Capital of Syria and oldest continuously inhabited city
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.
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.
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.
Three years into displacement in Gaza’s Deir-al‑Balah camps, women face severe menstrual health challenges as sanitation and water access collapse amid the siege. Pads have vanished, prices have soared, and private, dignified care has become a luxury.
Israel has attacked a northern Syrian air base, citing Turkey’s possible movement into the area. Barrack has described the strike as an “unnecessary escalation” and suggested it might be aimed at baiting Turkey. Israeli officials deny the claim and warn against Turkish deployment. The United States and Syria are calling for de-escalation while regional actors reassess their positions.
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.
The Syrian Democratic Forces have dissolved as an independent unit and merged into the Syrian army following a January deal with Damascus. The move ends a decade of de facto autonomy in the northeast and positions the country for a new chapter of peace and reconstruction.
The Syrian Democratic Forces have dissolved as an independent military force and are being integrated into the Syrian army, ending decades of autonomous operation. The move follows an agreement with Damascus and U.S. backing for phased integration across army and security structures, aiming to unify command and restore state control over borders and resources.
Unrest in Syria’s Sweida province has left 10 government security personnel wounded as clashes unfold between state forces and local armed groups. The fighting follows days of tension over exams and previous attacks, with reports of civilian injuries and ongoing exchanges of fire.
Damascus stories study a city caught between the collapse of the Assad regime and a new, fragile order. The collection records fear, memory and shifting power as residents navigate a transformed urban landscape.
The UAE has granted a presidential pardon to Abdul Rahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who faced a 10-year prison sentence and a 200,000 dirham fine in Abu Dhabi. The pardon follows extensive international scrutiny and his extradition from Lebanon in 2024-2025.
The IAEA has terminated its nearly two‑decade investigation into Syria's undeclared nuclear activities after inspectors visited sites in Deir ez‑Zor and a previously undisclosed location. Inspectors have uncovered a near‑complete reactor, a fuel‑fabrication plant and about 73 tonnes of natural uranium metal; the material is now under IAEA containment and surveillance measures.
Latakia authorities have arrested two senior officers linked to Bashar al-Assad’s forces for detaining civilians, extortion, and war-crime involvement. The arrests follow a broader crackdown on regime-era officials accused of rights abuses.
The dress once worn by Princess Diana at the Serpentine fundraising dinner is expected to fetch up to $220,000 at Sotheby’s, London. The gown, by Christina Stambolian, has toured globally ahead of the December sale, with part of the proceeds supporting NHS Lothian Charity.
Central banks have tightened policy in response to a surge in energy prices and persistent inflation. The US Federal Reserve has raised its policy rate to 3.75–4.00% and signalled further hikes; the ECB has lifted its key rate to 2.50%; the Bank of England has held at 3.75% but warned higher energy costs will force future rises. Markets have repriced yields and mortgage costs are rising.
Arab News reports GCC members have welcomed Turkiye’s peace efforts, including dissolving the PKK, integrating the SDF into Syria’s security structures, and broader regional cooperation. The GCC Secretary-General backs centralized governance and regional stability as the SDF fate linked to Damascus’s future. Education and higher education ties are also emphasized as part of broader reconciliation.
Protests over the killing of Sami Shekhmous Hiso in Hasakeh Province have sparked prison violence at Kobani. Inmates set dormitories ablaze as security forces wage a crackdown; authorities call for restraint while Kurdish groups demand a transparent investigation.
Syria has raised diesel and petrol prices by up to 40% amid global energy pressures and a maintenance overhaul at the Baniyas refinery. The government says the move is temporary and aims to secure supplies, while protests have erupted in multiple regions. Authorities plan to restart small refineries to meet demand and reduce imports.
Saudi Arabia and Syria have signed a strategic partnership to develop an end-to-end digital platform for petroleum derivatives, linking production, transport, storage, distribution and financial settlements. CASHIN will build and run the system, aiming for transparency, efficiency and governance across the value chain. The agreement is part of broader Saudi-Syrian energy cooperation amid Damascus’ energy expansion efforts.
Protests erupt in Hasakeh province after the killing of Sami Shekhmous Hiso, a former Kurdish fighter. Prison authorities report inmates set fires during a security crisis at Kobane prison as government and Kurdish-led groups trade blame. Regional tensions rise as authorities pledge investigation and security forces respond.
Syrian President al-Sharaa has told the UN that Israel’s strikes in Syria are unacceptable and that the Golan Heights will remain Syrian. He has urged withdrawal from border areas and signaled openness to a security agreement, as talks with Israel show progress toward a broader peace.
Syria has moved to reinstate thousands of teachers and overhaul the education system, including removing a nationalist subject and banning corporal punishment in schools. New policies allow reinstated teachers to work near their homes and appoint top graduates as teachers without exams, while debates over Kurdish-language education and broader ideological framing continue.
Authorities have detained nine pilots in Latakia after investigations tied to airstrikes across Syria, including Eastern Ghouta, Aleppo, Deir Ezzor and Hama. They are accused of combat sorties, targeting civilians and facilities, and transporting former regime officers. The case forms part of a broader accountability push following the war’s upheavals.
Global fuel prices have surged amid conflicts in the Middle East and strikes on Iranian refineries. Analysts warn diesel costs are hitting record highs in Europe and the UK, with knock-on effects on transport, food, and industry. Governments are weighing subsidies and demand-reduction measures as inflation pressures mount.
Syria has calibrated navigation and landing systems at Damascus and Aleppo airports to enable round‑the‑clock operations. Officials say upgrades will boost flight capacity and open new routes, while Israel’s earlier objections to calibration flights have now eased. The move accompanies a broader drive to rehabilitate Syria’s civil aviation sector and attract investment.
Syria’s energy infrastructure has been repeatedly targeted as gas pipelines and power plants have been disrupted by sabotage, prompting authorities to isolate damaged sections and halt flows to electricity generation. The incidents follow protests over fuel prices and compound post-war reconstruction challenges.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are strengthening high-level ties amid regional tensions, inviting Gulf allies to the GCC-EU Summit and coordinating on issues including Yemen and security. Multiple meetings signal a thaw and shared interests as Riyadh hosts the event.
EU foreign affairs chiefs say they will upgrade their partnership with Syria, mobilise more investment, and push for reforms as Syria rebuilds under new leadership following Assad's fall. Talks focus on a modern partnership to replace the old 1970s accord and on stabilising security along the Mediterranean coast.
Syria says intelligence services have thwarted a Hezbollah‑affiliated cell in the Yarmuk basin, arresting three individuals and revealing plans to prepare rocket launch platforms. Hezbollah denies any link, stating it has no presence in Syrian territory. The case unfolds as Israel warns of potential attacks ahead of October elections.
The State Department has amended ITAR to remove Syria from the denial list, allowing case‑by‑case consideration of US arms exports. The move follows steps to ease sanctions and hints at reopening Damascus embassy. Seven countries remain on the denial list as Washington shifts its approach to Damascus.
A blast in Harran Al-Awamid near Damascus has cut gas supplies to Deir Ali, Nasiriyah and Tishreen power plants. Restart work is underway on the Arab Gas Pipeline and cooling operations are ongoing at Tishreen. Authorities are investigating the cause while power is being restored in stages.
A bus attack in Homs province has killed seven people and injured four, state media says. The motive remains unclear as authorities investigate. The incident follows a string of security incidents near Damascus and across central Syria amid years of instability.
Syrian officials and Hezbollah representatives have held talks in Turkey to de-escalate tensions, with both Damascus and Hezbollah denying a final agreement. Reuters cites sources indicating discussions focused on stopping arms transfers and dismantling sleeper cells, while Turkey and other actors deny the meeting. The talks are described as an initial attempt to move from battlefield hostilities toward a pragmatic, if cautious, arrangement.
Israeli and Hezbollah-linked activities in the Lebanon-Syria border region have intensified following a recent surge in attacks. Lebanese authorities report casualties and a series of strikes, with Israel asserting it is targeting operatives believed to pose threats from southern Syria to Israeli forces. The situation has prompted ongoing tension along the border.
A Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel, HS Dignity, has sunk off Bulgaria after an aerial drone and unmanned boats attacked two merchant ships in the Black Sea. Five crew members were rescued; search operations continue for 11 sailors. A second ship, Chelsea 3, was attacked nearby with all 15 crew rescued. Bulgarian officials say the strikes raise concerns amid ongoing Russia-Ukraine hostilities.
A military court in Aleppo has sentenced several defendants connected to the March 2025 coastal violence to death, long prison terms or acquittals. The rulings address charges of inciting civil war, sectarian fighting and attacks on government forces, with further verdicts in September and ongoing trials highlighting accountability efforts.
Authorities have detained Ali Kayali and several other figures linked to the Bashar al-Assad regime’s forces and militias over alleged war crimes in 2013. The arrests come as Syria intensifies accountability efforts under the new regime authorities.
The Syrian government has claimed that Israel is exploiting Suweida’s Druze community for political ends and arming a militia. Netanyahu has described a brief call with Syria’s president as pivotal in halting a massacre during July 2025 clashes, though Damascus remains unclear about the call. A ceasefire in Suweida has held since July 2025, with ongoing talks toward a broader, US-backed roadmap.
Jordan has described air strikes against militant sites in southern Syria in response to a church attack in Karak. Syria says it coordinated with neither the strikes nor border crossing closures, and reports casualties among civilians in Daraa and Suwayda. The Nassib border crossing has been closed, and two brothers and a brother-in-law have been detained in connection with the church attack.
The Syrian government has condemned Jordan’s air strikes in southern Syria as a violation of sovereignty, citing civilian casualties. Jordan says the operation targeted Islamic State militants connected to last week’s church attack in Karak, while acknowledging civilian deaths. Syria has closed the Nasib border crossing and says it is coordinating with Jordan to address the fallout, as both sides seek to preserve bilateral ties amid tensions.
Iraq and Syria are expanding bilateral ties, with discussions on exporting Iraqi oil via the Banias pipeline and reviving the Haditha–Banias link. A visit by Iraqi Premier al-Zaidi to Damascus signals momentum in economic, security and social cooperation, aiming to connect Iraq to Mediterranean markets while addressing regional stability.
Heavy rains and thunderstorms have caused floods across Syria, killing several children and disrupting essential services. Rescue teams evacuate families from displacement camps, while roads and bridges are damaged across Raqqa, Deir Ezzor, Aleppo, Homs, and Hasakah. The government reports ongoing rescue operations and warns of continued weather threats.