The Latest Breaking News from Damascus

Kurdish Progressive Party to Asharq Al-Awsat: Damascus’ Opting for Military Solution Led to Foreign Meddling

The Kurdish Democratic Progressive Party, one of Syria’s oldest Kurdish parties, believes that efforts to normalize relations between the Damascus regime and Ankara came at Russia’s request and Iranian encouragement in wake of the summit held between Russia, Türkiye and Iran in July.

Asharq Al-Awsat · Sep 26, 2022

Iranian support vital for Hamas after ties restored with Syria

As Turkey and more Arab countries restore ties with Israel, Hamas is left with fewer allies in the region, say analysts.

Al Jazeera · Sep 25, 2022

Kurds fear 'everything will change' if Syria, Turkey reconcile

A decade into their experiment in self-rule, Syria's Kurds fear an apparent rapprochement between Damascus and their foe the Turkish government could cost them their hard-won way of life.

Reuters · Sep 21, 2022

Syria, Türkiye Discuss Roadmap for Safe Return of Syrian Refugees

Head of Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Hakan Fidan and Syrian intelligence chief Ali Mamlouk have recently met in Damascus. Daily Sabah newspaper that is close to the Turkish government revealed details of the meeting, which it said was an attempt to form a roadmap for the safe return of…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Sep 19, 2022

‘Russian Vacuum’ in Syria, ‘Messages of Fire’ & Normalization

Day after day, signs of normalization of ties between Damascus and Ankara are building up. Day by day, Iran’s incursions into Syria are growing. Also, the range of Israeli raids on Iranian and military sites in Syria is expanding with more US involvement in these attacks.

Asharq Al-Awsat · Sep 18, 2022

Five Syrian Soldiers Killed in Israeli Strike on Damascus

An Israeli airstrike near Damascus airport killed five Syrian soldiers on Saturday, Syrian state media said. "The aggression led to the death of five soldiers and some material damage," Syria's official news agency Sana quoted a military source as saying. The strike carried out at approximately 00:45 am (2145 GMT…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Sep 17, 2022

Syria says five killed in Israeli air attack on Damascus airport

Israel has intensified missile attacks on Syrian airports saying the strikes target Iranian forces and military assets.

Al Jazeera · Sep 17, 2022

Hamas Revives Ties with Syria, Completes ‘Network of Iranian Alliances’

The Hamas Movement expressed its “appreciation for the leadership and people of the Syrian Arab Republic, and for its role in standing by the Palestinian people and their just cause,” announcing the official resumption of relations with Damascus after nearly 11 years of rupture. Hamas's stance seemed like an apologetic…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Sep 16, 2022

Factbox-Foreign armies in Syria and how they came to be there

Turkey's intelligence chief has held multiple meetings with his Syrian counterpart in Damascus in the last few weeks, a sign of Russian efforts to foster a thaw between states on opposite sides of the Syrian war, four sources said. [L8N30M1RX]

Reuters · Sep 15, 2022

Exclusive-With a Russian nudge, Turkey and Syria step up contacts

Turkey's intelligence chief has held multiple meetings with his Syrian counterpart in Damascus over the last few weeks, a sign of Russian efforts to encourage a thaw between states on opposite sides of Syria's war, four sources said.

Reuters · Sep 15, 2022