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President al-Sharaa spoke to journalists and civil society leaders about priorities for rebuilding the country, People’s Palace, Damascus, March 5, 2026. (SANA)
President al-Sharaa spoke to journalists and civil society leaders about priorities for rebuilding the country, People’s Palace, Damascus, March 5, 2026. (SANA)

President stresses need for consensus on national priorities and strategies for rebuilding Syria

6 March 2026.  Speaking to media professionals and civic activists, President al-Sharaa urged a focus on the broader goals for Syria’s reconstruction, rather than details that cause division. Offering a frank assessment of achievements, he focused on prioritizing challenges to restoring institutions and services.Read more at:  SANA

Crowds gather at a border crossing as Syrian authorities work to assist families returning from Lebanon. (L24)
Crowds gather at a border crossing as Syrian authorities work to assist families returning from Lebanon. (L24)

Government manages surge in Syrian families returning from Lebanon, as Israeli aggression intensifies

3 March 2026.  Syrian border crossings with Lebanon are seeing a sharp rise in returning families due to the regional conflict. Government authorities are providing essential support, including healthcare, as part of the nation’s commitment to create the best possible conditions for returning nationals.Read more at:  LEVANT24

Syrian army engineering unit sweeps the Ruiha archaeological site in southern Idlib for landmines as part of a wider heritage protection effort. (SANA)
Syrian army engineering unit sweeps the Ruiha archaeological site in southern Idlib for landmines as part of a wider heritage protection effort. (SANA)

Clearing landmines at archaeological site connects Syria’s past to its present and future

25 February 2026.  The Ruiha archaeological site, dating from Byzantine times, is being cleared of landmines to restore safe access, develop tourism, and revive local agriculture. Part of a UNESCO-heritage plan, the site contains remains of luxurious homes, churches, olive presses, and funerary monuments.Read more at:  SANA

Community members gather in al-Hasakah, northeastern Syria, as 51 detainees are released in an area formerly under SDF control. (Enab Baladi)
Community members gather in al-Hasakah, northeastern Syria, as 51 detainees are released in an area formerly under SDF control. (Enab Baladi)

Syria is in a phase of “forgiveness and rebuilding,” says local governor upon releasing detainees under Presidential Amnesty

21 February 2026.  The SDF-affiliated governor, appointed as part of SDF’s integration into the state, termed the release of 51 prisoners “a step toward positive integration into society.” He called upon those released to contribute to “serving their communities and strengthening stability.”Read more at:  ENABBALADI

President al-Sharaa participates in a conference titled “The Unity of Islamic Discourse,” February 16, 2026. (SANA)
President al-Sharaa participates in a conference titled “The Unity of Islamic Discourse,” February 16, 2026. (SANA)

Islamic charter aims to strengthen cohesion among diverse groups forming 90% of Syria’s population

18 February 2026.  “Guiding society is a shared responsibility,” stated President Al-Sharaa, calling on those who shape public opinion among Muslims to embrace the Charter for the Unity of Islamic Discourse, a plan for strengthening national cohesion, promoting moderation, and fostering harmony.Read more at:  SYRIAN OBSERVER

Syria’s UN envoy, Ibrahim Olabi, highlights major recent advances at Security Council briefing. (SANA)
Syria’s UN envoy, Ibrahim Olabi, highlights major recent advances at Security Council briefing. (SANA)

“Syria continues to transform challenges into achievements,” stated Ambassador Olabi

14 February 2026.  Thanking UN Security Council members for their continued support of Syria’s drive toward unity, Olabi said northeastern Syria had shifted from a major challenge to a national achievement, with a comprehensive ceasefire agreement with SDF and its full integration into state institutions.Read more at:  SANA

Syrian FM Asaad al-Shaibani (center) met with SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi (to his left), Kurdish political leader, Ilham Ahmad (right), and EU and US representatives on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, 13 February 2026. (L24 Social Media)
Syrian FM Asaad al-Shaibani (center) met with SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi (to his left), Kurdish political leader, Ilham Ahmad (right), and EU and US representatives on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, 13 February 2026. (L24 Social Media)

SDF leader affirms ceasefire will be permanent, while citing remaining problems

14 February 2026.  During the Munich Security Conference, Minister al-Shaibani met with US and Kurdish leaders, discussing recent developments involving SDF’s military and administrative integration into the Syrian state. Abdi told reporters that the Munich meeting with Syria, EU and US was “positive.”Read more at:  LEVANT24Watch video at:  YOUTUBE 

The al-Tanf military outpost in southern Syria, seen here in 2018, has been taken over by Syrian army units. (Lolita Baldor : AP)
The al-Tanf military outpost in southern Syria, seen here in 2018, has been taken over by Syrian army units. (Lolita Baldor : AP)

Syria’s armed forces replace US forces at strategic military base in fight against ISIS

12 February 2026.  Syrian forces assumed control of the al-Tanf military base in southeastern Syria, near the border with Iraq and Jordan, as part of a coordinated transition from US to Syrian control. The US will remain on hand to support Syrian forces in combatting threats from ISIS that arise in the area.Read more at:  ALJAZEERA

Foreign Minister al-Sheibani speaking to leaders of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, 9 February 2026, in Riyadh. (L24:X)
Foreign Minister al-Sheibani speaking to leaders of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, 9 February 2026, in Riyadh. (L24:X)

Syria assumes leadership position in global war on terror

10 February 2026.  After rejoining the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS last year, Syria is now taking a leadership role. Minister al-Sheibani affirmed the widespread view that Syria’s stability is vital to the entire Middle East, and thanked coalition members for helping eradicate ISIS from Syrian territory.Read more at:  SYRIAN OBSERVER

President al-Sharaa met with a delegation from the Kurdish National Council (KNC) in the People’s Palace, Damascus, February 3, 2026. (L24:Social Media)
President al-Sharaa met with a delegation from the Kurdish National Council (KNC) in the People’s Palace, Damascus, February 3, 2026. (L24:Social Media)

President opens dialogue with Kurdish political leaders following ceasefire with SDF

3 February 2026.  President al-Sharaa met with KNC leaders on implementing recent agreements to integrate Kurdish people into the state. He affirmed that constitutional guarantees are in place to protect Kurdish rights and reinforce equal citizenship, while preserving cultural and social traditions.Read more at:  LEVANT24

Suleiman Abdulbaqi, head of internal security in Suwayda, visits Washington, D.C. as part of a delegation of social and civil figures from the governorate. (L24:Social media)
Suleiman Abdulbaqi, head of internal security in Suwayda, visits Washington, D.C. as part of a delegation of social and civil figures from the governorate. (L24:Social media)

Message of Suwayda delegation to Washington:  We seek to be part of a unified Syria

2 February 2026.  A Suwayda delegation met with US officials to present the governorate’s political and security realities directly, free of “misleading narratives.” Part of an outreach effort to find political solutions to the ongoing crisis, the message emphasized unity and rejected separatism.Read more at:  LEVANT24

Officials survey a development site in eastern Syria, part of urgent efforts to assess infrastructure damage and plan reconstruction in Raqqa, Tabqa, and Deir Ezzor. (SANA)
Officials survey a development site in eastern Syria, part of urgent efforts to assess infrastructure damage and plan reconstruction in Raqqa, Tabqa, and Deir Ezzor. (SANA)

Syria launches preparations for urgent recovery of damaged sites in eastern provinces

25 January 2026.  After the Eastern region returned to government control, a Ministry of Public Works and Housing delegation identified numerous sites seriously damaged under SDF control and in urgent need of large-scale reconstruction efforts.Read more at:  SANA

Syrian President Ahmad Sharaa meets with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack at the People’s Palace in Damascus on January 18, 2026. (L24)
Syrian President Ahmad Sharaa meets with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack at the People’s Palace in Damascus on January 18, 2026. (L24)

International community backs Syria’s ceasefire agreement with SDF

21 January 2026.  The US, the EU, Turkey and several Arab countries express broad support for Syria’s territorial unity, seeing the deal as a turning point in political and security spheres. US states its support of Syria’s capacity to combat ISIS and withdraws its support from SDF.Read more at: LEVANT 24

Map of Syria showing areas under Syrian government control in green. (L24)
Map of Syria showing areas under Syrian government control in green. (L24)

Senior diplomatic source reveals government’s stance as ceasefire with SDF nears end.

23 January 2026.  Damascus seeks to establish the rule of law across all Syrian territory, including the newly acquired Eastern region, says a source within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The January 18th agreement with SDF came after political channels had been exhausted and growing instability forced the state to intervene.Read more at:  SYRIAN OBSERVER

President Ahmed al Sharaa proposes 14-point agreement to integrate the SDF integrated into military and state institutions, January 18, 2026. (BBC news)
President Ahmed al Sharaa proposes 14-point agreement to integrate the SDF integrated into military and state institutions, January 18, 2026. (BBC news)

New ceasefire allows SDF 4 days to consider government’s plan for peaceful integration

20 January 2026.  The SDF declared its “full commitment to the ceasefire” and said it was ready to “move forward with implementing” the 14-point agreement reached with the government on January 18th to end two weeks of clashes, though certain issues remained unresolved.Read more at: BBC NEWS

Hope rises in Aleppo as a mediated ceasefire enables the peaceful withdrawal of SDF fighters and the safe evacuation of civilians. (Al Jazeera)
Hope rises in Aleppo as a mediated ceasefire enables the peaceful withdrawal of SDF fighters and the safe evacuation of civilians. (Al Jazeera)

Aleppo ceasefire declared with Kurdish fighters granted safe withdrawal

11 January 2026.  A ceasefire mediated by the US, after days of intense fighting, allowed SDF fighters to safely leave Aleppo and enabled the peaceful evacuation of Kurdish civilians, wounded, and dead. The agreement was announced after Syrian government forces took control of the area.Read and watch more at:  AL JAZEERA

UN begins nightly patrols in northern Quneitra to defend Syrian citizens from Israeli attacks. (SANA)
UN begins nightly patrols in northern Quneitra to defend Syrian citizens from Israeli attacks. (SANA)

Citizens in southern Syria request UN protection from Israeli military incursions and civilian attacks

9 January 2026.  As Israel continues to violate the 1974 Syria-Israel disengagement agreement, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force has begun conducting nightly patrols and setting up checkpoints in the northern Quneitra countryside where residents were besieged by Israeli raids, arbitrary arrests, forced displacement and property destruction.Read more at:  SANA

UN Ambassador Ibrahim Olabi reaffirms Syria’s commitment to eliminating the old regime’s chemical weapons legacy and advancing transitional justice. (SANA)
UN Ambassador Ibrahim Olabi reaffirms Syria’s commitment to eliminating the old regime’s chemical weapons legacy and advancing transitional justice. (SANA)

Syria determined to eliminate chemical weapons and pursue transitional justice

9 January 2026.  UN Ambassador Olabi underscored Syria’s pledge to safeguard the global non-proliferation regime, to address remains of the former regime’s chemical weapons, and to bring perpetrators to justice, while seeking the UN’s support to complete the work.Read more at: SANA