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Syria

August 4, 2026

Damascus 10:49 pm

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A Syrian Air passenger jet lands at Aleppo airport on March 18, 2025, the first aircraft to land after it was shut during the offensive that toppled president Bashar al-Assad. "The Syrian Civil Aviation Authority announced the resumption of operations at Aleppo International Airport starting Tuesday, March 18," the official news agency SANA reported. The reopening of the airport in the northern city will see the arrival of domestic and international flights, the authority said, adding that it welcomes all a

Explainer

Syria launching Moscow, Medina flights as aviation momentum builds

Damascus and Aleppo are adding a growing number of international flights in 2026, with activity in Syria's airspace already doubling so far this year amid fallout from the US-Israel-Iran war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday appointed veteran diplomat Dmitry Dogadkin, pictured here, as Russia's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Syria, succeeding Alexander Yefimov.

Russia names Dmitry Dogadkin new ambassador to Syria amid thaw: What to know

The appointment of the new ambassador, who previously served as Russia’s envoy to Qatar, comes as Moscow recalibrates its ties with the new Syrian authorities to maintain its strategic foothold in the Mediterranean country.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in Damascus, Aug. 3, 2026. IKRPresident/X

Iraqi Kurdish president’s meeting with Syria’s Sharaa signals shift in SDF dynamics

KRG President Nechirvan Barzani’s meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa underscored the Kurdistan Region’s growing role in Syria’s Kurdish politics.

Latest News

On eighth visit, Israel’s Netanyahu seeks to repair ties with Trump

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Syria arrivals surge 111% as government bets on tourism revival

Tourism students and visitors visit the ruins of the ancient city of Apamea in the Hama countryside, Syria, on July 8, 2026.

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

Why Syria's Kurds are inclined to negotiate with Damascus

As the Syrian regime regains control of more areas from opposition forces, and given US claims of a desire to withdraw troops, Syria's Kurds seem to be inclined to engage in talks with Damascus.

Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army fighters rest in a field in eastern Afrin, Syria March 9, 2018. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi - RC1B3281C1A0

Day trippers flock to Afrin’s orchards as Aleppo restores security

As stability returns to Afrin, locals are flocking back to the area's peaceful nature and archaeological attractions faster than the tourist industry can reopen to benefit from renewed tourism.

Israel detects Russian shift on Iran's presence in Syria

Israeli military sources sense that President Donald Trump, President Vladimir Putin and even Iranian President Hassan Rouhani wouldn't object to Israel pushing Iran out of Syria.

Lebanese divided over efforts to repatriate Syrian refugees

In the absence of a unified government plan ensuring the displaced Syrians’ return to their country, Hezbollah moved to facilitate the return, which some parties welcomed while others prefer the Lebanese state take charge of this dossier.

Prisoners exchanged for evacuees from pro-regime towns in Syrian north

As part of a deal between the Syrian regime and the opposition fighters in northern Syria, thousands of government soldiers and civilians have been evacuated from the pro-regime towns of al-Foua and Kefraya in Idlib province in return for the regime's release of several batches of its detainees.

Woman elected to head opposition council in western Aleppo

The new leader of the opposition council in western Aleppo plans to implement projects to benefit women and develop their potential.

Israel helps White Helmets, but rejects Syrian refugees

The evacuation of White Helmets members and their families from Syria was an admirable gesture by Israel, but hardly enough to compensate for the expulsion of Syrians from the Golan Heights after the 1967 war.

Russia zeroes in on returning Christians to Syrian homes

Moscow is playing up the plight of displaced Christians to encourage Western states to contribute to Syria's reconstruction.

How Syrian war settlement could impact US decision on Golan Heights

Will the United States recognize Israeli sovereignty in the Golan after the war in Syria?

Russia key to reset of Jordanian-Syrian ties

With fighting appearing to wind down in Syria, talk has begun of normalizing ties between Jordan and Syria, but the matter is not so straightforward for Amman.

The art of the deal in Helsinki – the next chapter

More than 11% of internally displaced people have returned to areas retaken by Syrian government forces this year.

Moscow steadily promoting its 'Helsinki agenda' in Syria

Following the Helsinki summit, Russia is working to deliver what each party is expecting from it: security to Israel, cooperation with Iran and engagement with the West.