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.
IDF announces it recovered some remains of murdered hostage • Hamas releases video of hostage Elkana Bohbot • IDF targets Hamas infrastructure in Gaza
The Trump admin said it has revoked the visas of hundreds of foreign students it says took part in the pro-Palestinian protests that swept college campuses.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa along with the Lebanese President, Cypriot President and Greek Prime Minister were invited by France to join a summit in Nimes.
Hamas executes alleged spies • French, Lebanese presidents condemn Beirut strike • Katz sends message to Lebanon post-Beirut strike
The PMO and Mossad hosted Nadia Cohen and gifted her with a framed letter of appreciation for the work of "our man in Damascus."
Amid fears of wider sectarian conflict across Syria, Sharaa's government took pains to emphasize in the wake of the violence that the killings were geographically limited.
Houthis fire missiles at Israel • IDF in Rafah area • IDF operates in West Bank • IDF strikes terrorist in Lebanon • Egyptian security delegation heads to Qatar for Gaza deal talks
Syria and Israel have the rare opportunity to reshape their relations and progress toward peace.
Hundreds of Gazans march in rare anti-Hamas protest • Katz, Zamir meet to work in cooperation following public clash
It's unclear if these operations will lead to calm or if it could backfire and lead to elements entering areas such as the Yarmouk Basin and threatening Israel.
JPOST Digital Library
