Capital of Syria and ancient cultural heart of the Levant
Relatives of Dr. Rania al-Abbasi and her six children have confirmed new evidence that they were killed by regime forces after being detained in 2013. A public condolence tent is being set up in Damascus as investigations continue and a missing-person commission has declared the children dead.
Iran has launched missiles at Israel in retaliation for strikes on Beirut, triggering Israeli airstrikes across Iran. The exchange marks the latest escalation in a conflict linked to the US-Israel war on Iran, with attacks hitting Lebanon, Tehran, and northern Israel as political and military leaders warn of broader consequences.
UNHCR has reported that global forced displacement has fallen for the first time in a decade to about 117.8 million at the end of 2025, driven largely by mass returns: roughly 14.7 million displaced people went home last year, including about 1.3 million to Syria. The agency warns many returns have been involuntary or to unsafe, damaged areas.
Saudi Arabia and Turkey are advancing a cross-border railway corridor linking Mecca to Istanbul, with potential extensions to Jordan, Syria and beyond. The plan aims to diversify economies and provide a land route to Europe, but experts say it will not replace sea transport for oil and bulk cargo. Feasibility tests on the Syria–Jordan–Iraq route have shown viability, with studies due by year’s end.
President Trump has criticised Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon and suggested Syria could take on the fight, while US–Iran negotiations and a tentative peace deal have been threatened by renewed clashes in southern Lebanon. Israel is keeping a deep security zone and Hezbollah is continuing cross‑border strikes, complicating the Geneva talks scheduled this week (Mon, 29 Jun 2026).
A German journalist, Eva Maria Michelmann, has been released from a Damascus prison and has returned to Berlin. Her Kurdish-Turkish colleague Ahmet Polad remains detained and unaccounted for. The German government and CPJ had pressed for her release amid a high-profile case that drew international attention.
The latest updates show regional tensions intensifying as Syrian authorities caution against escalation while U.S. and allies pursue counterterrorism actions tied to ISIS activities.
Parliament has convened for the first time under a five-year transitional framework after Bashar al-Assad’s ouster. The assembly includes appointees by President al-Sharaa and elected members, with debates over representation, a new constitution, and transitional justice shaping the agenda.
Syria has invited Lebanese figures and met key Lebanese leaders, signalling a shift in Damascus-Beirut relations. Damascus rejects military intervention in Lebanon while seeking economic and security cooperation. Western leaders have floated unprecedented ideas about Syria taking a role in disarming Hezbollah, but Syria’s new government has dismissed such plans.
A blast near Damascus’s Palace of Justice has killed several people and wounded many more. State media says the explosion came from an improvised device planted in a cafe, while authorities pledge accountability. No group has claimed responsibility; analysts warn the attack targets the judiciary amid ongoing trials from the former regime.
Khaled al-Halabi and Musab Abu Rukbah have been found guilty in Vienna of torture and related crimes from 2011-2013 in Raqqa, under universal jurisdiction; both receive eight-year sentences and orders to pay compensation to victims. The trial marks a rare European prosecution of Syrian state agents; prosecutors allege systemic torture.
Authorities have mobilised for a three-day state funeral for Ali Khamenei, with millions expected to attend. Tehran lies in a hush as shops close and airspace tightens. The funeral will travel to Najaf, Karbala and Mashhad, with a Saudi-led war context looming over the proceedings.
Syria's new authorities have begun prosecuting suspects tied to the Assad regime’s abuses as part of a broader push to address past crimes. Arrests include former security and militia figures, with families and rights groups watching closely for transparency and accountability.
French President Emmanuel Macron has visited Damascus to discuss strengthening bilateral relations as Syria seeks reconstruction after years of civil war. He has met Syrian officials and plans to attend a NATO summit in Ankara, highlighting Europe’s interest in re-engaging with Damascus amid regional stability efforts.
The United States has signaled the removal of Syria from its designated state sponsors of terrorism, with President Trump telling Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa that barriers to rebuilding will be removed and US investment will follow. Congress will review for 45 days before any change takes effect, and officials say sanctions relief could accelerate Syria’s reconstruction and reintegration, though experts caution structural reforms are still needed.
A sequence of bombings in central Damascus has killed and wounded civilians, with authorities announcing arrests of suspects and pledging to pursue those behind the attacks as Macron’s visit to Syria unfolds amid security concerns.
OPCW has restored Syria’s voting rights following a change in circumstances since Assad’s fall in 2024. The council notes progress under the new Syrian authorities who have cooperated with inspectors to destroy components of the chemical weapons program. The move aligns Syria with other states in monitoring and eliminating legacy chemical weapons.
Syrian authorities say they have dismantled an IS-linked cell responsible for two bomb blasts that targeted Damascus during French President Macron’s visit. Macron has pledged to stand with Syria as authorities vow to reveal the cell’s identities and connections after investigations.
Syria has stepped up border security following seizures of arms, including missiles and drones bound for Lebanon. The latest operation comes after earlier interceptions and signals a broader push to curb cross-border smuggling amid regional tensions and attempts to influence international ties.
The United States has has backed plans to rehabilitate the Iraq–Syria crude oil pipeline as a priority infrastructure project linking Iraqi production with Mediterranean export markets. Deals with US firms aim to create alternative routes to the Strait of Hormuz, with initial capacity of about 2 million barrels per day once completed.
Israel’s president has spoken of a dream for peace with Saudi Arabia, emphasizing rapprochement and direct talks with U.S. support. In a Riyadh interview and separate comments, he discusses broader regional goals, including potential ties with Lebanon and Syria, and notes concerns about Iran and the Gaza war.
Christians in western Idlib are returning to their villages, reopening churches and repairing homes after years of displacement. Residents describe a sense of belonging returning as they reopen Al-Quniyah and nearby areas, while broader reconstruction faces funding and infrastructure challenges.
US-backed deals have Iraq seeking long-term investment, with Chevron-backed pipelines and parallel routes to reduce Hormuz dependence. Analysts say regional pipelines could carry a large share of oil by 2028; the question remains when they’ll be viable.
Andy Burnham has become Labour leader following a political surge that has installed him as the UK’s prime minister-designate. The transition begins with formalities at Buckingham Palace and culminates in a Downing Street address after polling and a party mandate shaped by recent local elections.
Iraq has signed 48 agreements with American firms, spanning energy, healthcare and technology, as Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi travels to the United States. The deals include oil and electricity cooperation with ExxonMobil, KBR, GE Vernova, Shell and Halliburton, plus a pipeline project with Syria to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Starlink will bring satellite services.
Hamas has elected Khalil al-Hayya as head of its political bureau, succeeding Yahya Sinwar who was killed in 2024. The vote follows a wartime leadership transition and reflects tensions between Gaza-based leadership and diaspora factions, with al-Hayya seen as aligned with Tehran and a continuing hardline stance.
The United States has announced that direct flights to Lebanon will resume, following a White House meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. The announcement marks a shift from decades-long restrictions tied to the 1985 TWA 847 hijacking. Officials warn that actual flight schedules remain uncertain amid ongoing regional conflict and security concerns.
The United Nations chief has urged the immediate removal of sanctions on Syria as he concludes a two-day visit, stressing Syria’s crossroads and the need for investment to rebuild infrastructure, institutions and livelihoods. He has met interim leadership, civil society and UN peacekeepers, while calling for international support to accelerate recovery and safe returns for refugees.
A collision on Syria’s Damascus-Deir ez-Zor desert highway between a civilian bus and an Interior Ministry bus has injured around 30 people. Helicopters are evacuating the wounded to hospitals; the cause remains under investigation as authorities work to manage the unfolding emergency.
Syria says negotiations with Israel are advancing toward a security arrangement that could lead to broader peace without Syria relinquishing the Golan Heights. Damascus and Jerusalem are backed by US diplomacy and regional actors, with both sides avoiding confrontation as they explore a UN-monitored buffer and related accords.
Lebanon’s President and Turkey’s leader have discussed ways to expand Ankara’s role in security for southern Lebanon as UNIFIL’s mandate ends. While Erdogan signals interest in contributing to a post-UNIFIL framework, observers caution that Israel may oppose Ankara’s involvement. The talks come amid broader regional tensions and stalled diplomacy.
Iraq and Turkey have extended and refreshed arrangements for the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline, aiming to diversify exports and reduce reliance on Hormuz. A one-year extension is set to keep flows through Ceyhan at about 750,000 barrels per day while broader energy cooperation is pursued. Talks include oil, electricity and water resources, with Ankara signaling a longer-term framework.
Kurdistan Regional Government president Barzani has met Syria's leadership in Damascus to discuss strengthening cooperation and the integration of the SDF into state institutions, with language and cultural rights on the agenda amid ongoing negotiations.
A blast in Jaramana, a Damascus suburb, has wounded several people as authorities investigate an explosive device planted in a minivan taxi. Initial casualty figures vary by source, with officials updating counts as the investigation continues. A group has claimed responsibility, and sectarian tensions in the area remain high.
Lebanon and Israel have identified a shortlist of potential foreign partners to verify Hezbollah’s disarmament, with the United States overseeing which nations participate. Negotiations remain in the early stages, and the next round is scheduled for early September.
Unified Syrian and Lebanese security concerns frame talks on potential cross-border operations. While Washington presses for pressure points, Damascus faces internal and regional costs. A range of options is considered, from border controls to limited troop movements, with Iran’s retaliation potential guiding calculations.
Syria has signed a memorandum with Russia that will hand civilian control of Hmeimim airport and Tartus’ commercial berth to Damascus and convert military areas at both sites into joint Russian–Syrian training centres. The agreement follows 18 months of talks, sets a three‑month transition and preserves Russian access for naval and air transit duties.
A protocol establishing a Sudanese-Turkish University strengthens higher education ties, expands scholarships, and lays groundwork for joint academic work between Sudan and Turkey. The agreement aims to develop capacity, support research, and foster mutual expertise, signalling a new phase in bilateral academic collaboration.
Syria has agreed to surrender its remaining nuclear material to the IAEA under a US-brokered deal. The move is unlikely to resolve core disputes with Israel or advance a broader security agreement, as negotiations remain stalled over territory, withdrawal lines, and other contentious issues.
A Damascus criminal court has sentenced ousted president Bashar al‑Assad, his brother Maher and several senior former officials — including Atef Najib, who is in custody — to death for murders, torture and crimes against humanity committed during Syria’s 14‑year conflict. The rulings have been issued in absentia for Assad and Maher, who are in Russia.
A Damascus court has sentenced Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia after a rebel-led rise toppled decades of his family’s rule. He has fled to Moscow, where he is coordinating a new chapter for Syria as international investigations exposed state-led abuses during his reign. The trial marks a decisive moment in a long civil war that drew in regional and global powers.
Count Binface is challenging Nigel Farage in Clacton with a high-profile media presence and satirical pledges, amid a field of nearly three dozen candidates. Farage resigned to trigger the by-election; major parties boycott, citing a political stunt. The race also spotlights Binface’s creator, Jon Harvey, and his long-running spoof political career.
Iran seeks membership in BRICS’ New Development Bank to diversify funding amid sanctions and war pressures. Tehran aims to use regional currencies for trade and to secure financing for infrastructure as it faces economic strain.
Al-Shaibani and Netanyahu have traded statements after Israel attacked the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria, saying there was no Turkish military build-up at the site. Damascus maintains the base remains Syrian, while Ankara denies any Turkish presence. The strike has drawn regional condemnation and heightened tensions among Syria, Turkey and Israel.
Maj. Gen. Adel Issa has been transferred to Syrian custody after Lebanese authorities detained him; he faces charges including intentional homicide, torture leading to death and crimes aimed at inciting civil war. A Damascus referral judge will decide whether to proceed to trial, marking a potential shift in how Lebanon handles figures wanted by Damascus.
Syria's interior ministry has announced an inquiry into the death of 29-year-old Mohammad Ghamira, a former White Helmets volunteer who died after being slapped by a police investigator while in custody. Investigators say he died from complications of a cerebral hemorrhage; the incident has sparked nationwide outrage and renewed calls for accountability in detention facilities across the country.
Israel has launched airstrikes against targets in Syria, citing imminent threats from a Turkish deployment near Aleppo. The move follows recent strikes on Abu al-Duhur airbase and has drawn condemnation from Syria, Turkey, and the US, who call for de-escalation. The situation remains fluid as regional actors weigh their next steps.
A Damascus court has found Ahmad Hassoun, Syria’s former grand mufti, guilty of inciting violence and supporting the regime, delivering a life sentence and additional terms. The ruling comes amid a wave of trials against Assad-era officials as the new authorities push for accountability.
The United States has removed Syria from its state sponsor of terrorism list, and has also delisted the al-Nusrah Front. Damascus says the move unlocks investment and accelerates reconstruction as it seeks to reintegrate with the global economy. Washington frames the step as a path to stability, while analysts caution continued regional risks.
The trial has advanced in Bangladesh, where journalists Mozammel Babu, Farzana Rupa, and Shyamal Dutta remain jailed after being accused of inciting suppression during a student uprising. Hasina has fled to India and is expected to return; India has refused extradition. The next court date is October 25, 2026.