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Syria's ruler will seek to ride out economic protests

Location:

SYRIA

The demonstrations were triggered by Assad’s mid-August announcement of big fuel price increases, only partly mitigated by rises in salaries and pensions. However, they have been…

Middle East’s Druze may solidify Damascus relationship

Location:

MIDDLE EAST

A previous deal saw six captives released on October 20. IS had taken women and children from Suweida’s Druze community in July. Damascus has faced widespread anger over the July…

Syria’s sovereignty push will depend on Arab ties

Location:

SYRIA

The letter specified that aid must be coordinated with Damascus and also pushed for donors to fulfil their commitments and support refugee return -- a key issue for Arab…

Syria’s Deraa will see chronic instability and poverty

Location:

SYRIA

This came as Damascus blamed a former rebel leader for the May 4 abduction and killing of nine policemen in the nearby town of Muzayrib. The security situation in Deraa, which…

Better US ties are a short-term boost for Syrian Kurds

Location:

SYRIA

The Kurdish administration is seeking to maximise benefits from much-improved relations with US President Joe Biden, compared with his predecessor. However, economic pressures are…

Damascus can choose to deal with Ankara or the Kurds

Location:

SYRIA

Washington supported the SDF to fight Islamic State (IS) in Syria. Now that it is largely defeated, there are questions over the superpower’s commitment. The United States has…

Ankara and Damascus could clash in Idlib

Location:

SYRIA

Rebels complain that pro-government forces had earlier allowed IS safe passage to Idlib from Hama. At the same time, in northern Idlib, Turkish armoured convoys have deployed to…

Syria’s Assad will seize post-quake opportunities

Location:

SYRIA

The disaster that has left over 40,000 people dead in south-eastern Turkey and north-western Syria has given Assad an opportunity to bolster his position through deeper political…

Damascus’s return to the south may feed future tension

Location:

SYRIA

A six-week offensive regained control over the governorates of Deraa and Quneitra. However, stability has been undermined by recent Islamic State (IS) attacks and fears the area…

Washington and Damascus will avoid Qamishli escalation

Location:

SYRIA

SYRIA: Regime will avoid escalation with Washington