Syria News

Israel launched its military campaign in Syria to protect the Druze — a minority group facing extremist violence. But why is this community so important to Israel? To understand that, let’s first look at what’s been happening on the ground in Syria.

Over the last 24 hours, Israeli Air Force aircraft have also attacked tanks, rocket launchers, weapons, and pick-up trucks armed with heavy machine guns, which were making their way to the Sweida. 

State-run al-Ikhbariya TV reported that tanks and armoured vehicles were withdrawn from residential areas in an apparent effort to de-escalate. 

There is a clear shift in U.S.-Middle East policy: arms, nukes for Saudis and a jet from Qatar highlight Trump’s transactional diplomacy.

Al-Sharaa’s recent overtures included proposing US economic ventures in Syria, such as a Trump Tower in Damascus and access to oil and gas fields—moves widely seen as aimed at attracting Western investment and securing political legitimacy.

The observatory described the strikes as a "warning message" as they took place near one of the most fortified and symbolic locations of the Syrian government.

Ancient cities like Jericho, Damascus, Aleppo, Byblos, Argos, Athens, and Susa are considered one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. They have seen the rise and fall of civilizations and are considered to preserve the rich culture heritage, ancient architecture and trade histories. It also tells about humanity deep rooted past and evolution over a thousand years. 

Pedersen also encouraged key international stakeholders, including the US, Turkey, and regional partners, to support their Syrian partners. 

World's Worst Passports: The Henley Passport Index 2025 has ranked the world’s strongest and weakest passports based on the number of visa-free destinations they offer. While countries like Singapore, Japan, Finland, France and Germany dominate the top spots and India is at the 85th spot, several nations struggle with global mobility due to political instability, conflict, and diplomatic challenges. Here are the seven weakest passports in the world, offering the fewest visa-free destinations:

The Qatar Airways flight landed at Damascus International Airport. A crowd of relatives and friends awaited the arrival of the passengers inside a terminal building.

Assad fled to Russia after a rebel alliance, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), captured Damascus following an 11-day offensive.

The recent coup in Syria has raised concerns that the influence of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) could spread to Jordan. Some think tanks suggest that similar to Syria, domestic unrest in Jordan could be used to facilitate terrorist intervention, paving the way for a coup.

Blinken met in Baghdad with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani as part of the hastily arranged trip, his 12th to the region since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year but his first since the weekend ouster of Syrian strongman Bashar Assad.

In Syria's northwest, the lack of flour and fuel has shuttered Aleppo bakeries, the office said. There are limited vegetable supplies. Electricity outages are reported in some neighborhoods. Fuel prices remain high.

In a statement, the IDF revealed that it had been conducting a comprehensive assessment of Syria's situation, taking into account the potential downfall of Bashar al-Assad.  

Over the course of Syria's civil war, Kurdish fighters have fended off an array of armed factions, partnered with the US to rout the Islamic State group and carved out a largely autonomous region in the country's oil-rich east. 

During the past two weeks, Syrians have rejoiced as symbols of Assad domination came down and the revolutionary flag went up. They held their breath as rebels freed captives from the regime’s notorious prisons. 

There was no immediate response to Israel's offensive from the insurgent groups, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, which have taken control of much of the country. 

Among those evacuated were 44 zaireen (pilgrims) from Jammu & Kashmir stranded in Saida Zainab, a prominent pilgrimage site.

Israeli officials have said they are striking military targets, including heavy weapons, suspected chemical weapons sites and air-defence systems, to prevent them from falling into the hands of extremists.