Syria, officially known as the Syrian Arab Republic, is an Arab nation in the Middle East, situated in the Levant region. The country boasts a rich history and some of the oldest inhabited cities in the world.
In 1963, Syria's government was taken over by the Ba'ath Party, led by Hafez al-Assad. For decades, he and his son and successor, Bashar al-Assad, would rule the country in a reign that has been highly criticized for being totalitarian and for carrying out widespread human rights abuses.
In 2011, a major civil war broke out in Syria, leaving governance of the country fractured between the Russia- and Iran-backed Assad regime based in Syria's largest city and capital of Damascus, US-backed rebel groups led by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Turkey-backed forces, and Islamists under the banner of Hay'at Tahir al-Shams (HTS).
However, in December 2024, HTS and its allies carried out a major offensive from their base of operations in the Idlib province, eventually fully ousting the Assad regime and seizing control of Damascus as well as other major cities such as Homs and Aleppo. Currently, HTS has been spearheading the establishment of a new Syrian interim government. However, the country still remains fractured between them, Assad loyalists, Turkey-backed forces, and the SDF and its allies.
Sisi says Egypt will not take part in the displacement of Palestinians • $50m. taxpayer dollars about to fund condoms in Gaza,' WH press sec. says
Russia, a longtime supporter of Assad’s regime, provided military assistance to bolster Assad against rebel forces throughout Syria’s protracted civil war.
Conditions include a new regime stopping Hezbollah smuggling and do not rely solely on UNDOF.
Katz's statement was the most far-reaching statement to date in terms of the length of time the IDF might remain in Syrian territory
"I have never seen my country. This is the first time, and I am very excited. We are going from Damascus to Aleppo, where I will see my grandmother,” said 14-year-old Fatma Zehra.
The Lebanese army must deploy in order for Israel to withdraw, and Hezbollah’s presence must end. However, as revealed by the smuggling, Hezbollah is trying to re-arm.
Syrian refugees express rising intent to return as new leadership emerges after Assad's fall.
Behing the Lines | Inside Syria's ancient capital, a lone Jewish guardian watches over abandoned properties while Islamist rulers patrol the rubble of historic synagogues.
Beyond its military conflicts, Israel faces a critical eighth front against leftist activists and media, who Netanyahu, like Trump, has successfully resisted in defending Western values.
This is the second arrest warrant issued by French judges, for the former Syrian leader, who was overthrown in early December 2024 by insurgent forces.