Syria
What the region's press reported about Syria, who holds its top offices, and MEF's latest analysis.
As of October 17, 2026, 8:38 a.m. ET. Readout items through the capture of October 17, 2026. Officeholders from the Government Graph file of October 6, 2026. MEF articles through October 13, 2026.
In the Region's Press
Terrorist Mihraç Ural captured
Yeni Safak reported that Mihraç Ural, accused in the 2013 Reyhanlı attack and other killings in Syria, was captured while trying to flee.
Countries: Syria
Israeli soldiers searched houses in the countryside of Syria's Dera city, fired on agricultural lands
Anadolu reported that 10 Israeli military vehicles entered a village near the Abidin Dam in Dera province and fired on agricultural lands.
UN: Returns reflect Syrians' determination to shape their futures
Anadolu reported that UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Mohamed Yahya said that from December 2024 onward about 1.82 million refugees and roughly 2 million displaced people returned.
Countries: Syria
National Intelligence Organization head İbrahim Kalın met with Syrian Foreign Minister Esad Hasan Şeybani in Ankara
Anadolu reported that İbrahim Kalın, head of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization, held talks in Ankara with Syrian FM Esad Hasan Şeybani.
Minister Fidan met with his Syrian counterpart Şeybani in Ankara
Hurriyet reported that Turkey's foreign minister Hakan Fidan held talks with Syrian counterpart Esad Hasan Şeybani in the Turkish capital.
Israeli artillery attack on southern Syria / Daraa targeted
Donya-e-Eqtesad reported that Israeli artillery attacked areas of Daraa province in southern Syria, saying Daraa was targeted.
The skies were breached, professionals acknowledged: Pilots from countries like Lebanon, Syria and Iran landed in Israel
N12 reported that closed-committee data showed more than 1,200 aircrew from countries without diplomatic ties to Israel have landed in the country.
IDF: Suspect Attempted to Infiltrate IDF Post in Southern Syria and Was Shot to Death
Davar reported that the IDF said forces identified an individual trying to enter a position in southern Syria and shot him dead, with no casualties among personnel.
Deputy of Mihraç Ural, defendant in the Reyhanlı attack, captured in Syria
Sozcu reported that Syrian authorities said they captured Cemal Trablusi, whom they called Mihraç Ural's deputy and connected to defendants in the Reyhanlı attack.
Countries: Syria
Israeli occupation forces penetrate several areas in southern Syria
Al-Ahram reported Israeli forces penetrated areas in the countryside of Quneitra and Daraa, searched homes and shelled around the al-Manatra dam.
Important step from the US regarding Syria
Haberturk reported that the US State Department said it will remove controls on arms shipments to Syria and assess future transfers individually.
Countries: Syria, United States
DMM denies claim that "Syrian government officials and Hezbollah leaders met in Turkey"
Hurriyet reported that the DMM within Turkey's Presidential Communications office said allegations that Syrian officials and Hezbollah figures met in Turkey under MİT auspices are unfounded.
Israeli army raided two locations in southern Syria
Anadolu reported that the Israeli army entered rural areas of Kuneytra and Dera provinces, searched some houses and fired on open land in several villages.
The Syrian People's Assembly approves cancelling the "Terrorism Court" and annulling its decisions
Asharq Al-Awsat reported that the Syrian People's Assembly approved cancelling the 'Terrorism Court' law number 22 of 2012 and annulling its legal effects.
Countries: Syria
From MEF
Kurdish-Arab Tensions in Syria Are Not Going Away
Israel, Turkey, and the Contest for Syria
Why Is Nobody Talking About the Turkish Occupation of Syria?
Syria’s Jihadists in Yemen’s Battlefield
Which Countries Face the Greatest Fuel Vulnerability in the Middle East?
Israel Holds the High Ground, Iranian Axis Severely Weakened