Syria

HTS: From a War Economy to a Fully-Functioning State

After seizing control of most of the Idlib region, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) evolved from a mere Islamist group into a de facto governing authority responsible for millions of civilians. It was thus forced to rebuild an economy ravaged by years of war while also shifting the sources of its internal funding. Following Jabhat al-Nusra’s split ...

Pro-Turkey Syria Groups Reduce Presence in Kurdish Area

Pro-Turkey Syrian groups have scaled down their military presence in an historically Kurdish-majority area of the country's north, which they have controlled since 2018, a Syrian defense ministry official said on Tuesday. The move follows an agreement signed last month between Syria's new authorities and Kurdish officials that provides for the ...

Syria Appoints Finance Expert as New Central Bank Governor

Syria's interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, on Monday appointed Abdul Qadir al-Hasriya as governor of the war-battered country's central bank, state media reported. State news agency SANA posted a picture of Hasriya taking the oath as the new central bank chief in front of Sharaa, who on Monday led a first cabinet meeting to "discuss government ...

Trump Says Can 'Work Out' Israel-Turkey Tensions Over Syria

US President Donald Trump on Monday touted himself as a mediator between Israel and Turkey in their struggle over politically fragile Syria, where both countries are jostling for influence. Trump, speaking alongside key ally Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, touted his "great relations" with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip ...

The Enduring Allure of Foreign Guardianship in Lebanon

Morgan Ortagus arrives in Beirut, exuding both elegance and diplomatic poise, with a hairstyle and presence that radiate charm and beauty. As a US presidential special envoy, she stands out in the context of Lebanese politics. Yet, in essence, she remains no different from her predecessors throughout Lebanon’s history, despite the distinct ...

US June Deadline for Iran’s Nuclear Deal and Hezbollah

Seventeen years ago, a summit between Lebanese President Michel Sleiman and Syria’s Bashar al-Assad called for Israel's withdrawal from the “Lebanese” Shebaa Farms, the Kfarchouba Hills and the northern part of Ghajar, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions. The two leaders also agreed to establish diplomatic relations for ...

UN Accuses Israel of Destabilizing Syria, New Strikes in Damascus

The United Nations on Thursday accused Israel of destabilizing Syria after a wave of strikes on military targets, including an airport, and a ground incursion killed 13 people. A war monitor later reported another two Israeli air attacks. Since Islamist-led rebels toppled longtime strongman Bashar al-Assad in December, Israel has launched an ...

Syria Local Govt says Israeli Bombardment kills Nine

Israeli bombardment killed nine people in Syria as troops conducted a raid in the south, the local government and a war monitor said, with the Israeli army saying its forces were responding to fire from militants. The shelling came after an "Israeli incursion", with "the occupation forces advancing for the first time to this ...

5,000 Syrian Refugees Flee to Northern Lebanon in 24 Hours

A report published by the Disaster and Crisis Management Unit, led by Akkar Governor Imad Labaki, confirmed on Tuesday that 5,000 Syrian refugees fled coastal areas of Syria within 24 hours, bringing the total number of arrivals since March 10 to 20,496 – including 4,085 families, among which 165 Lebanese families. These refugees have spread ...

Syria President Says New Authorities Can't Satisfy Everyone

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Chareh said Monday a new transitional government would aim for consensus in rebuilding the war-torn country but acknowledged it would be unable to satisfy everyone. The transitional 23-member cabinet – without a prime minister – was announced Saturday, more than three months after Chareh's Islamist group ...

Irresponsibility Is the Name of the Game 

The repeated truce breakdowns and the rising state of violence at the borders with Syria call into question the ability of the Lebanese state to regain control of its borders and oversee the gradual stabilization of Lebanese territory. The equivocations of the new government betray its inconsistencies and incapacity to come up with an integrated ...

What We Know About Syria’s New Government

Syria's new government, dominated by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa's inner circle, faces the daunting challenge of gaining the trust of Syrians, as well as that of Western countries to secure sanctions relief. The transitional 23-member cabinet -- without a prime minister -- was announced on Saturday, more than three months after Sharaa's ...