Syria

Jordan, Syria, and U.S. officials discuss war-torn Syria’s reconstruction after deadly clashes

By Associated Press

In addition to the security challenges that Syria still faces since the fall of Bashar Assad's government in December, the country faces major economic and social challenges.

U.S. congressman speaks with Syrian president about returning Kayla Mueller’s remains

By Ghaith Alsayed, Bassem Mroue, Associated Press

A U.S. Congressman has made a brief visit to Syria where he discussed with the country’s interim president the return of the body of an American aid worker who was taken hostage and later confirmed dead in the war-torn country.

Fresh clashes break out in Syria as interim government struggles to ease factional tensions

By Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press

New outbreaks of violence overnight into Sunday rocked Syria at two distinct flashpoints, straining a fragile ceasefire and calling into question the ability of the transitional government to exert its authority across the whole country.

Syria to hold parliamentary elections in September, first since fall of Assad regime

By Associated Press

The announcement of impending elections comes at a time when the country is increasingly divided in its views of the new authorities in Damascus after sectarian violence broke out in the southern province of Sweida earlier this month.

Top French court upholds some of Assad’s legal protections, but permits future war crime warrants

By Sam McNeil, Jeffrey Schaeffer, Associated Press

France’s highest court on Friday upheld some of Syrian ex-leader Bashar Assad’s personal immunity as a head of state while green-lighting possible future war crime warrants, drawing criticism from human rights lawyers and Syrian activists.

Syria asks Turkey for defense support after weeks of sectarian violence

By Suzan Fraser, Associated Press

Turkish officials say Syria’s interim government has requested Turkey’s help to boost its defense capabilities.

Over 1,400, mostly civilians, were killed in sectarian violence in coastal Syria in March, government says

By Abby Sewell, Omar Albam, Associated Press

The violence was the first major incident to emerge after the ouster of longtime President Bashar Assad in December.

Evacuations of Bedouin families begin in Syria’s Sweida as days of deadly clashes ease

By Ghaith Alsayed, Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press

The clashes have increased skepticism in some communities about the ability of Syria's new leaders to assert control.

U.S. envoy to Syria doubles down on support for new government and criticizes Israel’s intervention

By Abby Sewell, Associated Press

Barrack suggested that Israel would prefer to see Syria fragmented and divided rather than a strong central state in control of the country.

Druze-Bedouin clashes reignite after government forces pull out of southern Syria

By Abby Sewell, Ghaith Alsayed, Associated Press

Syrian government forces prepared to return to a southern region Friday after renewed clashes broke out between Druze armed groups and members of Bedouin clans, leaving tens of thousands of people displaced in a worsening humanitarian crisis.