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A Syrian militant alliance led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group toppled former president Bashar al-Assad's government on Dec 8, 2024.
Shortly after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government, leaders of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham formed an interim government.
DAMASCUS -- Former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad released on Monday his first public statement since leaving Damascus on Dec 8, detailing the chaotic moments leading up to his departure for Russia.
The statement, released via the Syrian Presidency's Telegram account, addressed rumors surrounding al-Assad's departure and the collapse of his government after more than 13 years of civil conflict.
Senior diplomats from eight Arab countries affirmed their support on Saturday for a peaceful, inclusive and fair political transition in Syria while denouncing Israeli incursions and bombings in the country.
MOSCOW -- Russia has evacuated some of its diplomats out of the Syrian capital Damascus while its embassy continues to function, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.
The diplomats were transported by a Russian Aerospace Forces flight from the Khmeimim Air Base in Syria to Moscow, the ministry said in a statement.
DOHA -- Qatar announced on Sunday that it will resume operations at its embassy in Syria, effective Tuesday, with Khalifa Abdullah Al Mahmoud Al Sharif appointed as the charge d'affaires.
In a statement, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that this move marks the restoration of diplomatic relations with Syria after a 13-year hiatus.
JERUSALEM -- The Israeli government approved a plan on Sunday to expand settlements in the Golan Heights, a Syrian territory currently occupied by Israel, according to a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.
The 10.81-million-US dollar plan, unanimously approved by the cabinet, is being advanced "in light of the war and the new front with Syria," the statement said.
Early signs of some stability and progress in Syria have sparked cautious optimism among observers. However, experts continue to be wary about the country's uncertain future, and the potential regional and global ramifications of its trajectory.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday urged a ceasefire in the Middle East and called for more efforts to resume dialogue and negotiations to promote security and peace as the region is plagued by mounting crises since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict last October.
BEIJING -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday China supports the early realization of peace in Syria, and supports the country in finding a rebuilding plan that meets the wishes of the people through inclusive dialogue.
Wang made the remarks when asked about China's views on the current situation in Syria during a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty after the China-Egypt foreign ministers' strategic dialogue in Beijing.
DAMASCUS - Syria's interim authorities announced Thursday that all public and private educational institutions will resume classes on Sunday, following a period of disruption due to recent political upheavals in the country.
In a statement released by the prime minister's office, the interim government emphasized that educational institutions are fully prepared to ensure the continuation of the academic process.
UNITED NATIONS - More than 1.1 million people have fled their homes across Syria since the recent hostilities erupted two weeks ago amid reports of food and fuel shortages, UN humanitarians said on Thursday.
DAMASCUS -- The Syrian constitution and parliament have reportedly been suspended for three months, according to Sawt al-Asima, a news outlet supportive of militant groups that overthrew the Assad government.
The outlet reported the development on Thursday, citing unnamed sources, but did not provide details on how the suspension would be implemented.
The United Nations said on Tuesday that it rejects any aggression against Syrian sovereignty and violations of its territorial integrity, while Israel said it was establishing a "sterile defense zone" in southern Syria after carrying out more than 350 strikes in 48 hours.
DAMASCUS -- Syria's Military Operations Administration announced Wednesday the lifting of a curfew in Damascus and surrounding areas, urging residents to return to work as the country grapples with the aftermath of Bashar al-Assad's ouster. The announcement coincided with interim Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir's call for refugees to return home.
WASHINGTON -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a congressional panel Wednesday the United States needs to "do everything possible to avoid" the scenario where Syria becomes a "terrorist enclave."
MOSCOW -- Syria's former president Bashar al-Assad, who has been granted asylum, is now safe in Russia, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Tuesday.
"In such a situation it would be very wrong for me to elaborate on what happened and how it was resolved, but he is secured," local RIA news agency reported, citing Ryabkov.
GENEVA -- The special envoy of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General for Syria on Tuesday urged Israel to cease its military operations in Syria, emphasizing the urgent need to halt all conflicts across the Middle East.
"A very troubling development is that we are continuing to see Israeli movements and bombardments into Syrian territory. This needs to stop," Geir Pedersen said at a press conference.
JERUSALEM -- Israel's military said Tuesday that it had struck "most" of Syria's advanced weapons in 350 airstrikes across the country, including in Damascus, over the past 48 hours.
A Xinhua correspondent reported that Israeli armored personnel carriers were seen on Tuesday in the demilitarized zone, a United Nations-monitored buffer area established between the two countries under the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
WASHINGTON -- The top commander of the US military in the Middle East visited the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria on Tuesday to be briefed on ongoing efforts to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the US military said.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on X that General Erik Kurilla, the CENTCOM commander, "visited US military commanders and servicemembers, as well as our Defeat-ISIS partners, the Syrian Democratic Forces, at several bases in Syria."
WASHINGTON -- The top commander of the US military in the Middle East visited the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria on Tuesday to be briefed on ongoing efforts to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the US military said.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on X that General Erik Kurilla, the CENTCOM commander, "visited US military commanders and servicemembers, as well as our Defeat-ISIS partners, the Syrian Democratic Forces, at several bases in Syria."
