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☆ The US is striking targets across Syria, and it isn't the only one dropping bombs in this uncertain moment
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-10 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The US isn't the only military conducting strikes amid the uncertain situation in Syria. The US military has carried out extensive airstrikes in Syria since the Assad regime collapsed over the weekend, and it's not the only country on the hunt for targets in this uncertain moment. F-15 Strike Eagles, like the one pictured above, took part in the widespread strikes against ISIS over the weekend. The US military said the goal of the strikes was to prevent ISIS from reconstituting in central Syria. Related storiesThe Israeli military has also sent its ground forces across the Syrian border beyond a United Nations-monitored buffer zone that separates the two countries.

Persons: Assad, it's, Biden, John Kirby, Bashar Assad, Jonathan Lord, AAREF WATAD, Avi Melamed, Kirby Organizations: ISIS, US, Turkish, National Security, US Air Force, Central Command, Eagles, American, Pentagon, Sunday, Human Rights, Middle East Security, Center, New, New American Security, United, UN, Syrian Democratic Forces, AP, House, Syrian Army, Hezbollah Locations: Syria, State, Damascus, Sunday, reconstituting, Israel, Latakia, AFP, New American, United Nations, Turkish, Kurdish, Ankara, Turkey, Russia, Iran, Ukraine

He did so as the rebels entered and seized Damascus, seemingly with little fightback from Assad’s government forces. Syria dominated international consciousness for almost a decade, its civil war erupting after Assad crushed peaceful protests during the region-wide 2011 Arab Spring. But until last month the conflict had been largely at a stalemate, after Assad’s forces regained control of much of the country. The conflict in Syria partly contributed to a wave of mass migration into Europe, met by a right-wing backlash across the continent that is still reverberating today. Much of this diaspora has also responded to Assad’s downfall with astonished glee, some rushing to return home.

Persons: Dimitry Peskov, Assad, Murat Sengul, gulags, Hayat Tahrir, Abu Mohammad al Organizations: Baath Party, Getty, UNHCR, Amnesty, Al, State Department Locations: Damascus, Aleppo, Hama, Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Israel, Moscow, Syria, U.S, Turkey, Iraq, Anadolu, Europe, London, Berlin, Germany, Al Qaeda

☆ From Trump and Turkey, to Russia and Iran — Syria's regime change has huge global consequences
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-09 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

TOPSHOT - This aerial picture shows a bullet-riddled portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad adorning Hama's municipality building after it was defaced following the capture of the city by anti government fighters, on December 6, 2024. Omar Haj Kadour | Afp | Getty ImagesThe dramatic toppling of Bashar al-Assad's Syrian regime at the hands of rebel forces this weekend could have far-reaching consequences for the Middle Eastern country, global alliances and markets, according to analysts. An anti-government fighter holds a weapon as he keeps position near a defaced portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in the city of Hama after forces captured the central Syrian city, on December 6, 2024. Omar Haj Kadour | Afp | Getty Images"The rapid collapse of the Assad regime in Damascus will have repercussions well beyond Syria. Russia weakenedThe other most notable "loser" from Assad's overthrow is his ally and backer Russia, which has helped prop up Assad's regime since the start of the civil war.

Persons: Bashar al, Assad, Omar Haj Kadour, Sham, —, Holger Schmieding, Schmieding, Donald Trump, Bill Blain, Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Julien De Rosa, Blain, Piccoli, Tayyip Erdogan, Thaier, David Roche, Trump, Iran's, " Roche, Vladimir Putin, Louai Beshara Organizations: Afp, Getty, Berenberg Bank, U.S, United Nations, Change, United Arab Emirates, sudani, Reuters, Quantum, Russia, Russian Federation Locations: Hama's, Damascus, Russia, Syria, Iran, Syrian, U.S, Turkey, Israel, Hama, Lebanon, Europe, Elysee, Paris, Ankara, Dubai, United Arab, Gaza, Ukraine, Moscow, Hmeimim, Syria's, Tartus

☆ What happened in Syria’s civil war, who took over and what’s next after decades of brutal rule?
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-09 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

They’re led by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the head of militant group HTS, a former al Qaeda affiliate in Syria that used to go by the name Al-Nusra Front. The leader of Syria's Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group Abu Mohammed al-Jolani at the capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque on December 8, 2024. Assad is the second generation of an autocratic family dynasty that held power in Syria for more than five decades. Analysts told CNN the Syrian rebels used a vacuum left by the group to advance in Syria. Syrian rebel fighters and locals celebrate in the central city of Homs early on December 8, 2024, after entering Syria's third city overnight.

Persons: CNN — Long, Assad, Damacus “, Bashar al, ”, Louai Beshara, ” It’s, They’re, Abu Mohammad al, al, Jolani, ” Jolani, Tahrir, Abu Mohammed al, Aref Tammawi, Hafez al, Sam Hariri, what’s, Joe Biden, Abdulaziz Ketaz, Syria Hossein Akbari Organizations: CNN, ISIS, Getty, Operations Command, Nusra, Syrian National Army, Syrian Democratic Forces, United Nations, Baath Party, UN, Amnesty, Saydnaya, Syria's, Ministry, AFP, Rebels, Hezbollah, Analysts Locations: Syria, ”, Russia, Aleppo, Idlib, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Moscow, AFP, Iran, Qaeda, al Qaeda, Turkey, Kurdish, United States, Umayyad, London, Ukraine, Israel, Assad Syria, Syrian, Syria's

☆ Post-Assad Syria will be a new challenge for America's Middle East strategy
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-09 | by ( Tom Porter | Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Rebels toppled the Assad regime in Syria after a brutal 13-year civil war. "With the overthrow of Assad, Iran has been dealt a strategic blow, meeting overarching US objectives to diminish and dismantle Iran's so-called axis of resistance," she said. The US provided training and support for some rebel groups, notably Kurdish militias and moderate groups, but stopped short of direct involvement in the conflict. Both countries will likely act "swiftly" to strike favorable deals with emerging power brokers in Syria, he said. AdvertisementHowever, he said another risk is that Syria breaks into territories controlled by competing militias and warlords, which he said would turn Syria into a potential base for terrorist activities.

Persons: Assad, Tahrir, Sham, Bashar Assad, Joe Biden, Burcu Ozcelik, Chris Doyle, it's, Ammar Hatib, Andreas Krieg, Mohammed Albasha, Basha, Assad's deposal, Abu Mohammad al, Abu Mohammed al, ABDULAZIZ KETAZ, United Nations —, Donald Trump, Edmund Fitton, Brown, al Organizations: Rebels, Middle East Security, Royal United Services Institute, Council, ISIS, Islamic State, US, Getty, Institute of Middle Eastern, King's College London, Royal United Services Institute's, Al, United Nations, American, Counter, University of Kent Locations: Syria, Iran, Iran's, British, Turkey, Russia, West, Kurdish, Hama, Anadolu, Gulf, Virginia, East, Israel, Assad Syria, Tehran, Moscow, Hayat Tahrir, Al Qaeda, Iraq, Umayyad, AFP, Idlib Province, Washington, Idlib, al Qaeda

☆ How world leaders and countries are reacting to Assad being toppled in Syria
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-09 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Western leaders view Assad's fall as a hopeful opportunity, not an outright victory. AdvertisementAs Bashar Assad's regime collapsed over the weekend, world leaders and countries issued statements on Syria. Here's how the world's been reacting to Assad's fall. Russia: Foreign MinistryIn a statement on Sunday, Russia's foreign ministry said it was monitoring Syria "with extreme concern." There is no serious threat to their security at the moment," the foreign ministry said.

Persons: Bashar Assad's, Tahrir, Assad, Abu Mohammad al, Al, Joe Biden, Biden, Donald Trump Trump, Vladimir Putin, Trump, Ursula Von der, Von der Leyen, Keir Starmer Starmer, Starmer, Chancellor Olaf Scholz Scholz, Scholz, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, Justin Trudeau Trudeau, Hakan Fidan Fidan, Fidan, it's Organizations: Syrian Democratic Forces, ISIS, EU, European, UN Security Council, Foreign Ministry, Islamic, Foreign, Russian Federation, Hmeimim Air Base, Tartus, Base Locations: Syria, Al Qaeda, Ukraine, Russia, Europe, Damascus, Germany, France, Canada, China, Iran, Foreign Ministry Iran, Islamic Republic of Iran, West Asia, Turkey, Ankara, Moscow, Africa

☆ Trump has big plans at home, but Syria shows why he can’t escape the world’s problems
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-09 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Trump faces tightening web of US adversariesBut Trump has stiff challenges in Syria and beyond. Trump may have to quickly decide whether to maintain a deployment of hundreds of US troops in Syria to fight any resurgence of ISIS. And America’s problems with Russia, North Korea and Iran are compounded by the loose but expanding strategic synergy between the trio and China. And he announced the airstrikes by B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets and A-10 aircraft against ISIS targets in central Syria. McMaster, urged his old boss on Sunday to treat Iran, Russia, China and North Korea as different threads of the same challenge.

Persons: Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron, Assad, —, ” Trump, Trump, Republican Sen, Markwayne Mullin, Bashar al, Vladimir Putin, Trump’s, NBC’s Kristen Welker, Joe Biden, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Biden, “, Fawaz, CNN’s Becky Anderson, Hafez al, Hayat Tahrir, Syria —, Putin, Volodymyr, Zelensky, Vladimir, ” McMaster, ” Uriel Epshtein, ” Organizations: CNN, Sunday, Republican, Press, NATO, Trump, ISIS, Hezbollah, Trump administration’s, Notre Dame Cathedral, United, London School of Economics, Hayat, EU, H.R, McMaster, “ Fox, Democracy, CNN International Locations: Paris, Syria, “, Damascus, East, South Asia, United States, “ State, Iran, Russia, Ukraine, ”, al Qaeda, Lebanon, Gaza, Tehran, Israel, Yemen, Eurasia, Pyongyang, North Korea, China, Europe, Asia, barreling, United Nations, rearm, Jerusalem, Kyiv

☆ Timeline of how rebels toppled Assad’s regime in less than two weeks
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-09 | by ( Antoinette Radford | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Omar Haj Kadour/AFP/Getty ImagesAfter less than two weeks of fighting across Syria’s northwest, rebel groups swiftly seized control of the capital. November 30: Rebels take control of Aleppo cityPosters of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were destroyed as rebel forces swept across the country. I swear to God, we are inside Hama city, we are inside Aleppo city,” a fighter cheered as he filmed himself by a local landmark in Hama. Video Ad Feedback Syrian rebels claim control of third city 00:46 - Source: CNNDecember 7: Homs fallsAfter moving south for days, the HTS quickly took control of Homs. Aref Tammawi/AFP/Getty ImagesEarly on Sunday morning, Syrian rebels declared the capital of Damascus “liberated” after entering the city with very little resistance from regime forces.

Persons: Bashar al, “, Assad family’s, Syria's, Assad, Omar Haj Kadour, Abu Mohammad al, Syria’s, ” Jolani, –, Mahmoud Hassano, ”, Ghaith, redeploying ”, Hassan Abdul Ghani, Tahrir, Abu Mohammed al, Aref Tammawi, Jolani, Sam Hariri, Kourdi, Mostafa Salem, Mohammad Tawfeeq Organizations: CNN, Getty, Rebels, Reuters, Flames, Syria's, Ministry, AFP Locations: Damascus, AFP, Syria’s, Russia, Umayyad, Hayat Tahrir, Syrian, Aleppo, Urm, Hama, Syria, ”, Homs, Daraa, Quneitra, Suwayda, Col, Aref, Moscow

☆ Abu Mohammad al-Jolani: Who is the leader of Syria’s rebels and what does he want?
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-09 | by ( Peter Bergen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

As a Syrian “foreign fighter” in his early 20s, Jolani crossed into Iraq to fight the Americans when they invaded the country in the spring of 2003. For its part, the Biden administration is taking no chances over whether Jolani has the capability to manage the threat from ISIS. What to do about those US forces in Syria is a decision that Trump will likely face as he assumes office. Jolani was fighting against the Americans in Iraq then, so he is presumably aware of this instructive history. In Libya in 2011, a US-led NATO bombing campaign contributed to the fall of another brutal secular dictator, Moammar Gadhafi.

Persons: Abu Mohammad al, Bashar al, Assad, Jolani, Camp Bucca, Baathist Assad, Abu Bakr al, al, Tahrir, Aaron Zalin, CNN’s Jomana, “, ” Jolani, ”, Austin Tice, Joe Biden, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, won’t, Biden, Donald Trump, Trump, Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, Moammar Gadhafi Organizations: CNN, US State Department, ISIS, US Center for Naval, Central Command, Baath, NATO, United Arab Locations: Syria, Syrian, Iraq, al Qaeda, Idlib, American, Afghanistan, Libya, US, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Russia, Turkey

Smoke rises as a member of the rebels, led by the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, drives on a motorbike in al-Rashideen in Aleppo, Syria, on November 29. Mahmoud Hasano/ReutersSyria’s rebel coalition consists of Islamist and moderate factions who, despite their differences, are united in fighting the Assad regime, ISIS and Iran-backed militias. The Syrian National Army (SNA): The “Syrian National Army” incorporates dozens of factions with various ideologies that receive funding and arms from Turkey. In Syria’s south, fighters from the country’s Druze religious minority have also joined the fight, a local activist group told CNN. Druze are fighting in the southern city of as-Suwayda, which neighbors the Daraa province, where opposition forces claim to have taken control of Daraa city.

Persons: Mahmoud Hasano, Assad, Al Sham, Abu Mohammad al, al, Sham, Tal Rifaat Organizations: Reuters, ISIS, Hayat, Organization for, Jolani, Syrian National Army, Liberation, Sharia, Free Syrian Army, Syrian Democratic Forces, Peoples ’, CNN Locations: Rashideen, Aleppo, Syria, Iran, al Qaeda, United States, Iraq, Syrian, Turkey, Kurdish, Tal, Daraa

Smoke rises as a member of the rebels, led by the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, drives on a motorbike in al-Rashideen in Aleppo, Syria, on November 29. Mahmoud Hasano/ReutersSyria’s rebel coalition consists of Islamist and moderate factions who, despite their differences, are united in fighting the Assad regime, ISIS and Iran-backed militias. He created Jabhat al-Nusra, al Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate, and operated the group until a public split with in 2016 over ideological differences and opposition to ISIS. The Syrian National Army (SNA): The “Syrian National Army” incorporates dozens of factions with various ideologies that receive funding and arms from Turkey. In Syria’s south, fighters from the country’s Druze religious minority have also joined the fight, a local activist group told CNN.

☆ Russian state news agencies say ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad is in Moscow and given asylum
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad fled to Moscow on Sunday, Russian media reported, hours after a stunning rebel advance took over the capital of Damascus and ended the Assad family's 50 years of iron rule. The Russian agencies, Tass and RIA, cited an unidentified Kremlin source on Assad and his family being given asylum in Moscow, his longtime ally and protector. RIA also said Moscow had received guarantees from Syrian insurgents of the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic posts in Syria. Syrian state television broadcast a rebel statement early Sunday saying Assad had been overthrown and all prisoners had been released. They called on people to preserve the institutions of "the free Syrian state."

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Bashar al, Assad, Bashar Assad, RIA, Russia's, Dmitry Polyansky, Abu Mohammed al, Ahmad al, Bassam, Anas Salkhadi Organizations: Tass, RIA, Associated Press, Kremlin, . Security, Golani, U.S, Islamic Locations: Sochi, Moscow, Damascus, Syria, Russia, Turkey, Kurdish

☆ What we know about Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the rebel group that led the offensive to oust Syria's leader
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-08 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Rebel forces led by the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham swept through Syria, seizing Damascus. AdvertisementBashar Assad's 24-year rule came to an end on Sunday as rebels swept into Damascus, the Syrian capital. Jolani later returned to Syria, his homeland, where he fought with Jabhat Al-Nusra — an Al Qaeda offshoot formed in 2012 — and other rebel groups against Assad's forces. Jolani severed his ties with Al Qaeda in 2016 and formed a new group, which eventually became HTS in 2017. "Old-school Al Qaeda or the Islamic State would never have done that."

Persons: Bashar Assad's, Assad, Hayat Tahrir, Sham, Abu Mohammed al, Jolani, Jabhat Al, Nusra, Al, Al Qaeda, Aron Lund, Jonathan Panikoff Organizations: United Nations, PBS, Salvation Government, Al, Century International, Swedish Defense Research Agency, Sky News, Security Initiative Locations: Syria, Damascus, Here's, Moscow, Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Turkey, Lebanon, Syrian, Iraq, Al Qaeda, United States, Idlib Province, Idlib, Salvation, East

☆ As Syrian rebels topple President Assad, difficult times lie ahead
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

People walk near razor wire at Masnaa Border Crossing, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, Lebanon, on Dec. 8, 2024. "We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains," the rebels said. Underscoring the lightning changes, Iran's embassy was stormed by Syrian rebels, Iran's English-language Press TV reported. The Syrian rebel coalition said it was continuing work to complete the transfer of power in the country to a transitional governing body with full executive powers. Russia, a staunch Assad ally, intervened decisively in 2015 to help Assad during Syria's civil war.

Persons: Syria's Bashar al, Amr Abdallah Dalsh, Bashar al, Assad, Abu Mohammed al, Golani, Benjamin Netanyahu, Assad's, Emmanuel Macron, Asma, —, Mohammad Ghazi al, Jalali Organizations: Syrian, Reuters, Islamic, Press, Revolutionary Guards, Sunday, Russian Foreign Ministry, Golani, Hezbollah Locations: Assad, Lebanon, Damascus, Russia, Iran, Syria, Israel, Turkey, United States, Islamic State, Iraq, Syrian, Ukraine

☆ Syrian rebel leader’s victory speech holds a message for Iran – and for Trump and Israel too
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-08 | by ( Nic Robertson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

“This victory, my brothers, is a victory for the entire Islamic nation,” he told his tiny entourage, who stumbled behind him against the backdrop of the mosque’s distinctive black and white stone splendor. “This victory, my brothers, by the grace of God Almighty (follows) the sacrifices of the martyrs, the widows, and the orphans. This victory, my brothers, has come through the suffering of those who endured imprisonment,” he said. People welcome the leader of Syria's Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, before his speech at the Umayyad Mosque on December 8, 2024. But it is a message Jolani will know is being heard in Tel Aviv and Washington, where he is considered to be a member of a proscribed terrorist organisation with a $10 million dollar bounty on his head.

Persons: Abu Mohammad al, al, Damascus’s, ”, Bashir al, Assad, God, Jolani, Tahrir, Abu Mohammed al, Aref Tammawi, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Jolani “, “ Organizations: CNN, Getty, Hezbollah Locations: Damascus, al Qaeda, Tahrir, Syria, Umayyad, AFP, Iran, Lebanon, Tel Aviv, Washington

☆ In a country splintered by civil war, could Syria’s rebels usher in a new dawn?
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-08 | by ( Sana Noor Haq | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

‘Extremely challenging’ transition of powerSyria’s armed opposition ultimately plans to form a government defined by institutions and a “council chosen by the people,” Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the militant figure driving the latest rebel swing, told CNN. He heads the dominant group in the coalition, Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), a former Al Qaeda affiliate. Jolani told CNN that abuse in prisons “were not done under our orders or directions” and HTS had already penalized the perpetrators. Thousands of people assembled at the foot of the main square in Damascus, where rebels ransacked Assad’s residence. Muhammad Haj Kadour/AFP/Getty ImagesAnd further afield, Syrian refugees forced to flee the war shared their hopes of returning to a peaceful country.

Persons: jubilation –, Bashar al, Assad, Firas, ” Abu Mohammad al, Hayat Tahrir, Jolani, God, ” Jolani, ”, Assad’s chokehold, –, ” Abu Mohammed al, Hayat, Abdulaziz Ketaz, Mohammad Ghazi Al, Jalali, Jerome Drevon, al, “, ” Adam Coogle, ” Maksad, ” Omar Daher, Mohammed Amer Al, Muhammad Haj Kadour, ” Wissam Ahmed, “ We’re Organizations: CNN, Free Syrian Army, East Institute, Hayat, Al, “ Militant Operations Command, Getty, Syrian, Crisis, United, Terrorist Organization, ISIS, Human Rights, Middle East Institute, Associated Press, Reuters Locations: Damascus, Syria, East, Lebanese, Washington, DC, ”, Assad Syria, Al Qaeda, Tehran, Turkey, Hayat Tahrir, AFP, Brussels, Iraq, United States, al Qaeda, Idlib, Homs, Aleppo, Syrian, Hayat, Lebanon

☆ What the Syrian rebellion could mean for the balance of power in the Middle East
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-07 | by ( Mostafa Salem | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Syrian rebels have made a lightning advance in the north of the country, taking two major cities: Aleppo, the second biggest city, and Hama, a strategically important city that lies on a vital supply route. For Russia, Syria’s fall could mean losing its closest Middle Eastern ally and undermining its ability to project power while it fights a war in Ukraine. In 2023, the Syrian regime was readmitted to the Arab League. Over a decade after they backed the Syrian opposition, Gulf Arab states, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are now siding with Assad as he once again faces a rebellion. SANA/ReutersIn Syria, Israel has consistently targeted Iranian personnel and supply routes used to transfer weapons to its proxies.

Persons: Bashar al, ” Abu Mohammad al, Assad, wouldn’t, Emiratis, ”, Parsi, “, Amiri Diwan, ” Parsi, Abbas Araghchi, Al Araby Al, Israel Israel, Israel, Hadi, Israel debilitated, ” Al Bahra, Al Sham, Abu Muhammad Al Jolani, ” Avi Melamed, Russia Assad, Vladimir Putin, ” Assad, Nicole Grajewski, Vladimir Isachenkov, Moscow hadn’t, ” Grajewski, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Galip Dalay, ” Dalay, Erdogan Organizations: CNN — Global, Al, CNN, Saudi, United Arab, Hezbollah, Arab League, Gulf, Washington DC, Quincy Institute ., Gulf Cooperation Council, Gulf Cooperation, Getty, Islamic, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hamas, Iran's, Iranian, West, Trump, Syrian National Army, Reuters, “, Nuclear, Carnegie Endowment, International, Moscow, Chatham House, Kurdistan Workers ’ Party Locations: Syria, Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Damascus, “, Al Qaeda, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Gulf Arab, Arab, ”, Bayan, Kuwait City, Kuwait, State, Qatar, Anadolu, Iran Iran, Islamic Republic, Assad, SANA, Lebanon, Qatari, Al Araby Al Jadeed, Tehran, Turkey, Hayat, Qaeda, “ Israel, Russian, Syrian, “ Russia, ” Turkey Turkey, Ankara, London, Turkish, Kurdistan, Kurdish, Iraq

☆ The War in Syria Has a New Map. Again.
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-06 | by ( Samuel Granados | Vivian Yee | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

The War in Syria Has a New Map. Turkish army and Syrian opposition Joint control with Syrian government TURKEY Aleppo Kurdish forces Rebels Raqqa Advances since November Hama IRAQ Homs Syrian government LEB. Locations controlled by Syrian gov’t and allies Joint control with Kurds2014 2017 Aleppo Deir al-Zour Hama Homs Damascus 2019 2024 Approx. area seized by rebels since November 2024 2014 2017 2019 Aleppo Deir al-Zour Hama Homs Damascus Approx. Looking for protection against Turkey, the Kurdish-led forces turned to Damascus, allowing Mr. al-Assad’s forces to return to parts of northern Syria, where they have co-existed since.

Persons: JORDAN, Janes, Bashar al, Here’s, al, Assad, —, Syrian gov’t, Hezbollah —, Al, Donald J, Trump Organizations: Rebels Raqqa, Raqqa, Carter, Islamic, Government, Hezbollah, United, Carter Center Forces, Turkish, Syrian, Kurdistan Workers ’ Party Locations: Syria, TURKEY Aleppo Kurdish, Hama IRAQ Homs Syrian, LEB, Damascus, SYRIA Latakia Deir al, Hama Homs IRAQ Syrian, LEBANON Damascus, Aleppo, Hama, Syria’s, Idlib Aleppo Deir al, Zour Homs Damascus, Homs Damascus, al, Hasakah, Islamic State, State, Syrian, Aleppo Deir al, Zour Hama Homs Damascus, Iran, Idlib Province, Iraq, Raqqa, United States, U.S, Kurdish, Turkish, Turkey, Syrian Kurdish, Kurdistan

Syria CNN —The goal of Syria’s rebel coalition, as it wrests another major city from government control this week, is ultimately to overthrow authoritarian President Bashar al-Assad, according to Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the militant leader of the main group driving the country’s armed opposition. Syria’s opposition forces are decentralized and made up of different ideologies, albeit united by a common goal of upending the Assad regime. As CNN sat down to interview al-Jolani, news broke that forces under his command had captured the city of Hama. Al-Jolani told CNN that incidents of abuse in prisons “were not done under our orders or directions” and HTS had already held those involved accountable. “We are talking about a larger project – we are talking about building Syria,” Al-Jolani continued.

Persons: Bashar al, Assad, Abu Mohammad al, Jolani, Hayat, ”, Abdulaziz Ketaz, upending, “, al, Al Nusra, Al Jazeera, – Ahmed al, –, Ibrahim Hatib, chokehold, ” Al, “ Hayat, Sham, ” CNN’s Mostafa Salem, Isil Sariyuce Organizations: Syria CNN, CNN, Getty, United, Terrorist Organization, Organization for, United Nations, Foreign Terrorist Organization, “, Al, Air Defense Brigade, Assad Russian, Iran’s, Guard, Syrian Air Force, Russian Locations: Syria, Hayat Tahrir, Qaeda, Syrian, Hama, AFP, Aleppo, Iran, Russia, al Qaeda, United States, Al, Iraq, US, Turkey, Idlib, Anadolu, ”, “ Hayat Tahrir

☆ Satellite images show Iran's new drone carrier has set sail, leaving its home port for the first time
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-05 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementIran has spent the past few years turning a container ship into a militarized drone carrier. New satellite images show the Shahid Bagheri has left its home port for the first time. This image from November 12 shows the Shahid Bagheri (center) at its berth. Last year, the IRGCN commissioned the Shahid Mahdavi, a modified expeditionary sea base that was formerly known as the Sarvin. Iran's IRGC published a video today of launching a ballistic missile from their forward base Shahid Mahdavi (converted container ship).

Persons: Bagheri, Sutton, Shahid, Shahid Bagheri, BlackSky Farzin, Nadimi, Shahid Mahdavi, IRGC, 400Y8DYPlr — Mehdi H, Diego Garcia, Mahdavi Organizations: Business Insider, BlackSky, Iran Shipbuilding, Offshore Industries, The Washington Institute for Near East, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, US Navy Locations: Iran, Iranian, Persian, Bandar Abbas, Soviet, Tehran, Diego, Strait, Hormuz, Yemen

☆ Syria's Assad can't count on Iran to stop the rebel offensive
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-05 | by ( ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Since the early stages of Syria's bloody civil war that began in 2011, Iran has supported Syria's strongman president, Bashar Assad. Advancing in the face of Russian and Syrian airstrikes, they overran Syria's fourth-largest city, Hama, on Thursday. Earlier in the Syrian conflict, Iran helped orchestrate interventions on Assad's side by its powerful Lebanese proxy Hezbollah in 2013, and Russia in 2015. While Iran will undoubtedly remain committed to supporting Assad, it's unlikely to prove capable of organizing a 2016-style counteroffensive to recapture Aleppo. Century's Lund recalled that the last time Iran intervened to help Assad recapture Aleppo, it did so in close collaboration with Russia.

Persons: I'm, Bashar Assad, Tahrir, Aron Lund, Assad, Lund, Barbara Slavin, Slavin, Kasim Rammah, Arash Azizi, Azizi, Century's Lund, Stimson's Slavin, Donald, Trump, Paul Iddon Organizations: Syria's, Century, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Stimson, Iran Initiative, Atlantic Council, Getty, Syrian National Army, Trump, Clemson University, Russia, Russian Locations: Iran, Aleppo, Tehran, Hama, East, Russia, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Washington, Turkey, Idlib, Anadolu, Turkish, Syrian, Ukraine

☆ Kash Patel, Trump’s pick to be FBI director, targeted in Iranian-backed cyberattack
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-04 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Michael-Kosnar-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Michael Kosnar | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

The FBI recently told Kash Patel, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to be the bureau’s next director, that he was the target of an Iranian cyberattack, two senior law enforcement officials told NBC News. The exact timing of the cyberattack is unclear, but it was before Trump named Patel as his choice to be the next head of the FBI, the officials said. It’s unclear whether they actually accessed the communications and, if so, how much data was viewed or stolen, the sources said. Current FBI Director Christopher Wray, whose 10-year term doesn’t expire until 2027, would have to resign or be fired for Patel to take over the position, which requires Senate confirmation. Three Iranian operatives were charged in September with hacking Trump’s presidential campaign as part of what the Justice Department said at the time was an effort to undermine the U.S. election.

Persons: Kash Patel, Donald Trump’s, Trump, Patel, Christopher Wray, Justin Sullivan, Alex Pfeiffer, Joe Biden’s Organizations: FBI, NBC News, Trump, Justice Department, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Locations: Iranian, Minden, Nev, America

☆ Iran passes controversial ‘chastity’ law imposing even harsher dress restrictions. The president doesn’t like it
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-04 | by ( Cnn Staff | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Iran’s parliament has enacted a harsh new modesty law, significantly tightening existing dress restrictions that have already fueled nationwide protests and posed a serious challenge to regime stability. “In my opinion the hijab law, which I have to implement, is vague. It defines improper dress in various ways, ranging from nudity and dressing immodestly to wearing the hijab incorrectly. The law also introduces a system of fines and restrictions with financial penalties, even for initial offenses. While the harsher penalties have caused concern for Iranians, a particularly controversial aspect of the legislation is expanded surveillance.

Persons: CNN —, Masoud Pezeshkian, “, ”, Sina Toossi, Ebrahim Raisi, Negar Mortazavi, Pezeshkian, Mortazavi Organizations: CNN, Guardian Council, International, United Nations, Guardian, Supreme National Security Council Locations: Washington, DC, Iran

☆ Senate approves promotion for general involved in Afghanistan exit after a Republican blocked it
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-03 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Frank-Thorp-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Frank Thorp V | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON — The Senate voted Monday to approve the promotion of a general who oversaw troops during the U.S. withdrawal from Kabul, Afghanistan, after it had been blocked by a Republican senator aligned with President-elect Donald Trump. The Senate voted by unanimous consent, meaning all 100 senators agreed, to approve Army Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue's promotion to four-star general to oversee U.S. Army forces in Europe. Sen Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., had blocked Donahue’s promotion, NBC News reported last month, citing a Senate aide. Donahue, who was commander of the 82nd Airborne Division during the Kabul withdrawal in 2021, was the subject of a viral photograph as the last soldier to board a U.S. military plane out of Afghanistan. An inspector general's report in 2022 found that decisions by both Biden and Trump contributed to the troubled exit from Afghanistan.

Persons: WASHINGTON, Donald Trump, Christopher Donahue's, Sen Markwayne Mullin, Mullin, Trump, Mullin's, Donahue, Joe Biden's Organizations: Republican, The, U.S, Army, NBC News, 82nd Airborne Division, Republicans, Congress, Islamic, Biden Locations: Kabul, Afghanistan, Europe, U.S

☆ What’s happening in Syria? How an old conflict in the Middle East erupted again
▼ + stars: | 2024-12-02 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Alex-Smith-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Alexander Smith | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

In the messy patchwork of conflicts raging across the Middle East, one country has been absent from the spotlight: Syria. That he has survived was largely because of the intervention of Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, Iran’s Lebanon-based proxy. In all, the U.N. has documented more than 350,000 deaths but says this is “certainly an undercount.”Today, however, Russia, Iran and Lebanon are distracted and depleted. All of this “puts Assad in a much weaker position.”But “the Syrian regime, in coordination with the Russians and less so the Iranians, will hit them with everything they’ve got,” he added. “Much as I oppose the Assad regime, its atrocities and abuses, what is happening in Aleppo right now is terrifying.

Persons: Bashar al, ”, Omar Haj Kadour, Assad, It’s, Abu Mohammed al, Robin Yassin, “ It’s, “, Aaref Watad, Abbas Araghchi, Dmitry Peskov, Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s, Aleppo . Omar Haj Kadour, Hellyer, they’ve, Donald Trump, —, Charles Lister, ” Chris Doyle Organizations: Royal United Services Institute, Getty, Pentagon, Syrian, Human Rights, United Nations, State Department, ISIS, Observatory, Syrian Civil Defence, Middle East Institute, Foreign Relations, Council, Arab Locations: Syria, Syrian, Aleppo, Russia, London, AFP, Idlib, Hama, U.K, Qaeda, U.S, Golani, Russian, Aaref, Iran, Iraq, Iran’s Lebanon, Omar, Homs, moonscapes, ”, Lebanon, Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Washington, Kyiv, Moscow, Assad, Aleppo . Omar, Israel, Gaza, Cairo, Washington, Deir el, Monday, British

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