Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says it doesn’t seek to resume negotiations with Washington Sharaa says Syria seeks security deal with Israel; Red Sea shipping slows after Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
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
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
UN says at least 350K killed in Syria’s war, 'certainly an undercount' The United Nations' human rights office on Friday updated the death toll from Syria's civil war for the first time since August 2014. Syria
Russia intensifies Idlib attacks ahead of summit with Turkey, Iran on Syria Some believe that the Russian escalation in Syria’s Idlib is either a prelude to a major assault or a means of increasing pressure on Turkey. Syria
Two children die every week at Syria's al-Hol camp, charity says Fires are among the leading cause of death among children of suspected Islamic State fighters who are stranded in the al-Hol and Roj camps in northeast Syria. Syria
Biden administration appoints new Syria policy chief Ethan Goldrich will take over for Aimee Cutrona as Washington's point person for Syria engagement, but there's no sign of a new approach by the Biden administration. Syria
Pentagon says drone strike near Syria's Idlib targeted al-Qaeda official CENTCOM fired a drone missile at at least one jihadi official near Idlib today in the first such strike in recent months. Syria
Syria's defense chief visits Jordan to discuss border security State media outlets reported that Syrian Gen. Ali Ayoub and Jordanian Gen. Yousef Huneiti met in Amman to discuss the situation along the border following the fighting in Daraa. Syria
Massive displacement wave amid fears of renewed battles in Idlib The Syrian opposition is getting ready for a possible attack by Syrian government forces in Idlib, following increasingly intense bombing and reconnaissance attacks since the beginning of September. Syria
Northwest Syria running low on COVID-19 tests, oxygen amid conflict The International Rescue Committee said coronavirus cases are increasing dramatically in the war-torn rebel territory. Syria
Archive Upfront from Sep 16, 2021 Turkey-backed Syrian opposition groups merge under new banner A group of factions affiliated with the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army have formed a new alliance known as the Syrian Liberation Front intended to end the power struggle between Turkey’s allied factions in northern Syria. Syria
Jihadist group in Idlib vows to keep foreign fighters in Syria Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani says "these foreign fighters are now part of us." Syria
Turkish-backed Syrian forces intensify attacks on US-aligned Syrian Kurdish group The Turkish army and its allied Syrian factions have recently increased attacks against the Syrian Democratic Forces in northeast Syria. Syria
Syrian jihadist group in Idlib replaces security squad with 'moral police' Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Idlib has ended the work of its security apparatus that has been accused of controlling people’s lives. Syria
