syria

Syria's New Rulers Nominate New Foreign Minister

The Islamist-led fighters who overthrew president Bashar al-Assad nearly two weeks ago on Saturday named Assaad al-Shibani as Foreign Minister in the transitional government. "The general command announces the nomination of Mr Assaad Hassan al-Shibani to the post of foreign minister in the new Syrian government," a statement said. "He joined the ...

Qatar Embassy Reopens in Damascus with Flag Raising

Qatar reopened its embassy in Damascus on Saturday, 13 years after it was closed early in Syria's civil conflict, as foreign governments seek to establish ties with the country's new rulers. An AFP journalist saw Qatar's flag raised over the mission, making it the second nation, after Turkey, to officially reopen its embassy since Islamist-led ...

What Is Israel Doing in Syria?

On the morning of Sunday, December 8, as the Syrian people had just rid themselves of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the Israeli military declared the Golan Heights a “closed military zone,” while reinforcing its military deployment there. A few hours later, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced from this territory, annexed by Israel in ...

US Drops Reward for Arrest of Syria's New Leader

A senior US diplomat told Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday that Washington was scrapping a reward for his arrest and welcomed "positive messages" from their talks, including a promise to fight terrorism. Barbara Leaf, Washington's top diplomat for the Middle East, made the comments after her meeting with Sharaa in Damascus, the first ...

Israel Army Says Troops Shot Syrian Protester in Leg

The Israeli military said its forces shot a protester during a demonstration against the army's activities in a village in southern Syria on Friday, injuring him in the leg. Since Islamist-led rebels toppled Syrian president Bashar al-Assad on December 8, Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes on Syrian military facilities in what it says ...

Meeting Between Syria's New Leader and US Diplomats 'Positive'

A delegation of US diplomats visiting Syria had a "positive" meeting on Friday with the country's new ruler, Ahmed al-Sharaa, a Syrian official told AFP. "The meeting took place, and it was positive. And the results will be positive, God willing," the official said on condition of anonymity. A planned press conference by ...

Beirut's Humiliating Street Names

In Beirut, there is a specific mechanism for naming streets, involving the municipality and the Ministry of Interior, as well as third parties proposing names, provided they are approved by the concerned official authorities. Beirut’s streets carry various names, ranging from those of intellectuals and artists to individuals celebrated for ...

Amy Pope Pleads for more Rights for Syrian Women

The raft of international sanctions on Syria must be reassessed to help the country rebuild following the ousting of president Bashar al-Assad, the head of the UN's migration agency said Friday. Amy Pope also said Syria's women must be empowered to play a full role in building a new society and bringing stability to the shattered nation. The ...

Hundreds in Damascus Protest for Democracy, Women's Rights

In Damascus's Ummayad Square, hundreds gathered Thursday, demanding a democratic state that includes women in public life, marking the first such demonstration since Islamist-led rebels toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad. Women and men, young and old, chanted slogans including "No to religious rule", "God is for religion ...

From Glorifying Assad to Praising al-Joulani: The Shifting Allegiances of Syrian Celebrities

The term “mukawiin” (literally “those who took a turn” and figuratively “weather vanes”) has flooded Syrian socio-media landscape since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8. As the former president fled to Russia and rebels seized control of Damascus, a new label emerged to describe those who shifted allegiances with ...

UN Chief Sees 'Flame of Hope' in Syria, Calls for End to Israel Strikes

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday that there was a "flame of hope" in Syria following the fall of president Bashar al-Assad's regime but warned of significant challenges ahead. He also underlined that Israel's widespread strikes on Syrian military infrastructure were "violations" of the country's sovereignty and called for them ...

Thousands Protest in Northeast Syria in Support of Kurdish-Led Force

Thousands of people demonstrated Thursday in northeast Syria in support of a US-backed, Kurdish-led force that for weeks has been pushing back against Turkey-backed fighters, an AFP correspondent said. The show of support for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) comes after Islamist-led rebels toppled Syria's longtime strongman Bashar al-Assad ...