THREAD: damascus syria
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News Timeline
SYRIA’S NEW Rulers: Is a Taliban-Like Takeover Imminent?
— Bashar al-Assad was ousted from Damascus two weeks ago, ending his family’s five-decade rule. The insurgent coalition that toppled him was led by Hayat Tahir al-Sham (HTS), an offshoot of al-Qaeda. HTS leader Muhammad al-Jolani, with a $10 million FBI bounty, is attempting to rebrand as Ahmed al-Sharaa to distance from his terrorist past.
Western governments hope HTS will lead a more inclusive Syria and avoid an Afghanistan-like scenario post-U.S. withdrawal in 2021. However, HTS leaders’ admiration for the Taliban raises concerns about their intentions. The Taliban congratulated HTS on Assad’s overthrow, further complicating the West’s cautious optimism.
Despite designating HTS as a terrorist organization, European governments and the UN have reached out to them to prevent another Afghanistan situation. U.S. diplomats have also engaged with Syria’s new rulers for the first time since 2011, aiming to support Syrian civil society and envision a peaceful future for the country.
Outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken explicitly warned HTS against following the Taliban’s path on Thursday. The Biden administration is wary of repeating past mistakes and seeks assurances that Syria won’t become another stronghold for extremist rule under its new leadership.
SYRIA’S NEW Hope: Christians Celebrate After Assad’s Ouster
— Christians in Syria celebrated Sunday services for the first time since Bashar Assad’s removal. This marked a hopeful change. Worshippers expressed optimism for a future without the "tyrant.
The U.N. envoy for Syria urged lifting Western sanctions to support the country’s new leadership. These sanctions have economically isolated Syria since Assad’s harsh crackdown in 2011.
Even with Assad exiled to Russia, challenges remain for Syria’s transitional leadership. The main rebel group is still labeled a terrorist organization by the U.S., complicating governance plans.
U.N. envoy Geir Pedersen called for quick international action after the rebels’ swift offensive. Moving forward means balancing regional and global interests amid complex internal dynamics.
TURKISH ATTACKS on US Allies in Syria: A Looming Danger
— Gen. Mazloum Abdi of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) told Fox News about ongoing Turkish attacks despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The SDF, a key U.S. ally, guards 45,000 ISIS militants and their families in Eastern Syria. Gen. Mazloum said these attacks have severely hindered their counterterror operations.
Since Bashar Al Assad’s fall on December 8, Turkish aggression against the SDF has intensified. Gen. Mazloum warned that if Kurdish forces withdraw, ISIS could resurge in the region. Half of the fighters guarding ISIS camps have been pulled back to protect their families amid escalating violence from Turkey’s forces and allied groups like the Syrian National Army (SNA).
The situation is critical as prison guards at facilities like Raqqa are halved, leaving them vulnerable to potential ISIS breakouts. The U.S., with 900 troops stationed in Eastern Syria, faces a strategic dilemma if Kurdish allies retreat under Turkish pressure.
National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby emphasized maintaining focus on counter-ISIS missions while engaging with both SDF partners and Turkish counterparts to resolve tensions peacefully.
SYRIA’S NEW ERA: Rebels Triumph Over Assad’s Regime
— Syria’s prime minister announced that most cabinet ministers have resumed work after rebels toppled President Bashar Assad. However, some state workers have not yet returned to their jobs. A United Nations official noted that the public sector has come "to a complete and abrupt halt.
Refugees are returning to Syria from neighboring countries, hoping for peace and searching for missing relatives from Assad’s rule. This movement shows a desire for stability and reconciliation among the Syrian people.
The rebel alliance now controls much of Syria but faces challenges as they lead the nation. The alliance is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant who has distanced himself from extremism, promising representative government and religious tolerance.
ASSAD’S Fall Rocks Syria: Russia’s Strategic Nightmare
— The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria marks a major shift after 14 years of civil war. Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, has been ousted, leaving these powers to handle the fallout. This change challenges Russia’s strategic interests in the Middle East.
Russia aimed to maintain its influence in the region through military bases like Khmeimim and Tartus. With Assad out, these assets are now at risk. Rebekah Koffler calls this a strategic defeat for Russia amid its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Ksenia Svetlova from the Atlantic Council criticized Russia’s failure to keep its promises in Syria. She noted that Moscow’s abandonment of Assad makes it look like an unreliable ally, unlike U.S. support for Israel during crises. This perception weakens Russia’s position among Middle Eastern allies.
Former President Trump commented on the situation saying, “Assad is gone,” highlighting the rebels’ success against the longtime dictator. The event underscores shifting power dynamics and raises questions about future regional stability and alliances.
ASSAD FLEES as Rebels Take Damascus: A NEW Dawn for Syria
— Syrian leader Bashar Assad has fled the country after rebels seized control of Damascus, reports Reuters. Assad and his family have reportedly left Syria, though their destination is unknown. Syrian state TV aired a video statement announcing Assad’s overthrow and the release of all prisoners.
The statement urged opposition fighters and citizens to protect state institutions in “the free Syrian state.” It celebrated unity among Syrians of all sects and ethnic groups. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said he lost contact with Assad on Saturday night.
Celebrations erupted in Damascus as crowds gathered in central squares, chanting anti-Assad slogans and firing celebratory gunshots. The fall of the Assad regime marks a major shift in Middle East power dynamics after nearly 14 years of civil war.
This collapse ends over 50 years of Assad family rule in Syria, signaling a new chapter for a nation embroiled in conflict with Islamist rebels seeking change.
RUSSIA’S Military Drills in Syria: A Powerful Warning to Ukraine
— Russia recently held major military drills around Syria, showing off its naval and air strength. The exercises involved 1,000 personnel, ten ships, and 24 aircraft. This display is seen as support for Syria and a warning to Ukraine.
The Kremlin called the drills “joint” operations that follow international law. Footage showed modern frigates like Admiral Gorshkov with older Syrian missile boats. Russia also tested its Oniks anti-ship cruise missile during these exercises.
A key moment was the launch of a Zircon hypersonic cruise missile from a frigate, praised by President Putin as a “superweapon.” The Zircon can target ships and land installations. Moscow said another launch from the submarine Novorossiysk involved a Kalibir missile, used often against Ukraine.
These missiles worry Kyiv due to their nuclear capabilities and effectiveness in warfare. Ukraine keeps a close watch on Russian Kalibir-capable ships in the Black Sea as part of its defense strategy against Russian aggression.
US STRIKES on ISIS in Syria: A Powerful Blow to Terrorism
— U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced a series of successful strikes on ISIS locations in Syria, eliminating up to 35 terrorists. The operation targeted multiple camps and took out several senior ISIS leaders, with no civilian casualties reported.
CENTCOM stated that these airstrikes will disrupt ISIS’s ability to plan and execute attacks against civilians, the U.S., allies, and partners in the region. The command emphasized its commitment to degrading ISIS’s operational capabilities alongside regional allies to ensure the group’s defeat.
This announcement follows an incident in Iraq where two U.S. service members were injured during an operation that killed at least seven ISIS operatives. Both service members are reportedly in stable condition as CENTCOM continues its efforts against terrorism in the Middle East.
ISRAELI Raid on GAZA and US Strikes on Iran-Linked Sites in Syria: The Tense Standoff Escalates
— In a sudden move, Israeli forces carried out a brief but intense raid on northern Gaza. The military operation, which took place overnight, was aimed at Hamas fighters and their anti-tank weaponry. This action is seen as groundwork for a possible ground invasion, marking the third such Israeli raid since the conflict erupted.
Meanwhile, responding to drone and missile assaults on U.S. bases and personnel in the region, the U.S. military executed airstrikes early Friday morning. These strikes targeted two locations in eastern Syria associated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to Pentagon reports.
Arab leaders unitedly called for an immediate cease-fire on Thursday. Their plea aims to alleviate civilian suffering by allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza where residents are grappling with severe shortages of food, water, medicine while UN workers struggle with dwindling fuel supplies for relief missions.
The Health Ministry of Hamas-controlled Gaza reported that over 7,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict — an unverified figure thus far. On Israel’s end, there have been more than 1,400 casualties
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US and INTERNATIONAL FORCES Under Siege in Iraq and Syria: The Real Story Behind the Attacks
— US and international forces stationed in Iraq and Syria have reportedly faced four separate attacks, as per Sky News Arabia. The Ain al-Asad air base west of Baghdad, along with the Harir base near Erbil Airport in northern Iraq, were the primary targets. Despite the intensity of these assaults, there are no reported casualties or damage to infrastructure.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has claimed responsibility for these assaults. They reportedly deployed suicide drones at both bases under attack. Unverified reports also suggest militia forces launching an offensive with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms.
An Iran-backed militia group has allegedly targeted an American base located in Erbil, northern Iraq. However, specifics about American casualties or damage to the base remain undisclosed at this point.
There are circulating online videos purportedly showing these attacks but their authenticity is yet to be independently verified.
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