Syria Conflict

Russia's new twist in Syria policy: Restore archaeological sites

Russia is restoring several archaeological sites in Syria, which many Syrians believe aims to polish the Russian presence in Syria and portray it as not a military or political presence but rather a humanitarian one.

Sultan al-Kanj | Syria | Aug 5, 2021

A Russian army soldier patrols the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra on May 5, 2016.

Germany detains Syrian man accused of Yarmouk grenade attack

The suspect, identified only as Mouafak AI D, is charged with the murder of seven people in the Palestinian refugee camp near Damascus.

Al-Monitor Staff | Syria | Aug 4, 2021

Intel: US-led coalition reaffirms support for prisons holding IS fighters in northeast Syria

The coalition commander called the Syrian Kurdish fighters' achievements against the Islamic State "astounding" and reaffirmed international support.

Al-Monitor Staff | Syria | Aug 2, 2021

A fighter from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) guards a gate as Syrian women wait inside the Kurdish-run al-Hol camp.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards dig tunnels in city of Palmyra

Syrian opposition sources report that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is digging trenches in the city of Palmyra to reinforce the group's presence in the area.

Mohammed Hardan | Syria | Aug 2, 2021

A Syrian army soldier inspects tunnels reportedly dug by rebel fighters in Tallet al Sakhr, near the Tallet al-Abyad area in Aleppo's southwestern countryside, during an ongoing pro-government offensive, Syria, Jan. 30, 2020.

Fighting between government, rebels intensifies in Syria's Daraa

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said eight government-affiliated forces and three opposition fighters died in the clashes Thursday.

Al-Monitor Staff | Syria | Jul 30, 2021

US sanctions on Turkey-backed Syria faction offer solace to Kurdish victims

It remains to be seen what practical and immediate effect Wednesday's sanctions will have.

Amberin Zaman | Syria | Jul 29, 2021

Hevrin Khalaf's mother, Souad Mohammad, is seen with an image of her daughter in this undated photo.

Syrian jihadi group in Idlib boasts about new, advanced weapons

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader has recently boasted about his group’s growing weapons arsenal and military capabilities, as the Syrian government forces escalate their attacks on Idlib.

Sultan al-Kanj | Syria | Jul 29, 2021

Syrians burn tyres as they protest in front of a Turkish military outpost during a demonstration against Turkey's perceived inaction over the latest Syrian regime attacks, in the town of Maataram near Ariha in the rebel-held northwestern Idlib province, Syria, July 23, 2021.

The Takeaway: The roots of Tunisia’s political crisis are economic

Also: United States, Iraq stay focused on Islamic State; Gulf eyes solar energy; Russia’s Syria policy puzzles Israel; Afghan refugees trigger backlash in Turkey; Erdogan puts spotlight on Cyprus ghost town.

Andrew Parasiliti, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Joe Snell | Tunisia | Jul 28, 2021

Amid Afghan influx, Turkey’s refugee policy gets tested with fire

Turkey has done a rather good job meeting the immediate and mid-term needs of Syrian refugees, but it is now at a crossroads on whether to have a long-term integration policy, experts say.

Nazlan Ertan | Turkey | Jul 28, 2021

Syrian refugees walk among tents at Karkamis' refugee camp on January 16, 2014, near the town of Gaziantep, south of Turkey.

US unveils Syria sanctions targeting regime prisons, rebel group

The wave of sanctions targets eight military prisons, including the notorious Saydnaya prison outside the capital Damascus that rights groups have described as a “human slaughterhouse.”

Elizabeth Hagedorn | Syria | Jul 28, 2021

A Syrian man walks walks in between election campaign posters bearing portraits of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a candidate for the upcoming presidential election, in the capital Damascus on May 18, 2021.

Israeli woman who crossed into Syria handed 8-month jail sentence

The unidentified woman was released in February in a swap deal reportedly brokered by Syria's main ally Russia.

Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | Jul 27, 2021

A sign warning against landmines is seen by a barbed-wire fence in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on April 22, 2021 near the border fence with the Syrian governorate of Quneitra.

Syria blames Israel for destruction of evidence in Douma chemical attack

The UN's chemical weapons watchdog warned Syria's government not to move or tamper with the gas canisters recovered at Douma.

Al-Monitor Staff | Syria | Jul 23, 2021

Iranian forces in Syria establish new prison in Raqqa

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is redeploying and building new bases and prisons in its areas of control in northeastern Syria after coming under repeated Israeli and US airstrikes.

Mohammed Hardan | Syria | Jul 23, 2021

A member of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stands guard in a prison where men suspected of being affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) group are jailed in northeast Syria in the city of Hasakah on Oct. 26, 2019.

Turkish-backed rebels leave trail of abuse and criminality in Syria’s Afrin

The serene topography of the Syrian enclave of Afrin belies the power vacuum and violence now afflicting many of the territories under the control of Turkish-backed forces in the war-torn country’s northeast.

Dan Wilkofsky, Amberin Zaman, Mohammed Hardan | Syria | Jul 22, 2021

Syria Conflict

Russia's new twist in Syria policy: Restore archaeological sites

Russia is restoring several archaeological sites in Syria, which many Syrians believe aims to polish the Russian presence in Syria and portray it as not a military or political presence but rather a humanitarian one.

Germany detains Syrian man accused of Yarmouk grenade attack

Intel: US-led coalition reaffirms support for prisons holding IS fighters in northeast Syria

Iran's Revolutionary Guards dig tunnels in city of Palmyra

More women prisoners linked to Islamic State released from al-Hol camp

Fighting between government, rebels intensifies in Syria's Daraa

US sanctions on Turkey-backed Syria faction offer solace to Kurdish victims

Syrian jihadi group in Idlib boasts about new, advanced weapons

The Takeaway: The roots of Tunisia’s political crisis are economic

Amid Afghan influx, Turkey’s refugee policy gets tested with fire

US unveils Syria sanctions targeting regime prisons, rebel group

Israeli woman who crossed into Syria handed 8-month jail sentence

Syria blames Israel for destruction of evidence in Douma chemical attack

Iranian forces in Syria establish new prison in Raqqa

Turkish-backed rebels leave trail of abuse and criminality in Syria’s Afrin

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