Syria
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.
Haredi exit from gov't pushes Netanyahu forward in election polls, survey finds
In this scenario, neither bloc has enough seats to form a government. The current coalition holds 53 seats, while the opposition, plus Bennett, totals 57.
Grapevine, July 18, 2025: Courting controversy
Sa'ar greenlights aid to Syrian Druze as Shara'a's forces redeploy to Sweida
Syrian forces prepare to redeploy to Sweida city as Sa'ar greenlights aid to Druze
Israel's strike on Syria: Defending the Druze and standing up for justice - editorial
The decisive action in Syria this week is an example to the rest of the world that it is possible to intervene when a massacre or genocide is taking place.
Israel airstrike hits vicinity of Syria's Sweida, Syrian state news agency says
Despite reports indicating the strike was carried out by Israel, Channel 12 reported that the Israeli military had not conducted the strikes.
US did not support recent Israeli strikes on Syria, State Dept says
Bruce declined to say whether Washington supports Israel carrying out such military operations when it deems necessary.
How the IDF reinforced Israel's northern border amid Syrian Druze tensions
In recent months, the IDF thwarted several attempts to transfer tanks and armoured personnel carriers (APCs) to the Syrian Golan region.
Two Israelis arrested by police after returning from Syria with Kalashnikov rifles
This comes after Israeli Druze civilians crossed from Israel into Syria in solidarity with their brethren amid violent clashes with Damascus security forces, particularly in Sweida.
Netanyahu confirms ceasefire, Syrian withdrawal from Sweida due to 'forceful action'
"I instructed the IDF to act with force because the Damascus regime sent its army south of the capital and massacred the Druze," Netanyahu said.
Syrian detente hopes dim as president accuses Israel of sowing ‘chaos and destruction’ with strikes
“The Israeli entity resorted to a wide-scale targeting of civilian and government facilities,” Shaara said the situation was easing with the intervention of the US, Arab, and Turkish mediators.
Israel's attacks on Damascus hinder chemical weapons search, Syrian official says
The OPCW will hold an urgent meeting on Tuesday next week to discuss the situation and impact of the Israeli attacks.
Western diplomats were within meters of Israeli strikes in Damascus, sources say
No one in the convoy was injured, and it continued on its way, the people said, declining to give further details on the nationalities or number of those involved.
Tune into today's top stories: Syrian-Druze crisis, deal updates, Jerusalem wildfires
The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup with Shifra Jacobs—the top stories, clear and concise.
Russia says Israeli strikes are 'gross violation' of Syria's sovereignty
The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the attacks against the Druze Community in Syria were "deeply concerning."
