syria

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 ...

Syria's Kurds Reject Legitimacy of New Government

The Kurdish-led administration in northwestern Syria on Sunday rejected the legitimacy of the new national government formed by the Islamist coalition that toppled longtime autocrat Bashar al-Assad in December. "Any government that does not reflect the country's diversity and plurality cannot ensure proper governance of Syria," it said in a ...

US Embassy in Syria Warns of Increased Risk of Attacks

The US embassy in Syria has warned its citizens of an "increased possibility" of attacks during the upcoming holiday marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. "The US Department of State cautions US citizens of the increased possibility of attacks during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which could target embassies, ...

Macron Ready to Receive Syrian President Subject to Conditions

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that he was ready to receive Syria's interim president, Ahmad al-Chareh, provided that the Syrian government opens up to all segments of civil society and commits to ensuring security conditions necessary for the return of Syrian refugees. "A government that represents all components of ...

Syria Reverses Bar Closures in Damascus Christian Areas

Syrian authorities have reversed a decision to shut bars and restaurants serving alcohol in Christian-majority areas of Damascus after public outcry, witnesses, and a Syrian news outlet said on Friday. After Islamist-led rebels ousted longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December, the new authorities had pledged to protect the country's ethnic and ...

Lebanon and Syria Sign Historic Border Demarcation Agreement Under Saudi Mediation

The defense ministers of Lebanon and Syria signed an agreement in Jeddah "to address security and military threats" along their common border, the official Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday. The accord comes after frontier clashes this month that left 10 people dead. SPA, the saudi press agency, reported that Michel Menassa and his Syrian ...

Macron and Aoun to Hold a Video Meeting with al-Sharaa on Friday

French President Emmanuel Macron, who will receive his Lebanese counterpart Joseph Aoun in Paris on Friday, will also have a “trilateral meeting” with him and interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who will join them “remotely,” the Élysée Palace announced on Thursday. “This will be an opportunity for the three heads of state to ...

Joumblatt Accuses Israel of Using the Druze in Syria

Druze leader Walid Joumblatt has accused Israel of using the Druze in Syria by increasing outreach to this minority as part of a broader plan, which, according to him, aims to attempt to divide the Middle East into sectarian states. "Israel continues to pursue its longstanding plan... of dividing the region into confessional entities and ...

Syrian State Media Says Israeli Strikes Hit Coastal Province

Syrian state media said Israeli strikes targeted the coastal Latakia province on Thursday, with a war monitor saying munitions depots were hit. "In a number of air strikes, Israeli occupation aircraft targeted the vicinity of the Al-Abyad port and the city of Latakia," state news agency SANA reported. Authorities were working to ensure there ...