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Syria

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Syria. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Damascus

Head of State

President Bashar al-Assad

Head of Government

Prime Minister Hussein Arnous

last updated:

6 January, 2025

An archaeology expert catalogues destroyed artefacts - which range from bas-reliefs and sculptures to decorated slabs depicting mythical creatures - at the archaeological site of Nimrud, south of Mosul, Iraq, on January 3, 2025. Photo: AFP

History

Like a giant jigsaw puzzle, Iraq’s historic treasures become whole again

Archaeologists are painstakingly putting together artefacts at Nimrud shattered by Islamic State jihadists, undaunted by the colossal task.

12 Jan 2025 - 5:15PM

Middle East

Syrians sing songs of victory, revolution a month after Assad’s overthrow

11 Jan 2025 - 7:35PM

China-Middle East relations

China concerned by reports of Uygur militants given senior roles in Syrian army

9 Jan 2025 - 6:11PMvideocam

War and conflict

Opinion | China can help Syria transform from conflict corridor to bridge of commerce

An inclusive, tolerant Syria and a China-led grand coalition to rebuild and revive the economy could see regional strife give way to prosperity.

7 Jan 2025 - 8:30PMvideocam

A fighter holds the flag adopted by Syria’s new government, as he visits Mount Qasioun, which was off-limits during the civil war, after the ousting of president Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, on December 29. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Opinion | Syria a chance for Middle East to shape its own, better future

The stability of Syria, at the heart of the Middle East, is in the interests of all. It is time for regional actors, not external ones, to lead the change.

7 Jan 2025 - 5:32AMvideocam

Education in Hong Kong

3 aid workers win top Hong Kong-based award for improving education in war zones

War Child Alliance wins HK$30 million Yidan Prize and plans to expand educational games programme to over a million pupils in five years.

6 Jan 2025 - 9:30AM

Syrian conflict

Syrian photographer’s return to war-torn hometown is ‘like a dream’

Douma, near Damascus, endured years of terror under Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Sameer al-Doumy escaped, and thought he’d never get back there.

5 Jan 2025 - 4:15PM

France-based photojournalist Sameer al-Doumy photographs Douma from a damaged building. He says returning to his Syrian hometown doesn’t offer comfort. Photo: AFP

Global South

Opinion | As West cuts global aid, emerging powers must step up and contribute

Emerging donors from developing nations with significant economic growth should play a bigger role. Kazakhstan is doing so in Central Asia.

5 Jan 2025 - 5:30AM

Middle East

Israeli military says commandos raided missile factory in Syria in September

Military spokesman called nighttime raid on Iranian-led facility one of Israel’s most complex operations in years.

3 Jan 2025 - 3:21PM

Banking & finance

The View | Languishing wars, a stagnant China? Investors shouldn’t be so sure

While some forecast a 10 per cent rise for the S&P 500 and an underperforming China this year, key variables complicate such outcomes.

3 Jan 2025 - 10:17AMvideocam

People walk at a shopping mall complex in Beijing on December 28. China’s continued recovery looks certain since the authorities are likely to do what is necessary to stimulate the economy and revive consumer confidence. Photo: AFP

Middle East

Syria appoints foreign Islamist fighters, including Uygurs, to military: sources

Appointments include Uygur fighters from a group that China labels a terrorist organisation.

31 Dec 2024 - 1:21PMvideocam

Members of Syria’s new armed forces, former rebels who overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s government. Photo: AP

Middle East

Syria’s new leader says elections could take 4 years, hopes Trump lifts sanctions

In an interview with Saudi media, Ahmed al-Sharaa discussed a path to elections and the importance of ties with Russia and Iran, key allies of the Assad regime.

30 Dec 2024 - 10:00AMvideocam

Middle East

Turkey announces US$14 billion regional development plan for Kurdish southeast

The plan aims to reduce the economic gap between the southeast and the rest of the country, amid new hopes of ending a 40-year insurgency.

29 Dec 2024 - 9:19PM

Middle East

Turkey’s pro-Kurd party to meet jailed PKK leader on Saturday

Jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan is serving a life sentence on a prison island off Istanbul.

28 Dec 2024 - 7:30PM

Supporters of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) display flags with a portrait of jailed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan, in Istanbul, Turkey, on March 17. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Deadly fight erupts between security forces, Assad loyalists in Syria

Security forces stormed village in central Syria where remnants of former regime were holed up, leaving several dead on both sides.

27 Dec 2024 - 5:58AMvideocam

Fighters affiliated with Syria’s new administration in the coastal city of Latakia on Thursday. Syria’s new authorities launched an operation in a stronghold of ousted president Bashar al-Assad on Thursday resulting in deadly fight erupts between security forces ad Assad loyalists. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

Opinion | 2024 shows US-China tensions no longer the biggest story

Unrestrained regional powers jostling for control, building weapons and taking bolder risks are influencing trajectory of world politics.

26 Dec 2024 - 8:35AMvideocam

Middle East

Syria says armed groups agree to disband, merge under defence ministry

The move aims to unify the country after years of civil war.

24 Dec 2024 - 8:30PMvideocam

Middle East

Syrian Christians protest ‘injustice’, burning of Christmas tree

Protesters were demanding Christian rights and condemning injustice amid growing Islamist influence post-Assad, after Islamist fighters burned a Christmas tree.

24 Dec 2024 - 6:23PM

People gather near a Christmas tree and a flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers, on the day of a protest against the burning of the Christmas tree in Hama, Syria on December 24. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Opinion | Fall of Syria’s Assad narrows China’s diplomatic space in the Middle East

There is too much power in the hands of the US and regional actors like Turkey for China to play a key role.

22 Dec 2024 - 5:30AMvideocam

Middle East

Israel and Turkey seize the chance to shape Syria’s future post-Assad

While Turkey backs the HTS regime, Israel is destroying its military capacity and claiming territory – fuelling fears of fragmentation.

21 Dec 2024 - 5:30PM

Middle East

US scraps US$10 million bounty on Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa

Top US diplomat for the Middle East Barbara Leaf welcomed ‘positive messages’ from their talks, including a promise to fight terrorism.

21 Dec 2024 - 4:28AM

Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, speaks at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria, on December 8. Photo: AP

Video | Syria’s new de facto leader Golani calls on West to lift sanctions

Golani said Syria’s success depends on Western countries lifting sanctions after the fall of the Assad regime.

20 Dec 2024 - 9:10PMvideocam

Golani calls on the West to lift sanctions on Syria

Golani called on Western countries to lift sanctions after the fall of the Assad regime

20 Dec 2024 - 7:32PM

Middle East

US diplomats visit Syria to meet new rulers, still deemed a terrorist group

Diplomats from the United States have not been to Damascus on a formal mission since the early days of the civil war, which began in 2011.

20 Dec 2024 - 11:53PMvideocam

Middle East

US says it doubled number of its troops in Syria before Assad’s fall

Washington has for years said it has some 900 military personnel in Syria as part of international efforts against Isis.

20 Dec 2024 - 2:45PMvideocam

US soldiers and US Bradley Fighting Vehicles in northeastern Syria in 2012. File photo: AFP

China-Middle East relations

China warns leaders in Syria not to threaten security elsewhere

Chinese envoy addresses UN briefing days after Turkestan Islamic Party publishes video encouraging Xinjiang Muslims to wage jihad.

19 Dec 2024 - 1:05PMvideocam

A Chinese envoy to the UN says China respects choices made by the Syrian people and does not seek to interfere in internal Syrian affairs. Photo: Reuters

Mass gravesites found across Syria

Victims were allegedly tortured and killed by the now-overthrown Assad government

18 Dec 2024 - 1:46PM

Middle East

Mass graves in Syria reveal horrifying state-run ‘machinery of death’

After Assad’s fall, the task of unearthing the dead from Syria’s mass graves is just beginning.

18 Dec 2024 - 8:20PMvideocam

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