Explainer SDF chief Kobane’s Damascus visit a high wire act for Syria’s Kurds The SDF says its integration with Damascus is complete, but major questions remain over its fighters, weapons and the future of Kurdish self-rule. Syria
US lifts Syria's terror designation after 47 years The Trump administration also took Hayat Tahrir al-Sham off its blacklist of Specially Designated Global Terrorist organizations. Syria
Analysis Why Turkey sees Israeli strikes in Syria as warning over its military role, Mecca Pact Ankara views Israel’s latest strikes in Syria as part of a broader effort to curb Turkey’s military influence in Damascus and a challenge to its regional defense partnerships. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Turkey bets on US deconfliction as Israel widens Syria red lines As Washington pushes a new deconfliction mechanism between Turkey and Israel, the Jewish state shows little incentive to accept tighter constraints on its freedom of action in Syria, experts say. By Ezgi Akin , Rina Bassist
Analysis Israel fears Turkey’s Syria ambitions and doubts Trump will stop them By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Syrian government, SDF trade accusations of violations of Russian-mediated cease-fire No sooner had an agreement been reached between the Syrian regime and US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces to lift the mutual sieges imposed in northeast Syria that accusations were traded about violations of the Russian-sponsored deal. Syria
Syrian Kurds hoping for lifeline from Biden administration Damascus, Ankara and Moscow turn up the heat on US-backed group; UN Syria envoy says, "We can’t continue like this." Syria
HTS leader shocks popular base after interview with Western journalist Whenever Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani makes a media appearance, it causes a commotion among Syrian activists and analysts, the most controversial of which is his recent appearance in a suit. Syria
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham shuts down arms stores across Idlib The Syrian Salvation Government in Idlib issued a decision to shut down all weapons stores in the areas under its control as a result of accidental shootings and explosions taking place inside these stores. Syria
The Takeaway: Egypt welcomes US mediation to help break high-stakes deadlock over Nile dam Motaz Zahran, Egypt’s ambassador to the United States, says Ethiopia has "no political will" to resolve dam dispute; who’s buying Golani’s makeover?; former ambassador to United States says Israel needs "united front" against Iran nuclear deal; Egypt’s first female mixed martial arts fighter. Egypt
Turkey, proxy fighters accused of 'illegally transferring' Syrians for prosecution Human Rights Watch documented the transfer of at least 63 Syrians to Turkey for prosecution on charges including membership in a terrorist group. Turkey
Al-Qaeda-linked leader again descends on Idlib streets to polish his image Once more, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria’s Idlib is making appearances in public places and visiting camps in a bid to present himself as a popular leader and to have his organization’s name removed from the international terrorist list. Syria
Triple car bombings in Turkey-occupied Syria draw UN condemnation Bombings in Afrin, Azaz and a village near al-Bab claimed at least 18 lives this weekend. Syria
How car bombs are making their way into northern Syria As local councils in northern Syria, which is under the control of Turkish-backed rebels, fail to make car dealers obtain licenses and register their offices, chaos prevails in the car market, as car bombs and explosions claim the lives of dozens of civilians. Syria
Syrian regime forces Homs residents to reopen their shops Regime-affiliated authorities in Syria’s central province of Homs are threatening shopkeepers to reopen their shops or risk confiscation of their properties by the regime. Syria
Flooding renders thousands of displaced Syrians homeless in northwest Weeks of heavy rains have created immense hardship for Idlib residents, who are already contending with the war between rebel groups and the government. Syria
Biden administration extends temporary protections for Syrians Under the extension, more than 6,700 Syrians will retain their special immigration status through September 2022. Syria