What was behind Daraa’s rapid fall, and did HTS participate?
Local armed groups seized control of Syria’s southern Daraa province in a matter of hours on Friday. Why was the fall so sudden, and was HTS involved?
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12, 2024
7
12, 2024
‘Fear and joy’: Voices from Damascus
As the situation in and around Damascus rapidly changed throughout the day on Saturday, three civilians in and around the capital told Syria Direct what they were seeing, hearing and feeling.
6
12, 2024
Hope and suspense in East Ghouta as the regime loses ground
The view from the ground in the East Ghouta suburbs of Damascus is one of a worried regime withdrawing its forces from the interior of cities and reinforcing checkpoints on their outskirts “for fear of being targeted,” residents say.
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11, 2024
Opposition fighters break into Aleppo city: Why now?
Syrian opposition factions advanced rapidly and entered districts of Aleppo city on Friday in a shock offensive against regime forces, who unexpectedly retreated and lost strategic positions, including large parts of the M5 highway.
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11, 2024
Hezbollah and Iran-backed militias reposition in Syria
Their positions exposed, Hezbollah and Iranian-backed militias are repositioning themselves in Syria to avoid being targeted, while Russia uses its own forces as a counterbalance.
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11, 2024
What does the US presidential election mean for Syria?
For US policy on Syria, this year’s election is largely a choice between a continued status quo under Vice President Kamala Harris and a return to the unpredictable foreign policy of former President Donald Trump.
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10, 2024
As ‘axis of resistance’ faces greatest test, Damascus clings to the sidelines
The Syrian regime, while indebted to Hezbollah and Tehran, has distanced itself from the escalating regional conflict between the “axis of resistance” and Israel. Where does Damascus stand?
10
10, 2024
As Israel strikes Iran-linked figures in Damascus, civilians pay the price
Mezzeh, an upscale neighborhood long sought-after for safety and better services than other parts of the Syrian capital, has become a repeated target for Israeli bombing due to the presence of figures affiliated with Iran and Hezbollah.
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10, 2024
Will Iran’s proxies in Syria mobilize in support of Hezbollah?
As Israel wages a full-blown aerial and ground campaign in Lebanon, will Iran’s proxies in Syria come to the aid of its beleaguered ally Hezbollah?
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10, 2024
Who is Abu Ali Tabtabai, a top Hezbollah commander in Syria?
As Israel assassinates Hezbollah leaders, Abu Ali Tabtabai—thought to be field commander of the group’s elite Radwan Force in Syria—is likely in the crosshairs. Who is he?