Syria

An official probe conducted in Syria's Latakia province revealed that a police investigator slapped a young man with hemophilia during interrogation. This incident occurred despite warnings having been issued regarding the detainee's medical condition, leading to the investigator facing prosecution.

Iran rejected economic threats from Donald Trump, dismissing them as 'failed policies' designed to divert U.S. attention from domestic issues. Amid ongoing tensions, Syria’s Foreign Minister visited Pakistan for talks focused on regional de-escalation between the United States and Iran. Separately, two bodies of Pakistani crew members killed in a Houthi attack were successfully repatriated.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s economic threats, labeling them as failed policies. Meanwhile, Syria's Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani visited Pakistan for talks on regional issues, amidst Pakistani efforts to de-escalate tensions between the US and Iran. Separately, two bodies of Pakistani crew killed in a Houthi attack were repatriated.

Tensions flared between Turkey and Israel after Israel launched airstrikes on a shuttered air base in northern Syria following a visit by a Turkish delegation. Dania Arayssi spoke to Abeer Abu Omar regarding the escalating tensions in Syria, also analyzing the view that Israel considers Syria as Turkey’s proxy in the Mideast.

Israeli airstrikes hit the Abu Duhur air base in northern Syria early Tuesday, hours after a Turkish delegation had visited the facility for a rehabilitation review. Israel stated the attack was because Syria allegedly breached an agreed-upon security status quo by allowing Turkish troops to deploy there. Both Turkey and Syrian officials condemned the strike, with Turkey accusing Netanyahu of making allegations intended to legitimize unlawful targeting of Syria's sovereignty.

Syrian state TV reported that Israeli airstrikes hit the runway of the Abu Duhur airbase in northwest Syria, causing material damage but incurring no casualties after eight strikes were made. Since the fall of Bashar Assad’s government in December 2024, tensions between Israel and Turkey over Syria have been increasing. The facility was reportedly being rehabilitated by Turkey, a main backer of Syria’s government.

U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs lifted a stay, allowing the administration to proceed with terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) protections for thousands of Somali nationals. This decision follows a Supreme Court ruling in Mullin v. Doe that limited judicial review of such termination actions. The move potentially exposes affected migrants who lack lawful alternatives to remaining in the U.S. to deportation.

Houthi attacks off Yemen resulted in the deaths of three Pakistani nationals and injured another, leading Pakistan's Foreign Minister to condemn the act as a violation of international law threatening freedom of navigation. Separately, Turkey condemned Colombia for recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, stating that the territory is an integral part of Syria.

A Syrian court in Damascus sentenced Bashar Assad and his brother to death in absentia for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Syria’s 14-year conflict. Additionally, Atef Najib was sentenced alongside them. The sentences were pronounced at the Fourth Criminal Court.

A Syrian court sentenced Bashar Assad and his brother Maher to death in absentia for war crimes and crimes against humanity during Syria’s 14-year conflict. Also sentenced was Atef Najib, described as a former army brigadier general who led the crackdown in Daraa province. Both Assad and his brother fled to Russia after insurgents marched into Damascus.

A Syrian court sentenced Bashar Assad along with his younger brother to death in absentia for war crimes and crimes against humanity during Syria’s 14-year conflict. Atef Najib, Assad’s cousin, was also sentenced to death in the same case for leading a crackdown in Daraa province. Amid tight security, Najib stood inside a cage as the judge read the sentence, following Assad and his brother's flight to Russia.

A Syrian court sentenced ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad and his younger brother to death in absentia. The charges include crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during Syria’s 14-year conflict. This conflict resulted in about half a million people dying.

A Syrian court sentenced Bashar Assad and his brother to death in absentia for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during Syria’s 14-year conflict. Atef Najib was also sentenced to death after being found responsible for leading a crackdown in Daraa, which fueled the uprising and civil war. The article noted that Bashar Assad and his brother fled to Russia.

A Syrian court sentenced Bashar Assad and his brother to death in absentia. The sentencing was handed down for crimes against humanity and war crimes. The report specified that the location of the event was Damascus, Syria.

US President Donald Trump made new demands regarding Iran, requiring compensation for people killed and wounded by Iranian actions. The demanded compensation specifically covers damages and deaths that occurred in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza.

Yemen’s military attacked Houthi rebels amid warnings from the United Nations regarding renewed large-scale conflict risk. Concurrently, a Turkish draft law aimed at advancing peace with Kurdish militants passed its first parliamentary hurdle, including mechanisms for former fighters and conditional pardon-like procedures. These developments highlight varying degrees of political and military instability across the Middle East.

Israel's army is preparing to install polling stations in occupied areas of Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria for the 27 October general election. Soldiers stationed beyond Israel's internationally recognized borders will be enabled to vote through these stations, as approved by the Central Elections Committee.

The US has lifted sanctions on an Iraqi airline previously sanctioned for providing assistance to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its proxy groups in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.

Israel's army is preparing to install polling stations in occupied Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria to allow soldiers deployed beyond Israel's borders to vote in the 27 October general election. The move, described as 'something that hasn't happened in decades' by Army Radio, involves identifying soldiers via service numbers instead of identity cards in these areas. The Central Elections Committee approved regulations enabling voting at military positions in these regions.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has denied intentions to fight Hezbollah, despite US encouragement. Hezbollah has expressed openness to dialogue with Damascus, while Trump and US envoy Tom Barrack have advocated for Syrian involvement in Hezbollah's disarmament. Syria cites risks to domestic stability and potential empowerment of Islamic State (IS) as reasons for its stance.

Syria has agreed to significantly reduce Russian oil imports in response to a US request, as part of negotiations to lift its terrorism sanctions. The move aims to diversify Syria's energy supply.

The Trump administration plans to close five smaller U.S. diplomatic missions in Grenada, Japan, Indonesia, Canada, and Cameroon, citing cost savings of $4.4 million annually. These closures occur alongside efforts to reopen embassies in Venezuela, Syria, and Libya.

The Trump administration plans to close five smaller U.S. diplomatic missions in Grenada, Japan, Indonesia, Canada, and Cameroon, saving $4.4 million annually. These closures occur alongside efforts to reopen embassies in Libya, Syria, and Venezuela.

The Trump administration plans to close five smaller U.S. diplomatic missions in Grenada, Japan, Indonesia, Canada, and Cameroon, citing annual savings of $4.4 million. These closures follow plans to reopen embassies in Libya, Syria, and Venezuela, with the State Department emphasizing operational streamlining.

Syria and Iraq have resumed direct flights to Russia. Syrian Airlines flights to Moscow mark the first direct air travel between these countries since the fall of the Assad regime.

Todd Blanche rescinded a $1.8 billion fund for Trump's allies but retained audit immunity for Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization. The U.S. job market showed resilience with 7.36 million vacancies in June, and the Trump administration plans to close five diplomatic posts while reopening others in Libya, Syria, and Venezuela.

Qatari group Baladna Food Industries is developing a $3.3 billion agricultural project in Syria to produce cotton, wheat, textiles, and other goods. The project is part of Gulf investors' efforts to rebuild Syria as a geopolitical buffer against Iranian influence. Baladna, linked to Syrian-born business moguls Moutaz and Ramez Al-Khayyat, will collaborate with UAE-based Al Dahra on farming techniques in Syria.

Women in Syria's Roj camp described gunfire and fear after Kurdish-led forces opened fire inside the facility during protests. The confrontation, which occurred on Friday evening, involved bullets tearing through tents housing children, though no casualties were reported. Women demanded better treatment and repatriation, citing alleged abuses and trauma from the incident.

Israeli forces have detained residents and demolished homes in southern Syria. Since Assad’s ouster, Israel has sent troops beyond the 1974 disengagement line into Syria's southern provinces.

Syria is positioning itself as an alternative energy and logistics hub to the Strait of Hormuz. Syrians recently unloaded shipments of Iraqi oil in Baniyas, Syria.

Israeli forces reportedly attacked Syria's southern countryside of Quneitra with artillery shelling, according to state media. Three artillery shells were fired towards the vicinity of Tel al-Ahmar al-Sharqi, with no casualties reported.

A Senate bill aiming to provide a legal pathway for Haitian and Syrian Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders was blocked by Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt. The bill, S. 2106, seeks to address the Supreme Court's decision allowing the Trump administration to terminate TPS protections, which could lead to deportations to countries deemed unsafe by the U.S. State Department.

A U.S. Senate bill (S. 2106) aimed at creating a legal pathway for immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) was blocked by Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt after Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen sought unanimous consent to expedite it. The bill responds to a Supreme Court decision upholding the Trump administration's efforts to end TPS protections for Haitians and Syrians, who face imminent deportation to countries with unsafe conditions.

A Senate bill aiming to create a legal pathway for immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) was blocked by Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt, preventing action to halt imminent deportations of Haitians and Syrians. The Supreme Court's recent decision allowed the Trump administration to continue ending TPS protections, risking deportation to countries with ongoing violence and instability.

A fringe Israeli settler group called 'Pioneers of Bashan' is conducting incursions into southern Syria to establish Jewish settlements, citing biblical claims. The Israeli military has intercepted these groups, which aim to create a buffer zone and humanitarian corridor in areas including Mount Hermon, Quneitra, Daraa, and Sweida. The group's actions align with the far-right government's support for settlement expansion.

An Israeli fringe settler group called 'Bashan Pioneers' is illegally crossing into Syria to claim land for a Jewish outpost. The group claims support from right-wing ministers, stating the area needs to be 'cleared of enemies' in violation of the law.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offers TPS holders from Haiti and Syria a US$2,600 cash payment and free one-way flight to voluntarily leave the U.S. through the CBP Home app. The program targets individuals whose Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is ending or expired, provided they have no serious criminal record.

Right-wing Israeli activists are increasing their campaign to establish Jewish settlements in Syria by frequently crossing the border. The group is described as a fringe Israeli settler group attempting to claim land for a Jewish outpost.

A fringe Israeli settler group called 'Pioneers of Bashan' is attempting to establish Jewish settlements in southern Syria, prompting Israeli military intervention. The group, citing biblical claims, aims to settle in areas including Quneitra, Daraa, and Sweida, while the military works to prevent their incursions. The settlers argue their presence could protect the Golan Heights and Druze minorities amid regional tensions.

A fringe Israeli settler group called 'Pioneers of Bashan' is conducting incursions into southern Syria to establish Jewish settlements in areas including Quneitra, Daraa, and Sweida. The Israeli military has intercepted these groups, which claim historical rights to the land and aim to create a 'humanitarian corridor' for the Druze minority.