Abby Sewell
@sewella.bsky.social
News director for Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Turkey at the Associated Press. Contact asewell @ap.org
Pinned
Abby Sewell
@sewella.bsky.social
· Nov 16
Children brought from Gaza to Lebanon to heal from wounds become caught in another war
Seven-year-old Halima Abou Yassine was brought to Lebanon from Gaza for treatment after an Israeli strike left her near death with a gaping wound in her skull.
apnews.com
I'll start by posting a chain with some links to my recent/relevant work (most, but not all, related to the war in Lebanon):
apnews.com/article/leba...
apnews.com/article/leba...
Kurdish separatist group claims to have mounted ‘armed operations' in Iran to defend protesters
With Stella Martany:
apnews.com/article/iran...
With Stella Martany:
apnews.com/article/iran...
Kurdish separatist group claims to have mounted ‘armed operations' in Iran to defend protesters
A representative of an Iranian Kurdish separatist group in Iraq says the group’s armed wing has launched attacks on Iran’s Revolutionary Guard in retaliation for Tehran's violent crackdown on proteste...
apnews.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Kurdish separatist group claims to have mounted ‘armed operations' in Iran to defend protesters
With Stella Martany:
apnews.com/article/iran...
With Stella Martany:
apnews.com/article/iran...
Syria is on the list but was already under a ban anyway. Lebanon is newly added. Iraq is there as well. (As are many others, clearly, but I'm just naming the ones in my patch. Full list in the story)
US to suspend immigrant visa processing from 75 countries
apnews.com/article/trum...
US to suspend immigrant visa processing from 75 countries
apnews.com/article/trum...
US to suspend immigrant visa processing from 75 countries over public assistance concerns
The State Department says it will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries whose nationals are deemed likely to require public assistance while living in the United State...
apnews.com
January 14, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Syria is on the list but was already under a ban anyway. Lebanon is newly added. Iraq is there as well. (As are many others, clearly, but I'm just naming the ones in my patch. Full list in the story)
US to suspend immigrant visa processing from 75 countries
apnews.com/article/trum...
US to suspend immigrant visa processing from 75 countries
apnews.com/article/trum...
Civilians flee Aleppo as clashes between Syrian government and Kurdish forces escalate
apnews.com/article/syri...
apnews.com/article/syri...
Civilians flee Aleppo as clashes between Syrian government and Kurdish forces escalate
Fighting has escalated in Syria's northern city of Aleppo. Tens of thousands fled two Kurdish neighborhoods on Wednesday after the military ordered evacuations amid deadly clashes between government f...
apnews.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Civilians flee Aleppo as clashes between Syrian government and Kurdish forces escalate
apnews.com/article/syri...
apnews.com/article/syri...
List of aid groups working in Gaza that Israel is suspending.
They include some of the world’s most prominent and outspoken aid organizations, including Doctors Without Borders:
apnews.com/article/gaza...
They include some of the world’s most prominent and outspoken aid organizations, including Doctors Without Borders:
apnews.com/article/gaza...
List of aid groups working in Gaza that Israel is suspending
Israel says it's suspending humanitarian organizations that have failed to meet its new rules to vet international groups working in Gaza.
apnews.com
December 30, 2025 at 7:19 PM
List of aid groups working in Gaza that Israel is suspending.
They include some of the world’s most prominent and outspoken aid organizations, including Doctors Without Borders:
apnews.com/article/gaza...
They include some of the world’s most prominent and outspoken aid organizations, including Doctors Without Borders:
apnews.com/article/gaza...
Reposted by Abby Sewell
Terribly sad story about the attack on a small congregation in June. Three men died jumping on a suicide bomber. In total, 25 died.
Thana al-Masoud, widow of hero Boutros Bechara: “There’s no holiday, neither this year nor next year nor the one after it."
“Our Lord chose them to be saints."
Thana al-Masoud, widow of hero Boutros Bechara: “There’s no holiday, neither this year nor next year nor the one after it."
“Our Lord chose them to be saints."
Syrian church marks Christmas and reaffirms faith months after deadly attack
apnews.com/article/syri...
apnews.com/article/syri...
Syrian church marks Christmas and reaffirms faith months after deadly attack
Hundreds of worshippers have gathered at Mar Elias Church in Syria to remember those lost in a suicide attack.
apnews.com
December 24, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Terribly sad story about the attack on a small congregation in June. Three men died jumping on a suicide bomber. In total, 25 died.
Thana al-Masoud, widow of hero Boutros Bechara: “There’s no holiday, neither this year nor next year nor the one after it."
“Our Lord chose them to be saints."
Thana al-Masoud, widow of hero Boutros Bechara: “There’s no holiday, neither this year nor next year nor the one after it."
“Our Lord chose them to be saints."
Syrian church marks Christmas and reaffirms faith months after deadly attack
apnews.com/article/syri...
apnews.com/article/syri...
Syrian church marks Christmas and reaffirms faith months after deadly attack
Hundreds of worshippers have gathered at Mar Elias Church in Syria to remember those lost in a suicide attack.
apnews.com
December 24, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Syrian church marks Christmas and reaffirms faith months after deadly attack
apnews.com/article/syri...
apnews.com/article/syri...
Clashes erupted between Syrian security forces and Kurdish fighters Monday as top Turkish officials visited Damascus ahead of a deadline to implement a deal between the government and the #SDF
apnews.com/article/turk...
apnews.com/article/turk...
Clashes flare as top Turkish officials visit Syria ahead of a deadline for Kurdish integration
Clashes have erupted between Syrian security forces and Kurdish fighters in the city of Aleppo. This comes as top Turkish officials visited Damascus on Monday to discuss a deal between the government ...
apnews.com
December 22, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Clashes erupted between Syrian security forces and Kurdish fighters Monday as top Turkish officials visited Damascus ahead of a deadline to implement a deal between the government and the #SDF
apnews.com/article/turk...
apnews.com/article/turk...
Israeli military raids in Syria raise tensions as they carve out a buffer zone
Via @chehayebk.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/syri...
Via @chehayebk.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/syri...
Israeli military expansion in Syria raises tensions as they carve out a buffer zone
Israel’s military raids and strikes over the past year aiming to carve out a buffer zone in southern Syria have raised tensions, frustrated locals and also appear to have scuttled chances — despite U....
apnews.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Israeli military raids in Syria raise tensions as they carve out a buffer zone
Via @chehayebk.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/syri...
Via @chehayebk.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/syri...
The man who killed three U.S. citizens in Syria had joined Syria’s internal security forces as a security guard two months earlier and was recently reassigned amid suspicions that he might be affiliated with the Islamic State, a Syrian official told the @apnews.com
apnews.com/article/syri...
apnews.com/article/syri...
Attacker who killed US troops in Syria was a recent recruit to security forces, official says
A Syrian security guard who attacked and killed three U.S. citizens in Syria had joined the internal security forces two months earlier.
apnews.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:45 AM
The man who killed three U.S. citizens in Syria had joined Syria’s internal security forces as a security guard two months earlier and was recently reassigned amid suspicions that he might be affiliated with the Islamic State, a Syrian official told the @apnews.com
apnews.com/article/syri...
apnews.com/article/syri...
Since the fall of Bashar Assad in Syria a year ago, dozens of women from the Alawite religious sect — to which Assad belonged — have been subjected to kidnappings and sexual assault.
@bmroue.bsky.social e spoke with survivors, family members and rights groups:
apnews.com/article/syri...
@bmroue.bsky.social e spoke with survivors, family members and rights groups:
apnews.com/article/syri...
In post-Assad Syria's chaos, Alawite women face sexual violence
A woman from Syria's Alawite minority has spoken about her harrowing experience of being kidnapped and raped by gunmen.
apnews.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Since the fall of Bashar Assad in Syria a year ago, dozens of women from the Alawite religious sect — to which Assad belonged — have been subjected to kidnappings and sexual assault.
@bmroue.bsky.social e spoke with survivors, family members and rights groups:
apnews.com/article/syri...
@bmroue.bsky.social e spoke with survivors, family members and rights groups:
apnews.com/article/syri...
On anniversary of the fall of Bashar Assad, Syrians and their country struggle to heal
apnews.com/article/syri...
apnews.com/article/syri...
On anniversary of the fall of Bashar Assad, Syrians and their country struggle to heal
Mohammad Marwan has been struggling to rebuild his life after being released from Syria’s Saydnaya prison a year ago.
apnews.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:11 AM
On anniversary of the fall of Bashar Assad, Syrians and their country struggle to heal
apnews.com/article/syri...
apnews.com/article/syri...
US raid allegedly killed Syrian undercover agent instead of Islamic State official
The case of Khaled al-Masoud, the apparent result of lack of communication between the US-led mission and Damascus, showed the limits of increased security coordination:
apnews.com/article/syri...
The case of Khaled al-Masoud, the apparent result of lack of communication between the US-led mission and Damascus, showed the limits of increased security coordination:
apnews.com/article/syri...
US raid allegedly killed Syrian undercover agent instead of Islamic State group official
A U.S. operation in Syria last month mistakenly killed a man who had been working undercover against the Islamic State group, according to his family, a war monitor and officials.
apnews.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:41 AM
US raid allegedly killed Syrian undercover agent instead of Islamic State official
The case of Khaled al-Masoud, the apparent result of lack of communication between the US-led mission and Damascus, showed the limits of increased security coordination:
apnews.com/article/syri...
The case of Khaled al-Masoud, the apparent result of lack of communication between the US-led mission and Damascus, showed the limits of increased security coordination:
apnews.com/article/syri...
Iraq’s government imposed and then retracted a terror designation for Lebanese Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi rebels, saying was a mistake.
Qassim Abdul-Zahra and Stella Martany report on the highly awkward situation the Iraq state has found itself in:
apnews.com/article/iraq...
Qassim Abdul-Zahra and Stella Martany report on the highly awkward situation the Iraq state has found itself in:
apnews.com/article/iraq...
Iraq retracts a terror designation it imposed on Lebanon's Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthis
Iraqi officials have retracted a decision to label Hezbollah and the Houthi rebels as terrorist organizations.
apnews.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Iraq’s government imposed and then retracted a terror designation for Lebanese Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi rebels, saying was a mistake.
Qassim Abdul-Zahra and Stella Martany report on the highly awkward situation the Iraq state has found itself in:
apnews.com/article/iraq...
Qassim Abdul-Zahra and Stella Martany report on the highly awkward situation the Iraq state has found itself in:
apnews.com/article/iraq...
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Wednesday that his country was “far from” diplomatic normalization or economic relations with Israel, despite a move toward direct negotiations between the two countries aimed at defusing tensions
apnews.com/article/leba...
apnews.com/article/leba...
Lebanon 'far from' diplomatic normalization or economic relations with Israel, prime minister says
Lebanon’s prime minister says that his country is “far from” diplomatic normalization or economic relations with Israel.
apnews.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Wednesday that his country was “far from” diplomatic normalization or economic relations with Israel, despite a move toward direct negotiations between the two countries aimed at defusing tensions
apnews.com/article/leba...
apnews.com/article/leba...
Pope Leo XIV’s visit highlights Christian resilience in Lebanon despite regional turmoil
Via @bmroue.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/pope...
Via @bmroue.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/pope...
Pope Leo XIV's visit highlights Christian resilience in Lebanon despite regional turmoil
Pope Leo XIV's visit to Lebanon highlights the country's religious pluralism and sends a message to Christians not to abandon the region.
apnews.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:45 AM
Pope Leo XIV’s visit highlights Christian resilience in Lebanon despite regional turmoil
Via @bmroue.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/pope...
Via @bmroue.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/pope...
Israeli forces raided a Syrian village and opened fire when they were confronted by residents on Friday, killing at least 13 people, Syrian officials said, in the deadliest Israeli attack since its troops seized a swath of southern Syria a year ago.
apnews.com/article/isra...
apnews.com/article/isra...
Israeli forces kill at least 13 people in southern Syria raid, officials and residents say
Israeli forces have raided a village in southern Syria, killing at least 13 people, according to Syrian officials.
apnews.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Israeli forces raided a Syrian village and opened fire when they were confronted by residents on Friday, killing at least 13 people, Syrian officials said, in the deadliest Israeli attack since its troops seized a swath of southern Syria a year ago.
apnews.com/article/isra...
apnews.com/article/isra...
To many Lebanese, it feels like divine intervention is the only solution for their country.
@chehayebk.bsky.social and I spoke to port blast survivors and Christians from the war-battered south about their hopes for Pope Leo XIV's upcoming visit to Lebanon
apnews.com/article/leba...
@chehayebk.bsky.social and I spoke to port blast survivors and Christians from the war-battered south about their hopes for Pope Leo XIV's upcoming visit to Lebanon
apnews.com/article/leba...
Pope Leo XIV's visit rekindles hope in war- and crisis-battered Lebanon
The upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV to Lebanon has rekindled a glimmer of hope for many in the small, crisis-battered country.
apnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:41 AM
To many Lebanese, it feels like divine intervention is the only solution for their country.
@chehayebk.bsky.social and I spoke to port blast survivors and Christians from the war-battered south about their hopes for Pope Leo XIV's upcoming visit to Lebanon
apnews.com/article/leba...
@chehayebk.bsky.social and I spoke to port blast survivors and Christians from the war-battered south about their hopes for Pope Leo XIV's upcoming visit to Lebanon
apnews.com/article/leba...
An Israeli airstrike Sunday struck Beirut for the first time since June, days ahead of a planned visit by Pope Leo XIV.
Israel’s military said that it targeted Hezbollah’s chief of staff, without giving further details. Hezbollah has yet to comment
apnews.com/article/isra...
Israel’s military said that it targeted Hezbollah’s chief of staff, without giving further details. Hezbollah has yet to comment
apnews.com/article/isra...
Israel says it targeted Hezbollah militant in its first attack in Beirut in months
An Israeli airstrike has struck Beirut for the first time since June. Its military said Sunday's strike targeted a senior Hezbollah militant.
apnews.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:17 PM
An Israeli airstrike Sunday struck Beirut for the first time since June, days ahead of a planned visit by Pope Leo XIV.
Israel’s military said that it targeted Hezbollah’s chief of staff, without giving further details. Hezbollah has yet to comment
apnews.com/article/isra...
Israel’s military said that it targeted Hezbollah’s chief of staff, without giving further details. Hezbollah has yet to comment
apnews.com/article/isra...
Thieves steal ancient Roman-era statues from the national museum in Syria
Via Ghaith AlSayed and @bmroue.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/syri...
Via Ghaith AlSayed and @bmroue.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/syri...
Thieves steal ancient Roman-era statues from the national museum in Syria
Thieves have broken into the National Museum of Damascus and stolen several ancient statues from the Roman era.
apnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Thieves steal ancient Roman-era statues from the national museum in Syria
Via Ghaith AlSayed and @bmroue.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/syri...
Via Ghaith AlSayed and @bmroue.bsky.social
apnews.com/article/syri...
Two decades ago, Ahmad al-Sharaa was held in a U.S.-run detention center after joining al-Qaida militants fighting against American forces in Iraq.
Few would have predicted that he would become the first Syrian president to visit Washington since the country’s independence:
tinyurl.com/4f3uajpk
Few would have predicted that he would become the first Syrian president to visit Washington since the country’s independence:
tinyurl.com/4f3uajpk
Al-Sharaa to become the first Syrian president to visit the White House after an unlikely rise
Ahmad al-Sharaa, once detained by the U.S. for joining al-Qaida in Iraq, will be the first Syrian president to visit Washington since 1946.
apnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Two decades ago, Ahmad al-Sharaa was held in a U.S.-run detention center after joining al-Qaida militants fighting against American forces in Iraq.
Few would have predicted that he would become the first Syrian president to visit Washington since the country’s independence:
tinyurl.com/4f3uajpk
Few would have predicted that he would become the first Syrian president to visit Washington since the country’s independence:
tinyurl.com/4f3uajpk
Israel’s military said Wednesday that the ceasefire was back on in Gaza after it carried out heavy airstrikes overnight across the Palestinian territory that killed 104 people, including 46 children, according to local health officials
apnews.com/article/isra...
apnews.com/article/isra...
Israel's military says ceasefire is back on as death toll from overnight strikes in Gaza reaches 104
Israel’s military says the ceasefire is back on in Gaza after it carried out heavy airstrikes overnight across the Palestinian territory.
apnews.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Israel’s military said Wednesday that the ceasefire was back on in Gaza after it carried out heavy airstrikes overnight across the Palestinian territory that killed 104 people, including 46 children, according to local health officials
apnews.com/article/isra...
apnews.com/article/isra...
Pope Leo XIV will pray at the site of the 2020 Beirut port blast in his first foreign trip.
A visit to southern Lebanon is not on the agenda, however.
apnews.com/article/pope...
A visit to southern Lebanon is not on the agenda, however.
apnews.com/article/pope...
Pope Leo XIV will pray at the site of the 2020 Beirut port blast in his first foreign trip
Pope Leo XIV will pray at the site of the 2020 port blast in Beirut that killed over 200 people during his first foreign visit as pope.
apnews.com
October 27, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Pope Leo XIV will pray at the site of the 2020 Beirut port blast in his first foreign trip.
A visit to southern Lebanon is not on the agenda, however.
apnews.com/article/pope...
A visit to southern Lebanon is not on the agenda, however.
apnews.com/article/pope...