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A panorama of Damascus
Image: Mikhail Alaeddin/Sputnik/dpa/picture allianceImage: Mikhail Alaeddin/Sputnik/dpa/picture alliance

Damascus

Damascus is the capital of Syria, located in the country's southwest. It is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world and was a key site for the 2011 uprisings that preceded the Syrian Civil War.

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All Content on this topic

A young Syrian refugee taps on his tablet PC

Syrians in Turkey face deportation into an unknown future

Turkey is deporting Syrian refugees back to Syria, despite international concerns and dire warnings by rights groups.
PoliticsJune 29, 2024
Protesters waving flags and banners

Syrian protesters rise up against Islamists in Idlib

Opponents of Assad seeking refuge in Idlib are now protesting against local Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
PoliticsMay 25, 2024
An Iranian flag hangs as smoke rises after what the Iranian media said was an Israeli strike on a building close to the Iranian embassy in Damascus

After Damascus embassy attack, what will Iran do?

Iran has vowed to retaliate for the airstrike in Syria, likely by Israel. It has many options, including all-out war.
ConflictsApril 3, 2024
Emergency and security personnel gather at the site of strikes on a consular building adjacent to the Iranian Embassy in Syria's capital, Damascus.

Iran says 7 killed in Israeli strike on Damascus consulate

An Israeli airstrike on Iran's consulate in Syria has killed two generals and five officers, Iranian officials said.
ConflictsApril 2, 202401:38 min
Smoke rises after Iran reports that its diplomatic building was attacked in Damascus

Syria: Airstrike hits Iran embassy building in Damascus

The Syrian and Iranian governments blamed Israel for the attack.
ConflictsApril 1, 2024
People gather at building destroyed in reported Israeli strike in Damascus on January 20

Iran accuses Israel of deadly Damascus strike

Iran says several members of its Revolutionary Guard were killed in an airstrike on Syria's capital.
ConflictsJanuary 21, 202401:40 min
Archive image: An ISIS propaganda video showing Islamic State militants during battles along the border of Iraq and Syria in an area described as Wilayah al-Khayr January 13, 2016 near Deir ez-Zor, Syria.

Germany charges 2 Syrians with war crimes over IS ties

Two Syrians in German custody have been charged with war crimes and membership in a terrorist organization.
CrimeDecember 22, 2023
This picture shows a partial view of Amin street in old Damascus, on March 22, 2023

Syria: Blast at Iran-linked missile stockpile in Damascus

The missile stockpiles of pro-Iranian militias near Damascus were hit by an explosion in the early hours of Sunday.
ConflictsAugust 13, 2023
Trucks on Bab al-Hawa passage between Hatay, Turkey and Idlib Governorate, Syria

Syria: UN, Damascus agree on aid deliveries to rebel areas

Aid deliveries from Turkey to rebel-held areas of northwestern Syria stopped in late July.
PoliticsAugust 9, 2023
Syria's air defense missile, responding to a missile strike, is seen in the sky over Damascus, capital of Syria, on January 21, 2019

Syria reports soldier deaths in Israeli strike near Damascus

Syrian state media has reported four soldiers were killed in a missile strike outside Damascus.
ConflictsAugust 7, 2023
Three German police officers

Alleged former Syrian militia leader arrested in Germany

The suspect was accused of crimes against humanity during the Syrian civil war.
Law and JusticeAugust 3, 2023
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (right) welcomes Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani (left) in Damascus

Iraqi PM al-Sudani visits Syria to normalize relations

Although Baghdad maintained ties with Syria during the civil war, no Iraqi PM has visited Damascus for over a decade.
PoliticsJuly 16, 2023
President Ebrahim Raisi, left, shakes hands with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, Syria

Iran president visits Syria for first time since civil war

Iranian forces played a major role in defending Bashar Assad's government in Syria during years of war.
PoliticsMay 3, 2023
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry wearing headphones

Syria earthquake: Egypt's top diplomat visits Damascus

Damascus has been politically isolated in the region since the start of the Syrian Civil War 12 years ago.
PoliticsFebruary 27, 2023
A file photo of Damascus International Airport

Syria says Israeli strike briefly paralyzed Damascus airport

The Syrian military said Israel fired missiles toward Damascus International Airport, killing two soldiers.
ConflictsJanuary 2, 2023
Pianist Ayham Ahmad plays the keys on a bomb-shattered street of Damascus

The Pianist of Yarmouk: Music as solace

Pianist Ayham Ahmad fled Syria's civil war and settled in Germany.
CultureMay 7, 202204:56 min
Syrien Russland Libanon Ukraine Konflikt

Syrian on Ukraine: 'We share a similar suffering'

Some experts think things may have turned out differently in Ukraine if the West had stood up to the Kremlin over Syria.
ConflictsMarch 5, 2022
View of smoke rising in Damascus following Israeli missile attack

Israel strikes Syrian targets after anti-aircraft fire

The Israeli military says the strikes were in response to an anti-arcraft missile that was fired toward Israel.
ConflictsFebruary 9, 2022
The suspect with authorities inside the court room

Syrian doctor denies torture charges in German court

The 36-year-old has been accused of torturing detainees in a military hospital and killing one by lethal injection.
CrimeJanuary 25, 2022
A panoramic view of Damascus, Syria

Syria says Israel fired missiles outside Damascus

A Syrian war monitor said Israel allegedly targeted sites housing arms depots linked to the Hezbollah militant group.
PoliticsOctober 30, 2021
Security forces inspect the site of an explosion in central Damascus

Deadly twin bus blasts rock Syria

Two bombs have exploded on a bus carrying troops in Damascus.
ConflictsOctober 20, 2021
Palestinians in front of the Damascus Gate, April 25

Jerusalem police remove barriers at Damascus Gate

Allowing access to a traditional gathering place in east Jerusalem for Muslims observing Ramadan could ease tensions.
ConflictsApril 26, 2021
Man and woman holding a blue and white cap

Denmark tells Syrian refugees to return to Damascus

Damascus is safe again, Denmark says — and urges Syrian refugees to leave.
PoliticsApril 13, 2021
Bassam Khabieh records Mohammad, 8, watching his father try on a prosthetic arm

Syrian photographers document a decade of war

A collection of images by Syrian photographers who have recorded daily life in the ongoing war.
ConflictsMarch 15, 202110 images
Melhem Maissun Kommentarbild App

Syrians deserve justice

Maissun Melhem
There is no way back to 2011 for Syria, and justice is the only way to heal, DW's Maissun Melhem writes.
ConflictsMarch 15, 2021
Syrien | Kefah Ali Deeb, artist and author from Syria

Syrian artist Kefah Ali Deeb: Mediating between culture

In Berlin, Kefah Ali Deeb brings refugees and locals peacefully together.
CultureMarch 12, 202105:02 min
The Syrian army said the rocket attack came from the Golan Heights

Syria repels Israeli missiles over Damascus — state media

Syria said it downed most of the Israeli missiles, which came days after US airstrikes in the war-torn country.
ConflictsMarch 1, 2021
Syrien Außenminster Walid al-Muallim

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem dies aged 79

Walid al-Moallem, a top diplomat and Bashar al-Assad supporter, died following years of poor health and heart problems.
PoliticsNovember 16, 2020
Deutschland Justiz l Deutscher erstattet Anzeige beim GBA wegen Folter in Syrien

German joins lawsuits against Syrian torture regime

Martin Lautwein says he witnessed abuse and killings of other inmates during his 48 days in custody in Damascus.
Human RightsNovember 10, 2020
A building lies in ruins after being hit by a barrel bomb

'War crimes' committed in northwestern Syria

Amnesty says unlawful methods included barrel bombing and airstrikes by the Syrian regime and allied Russian forces.
ConflictsMay 11, 2020
Syrian refugees at Syrian/Turkish border

War in Syria enters tenth year

Over 100,000 civilians have been killed since the conflict began in 2011.
ConflictsMarch 15, 2020
Members of the Syrian Civil Defence, also known as the "White Helmets", recover bodies in the town of Maaret Misrin following Syrian government forces airstrikes

Germany pledges millions in aid for Idlib conflict

However, Germany's foreign minister has attached strict conditions to the additional funds for the UN.
PoliticsMarch 5, 2020
Fighters of the National Liberation Front (NFL) cheer on top of a tank.

Germany calls Idlib attacks 'war crimes'

Heiko Maas criticized the Russian and Syrian government's indiscriminate attacks on civilians in Idlib.
PoliticsFebruary 27, 2020
Israelischer Luftangriff südlich des Gazastreifens

Israeli airstrikes near Damascus 'kill 6'

The move comes after jihadists fired a barrage of rockets at Israel, and ahead of Israeli elections on March 2.
ConflictsFebruary 24, 2020
President of Turkey and leader of Justice and Development (AK) Party, Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Erdogan to meet Merkel, Putin and Macron for Idlib summit

The leaders will meet on March 5 to discuss the conflict in Idlib following an escalation of violence in the region.
PoliticsFebruary 22, 2020
Syrian soldier stands with gun in the M5 highway

Assad forces retake key Syrian highway

Assad's forces are closer to regaining control over all of Syria after recapturing a key highway from rebel fighters.
ConflictsFebruary 11, 2020
A rocket launched (picture-alliance/Photoshot, April 7, 2018)

Israel strikes Iranian, Syrian targets near Damascus

Israel has said it attacked Iranian and Syrian military targets near Damascus after Syria fired rockets the day before.
ConflictsNovember 20, 2019
Syrian city of Idlib

Syria to let civilians flee rebel-held Idlib

Damascus has said a corridor will allow "civilians who want to leave areas controlled by terrorists" to flee the region.
ConflictsAugust 22, 2019
Syrian refugees in Lebanese camp

Going back to Syria, against the odds

Many Syrian refugees in Lebanon are considenring the risky journey back home, as Diana Hodali reports from Beirut.
ConflictsApril 29, 2019
Syrian SDF flag in Baghouz

Syria: 'Islamic State' kills 35 government fighters

A monitoring group has described the assaults as the group's deadliest operation since the fall of the "caliphate."
SocietyApril 20, 2019
Douma in April 2018

OPCW confirms chemical attack in Syria

The OPCW fact-finders reported chemical weapons were used in the April 2018 attack on Douma, near Damascus.
ConflictsMarch 1, 2019
Israel F-16 jet

Israel strikes Iran's elite forces in Syria

An Iranian official has threatened retaliation against Israel, saying his forces are ready to "wipe it off the earth."
ConflictsJanuary 21, 2019
Damascus skyline

Syria: 'Huge explosion' rocks Damascus

Damascus was rocked by a bomb blast as well as a reportedly thwarted Israeli air raid near the international airport.
ConflictsJanuary 20, 2019
Syrian air defenses over Damascus

Syria: Israeli missiles hit Damascus

Syrian air defenses shot down most of the incoming missiles, but one reportedly hit a warehouse at Damascus airport.
ConflictsJanuary 12, 2019
Staffan de Mistura, outgoing UN special envoy to Syria, speaks to reporters

Syria talks in Astana are 'missed opportunity'

As a UN envoy decried the lack of progress, Syria urged the West to lift sanctions in order to help migrants return.
ConflictsNovember 29, 2018
A sculpture is displayed during the reopening of Syria's National Museum of Damascus

National Museum of Damascus opens its doors

Visitors to the National Museum of Damascus will be the first in seven years to view classical and Islamic treasures.
CultureOctober 28, 2018
The Quneitra border crossing

Israel to reopen Syrian border crossing

Israel's defense minister says the country's border crossing with Syria is reopening.
PoliticsSeptember 27, 2018
Syrian air defenses intercept missile over Damascus

Syria blames Israel for 'attack on Damascus airport'

Independent war monitors said the Israeli missiles were aiming for an Iranian arms cache near the airport.
ConflictsSeptember 16, 2018
Ruins of Aleppo market

Rebuilding Syria: Who should foot the bill?

Russia is demanding money from other countries in Europe to help rebuild war-torn Syria. Should Germany contribute?
ConflictsSeptember 8, 2018
A Syrian flag waves in heavy fog

Unwelcome closure in Syria

Families of Syrian detainees are just now finding out that their loved ones died in custody years ago.
SocietyAugust 3, 2018