The Latest Breaking News from Damascus

Iranian president to visit Syria next week - senior source

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will visit Damascus next week, a senior regional source close to the Syrian government told Reuters on Friday.

Reuters · Apr 28, 2023

Syrians in Lebanon Fear Deportation

Samer and his family thought they had found safety in Lebanon after fleeing Syria's war nearly a decade ago, but amid growing anti-refugee sentiment, Beirut handed his brother to the Syrian army. Syrians poured into Lebanon after civil war broke out in 2011, with Damascus's brutal suppression of peaceful protests.

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 28, 2023

As Assad returns to Arab fold, Syrians watch with hope, fear

Syrians living on opposite sides of the largely frozen battle lines dividing their country are watching the accelerating normalization of ties between the government of Bashar Assad and Syria's neighbors through starkly different lenses

The Independent UK · Apr 26, 2023

Saudi FM Arrives in Damascus on Official Visit

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrived in Damascus on Tuesday on an official visit where he met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. It marks the first visit by a Saudi FM to Syria since 2011. Prince Faisal was received at Damascus International Airport by Minister of…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 18, 2023

Saudi foreign minister visits Assad, further easing Syria's isolation

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad received Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Damascus on Tuesday in the most significant step yet towards ending Syria's decade-long regional isolation, and at a time of wider rapprochement in the region.

Reuters · Apr 18, 2023

Reports: ISIS Kills 26 People in Syrian Countryside

ISIS militants have killed 26 people who were foraging for wild truffles in Syria's Hama region, opposition and state media reported Sunday. Amid the economic devastation of Syria’s yearslong war, foraging for truffles can help people earn money, as the seasonal delicacy fetches a high price. The Syrian Observatory for…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 16, 2023

Syrian FM to Visit Tunis on Monday

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad will arrive in Tunisia on Monday on an official visit on the invitation from his Tunisian counterpart, Tunisia's foreign ministry said on its official Facebook account on Sunday. Mekdad's visit reinforces Damascus' openness to the Arab world after it was isolated for more than a…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 16, 2023

Syrian Foreign Minister to Visit Algeria

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad will arrive in Algeria on Saturday, Algerian state radio reported late on Friday, a visit that reinforces Damascus' openness to the Arab world after it was isolated for more than a decade. The Algerian foreign minister, Ahmed Ataf, will receive the visiting minister, state radio…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 15, 2023

Syrian foreign minister to visit Algeria

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad will arrive in Algeria on Saturday, Algerian state radio reported late on Friday, a visit that reinforces Damascus' openness to the Arab world after it was isolated for more than a decade.

Reuters · Apr 15, 2023

Syria Registers an Uptick in Number of Tourists

The owner of an oriental shop in the old city of Damascus was asked if European tourists had returned to the historic streets of the Syrian capital. “I couldn't believe what I saw... Two tourists coming from China to Damascus looked like they came straight out of a folk-art magazine.

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 14, 2023