Sana is a current public figure shaping regional policy and diplomacy, active amid shifting alliances and security dynamics in the Middle East.
Heavy rainfall in Hatay has broken the Asi River’s banks, submerging fields and villages, washing away roads and bridges, and killing several people. Authorities say agricultural losses cover thousands of hectares as disaster teams assess the damage.
A Hague court has convicted Rafik A. of torturing and raping prisoners during Syria’s civil war and has sentenced him to prison. The case marks the first time sexual violence has been prosecuted as a crime against humanity in the Netherlands; several other Europe-wide trials under universal jurisdiction are ongoing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A truck carrying advanced weapons was seized at the Syria-Iraq border, with authorities saying the shipment was intended to pass through Syria to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Trump has publicly urged Syria’s new leadership to disarm Hezbollah, citing regional tensions.
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.
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 cross-border crackdown has led to major drug seizures in several countries. In the UK, 2.9 tonnes of class A drugs hidden in a banana shipment have been seized at London Gateway Port, with nine men questioned. Africa and the Middle East report further seizures and arrests tied to cocaine, cannabis and captagon networks. The operations highlight ongoing efforts by national police agencies to disrupt trafficking chains and cut profits.
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.
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.
Syria and Israel are engaging in high-level talks aimed at halting Israeli strikes and reviving a security agreement, with the United States mediating and discussions touching on a joint operations room and possible security zones. Syria insists on sovereignty and demands no restrictions on rebuilding its armed forces as talks continue.
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 US has removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism after a congressional review, signaling a step toward reintegration into the global economy. Officials describe the move as unlocking investment while stressing that sanctions enforcement remains for counterterrorism efforts. Regional partners welcome the shift as Syria seeks reconstruction after years of war.
The Syrian Democratic Forces have completed a merger with the Syrian army and ceased operating as an independent force. The move follows a January government offensive that eroded SDF territory and reflects a shift toward a Damascus-led security framework.