Syria

Food and Drink

Ramadan festive foods: Rituals and treats in Syria's month of fasting

Ramadan rituals and customs in Syria vary from region to region. Although some of them have been preserved, such as the "whitening of the safra" with milk and the "sukba" between neighbours, nowadays, many tables have been transformed into food baskets distributed by charitable organisations.

28/02/2026

Syria

Syrians work to erase al-Assad cult of personality after regime fall

Under the previous dynastic regime, Syria went from a homeland for all to a "real estate registry" for the al-Assad family. Now, the interim government is undoing the hold the al-Assads had on Syrians for decades.

18/02/2026

Syria

Syria starts evacuating Al-Hol camp housing thousands linked to IS

Syrian government forces took control of the northeastern camp from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) last month.

17/02/2026

Economy

Syria pitches investment to Europe as new law vows ‘legal firmness’

At the World Governments Summit in Dubai, the Chairman of Syria’s investment authority made a direct appeal to European investors, arguing that 2025 constituted a turning point in the country’s economic recovery.

16/02/2026

Syria

Kurdish SDF forces say comprehensive agreement with Damascus reached

Syria's new leaders, since toppling former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, have struggled to assert full authority over a country devastated by nearly 14 years of civil war.

30/01/2026

Syria

Syrian government announces ceasefire with Syrian Democratic Forces

A ceasefire agreement and the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the Syrian army was announced following the army's takeover of areas in the east of the country, including military, security and administrative arrangements.

18/01/2026

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Syria: Aleppo residents return after clashes between government and SDF

As fighting eased on Sunday, residents cautiously returned to contested neighbourhoods in the northern city of Aleppo. The area is now controlled by government forces, though unexploded ordnance continues to threaten civilian safety.

12/01/2026

Syria

US launches new large-scale strikes against IS militants in Syria

The large-scale strikes come in retaliation to an ambush attack in December, in which two US soldiers and one US civilian interpreter were killed.

11/01/2026

Syria

Europe to do 'everything it can' to support Syria, von der Leyen says

The chief of the EU executive pledged Europe's full support for Syria's recovery after meeting interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on Friday.

09/01/2026

No Comment

Aleppo faces new displacement amid Syrian forces and SDF clashes

Syria sees mass displacement in Aleppo as clashes between government forces and Kurdish fighters intensify amid stalled political talks.

09/01/2026

Syria

Syria urges civilians to leave Aleppo as clashes with Kurds continue

The leadership in Damascus signed a deal with the SDF in March for it to merge with the Syrian army by the end of 2025 but there have been disagreements over how that would happen.

08/01/2026

No Comment

Civilians flee Aleppo as Syrian army closes Kurdish-majority areas

Clashes in Aleppo forced residents to flee Kurdish areas, with at least nine killed. The violence follows stalled talks to merge Kurdish forces into the army.

07/01/2026

Syria

Iran is plotting to assassinate Syria's al-Sharaa, Israel warns

Israeli intelligence has warned Iran is planning to organise a hit against Syria's interim president, as further reports claim former al-Assad loyalists are pouring money into Alawite minority militias in alleged uprising plots.

06/01/2026

Syria

UK and French warplanes strike suspected IS weapons facility in Syria

The strikes occurred Saturday evening on an underground facility in the mountains just north of the historic town of Palmyra in Homs province.

04/01/2026

Syria

Syria says IS plotted New Year attacks on churches and gatherings

The interior ministry said it had information that the Jihadist group planned "suicide operations and attacks ... by targeting churches and civilian gathering spots," prompting security to be tightened.

01/01/2026

Syria

Syria unveils new banknotes removing al-Assad images from currency

President al-Sharaa introduced redesigned bills featuring agricultural symbols, such as oranges and olives, entering circulation 1 January.

30/12/2025

Syria

Explosion at Alawite mosque in Homs during Friday prayers kills eight

An explosion at an Alawite mosque in Syria's third-largest city also injured 18 as authorities investigate the attack following a recent spike in violence.

26/12/2025

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Christmas decorations bring festive atmosphere to Damascus

In Damascus’ Old City, home to a small Christian community and historic churches, red baubles, shop decorations and street vendors selling warm chestnuts add a seasonal touch to the streets.

24/12/2025

Syria

US launches massive attack on Islamic state group fighters in Syria

The US launched a massive attack on 70 Islamic State combat forces in Syria on Friday, in retaliation to a recent ambush attack in which two US soldiers and one US civilian interpreter were killed.

20/12/2025

Syria

Lifting of US sanctions on Syria could spur refugee returns, UN says

The UN refugee agency reports that altogether more than 1 million refugees and nearly 2 million internally displaced Syrians have returned to their homes since Bashar al-Assad's fall.

18/12/2025

Syria

Was al-Assad's top adviser assassinated before his downfall in Syria?

Syria's ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad's adviser Luna al-Shibl died in a suspected hit after Tehran's top general warned she was a spy. Recently leaked videos show her mocking Putin and Hezbollah with al-Assad.

10/12/2025

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Syrians mark first anniversary of Assad’s ousting with nationwide celebrations

Syrians held nationwide gatherings to mark the first anniversary of Bashar Assad’s removal.

09/12/2025

Syria

One year after ouster, al-Assad lives in supervised Moscow exile

Former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad lives in Moscow under strict Russian supervision with banned public appearances, limited movements and no political activity since fleeing Damascus in December 2024.

08/12/2025

Syria

Activist urges Germany to retain Syria asylum amid persecution fears

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz argues against granting asylum to Syrians after al-Assad's regime fell, but critics warn the country remains unsafe for minorities and women.

04/12/2025

Syria

EU updates asylum guidance for Syrians a year after al-Assad's fall

The number of Syrians requesting asylum dropped significantly from 16,000 in October 2024, before the fall of al-Assad in December, to 3,500 in September 2025.

03/12/2025

Syria

Israel kill at least 13 people during a raid on a Syrian village

At least 13 people have been killed including women and children by Israeli forces during a raid on a southern Syrian village. One local man said 'When we tried to take injured people to the hospital, they struck the car carrying them'.

29/11/2025