Damascus is the capital and largest city of Syria, located in the country's southwest near the Anti-Lebanon mountains. Known as one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities and the seat of Syrian political power through decades of Assad-era rule and civil war. Recently, Damascus has been the center of post-Assad political reconstruction, diplomatic re-engagement, and recurring security incidents. Last updated 5 days ago
Suleiman Hilal al-Assad, a cousin of former president Bashar al-Assad, is wanted by Damascus over alleged involvement in murders and drug smuggling. Syria has formally asked Lebanon to extradite him, sources told Al Hadath.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa made the country's first international Visa card payment, swiping for coffee at a Damascus hotel cafe with Central Bank Governor Safwat Raslan.
It came one day after Washington removed Syria from its State Sponsor of Terrorism list, in place since 1979.
At an Amman meeting, Israel gave Syria a map of Turkish positions inside Syria and around Damascus, including alleged listening devices near Damascus and on the Damascus–Beirut road, diplomatic sources told Al-Hadath.
Israel set its red lines on Turkey's presence. The U.S. pledged to press Turkey to pull back some security points and said Israel stays in the Hermon area. Remaining issues to be resolved diplomatically, with Washington as guarantor.
Syrian Airlines will start direct flights from Damascus to Vienna and Copenhagen on September 21, after Washington removed Syria from the terrorism sponsor list.
Omar Al-Hasiri, head of Syria's General Authority of Civil Aviation, told SANA more destinations and new carriers are on the way.
A Damascus court sentenced Ahmed Hassoun, Syria's Grand Mufti under deposed President Bashar al-Assad, to life in prison over his role in crimes against civilians. Hassoun is considered a symbol of the Assad regime who provided religious cover for massacres.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry in Damascus condemned Israeli strikes on the Abu al-Duhur military airport in Idlib province. Its statement called the attacks unjustified and a blatant violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, describing them as a dangerous escalation that threatens security and stability in the region.
A Damascus court has sentenced deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to death.
The same court sentenced his cousin Atef Najib, a former lieutenant colonel, to death. Najib served as head of the political security directorate in Daraa pr...
A Damascus court has sentenced deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to death.
The same court sentenced his cousin Atef Najib, a former lieutenant colonel, to death. Najib served as head of the political security directorate in Daraa province and was known for ordering the violent crackdown and arrest of boys who painted graffiti in 2011, the event that sparked the Syrian revolution.
The verdict found Najib responsible for crimes against humanity and war crimes. He is also accused of torturing detainees and has denied all allegations.
Damascus has agreed to sharply cut Russian oil imports as part of talks with Washington over lifting the last major U.S. sanctions on Syria, per Reuters.
An ISIS-affiliated cell was dismantled and a hidden explosives stockpile seized in Damascus, tied to the twin bombings near French President Emmanuel Macron's hotel during his visit, Syrian security forces say.
The explosions in Damascus that overshadowed the French president's visit point to a wider governance crisis in Ahmed al-Sharaa's Syria, more than a year and a half after he took power.
Near Quneitra in the central Golan, al-Sharaa's secur...
The explosions in Damascus that overshadowed the French president's visit point to a wider governance crisis in Ahmed al-Sharaa's Syria, more than a year and a half after he took power.
Near Quneitra in the central Golan, al-Sharaa's security forces are consolidating control with Israeli approval, even preventing operations against Israel. In the south, at the Syria-Jordan-Israel border triangle, control is far weaker. Friction flared this week between the IDF and residents of Abedin in the Yarmouk Basin when routine IDF activity was read as an attempt to take the village. The regime stayed out but set up barriers to block militants and limit escalation.
