NewsNewsMiddle East'I was raped by Assad's thugs – but I'm no longer afraid to show my face'Fergal Keane speaks to two Syrian refugees he met at the height of the migrant crisis in 2015.3 hrs agoMiddle EastWhat now for Syria’s £4.5bn illegal drug empireAs those in the lucrative Captagon network move aside, how will the new leaders stop any criminals waiting in the wings to replace them?1 day agoBBC InDepthInside the abandoned homes of Assad's ruthless enforcersJamil Hassan, referred to as "the butcher" by people who lived on his street, is among the senior regime figures who have fled with their families.2 days agoMiddle East'We have to be more bold': Syria's musicians await future under new Islamist leadersA lively electronic music scene developed under the Assad regime. Now, it's unclear what comes next.2 days agoMiddle EastUS scraps $10m bounty for arrest of Syria's new leader SharaaIt follows meetings between top US diplomats and representatives of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Damascus. 3 days agoWorldWhat now for Syria’s £4.5bn illegal drug empireAs those in the lucrative Captagon network move aside, how will the new leaders stop any criminals waiting in the wings to replace them?1 day agoBBC InDepthSyria's minorities seek security as country charts new futureAfter the fall of Assad, many are apprehensive about how Syria will next be ruled.1 day agoMiddle EastUS warplane shot down in Red Sea 'friendly fire' incidentBoth pilots were rescued after ejecting safely from their F/A-18 fighter aircraft.1 day agoMiddle EastInside the abandoned homes of Assad's ruthless enforcersJamil Hassan, referred to as "the butcher" by people who lived on his street, is among the senior regime figures who have fled with their families.2 days agoMiddle East'Danger of IS resurgence has doubled' - Syria's Kurds warn of group's comebackKurdish forces say there's a real threat IS militants will try to break out comrades held in their jails in the north east.3 days agoMiddle EastJeremy Bowen: Syria's new ruler is politically astute - but can he keep his promises?Ahmed al-Sharaa is intelligent, astute and reluctant to say what sort of country he wants.4 days agoMiddle EastSyria's rebel leaders say they've broken with their jihadist past - can they be trusted?The offensive that ended Bashar al-Assad's 24-year rule has left the country facing an uncertain future3 days agoBBC InDepthHuman Rights Watch accuses Israel of acts of genocide in Gaza over water accessIsrael rejects as a lie the rights group's claim that it is blocking access to water critical for survival.4 days agoMiddle EastIsrael strikes Houthi targets in Yemen after missile attackHouthi-run media say nine people were killed, hours after a Houthi missile was shot down over Israel.4 days agoMiddle EastFeaturesLife in Idlib hints at what Syria can expect from rebel ruleThe Islamist group that now runs Syria has led everyday life for people in Idlib for seven years.5 days agoMiddle EastOld wounds and new energy in Syria's 'capital of the revolution'It's a bittersweet return for residents of Homs, which was the site of a brutal years-long siege.6 days agoWorldJeremy Bowen: Assad's torture prison is worst I have seenInside the infamous prison's corridors it becomes clear how hard it will be to mend the Syria that Assad broke.7 days agoMiddle East'We just need peace': BBC speaks to Syrians watching Israel's incursionAs Israel unveils plans to expand its Golan Heights settlements, Syrians living nearby say they want an end to conflict.7 days agoMiddle EastSkulls and body bags: Searching for Syria's disappearedThe BBC's Lucy Williamson finds family members exhuming human remains in a desperate search for their lost relatives. 14 Dec 2024Middle EastWatch/ListenWatch: BBC reporter returns to childhood home destroyed in Syria civil warFeras Killani grew up in Yarmouk in Damascus, which saw brutal fighting between rebel and government forces.3 hrs agoMiddle EastWatch: BBC goes inside Syrian prison holding IS detaineesOrla Guerin visits Al-Sina prison in north-eastern Syria, where many suspected fighters have been held for years.3 days agoMiddle EastWatch: BBC speaks to Syrian rebel leader Ahmed al-SharaaSharaa led the rebel offensive that toppled the Assad regime in Syria less than two weeks ago.4 days agoMiddle EastWatch: Dancing crowds in Aleppo celebrate end of Assad regimeThe BBC's Hugo Bachega sees Syrians dancing, waving flags and making peace signs in Aleppo.13 Dec 2024Middle EastSongs and celebrations at Damascus rallyThe BBC's Lina Sinjab says there is a joyous mood in the Syrian capital, as people mark the end of the Assad regime.13 Dec 2024Middle EastLatest updates3 hrs agoWatch: BBC reporter returns to childhood home destroyed in Syria civil warFeras Killani grew up in Yarmouk in Damascus, which saw brutal fighting between rebel and government forces.3 hrs agoMiddle East3 hrs ago'I was raped by Assad's thugs – but I'm no longer afraid to show my face'Fergal Keane speaks to two Syrian refugees he met at the height of the migrant crisis in 2015.3 hrs agoMiddle East15 hrs agoChildren among dozens killed in Israeli strikes, Gaza officials sayA school sheltering displaced families was hit, according to Gaza's civil defence agency.15 hrs agoMiddle East1 day agoSyria's minorities seek security as country charts new futureAfter the fall of Assad, many are apprehensive about how Syria will next be ruled.1 day agoMiddle East1 day agoUS warplane shot down in Red Sea 'friendly fire' incidentBoth pilots were rescued after ejecting safely from their F/A-18 fighter aircraft.1 day agoMiddle East2 days agoGaza ceasefire talks 90% complete, Palestinian official tells BBCThe senior official said a ceasefire deal is close but key issues remain that need to be bridged.2 days agoMiddle East2 days agoHouthi missile strike injures more than a dozen in Tel AvivThe Israeli military said attempts to shoot down a projectile launched from Yemen had been unsuccessful and that it had landed in a public park.2 days agoMiddle East2 days agoInside the abandoned homes of Assad's ruthless enforcersJamil Hassan, referred to as "the butcher" by people who lived on his street, is among the senior regime figures who have fled with their families.2 days agoMiddle East2 days ago'We have to be more bold': Syria's musicians await future under new Islamist leadersA lively electronic music scene developed under the Assad regime. Now, it's unclear what comes next.2 days agoMiddle East