syria

Who Are Syria's Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham?

The Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which seized Aleppo in a shock offensive over the weekend, is an Islamist movement that has long ruled swathes of the country's northwest. The group has sought to moderate its image in recent years, including by cutting ties with its one-time sponsor Al-Qaeda, but it faces an uphill battle ...

Changes in Lebanon and Syria Redefine Regional Dynamics

Regional developments are unfolding at an unprecedented pace. From Lebanon to Syria, a surge of violence is sweeping through the region, igniting multiple fronts targeting Iran’s proxies in its self-declared spheres of influence. Iraq risks being drawn in unless it distances itself and aligns with a broader international effort that appears ...

Armed Factions in Syria: Identity, Affiliations, and Strategic Positioning

Over thirteen years since the beginning of the war, Syria remains a stage for complex conflicts, with numerous factions vying for control over different zones of influence. Last Wednesday, following the establishment of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, Syrian opposition forces led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Cham launched an offensive from their ...

Iraq Deploys Armored Vehicles to Border With Syria

Iraq sent armoured vehicles on Monday to reinforce its long border with Syria, in a bid to ease concerns after a surprise offensive in the neighboring country by Islamist-led insurgents. The lightning offensive by Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group and allied factions saw government forces lose full control of Syria's second city ...

Assad Claims Rebels Attempting to 'Redraw' Regional Map

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Monday branded an Islamist-led offensive that has captured swathes of territory an attempt to redraw the regional map in line with US interests. His comments in a phonecall with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian came as Syria's military and its ally Russia launched deadly air raids on areas under ...

Embattled Assad Seeks Support Amid Aleppo Setback

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad sought to shore up support from his allies Sunday, after a monitor said a shock rebel offensive saw government forces lose control of Aleppo for the first time since the start of the country's civil war. The Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group and allied factions now "control Aleppo city, except the ...

Kurdish-Led Force in Syria Seeks to Evacuate Kurds from Aleppo

A US-backed, Kurdish-led force in Syria said on Monday it is seeking to evacuate Kurds around Aleppo to safe areas under its control, after pro-Turkey factions seized a town where tens of thousands of Kurds were living. Syria's Kurds have suffered multiple waves of displacement since 2011 and have again found themselves on the frontlines in the ...

Syria and the Domino Effect

Benjamin Netanyahu has warned in his speech announcing the ceasefire in Lebanon: "Assad is playing with fire." Less than a week later, the Syrian regime is collapsing on all fronts. This time, Turkey is taking the lead. Erdogan has successfully brought together a diverse coalition of militias, from Islamists to Kurds, for the operation. His goal: ...

Iran's Foreign Minister to Visit Damascus in Support of Assad

Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi said Sunday he will leave Tehran for Damascus to deliver a message of support for Syria's government and armed forces, state media said, after a lighting advance by rebels. Araghchi will head afterwards to Ankara for consultations with Turkish officials. Tehran has been a staunch ally of Syrian President Bashar ...

US, Russia, Iran, and Turkey Address Escalation in Syria

The United States on Saturday said Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad lost control of Aleppo because of his reliance on Russia and Iran. Syria's "reliance on Russia and Iran," along with its refusal to move forward with a 2015 peace process outlined by the UN Security Council, "created the conditions now unfolding," National ...

Football – Asian Championship: Heavy Defeat for Lebanon Against Syria

After a promising start to the tournament with a draw against Jordan (1-1), Lebanon was decisively beaten by Syria on Saturday afternoon at Aqaba Stadium, conceding three unanswered goals. This loss in the fourth edition of the West Asian U-18 Women’s Championship seriously complicates the road ahead for the defending champions, who were aiming ...

Ceasefire Day 4: One Killed and Several Injured in South Lebanon

Violations of the ceasefire agreement escalated in southern Lebanon for the fourth consecutive day on Saturday, with Israeli airstrikes, drone attacks and ground incursions causing casualties and damage. In Rab al-Thalathin, an Israeli drone strike killed Hezbollah fighter Hassan Hamad Fakih. Two people were also injured, including Baker Jawad ...