Tag: Syria
Islamic State Regains Strength in Syria
Syria After Civil War The U.S. has sent more forces to Syria, tamping down on the immediate threat, but experts warn that the extremist group could break thousands of hardened fighters out of prison. The U.S. has sent more forces to Syria, tamping down on the immediate threat, but experts warn that the extremist group…
Syria Likely Has Over 100 Chemical Weapons Sites, Inspectors Say
Syria After Civil War The number, far higher than any previous estimate, poses a test for the new government. Experts fear that sarin, chlorine and mustard gas stockpiles could be unsecured. By Megha Rajagopalan Megha Rajagopalan reported from Damascus, Syria. She interviewed former chemical weapons scientists and nonproliferation experts. More than 100 chemical weapons sites…
Israel Hits Syria With New Strikes and Ground Raid as Tensions Soar
Syria After Civil War Israel defended the moves as necessary security measures, but Syria accused it of trying to destabilize the country. By Carlotta Gall Reporting from Damascus, Syria Syria accused Israel on Thursday of trying to destabilize the country after intense airstrikes on military bases and a deadly raid in southern Syria, part of…
In Syria, Being Wanted Went From Something to Fear to a Badge of Honor
Syria After Civil War The ousted Assad dictatorship kept lists of millions of wanted people. Now, Syrians are openly asking whether they “have a name” on any of those lists and are sharing the news proudly. By Raja Abdulrahim Reporting from Aleppo and Damascus, Syria When he returned to Syria recently for the first time…
Violence in Syria Shows Difficulty in Unifying Armed Forces
Syria After Civil War Sectarian-driven killings of civilians this month displayed the government’s weak control over both its own forces and affiliated fighters, experts said. By Ben Hubbard Syria’s new president has spoken often about the urgency of merging the many armed groups that fought to topple the strongman Bashar al-Assad into a unified national…
Violence Sweeps Coastal Syria, Sowing Chaos: ‘We Have to Get Out of Here’
Syria After Civil War Residents described shootings outside their homes and bodies in the streets in Syria’s worst unrest since Bashar al-Assad’s ouster. More than 1,000 people have been killed since Thursday, a war monitor said. By Christina Goldbaum and Reham Mourshed Reporting from Tartus on the Syrian coast The gunfire began at dawn on…
Car Bomb in Syria Kills 15 Agricultural Workers
Syria’s Civil War Syria’s Civil War Syria’s Civil War The blast, which detonated next to a truck carrying agricultural workers, underscored the challenges faced by the country’s interim president. By Euan Ward Reporting from Beirut, Lebanon A car bomb killed 15 agricultural workers in northern Syria on Monday, the country’s civil defense force said, as…
Russia, Seeking to Salvage Military Bases, Goes Hat in Hand to Syria
Syria’s Civil War Syria’s Civil War Syria’s Civil War The arrival of the first top Russian diplomat in Damascus since Bashar al-Assad’s fall kicks off negotiations over the fate of Moscow’s bases in Syria. By Paul Sonne and Christina Goldbaum Paul Sonne reported from Berlin, and Christina Goldbaum from Damascus. The time had come to…
Syria Faces Big Challenge in Seeking Justice for Assad Regime Crimes
Syria’s Civil War The rebel alliance that took power has vowed to prosecute senior figures from the ousted government, but accountability will be hard to achieve in a vulnerable, divided and battered country. By Vivian Yee Reporting from Cairo There seem to be no limits to the dark revelations laid bare by the downfall of…
Kurdish general urges Trump to leave US troops in north-east Syria
Exclusive: SDF leader says removal of 2,000-strong force would leave door open for Islamic State resurgence The leader of the Kurdish forces that control north-eastern Syria has called on Donald Trump to maintain a US military presence in the region, warning that a retreat would risk a resurgence of Islamic State in the country. Gen…
Top Iranian General Admits ‘Big’ Defeat in Syria
Syria’s Civil War For weeks, Iranian officials have downplayed the fall of their ally in Syria. But an important general has offered a remarkably candid view of the blow to Iran, and its military’s prospects. By Farnaz Fassihi Iran’s top ranking general in Syria has contradicted the official line taken by Iran’s leaders on the…
Inclusive transition best path to lifting of Syria sanctions, says UN special envoy
Geir Pedersen tells security council the HTS administration has great opportunities but also risks making missteps A credible process leading to a new transitional government involving all strands of Syrian society is the best way for the country’s caretaker administration to secure a smooth lifting of sanctions, the UN special envoy Geir Pedersen has told…
First international commercial flight since Assad’s ouster lands in Syria
By The Associated Press DAMASCUS, Syria — The first international commercial flight since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad landed Tuesday at the Damascus airport. The Qatar Airways flight landed at Damascus International Airport, greeted by the passengers’ relatives and friends inside a terminal building. Ashad al-Suleibi, head of Syria’s Air Transport Authority,…
The UN wants to influence a pluralist Syria – but will the country listen?
Syrians are suspicious after allegations of complicity with the brutal Assad regime during 14 years of civil war The UN special envoy for Syria will urge the security council to back a transition to a pluralist democratic Syria, but faces resistance within the country. The interim government fears the lifting of sanctions will be tied…
Israel Conducts Raids in Syria Amid Accusations of Cease-Fire Violations
Syria’s Civil War Four weeks after the fall of the Assad regime, Israel is pressing on with a military campaign on Syrian soil. By Ephrat Livni The Israeli military said on Sunday that it has been conducting “operational raids” in recent weeks on Mount Hermon in Syria, continuing a military campaign on Syrian soil that…
Syria to resume international flights at Damascus airport
First commercial flights since overthrow of Assad regime to begin from Tuesday, aviation chief says Syria’s main airport in Damascus is to resume international flights after commercial trips were halted following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad. “We announce we will start receiving international flights to and from Damascus International airport from [Tuesday],” the state…
European Ministers Visit Syria to Strengthen Ties With New Government
Syria’s Civil War Top diplomats from Germany and France went to Damascus on behalf of the European Union. It’s the first such trip in years, part of a flurry of Western outreach. By Aaron Boxerman Syria’s new leaders met the French and German foreign ministers in the capital, Damascus, on Friday in one of the…
Syria’s U.S.-trained opposition fighters wait to learn of their role in a new Syria
By Jane Arraf AL-TANF GARRISON, Syria — When Salim Turki al-Anteri took his opposition forces into battle against regime troops in southern Syria this month, it was against his own former tank unit. Drawing on his past U.S. military training and his hopes for a united Syria, the commander ordered his forces to fire artillery…
Special forces troops face prosecution over alleged war crimes in Syria
MoD reveals incidents involving 10 soldiers are under investigation after trying to keep figures secret Nine special forces troops are facing prosecution over alleged war crimes committed in Syria, the government has revealed, with another member of the armed forces under investigation over their actions in Afghanistan. The Ministry of Defence has said the prosecuting…
UK special forces face possible Syria war crimes charges
Nine members of UK special forces could face prosecution over alleged war crimes linked to at least two separate incidents in Syria, according to Ministry of Defence (MoD) data seen by the BBC. The data, which was originally obtained via a Freedom of Information request by The Times newspaper, shows that two cases are being…
New elections could take up to four years, Syria rebel leader says
Holding new elections in Syria could take up to four years, rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has said in a broadcast interview. This is the first time he has given a timeline for possible elections in Syria since his group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led a rebel offensive that ousted former President Bashar al-Assad. In the…
The Fall of Bashar al-Assad’s Regime in Syria: A New Chapter Begins
As news of Assad’s departure spread, thousands of citizens poured into the streets of Damascus. Videos and images showed people waving flags, chanting slogans of freedom, and embracing the moment as a turning point for their country.
Context of the Ceasefire
The ceasefire agreement, which came into effect at 4 a.m. on Wednesday, mandates the withdrawal of Hezbollah forces from southern Lebanon and the repositioning of Israeli troops to their territory. Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers were deployed to oversee the truce’s implementation. However, disagreements persist over Israel’s right to respond militarily to ceasefire violations.