Analysis Why Syria sending troops to Yemen would be a risky bet for Sharaa Syria insists it will not send troops to fight the Houthis alongside Saudi Arabia, but its economic dependence on Riyadh could complicate Damascus’ resistance to the idea. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Israel's Oct. 7 accountability debate Houthis strike Yemen airport, claim new attacks on Saudi Arabia; How language barriers are bringing Syria’s Kurds and Arabs closer; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Culture Syria's Kurds, Arabs find common cause in battle for language rights As Kurdish students protest language restrictions, unexpected alliances are emerging between Syria’s Kurds and Arabs. Syria
Syria’s Sharaa in Riyadh as Saudi airports come under Houthi attacks: What to know Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a visit to Riyadh as the Houthis escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia and warned international airlines against using Saudi airspace. Yemen
Feature Syria Golan detentions fuel fury at Israeli forces, doubts in new government By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Kurdish forces agree to deliver oil, Syrian regime reopens crossings The Syrian government has reopened crossings between the areas it controls and those held by Kurdish-led forces in northeast Syria in exchange for oil shipments. Syria
First pharmaceutical factory opens in Syrian opposition area The first pharmaceutical factory in the opposition-controlled areas in northwestern Syria was inaugurated, in a bid to address the lack of medicines and high prices. Syria
Aleppo expands as displaced population grows Massive displacement from the war has brought thousands of Syrians north, and with them urban expansion. Syria
War over economic routes heats up in Syria Syria’s economic collapse is stoking the struggle over commercial routes between government-held areas and US- and Turkish-backed enclaves, fueling also disagreements on humanitarian aid. Turkey
Tribes in east Syria resort to their own judiciary over lack of trust in official courts Tribes in the northeastern Syrian province of Hasakah agreed to set up a tribal judiciary system as an alternative to the official judiciary affiliated with the Kurdish-led authorities running the area. Syria
Syria donor conference raises $6.4B, far short of UN target Of the more than $6 billion raised during the pledging conference, $4.4 billion is set aside for this year. Syria
Intel: US pledges nearly $600M in humanitarian aid to Syria The Biden administration is also calling on the UN Security Council to allow the free flow of aid to opposition-held parts of Syria. Syria
Iraq fortifies Syria border against Islamic State Iraq is cooperating on border security with Syria, Russia and Iran. Syria
Eastern Syrian region seeks stability, local control through division After years of calls for greater local decision-making from the Arab majority in Syria’s eastern Deir ez-Zor, the part of the region under the Kurdish-led SDF plans to divide the territory into four sections. What appears to have possibly been an attempt to assassinate the highest civilian authority in the region has meanwhile raised serious concerns. Syria
In rebuke to Russia, Blinken presses UN to quit politicizing Syria aid Blinken called on the UN Security Council to reauthorize a cross-border aid operation into Syria despite Russian and Chinese opposition. Syria
Tribes in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor back Assad in upcoming elections Tribal sheikhs in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor, some of whom are said to have been previously associated with the Islamic State in the province, attended a caucus in support of President Bashar al-Assad for the upcoming presidential elections. Syria
Russia steps up airstrikes on vital facilities near Syria-Turkey border Russian warplanes bombed areas near the Turkish border in Idlib, targeting oil and household gas stations coming from Turkey to Idlib. Syria