The Latest Breaking News from Damascus

Assad Meets Putin’s Envoy, Demands End to Turkish ‘Occupation’

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has tied reconciliation with Türkiye to its ending of its "occupation" of Syrian territory and "sponsorship of terrorism." Assad met with Russian Presidential Special Envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev in Damascus on Thursday amid reports that a meeting would be held soon between the Syrian and…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 13, 2023

Top Türkiye, Syria, Russia Diplomats to Meet Soon, Says Turkish Official

Türkiye, Syria and Russia aim to schedule a meeting of their foreign ministers this month and possibly before the middle of next week, though no date or location has yet been chosen, a senior Turkish official said on Wednesday. Such a meeting would mark the highest-level talks between Ankara and…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 11, 2023

Syrian Regime Services Focus on Central Damascus, Outskirts Neglected

The Syrian government has been focusing on providing and improving services to neighborhoods at the heart of Damascus but have otherwise neglected the residents of the capital’s outskirts, where Syrians suffer the brunt of poor infrastructure. At a time when these areas are plunging into darkness because of power shortages,…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 11, 2023

UAE's Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed in Damascus

UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad bilateral relations between the UAE and Syria and ways to enhance them through cooperation at all levels to achieve the joint interests of the two fraternal countries and peoples, state…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 5, 2023

EXPLAINER: Why has Syria's economic crisis hit a new low?

Syria’s economy has hit its lowest point since its civil war started nearly 12 years ago, with spiraling inflation, a currency plunge and severe fuel shortages

The Independent UK · Jan 5, 2023

Syria opposition uneasy after Turkish, Syrian defence ministers meet

Syria's political and armed opposition are urging their decade-long backer Turkey to reaffirm its support for their cause after the highest-level talks in public between Ankara and the Damascus government since the Syrian war began in 2011.

Reuters · Jan 4, 2023

Ten Challenges that Will Determine Syria’s Fate in 2023

Ten developments and files, both local and foreign, will determine the fate of Syria in 2023. The resolution of these files will have implications for years and perhaps even decades to come. They will determine the fate of the three “statelets” in Syria after they remained largely unchanged in the…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 3, 2023

Türkiye Says ‘Final Step’ Required before Proposed Erdogan, Assad Meeting

Syrian regime media reported that Türkiye has agreed to fully withdraw its military from northern Syria following tripartite talks it held with Damascus and Moscow.

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 2, 2023

Syria Says Israel Strike Puts Damascus Airport Briefly Out of Service

The Syrian army said on Monday an Israeli missile strike had briefly put the Damascus International Airport out of service, the latest in a string of strikes targeting Iran-linked assets. A volley of air-launched missiles had hit the airport at 2 a.m., the army said in a statement.

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 2, 2023

Israeli missile strikes put Damascus airport out of service, says Syrian army

Israel’s military fired missiles toward the international airport of the capital Damascus early Monday, putting it out of service and killing two soldiers and wounding two others, the Syrian army said.

France 24 · Jan 2, 2023