Shootings in Daraa leave 9 dead as instability plagues Syria’s south Daraa, located close to the Jordanian border, is experiencing competition between armed groups and rampant drug smuggling amid the government’s inability to control the situation. Syria
Israeli strikes in Syria kill 17 as Iranian adviser set to visit Israel has allegedly escalated its attacks on Syria amid an international push for de-escalation and continued fighting in Gaza and Lebanon. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Trump hands intel post to Tulsi Gabbard, ex-Democrat with Assad controversy Gabbard, a former congresswoman-turned Trump diehard, is likely to face scrutiny for her secret 2017 meeting with Syria's dictator. Syria
After Trump win, Turkey hopeful on Syria reconciliation, US withdrawal Ankara expresses hope for mending ties with Damascus as well as a potential US military exit from northern Syria following Trump’s victory. Turkey
Interview Syrian-Kurdish KNC leader decries abuse by Turkey-backed Sunni factions in Afrin Sleiman Oso Kurdish National Council President
Narcotic sales on rise in Syria Syrians are trying to escape deteriorating economic conditions and security pressures from government forces in the regime-controlled areas by resorting to tranquilizers and sedatives. Syria
Five bodies likely killed by IS found in mass grave in Aleppo A mass grave was found in Azaz in the northern countryside of Aleppo, containing the remains of people who were believed to have been killed during the Islamic State control of the area in 2016. Syria
Fires engulf displacement camps in northern Syria during heat wave Northern Syria is experiencing a heat wave, which is taking a heavy toll on camps for displaced persons who face chronic diseases, wildfires and water scarcity. Syria
Syrian jihadist group HTS accused of blocking married women from studying Women face all sorts of rights’ deprivation in northwest Syria, and this has appeared most recently in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s moves to ban married women from enrolling in schools. Syria
How realistic is Erdogan’s vision for security belt from Syria to Iraq? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he is bent on creating an “end-to-end” security belt along Turkey’s southern borders with Syria and Iraq — a vision too ambitious given the political and topographic conditions of the areas in question. Turkey
Syrian opposition fears more Russian attacks in Idlib to pressure Turkey Russia has escalated its attack against Idlib, as the Syrian opposition fears that Moscow will resort to further escalation after talks about rapprochement attempts between Turkey and the Syrian government. Syria
US strikes Iran-backed militias in Syria for third day The White House sought to halt attacks on American troops in Syria by authorizing airstrikes on a depot used by the IRGC. Local militias have responded by firing more rockets. Syria
US airstrikes target bunkers used by Iran-linked militias in Syria US President Joe Biden authorized the strikes in a bid to deter harassment of US troops in Iraq and Syria. Syria
Islamic State threatens Kurdish workers in northeast Syria The Islamic State is threatening to kill employees in the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor if they continue to report to their jobs. Syria
Turkey signals new rules of engagement to Syrian Kurds, Damascus Turkish strikes on Syrian government troops and overt Kurdish attacks on targets inside Turkey signal that both sides are changing the rules of the game as Ankara eyes normalization with Damascus. Turkey
Oil smuggling in Syria worsens pollution in Euphrates River The residents living near the Euphrates River in northeast Syria are suffering the consequences of water pollution mainly caused by oil spills resulting from smuggling operations between the areas held by the Kurdish forces and the Syrian government. Syria
Syrian jihadist group in Idlib purges hard-liners A prominent Egyptian resigned from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s Shura Council as the group sidelines hard-line members. Syria
