Syria, officially known as the Syrian Arab Republic, is an Arab nation in the Middle East, situated in the Levant region. The country boasts a rich history and some of the oldest inhabited cities in the world.
In 1963, Syria's government was taken over by the Ba'ath Party, led by Hafez al-Assad. For decades, he and his son and successor, Bashar al-Assad, would rule the country in a reign that has been highly criticized for being totalitarian and for carrying out widespread human rights abuses.
In 2011, a major civil war broke out in Syria, leaving governance of the country fractured between the Russia- and Iran-backed Assad regime based in Syria's largest city and capital of Damascus, US-backed rebel groups led by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Turkey-backed forces, and Islamists under the banner of Hay'at Tahir al-Shams (HTS).
However, in December 2024, HTS and its allies carried out a major offensive from their base of operations in the Idlib province, eventually fully ousting the Assad regime and seizing control of Damascus as well as other major cities such as Homs and Aleppo. Currently, HTS has been spearheading the establishment of a new Syrian interim government. However, the country still remains fractured between them, Assad loyalists, Turkey-backed forces, and the SDF and its allies.
BEHIND THE LINES: With Turkey's backing of Hamas and disputes in Syria, the future of Jerusalem-Ankara ties look dim.
Syrian-born businessman Yahya Kirdi told the 'Post' that the new Syrian regime is an extremist Islamist regime.
Houthi leader addressed recent developments in the Middle East in a statement and claimed there is a broader Israeli strategic plan targeting Iraq.
Azerbaijani officials said that they were ready to facilitate positive relations between the two countries.
The demand for federal rule has gathered momentum as alarm spread through Syria's minorities over last month's mass killings of Alawites.
A source noted that any action posing danger to Israel will also put the Syrian government at risk.
A senior Hezbollah official said the group was prepared to engage in talks with Aoun if Israel withdrew from south Lebanon and halted its military strikes.
Israel and Turkey have recently discussed creating a coordination mechanism in Syria in efforts to prevent friction, days after Trump praised Erdogan in his meeting with Netanyahu.
The Turkish-Syrian connection has been tightening recently. A Western intelligence source previously told the 'Post' that Turkey wants to become Syria's air defense provider.
Syria's transitional government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, held its first meeting on April 7, focusing on reconstruction and unity.
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