Page 8 - Syria

Iran intends to maintain relations with Syria even after ally's ouster

On Tuesday, Iran government's spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani called for 'respect for Syria's territorial integrity'

Iran's increasingly vulnerable leadership takes a hit after Assad's fall

The theocracy already faces major levels of internal dissent and economic pain

Syrians, in a triumph of hope, turn the page on horrors of Assad's regime

Some analysts trace how Assad's main backers - Iran, Hezbollah and Russia, became too weakened or preoccupied to come to his aid as in the past

Refugees return to Syria as rebels appoint caretaker prime minister

In a brief address on state television on Tuesday, Mohammed al-Bashir, a figure little known across most of Syria, said he would lead the interim authority until March 1

75 nationals evacuated from Syria reach Beirut: Indian embassy in Lebanon

All 75 Indian nationals evacuated from Syria including 44 'Zaireen' from Jammu and Kashmir who were stranded at Saida Zainab, have now reached Beirut, a statement by the Indian embassy in Lebanon said.The statement added that Noor Rahman Sheikh, Ambassador of India to Lebanon received them in Beirut.The statement added that the passengers will return by available commercial flights to India.In a post on X, the Embassy said, "All 75 Indian nationals evacuated from Syria including 44 'zaireen' from Jammu & Kashmir who were stranded at Saida Zainab, have now reached Beirut. Ambassador Noor Rahman received them upon their arrival in Beirut. They will return by available commercial flights to India."The evacuation, coordinated by the embassies of India in Damascus and Beirut, was put into effect following our assessment of the security situation and requests from Indian nationals in Syria, as per a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs.The Government of India accords the ...

We do not have any immediate plans: US on reopening embassy in Syria

Since ouster of Bashar al-Assad days ago, US has repeatedly said that it is waiting to evaluate the actions of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the main victorious opposition group in Syria before deciding

In first contact, US officials urge Syrian rebels to support inclusive govt

US has sent messages to the group to help guide early efforts to establish a formal governing structure for the country

Russia transported Assad in most secured way, says Russian Deputy FM

The Kremlin said on Monday that President Vladimir Putin had made the decision to grant asylum in Russia to Assad

India evacuates 75 nationals from Syria after fall of Assad's regime

All Indian nationals have safely crossed over to Lebanon and will return by available commercial flights to India

Netanyahu warns Syria against aiding Iran or arming Hezbollah, vows action

Netanyahu had further acknowledged that while the collapse presents great opportunities, it also poses significant dangers

Rebel-backed Mohammed al-Bashir takes charge as Syria's interim PM

In a brief address on state television, Mohammed al-Bashir said he would lead the interim authority until March 1

New updates: Delhi's air quality again turns 'poor', likely to remain same for next 2 days

News updates: Catch all the latest news updates from around the world here

Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, and what his rise means for Syria's future?

Ahmad al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has long sought to distance himself from his extremist roots as the 42-year-old leader of HTS, the group that ousted Syrian President Bashar Assa

Israeli troops near Damascus, say Syrian security, after its bases struck

Israel's military operation into Syria comes two days after the lightning overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad by a rebel alliance left Syrians, regional countries and world powers nervous

Syria's rebels work to form government, restore order after Assad ouster

The United Nations Security Council met behind closed doors late on Monday, and diplomats said they were still in shock at how quickly Assad's overthrow unfolded over 12 days

Trump's pick for intel chief, Gabbard, faces questions amid Syria fallout

President-elect Donald Trump's pick for intelligence chief, Tulsi Gabbard, faced fresh scrutiny on Monday on Capitol Hill about her proximity to Russian-ally Syria amid the sudden collapse of that country's hardline Assad rule. Gabbard ignored shouted questions about her 2017 visit to war-torn Syria as she ducked into one of several private meetings with senators who are being asked to confirm Trump's unusual nominees. But the Democrat-turned-Republican Army National Reserve lieutenant colonel delivered a statement in which she reiterated her support for Trump's America First approach to national security and a more limited U.S. military footprint overseas. I want to address the issue that's in the headlines right now: I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days with regards to the developments in Syria, Gabbard said exiting a Senate meeting. The incoming president's Cabinet and top administrative choic

US says terror designation does not hinder talks with Syrian rebel group

The State Department said on Monday it is not actively reviewing the foreign terrorist organisation designation of the main Syrian rebel group that overthrew Bashar Assad's government this weekend. But, it said such designations are constantly under review, and that even while it's in place, the label does not bar US officials from speaking with the group. There is no specific review related to what happened over the weekend, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters. That said, we are always reviewing. Based on their actions, there could be a change in our sanctions posture, but we have nothing today. He said a review could be initiated if Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, known as HTS, takes steps to reverse the reasons for its designation. That would be based entirely on its actions, he said. The designation imposes numerous sanctions against those targeted, including a ban on the provision of material support to such groups, although Miller said that would not necessarily ...

As Israel advances on Syrian buffer zone, it sees peril, opportunity

The dramatic downfall of Syrian President Bashar Assad presents possible danger, and an opening for neighbouring Israel. After fighting wars on multiple fronts for months, Israel is now concerned that unrest in Syria could spill over into its territory. Israel also views the end of the Assad regime as a chance to disrupt Iran's ability to smuggle weapons through Syria to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The Israeli military over the weekend began seizing control of a demilitarised buffer zone in Syria created as part of a 1974 ceasefire between the countries. It said the move was temporary and meant to secure its border. But the incursion sparked condemnation, with critics accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire and possibly exploiting the chaos in Syria for a land grab. Israel still controls the Golan Heights that it captured from Syria during the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed a move not recognized by most of the international community. Here's a look at recent ...

US hostage envoy in Beirut to ask details on missing journalist Austin Tice

The US government's top hostage negotiator is in Beirut in hopes of collecting information on the whereabouts of Austin Tice, an American journalist missing in Syria for 12 years, the State Department said on Monday. Roger Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, is talking to officials in the region following the overthrow of Bashar Assad's government to find out where Tice is and get him home as soon as possible, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters on Monday. Lebanon has been involved for years in mediating talks about Tice. President Joe Biden said on Sunday that his administration believed Tice was alive and was committed to bringing him home, though he also acknowledged that we have no direct evidence of his status. Tice, who has had his work published by The Washington Post, McClatchy newspapers and others, disappeared at a checkpoint in a contested area west of Damascus as the Syrian civil war intensified. A video released weeks aft

Govt services halted in Syria as workers stay home after rebel takeover

Syria's prime minister said on Monday that most cabinet ministers were back at work after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad, but some state workers failed to return to their jobs, and a United Nations official said the country's public sector had come to a complete and abrupt halt". Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighbouring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Assad's brutal rule. There were already signs of the difficulties ahead for the rebel alliance now in control of much of the country. The alliance is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said on Monday they would not tell women how to dress. It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women's dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty, the