Syria arrivals surge 111% as government bets on tourism revival The country welcomed 3.52 million visitors during the first half of 2026, more than double the figure recorded a year earlier, as the government pushes to reconnect to the world and promote tourism as a pillar of economic recovery. Syria
Syria seizes arms shipment on Iraq border destined for Hezbollah The operation comes as part of the Syrian authorities' efforts to curb illicit arms smuggling through its territory, namely intended for Hezbollah. Lebanon
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran declares 'existential war' as US strikes reach near Tehran By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Syria, US hold first business forum since sanctions relief: What to know The one-day forum in Damascus was organized by Syria’s Ministry of Economy and Industry and the US-Syria Business Council, which was established in Washington last June to advance trade and investment between the two nations. Syria
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Kremlin confirms S-400 talks with Turkey By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran hits Gulf, warns Hormuz will reopen on its terms By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
US talks directly with Syria on missing American but White House a ‘holdup,’ family says The family of Majd Kamalmaz is pleading with the White House to build on previous engagement with Damascus, saying the Syrians have demanded to speak with a high-level US official. Syria
Violence on rise in Syria’s Suwayda Residents of Syria’s southern city of Suwayda accuse the Syrian government of supporting gangs and the spread of weapons, which encourage violence within the community. Syria
Controversy among jihadis in Idlib over killing of Islamic State leader Jihadis in Idlib believe that former al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham played a role in the killing of Islamic State leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi during a US Special Forces operation in Idlib. Syria
Women in northwest Syria take on physically demanding jobs Many women in displaced camps in northwest Syria have been forced to find jobs, often difficult and physical ones, due to the deteriorating security conditions and the absence of the family’s breadwinner. Syria
Killing of woman by Syrian jihadi group sparks protests in camps Hayat Tahrir al-Sham shot a woman in the head for smuggling fuel from the opposition areas into Idlib, prompting protests and clashes in the camps for the displaced. Syria
How diamonds became Syrians' best friends Syrians have been buying diamonds instead as the global prices of gold continue to increase. Syria
Russia's experience in Syria informs approach to Ukraine, NATO The opportunity to field-test its next-generation weapons systems in recent years has emboldened the Kremlin to raise the stakes in Ukraine, and so has experience in brinkmanship with Turkey over Syria. Syria
Analysis Islamic State still 'global operation,' says Pentagon report Islamic State leader's killing prompted questions on Turkey's role; our reporting from Idlib, Syria. By Week in Review
Belarus leader denies Russian claims about sending troops to Syria Belarus’ leader has said a Russian government document claiming an agreement with Moscow to send Belarusian troops to Syria is false. Syria
Jihadi leader's donation to IDP camps in Syria questioned as PR stunt Some observers feel that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani's donation of $1 million to displaced camp residents is more about public relations than benevolence. Syria
Health catastrophe looms in Syria’s Idlib Rights groups are warning about a health crisis that will affect more than 4 million Syrians as medical aid declines in the northwest. Syria
Jihadi group steps up arrests of rivals, former jihadi allies in Idlib Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has arrested a number of figures belonging to jihadi groups, such as Hurras al-Din and Sham al-Islam, in an ongoing arrest campaign against rivals and former allies. Syria
