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Image: Omar Sanadiki/AP Photo/picture alliance Image: Omar Sanadiki/AP Photo/picture alliance

Syria

Syrian rebel groups have toppled the regime of President Bashar Assad, who has been given asylum in Russia.

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Anas Modamani holding up his phone with the famous selfie on the display

Anas Modamani holding up his phone with the famous selfie on the display

Syrians in Germany: What are their plans for the future?

After Assad's fall, Syrian refugees living in Germany are experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions.

People in civilian clothes leaning on and through two stretches of gray bars at an angle to each other.

People in civilian clothes leaning on and through two stretches of gray bars at an angle to each other.

Syria's secret services tactics echo Nazis, Stasi methods

The former dictatorship appears to have been shaped by Nazi war criminals who fled abroad and the East German Stasi.

Syria | Celebrating "Friday of Victory" in Homs

Syria | Celebrating "Friday of Victory" in Homs

Thousands of Syrians celebrate 'Friday of Victory'

As they rejoice, people in Homs recall being the Syrian revolution's capital when the uprising began in 2011.

An aerial view of a peaceful demonstration in Damascus after Friday prayer

An aerial view of a peaceful demonstration in Damascus after Friday prayer

Syria marks first Friday prayers since Assad toppled

Syrians marked the first Friday prayers since the defeat of the Assad regime by a lightning rebel offensive.

A Syrian Rebel is holding Captagon pills in his palm that were hidden in an electrical componant

A Syrian Rebel is holding Captagon pills in his palm that were hidden in an electrical componant

Syrian rebels uncover Captagon drug factory linked to Assad

Syria's ousted Assad regime denied involvement in the narcotics trade. But rebel fighters say they have found proof.

Syrian Kurds fleeing an onslaught by Ankara-backed groups that seized the town where they were living began arriving in Kurdish-held safe areas further east, a local official said.

Syrian Kurds fleeing an onslaught by Ankara-backed groups that seized the town where they were living began arriving in Kurdish-held safe areas further east, a local official said.

Fighting in Syrian Kurdish-held areas: What you need to know

Clashes between Syrian Kurdish forces and Turkish-backed Syrian militias are one of Syria's biggest potential problems.

A man lifts a black plastic sheet covering a body (off frame) at the morgue of Mujtahid hospital in central Damascus, Syria

A man lifts a black plastic sheet covering a body (off frame) at the morgue of Mujtahid hospital in central Damascus, Syria

Syrians flock to morgues in search of missing relatives

In Syria, people are scouring morgues in search of relatives who disappeared under Assad. Warning: graphic images.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) reviews troops alongside former Syrian President Bashar Assad (L), and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (R) during a visit to Hmeimim air base on December 11, 2017

Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) reviews troops alongside former Syrian President Bashar Assad (L), and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (R) during a visit to Hmeimim air base on December 11, 2017

What will happen to Russia's military bases in Syria?

With the ouster of Assad, the future of Russia's military presence in Syria looks unclear.

One rebel fighter holds his weapon as he stands next to a pickup truck; two other fighters are in the back of the pickup with a large weapon.

One rebel fighter holds his weapon as he stands next to a pickup truck; two other fighters are in the back of the pickup with a large weapon.

Syrian minorities wary of HTS's promises of inclusivity

HTS has promised to respect Syria's diversity, but some minority groups remain skeptical.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya says the fall of Assad shows that "any trigger" could spell downfall for Lukashenko.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya says the fall of Assad shows that "any trigger" could spell downfall for Lukashenko.

Belarus opposition leader: Syria shows dictators not invincible

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya says the fall of Assad shows that "any trigger" could spell downfall for Lukashenko.

A woman pushes a suitcase as she carried her young daughter. In the background, dozens of people stand with their suitcases as they wait to cross into Syria from Turkey.

A woman pushes a suitcase as she carried her young daughter. In the background, dozens of people stand with their suitcases as they wait to cross into Syria from Turkey.

Syrian refugees in Turkey weigh whether to return home

Thousands of the 3 million Syrians in Turkey have returned home. But many remain cautious.

As the dust settles after Syrian rebels to Damascus, Syrians are getting used to life after Assad.

As the dust settles after Syrian rebels to Damascus, Syrians are getting used to life after Assad.

Syrians adjust to life after Assad

As the dust settles after Syrian rebels to Damascus, Syrians are getting used to life after Assad.

Mraee Al Mraee, a Syrian German IT engineer living in Berlin, speaks to DW

Mraee Al Mraee, a Syrian German IT engineer living in Berlin, speaks to DW

Syrians in Germany express hope, fear after Assad's fall

The fall of Syria's Assad regime has left Syrian refugees in Germany going through a range of emotions.

The portrait of Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani is pictured on the back of a car in the coastal Syrian city of Latakia.

The portrait of Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani is pictured on the back of a car in the coastal Syrian city of Latakia.

Time to take Syria's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham off terror lists?

The HTS rebel group is setting up a new government in Syria, but its status as a terror group could get in the way.

People gather at the Saydnaya prison in Damascus looking for loved ones, on Tuesday, December 10, 2024

People gather at the Saydnaya prison in Damascus looking for loved ones, on Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Fact check: Misleading claims about Syria's Saydnaya Prison

Images and videos allegedly showing the Saydnaya prisoners flooded the internet. DW analyzed some viral claims.

Syrian refugee Lina Shaar, a mother of four, who works at a children's clothing store in Istanbul speaks to DW

Syrian refugee Lina Shaar, a mother of four, who works at a children's clothing store in Istanbul speaks to DW

Emotions run high as Syrians in Turkey consider going home

Turkey offered refuge to over 3 million Syrians fleeing civil war and the Assad regime. DW met some of them in Istanbul.

TOPOe, 12.12.24, Totale

TOPOe, 12.12.24, Totale

Assad's downfall: Can Syria be reborn?

Is there a chance for democracy and lasting peace in Syria, or will civil war make a return?

Members of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) a flag in Deir al-Zour

Members of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) a flag in Deir al-Zour

Syrian Kurds cautiously hope for the best, fear the worst

The Kurdish SDF held large parts of Syria east of the Euphrates, but Islamist rebels have pushed back.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei delivers a speech

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei delivers a speech

How vulnerable is Iran after the fall of Syria's Assad?

Iran has said the fall of Assad will strengthen the "axis of resistance." DW spoke with expert Behnam Ben Taleblu.

Families wait outside a prison, clinging to the hope of finding their incarcerated or disappeared loved ones.

Families wait outside a prison, clinging to the hope of finding their incarcerated or disappeared loved ones.

Syrians search for loved ones in infamous Saydnaya Prison

In Syria, relatives of those detained under Assad search for traces of their loved ones. Warning: graphic content.

Russian warplanes at an air base in Syria

Russian warplanes at an air base in Syria

Fate of Russian military bases in Syria remains open

In the wake of the Islamist rebel victory in Syria, Russia is considering the future of its military bases.

A Syrian with a gun standing on a roof. A Syrian flag flies above him

A Syrian with a gun standing on a roof. A Syrian flag flies above him

Can EU engage a former al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria?

The EU has decided to wait and see how the Islamist rebels act in Syria before engaging with the group at any level.

Close-up of Wafa Bathish Shaer, resident of Masada in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights

Close-up of Wafa Bathish Shaer, resident of Masada in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights

How Golan Heights Druze community views post-Assad Syria

With the end of the Assad regime, Druze in the Golan Heights are worried about the future for their families in Syria.

Old images show a plane crash and an image of Assad with his wife in Aleppo, labelled False

Old images show a plane crash and an image of Assad with his wife in Aleppo, labelled False

Fact check: Fakes surrounding Assad's escape to Moscow

A lack of recent images or videos of Syria's toppled ruler Bashar Assad is fueling speculation about his fate.

Syrians in Istanbul hold Turkish and Syrian flags as well as a picture of Recep Tayyip Erdogan to celebrate the fall of Bashar Assad's regime in Syria

Syrians in Istanbul hold Turkish and Syrian flags as well as a picture of Recep Tayyip Erdogan to celebrate the fall of Bashar Assad's regime in Syria

Amid Syria's upheaval, how will Turkey benefit?

Turkey backed Syria's opposition forces from the start of the country's civil war in 2011. What role will it play now?

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan stands with a thoughtful expression next to the Turkish flag

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan stands with a thoughtful expression next to the Turkish flag

Turkey to play even bigger role in Syria?

Analysts suggest Turkey could exploit the fall of Syria's Assad regime to expand its influence in the region.

A US tank silhouetted as flares light up the night sky

A US tank silhouetted as flares light up the night sky

Is the 'Islamic State' a threat to Syria's political future?

The so-called "Islamic State" terror group has been considerably weakened in Syria, but not completely destroyed.

Syrian families arrive to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate, near the town of Antakya, southern Turkey

Syrian families arrive to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate, near the town of Antakya, southern Turkey

Syrian civil war refugees begin to return home

Syrians displaced by the country's nearly 14-year civil war are heading home as rebels announce new interim PM.

Syrian migrants wait at the Cilvegozu border gate to cross into Syria

Syrian migrants wait at the Cilvegozu border gate to cross into Syria

Syria's ethnic and religious groups explained

Syria, with various ethnic and religious groups, is one of the most diverse countries in the Middle East.

Syrians holding a revolutionary flag with the word "freedom" on Munich's Odeonsplatz

Syrians holding a revolutionary flag with the word "freedom" on Munich's Odeonsplatz

Germany starts Syrian migration debate after Assad's fall

Following the toppling of Bashar Assad, what does the future hold for Syrians who have fled to Germany?

Firemen try to extinguish a burning fuel tank at an oil refinery in the province of Homs, Syria, on November 23, 2013

Firemen try to extinguish a burning fuel tank at an oil refinery in the province of Homs, Syria, on November 23, 2013

What's next for Syria's devastated economy?

The economy contracted by 85% during nearly 14 years of war, which decimated infrastructure and sparked hyperinflation.

Israel | Tanks on the Syrian border

Israel | Tanks on the Syrian border

Over 300 Israeli airstrikes on Syria since Assad's fall

Israel claims it attacked Syrian targets so military equipment wouldn't fall into the "hands of extremists."

A man walks through the rubble of destroyed vehicles and ammunition at the site of the previous evening's Israeli airstrike that targeted shipments of weapons that belonged to Syrian government forces in Qamishli, in mainly Kurdish northeastern Syria, on December 10, 2024.

A man walks through the rubble of destroyed vehicles and ammunition at the site of the previous evening's Israeli airstrike that targeted shipments of weapons that belonged to Syrian government forces in Qamishli, in mainly Kurdish northeastern Syria, on December 10, 2024.

Where to next for Israel and Syria after Assad's downfall?

Israel sees risks and opportunities in Syria. It welcomed the collapse of the Assad regime but then bombed its neighbor.

Syrien | Geldwechsel

Syrien | Geldwechsel

Syrians worry about economy after Assad's fall

While the fall of Assad is broadly welcome, Syrians remain anxious about their livelihoods and the crumbling economy.

Fighters set alight a picture of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in front of a building that was seized by jihadists in the area of Zarbah on November 29, 2024

Fighters set alight a picture of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in front of a building that was seized by jihadists in the area of Zarbah on November 29, 2024

Syria's next challenge: Uniting divided rebel forces

Anti-Assad rebel groups in Syria have a history of infighting fueled by clashing political and religious views.

This screen grab taken from AFPTV shows people sitting on a tank as they gather at Umayyad Square in Damascus on December 8, 2024.

This screen grab taken from AFPTV shows people sitting on a tank as they gather at Umayyad Square in Damascus on December 8, 2024.

World watches Syria's future with hope and concern

Can post-Assad Syria open a new chapter of democracy for its people? The challenge of governing still lies ahead.

Syrians in Berlin, Germany celebrate the fall of the Bashar Assad regime by waving Syrian flags

Syrians in Berlin, Germany celebrate the fall of the Bashar Assad regime by waving Syrian flags

Germany stops processing Syrian asylum claims post-Assad

Hours after the fall of Assad's regime, Germany has decided to stop processing Syrians' asylum applications.

Satellite image of Syria's Saydnaya Prison

Satellite image of Syria's Saydnaya Prison

Syrians look for loved ones in notorious Damascus prison

For Syrians missing loved ones under Assad's regime, reunion may now be possible. Warning: distressing images.

A group of young men and protesters are gathered on top of a large tank in Syria.

A group of young men and protesters are gathered on top of a large tank in Syria.

Key players shaping post-Assad Syria

Advances by different rebel groups led to the abrupt toppling of long-time Syrian dictator Bashar Assad. Who are they?

Syrian opposition forces celebrate in Damascus

Syrian opposition forces celebrate in Damascus

Syrians celebrate fall of Assad regime

After almost 25 years under the rule Bashar Assad, Syrians are dreaming of better future for their homeland.

Syrian opposition fighters celebrate after the Syrian government collapsed in Damascus

Syrian opposition fighters celebrate after the Syrian government collapsed in Damascus

Assad's fall — how regional powers are reacting

How will the collapse of Syrian strongman Bashar Assad's regime affect the wider Middle East?

Syrians in Berlin celebrating

Syrians in Berlin celebrating

After fall of Assad, many Syrian exiles want to return

The Syrian diaspora is celebrating the fall of President Bashar Assad around the world.

Bashar Assad stands in front of two saluting soliders

Bashar Assad stands in front of two saluting soliders

Syria's Bashar Assad: Accidental leader and tyrant

The fall of Bashar Assad's ruthless regime marks a major turning point in Syria's history, ending years of oppression.

An opposition fighter takes a photo of the head of a statue on the ground

An opposition fighter takes a photo of the head of a statue on the ground

Little resistance as rebels take Damascus

Rebel forces met with little resistance as they entered the capital, Damascus, less than two weeks into their offensive.

An anti-government fighter gestures in the city of Hama after forces captured the central Syrian city

An anti-government fighter gestures in the city of Hama after forces captured the central Syrian city

Damascus, Assad now in sights of Syrian rebels

Syrian rebels have seized control of the southern city of Daraa, the fourth city Assad forces have lost in a week.

Rebel fighters sit together in Homs countryside

Rebel fighters sit together in Homs countryside

Syria's Islamist rebels closing in on Homs

Taking the city would bring the rebels closer to capturing the capital Damascus, and toppling President Bashar Assad.

A Syrian opposition fighter sits on an office chair posing for a picture at arrivals gate of the Aleppo international airport

A Syrian opposition fighter sits on an office chair posing for a picture at arrivals gate of the Aleppo international airport

From drugs to displacement: Impacts of Syria's reignited war

The past week's renewed fighting will have an impact on everything from displacement to the Assad regime's drug deals.

A Syrian anti-government fighter fires his rifle into the air in the streets of Hama

A Syrian anti-government fighter fires his rifle into the air in the streets of Hama

As rebels advance, 'Syrian army is crumbling'

The regime is scrambling as the insurgents capture more towns and territory in their quest to topple Bashar Assad.

A rocket-launcher firing

A rocket-launcher firing

Syria: Rebels near Homs as thousands flee, monitor says

Rebel forces in Syria are said to be moving toward the city of Homs after taking Hama and Aleppo in a rapid offensive.

Residents of Hama welcome rebel forces

Residents of Hama welcome rebel forces

Rebels take Hama, once an Assad stronghold

Rebels have taken one of the few cities outside Damascus to remain under regime control through nearly 14 years of war.