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Syria

May 20, 2026

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Car bomb in Syrian capital leaves 1 dead, 23 injured: What to know

Tuesday's bombing is the latest in a string of recent security incidents in Damascus.

NICOSIA, CYPRUS - APRIL 24: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives for an informal meeting of European Union leaders on April 24, 2026 in Nicosia, Cyprus. The EU heads of state and government are meeting over two days to discuss the conflict in Iran and the Middle East, including freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the effects of high fuel prices, and how Europe may contribute to de-escalation and a peace agreement. (Photo by Byron Smith/Getty Images)

Syria's Sharaa renews ban on Israeli imports in customs law: What to know

The renewal comes even as Damascus pursues US-backed security talks with Israel aimed at reducing tensions along the border.

Latest News

Analysis

Ports and infrastructure: UAE embraces new economic order in Syria

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives to attend the second day of the first Syrian-Emirati (United Arab Emirates) Investment Forum, at the People's Palace in Damascus on May 12, 2026. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP via Getty Images)

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Interview

UK fintech brings foreign currency accounts to Syrians at home

A Syrian citizen exchanges old banknotes for new notes released and distributed by the central bank, at a bank in the capital, Damascus, on Jan. 3, 2026.

Interview

Syrian Kurdish commander Kobane says Turkey visit ‘in the making,’ Ocalan meeting possible

Mazloum Kobane, commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), speaks during the pan-Kurdish "Unity and Consensus" conference in Qamishli in northeastern Syria on April 26, 2025.

Mazloum Kobane

Mazloum Kobane

SDF commander in chief

Lebanon authorities release Salafist cleric Khaled Hablas: What to know

Khaled Hablas

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Danny Makki

In London, reporting on Syrian politics and culture

Ali Hashem

In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict

Cagatay Cebe

In Istanbul, reporting on security and counterterrorism

Islamic Jihad militants take part in the funeral of their comrade Mahmoud Shaath in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip November 28, 2012. Shaath died on Wednesday from a wound he suffered from an Israeli air strike during an eight-day conflict, Palestinian medics said. Eight days of Israeli air strikes on Gaza and cross-border Palestinian rocket attacks ended in an Egyptian-brokered truce agreement a week ago that called on Israel to ease restrictions on the territory. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZ

Islamic Jihad May Respond If Israel Enters Syria War

Fighters from Al-Quds Brigades say they are ready to fight in Syria alongside Hezbollah if requested.

A member of the Free Syrian Army walks past a damaged bus in Aleppo's Karm al-Jabal district, June 3, 2013. REUTERS/Muzaffar Salman (SYRIA - Tags: CONFLICT POLITICS) - RTX10ALJ

Syria's Bus Drivers Brave War to Provide Transport

Bus companies operating between Lebanese and Syrian cities continue despite the high dangers of war.

A fighter from the Islamist Syrian rebel group Jabhat al-Nusra is seen in front of a burning vehicle, caused by what activists said were missiles fired by a Syrian Air Force fighter jet from forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, at their base in Raqqa province, east Syria, May 12, 2013. REUTERS/Hamid Khatib (SYRIA - Tags: CONFLICT POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTXZJTP

Attacking Al-Qaeda in Syria

A robust information campaign to undermine al-Qaeda in Syria would help to mitigate, although not eliminate, the dangers of the civil war.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal (C) arrives before the opening of an emergency meeting among the Arab League foreign ministers, held to discuss the Syrian crisis and the potential military strike on President Bashar al-Assad's regime, at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, September 1, 2013. Saudi Arabia told fellow Arab League states on Sunday that opposing international intervention against the Syrian government would only encourage Damascus to use weapons of mass destruction. REU

Saudi Arabia Pushes US Toward Military Strike in Syria

Saudi Arabia is advocating for a US military strike in Syria to advance its own regional and sectarian agenda.

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks about Syria next to Vice President Joe Biden (L) at the Rose Garden of the White House August 31, 2013, in Washington. Obama said on Saturday he had decided the United States should strike Syrian government targets in response to a deadly chemical weapons attack, but said he would seek a congressional vote for any military action. REUTERS/Mike Theiler (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX132W2

Iran Pleased With US Pause On Syria Strike

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had been stressing the need for cooperation and consultation on Syria.

Free Syrian Army fighters ride on the back of a pickup truck in Deir al-Zor August 30, 2013. Picture taken August 30, 2013. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT MILITARY) - RTX132DY

Syria's Rebels Not Unified On US Strike

Syria's rebels are cautious about attacks that they believe may benefit Israel, and not aid them in defeating President Bashar al-Assad.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu speaks during a joint news conference with his Jordanian counterpart Nasser Judeh in Amman May 10, 2013. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed (JORDAN - Tags: POLITICS) - RTXZHVL

Turkey's Role Limited In Syria Crisis

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu justify their tough approach to Syria, but may not have much of a role in de-escalating the crisis.

Protesters, including Syrian-Americans Memo Nakour (L) and Wes Nakour (R), demonstrate against potential strikes on the Syrian government in Seattle, Washington August 31, 2013. REUTERS/David Ryder (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTX1333W

Delay in Action Against Syria Could Help Geneva II Track

Bad memories of the Iraq invasion should lead to negotiations to end the Syrian conflict.

Israelis Note: Obama's Decision On Syria Is From Strength

President Barack Obama's decision to seek authorization from the US Congress for a possible missile strike on Syria is a sign of strong moral values, not weakness.

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks about Syria next to Vice President Joe Biden (L) at the Rose Garden of the White House August 31, 2013, in Washington. Obama said on Saturday he had decided the United States should strike Syrian government targets in response to a deadly chemical weapons attack, but said he would seek a congressional vote for any military action. REUTERS/Mike Theiler (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX132W2

Can Syrian Chemical Weapons Issue Lead to US-Iran Opening?

Al-Monitor’s analysis and coverage of a possible US military strike on Syria.

A Palestinian protester holds pictures of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (R) and Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah during a demonstration against potential strikes on the Syrian government, in the West Bank City of Ramallah August 31, 2013. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman (WEST BANK - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT) - RTX132FY

How Will Hezbollah Respond To a Western Strike on Syria?

As the world awaits an expected Western military strike on Syria, Hezbollah's reaction will depend on the details of this possible strike and is based on regional concerns.

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man walks out with his children after collecting gas mask kits at a distribution point in Jerusalem August 28, 2013. Thousands of Israelis on Wednesday continued to queue up for gas masks or ordered them by phone, spurred on by fears that any Western military response to last week's alleged chemical weapons attack in Syria could ensnare their own country in war. Israel also deploying all of its missile defences as a precaution against possible Syrian retaliatory attacks should Weste

Israel Prepares for Syria Strike

As Israel stations an Iron Dome anti-missile battery in Tel Aviv, Israelis fear missile attacks on their major cities and wonder: Will Israel be prepared?