Exploring the government in Syria, including the Baath Party and the Assad family's inner circle, and the various foreign and domestic forces fighting alongside President Bashar al-Assad. https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/government-forces/rss en Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces Tue, 08 May 2018 09:40:00 +0000 Mona Alami https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/05/08/iran-israel-tensions-unlikely-to-evolve-into-conventional-warfare https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/05/08/iran-israel-tensions-unlikely-to-evolve-into-conventional-warfare Tehran has prioritized lower cost, disruptive and asymmetric warfare since at least the Iran-Iraq war, and tensions with Israel over its buildup in Syria are unlikely to change that, writes Levant researcher and journalist Mona Alami. Government & Pro-Government Forces Human Rights ISIS Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Tue, 01 May 2018 09:10:00 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/05/01/the-civilian-cost-of-syrias-new-battle-against-isis https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/05/01/the-civilian-cost-of-syrias-new-battle-against-isis Civilians residing in the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp south of Damascus are caught in fierce fighting between government forces and ISIS militants, while being deprived of healthcare, food and medical supplies. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces Mon, 23 Apr 2018 10:10:00 +0000 Hashem Osseiran, Alessandria Masi, Kim Bode https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/04/23/deeply-talks-making-sense-of-the-syria-strike https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/04/23/deeply-talks-making-sense-of-the-syria-strike Syria Deeply’s editors weigh in on this month’s missile strike by the U.S., the U.K. and France in the latest installment of SD’s Deeply Talks series. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces Mon, 16 Apr 2018 07:30:00 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/04/16/for-many-syrians-missile-strikes-will-have-little-impact https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/04/16/for-many-syrians-missile-strikes-will-have-little-impact Some Syrians were expecting larger strikes on Syria in response to last week’s suspected chemical weapons attack. Others were hoping for no response at all. Many, however, said the strikes would have little impact on the balance of power on the ground. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces Sat, 14 Apr 2018 14:30:00 +0000 Hashem Osseiran, Alessandria Masi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/04/14/expert-views-impact-of-the-syrian-missile-strike https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2018/04/14/expert-views-impact-of-the-syrian-missile-strike Saturday’s missile strike on Syria may temporarily deter the Syrian government from using chemical weapons but it will not alter the trajectory of the seven-year-long war, experts from Syria Deeply’s community said. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces Sat, 14 Apr 2018 13:30:00 +0000 Hashem Osseiran https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/04/14/strike-in-syria-what-we-know https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/04/14/strike-in-syria-what-we-know Here is what we know so far about the largest intervention by western powers against the Syrian government since the start of the conflict. Government & Pro-Government Forces Human Rights Fri, 13 Apr 2018 14:10:00 +0000 Alessandria Masi, Hashem Osseiran https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/04/13/what-we-know-about-the-suspected-chemical-weapon-attack-in-east-ghouta https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/04/13/what-we-know-about-the-suspected-chemical-weapon-attack-in-east-ghouta Syria Deeply answers some of the big questions surrounding the suspected poison gas attack in Douma last week, and the wider issue of chemical weapon use in Syria. Displacement Government & Pro-Government Forces Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Thu, 12 Apr 2018 14:20:00 +0000 Hashem Osseiran https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/04/12/analysis-how-eastern-ghouta-fell-to-pro-government-forces https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/04/12/analysis-how-eastern-ghouta-fell-to-pro-government-forces A look at how five years of siege, increased airstrikes, a fierce ground operation, a string of evacuation deals and a suspected chemical attack led to the fall of the rebel stronghold in the Damascus suburbs. Government & Pro-Government Forces Human Rights Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Fri, 23 Mar 2018 12:20:00 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/03/23/we-are-waiting-for-death-voices-from-ghoutas-underground-bunker https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/03/23/we-are-waiting-for-death-voices-from-ghoutas-underground-bunker Tens of thousands of people have fled the eastern Ghouta suburbs of Damascus in recent weeks. Many of the hundreds of thousands who remain, however, are hiding in underground shelters, with little access to food, water and sunlight. Government & Pro-Government Forces Human Rights Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Thu, 08 Mar 2018 13:10:00 +0000 Lina Khatib https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/03/08/beyond-the-endgame-in-eastern-ghouta https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/03/08/beyond-the-endgame-in-eastern-ghouta The government’s endgame in Eastern Ghouta is to overtake the last opposition holdout near the capital. But the bloody strategy Damascus is using to get there is just as important, writes Lina Khatib of Chatham House. Government & Pro-Government Forces Human Rights Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Fri, 23 Feb 2018 15:30:00 +0000 Hashem Osseiran, Alessandria Masi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/02/23/syrian-conflicts-deadly-week-in-eastern-ghouta https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/02/23/syrian-conflicts-deadly-week-in-eastern-ghouta A look at the major developments of one of the deadliest weeks in the besieged Damascus suburbs of Eastern Ghouta. Government & Pro-Government Forces Wed, 14 Feb 2018 13:10:00 +0000 Alessandria Masi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/02/14/why-syria-and-the-u-s-clashed-for-control-east-of-the-euphrates https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/02/14/why-syria-and-the-u-s-clashed-for-control-east-of-the-euphrates The U.S. coalition’s show of force against a pro-government attack in Deir Ezzor last week is not a change in American engagement policy, but a sign that Washington’s interest in Syria will increasingly come under threat. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces Mon, 12 Feb 2018 13:10:00 +0000 Yossi Melman https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/02/12/analysis-iran-and-israel-eye-containment-in-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/02/12/analysis-iran-and-israel-eye-containment-in-syria The downing of an Israeli warplane on Saturday threatened to escalate tensions between Israel and Iran. But now the two adversaries are actively trying to avoid a full blown confrontation, writes Israeli security and intelligence commentator Yossi Melman. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces Mon, 12 Feb 2018 12:00:00 +0000 Anchal Vohra https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/02/12/analysis-in-south-syria-all-roads-lead-back-to-the-arab-israeli-conflict https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/02/12/analysis-in-south-syria-all-roads-lead-back-to-the-arab-israeli-conflict The recent uptick in clashes between Israel, Iran and Syria risks circling the conflict back to decades-old hostilities between Damascus and Tel Aviv in battles over the Golan Heights. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces Tue, 06 Feb 2018 14:00:00 +0000 Hashem Osseiran https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/02/06/how-de-escalation-zones-in-syria-became-a-war-management-strategy https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/02/06/how-de-escalation-zones-in-syria-became-a-war-management-strategy Nine months into the de-escalation agreement, the deal has helped the Syrian government seize additional territory and widen its control rather than reduce violence in the designated areas, experts said. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Solutions War Economy Sun, 21 Jan 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Kim Bode, Alessandria Masi, Hashem Osseiran https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/01/21/deeply-talks-syria-outlook-2018 https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/01/21/deeply-talks-syria-outlook-2018 In the first Deeply Talks of 2018, Syria Deeply talks with Faysal Itani of the Atlantic Council about the state of diplomatic negotiations, Syria’s economy and the escalation of violence across the country. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces Human Rights Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Thu, 18 Jan 2018 09:00:00 +0000 Alessandria Masi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/01/18/syria-2018-the-major-issues-for-the-year-ahead https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/01/18/syria-2018-the-major-issues-for-the-year-ahead This year, Syria Deeply will be keeping a close eye on the various wars being waged in Syria and the scale of foreign involvement in each, as well as war crimes and accountability, returns and displacement, and reconstruction and reconciliation across the country. Government & Pro-Government Forces Thu, 30 Nov 2017 12:16:39 +0000 Neil Hauer https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/11/30/a-war-within-a-war-chechnyas-expanding-role-in-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/11/30/a-war-within-a-war-chechnyas-expanding-role-in-syria Over the past year, Chechnya significantly expanded its role and foothold in Syria, including funding the reconstruction of major Syrian mosques and deploying highly trained Chechen military forces to some of the toughest front lines. Government & Pro-Government Forces Fri, 24 Nov 2017 03:00:25 +0000 Khaled Al-Khateb https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/11/24/the-troubling-triumvirate-ruling-over-aleppo https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/11/24/the-troubling-triumvirate-ruling-over-aleppo Almost one year after rebels retreated from Aleppo, the northern Syrian city is now at the mercy of security services, pro-government militias and the Baath party, who are doing little to improve living conditions, writes Syrian journalist Khaled Al-Khateb. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces ISIS Fri, 10 Nov 2017 13:54:24 +0000 Hashem Osseiran https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/11/10/what-an-isis-retreat-in-boukamal-could-mean-for-the-war-in-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/11/10/what-an-isis-retreat-in-boukamal-could-mean-for-the-war-in-syria The Syrian government is trying to capture the last ISIS stronghold in Syria. If it’s successful, it would be positioned for both a military and economic boost as it moves to secure a section of its frontier with Iraq, according to Fabrice Balanche of the Hoover Institution. Government & Pro-Government Forces War Economy Wed, 25 Oct 2017 13:36:19 +0000 Mohammad Khair Alhamwi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/10/25/eyes-on-damascus-electricity-pharmacists-siege-and-sports https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/10/25/eyes-on-damascus-electricity-pharmacists-siege-and-sports As the Syrian government and foreign powers look to wind down the war in Syria, we are closely monitoring developments on the ground in the capital for our monthly report from Damascus. Government & Pro-Government Forces Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Religious & Ethnic Groups Tue, 17 Oct 2017 13:48:16 +0000 Federica Marsi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/10/17/amid-war-women-are-starting-to-make-a-mark-on-syrian-politics https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/10/17/amid-war-women-are-starting-to-make-a-mark-on-syrian-politics The conflict in Syria has shifted traditional roles within communities and more women are starting to play roles in politics at all levels. But their overall influence remains minimal, leaving Syria’s destiny in the hands of men. Government & Pro-Government Forces Human Rights Solutions Thu, 12 Oct 2017 08:45:45 +0000 Alessandria Masi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/10/12/syria-studying-proposal-to-amend-nationality-law https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/10/12/syria-studying-proposal-to-amend-nationality-law The Damascus-based Syrian Law Journal discusses a proposal under review to amend the Syrian Nationality Law and grant Syrian women the right to pass their nationality on to their foreign husbands. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces ISIS Fri, 25 Aug 2017 12:07:27 +0000 Kim Bode, Hashem Osseiran, Alessandria Masi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/08/25/deeply-talks-the-battle-against-isis-in-deir-ezzor https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/08/25/deeply-talks-the-battle-against-isis-in-deir-ezzor As pro-government fighters inch closer to ISIS’ last Syrian stronghold, Deir Ezzor, Syria Deeply talks with Hassan Hassan of the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy about the main stakeholders involved and the battle’s potential impact on Syria’s balance of power. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces War Economy Fri, 04 Aug 2017 12:18:23 +0000 Kamal Alam https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/08/04/how-china-is-developing-links-with-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/08/04/how-china-is-developing-links-with-syria Over the past two years, China’s approach to Syria has transformed from being motivated by security concerns to pursuing economic interests, writes Royal United Services Institute fellow Kamal Alam. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces War Economy Fri, 28 Jul 2017 11:37:36 +0000 Lina Sinjab https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/07/28/how-syrias-war-economy-propels-the-conflict https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/07/28/how-syrias-war-economy-propels-the-conflict The conflict in Syria has given way to a new class of nouveau riche, dominated by warlords and independent businessmen who benefit from the status quo, and may make it difficult for an international deal to be implemented locally, writes Syrian journalist Lina Sinjab. Displacement Government & Pro-Government Forces ISIS Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Fri, 21 Jul 2017 11:56:09 +0000 Kareem Chehayeb https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/07/21/analysis-what-a-battle-on-the-lebanese-border-could-mean-for-syria https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/07/21/analysis-what-a-battle-on-the-lebanese-border-could-mean-for-syria A battle on the outskirts of a Lebanese border town will have significant implications on the Syrian refugee population in Lebanon and may boost Hezbollah’s capabilities in Syria as it moves to secure a section of the Lebanese frontier, writes Kareem Chehayeb. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces Wed, 12 Jul 2017 03:03:15 +0000 Frederic C. Hof https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/07/12/is-the-latest-cease-fire-in-syria-different https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/07/12/is-the-latest-cease-fire-in-syria-different The recently announced cease-fire in southwestern Syria should not be dismissed as a replica of the 2016 internationally-brokered pause in fighting that failed, according to the Atlantic Council’s Frederic C. Hof. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces Thu, 29 Jun 2017 10:22:18 +0000 Anthony Elghossain https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/06/29/the-disappointments-of-de-escalation-and-decentralization https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/community/2017/06/29/the-disappointments-of-de-escalation-and-decentralization The Syrian state will try to ensure de-escalation and decentralization do not undermine its control over a “Strategic Syria.” For these Western strategies to become solutions for Syrians, officials must make programs viable, says lawyer and writer Anthony Elghossain. Government & Pro-Government Forces Fri, 02 Jun 2017 14:06:23 +0000 Hashem Osseiran https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/06/02/why-iran-backed-forces-in-iraq-and-syria-cant-link-up-yet https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/06/02/why-iran-backed-forces-in-iraq-and-syria-cant-link-up-yet Recent advances suggest Iran-backed Iraqi militias could join pro-government forces in Syria battling ISIS. While both sides may want this to happen, there is still much ground to be covered before cross-border coordination would be feasible.