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
Erdogan unveils plans to send 1 million Syrians back as anti-refugee sentiment escalates As anti-refugee sentiment rises higher in Turkey during the Eid, Erdogan pledges a build-and-return project enabling more than a million Syrians to return “voluntarily” to northern Syria. Turkey
Analysis US report offers few clues on Assad family wealth The State Department report said the estimated net worth of President Bashar al-Assad and his family was between $1-2 billion. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Smuggling across Syrian-Turkish border grows despite risks Illegal border entries lead to arrests, deportations and even death. Syria
Turkey steps up attacks on Syria’s Kurds amid Iraq operation Ankara is using the cover of Ukraine’s war to weaken the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and associated groups in the region. Syria
Rare Syrian NGO formed to defend LGBT community Syrian LGBT activists are carrying out various campaigns to demand their rights and stop the violations against them. Syria
Intra-Syrian Kurdish tensions rise amid Turkey's new anti-PKK offensive The latest flare-up further hampers US efforts to resume peace talks between the two major parties. Syria
Islamic State escalates attacks in Syrian desert The Islamic State has recently intensified its attacks against regime forces and their allied militias in the Syrian desert, in what seems to be revenge for the killing of their leader in northeast Syria in February. Syria
Factional infighting escalates in northern Syria Infighting continues among the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army factions in light of a power and influence struggle, conflict over crossings and smuggling corridors, and the lack of a unified military institution. Syria
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham organizes soccer league for fighters, angers Idlib jihadis Commander of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s military wing Abu Hassan al-Hamwi sparked widespread controversy among rival jihadis in Idlib after attending the final game in the soccer league recently organized for HTS fighters. Syria
Possible closure of Turkey-Syria crossing alarms aid groups Fears are mounting about a looming humanitarian catastrophe amid concerns that Russia will close the last border crossing through which UN and NGO aid passes to reach millions of needy in north Syria. Syria
Price hikes make life harder in Idlib Prices have increased dramatically ahead of Ramadan in opposition-held areas of Syria, where residents accuse Hayat Tahrir al-Sham of failing to help. Syria
Can Erdogan coax Assad into dialogue? Hopeful that the Ukraine war will tip the scales to its favor in Syria, Turkey is taking escalatory steps on the ground on one hand and testing the diplomatic waters with Damascus on the other. Turkey
