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
Erdogan reassures Syrian rebels but says Turkey open to talks with Assad The Turkish president also ruled out a potential withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syria in the near future, citing the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Turkey
7 killed in Syria as Turkey detains nearly 450 people over anti-refugee riots The detentions follow protests that broke out Sunday night and spread to other provinces on Monday. Turkey
4 dead in northern Syria protests following Turkey's anti-refugee riots The riots targeting Syrian refugees in central Turkey have led to anti-Turkey protests in northern Syria. Turkey
As Assad 'welcomes' mending ties with Turkey, can Russia or Iraq mediate? The stalled Ankara-Damascus dialogue is likely to see some fast developments, one expert says, though he warns not to expect too much thanks to complications including the upcoming US elections. Turkey
Israel strikes Syria, hits deeper in Lebanon as Hezbollah tensions grow Strikes believed conducted by Israel have increased inside Syria in response to repeated attacks by pro-Iranian groups against Israel since the Gaza war began. Syria
Paris court upholds France's arrest warrant for Assad: What we know Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is wanted in France for his alleged involvement in a 2013 chemical attacks in Ghouta and Douma that left as many as 1,000 people killed. Syria
Suspected Israeli drone in south Syria kills Syrian army officer Since the Israel-Hamas war began in October, Israel has stepped up strikes inside Syrian territory, targeting Iranian-linked positions. Syria
Syrian Kurds postpone local elections amid US disapproval, Turkish threats The prevailing consensus is that the Biden administration’s opposition was the main driver of the postponement. Syria
Iraq's PM says Baghdad mediating potential Syria-Turkey reconciliation The Iraqi prime minister says he is in contact with the Turkish and Syrian presidents as part of reconciliation efforts Turkey
Turkey's Erdogan threatens Syrian Kurdish groups as local elections near The Turkish president said his country would "not hesitate to take action" as Ankara dials up its threats of a fresh military incursion into regions held by Kurdish-led groups in Syria. Turkey
Saudi-Syrian normalization takes off with Hajj flights, return of ambassador Diplomatic relations have resumed between the two countries as Riyadh appointed Faisal al-Mujfel ambassador to Syria — the first since relations were severed in 2012. Syria
Syrian first lady Asma al-Assad’s leukemia diagnosis: What we know Assad is facing a relatively difficult path to recovery due to her history of breast cancer, a leukemia expert told Al-Monitor, with sanctions on Damascus further complicating her treatment options. Syria
