Middle East

Israel’s presence in Syria buffer zone violates 1974 deal: UN

The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) told Israel that its presence in the Syrian buffer zone would violate the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement with Syria, the UN Secretary General’s spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric has stated.

Germany, France set condition for interaction with Syria’s new government

Germany and France have expressed readiness to work with Syria's new government while emphasizing that respect for fundamental human rights and the protection of minorities would be essential for interaction.

Rescuers continue search amid rumours of hidden prisoners in Syria’s Sednaya

Following the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, endeavours continue to free what many believe to be the remaining prisoners from the notorious Sednaya prison.

Israeli attacks southern Lebanon despite cease-fire, casualties reported

A civilian was killed and four soldiers were injured in an Israeli air attack in southern Lebanon, in the latest violation of a cease-fire deal between the two sides, the army in Beirut announced.

Iran in direct contact with militant groups within Syria’s new leadership: Reuters

Tehran has opened a direct line of communication with rebels within Syria's new leadership after its key ally Bashar al-Assad's ouster, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday, in a bid to "prevent a hostile trajectory" between the two countries.

Britain considering removing HTS from terror list

The United Kingdom is considering removing Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from its list of designated terrorist organisations following the rebel group's victory in Syria.

Int’l artistic event in Iran condemns Israel’s ‘savagery’ against children in Gaza, Lebanon

The Iranian capital Tehran has hosted an international artistic event held in support of children in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, who have been hit by more than a year of Israeli attacks, denouncing the Zionist regime’s “sheer savagery” towards minors.

Russia confirms Putin personally approved Assad’s asylum following Syrian gov’t fall

Russian President Vladimir Putin has personally approved Bashar Assad’s asylum in Moscow, the Kremlin confirmed on Monday. The revelation follows reports that the deposed Syrian president and his family arrived in Russia after the fall of Damascus to armed opposition forces.

Kurds say Turkish drone attack killed several in Syria

At least a dozen people, including children, have lost their lives after a Turkish unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Kurdish-populated village in Syria’s province of Raqqah.

Militants informed Turkey about plan to oust Assad: Report

The Ankara government was aware of the militants’ plan to launch a major offensive against Bashar al-Assad’s government, according to a report released following the fall of the Syrian president.

One million displaced Gazans face extreme winter cold: UN

Nearly one million displaced Palestinians in war-torn Gaza are at risk of extreme cold and rain this winter, the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) warned on Sunday.

Israeli soldiers occupy more territory in Syria: Report

Defence Minister Israel Katz says that Israeli soldiers are seizing “additional points” in the buffer zone in the Golan Heights, according to Ynet News.

US says launched airstrikes against Daesh camps in Syria following Assad fall

The United States has conducted air attacks against Daesh camps in Syria, US Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced in a statement.

US officials discussed merits of removing $10m bounty on militant group HTS head: Report

US officials have discussed the merits of removing a $10m bounty on Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, whose rebel group swept into Damascus and toppled the government of President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday, a senior Arab official briefed by Washington told Middle East Eye.

Biden calls Assad fall ‘fundamental act of justice’

US President Joe Biden has called the recent collapse of the government in Syria “a fundamental act of justice” in remarks at the White House.

Syria’s Assad is in Russia with family: Kremlin sources

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been granted asylum in Russia and is currently in Moscow with his family, RIA Novosti and TASS reported on Sunday, citing Kremlin sources. The development comes as militants seized control of Damascus, effectively ending Assad’s 24-year rule.

UAE official stresses need for dialogue with Iran amid Syria’s uncertainty

Anwar Gargash, International Affairs Advisor to the President of the UAE, has called for dialogue with Iran to address the evolving situation in Syria.

Russia says Assad left Syria, gave orders for peaceful power handover

The Russian Foreign Ministry has confirmed that Bashar Assad has stepped down as Syrian president and left the country following negotiations with armed opposition groups after the fall of Damascus to militants.

US says to remain in eastern Syria despite regime change

Washington will maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of the ISIS terror group, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro said on Sunday.

Leader of HTS militant group says ex-Syrian PM to supervise state bodies until transition

The leader of the main armed opposition group in Syria has announced that former Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali will supervise state institutions until they are handed over, as fighters declared an end to Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule.

Israel deploys forces to buffer zone with Syria amid fall of Damascus

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it has deployed troops to the buffer zone with Syria to secure the Golan Heights. This move comes amid a swift offensive by armed groups that have seized control of significant areas in Syria, including the capital, Damascus.

Report: Armed group attacks Iranian embassy in Damascus

A group of armed militants has entered the Iranian Embassy in Damascus following the fall of the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government on Sunday and damaged the building, according to reports and images published by various media outlets.

Israeli attacks on southern Lebanese villages kill six: Health ministry

Israeli strikes on two southern Lebanese villages killed six people and wounded five, the Lebanese health ministry has announced, in the latest potential challenge to a fragile ceasefire that has been in place for less than two weeks.

Opposition fighters seize Syrian capital, President Assad flees country

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is said to have fled Damascus to an unknown destination as opposition fighters entered Damascus and people poured out onto the streets and public squares in celebration.

UN says militant attacks in Syria has displaced 28k

The renewed fighting between militant groups and government forces in Syria has displaced around 280,000 people in a matter of days, the United Nations has reported.

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