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
Russia claims Ukraine is staging atrocities a la Syria’s White Helmets The Russian government has made similar claims about the pro-rebel Syrian rescuers in the past. By Al-Monitor Staff
Analysis Israel seeks answers to Iranian drones The Hezbollah unmanned aerial vehicle that infiltrated Israeli airspace last week and then returned to Lebanon worries the IDF. By Lilach Shoval
Yazidis react to killing of Islamic State leader The death of Islamic State leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, who committed war crimes against the Yazidi community in Sinjar and supervised the Sinjar genocide in which thousands of Yazidis were killed, sparked varied reactions among Yazidis. Syria
Syrian jihadi group tightens noose on Arab, foreign fighters in Idlib Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is pressuring foreign jihadis in Idlib and giving them two choices: Leave, or integrate into the local community. Syria
US talks directly with Syria on missing American but White House a ‘holdup,’ family says The family of Majd Kamalmaz is pleading with the White House to build on previous engagement with Damascus, saying the Syrians have demanded to speak with a high-level US official. Syria
Violence on rise in Syria’s Suwayda Residents of Syria’s southern city of Suwayda accuse the Syrian government of supporting gangs and the spread of weapons, which encourage violence within the community. Syria
Women in northwest Syria take on physically demanding jobs Many women in displaced camps in northwest Syria have been forced to find jobs, often difficult and physical ones, due to the deteriorating security conditions and the absence of the family’s breadwinner. Syria
Killing of woman by Syrian jihadi group sparks protests in camps Hayat Tahrir al-Sham shot a woman in the head for smuggling fuel from the opposition areas into Idlib, prompting protests and clashes in the camps for the displaced. Syria
Belarus leader denies Russian claims about sending troops to Syria Belarus’ leader has said a Russian government document claiming an agreement with Moscow to send Belarusian troops to Syria is false. Syria
Jihadi leader's donation to IDP camps in Syria questioned as PR stunt Some observers feel that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani's donation of $1 million to displaced camp residents is more about public relations than benevolence. Syria
Israel fears fire exchange with Syria could indicate strategic shift Israel strikes military targets in Damascus amid increased concerns over Syria-Russia ties. Israel
Jihadi group steps up arrests of rivals, former jihadi allies in Idlib Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has arrested a number of figures belonging to jihadi groups, such as Hurras al-Din and Sham al-Islam, in an ongoing arrest campaign against rivals and former allies. Syria
