Dear Deeply Readers,
Welcome to the archives of Syria Deeply. While we paused regular publication of the site on May 15, 2018, and transitioned some of our coverage to Peacebuilding Deeply, we are happy to serve as an ongoing public resource on the Syrian conflict. We hope you’ll enjoy the reporting and analysis that was produced by our dedicated community of editors contributors.
We continue to produce events and special projects while we explore where the on-site journalism goes next. If you’d like to reach us with feedback or ideas for collaboration you can do so at [email protected].
The latest news and major stories on the Syrian conflict.
We review the key developments in Syria, including a major rebel assault on government-controlled areas of Aleppo as diplomats in Geneva push to extend the cease-fire to the city, the expansion of a U.S.-Russia cease-fire monitor, and new warnings from Kerry to Assad.
We review the key developments in Syria, including a renewed diplomatic push to revive the nationwide cease-fire, a revolt by inmates in a government-controlled Hama prison and the continuation of a coordinated offensive against ISIS militants along Turkey’s border.
We review the key developments in Syria, including a partial truce that excludes Aleppo, a new report detailing the government and Russia’s deliberate attacks on civilian centers in Aleppo and heavy Turkish shelling of ISIS militants along its border.
We review the key developments in Syria, including the return of all-out war in Aleppo ahead of what some fear could be a government move to besiege the rebel-held half of the city, and Obama’s push to resettle 10,000 Syrian refugees by the end of the fiscal year.
We review the key developments in Syria, including de Mistura’s call on the U.S. and Russia to “revitalize” the failing cease-fire, deadly airstrikes on an Aleppo hospital that left at least 20 dead and Russia’s attempt to blacklist prominent rebel groups.
We review the key developments in Syria, including recent U.S. airstrikes against ISIS positions in Iraq and Syria, the opposition’s stance on the next round of peace talks, and an increasingly dire humanitarian situation in besieged Daraya.
We review the key developments in Syria, including the death of 60 civilians during clashes in Aleppo over the past three days, the death of five rescue workers from the Syria Civil Defense and a new 850 million euro deal between Syria and Russia.
We review the key developments in Syria, including the effective collapse of the cease-fire, Obama’s announcement of another 250 U.S. troops for Syria and a truce in Qamishli between Kurdish and government forces.
We review the key developments in Syria, including the steady deterioration of both the cease-fire and the peace talks in Geneva as Russia shifts heavy artillery from Palmyra to the north, heavy ground battles between Kurdish and government militias in Qamishli, and the
We review the key developments in Syria, including the “pause” in the Geneva-based peace talks as Assad and his allies appear to be preparing for a major assault on opposition-held areas of Aleppo, another ISIS advance in Deir Ezzor and the succesful completion of the “largest ever” siege evacuation.
We review the key developments in Syria, including the collapse of the peace talks in Geneva and the cease-fire on the ground, deadly air raids on two Idlib markets, a Russian-backed counteroffensive in Latakia and another refusal by the government’s delegation in Geneva to discuss Assad’s future.
We review the key developments in Syria, including thousands of civilians trapped at the Turkish border with Syria in the northern district of Azaz, the opposition’s halt on peace talks in Geneva as violations of the truce continue and an agreement between Obama and Putin to increase efforts in Syria.
We review the key developments in Syria, including major ground battles between rebels and government forces in rural Latakia, the opposition’s threat to quit the Geneva peace talks if violence continues and the victory of Bashar al-Assad’s ruling Baath party in last week’s parliamentary elections.
We review the key developments in Syria, including a surge in fighting across the country’s north as peace talks resume in Geneva, U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura’s frustration over continued impediments to humanitarian aid in besieged areas and Russia’s call on Turkey to close its border.
We review the key developments in Syria, including Wednesday’s parliamentary elections in government-held areas across the country, a statement made by a top government official urging the opposition to give up on Assad’s departure and hospitals on strike in Aleppo after the killing of an aid worker.
We review the key developments in Syria, including a six-month plan for the formation of a Kurdish federal government, the crash of a Russian attack helicopter in Homs and ground battles in the north ahead of Wednesday’s elections, which are expected to rubber-stamp an assembly of Assad loyalists.
We review the key developments in Syria, including U.S. concern over the Assad government’s escalation of violence on the ground, Russia’s denial of any plans to storm the city of Aleppo and Turkey’s retaliation against rocket fire from Syria on the border town of Kilis.
We review the key developments in Syria, including government plans to launch a Russian-backed offensive to retake Aleppo, ISIS’s recapture of a strategic border crossing in the face of increasing pressure from all sides and Tehran’s announcement that Assad’s removal is an Iranian “red line”.
We review the key developments in Syria, including the abduction of hundreds of cement workers by ISIS militants on the outskirts of Damascus, U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura’s efforts to bring about a political transition and the continuing “catalog of horror” in besieged areas across the country.
We review key developments in Syria, including a major battle between rebel forces and the Syrian army south of Aleppo that threatens to destroy the fragile truce, continuing FSA advances against ISIS near the Turkish border and a new resettlement program for Syrian refugees heading to the U.S.
We review key developments in Syria, including a Syrian warplane shot down by rebels south of Aleppo, Kerry’s efforts to convince Assad to accept a transitional governing body, and a new report by the Atlantic Council detailing Russia’s inaccurate airstrikes in Syria.
We review key developments in Syria, including Iran’s announcement that it will deploy army personnel as advisers to the Syrian army, documents detailing the Assad government’s use of blacklisted offshore companies to fund its air war, and the first transfers under the E.U.-Turkey migrant deal.
We review the key developments in Syria, including the death of an al-Nusra Front leader in a suspected U.S. drone strike, a document released by the Alawite sect in Syria distancing itself from President Assad and the Syrian government’s seizure of the town of al-Qaryatain.
We review the key developments in Syria, including a series of government attacks on civilian areas in rebel-held Eastern Ghouta, a new report detailing Turkey’s illegal expulsion of refugees back to Syria, and continued coalition bombing of ISIS targets.
We review the key developments in Syria, including the deployment of Russian combat engineers to Palmyra, a U.N. campaign to lobby countries to resettle a half million refugees, and the U.N. humanitarian chief’s criticism of the Syrian government’s seizure of medical supplies.
We review the key developments in Syria, including Assad’s rejection of a “transitional body” demanded by the opposition, an increase in Russian military shipping despite Putin’s announcement of a draw down, and a new report detailing the number of civilians killed by Russian airstrikes in 2015
We review the key developments in Syria, including the possibility of a U.N.-managed prisoner exchange between the government and the opposition, Oxfam’s appeal to “rich nations,” urging them to take in more Syrian refugees, and the continuation of government advances to the east after taking Palmyra.
We review the key developments in Syria, including the government capture of the ancient city of Palmyra, the increase in clashes between CIA-backed and Pentagon-backed militias, and a four-year low in the civilian death toll brought about by last month’s cease-fire.
We review the key developments in Syria, including the agreement by warring sides to a set of basic principles as peace talks in Geneva adjourn, fierce battles at the gates of Palmyra, and the release of a report detailing 380 civilian deaths caused by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes.
We review the key developments in Syria, including John Kerry’s planned meeting with his Russian counterparts to discuss a political transition for Syria, Staffan de Mistura’s calls to speed up peace talks in Geneva, and Hezbollah’s dismissal of speculation on the group’s withdrawal from Syria.
We review the key developments in Syria, including Staffan de Mistura’s push to force both sides in Geneva to discuss the fate of Assad, Russia’s warning that it will unilaterally respond by force to cease-fire violators and the continued push by pro-government forces to retake ISIS-controlled Palmyra.
We review the key developments in Syria, including the resumption on Monday of the peace talks, Russian disquiet at delays in enforcing the agreed cease-fire and the reported moving of President Bashar al-Assad’s brother from his command of the 4th Armoured Division.
We review key developments in Syria, including the Kurdish declaration of an autonomous federation in the country’s north and its effects on the peace process, progress in Geneva between the Syrian opposition and U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura and Putin’s first public address post military drawdown.
We review the key developments in Syria, including the Kurdish plan to declare a federal region in the country’s north on Thursday, the first speed bumps for the resumed peace talks in Geneva and a Reuters analysis that claims Russia has pulled nearly half of its air force out of the country.
We review the key developments in Syria, including the opposing sides’ submission in Geneva of documents outlining their understanding of a political solution, the Kurdish announcement of an independent federation in the northeast, and Kerry’s impending visit to Moscow.
We review the key developments in Syria, including Vladimir Putin’s announcement on Monday that Russia will begin withdrawing its forces, an outlook on the Geneva peace talks as they enter their second day and a report detailing the 161 chemical weapons attacks that have taken place since the war began.
We review key developments in Syria, including deep divisions between warring parties in the lead-up to the Geneva talks, U.S. accusations that Assad is trying to spoil the negotiations, the rebel downing of a government warplane and a U.N. report adding weight to claims of a lost Syrian generation.
We review the key developments in Syria, including a discussion by key world powers of the possibility of a federal division of the war-torn country, an uptick in Russian and Syrian airstrikes in Palmyra ahead of what looks to be a campaign to retake the city and an overview of the worst year yet in Syria’s civil war.
We review the key developments in Syria, including the lead up to the resumption of peace talks in Geneva, conflicting reports on the outcome of a “comprehensive attack” on government positions by insurgent groups in Hama and news that ISIS commander Omar al-Shishani is still alive.
We review the key developments in Syria, including a slow start to the resumption of peace talks in Geneva, a U.S. airstrike that may have killed the ISIS “minister of war,” and Kurdish accusations that rebel groups have shelled Kurdish civilian areas in Aleppo with chemical agents.
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