Syria
Syria, once home to a large Jewish community, takes steps to return property to Jews
A Jewish heritage foundation has set out to help restore private property appropriated after Syrian Jews left the country.
A vast Syrian camp for ISIS families faces an uncertain fate after a security handover
The huge al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria for years has posed an intractable problem — a destitute and increasingly dangerous detention site where ISIS ideology lived on.
Syrian government announces a ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces
Syria's new leaders, since toppling Bashar Assad in December 2024, have struggled to assert their full authority over the war-torn country.
US launches new retaliatory strikes against ISIS in Syria after deadly ambush
The U.S. has launched another round of strikes against the Islamic State in Syria. This follows last month's ambush that killed two U.S. soldiers and an American civilian interpreter.
2 U.S. service members and 1 civilian are killed in ISIS attack in Syria
The attack, which took place in the city of Palmyra, comes a year after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the lifting of U.S. sanctions.
A momentous week as Syria celebrates lifting U.S. sanctions and a year without Assad
As they mark the first anniversary of toppling Bashar al-Assad's regime, Syrians also celebrate another coming milestone: the lifting of sanctions, which could help give the country a new start.
Syria marks a year since Assad fled, but struggles to heal
Syria is struggling to heal a year after the Assad dynasty's repressive 50-year reign came to an end following 14 years of civil war that left the country battered and divided.
What to expect as Syria holds first parliamentary elections since Assad’s ouster
Syria is holding parliamentary elections on Sunday for the first time since the fall of the country's longtime autocratic leader, Bashar Assad, who was unseated in a rebel offensive in December.
For the first time in nearly 6 decades, a Syrian president steps up to speak at the U.N.
Turning the page on decades of distance, Syria's President Ahmad al-Sharaa addressed the U.N. General Assembly, marking the first time any president from his country has done so in almost 60 years.
Fresh clashes break out in Syria as the interim government struggles to ease tensions
The Syrian government under interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has been struggling to consolidate control since he led a surprise insurgency that ousted former President Bashar Assad in December.
In the Golan Heights, Druze are loyal to Syria. But that loyalty is now severely tested
Sectarian violence in recent weeks in Syria's Sweida region has left more than 1,000 people dead. Druze in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights say they feel betrayed by Syria's interim government.
Israel strikes in Damascus as Syrian forces clash with Druze groups
The strike came as clashes continued in the southern Syrian city of Sweida after a ceasefire between government forces and Druze armed groups collapsed.
To rebuild from war, Syrian firefighters work to rebuild trust — in each other
They were on opposite sides during Syria's civil war and now must do lifesaving work together. A makeshift brick wall divides them in their Damascus fire station. The psychological wall is higher.
Greetings from Damascus, Syria, where a crowded bar welcomed post-Assad revelers
Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world.
Greetings from Palmyra, Syria, with its once-grand hotel named for a warrior queen
Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international correspondents share snapshots of moments from their lives and work around the world.
A baklava crawl in the Turkish city that’s obsessed with the pastry
Here's how the Turkish city of Gaziantep became synonymous with baklava, the sweet pastry made of layers of phyllo dough, filled with nuts and soaked in syrup or honey.
Another sign of Syria’s rebuilding: The Damascus stock exchange opens again
The stock exchange had closed during the chaotic days leading up to the ouster of former President Bashar Assad in a lightning rebel offensive.
Greetings from Afrin, Syria, where Kurds danced their hearts out to celebrate spring
Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international correspondents share moments from their lives and work around the world.
NYT columnist Thomas Friedman sees ‘creative possibilities’ from Trump’s Mideast trip
New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman says President Trump "made a very good move" in meeting with Syria's interim president and announcing he would lift sanctions on Israel's neighbor.
Trump meets Syria’s interim president after pledging to lift sanctions
Gulf states are keen to invest in Syria, which has important mineral and oil reserves, but had been prevented from doing so by U.S. sanctions. President Trump has now pledged to lift the restrictions.
Syrian Druze recall what they believe to be past lives — even vivid details
In Syria's large Druze minority, a belief in reincarnation binds the community together.
With Assad gone and Syria’s war over, the White Helmets have a new mission
Vilified by the Assad regime, these Nobel-nominated first responders operated only in rebel areas. Now their founder is in the new government and they're extending their reach to all of Syria.
Syria hopes tourists will return to Palmyra, a World Heritage Site ravaged by war
Before 2015, Palmyra was considered one of the world's most intact ancient Roman sites. ISIS blew up many key monuments of this storied Silk Road city. Syrians hope restoration can begin now.
How Trump’s cuts to U.S. foreign aid are imperiling Syria’s war crimes investigations
When former leader Bashar al-Assad fell, new Syria war crimes investigations began. But U.S. budget cuts have halted some work. For families of the disappeared, it means justice delayed or denied.
Alabama woman who joined IS hopes to return from Syria camp
Hoda Muthana was born in New Jersey to Yemeni immigrants and was raised in a conservative Muslim household in Hoover, Alabama, just outside Birmingham. In 2014, she flew to Turkey and crossed into Syria.
Judge Dismisses Alabama’s Suit Against U.S. Over Refugees
A federal judge has dismissed Alabama’s lawsuit against the U.S. over potential Syrian refugee resettlement.
Alabama Sues Federal Government Over Refugee Resettlement Program
Alabama has become the second state to sue the U.S. government over refugee resettlement, accusing the Obama administration of failing to consult with states on placement of those who have fled their home countries.
Birmingham Residents Rally to Show Support for Syrian Refugees
A about four dozen people gathered Saturday morning in Birmingham's Railroad Park downtown to take a picture showing that some Alabamians would like to accept Syrian refugees.
Fear Shouldn’t Define Us After Terror Attacks
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley is standing by his opposition to Syrian refugees settling in the state following last week's terror attacks in Paris. Authorities say one of the suspects in those attacks may have entered Europe with refugees feeling Syria. More than half of governors, mostly Republicans, have made similar moves to Bentley. But it's also prompted plenty of criticism. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Kyle Whitmire: Gov. Bentley and Syrian Refugees
Governor Robert Bentley orders state agencies to turn away Syrian refugees in Alabama, but does he have the authority to do this? WBHM’s Esther Ciammachilli talks with Kyle Whitmire, state […]
