The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/damascus/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Tue, 09 Jun 2026 10:31:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Damascus | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/damascus/ 32 32 Syria’s first public trial of Assad-era officials begins in Damascus https://www.timesofisrael.com/syrias-first-public-trial-of-assad-era-officials-begins-in-damascus/ Sun, 26 Apr 2026 16:11:58 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3810332 Bereaved families demand death penalty, starting with Atef Najib, a former general and cousin of the ousted dictator who was allegedly behind the torture of children in 2011

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]]> Syria says it arrested ex-intel officer filmed taking part in 2013 Damascus massacre https://www.timesofisrael.com/syria-says-it-arrested-ex-intel-officer-filmed-taking-part-in-2013-damascus-massacre/ Fri, 24 Apr 2026 22:46:59 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3809401 Syria says Amjad Yousef was one of several officers caught on leaked video shooting dozens of prisoners into trench in Damascus suburb near Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk

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]]> Five arrested as Syria says it foiled Hezbollah-linked plot to kill Damascus rabbi https://www.timesofisrael.com/five-arrested-as-syria-says-it-foiled-hezbollah-linked-plot-to-kill-damascus-rabbi/ Sat, 11 Apr 2026 21:59:53 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3799834 Ministry says suspects tried to plant bomb next to target's home, adds they 'received specialized military training abroad'; Syria source: Act shows Jewish community being protected

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]]> Scathing UN report demands Syria probe abuses during clashes with Druze; 1,700 were killed https://www.timesofisrael.com/scathing-un-report-demands-syria-investigate-abuses-during-deadly-clashes-with-druze/ Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:02:48 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3788859 Investigators find 'no indication' that Damascus looked into human rights violations committed by forces, detail 'widespread looting, systematic burning' against Druze civilians

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]]> Syrians rally against new law restricting sale of alcohol in Damascus https://www.timesofisrael.com/syrians-rally-against-new-law-restricting-sale-of-alcohol-in-damascus/ Sun, 22 Mar 2026 23:17:28 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3784613 Hundreds of people from multiple religious sects protest move they warn will lead to a loss of personal liberties and put an additional target on minorities

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]]> Islamist and Kurdish texts banned under Assad openly displayed at Damascus book fair https://www.timesofisrael.com/islamist-and-kurdish-texts-banned-under-assad-openly-displayed-at-damascus-book-fair/ Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:06:12 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3753464 Sayyid Qutb's 'Milestones,' biography of ex-al-Qaeda figure on sale; event coordinator says no books are banned, aside from those that offend country's norms or glorify old regime

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]]> Syria says it detained group that used Hezbollah arms for attacks on airport https://www.timesofisrael.com/syria-says-it-detained-group-that-used-hezbollah-arms-for-attacks-on-airport/ Mon, 02 Feb 2026 02:52:12 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3746211 Mezzeh military airport in Damascus had been targeted by several strikes in recent months; Lebanese terror group, which was allied with ousted Assad regime, denies allegation

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]]> Syria says its forces killed senior ISIS leader, nabbed operative near Damascus https://www.timesofisrael.com/syria-says-its-forces-killed-senior-isis-leader-nabbed-operative-near-damascus/ Thu, 25 Dec 2025 18:43:14 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3720012 Syrian authorities say prominent terrorist Mohammad Shahada killed, another cell leader arrested in coordination with US-led coalition in wake of attack on Americans in Palmyra

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]]> Syria permits Jewish group to begin work on returning seized assets, restoring holy sites https://www.timesofisrael.com/syria-permits-group-to-restore-jewish-property-seized-under-previous-regimes/ Wed, 10 Dec 2025 21:07:27 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3709293 Son of Syrian rabbi meets with social affairs minister in Damascus, tours father's former synagogue; two Israeli rabbis reportedly visit closed synagogues in Aleppo

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]]> Syria still struggles to heal from civil war, one year after Assad regime’s fall https://www.timesofisrael.com/syria-still-struggles-to-heal-from-civil-war-a-year-after-assad-regimes-fall/ Mon, 08 Dec 2025 10:26:51 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3707085 As Syrians celebrate anniversary of authoritarian's ouster, rebuilding efforts are still mostly small-scale, work opportunities low-paying, and the security situation precarious

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]]> Damascus home hit by Katyusha rockets launched from outskirts of Syria capital; 1 hurt https://www.timesofisrael.com/damascus-home-hit-by-katyusha-rockets-launched-from-outskirts-of-syria-capital-1-hurt/ Sat, 15 Nov 2025 11:36:14 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3689238 Syrian defense ministry says two projectiles struck a home in the Mazzeh neighborhood, causing damage in attack by 'unknown assailants'

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]]> Roman era-statues and other historic artifacts stolen from Syria’s national museum https://www.timesofisrael.com/roman-era-statues-and-other-historic-artifacts-stolen-from-syrias-national-museum/ Tue, 11 Nov 2025 18:23:07 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3686505 After reopening in January following the fall of Assad, National Museum of Damascus reports six marble statues missing as police launch investigation

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]]> Exiled Syrian opens up about precariously smuggling out proof of Assad’s cruelty https://www.timesofisrael.com/exiled-syrian-opens-up-about-precariously-smuggling-out-proof-of-assads-cruelty/ Tue, 11 Nov 2025 16:18:36 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3686219 Ussama Uthman, his wife and brother-in-law obtained tens of thousands of images showing detainee abuse -- drawing global attention and enabling families to learn loved ones' fates

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]]> US to establish military presence in Damascus to monitor potential pact with Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-to-establish-military-presence-in-damascus-to-monitor-potential-pact-with-israel/ Thu, 06 Nov 2025 14:06:58 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3682591 Sources say US to use airbase near Syrian capital for logistics and surveillance; Sharaa to visit White House next week, as US looks to push Israel-Syria pact over finish line

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]]> Henry Hamra, a Syrian Jew living in US, running in elections for new Syrian parliament https://www.timesofisrael.com/henry-hamra-a-syrian-jew-living-in-us-running-in-elections-for-new-syrian-parliament/ Fri, 03 Oct 2025 15:35:48 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3655617 If victorious in Sunday vote, the nephew of Syria's last chief rabbi who fled to US with his father in 1992, pledges to work with US Syrians to abolish law levying sanctions on Damascus

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