Syrian army

As Syrian forces push northeast, Kurds mobilize against new jihadi assault

BEHIND THE LINES: As Syrian forces push into Kurdish regions, the Syrian Democratic Council calls for urgent global intervention to prevent a massacre.

|ByJONATHAN SPYER
Soldiers ride on a tank as Syrian government forces make their way to the city of Hasakeh in northeastern Syria on Tuesday.
Soldiers of Syrian government forces stand by on a position 10 km away from the city of Hasakah in northeastern Syria on January 21, 2026.

Syria accuses Kurds of breaking truce in 'dangerous escalation,' tenuous peace deal threatened

The Syrian army said an attack took place as soldiers were securing a captured military base containing explosives, calling it a dangerous escalation.

|ByREUTERS
Members of the Kurdish Internal Security Forces known as "Asayish", and residents rally during a demonstration against the attacks by the Syrian government forces and in support of Kurdish fighters in Qamishli, the main Kurdish city in the country's northeast on January 18, 2026.

Kurdish commander calls on US to 'intervene forcefully' in Syria clashes

The head of the YPG warned that only the US or its coalition partners can halt Syria’s advance into Kurdish-held territory, as government forces seize key towns and energy sites.

|ByREUTERS, JAMES GENN
A member of the Syrian army walks with a weapon in the street as civilians flee following renewed clashes between the Syrian army and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in Aleppo, Syria, January 7, 2026

US killed al-Qaeda affiliate leader tied to December attack in Syria, CENTCOM says

US-led coalition planes flew over flashpoint towns in northern Syria where army troops and Kurdish factions clashed on Saturday, a Syrian security source and a Turkish defense source told Reuters.

|ByREUTERS, GOLDIE KATZ

After failed truces in Syria, will the newest ceasefire in Aleppo last? - analysis

Amid ongoing clashes with the SDF, Syrian government forces announced a suspension of military operations in Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsood, though tensions remain high.

JANUARY 12, 2026ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
Entrance to the Ashrafieh neighborhood in Aleppo.

Syria says it has taken control of Aleppo's Sheikh Maksoud neighborhood, Kurdish forces deny claims

The Syrian forces combed through 90% the neighbourhood according to the SANA News Agency, while Kurdish representatives assured Reuters that their forces were still present in Aleppo.

JANUARY 10, 2026ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN, REUTERS
Members of the Syrian Civil Defence work to extinguish a fire after shelling amid renewed clashes between the Syrian army and the Syrian Democratic Forces in Aleppo, Syria, January 8, 2026.

Syrian Army to strike Aleppo as Kurdish forces reject evacuation after ceasefire announcement

A ceasefire was declared in Aleppo by Syria's Defense Ministry after clashes with Kurdish forces, with Damascus claiming it will "escort departing militants" to northeastern Syria.

JANUARY 9, 2026ByJAMES GENN, REUTERS
Security forces affiliated with the Ministry of the Interior stand guard in the Ashrafieh neighbourhood, which they have taken control of, according to the Interior Ministry, following battles with the Syrian Democratic Forces, in Aleppo, Syria, January 9, 2026.

Damascus declares curfew in Aleppo following clashes with SDF

Syria’s government declared Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh a closed military zone as fighting with SDF escalated, with civilian deaths reported and mass evacuations underway.

JANUARY 7, 2026ByJAMES GENN
A member of the security forces stands guard as residents flee Aleppo's Ashrafieh Kurdish neighbourhood on January 7, 2026. Civilians were fleeing Kurdish neighbourhoods of Aleppo on January 7 after the Syrian army declared them "closed military zones", amid ongoing fighting with Kurdish-led forces.

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.

OCTOBER 30, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Armored personnel carriers stand outside a compound of the Syrian army's new 80th Division in northwest Syria, June 3, 2025.

US gives nod to Syria to bring foreign jihadist ex-rebels into army, including Uyghurs from China

Syrian officials said that under the plan, some 3,500 foreign fighters, mainly Uyghurs from China and neighboring countries, would join a newly formed unit.

JUNE 2, 2025ByREUTERS
Syrian army personnel gather as they head towards Latakia to join the fight against the fighters linked to Syria's ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, in Aleppo, Syria, March 7, 2025.

Syria continues to build its new army as it looks to integrate various armed groups

The backbone of the army are the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham units that came out of Idlib and had fought Assad’s military for years, as well as units from southern Syria and units linked to Turkey.

JUNE 2, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Syrian army personnel gather as they head towards Latakia to join the fight against the fighters linked to Syria's ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, in Aleppo, Syria, March 7, 2025.

Britain holds first high-level military talks with Syria since 2011

Syrian Defense Minister Gen. Marhaf Abu Qasra met with an official British delegation led by political advisor Charles Smith in Damascus.

MAY 18, 2025ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
A meeting between British political advisor Charles Smith (L) and Syrian Defense Minister Gen. Marhaf Abu Qasra (R) in Damascus, May 15, 2025.

Integration, reconstruction: What are the priorities of Syria's new government? - analysis

Syria's transitional government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, held its first meeting on April 7, focusing on reconstruction and unity.

APRIL 9, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
President Ahmed al-Shara'a speaks during the formation of the new Syrian government. March 29, 2025.

In Syria’s Sednaya prison, waiting for loved ones: Many missing, many dead

Syrian detainees return home, but many remain missing or presumed dead amid grim discoveries in Sednaya Prison.

DECEMBER 18, 2024ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
PEOPLE CELEBRATE the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, in Sednaya, Syria, this week. The spectacular collapse of the Assad regime has introduced both uncertainty and opportunity, the writer notes.