli Civilians Apprehended After Crossing into Syria from Golan Heights
Approximately 40 Israeli civilians attempted to cross the border into Syria from the Golan Heights and were apprehended by the military after traveling several hundred meters. The group was returned to Israel and transferred to police for questioning. Police stated that such cros…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewEuropean Governments Reject Thousands of Syrian Asylum Claims After Civil War Ends
European governments have rejected asylum claims from thousands of Syrians following the end of the country's 14-year civil war. This development occurs as governments adopt stricter policies on applications from Syria after the departure of the former leader. The changes reflect…
Reki Fadhullah AKA Abu Khabr / Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)Syria Conducts Operations Against Terror Plots and Drug Smuggling
Syrian authorities have taken action against terrorist activities and narcotics trade. These efforts include targeting Iran-backed terror cells and Hezbollah-linked smuggling operations. A recent seizure of drugs occurred in the Rif Dimashq province.
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewSyria Releases Video of Arresting Group Linked to Hezbollah
Syria has released footage depicting the arrest of a cell linked to Hezbollah, marking a notable development in regional relations. Two years ago, Syria was a close ally to the group and served as its primary supply route. The footage was reported by @MarioNawfal.