Israel Syria

Inside Syria’s struggles: Jonathan Spyer on conflict, Israel’s strategy, and reintegration

In a conversation with Jonathan Spyer, expert on Syria, we explore the latest flare-ups of violence, Israel's strategic role, and the challenges of reintegrating a fractured nation.

Bedouin families ride on a vehicle as they leave the village of Al-Mazraa, as residents reported calm in Syria's Sweida on Sunday after the Islamist-led government announced that Bedouin fighters had withdrawn from the predominantly Druze city, Sweida, Syira, July 21, 2025.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Druze leader Sheikh Muwafaq Tarif at the Prime Minster’s Office in Jerusalem on July 24, 2025.

Netanyahu, Druze spiritual leader meet in Jerusalem amid Syria ceasefire

A Druze boy holds a flag as he looks at the ceasefire line between Golan Heights and Syria, on the day of first visit by Druze delegation from Syria just after 1973 war in Israel, March 14, 2025.

The forgotten slaughter of Syria’s Druze, and Israel’s moral response - opinion

 Bedouin fighters ride motocycles, following renewed fighting between Bedouin fighters and Druze gunmen, despite an announced truce, in Sweida, Syria July 18, 2025.

Israel’s message in defending the Druze goes beyond borders, wanting to correct history - analysis


Syrian presidency announces comprehensive ceasefire after fighting in Druze area

A Syrian military official said correspondence with the US had led Damascus to believe it could deploy forces to Sweida without Israel confronting them.

 Smoke rises as a damaged car remains along a street, as Sweida province has been engulfed by nearly a week of violence triggered by clashes between Bedouin fighters and factions from the Druze, at Sweida governorate, Syria, July 18, 2025.

Israel at War day 651: What's going on in Syria, Yemen?

Israeli-Druze group crosses border into Syria • Netanyahu tells pope hostage talks progressing • Hamas claims it proposed releasing all hostages • IDF confirms deaths of four terrorists in Gaza

 Members of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas and mourners attend the funeral of Al-Qassam fighters who were killed during the war between Israel and Hamas in the Al-Shati camp, in Gaza City, February 28, 2025.

Syrian detente hopes dim as president accuses Israel of sowing ‘chaos and destruction’ with strikes

“The Israeli entity resorted to a wide-scale targeting of civilian and government facilities,” Shaara said the situation was easing with the intervention of the US, Arab, and Turkish mediators.

 Druze residents protest near the Israeli-Syrian border fence in solidarity with their community in Syria, July 16, 2025.

Rubio: US has engaged with all parties in Syria clashes, agreed on steps to end situation

Rubio said that steps must be taken by "all parties to deliver on commitments they have made and this is what we fully expect them to do."

 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio takes part in a media briefing during the 58th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' meeting and related meetings at the Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 10, 2025.

Will Israel’s airstrikes help the Druze in Syria? - analysis

Israel’s intervention escalated with more airstrikes and officials' comments, raising questions about what might come next and if the limited intervention will help the Druze.

 Syrian security forces stand together, following deadly clashes between Sunni fighters against armed Druze residents, at the entrance of Jaramana, Syria May 5, 2025.

Syria announces ceasefire in Sweida after agreement with local leaders, IDF strikes regime targets

Syrian troops entered the predominantly Druze city on Tuesday following two days of clashes, the first time government forces have deployed to Sweida since the new government took power.

 Syrian forces enter Sweida as Druze leader says truce talks underway on 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.

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.’

Golan leaders demand recognition in possible Abraham Accords expansion with Syria

“While we welcome real peace efforts, we are very clear: any future agreement must recognize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan,” leaders in the Golan Heights noted in a press release.

 Golan Regional Council Governor Ori Kallner and Katzrin Local Council head Yehuda Dua.

The growing ties between Israel, Syria, its possible spread into the Middle East - analysis

Al-Ain speculates that Trump might encourage a meeting between Israel’s Prime Minister and the new Syrian president. It is clear that many voices on both sides of the ocean see Syria-Israel ties as

 Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa looks on as he attends the “Aleppo, Key to Victory” celebration marking Syria’s liberation, in Aleppo, Syria May 27, 2025.

ISIS activity may return in southern Syria amid Israeli incursions - report

Other Syrian opposition groups will reportedly take action against the leadership of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the report added, noting feelings of discontent rising among residents in the area.

Overlooking southern Syria from the IDF's military post on Mount Hermon

Syrian government cracks down on Palestinian terror groups - report

Tehran-backed faction leaders reportedly fled Damascus amid regime harassment and property seizures.

 A man carries a weapon during a protest organized to celebrate the announcement of the ceasefire in Gaza, at Yarmouk camp in Damascus, Syria January 17, 2025.