War in Syria

A senior Kurdish official in Iraq has appealed to the international community for help for the Kurdish minority in Syria, implicitly including Israel, saying the Kurds who once defended humanity now need protection themselves.

After being abandoned by the US in Syria, Kurdish forces are hoping for Israeli assistance that is unlikely to materialize. The Trump administration has chosen the government in Damascus over its former allies and now views Ahmed al-Sharaa as a partner in the fight against Islamic State, but in doing so it has already opened a Pandora’s box. The concern is that dozens of terrorists who escaped from prison will return to terrorism.

The man behind tens of thousands of deaths in Syria's Hama massacre has died. Rifaat Assad was the Assad family enforcer until he fell out with the President Hafez Assad over the grooming of Bashar.

Senior Kurdish figure Ilham Ahmad revealed Tuesday that the Kurds maintain contact with Israel and welcome support "from any source."

Despite announcements of a ceasefire, fighting continues in northern and eastern Syria. Forces aligned with the al-Sharaa government are advancing in the Kobani, Raqqa and Hasakah areas, forcing Kurdish residents to flee their homes. In response, the Kurdish leadership declares a general mobilization.

Although a ceasefire was declared between Kurdish militias and Syria’s Islamist government, a senior Kurdish official told Reuters he is desperately hoping that the US and Israel will step in on the Kurds’ behalf in the current confrontation with the government of Ahmed al-Sharaa.

While the Trump administration celebrates a diplomatic breakthrough, Jerusalem's insistence on demilitarizing the south stands in the way of Ahmed al-Sharaa's ambitions to crush Druze autonomy.

Iran withdrew all Revolutionary Guards from Syria on December 5, just days before Assad's regime collapsed. "From today, we are no longer responsible for you," Iranian commanders told Syrian officers. Thousands evacuated through Russian bases and border crossings.

First warrant from Syrian authorities targets Assad for murder and torture charges from 2011 Daraa uprising.

Residents were reportedly forced to sign documents waiving their property rights. Incidents of looting gold jewelry and stealing cash from homes were also reported.