The Latest Breaking News from Syria

UK refuses to say if it investigated reports of Syria drone strike casualties

MoD refuses to say whether it has looked into claims civilians were injured in December strike

The Guardian - UK · Mar 14, 2023

Ex-Saudi intelligence chief 'hopes' deal with Iran will be game-changer for region

FRANCE 24 spoke to the former head of Saudi intelligence, Turki al-Faisal, following the announcement that Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations. The prince expressed hope that last week's China-brokered deal will be a game-changer for the region, mentioning Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and especially Yemen, where…

France 24 · Mar 14, 2023

Analysis: Iran eases its regional isolation with Saudi deal

Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restore diplomatic relations, but Tehran is likely to keep its foreign policy pillars.

Al Jazeera · Mar 14, 2023

Syrian Castle among Quake-Hit Ancient Sites at Risk

Zuhair Hassoun examines worrying cracks in a Crusader-era castle in Syria, a UNESCO World Heritage site that survived centuries of conflict only to be badly damaged by last month's deadly earthquake. Hassoun, the custodian of the Fortress of Saladin, an architectural treasure with Byzantine roots in the 10th century rebuilt…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 13, 2023

UN: World after Earthquake Was Slow to Send Aid to Syria

The international community and the Syrian government did not act quickly last month to help people in need in the opposition-held northwest after a deadly earthquake hit Türkiye and Syria, a UN commission said Monday. The Feb. 6 magnitude 7.8 earthquake and strong aftershocks that ravaged southern Türkiye and northwestern…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 13, 2023

UN: World after earthquake was slow to send aid to Syria

A U.N. commission says the international community and the Syrian government did not act quickly last month to help people in need in the rebel-held northwest after a deadly earthquake hit Turkey and Syria

The Independent UK · Mar 13, 2023

Syrian earthquake devastated an area that was already a disaster zone – and highlights the vital role of local aid groups

Three weeks after the February 2023 earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria, I stood amid the rubble in Jindires, a devastated Syrian village. An estimated 50,000 people had lost their lives in the two countries by that point, with the number of casualties still climbing.

The Conversation · Mar 13, 2023

Türkiye’s Quake Toll Tops 48,000 as Govt Races to Build Container Cities

The death toll in Türkiye from last month's major earthquakes has risen to 48,448, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said on Monday, as authorities rush to set up container cities to house for the longer-term those left homeless by the disaster. The combined death toll including those killed in Syria has…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 13, 2023

56,000 Syrians Leave Türkiye for Good After Feb. 6 Quake

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said around 56,000 Syrians in Türkiye have voluntarily returned to their home country since the Feb. 6 earthquake. He added that some Syrians who live in Türkiye “have lost their families, houses, and businesses in the earthquake.” Some Syrians who were affected have expressed their…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 13, 2023

Türkiye to Continue Normalization Talks with Assad Regime within Days

Türkiye confirmed its intention to continue the normalization talks with the Syrian regime in the coming period, expressing its hope that Damascus would understand its concerns about the presence of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) near its borders. Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar asserted that Ankara will continue the…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 13, 2023