Damascus

Who gets to belong? Palestinians in Syria confront old suspicions under new rule

Arrests, media attacks, and changes in official terminology have deepened anxiety among Palestinian refugees over their legal status and place in Syrian society.

|ByWASEEM ABU MAHADI/THE MEDIA LINE
PROTESTERS GATHER outside the entrance of Yarmouk refugee camp to condemn the Israeli death penalty law for Palestinians convicted of lethal attacks, in Damascus, Syria, April 1, 2026.
Direction and distance sign for the Syrian capital of Damascus at Mount Bental Israeli military outpost on the Syrian border

UAE deepens economic ties with Damascus, eyes major investment in Syria's postwar reconstruction

The UAE is looking to increase its role in Syria via investment while taking a cautious approach. Key talks discussed expanding economic and investment cooperation during a two-day forum in Damascus.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa looks on as he arrives for a working session of the European Council and regional partners during an informal meeting in Nicosia on April 24, 2026.

Syria appoints new cabinet as government settles into power

The reshuffle, announced by Syrian state media, included the appointment of new governors for several key provinces.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
FARHAN Hassan al-Mansour.

ISIS disrupts Damascus calm, says it assassinated Shi'ite figure

The attack, which took place on May 1, 2026, revived memories of the group’s past hit-and-run operations targeting carefully selected religious and military figures.

|ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE

US encourages Syrian action against Hezbollah, Damascus is hesitant, sources say

Despite historic enmity towards Hezbollah and Tehran, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has moved cautiously since US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran began on February 28.

MARCH 17, 2026ByREUTERS
A Syrian flag is displayed outside the White House following the meeting of US President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, November 10, 2025.

Turkey's Ambassador to Syria, Nuh Yilmaz, presents credentials to President Sharaa in Damascus

Nuh Yilmaz, Turkey's new Ambassador to Syria, presents his credentials to President Sharaa, marking a significant step in bilateral relations.

MARCH 17, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Nuh Ylmaz talking to media at the EU Council headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, March 17, 2025; illustrative.

Syria appoints key Kurdish commander Sipan Hemo as deputy defense minister

As a deputy, Sipan Hemo will focus on an area in eastern Syria.

MARCH 10, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Sipan Hemo, the new deputy to the Syrian defense minister. August 14, 2025.

A small Herzliya museum brings Israel's most famous spy to life

In a small museum in Herzliya, Eli Cohen’s secret life unfolds in documents, artifacts, and a new English tour.

MARCH 4, 2026ByCHANI KAPLAN
The Eli Cohen Museum, located in Herzliya, only opened in 2022.

Pahlavi’s challenge: Will he overcome Kurdish distrust to lead a unified Iran? - opinion

Iran’s opposition struggles to unite as minority rights remain unresolved.

MARCH 2, 2026ByVEYSI DAG
Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last shah and an Iranian opposition figure, speaks during the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, Germany, February 13, 2026.

Israel must stop Damascus from absorbing Sweida - opinion

Damascus’s plan for Sweida could reshape Israel’s northern frontier.

MARCH 2, 2026ByAMINE AYOUB
A drone view shows the remains of a destroyed tank, following deadly clashes between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes and government forces, in Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, Syria July 25, 2025.

US efforts helped pave way for Syria-Druze deal, source tells 'Post'

Months of US diplomacy paved the way for a historic detainee swap between Damascus and the Druze of Sweida, marking a breakthrough in Syrian peace efforts.

FEBRUARY 26, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Members of the military police stand near a bus carrying released detainees during a prisoner exchange between the Syrian government and Druze factions, in Sweida, Syria, February 26, 2026.

US warns Syria against using Chinese telecom technology over national security concerns

The message was conveyed during an unreported meeting between a US State Department team and the Syrian Communications Minister, Abdulsalam Haykal, in San Francisco.

FEBRUARY 26, 2026ByREUTERS
A long exposure shows people visiting the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) at the Shanghai World Expo and Convention Center in Shanghai on July 28, 2025.

As Damascus prepares for Ramadan, its cannon call to prayer returns after 14 year haitus - feature

Ramadan in Damascus brings vibrant markets, traditional foods, Maghrib prayers, and the historic Ramadan cannon, creating a festive, nostalgic, and community-filled atmosphere.

FEBRUARY 26, 2026ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
A vendor prepares trays of hot food at a street stall as Muslims prepare for the holy month of Ramadan in Damascus, Syria, February 18, 2026.

Damascus, Druze forces exchange prisoners after Sweida violence

The swap involved Damascus releasing 61 prisoners from the Druze factions detained in Adra Central Prison near the capital.

FEBRUARY 26, 2026ByREUTERS
Syrian security forces walk together along a street, after clashes between Syrian government troops and local Druze fighters resumed in the southern Druze city of Sweida early on Wednesday, in Sweida, Syria July 16, 2025.