Syria

Irish woman accused of Islamic State membership wins right to visit family in UK

Lisa Smith's case has prompted comparisons to Shamima Begum, whose British citizenship was revoked after she went to Islamic State territory in Syria.

Al-Monitor Staff | Syria | May 8, 2021

Former Irish soldier Lisa Smith arrives to attend her court hearing at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin on Jan. 8, 2020. Smith was arrested by police at Dublin Airport on Dec. 1, 2019, after being deported from Turkey with her 2-year-old daughter, and is charged with being a member of the Islamic State in Syria.

Turkey offers to supply electricity to Idlib

Ankara is working to supply electricity to Idlib province, which is controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, in its latest effort to establish an economic foothold there.

Mohammed Hardan | Syria | May 7, 2021

Intel: UN finds undeclared chemical weapons stockpile in Syria

The Syrian government is not being transparent with chemical weapons inspections, say UN officials.

Al-Monitor Staff | Syria | May 7, 2021

Syrian Kurdish leader says US should stay in Syria regardless of who is president

President of Executive Committee of the Syrian Democratic Council Ilham Ahmed spoke at a virtual event at the DC-based Newlines Institute today.

Adam Lucente | Syria | May 6, 2021

One of the two top political leaders of the Syrian Kurdish alliance and co-chair of the Syrian Democratic Council Ilham Ahmed attends a press conference, in Paris, on Dec. 21, 2018.

Camp residents in northwest Syria struggle to secure clean water

Some camp residents in northwestern Syria lack clean water, and despite all the efforts made by organizations in this field, some still find it difficult to obtain drinking water, especially with the approaching summer season.

Sultan al-Kanj | Syria | May 6, 2021

Displaced Syrian boys carry water back to their tent at a camp for the internally displaced near the town of Sarmada in Syria's northwestern Idlib province on July 29, 2020, as Muslims across the world are getting ready to celebrate Eid al-Adha.

Why are Syrian refugees returning from Turkey?

More Syrian refugees are expected to return home from Turkey this year if the Turkish authorities continue to impose lockdowns to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Khaled al-Khateb | Syria | May 6, 2021

Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief meets with Syrian counterpart in Damascus

The meeting takes place during the first official visit to Damascus by Saudi Arabia since 2012.

Al-Monitor Staff | Saudi Arabia | May 5, 2021

A photo taken on May 3, 2021 shows a giant portrait of President Bashar al-Assad at the Umawiyin square in Syria's capital Damascus, ahead of this month's presidential elections.

Syria’s presidential elections, explained

Described as a farce by opponents, Syria’s upcoming presidential elections are designed to keep President Bashar al-Assad in power until at least 2028.

Al-Monitor Staff | Syria | May 4, 2021

Despite truce, Kurdish authorities in Qamishli fear return of Syrian government-affiliated forces

Under a Russian-sponsored agreement, the Syrian government-affiliated National Defense Forces retreated from the Tayy neighborhood in Qamishli, which is now under the control of the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration.

Khaled al-Khateb | Syria | May 4, 2021

Members of the Syrian Kurdish internal security services known as Asayish and Syrian government forces man a joint checkpoint in the Tayy neighborhood in Qamishli, Syria, April 27, 2021.

US soldier faces criminal charges over firefight with Syrian regime

Sgt. 1st Class Robert Nicoson is accused of recklessly endangering his own men by allegedly bringing them into close contact with Syrian pro-regime forces.

Al-Monitor Staff | Syria | May 3, 2021

Turkish-backed FSA soft power initiative includes libraries

The increase in the number of public libraries in the relatively stable areas controlled by the Turkish-backed FSA in the countryside of Aleppo reflects the development of various cultural activities.

Khaled al-Khateb | Syria | May 2, 2021

Books lie on the floor at a makeshift school in the town of Atme near the border with Turkey, in the rebel held Idlib province on September 5, 2018.

Syrian government, Kurdish forces end dispute in Qamishli

The clashes between the Syrian government-affiliated forces and Kurdish security forces ended in Syria's northeast city of Qamishli after reaching an agreement between the two parties under Russian auspices.

Mohammed Hardan | Syria | Apr 30, 2021

Members of the Syrian Kurdish internal security services known as Asayish and Syrian government forces man a checkpoint in Tayy neighbourhood in the northeastern city of Qamishli, after the implementation of a Russian-brokered cease-fire agreement, Syria, April 27, 2021.

Suicide on rise among young people in northwest Syria

The organization says children account for nearly one in five recorded suicide attempts and deaths in northwestern Syria.

Al-Monitor Staff | Syria | Apr 30, 2021

Syrians sit inside a prayer hall of a cemetery where displaced families took refuge in the town of Sarmada in Syria's northwestern Idlib province, on Feb. 23, 2020.

Northeast Syria's pandemic response in jeopardy as cases rise, charity warns

Amid a spike in coronavirus cases, the region's hospitals are grappling with a major shortage of oxygen and testing supplies.

Al-Monitor Staff | Syria | Apr 30, 2021

A picture taken on April 20, 2020 shows a 120-bed ward at a specialised hospital for coronavirus cases inaugurated by the Kurdish Red Crescent around 10 kilometres outside the Syrian city of Hasakeh after the first COVID-19 death was reported in the northeastern region.

CENTCOM chief warns children risk radicalization at Syrian al-Hol camp

Gen. Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie said radicalization would remain a problem unless countries repatriate and reintegrate the children of suspected Islamic State fighters.

Al-Monitor Staff | Syria | Apr 28, 2021

Syria

Irish woman accused of Islamic State membership wins right to visit family in UK

Lisa Smith's case has prompted comparisons to Shamima Begum, whose British citizenship was revoked after she went to Islamic State territory in Syria.

Turkey offers to supply electricity to Idlib

Intel: UN finds undeclared chemical weapons stockpile in Syria

Syrian Kurdish leader says US should stay in Syria regardless of who is president

Camp residents in northwest Syria struggle to secure clean water

Why are Syrian refugees returning from Turkey?

Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief meets with Syrian counterpart in Damascus

Syria’s presidential elections, explained

Despite truce, Kurdish authorities in Qamishli fear return of Syrian government-affiliated forces

US soldier faces criminal charges over firefight with Syrian regime

Turkish-backed FSA soft power initiative includes libraries

Syrian government, Kurdish forces end dispute in Qamishli

Suicide on rise among young people in northwest Syria

Northeast Syria's pandemic response in jeopardy as cases rise, charity warns

CENTCOM chief warns children risk radicalization at Syrian al-Hol camp

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