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Syria

Syria's transitional government under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa faces the difficult task of rebuilding the Middle Eastern country after 14 years of civil war.

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DW Podcast | Inside Europe | provisorisch f ROAD

DW Podcast | Inside Europe | provisorisch f ROAD

Inside Europe 22 May 2025

On the show this week: Poland’s presidential elections reveal a country on a knife-edge, Exercise Hedgehog in Estonia and the Baltics’ hybrid warfare fears. Plus a Hungarian spy ring, Icelandic intrigue, Swiss bunkers, and Syrians returning home from Europe. A security special packed with stories from the frontlines of Europe’s shifting geopolitics.

View of a man in handcuffs being walked off by two uniformed police officers. All three have their backs to the camera

View of a man in handcuffs being walked off by two uniformed police officers. All three have their backs to the camera

The complicated matter of deportation

Deportation is a politically charged issue in Germany — and one that often fails in practice.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, US President Donald Trump and Syria s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa pose for photo before their meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday May 14, 2025.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, US President Donald Trump and Syria s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa pose for photo before their meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday May 14, 2025.

How dangerous are Syria's foreign fighters really?

The extremist "Islamic State" group is encouraging foreign fighters in Syria to turn against the new Syrian government.

Boys cycle in the suburb of Jobar, which was destroyed during the war, on April 15, 2025 in Jobar, Damascus

Boys cycle in the suburb of Jobar, which was destroyed during the war, on April 15, 2025 in Jobar, Damascus

EU agrees to lift economic sanctions on Syria

The lifting of sanctions comes after an Islamist rebel group overthrew former dictator Bashar Assad in December.

A Syrian man carries his child past damaged buildings in Maaret al-Numan, in the northwestern province of Idlib, Syria, on March 20, 2013

A Syrian man carries his child past damaged buildings in Maaret al-Numan, in the northwestern province of Idlib, Syria, on March 20, 2013

Syria poised for investment boom as US sanctions eased

Trump's move to lift sanctions has been widely welcomed, but can the curbs be swiftly eased to aid reconstruction?

A man walks past a mural depicting supporters of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), one of them raising a flag showing the face of Abdullah Ocalan -- founding member of the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) outlawed by Turkey, in Syria's northeastern city of Qamishli on December 16, 2024.

A man walks past a mural depicting supporters of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), one of them raising a flag showing the face of Abdullah Ocalan -- founding member of the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) outlawed by Turkey, in Syria's northeastern city of Qamishli on December 16, 2024.

PKK disarms, disbands: How will it impact the Middle East?

The Kurdish militant group announced the end of its fight in Turkey. But the move matters elsewhere in the region too.

Mohammad Duaimes, internally displaced Syrian, stands in front of the ruins of his house

Mohammad Duaimes, internally displaced Syrian, stands in front of the ruins of his house

Internally displaced Syrians long to return home

More than 1 million internally displaced Syrians have returned home — but 6 million remain in temporary shelters.

Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces Eyal Zamir pictured in April

Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces Eyal Zamir pictured in April

Israel deploys forces to Syria as UN condemns 'violations'

Israel's army said forces were in southern Syria to "prevent hostile forces" entering the region and Druze villages.

This handout picture released by the Syrian Interior Ministry Facebook page shows Syria's security forces standing guard in a street in the mostly Druze and Christian Jaramana suburb of Damascus on April 29, 2025.

This handout picture released by the Syrian Interior Ministry Facebook page shows Syria's security forces standing guard in a street in the mostly Druze and Christian Jaramana suburb of Damascus on April 29, 2025.

Latest deadly violence in Syria: What you need to know

It began with a blasphemous audio recording and ended with over 80 deaths and Israel bombing Syria again.

A red, yellow, blue, white and green Druze flag is waved by locals in Israel.

A red, yellow, blue, white and green Druze flag is waved by locals in Israel.

Syrian groups again threatened by sectarian violence

Syria is home to many ethnic and religious minorities and there are concerns that decades-long enmities will resurface.

Two Druze fighters on the street with a burnout car in the foreground

Two Druze fighters on the street with a burnout car in the foreground

Israel military strikes near Syria's presidential palace

The Israeli strike came after days of sectarian clashes pitting Sunni gunmen against members of the Druze community.

Israeli troops sit in an military vehicle that has the Israeli flag mounted on it.

Israeli troops sit in an military vehicle that has the Israeli flag mounted on it.

Israel strikes Syria 'extremist group' threatening Druze: PM

Israeli's military carried out a warning strike against "extremists" preparing to attack the Druze community in Syria.

A Jaysh al-Islam fighter (Army of Islam) communicate through a radio with other fighters at Tal al-Siwan area in the rebel-held city of Douma, outskirts of Damascus, Syria,.

A Jaysh al-Islam fighter (Army of Islam) communicate through a radio with other fighters at Tal al-Siwan area in the rebel-held city of Douma, outskirts of Damascus, Syria,.

Syrian man on trial for alleged war crimes in France

A Syrian accused of enlisting children and other war crimes during the Syrian civil war has gone on trial in France.

Ahmad Kafozi, 40, and his children check their house in Hammuriyeh in the former rebel-held Eastern Ghouta region, on the outskirts of Damascus, on January 14, 2025

Ahmad Kafozi, 40, and his children check their house in Hammuriyeh in the former rebel-held Eastern Ghouta region, on the outskirts of Damascus, on January 14, 2025

Germany wants to allow Syrian refugees to visit home

Refugees would be allowed to travel home if the visit can prepare them for a later permanent return.

Doctor Ayman Sodah and his surgical team smile at the camera in Hama in April 2025. They wear surgical scrubs and stand inside an operating theater.

Doctor Ayman Sodah and his surgical team smile at the camera in Hama in April 2025. They wear surgical scrubs and stand inside an operating theater.

Syrian doctors leave Germany to work for free at home

After working in Germany, Syrian doctors are returning to their homeland to help its shattered health system.

Three men and two women, all Syrian deminers, stand next to a car in a dry landscape. One of the deminers holds a shovel. the other holds a danger sign.

Three men and two women, all Syrian deminers, stand next to a car in a dry landscape. One of the deminers holds a shovel. the other holds a danger sign.

Syria: The painstaking task of clearing wartime landmines

DW follows a team of experts racing to clear unexploded deadly landmines left behind by more than 14 years of civil war.

Women gather at the Al-Jadaa facility, south of Mosul in northern Iraq, which houses nearly 160 Iraqi families who have been repatriated from Syria's Al-Hol camp, on April, 29, 2024.

Women gather at the Al-Jadaa facility, south of Mosul in northern Iraq, which houses nearly 160 Iraqi families who have been repatriated from Syria's Al-Hol camp, on April, 29, 2024.

What to do with Iraq's 'IS families' returning from Syria?

Iraq is bringing citizens out of a camp in Syria, where those connected with the extremist "Islamic State" group live.

Debris lie on the ground at the scene of an Israeli strike in a military facility in Syria's southern Hama governorate, on April 3, 2025

Debris lie on the ground at the scene of an Israeli strike in a military facility in Syria's southern Hama governorate, on April 3, 2025

Could Israel-Turkey war of words lead to armed conflict?

Tensions between Israel and Turkey have been been intensifying. Will it lead to direct military confrontation?

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa speaks in Damascus, Syria on March 29

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa speaks in Damascus, Syria on March 29

How inclusive is Syria's new technocratic cabinet?

Analysts in Syria and abroad have greeted the announcement of the new cabinet with cautious optimism.

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, wearing a suit and tie, stands at a podium to announce the formation of a new government late on March 29, 2025.

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, wearing a suit and tie, stands at a podium to announce the formation of a new government late on March 29, 2025.

Syria's interim president forms new transitional government

Syria swore in its new transitional government on Saturday, after President Ahmad al-Sharaa appointed 23 ministers.

Syrien I Christen halten ersten Sonntagsgottesdienst seit Assads Sturz ab, Maaloula

Syrien I Christen halten ersten Sonntagsgottesdienst seit Assads Sturz ab, Maaloula

Syrian Christians: Debating the past, worry for the future

A minority with concerns about instability, alongside demands for church leaders' accountability for past wrongs.

People stand on ruins of a Syrian army post

People stand on ruins of a Syrian army post

Renewed Israeli strikes in Syria stoke fear of escalation

Israel's alleged protection of minorities in Syria serves to boost its own security interests.

Syria's dictator gone — but his drug dealers are still busy

Syria's new government promised to crack down on the drug trade the former Assad regime had enriched itself with.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Amer Nahhas, the German embassy's local staff member

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Amer Nahhas, the German embassy's local staff member

Germany reopens embassy in Syria after 13-year closure

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock reopened her country's embassy in Damascus while visiting Syria.

Syrien Idlib 2025 | Kundgebung zum 14. Jahrestag des Aufstands gegen das Baath Regime

Syrien Idlib 2025 | Kundgebung zum 14. Jahrestag des Aufstands gegen das Baath Regime

No quotas: How can new Syrian government be inclusive?

The new Syrian government should represent all ethnic and sectarian groups if it wants international support. But how?

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani speaks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the 9th international conference in support of Syria in Brussels on March 17, 2025

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani speaks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the 9th international conference in support of Syria in Brussels on March 17, 2025

EU pledges billions to Syria, but sanctions are a barrier

Donors pledged billions for Syria at an EU-led conference. But sanctions are hindering investments into the country.

UN Under-Secretary General, Jorge Moreira da Silva, talks to DW Brussels Bureau Chief, Alexandra von Nahmen.

UN Under-Secretary General, Jorge Moreira da Silva, talks to DW Brussels Bureau Chief, Alexandra von Nahmen.

Syria 'will further deteriorate' without support

UN Under-Secretary General Jorge Moreira da Silva spoke to DW about how best to support Syria's new government.

Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent, speaking in an interview with DW.

Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent, speaking in an interview with DW.

Syria rebuild 'extremely difficult' without sanction relief

DW spoke with IFRC Secretary-General Jagan Chapagain on efforts to rebuild Syria after the Bashar Assad regime.

Civil defense teams conduct search and rescue operations amongst the rubble of a house after an explosion in Lattakia, northwestern Syria

Civil defense teams conduct search and rescue operations amongst the rubble of a house after an explosion in Lattakia, northwestern Syria

Blast from suspected old bomb in Syria kills 16

Experts estimate up to 300,000 of the roughly 1 million munitions used during the Syrian civil war never detonated.

Sheep, the Syrian flag and a damaged building in the background

Sheep, the Syrian flag and a damaged building in the background

What can be expected from EU's Syria conference?

Members of Syria's interim government are in Brussels, the country's first formal delegation to attend annual EU talks.

An "Islamic State" fighter holding an IS flag

An "Islamic State" fighter holding an IS flag

'Islamic State' head in Iraq and Syria killed in strike

The IS head in Iraq and Syria was killed in an operation run by Iraqi intelligence and US-led coalition troops.

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus.

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus.

Syria's interim president creates national security council

A national security council in Syria will tackle security and political challenges, the transitional presidency said.

A Syrian fighter looks into to the camera as the new Syrian government's army fights the remaining elements of the Assad's regime on the Syrian coast near Latakia, Syria, on March 7, 2025.

A Syrian fighter looks into to the camera as the new Syrian government's army fights the remaining elements of the Assad's regime on the Syrian coast near Latakia, Syria, on March 7, 2025.

How disinformation intensified Syria's weekend of violence

AI fakes and manipulated images inflamed real-life fighting as Syria saw its worst violence since the dictatorship fell.

Syrien Qamishli 2025 | Trauernde tragen den Sarg von Shinda Kisho

Syrien Qamishli 2025 | Trauernde tragen den Sarg von Shinda Kisho

Fact check: Viral claims about violence in Syria

Brutal images about Syria's conflict are circulating online. Some are true; many are false.

Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander-in-chief Mazloum Abdi signing an agreement on March 10, 2025

Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander-in-chief Mazloum Abdi signing an agreement on March 10, 2025

Syria: Sharaa signs integration deal with Kurdish-led forces

Syria's Kurds have agreed to integrate their de facto autonomous institutions into the new Syrian government.

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Commander of Syrian Kurdish-led forces Mazloum Abdi shake hands

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Commander of Syrian Kurdish-led forces Mazloum Abdi shake hands

Syrians celebrate landmark deal with Kurdish authorities

Syria's interim government has signed an integration deal with Kurdish forces in control of the country's northeast.

Syrian army forces head to the villages of the Latakia countryside on March 7, 2025.

Syrian army forces head to the villages of the Latakia countryside on March 7, 2025.

Syria: Military ends operation against Assad loyalists

Nearly 1,000 civilians have been killed, including women and children according to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Syrian government fighters prepare to launch a rocket

Syrian government fighters prepare to launch a rocket

Sharaa vows accountability for Syria's deadly clashes

Hundreds of people from the Alawite minority and Syrian security forces were killed in recent clashes.

Syrian forces ride on a vehicle as they battle against a nascent insurgency by fighters from ousted leader Bashar al-Assad's Alawites

Syrian forces ride on a vehicle as they battle against a nascent insurgency by fighters from ousted leader Bashar al-Assad's Alawites

Syria sees worst violence since Assad's fall

More than a thousand people have been killed after clashes between Syrian security forces and gunmen loyal to Assad.

Syrian army personnel in the back of a pick-up truck

Syrian army personnel in the back of a pick-up truck

Middle East expert on Syria clashes

Syria's interim leader has called for peace after days of clashes between security forces and Assad loyalists.

Security forces of the new government head to villages along the coastal region loyal to deposed leader Bashar al-Assad

Security forces of the new government head to villages along the coastal region loyal to deposed leader Bashar al-Assad

Syria: Hundreds of civilians killed in reported reprisals

A war monitor says forces backing Syria's new government mounted a deadly response to attacks by pro-Assad gunmen.

A view of Syrian troops standing on and next to a military vehicle in Latakia

A view of Syrian troops standing on and next to a military vehicle in Latakia

Syria forces battle loyalists of Bashar Assad on west coast

Reports of executions emerge in Syria, as the new government faces its biggest challenge since the fall of Bashar Assad.

Syrian refugee Ahmed al-Kassem, center, and his family are welcomed by relatives as they return to their home in Aleppo on December 13, 2024

Syrian refugee Ahmed al-Kassem, center, and his family are welcomed by relatives as they return to their home in Aleppo on December 13, 2024

After Assad's fall, over 300,000 Syrians return home

Called "the world's largest displacement crisis," more than a million Syrians want to return to their homes.

Syrian government forces are deployed amid heightened security in Damascus, Syria, Thursday, March 6, 2025

Syrian government forces are deployed amid heightened security in Damascus, Syria, Thursday, March 6, 2025

Syria sees worst day of violence since ouster of Assad

Almost 50 people were killed in clashes between security forces and pro-Assad fighters in Latakia.

German tank in action

German tank in action

German armaments, US oil, and energy from the depths — MADE

A boom in Germany's defense industry, oil's comeback in the US, and underground heat storage.

Syrians lift placards as they demonstrate in the central Karama Square of the southern city of Suwayda on February 25, 2025, in rejection of statements made by Israel's premier on the weekend. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on February 23 that southern Syria "including the Quneitra, Daraa and Suwayda provinces" must be completely demilitarised.

Syrians lift placards as they demonstrate in the central Karama Square of the southern city of Suwayda on February 25, 2025, in rejection of statements made by Israel's premier on the weekend. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on February 23 that southern Syria "including the Quneitra, Daraa and Suwayda provinces" must be completely demilitarised.

What is Israel doing in Syria, and why?

Israel wants to "defend" minorities in Syria, moved troops into Syria and also regularly bombs the war-torn country.

Palestinians sit at a large table surrounded by the rubble of destroyed homes and buildings as they gather for iftar, the fast-breaking meal, on the first day of Ramadan in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, March 1, 2025

Palestinians sit at a large table surrounded by the rubble of destroyed homes and buildings as they gather for iftar, the fast-breaking meal, on the first day of Ramadan in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, March 1, 2025

Ramadan begins for Muslims worldwide

This holy fasting month feels different for Gazans in their second amid war and Syrians in their first post-Assad era.

Supporters display a poster depicting jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) Abdullah Ocalan, 75, after he called on the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to disarm and dissolve itself in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey, on February 27, 2025.

Supporters display a poster depicting jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) Abdullah Ocalan, 75, after he called on the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to disarm and dissolve itself in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey, on February 27, 2025.

Jailed Kurdish PKK leader urges group to disarm and dissolve

How are Kurds in Turkey and Syria responding to the imprisoned insurgent leader’s message?

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa meets a delegate at the Syrian National Dialogue conference on February 25, 2025.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa meets a delegate at the Syrian National Dialogue conference on February 25, 2025.

Syria's 'National Dialogue': A show or real transformation?

This week, Syrians from all walks of life were asked to contribute ideas for a new government and the country's future.

A view of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (center) arriving at the National Dialogue Conference in Damascus

A view of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (center) arriving at the National Dialogue Conference in Damascus

Syrian gov't hosts national dialogue conference

Opposition figures, activists, religious leaders and artists are attending, as they try to chart a new path for Syria.