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.
The IDF confirmed that initial rocket fire from Syria fell in an open area, causing no harm or damage.
The Higher Regional Court of Stuttgart found the 33-year-old man guilty of leading a militia that carried out brutal attacks on Sunni Muslim civilians.
Reports indicate hundreds of soldiers may be withdrawn, and US forces may move from bases near the Euphrates River to consolidate at one base in eastern Syria.
Syria is able to proceed because it enjoys increased support from the US, as well as from Turkey and Qatar, both US allies.
The intelligence files unearthed by the BBC are the first evidence to surface of the Assad regime's detention of Austin Tice, who disappeared near Damascus in 2012.
Syrian officials said that under the plan, some 3,500 foreign fighters, mainly Uyghurs from China and neighboring countries, would join a newly formed unit.
The backbone of the army are the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham units that came out of Idlib and had fought Assad’s military for years, as well as units from southern Syria and units linked to Turkey.
GHF debunks false reports of fire on Gazans • IDF confirms Mohammed Sinwar killed in Gaza • Freedom Flotilla Coalition attempts to sail to Gaza.
Gaza is in ruins while Syria’s ruins are now going to receive substantial funds for reconstruction. Syria is getting a head start on the future.
MIDDLE EAST AFFAIRS: As Turkey builds its power and influence, its opposition to – and agitation against – Israel is continuing unabated.
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