Aug 28 Syrian highway from Damascus to Sweida reopens weeks after sectarian violence By Omar Sanadiki, Associated Press An aid convoy has entered the city of Sweida in southern Syria via the main highway from Damascus for the first since a major outbreak of sectarian violence. Continue reading
Aug 12 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. Continue reading
Aug 11 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. Continue reading
Aug 03 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. Continue reading
Jul 27 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. Continue reading
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