Syria

Syria deepens diplomatic ties with US as it weighs role in Saudi conflict with Houthis - analysis

US envoy Tom Barrack met with Syria's foreign minister shortly after President Ahmad al-Sharaa held talks in Riyadh with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on bilateral ties and regional security.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets US Special Envoy Tom Barrack in Damascus, Syria, December 1, 2025.
Pro-Saudi-backed Yemeni government fighters fire their weapons during what government forces say was an advance against the Iran-backed Houthis, near Dhubab, Taiz Governorate, Yemen, October 5, 2026.

Houthis ramp up missile attacks on Riyadh as Saudi-backed war in Yemen widens

The conflict, now an overspill of the US-Iran war, has added new chaos to a region already aflame, and threatens to draw other states into grueling mountain fighting.

|ByREUTERS
Iraqi security forces stand guard during a rally celebrating the withdrawal of forces of the US-led coalition against the Islamic State from Iraq in Baghdad on September 30, 2026.

US-led coalition exit shifts more counter-ISIS burden to Iraq and Syria - analysis

The end of Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq leaves local forces carrying more of the operational burden while Washington retains a regional intelligence and support role.

|ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 6, 2026.

Syria weighs military aid for Saudi Arabia amid war with Houthis, sources say

The Syrian president's media adviser, Ahmad Zaidan, denied that Saudi Arabia had requested that Syria deploy forces to help fight the Houthis in Yemen.

|ByREUTERS

Defense Ministry: 1,318 Israeli security personnel killed across all fronts since October 7

The number includes fallen personnel from the IDF, Israel Police, Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), Fire and Rescue Services, security coordinators, and local response team members.

OCTOBER 4, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
IDF Paratroopers Brigade operating in the Gaza Strip. Pictures released on August 24, 2026.

Yemen launches counteroffensive against Houthis, flydubai hijacker's motives under investigation

Pete Hegseth says US 'hell-bent' on keeping Iran from achieving nuclear weapons • Iran delays renewing Hamas financial support over failure to undermine West Bank stability • Iran executes detainee

OCTOBER 4, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
A US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle is refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker while patrolling the skies over the Middle East.

IDF targets Yahya Sinwar's successor in Gaza strike, kills two PIJ commanders in Gaza City

Trump reportedly discusses next steps of war at secret Camp David meeting • US pushes for pressure on Iran • Yemen claims 20 strikes carried out on Houthis

OCTOBER 3, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Smoke and flames rise from a house during an Israeli strike, carried out after the IDF warned residents to evacuate the area, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, September 9, 2026.

One injured in Saudi Arabia from missile shrapnel as US reportedly builds up forces in region

Yemen claims 20 strikes carried out on Houthis • Crude oil tanker struck by unknown projectile off Oman, UKMTO says • US deploys third aircraft carrier to Middle East

OCTOBER 2, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Large plume of black smoke rises from the fuel storage area at King Khalid International Airport, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, September 19, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone.

China-Syria trade rises by hundreds of millions of dollars as China launches industrial investments

The value of Syrian imports from China reached approximately $669.9 million during the first six months of 2026, exceeding in just half a year the total value of Chinese exports to Syria in 2025.

OCTOBER 1, 2026ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem (3rd L) speaks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (3rd R) during a meeting at Diaoyutai state guesthouse in Beijing on June 18, 2019.

Syria, Hezbollah hold secret security talks in Turkey, reportedly to ease border tensions

One of the Syrian officials said both sides agreed they held no hostility towards one another, and that Syria assured Hezbollah that it would not intervene militarily in Lebanon to disarm the group.

OCTOBER 1, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Hezbollah and Syrian flags are seen fluttering in Fleita, Syria August 2, 2017.

Three Syrian power plants out of service after gas pipeline explosion, state news agency says

Three Syrian power plants are out of service as a gas pipeline explosion halts energy supply and injures two people.

OCTOBER 1, 2026ByREUTERS
Smoke rises from a weapons depot following an explosion in the Al-Eis area Monday, 21st September 2026

Syrian, Jordanian military chiefs discuss defense cooperation to counter border security threats

“The call addressed a number of issues of mutual interest and ways to advance cooperation and coordination between Syria and Jordan in the defense field.”

SEPTEMBER 30, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Jordan occupies a critical position between Israel, Iraq and Syria, making the kingdom an important buffer against weapons smuggling, militant infiltration and Iranian efforts to expand its regional influence.

Syrian Internal Security Forces take out cell of Hezbollah terrorists planning sabotage, ISF says

According to the ISF, the Hezbollah cell had been plotting sabotage in the Yarmouk Basin in the Daraa area, and therefore Syria had launched a preemptive security operation.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2026ByTZVI JASPER
Military personnel stand guard near the site of explosions at an army weapons depot in the Al-Hadaba area near Aleppo, Syria, on September 21, 2026.

The Iraq-Syria border is becoming the Middle East's most important new energy corridor - analysis

Syria continues to grow as an energy hub for Iraq amid a peaceful border situation.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A general view shows the Awad oil field in the eastern Qamishli countryside in northeastern Syria, on February 9, 2026; Illustrative.