When rebel forces took over Syria, they pledged to unite the country’s disparate armed groups into a unified national army. The biggest challenge for them by far has been in northeastern Syria, an autonomous region run by the country’s Kurdish…
Tag: Syrian Democratic Forces
Islamic State Regains Strength in Syria
The Islamic State has been showing renewed vigor in Syria, attracting new fighters and increasing the number of its attacks last year, according to the United Nations and U.S. officials, further raising the threat of instability in a country that…
Kurdish Fighters Called a Truce, but Turkey Kept Up Lethal Strikes
Turkey’s military has kept up deadly attacks in Syria and Iraq on fighters linked to the Kurdish insurgent group P.K.K. in the two weeks since the movement’s founder called on his followers to lay down their arms and disband. The…
Syrian Government Signs Breakthrough Deal with Kurdish-Led Forces
The Kurdish-led militia that controls northeastern Syria agreed on Monday to merge with the country’s new government, marking a major breakthrough for Damascus in its efforts to unify a country still wrestling with violent turmoil. The agreement, announced by the…
While Calm Reigns in Damascus, Battles in Syria’s Northeast Rage On
In the Syrian capital, Damascus, the country’s new leader has hosted a national unity conference and welcomed foreign dignitaries as crowds gather at cafes, speaking out freely for the first time in decades. But 400 miles away in northeastern Syria,…
Syria Begins National Dialogue but Without Kurdish-Led Militia
Syria’s interim government is bringing together people from the country’s many religions and sects for a two-day national dialogue that began on Monday. What is the national dialogue? Ahmed al-Shara, the country’s interim president, whose rebel coalition seized control of…