HTS

Washington’s Syrian mistake: Empowering HTS, endangering Kurds - opinion

History will record who stood by democratic values at this critical moment and who sacrificed these values for short-term interests.

|ByAMED MARDIN
A member of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stands guard as Syrian Kurds attend a protest in solidarity with people in Sweida, on July 17, 2025.
Smoke rises, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, December 8, 2024.

On This Day: One year since Syrian rebels overthrew Assad regime, ending over 50 year rule

The ousting of longtime Syrian president Bashar al-Assad by rebels was the result of an extremely rapid offensive, ending the widely condemned Ba'athist regime after over 50 years

|ByAARON REICH
Armored personnel carriers stand outside a compound of the Syrian army's new 80th Division in northwest Syria, June 3, 2025.

Syrian army starts training in Turkey, while Ankara gains influence over Damascus gov't - analysis

Forty-nine Syrians have begun training in Turkey, as part of a new program that will allow Syrian troops to use Turkish military barracks and academies.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Rebel fighters ride a vehicle, after rebels led by HTS have sought to capitalize on their swift takeover of Aleppo in the north and Hama in west-central Syria by pressing onwards to Homs, in Hama, Syria December 6, 2024.

UK removes terrorism designation for HTS, formerly led by Syria's Ahmed Al-Sharaa

HTS, a former al Qaeda affiliate, was proscribed in 2017, meaning that Britain designated it as a terrorist group, making it illegal to support or join it.

|ByREUTERS

Bodies and looted homes: Syria's Druze reeling after Sweida bloodshed

Residents from the Syrian-Druze city of Sweida described friends and neighbors being shot at close range in their homes or on the streets.

JULY 18, 2025ByREUTERS
A person reacts as casualties from recent clashes in Syria's Sweida province receive treatment at a field medical point, following renewed fighting between Bedouin fighters and Druze gunmen, despite an announced truce, in Deraa, Syria July 18, 2025.

Elderly Druze Sheikh dies after humiliation by Syrian HTS

Sources close to the Sheikh confirm his death after a viral video circulated the internet showing Shahine, 80, being publicly humiliated by members of HTS in al-Tha'la.

JULY 17, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Syrian security forces walk together along a street, after clashes between Syrian government troops and local Druze fighters resumed in the southern Druze city of Sweida early on Wednesday, in Sweida, Syria July 16, 2025.

IDF prepares for days of battles in Sweida, carries out aerial strikes on 160 Syrian targets

After a number of strategic aerial attacks on Syrian soil, Israel won't send ground forces to protect Syrian-Druze.

JULY 16, 2025ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
IDF soldiers stand guard over Israeli-Druze at the border fence, July 16, 2025.

Chikli denounces Syria's Sharaa as 'barbaric terrorist murder who should be eliminated'

"We must not stand idly by in the face of the Islamo-Nazi terror regime of al-Qaeda operatives in suits," Chikli stated.

JULY 15, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Smoke rises while Syrian security forces sit in the back of a truck, as Syrian troops enter the predominantly Druze city of Sweida on Tuesday following two days of clashes, in Sweida, Syria July 15, 2025.

Where is Hanegbi? Conflicting reports cast doubts over Israel-Syria peace talks

Arab media reports that Israel’s National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, while Israeli officials say he is in the US with Netanyahu.

JULY 8, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
NATIONAL SECURITY Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi issues a statement to the media in Tel Aviv, in late October. Just days before the October 7 attacks, he said in an interview: ‘Hamas is very, very restrained and understands the implications of further defiance.’

US revokes foreign terrorist designation for Syria's HTS, as part of terminating sanctions

The Trump administration keeps advancing on the normalization of relations with Syria, with its last step being revoking the foreign terrorist designation for Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham.

JULY 8, 2025ByREUTERS
Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa attends an interview with Reuters at the presidential palace, in Damascus, Syria March 10, 2025.

From jihadist to president: Is Ahmed al-Sharaa's transformation true or false? - opinion

Ahmed al-Sharaa’s journey from jihadist commander to president presents the world with a highly dramatic transformation. Is it genuine or mere show?

JULY 5, 2025ByNEVILLE TELLER
French President Emmanuel Macron and interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa attend a press conference after a meeting at the Élysée Palace, in May 2025.

Syrian Interior Ministry announces targeted operation against ISIS cell in Aleppo

Syria launched an operation against ISIS in several parts of Aleppo at a time of regional anxiety about a possible resurgence of the terror group.

MAY 18, 2025ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
ISIS in Aleppo, Syria. 2017.

Syrians welcome sanctions relief, outcome remains unclear

In a partial policy shift, the US has eased some sanctions on Syria, allowing humanitarian aid, remittances, and limited civil sector activity.

MAY 14, 2025ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
People celebrate after US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would order the lifting of sanctions on Syria, in Damascus, May 13, 2025.

Macron's eastward shift may spark Middle East anti-colonial revolt - opinion

Macron’s bet may buy short-term contracts and headlines, but it threatens to poison long-term relations and renew resentment.

MAY 12, 2025ByAMINE AYOUB
FRENCH PRESIDENT Emmanuel Macron welcomes Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the Élysée Palace in Paris last week.