Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)

A fighter affiliated with the new Syrian administration in a tunnel, inside the abandoned base of the Syrian Republican Guard, near Damascus, on January 4, 2025. Photo: BAKR ALKASEM / AFP vis BSS
Middle East

Elaborate military tunnel complex linked to Assad's palace

The tunnels, seen by an AFP correspondent, are among secrets of president Bashar al-Assad's rule exposed since rebels toppled him on December 8

Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, speaks to the media on the day he meets with Qatar's Minister of State Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, after the ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, December 23, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Ammar Awad/File Photo
Middle East

Syria's de facto leader says holding elections could take up to four years

Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa attends a meeting with former rebel faction chiefs, as he reached an agreement with them to dissolve all groups and consolidate them under the Defence Ministry, according to a statement from the new administration, in Damascus, Syria, in this handout image released on December 24, 2024. Photo: SANA/Handout via REUTERS
Middle East

Syrian ex-rebel factions agree to merge under defence ministry

Women hold Women's Protection Units (YPJ) flags during a rally demanding the new Islamist rulers in Damascus respect women's rights and condemn Turkish-backed military campaigns in Kurdish-led regions of the north, in the northeastern city of Qamishli, Syria, December 23, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
Middle East

Women rally for equal rights in Syria after Assad's fall to Islamists

Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt and his son Taymur Jumblatt meet with Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, after the ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, December 22, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
Middle East

Syria's de facto ruler reassures minorities, meets Lebanese Druze leader

Ahmed al-Sharaa, Murhaf Abu Qasra, Damascus, December 21, 2024. Photo: Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham/Handout via REUTERS
Middle East

Syria's new rulers name HTS commander as defence minister

A member of Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stands along a street, after rebels seized the capital and ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Hasakah, Syria, December 11, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Orhan Qereman/File Photo
Middle East

Syrian Kurdish groups on the back foot as power balance shifts

People gather during a celebration called by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) at the Umayyad Square, after the ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, December 20, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Ammar
Middle East

US held 'very productive' first meeting with Syria's al-Sharaa, scraps 10m bounty

Top rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Jolani speaks to a crowd at Ummayad Mosque in Damascus, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad, Syria December 8, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Mahmoud Hassano
Middle East

Syria's de facto leader not interested in new conflicts despite Israeli attacks

A drone view shows Damascus city, after fighters of the ruling Syrian body ousted Bashar al-Assad, Syria. Photo: REUTERS/Yosri Al Jamal
Middle East

Qatar delegation to meet Syria's interim government on Sunday: Qatari official

People walk with belongings as they attempt to cross into Syria, at the Masnaa border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, after Syrian rebels ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, December 10, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Emilie Madi
Middle East

Refugees return to Syria as caretaker prime minister appointed

Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations, Koussay Aldahhak, speaks to members of Security Council during a meeting on the situation in the Middle East at UN headquarters in New York City, New York, US, April 14, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo
Middle East

UN Security Council appears united on Syria: diplomats

Rebel fighters pose as they hold a Syrian opposition flag inside the Umayyad Mosque, after rebels seized the capital and ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria December 9, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
Middle East

Syria's rebels work to form government, restore order after Assad ouster