Jul 25 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. Continue reading
Jul 23 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. Continue reading
Jul 22 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. Continue reading
Jul 21 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. Continue reading
Jul 21 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. Continue reading
Jul 18 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. Continue reading
Jul 17 Watch 9:33 Amid a violent week in Syria, a look at the stability of the new government By Stephanie Sy, Sonia Kopelev In Syria, violence continued between rival factions even after a ceasefire deal. Government troops withdrew overnight from a region as Israel said it would not allow Syrian forces south of Damascus, extending its attempted control of the area. Stephanie Sy… Continue watching
Jul 17 Syrian forces leave Sweida after days of clashes with Druze minority By Kareem Chehayeb, Ghaith Alsayed, Associated Press Syrian government forces have started withdrawing from the southern province of Sweida following days of vicious clashes with militias from the Druze minority. Continue reading
Jul 16 Watch 3:12 Syria and Druze minority agree to new ceasefire after Israeli strikes on Damascus By William Brangham, Eliot Barnhart Some Syrian military units are withdrawing from the southern city of Suwayda after days of deadly fighting. Secretary of State Rubio announced late Wednesday that all parties, including Israel, agreed to a ceasefire. But the day began with Israeli strikes… Continue watching
Jul 16 Israel launches airstrike on Syrian Defense Ministry in heart of Damascus By Abdelrahman Shaheen, Associated press, Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press Israel's attack Wednesday came hours after a drone strike on the same building. Syrian state media reported a "number of casualties" without giving further details. Continue reading