Syria Conflict

Turkey taps Nuh Yilmaz as first ambassador to Syria in 13 years

Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz will be Turkey’s first ambassador in Damascus since his predecessor's withdrawal more than a decade ago.

Turkey

Syria arrests ex-general accused of executions at Assad's 'human slaughterhouse'

The arrest comes as the new government intensifies efforts to hold former government figures accountable for crimes committed during decades of the Assad family’s rule.

Syria

At least $216B needed to rebuild postwar Syria, says World Bank

Reconstruction costs of damaged physical assets are projected at between $140 billion and $345 billion, with a conservative best estimate of $216 billion, the World Bank reports.

By Jack Dutton

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Syria’s SDF releases detainees as 'goodwill' gesture after talks with Damascus

The talks on the situation in Aleppo, where a siege of Kurdish areas is reportedly ongoing, come as the Syrian government and the SDF work on a deal to integrate the Kurdish-led force into the new army.

Syria

Feature

Former Assad mouthpiece Al-Thawra to test limits of Syria's new rulers

Despite the fall of Assad, Al-Thawra struggles to shed its propaganda legacy, as new editor Nour al-Din al-Ismail works to professionalize the state-owned paper amid a culture of fear and entrenched habits.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Syria finance chief meets US, World Bank officials as Trump admin pushes more sanction relief

Less than two weeks ago, the US Senate approved a measure to repeal the 2019 Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act sanctions on Syria as part of its 2026 defense budget.

Syria

Even as Putin shields Assad, Syria’s Sharaa seeks to 'redefine' Moscow ties

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in Moscow in a visit overshadowed by the presence of ousted President Bashar al-Assad in Russia and Moscow’s attempts to maintain its military presence in Syria.

Syria

Exclusive

PKK leader Ocalan appeals to Iraqi Kurdistan president for help in Turkey peace talks

In a letter shared exclusively with Al-Monitor, the jailed PKK leader asks Barzani to help advance negotiations aimed at ending decades of conflict with Turkey.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Turkey, Syria hold high-level security summit as SDF integration talks ramp up

The summit comes as Turkey and Syria coordinate over the future of the Kurdish-led SDF, amid US mediation efforts to meet the year-end integration deadline with Damascus.

Turkey

Culture

Healing through art: Syria’s artists seek to unite a fractured nation

From Damascus to Idlib, a new generation of Syrian artists is reclaiming public space and rebuilding cultural life through contemporary art.

Syria

US Senate approves repeal of Caesar Act sanctions on Syria: What to know

The 2019 Caesar Act imposed sweeping sanctions on Syria to hold the government accountable for human rights abuses committed during the country’s civil war.

Syria

Syria: Siege persists in Aleppo’s Kurdish enclaves despite SDF-Damascus truce

Tensions are rising over plans to integrate the Kurdish-led SDF into the new Syrian military amid clashes between government-affiliated and Kurdish forces in Syria’s largest city.

Syria