Syria – Page 3 – War Watch

al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Politics and Government | Raqqa (Syria) | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | United States | United States International Relations

For Syria’s Government, Kurdish Deal Is a Big Win
ByChristina Goldbaum January 20, 2026

As the government moves to assert control over areas under Kurdish rule, it will be the latest test of President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s pledge to form an inclusive administration that empowers minorities.

Read More For Syria’s Government, Kurdish Deal Is a Big Win
al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Politics and Government | Raqqa (Syria) | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | United States | United States International Relations

For Syria’s Government, Kurdish Deal Is a Big Win on Shaky Ground
ByChristina Goldbaum January 20, 2026January 20, 2026

The government’s move to assert control over areas under Kurdish rule is a major test for President Ahmed al-Sharaa as fresh clashes erupted.

Read More For Syria’s Government, Kurdish Deal Is a Big Win on Shaky Ground
Aleppo | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Bashar al-Assad | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Syria | World news

Out of the ruins: will Aleppo ever be rebuilt?
ByGhaith Abdul-Ahad January 20, 2026

Years of civil war have turned whole areas of the city into rows of empty husks. But after the fall of Assad, Syrians have returned to their old homes determined to rebuildThe kebab stall stood in the shadow of a building whose three upper floors had b…

Read More Out of the ruins: will Aleppo ever be rebuilt?
Damascus (Syria) | Deir al-Zour (Syria) | Hasaka (Syria) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Politics and Government | Raqqa (Syria) | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | Terrorism | War and Armed Conflicts

Clashes Erupt Around Syrian Prisons Holding Islamic State Fighters
ByChristina Goldbaum January 19, 2026January 20, 2026

New tensions flared a day after a Kurdish-led militia agreed to hand over control of prisons holding some 8,000 Islamic State fighters to the Syrian government.

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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Syria | World news

More than 100 Islamic State inmates escape jail amid clashes in north-east Syria
ByLorenzo Tondo in Jerusalem and Dan Sabbagh in London January 19, 2026January 20, 2026

Two sides blame each other for release of inmates, as Syria’s president looks to gain control of north-eastMore than 100 inmates have escaped from a Syrian jail holding Islamic State prisoners amid clashes in the north-east of the country after an agre…

Read More More than 100 Islamic State inmates escape jail amid clashes in north-east Syria
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Bashar al-Assad | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Syria

Syria president claims ‘victory for all’ as ceasefire with Kurdish-led force announced
ByAssociated Press January 19, 2026

Government’s truce with Syrian Democratic Forces follows advance on Kurdish-held areas amid struggle to control entire countryThe Syrian government on Sunday announced a ceasefire with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), taking almost full control of t…

Read More Syria president claims ‘victory for all’ as ceasefire with Kurdish-led force announced
Aleppo (Syria) | internal-open-access-from-nl | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Raqqa (Syria) | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | United States International Relations | War and Armed Conflicts

Syrian Government and Kurdish-Led Force Agree to Merge After Clashes
ByRaja Abdulrahim January 18, 2026January 18, 2026

The new deal also calls for a cease-fire. Government forces have taken strategic assets from the militia in recent days, weakening the force.

Read More Syrian Government and Kurdish-Led Force Agree to Merge After Clashes
Assad, Bashar al- | Defense and Military Forces | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Politics and Government | Raqqa (Syria) | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | War and Armed Conflicts

Syria Advance on Kurdish-Held Areas as Washington Urges Restraint
ByEuan Ward January 18, 2026January 18, 2026

Government troops drew closer to Raqqa, the largest city overseen by the Kurds, raising U.S. concerns about the renewal of a wider conflict in the region.

Read More Syria Advance on Kurdish-Held Areas as Washington Urges Restraint
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Syria | World news

Syrian army surges into Kurdish-held towns in ‘betrayal’ shattering prospects of accord
ByGuardian staff with Reuters and Agence France-Presse in Deir Hafar January 18, 2026

Government extends grip on north after stalled efforts under Ahmed al-Sharaa to reach accommodation with Kurds and fold their forces into national army Syria’s army has taken control of swathes of the country’s north, dislodging Kurdish forces from ter…

Read More Syrian army surges into Kurdish-held towns in ‘betrayal’ shattering prospects of accord
al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | Aleppo (Syria) | Assad, Bashar al- | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Minorities | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | War and Armed Conflicts

Syria’s President Affirms Kurds’ Rights, in Overture to the Minority
ByChristina Goldbaum January 16, 2026January 17, 2026

President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s announcement on Friday came after days of fighting between the government and Kurdish forces. On Saturday, those forces began withdrawing from a flashpoint east of Aleppo.

Read More Syria’s President Affirms Kurds’ Rights, in Overture to the Minority