Syria's newly appointed leadership has vowed to bring all weapons under state control, aiming to consolidate power and end militia influence. The move is part of broader efforts to strengthen national security and governance amid ongoing instability.



Syria's New Leaders Say All Weapons To Come Under "State Control'

Syria's newly appointed leadership has pledged to take decisive action against the growing Captagon trade, which has become a major issue in the region. The drug trade has fueled violence and instability, and the government aims to strengthen efforts to curb its production and distribution across Syria. Watch in for more details!

Can Syria's New Leaders Kick Captagon Habit?

Syria's newly appointed leadership has pledged to take decisive action against the growing Captagon trade, which has become a major issue in the region. The drug trade has fueled violence and instability, and the government aims to strengthen efforts to curb its production and distribution across Syria.



Syria's New Leaders Vow To Combat Syria's Captagon Trade

Turkiye’s foreign minister has met with the head of Syria’s new administration, promising help with the political transition. Watch this report for more details!

Turkish FM Meets Syria's New Leader, Calls for Lifting of Global Sanctions

Syria's newly appointed leader has declared that all militias operating within the country will be integrated into the national army, with the state asserting full control over all weapons. This move aims to centralize military power and further consolidate the government's authority amidst ongoing conflicts.

Syria's New Leader Announces Militias Will Join Army, State to Control ‘All Weapons’

Two weeks after seizing power in a sweeping offensive, Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Sunday said weapons in the country, would come under state control. Watch this report for more details!

Syria's New Leader Says All Weapons To Come Under 'State Control'

Two weeks after seizing power in a sweeping offensive, Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Sunday said weapons in the country, would come under state control. Watch this report for more details! 

Syria's newly appointed leadership has vowed to bring all weapons under state control, aiming to consolidate power and end militia influence. The move is part of broader efforts to strengthen national security and governance amid ongoing instability.

Syria's newly appointed leadership has pledged to take decisive action against the growing Captagon trade, which has become a major issue in the region. The drug trade has fueled violence and instability, and the government aims to strengthen efforts to curb its production and distribution across Syria.

Murhaf Abu Qasra, a key leader in the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, has been named Syria's interim defense minister.

Syria: Murhaf Abu Qasra Appointed Syria's Interim Defense Minister

Syria's new rulers have appointed Murhaf Abu Qasra, a leading figure in the insurgency which toppled Bashar al-Assad, as defence minister in the interim government, an official source said on Saturday.

Abu Qasra, who is also known by the nom de guerre Abu Hassan 600, is a senior figure in the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group which led the campaign that ousted Assad this month. He led numerous military operations during Syria's revolution, the source said.

Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa discussed "the form of the military institution in the new Syria" during a meeting with armed factions on Saturday, state news agency SANA reported.

Abu Qasra during the meeting sat next to Sharaa, also known by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, photos published by SANA showed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-diplomats-arrive-in-syria-to-meet-leaders-of-new-govt-785527">US diplomats arrive in Syria to meet leaders of new govt</a>

Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir said this week that the defence ministry would be restructured using former rebel factions and officers who defected from Assad's army.

Bashir, who formerly led an HTS-affiliated administration in the northwestern province of Idlib, has said he will lead a three-month transitional government. The new administration has not declared plans for what will happen after that.

Earlier on Saturday, the ruling General Command named Asaad Hassan al-Shibani as foreign minister, SANA said. A source in the new administration told Reuters that this step "comes in response to the aspirations of the Syrian people to establish international relations that bring peace and stability".

Shibani, a 37-year-old graduate of Damascus University, previously led the political department of the rebels' Idlib government, the General Command said.

Sharaa's group was part of al Qaeda until he broke ties in 2016. It had been confined to Idlib for years until going on the offensive in late November, sweeping through the cities of western Syria and into Damascus as the army melted away.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-drops-bounty-on-syrias-new-leader-after-talks-in-syrian-capital-785759">US scraps $10mn bounty on Syria’s new leader after talks in Syrian capital</a>

Sharaa has met with a number of international envoys this week. He has said his primary focus is on reconstruction and achieving economic development and that he is not interested in engaging in any new conflicts.

Syrian rebels seized control of Damascus on Dec. 8, forcing Assad to flee after more than 13 years of civil war and ending his family's decades-long rule.

Washington designated Sharaa a terrorist in 2013, saying al Qaeda in Iraq had tasked him with overthrowing Assad's rule and establishing Islamic sharia law in Syria. U.S. officials said on Friday that Washington would remove a $10 million bounty on his head.

Watch |&nbsp;Syria After Assad: New Syrian Leadership Faces Major Challenges

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The war has killed hundreds of thousands of people, caused one of the biggest refugee crises of modern times and left cities bombed to rubble and the economy hollowed out by global sanctions.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Syria's new rulers have appointed Murhaf Abu Qasra, a leading figure in the insurgency which toppled Bashar al-Assad, as defence minister in the interim government, an official source said on Saturday.

Syria's new rulers have appointed Murhaf Abu Qasra, a leading figure in the insurgency which toppled Bashar al-Assad, as defence minister in the interim government, an official source said on Saturday. Abu Qasra, who is also known by the nom de guerre Abu Hassan 600, is a senior figure in the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group which led the campaign that ousted Assad this month. He led numerous military operations during Syria's revolution, the source said. Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa discussed "the form of the military institution in the new Syria" during a meeting with armed factions on Saturday, state news agency SANA reported. Abu Qasra during the meeting sat next to Sharaa, also known by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, photos published by SANA showed. Also read | US diplomats arrive in Syria to meet leaders of new govt Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir said this week that the defence ministry would be restructured using former rebel factions and officers who defected from Assad's army. Bashir, who formerly led an HTS-affiliated administration in the northwestern province of Idlib, has said he will lead a three-month transitional government. The new administration has not declared plans for what will happen after that. Earlier on Saturday, the ruling General Command named Asaad Hassan al-Shibani as foreign minister, SANA said. A source in the new administration told Reuters that this step "comes in response to the aspirations of the Syrian people to establish international relations that bring peace and stability". Shibani, a 37-year-old graduate of Damascus University, previously led the political department of the rebels' Idlib government, the General Command said. Sharaa's group was part of al Qaeda until he broke ties in 2016. It had been confined to Idlib for years until going on the offensive in late November, sweeping through the cities of western Syria and into Damascus as the army melted away. Also read | US scraps $10mn bounty on Syria’s new leader after talks in Syrian capital Sharaa has met with a number of international envoys this week. He has said his primary focus is on reconstruction and achieving economic development and that he is not interested in engaging in any new conflicts. Syrian rebels seized control of Damascus on Dec. 8, forcing Assad to flee after more than 13 years of civil war and ending his family's decades-long rule. Washington designated Sharaa a terrorist in 2013, saying al Qaeda in Iraq had tasked him with overthrowing Assad's rule and establishing Islamic sharia law in Syria. U.S. officials said on Friday that Washington would remove a $10 million bounty on his head. Watch | Syria After Assad: New Syrian Leadership Faces Major Challenges × The war has killed hundreds of thousands of people, caused one of the biggest refugee crises of modern times and left cities bombed to rubble and the economy hollowed out by global sanctions. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Syrian authorities name HTS commander as defence minister

Damascus, Syria
Syria's new rulers have appointed Murhaf Abu Qasra, a leading figure in the insurgency which toppled Bashar al-Assad, as defence minister in the interim government, an official source said on Saturday.
Abu Qasra, who is also known by the nom de guerre Abu Hassan 600, is a senior figure in the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group which led the campaign that ousted Assad this month. He led numerous military operations during Syria's revolution, the source said.
Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa discussed "the form of the military institution in the new Syria" during a meeting with armed factions on Saturday, state news agency SANA reported.
Abu Qasra during the meeting sat next to Sharaa, also known by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, photos published by SANA showed.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-diplomats-arrive-in-syria-to-meet-leaders-of-new-govt-785527">US diplomats arrive in Syria to meet leaders of new govt</a>
Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir said this week that the defence ministry would be restructured using former rebel factions and officers who defected from Assad's army.
Bashir, who formerly led an HTS-affiliated administration in the northwestern province of Idlib, has said he will lead a three-month transitional government. The new administration has not declared plans for what will happen after that.
Earlier on Saturday, the ruling General Command named Asaad Hassan al-Shibani as foreign minister, SANA said. A source in the new administration told Reuters that this step "comes in response to the aspirations of the Syrian people to establish international relations that bring peace and stability".
Shibani, a 37-year-old graduate of Damascus University, previously led the political department of the rebels' Idlib government, the General Command said.
Sharaa's group was part of al Qaeda until he broke ties in 2016. It had been confined to Idlib for years until going on the offensive in late November, sweeping through the cities of western Syria and into Damascus as the army melted away.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-drops-bounty-on-syrias-new-leader-after-talks-in-syrian-capital-785759">US scraps $10mn bounty on Syria’s new leader after talks in Syrian capital</a>
Sharaa has met with a number of international envoys this week. He has said his primary focus is on reconstruction and achieving economic development and that he is not interested in engaging in any new conflicts.
Syrian rebels seized control of Damascus on Dec. 8, forcing Assad to flee after more than 13 years of civil war and ending his family's decades-long rule.
Washington designated Sharaa a terrorist in 2013, saying al Qaeda in Iraq had tasked him with overthrowing Assad's rule and establishing Islamic sharia law in Syria. U.S. officials said on Friday that Washington would remove a $10 million bounty on his head.
Watch | Syria After Assad: New Syrian Leadership Faces Major Challenges
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The war has killed hundreds of thousands of people, caused one of the biggest refugee crises of modern times and left cities bombed to rubble and the economy hollowed out by global sanctions.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Earlier on Saturday, the ruling General Command named Asaad Hassan al-Shibani as foreign minister, SANA said



Damascus, Syria Syria's new rulers have appointed Murhaf Abu Qasra, a leading figure in the insurgency which toppled Bashar al-Assad, as defence minister in the interim government, an official source said on Saturday. Abu Qasra, who is also known by the nom de guerre Abu Hassan 600, is a senior figure in the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group which led the campaign that ousted Assad this month. He led numerous military operations during Syria's revolution, the source said. Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa discussed "the form of the military institution in the new Syria" during a meeting with armed factions on Saturday, state news agency SANA reported. Abu Qasra during the meeting sat next to Sharaa, also known by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, photos published by SANA showed. Also read | US diplomats arrive in Syria to meet leaders of new govt Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir said this week that the defence ministry would be restructured using former rebel factions and officers who defected from Assad's army. Bashir, who formerly led an HTS-affiliated administration in the northwestern province of Idlib, has said he will lead a three-month transitional government. The new administration has not declared plans for what will happen after that. Earlier on Saturday, the ruling General Command named Asaad Hassan al-Shibani as foreign minister, SANA said. A source in the new administration told Reuters that this step "comes in response to the aspirations of the Syrian people to establish international relations that bring peace and stability". Shibani, a 37-year-old graduate of Damascus University, previously led the political department of the rebels' Idlib government, the General Command said. Sharaa's group was part of al Qaeda until he broke ties in 2016. It had been confined to Idlib for years until going on the offensive in late November, sweeping through the cities of western Syria and into Damascus as the army melted away. Also read | US scraps $10mn bounty on Syria’s new leader after talks in Syrian capital Sharaa has met with a number of international envoys this week. He has said his primary focus is on reconstruction and achieving economic development and that he is not interested in engaging in any new conflicts. Syrian rebels seized control of Damascus on Dec. 8, forcing Assad to flee after more than 13 years of civil war and ending his family's decades-long rule. Washington designated Sharaa a terrorist in 2013, saying al Qaeda in Iraq had tasked him with overthrowing Assad's rule and establishing Islamic sharia law in Syria. U.S. officials said on Friday that Washington would remove a $10 million bounty on his head. Watch | Syria After Assad: New Syrian Leadership Faces Major Challenges × The war has killed hundreds of thousands of people, caused one of the biggest refugee crises of modern times and left cities bombed to rubble and the economy hollowed out by global sanctions. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Damascus, Syria
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Qatar has reopened its embassy in Damascus, 13 years after closing it during the early stages of Syria’s civil war. The move comes as foreign governments seek to establish relations with Syria’s new leadership.
According to media reports, Qatar’s flag was raised over its embassy, making it the second nation, after Turkey, to officially reopen its mission following the recent ouster of President Bashar al-Assad by Islamist-led rebels earlier this month.
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The Qatari embassy in Damascus had been closed since July 2011, when Doha withdrew its ambassador in response to violent crackdowns on protesters by Assad’s regime.
In a statement, Qatar’s foreign ministry said the reopening of the embassy shows its support for the Syrian people and their "struggle to attain their legitimate rights for a dignified life." Unlike several Arab nations, Qatar has previously refrained from restoring ties with Assad’s government or re-establishing diplomatic relations with Damascus.
Last week, a Qatari diplomatic delegation visited Damascus to meet with the transitional government. "Doha's full commitment to support the Syrian people" was reaffirmed during the visit, a Qatari diplomat told AFP.
<h2>European Union 'ready' to reopen diplomatic mission in Damascus</h2>
The European Union has also announced its readiness to reopen its diplomatic mission in Damascus. Meanwhile, Britain, France, and the United States have sent delegations to the Syrian capital since Assad’s removal.
Watch: Yemen's Houthis Launch Ballistic Missile On Israel's Tel Aviv 
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On Tuesday, France raised its flag over its embassy in Damascus. However, the country’s special envoy to Syria stated the mission would remain closed until “security criteria are met.”
In a related development, the United States on Friday withdrew a $10 million bounty that had been placed on Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa following "positive messages" from a first meeting that included a promise to fight terrorism.
Bashar al-Assad, who had ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on December 8 after opposition forces seized Damascus, marking the end of his regime.
Disclaimer: WION takes the utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, and non-state actors like the Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.
(With inputs from agencies)

The Qatari embassy in Damascus had been closed since July 2011, when Doha withdrew its ambassador in response to violent crackdowns on protesters by Assad’s regime.



Damascus, Syria Qatar has reopened its embassy in Damascus, 13 years after closing it during the early stages of Syria’s civil war. The move comes as foreign governments seek to establish relations with Syria’s new leadership. According to media reports, Qatar’s flag was raised over its embassy, making it the second nation, after Turkey, to officially reopen its mission following the recent ouster of President Bashar al-Assad by Islamist-led rebels earlier this month. Also read: Ukraine hits Russian high-rises in Kazan. Video shows '9/11-style attack' The Qatari embassy in Damascus had been closed since July 2011, when Doha withdrew its ambassador in response to violent crackdowns on protesters by Assad’s regime. In a statement, Qatar’s foreign ministry said the reopening of the embassy shows its support for the Syrian people and their "struggle to attain their legitimate rights for a dignified life." Unlike several Arab nations, Qatar has previously refrained from restoring ties with Assad’s government or re-establishing diplomatic relations with Damascus. Last week, a Qatari diplomatic delegation visited Damascus to meet with the transitional government. "Doha's full commitment to support the Syrian people" was reaffirmed during the visit, a Qatari diplomat told AFP. European Union 'ready' to reopen diplomatic mission in Damascus The European Union has also announced its readiness to reopen its diplomatic mission in Damascus. Meanwhile, Britain, France, and the United States have sent delegations to the Syrian capital since Assad’s removal. Watch: Yemen's Houthis Launch Ballistic Missile On Israel's Tel Aviv On Tuesday, France raised its flag over its embassy in Damascus. However, the country’s special envoy to Syria stated the mission would remain closed until “security criteria are met.” In a related development, the United States on Friday withdrew a $10 million bounty that had been placed on Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa following "positive messages" from a first meeting that included a promise to fight terrorism. Bashar al-Assad, who had ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on December 8 after opposition forces seized Damascus, marking the end of his regime. Disclaimer: WION takes the utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, and non-state actors like the Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Qatar reopens embassy in Damascus after 13 years; second nation to reopen mission since Assad's fall

Damascus, Syria
Washington is scrapping a long-standing reward for the arrest of Syria's new leader, a senior U.S. diplomat said Friday, following "positive messages" from a first meeting that included a promise to fight terrorism.
Barbara Leaf, Washington's top diplomat for the Middle East, made the comments after her meeting with Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus - the first formal mission to Syria's capital by United States diplomats since the early days of Syria's civil war.
The lightning offensive that toppled president Bashar al-Assad on December 8 was led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is rooted in Al-Qaeda's Syria branch but has sought to moderate its image in recent years.
Leaf's meeting with HTS chief Sharaa came despite Washington's six-year-old designation of his group as a terrorist organisation.
"Based on our discussion, I told him we would not be pursuing the Rewards for Justice reward offer," Leaf told reporters.
After their talks, "it's a little incoherent, then, to have a bounty on the guy's head," she said, welcoming the messages from him.
"We will be looking for progress on these principles and actions, not just words," she said. 
After the meeting, a statement from Syria's new leaders said they wanted to contribute to regional peace.
"The Syrian people stand at an equal distance from all countries and parties in the region... Syria rejects any polarisation," the statement said.
Leaf said she told Sharaa of the "critical need to ensure terrorist groups cannot pose a threat inside of Syria or externally, including to the US and our partners in the region."
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"Ahmed al-Sharaa committed to this," she said.
The US delegation also included Roger Carstens, the US pointman on hostages. He said he worked on Friday with the new Syrian leadership to search a location where American journalist Austin Tice could have been held, and "we'll be working with the interim authorities" to examine other locations.
Tice was kidnapped in Syria in August 2012.
<h2>US strikes IS </h2>
On a regional tour prior to the Aqaba talks, Secretary of State Antony Blinken had stressed the need to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State group (IS) jihadists.
The US military said on Friday its forces had killed an IS leader and another operative in Deir Ezzor province, part of escalated US military action against the group since Assad's overthrow.
The US embassy said Leaf also met with Syria's White Helmet rescuers, civil society leaders, activists and others "to hear directly from them about their vision for the future of their country".
Below a photograph of Leaf and others with a memorial wreath, the embassy said she had also commemorated the tens of thousands of people murdered, tortured, disappeared or detained under Assad.
"The US commitment to hold accountable those responsible for these atrocities is unwavering," the embassy said on X.
<h2>Turkish pressure </h2>
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who backed Assad's opponents, has stressed reconciliation and restoration of Syria's territorial integrity and unity.
Turkey has been putting pressure on Kurdish-led forces in Syria, and Erdogan said Friday it was time to destroy "terrorist" groups operating in the country, specifically IS and Kurdish fighters.
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"Daesh, the PKK and their affiliates -- which threaten the survival of Syria -- must be eradicated," he told journalists following a summit in Cairo, referring to IS and the Kurdistan Workers Party, respectively.
The autonomous administration in northeastern Syria is protected by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, mostly made up of the People's Protection Units (YPG).
Turkey accuses the YPG of being a branch of the PKK, which both Washington and Ankara consider a terrorist group.
Kurdish leaders in Syria have welcomed Assad's ouster and raised the three-star independence-era rebel flag, but many in the region fear continued attacks by Turkey and allied fighters.
Leaf said Washington was urging a ceasefire between Turkish-backed forces and the SDF around the Kurdish-held Syrian border town of Kobane, also known as Ain al-Arab.
On a visit to Ankara on Friday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned of the dangers of any "escalation" of the fighting, saying: "Security, especially for Kurds, is essential for a free and secure future for Syria."
Iran and Russia had long helped to prop up Assad, but on Friday Leaf said she expected Syria would completely end any role for Iran.
Amy Pope, the head of the UN migration agency, on Friday urged "the caretaker government to continue to empower and enable women, because they are going to be absolutely critical to the rebuilding of the country".
Pope also called for the raft of international sanctions on Syria to be reassessed to help the country regain its footing.
Syria's civil war killed more than 500,000 people and sparked an exodus of millions of refugees.
On Friday, almost two weeks after Assad's fall and flight to Moscow, Syrians continued to celebrate. Fireworks exploded over Umayyad Square in Damascus, where flag-waving crowds gathered.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Barbara Leaf, Washington's top diplomat for the Middle East, made the comments after her meeting with Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus - the first formal mission to Syria's capital by United States diplomats since the early days of Syria's civil war.



Damascus, Syria Washington is scrapping a long-standing reward for the arrest of Syria's new leader, a senior U.S. diplomat said Friday, following "positive messages" from a first meeting that included a promise to fight terrorism. Barbara Leaf, Washington's top diplomat for the Middle East, made the comments after her meeting with Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus - the first formal mission to Syria's capital by United States diplomats since the early days of Syria's civil war. The lightning offensive that toppled president Bashar al-Assad on December 8 was led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is rooted in Al-Qaeda's Syria branch but has sought to moderate its image in recent years. Leaf's meeting with HTS chief Sharaa came despite Washington's six-year-old designation of his group as a terrorist organisation. "Based on our discussion, I told him we would not be pursuing the Rewards for Justice reward offer," Leaf told reporters. After their talks, "it's a little incoherent, then, to have a bounty on the guy's head," she said, welcoming the messages from him. "We will be looking for progress on these principles and actions, not just words," she said. After the meeting, a statement from Syria's new leaders said they wanted to contribute to regional peace. "The Syrian people stand at an equal distance from all countries and parties in the region... Syria rejects any polarisation," the statement said. Leaf said she told Sharaa of the "critical need to ensure terrorist groups cannot pose a threat inside of Syria or externally, including to the US and our partners in the region." Also Read | Germany Christmas market attack: Two Killed, 60 Injured in Magdeburg car attack; Police arrest Saudi man "Ahmed al-Sharaa committed to this," she said. The US delegation also included Roger Carstens, the US pointman on hostages. He said he worked on Friday with the new Syrian leadership to search a location where American journalist Austin Tice could have been held, and "we'll be working with the interim authorities" to examine other locations. Tice was kidnapped in Syria in August 2012. US strikes IS On a regional tour prior to the Aqaba talks, Secretary of State Antony Blinken had stressed the need to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State group (IS) jihadists. The US military said on Friday its forces had killed an IS leader and another operative in Deir Ezzor province, part of escalated US military action against the group since Assad's overthrow. The US embassy said Leaf also met with Syria's White Helmet rescuers, civil society leaders, activists and others "to hear directly from them about their vision for the future of their country". Below a photograph of Leaf and others with a memorial wreath, the embassy said she had also commemorated the tens of thousands of people murdered, tortured, disappeared or detained under Assad. "The US commitment to hold accountable those responsible for these atrocities is unwavering," the embassy said on X. Turkish pressure Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who backed Assad's opponents, has stressed reconciliation and restoration of Syria's territorial integrity and unity. Turkey has been putting pressure on Kurdish-led forces in Syria, and Erdogan said Friday it was time to destroy "terrorist" groups operating in the country, specifically IS and Kurdish fighters. Also Read | US House passes stopgap funding bill minus Trump's debt ceiling; President-elect says let shutdown 'begin now' "Daesh, the PKK and their affiliates -- which threaten the survival of Syria -- must be eradicated," he told journalists following a summit in Cairo, referring to IS and the Kurdistan Workers Party, respectively. The autonomous administration in northeastern Syria is protected by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, mostly made up of the People's Protection Units (YPG). Turkey accuses the YPG of being a branch of the PKK, which both Washington and Ankara consider a terrorist group. Kurdish leaders in Syria have welcomed Assad's ouster and raised the three-star independence-era rebel flag, but many in the region fear continued attacks by Turkey and allied fighters. Leaf said Washington was urging a ceasefire between Turkish-backed forces and the SDF around the Kurdish-held Syrian border town of Kobane, also known as Ain al-Arab. On a visit to Ankara on Friday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned of the dangers of any "escalation" of the fighting, saying: "Security, especially for Kurds, is essential for a free and secure future for Syria." Iran and Russia had long helped to prop up Assad, but on Friday Leaf said she expected Syria would completely end any role for Iran. Amy Pope, the head of the UN migration agency, on Friday urged "the caretaker government to continue to empower and enable women, because they are going to be absolutely critical to the rebuilding of the country". Pope also called for the raft of international sanctions on Syria to be reassessed to help the country regain its footing. Syria's civil war killed more than 500,000 people and sparked an exodus of millions of refugees. On Friday, almost two weeks after Assad's fall and flight to Moscow, Syrians continued to celebrate. Fireworks exploded over Umayyad Square in Damascus, where flag-waving crowds gathered. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

US scraps $10mn bounty on Syria’s new leader after talks in Syrian capital

Hundreds of Syrians protested in central Damascus calling for democracy and women’s rights, more than a week after an opposition coalition ousted President Bashar al-Assad. Watch this report for more details!

Syria: U.S. drops $10M Bounty For HTS Leader After Diplomat Meeting In Damascus

Hundreds of Syrians protested in central Damascus calling for democracy and women’s rights, more than a week after an opposition coalition ousted President Bashar al-Assad. Watch this report for more details!



Fani Willis, the district attorney handling Donald Trump's election racketeering case, has been disqualified from the proceedings due to conflict of interest concerns.

Fani Willis Disqualified as DA in Donald Trump's Election Racketeering Case

Fani Willis, the district attorney handling Donald Trump's election racketeering case, has been disqualified from the proceedings due to conflict of interest concerns.



Washington is scrapping a long-standing reward for the arrest of Syria's new leader, a senior U.S. diplomat said Friday, following "positive messages" from a first meeting that included a promise to fight terrorism.

Barbara Leaf, Washington's top diplomat for the Middle East, made the comments after her meeting with Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus - the first formal mission to Syria's capital by United States diplomats since the early days of Syria's civil war.

The lightning offensive that toppled president Bashar al-Assad on December 8 was led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is rooted in Al-Qaeda's Syria branch but has sought to moderate its image in recent years.

Leaf's meeting with HTS chief Sharaa came despite Washington's six-year-old designation of his group as a terrorist organisation.

"Based on our discussion, I told him we would not be pursuing the Rewards for Justice reward offer," Leaf told reporters.

After their talks, "it's a little incoherent, then, to have a bounty on the guy's head," she said, welcoming the messages from him.

"We will be looking for progress on these principles and actions, not just words," she said.&nbsp;

After the meeting, a statement from Syria's new leaders said they wanted to contribute to regional peace.

"The Syrian people stand at an equal distance from all countries and parties in the region... Syria rejects any polarisation," the statement said.

Leaf said she told Sharaa of the "critical need to ensure terrorist groups cannot pose a threat inside of Syria or externally, including to the US and our partners in the region."

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-christmas-market-attack-two-killed-60-injured-in-magdeburg-car-attack-police-arrest-saudi-man-785693">Germany Christmas market attack: Two Killed, 60 Injured in Magdeburg car attack; Police arrest Saudi man</a>

"Ahmed al-Sharaa committed to this," she said.

The US delegation also included Roger Carstens, the US pointman on hostages. He said he worked on Friday with the new Syrian leadership to search a location where American journalist Austin Tice could have been held, and "we'll be working with the interim authorities" to examine other locations.

Tice was kidnapped in Syria in August 2012.

<h2>US strikes IS&nbsp;</h2>

On a regional tour prior to the Aqaba talks, Secretary of State Antony Blinken had stressed the need to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State group (IS) jihadists.

The US military said on Friday its forces had killed an IS leader and another operative in Deir Ezzor province, part of escalated US military action against the group since Assad's overthrow.

The US embassy said Leaf also met with Syria's White Helmet rescuers, civil society leaders, activists and others "to hear directly from them about their vision for the future of their country".

Below a photograph of Leaf and others with a memorial wreath, the embassy said she had also commemorated the tens of thousands of people murdered, tortured, disappeared or detained under Assad.

"The US commitment to hold accountable those responsible for these atrocities is unwavering," the embassy said on X.

<h2>Turkish pressure&nbsp;</h2>

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who backed Assad's opponents, has stressed reconciliation and restoration of Syria's territorial integrity and unity.

Turkey has been putting pressure on Kurdish-led forces in Syria, and Erdogan said Friday it was time to destroy "terrorist" groups operating in the country, specifically IS and Kurdish fighters.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-passes-stopgap-funding-bill-minus-trumps-debt-ceiling-president-elect-says-let-shutdown-begin-now-785691">US House&nbsp;passes stopgap funding bill minus Trump's debt ceiling; President-elect says let shutdown 'begin now'</a>

"Daesh, the PKK and their affiliates -- which threaten the survival of Syria -- must be eradicated," he told journalists following a summit in Cairo, referring to IS and the Kurdistan Workers Party, respectively.

The autonomous administration in northeastern Syria is protected by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, mostly made up of the People's Protection Units (YPG).

Turkey accuses the YPG of being a branch of the PKK, which both Washington and Ankara consider a terrorist group.

Kurdish leaders in Syria have welcomed Assad's ouster and raised the three-star independence-era rebel flag, but many in the region fear continued attacks by Turkey and allied fighters.

Leaf said Washington was urging a ceasefire between Turkish-backed forces and the SDF around the Kurdish-held Syrian border town of Kobane, also known as Ain al-Arab.

On a visit to Ankara on Friday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned of the dangers of any "escalation" of the fighting, saying: "Security, especially for Kurds, is essential for a free and secure future for Syria."

Iran and Russia had long helped to prop up Assad, but on Friday Leaf said she expected Syria would completely end any role for Iran.

Amy Pope, the head of the UN migration agency, on Friday urged "the caretaker government to continue to empower and enable women, because they are going to be absolutely critical to the rebuilding of the country".

Pope also called for the raft of international sanctions on Syria to be reassessed to help the country regain its footing.

Syria's civil war killed more than 500,000 people and sparked an exodus of millions of refugees.

On Friday, almost two weeks after Assad's fall and flight to Moscow, Syrians continued to celebrate. Fireworks exploded over Umayyad Square in Damascus, where flag-waving crowds gathered.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience. 
&nbsp;

Washington is scrapping a long-standing reward for the arrest of Syria's new leader, a senior U.S. diplomat said Friday, following "positive messages" from a first meeting that included a promise to fight terrorism.

Washington is scrapping a long-standing reward for the arrest of Syria's new leader, a senior U.S. diplomat said Friday, following "positive messages" from a first meeting that included a promise to fight terrorism. Barbara Leaf, Washington's top diplomat for the Middle East, made the comments after her meeting with Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus - the first formal mission to Syria's capital by United States diplomats since the early days of Syria's civil war. The lightning offensive that toppled president Bashar al-Assad on December 8 was led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is rooted in Al-Qaeda's Syria branch but has sought to moderate its image in recent years. Leaf's meeting with HTS chief Sharaa came despite Washington's six-year-old designation of his group as a terrorist organisation. "Based on our discussion, I told him we would not be pursuing the Rewards for Justice reward offer," Leaf told reporters. After their talks, "it's a little incoherent, then, to have a bounty on the guy's head," she said, welcoming the messages from him. "We will be looking for progress on these principles and actions, not just words," she said. After the meeting, a statement from Syria's new leaders said they wanted to contribute to regional peace. "The Syrian people stand at an equal distance from all countries and parties in the region... Syria rejects any polarisation," the statement said. Leaf said she told Sharaa of the "critical need to ensure terrorist groups cannot pose a threat inside of Syria or externally, including to the US and our partners in the region." Also Read | Germany Christmas market attack: Two Killed, 60 Injured in Magdeburg car attack; Police arrest Saudi man "Ahmed al-Sharaa committed to this," she said. The US delegation also included Roger Carstens, the US pointman on hostages. He said he worked on Friday with the new Syrian leadership to search a location where American journalist Austin Tice could have been held, and "we'll be working with the interim authorities" to examine other locations. Tice was kidnapped in Syria in August 2012. US strikes IS On a regional tour prior to the Aqaba talks, Secretary of State Antony Blinken had stressed the need to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State group (IS) jihadists. The US military said on Friday its forces had killed an IS leader and another operative in Deir Ezzor province, part of escalated US military action against the group since Assad's overthrow. The US embassy said Leaf also met with Syria's White Helmet rescuers, civil society leaders, activists and others "to hear directly from them about their vision for the future of their country". Below a photograph of Leaf and others with a memorial wreath, the embassy said she had also commemorated the tens of thousands of people murdered, tortured, disappeared or detained under Assad. "The US commitment to hold accountable those responsible for these atrocities is unwavering," the embassy said on X. Turkish pressure Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who backed Assad's opponents, has stressed reconciliation and restoration of Syria's territorial integrity and unity. Turkey has been putting pressure on Kurdish-led forces in Syria, and Erdogan said Friday it was time to destroy "terrorist" groups operating in the country, specifically IS and Kurdish fighters. Also Read | US House passes stopgap funding bill minus Trump's debt ceiling; President-elect says let shutdown 'begin now' "Daesh, the PKK and their affiliates -- which threaten the survival of Syria -- must be eradicated," he told journalists following a summit in Cairo, referring to IS and the Kurdistan Workers Party, respectively. The autonomous administration in northeastern Syria is protected by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, mostly made up of the People's Protection Units (YPG). Turkey accuses the YPG of being a branch of the PKK, which both Washington and Ankara consider a terrorist group. Kurdish leaders in Syria have welcomed Assad's ouster and raised the three-star independence-era rebel flag, but many in the region fear continued attacks by Turkey and allied fighters. Leaf said Washington was urging a ceasefire between Turkish-backed forces and the SDF around the Kurdish-held Syrian border town of Kobane, also known as Ain al-Arab. On a visit to Ankara on Friday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned of the dangers of any "escalation" of the fighting, saying: "Security, especially for Kurds, is essential for a free and secure future for Syria." Iran and Russia had long helped to prop up Assad, but on Friday Leaf said she expected Syria would completely end any role for Iran. Amy Pope, the head of the UN migration agency, on Friday urged "the caretaker government to continue to empower and enable women, because they are going to be absolutely critical to the rebuilding of the country". Pope also called for the raft of international sanctions on Syria to be reassessed to help the country regain its footing. Syria's civil war killed more than 500,000 people and sparked an exodus of millions of refugees. On Friday, almost two weeks after Assad's fall and flight to Moscow, Syrians continued to celebrate. Fireworks exploded over Umayyad Square in Damascus, where flag-waving crowds gathered. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Damascus, Syria
<meta content="uuidaPvOTKXj8A5h" name="uuid"/>
A delegation of US diplomats, who arrived in Syria on Friday (Dec 20), had a "positive" meeting with the country's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, aka Abu Mohammad al-Julani.
Speaking to the news agency AFP, a Syrian official who chose to remain anonymous said, "The meeting took place, and it was positive. And the results will be positive, God willing."
Al-Sharra leads the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that swept Bashar al-Assad from power earlier this month, ending the family's 50-year-long iron-fisted rule.
Though the ouster of Asad ended decades of abuses and years of civil war, the formation of Syria's new rulers has raised concerns over minorities and women's rights.
<h2>Here's a look at the updates from Syria:</h2>
&gt; This was the first formal visit by US officials to Syria since the early days of the civil war that erupted after Assad cracked down on anti-government protests in 2011. 
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hts-leader-says-syrian-rebel-fighters-to-be-placed-under-defence-ministry-calls-on-west-to-lift-sanctions-784557">HTS leader says Syrian rebel fighters to be placed under ‘defence ministry’, calls on West to lift sanctions</a>
&gt; According to the US State Department, the delegation would also meet with activists, minority groups and civil society representatives in Syria.
&gt; The delegation includes Barbara Leaf, the top State Department official for West Asia, as well as the US point man on hostages, who has been seeking clues on missing Americans including Austin Tice, a journalist who was kidnapped in Syria in August 2012.
&gt; Recently at talks in Jordan- Western, Arab, and Turkish powers jointly called for an "inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government" that respects the rights of all of Syria's diverse communities.
&gt; On Friday, Syrians gathered in Damascus to celebrate the toppling of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Visuals from the news agency Reuters showed a mass celebration in Umayyad Square which was called by the HTS.
Also watch | The West Asia Post: Who will shape Syria's future?
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/files/2024/12/20/2012_syria_730pm_wion-1734707409-00000003.jpg&videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/2012_syria_730pm_wion_.mp4/index.m3u8&duration=329&tags=Russia Stands Undefeated In Syria: Putin" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
&gt; A day earlier, the Pentagon said that it had 2,000 US troops in Syria, far higher than the previously public number of 900, saying that the additional troops considered temporary forces that had been sent to support the counter-Islamic State's (ISIS) mission.
&gt; The US military said on Friday that it killed an ISIS leader and another of the terrorist organisation's members in a strike in Syria. 
&gt; The strike took place Thursday in Deir Ezzor province in eastern Syria, killing IS leader "Abu Yusif" and another operative, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on social media, without providing further details on the two ISIS members.
(With inputs from agencies)

Syrian leader al-Sharra leads the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that swept Bashar al-Assad from power earlier this month, ending the family's 50-year-long iron-fisted rule.



Damascus, Syria A delegation of US diplomats, who arrived in Syria on Friday (Dec 20), had a "positive" meeting with the country's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, aka Abu Mohammad al-Julani. Speaking to the news agency AFP, a Syrian official who chose to remain anonymous said, "The meeting took place, and it was positive. And the results will be positive, God willing." Al-Sharra leads the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that swept Bashar al-Assad from power earlier this month, ending the family's 50-year-long iron-fisted rule. Though the ouster of Asad ended decades of abuses and years of civil war, the formation of Syria's new rulers has raised concerns over minorities and women's rights. Here's a look at the updates from Syria: > This was the first formal visit by US officials to Syria since the early days of the civil war that erupted after Assad cracked down on anti-government protests in 2011. Also read | HTS leader says Syrian rebel fighters to be placed under ‘defence ministry’, calls on West to lift sanctions > According to the US State Department, the delegation would also meet with activists, minority groups and civil society representatives in Syria. > The delegation includes Barbara Leaf, the top State Department official for West Asia, as well as the US point man on hostages, who has been seeking clues on missing Americans including Austin Tice, a journalist who was kidnapped in Syria in August 2012. > Recently at talks in Jordan- Western, Arab, and Turkish powers jointly called for an "inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government" that respects the rights of all of Syria's diverse communities. > On Friday, Syrians gathered in Damascus to celebrate the toppling of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Visuals from the news agency Reuters showed a mass celebration in Umayyad Square which was called by the HTS. Also watch | The West Asia Post: Who will shape Syria's future? > A day earlier, the Pentagon said that it had 2,000 US troops in Syria, far higher than the previously public number of 900, saying that the additional troops considered temporary forces that had been sent to support the counter-Islamic State's (ISIS) mission. > The US military said on Friday that it killed an ISIS leader and another of the terrorist organisation's members in a strike in Syria. > The strike took place Thursday in Deir Ezzor province in eastern Syria, killing IS leader "Abu Yusif" and another operative, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on social media, without providing further details on the two ISIS members. (With inputs from agencies)

West Asia crisis: US diplomats have 'positive meeting' with new Syrian leader

New Delhi 
A delegation of diplomats from the United States (US) said they had a "positive" meeting with Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, aka Abu Mohammad al-Julani. The delegation arrived in Syria on Friday (Dec 20). 
The United States is on the brink of another government shutdown, sparking concerns about the impact on federal services, the economy, and Americans' daily lives.
Latest in the Gaza war, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announced that they have destroyed three tunnel routes in the northern Gaza city. 
Click on the headlines to read more
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/west-asia-crisis-us-diplomats-have-positive-meeting-with-new-syrian-leader-785652">West Asia crisis: US diplomats have 'positive meeting' with new Syrian leader</a>
<img alt="main img" src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/post_attachments/files/2024/12/20/472327-untitled-7.png"/>
A delegation of US diplomats, who arrived in Syria on Friday (Dec 20), had a "positive" meeting with the country's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, aka Abu Mohammad al-Julani. Speaking to the news agency AFP, a Syrian official who chose to remain anonymous said, "The meeting took place, and it was positive. And the results will be positive, God willing."
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The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announced on Friday (December 19), that they had destroyed three tunnel routes in the northern Gaza city of Beit Lahia. According to the military, these tunnels spanned a combined length of 7.5 kilometres.
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Malaysia has agreed to resume the search for the wreckage of missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, its transport minister said on Friday, more than 10 years after it disappeared in one of the world's greatest aviation mysteries.
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A stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has killed 35 children and seriously injured six others, police said on Thursday.
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Here are the top 10 news stories from across the world.



New Delhi A delegation of diplomats from the United States (US) said they had a "positive" meeting with Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, aka Abu Mohammad al-Julani. The delegation arrived in Syria on Friday (Dec 20). The United States is on the brink of another government shutdown, sparking concerns about the impact on federal services, the economy, and Americans' daily lives. Latest in the Gaza war, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announced that they have destroyed three tunnel routes in the northern Gaza city. Click on the headlines to read more West Asia crisis: US diplomats have 'positive meeting' with new Syrian leader A delegation of US diplomats, who arrived in Syria on Friday (Dec 20), had a "positive" meeting with the country's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, aka Abu Mohammad al-Julani. Speaking to the news agency AFP, a Syrian official who chose to remain anonymous said, "The meeting took place, and it was positive. And the results will be positive, God willing." US lawmakers scramble to avert govt shutdown. Here's what's at stake The United States is on the brink of another government shutdown, sparking concerns about the impact on federal services, the economy, and Americans' daily lives. With the deadline for a new spending bill fast approaching, lawmakers are scrambling to reach a compromise to avoid another shutdown. IDF razes 7.5 km of Hamas tunnels, denies reports of civilian killings in Gaza The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announced on Friday (December 19), that they had destroyed three tunnel routes in the northern Gaza city of Beit Lahia. According to the military, these tunnels spanned a combined length of 7.5 kilometres. Kuwait among India's 'top trading partners' says MEA ahead of PM Modi's visit Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Kuwait on 21 and 22 December, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Gulf nation in over four decades. Russia launches barrage of missiles on Kyiv, damaging six diplomatic missions Russia on Friday (Dec 20) launched a barrage of missiles on Ukraine's capital Kyiv, killing at least one person, and cutting heating to hundreds of buildings in cold temperatures, as the war between the two countries nears its three-year mark. Malaysia approves new $70 million search for missing flight MH370, 10 years after it went missing Malaysia has agreed to resume the search for the wreckage of missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, its transport minister said on Friday, more than 10 years after it disappeared in one of the world's greatest aviation mysteries. US House rejects Trump-backed Republican funding bill, government shutdown looms The US House of Representatives on Thursday (Dec 19) rejected a Republican-led funding bill that was backed by incoming president Donald Trump. This rejection increases the likelihood of a government shutdown as federal agencies run out of cash and begin closing down starting this weekend. Nigeria school fair stampede kills 35 children, 8 arrested for involvement A stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has killed 35 children and seriously injured six others, police said on Thursday. ‘We have sent a clear message,’ Miandad lauds PCB over CT 2025 venue stance Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad is happy with PCB for not bending its stance over the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 venue debate. With the apex body announcing the hybrid model for the eight-team tournament scheduled originally in Pakistan during the February-March window next year, Miandad said the Pakistan board has gained more with this decision than its counterpart BCCI. Pushpa 2 box office: Allu Arjun's movie is unstoppable, earns $177mn globally Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2: The Rule continues to dominate the box office world. Since its release on Dec 5, the movie has been raking money in double digits, becoming the biggest hit of the year 2024.

Top 10 world news: West Asia crisis updates; US on brink of another govt shutdown, and more

After rebels toppled Bashar al-Assad's government, many former prisoners in Syria are now coming forward with their stories one of them is ghazi mohammed Al-Mohammed, who was told to forget his name and remember the number 3006.



'I Was Told To Forget My Identity': Former Prisoner  | The West Asia Post | WION

Damascus
US diplomats are in Syria to meet the country's new Islamist-led rulers, the State Department said Friday, as outside powers seek assurances they will be moderate and inclusive.
The ouster of former president Bashar al-Assad ended decades of abuses and years of civil war, but it has raised concerns about the rights of minorities, as well as women, and the future of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region.
On Thursday, hundreds of demonstrators in Damascus demanded democracy and women's rights, in the first such protest since Assad's departure.
In northeast Syria's Qamishli, thousands demonstrated in support of a US-backed, Kurdish-led force that is under pressure from Turkey and allied rebel fighters.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-president-putin-vows-to-kick-ukraine-out-of-kursk-region-but-admits-cant-say-when-785249">Russian President Putin says he 'will have a conversation' with ousted Syrian President Assad soon</a>
The lightning offensive that forced Assad's departure was led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is rooted in Al-Qaeda's Syria branch but has more recently adopted a moderate tone.
Still, its sudden arrival in the capital has left foreign governments scrambling for a new policy, particularly in some countries where HTS is designated a terrorist group.
US diplomats have not been to Damascus on a formal mission since the early days of the civil war that erupted after Assad cracked down on anti-government protests in 2011.
They will meet representatives from HTS, which Washington deems a terrorist group, as well as activists, minority groups and civil society, the State Department said.
They will speak with Syrians about "their vision for the future of their country and how the United States can help support them," a State Department spokesperson said.
The delegation includes the US point man on hostages, who has been seeking clues on missing Americans including Austin Tice, a journalist who was kidnapped in Syria in August 2012.
The trip comes a week after Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States had been in direct contact with HTS, as he toured Syria's neighbours.
<h2>Kurdish fears</h2>
At talks in the Jordanian resort of Aqaba, Western and Arab powers as well as Turkey jointly called Saturday for an "inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government" that respects the rights of all of Syria's diverse communities.
That call was echoed at talks in Cairo on Thursday by countries including Turkey and Iran, which backed different sides in Syria's civil war.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, whose country backed Assad, called for "the participation of all (Syrian) groups in the future government... as well as respect for different beliefs and religions".
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who supported the opposition to Assad, called for reconciliation and restoration of Syria's "territorial integrity and unity".
He also urged the "establishment of a Syria free of terrorism."
Turkey has been putting pressure on Kurdish-led fighters and said Thursday it would continue military preparations until they "disarm."
The semiautonomous northeastern region of Syria is protected by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a group led by People's Protection Units (YPG).
Turkey accuses the YPG of being a branch of the Kurdistan Workers Party, which both Washington and Ankara consider a terrorist group.
Kurdish leaders in Syria have welcomed Assad's ouster and raised the three-star independence-era rebel flag, but many in the region fear continued attacks by Turkey and allied fighters.
Several thousand people chanted "The Syrian people are one" and "No to war in our region, no to Turkey's attack" at Thursday's demonstration in Qamishli.
<h2>'No to religious rule'</h2>
In Damascus meanwhile, a diverse crowd chanted "No to religious rule" and "We want a democracy, not a religious state."
The protest came days after a spokesman for the interim government said "female representation in ministries or parliament... is premature", citing "biological" and other considerations.
Majida Mudarres, a retired civil servant, said she was furious about the comments.
"Women have a big role in political life," the 50-year-old told AFP.
Also watch | Gravitas: UNSC calls for 'Syrian-led' political process
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/files/2024/12/18/1812_Manav_G5_SYRIA_9PM-1734544219-00000003.jpg&videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/1812_Manav_G5_SYRIA_9PM.mp4/index.m3u8&duration=323&tags=Syria,UN,World News,WION" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
"We will be observing any position against women and will not accept it. The time in which we were silent is over."
Assad's departure sparked celebrations at home and abroad.
On Thursday, UN chief Antonio Guterres said his ouster represented a "flame of hope" in a region "consumed by many fires."
But he warned there were obstacles ahead, including continued Israeli air strikes.
These are violations of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and they must stop," Guterres said ahead of a UN Security Council meeting.
Guterres also condemned Israel for pushing its forces into a UN-run buffer zone on its border with Syria following the fall of Assad.
<h2>Putin denies Syria setback</h2>
Assad fled Syria for long-time backer Russia on December 8, and has only issued a single public statement since then.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he had not seen Assad yet, adding: "I plan to, I will definitely speak with him."
And he denied that Assad's fall was a setback for Moscow.
"I assure you it is not," he told an annual press conference.
"We came to Syria 10 years ago so that a terrorist enclave would not be created there like in Afghanistan. On the whole, we have achieved our goal," Putin said.
Russia was Assad's key backer in a civil war that killed more than 500,000 people and sparked the exodus of millions of refugees.
Since Assad's departure, rebels have thrown open prisons where tens of thousands of people were arbitrarily detained and tortured.
They have also located mass graves believed to hold some of the estimated 100,000 people who died or were killed in custody since 2011.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

US diplomats have not been to Damascus on a formal mission since the early days of the civil war that erupted after Assad cracked down on anti-government protests in 2011.



Damascus US diplomats are in Syria to meet the country's new Islamist-led rulers, the State Department said Friday, as outside powers seek assurances they will be moderate and inclusive. The ouster of former president Bashar al-Assad ended decades of abuses and years of civil war, but it has raised concerns about the rights of minorities, as well as women, and the future of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region. On Thursday, hundreds of demonstrators in Damascus demanded democracy and women's rights, in the first such protest since Assad's departure. In northeast Syria's Qamishli, thousands demonstrated in support of a US-backed, Kurdish-led force that is under pressure from Turkey and allied rebel fighters. Also read | Russian President Putin says he 'will have a conversation' with ousted Syrian President Assad soon The lightning offensive that forced Assad's departure was led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is rooted in Al-Qaeda's Syria branch but has more recently adopted a moderate tone. Still, its sudden arrival in the capital has left foreign governments scrambling for a new policy, particularly in some countries where HTS is designated a terrorist group. US diplomats have not been to Damascus on a formal mission since the early days of the civil war that erupted after Assad cracked down on anti-government protests in 2011. They will meet representatives from HTS, which Washington deems a terrorist group, as well as activists, minority groups and civil society, the State Department said. They will speak with Syrians about "their vision for the future of their country and how the United States can help support them," a State Department spokesperson said. The delegation includes the US point man on hostages, who has been seeking clues on missing Americans including Austin Tice, a journalist who was kidnapped in Syria in August 2012. The trip comes a week after Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States had been in direct contact with HTS, as he toured Syria's neighbours. Kurdish fears At talks in the Jordanian resort of Aqaba, Western and Arab powers as well as Turkey jointly called Saturday for an "inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government" that respects the rights of all of Syria's diverse communities. That call was echoed at talks in Cairo on Thursday by countries including Turkey and Iran, which backed different sides in Syria's civil war. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, whose country backed Assad, called for "the participation of all (Syrian) groups in the future government... as well as respect for different beliefs and religions". Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who supported the opposition to Assad, called for reconciliation and restoration of Syria's "territorial integrity and unity". He also urged the "establishment of a Syria free of terrorism." Turkey has been putting pressure on Kurdish-led fighters and said Thursday it would continue military preparations until they "disarm." The semiautonomous northeastern region of Syria is protected by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a group led by People's Protection Units (YPG). Turkey accuses the YPG of being a branch of the Kurdistan Workers Party, which both Washington and Ankara consider a terrorist group. Kurdish leaders in Syria have welcomed Assad's ouster and raised the three-star independence-era rebel flag, but many in the region fear continued attacks by Turkey and allied fighters. Several thousand people chanted "The Syrian people are one" and "No to war in our region, no to Turkey's attack" at Thursday's demonstration in Qamishli. 'No to religious rule' In Damascus meanwhile, a diverse crowd chanted "No to religious rule" and "We want a democracy, not a religious state." The protest came days after a spokesman for the interim government said "female representation in ministries or parliament... is premature", citing "biological" and other considerations. Majida Mudarres, a retired civil servant, said she was furious about the comments. "Women have a big role in political life," the 50-year-old told AFP. Also watch | Gravitas: UNSC calls for 'Syrian-led' political process "We will be observing any position against women and will not accept it. The time in which we were silent is over." Assad's departure sparked celebrations at home and abroad. On Thursday, UN chief Antonio Guterres said his ouster represented a "flame of hope" in a region "consumed by many fires." But he warned there were obstacles ahead, including continued Israeli air strikes. These are violations of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and they must stop," Guterres said ahead of a UN Security Council meeting. Guterres also condemned Israel for pushing its forces into a UN-run buffer zone on its border with Syria following the fall of Assad. Putin denies Syria setback Assad fled Syria for long-time backer Russia on December 8, and has only issued a single public statement since then. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he had not seen Assad yet, adding: "I plan to, I will definitely speak with him." And he denied that Assad's fall was a setback for Moscow. "I assure you it is not," he told an annual press conference. "We came to Syria 10 years ago so that a terrorist enclave would not be created there like in Afghanistan. On the whole, we have achieved our goal," Putin said. Russia was Assad's key backer in a civil war that killed more than 500,000 people and sparked the exodus of millions of refugees. Since Assad's departure, rebels have thrown open prisons where tens of thousands of people were arbitrarily detained and tortured. They have also located mass graves believed to hold some of the estimated 100,000 people who died or were killed in custody since 2011. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

US diplomats arrive in Syria to meet leaders of new govt

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A delegation of diplomats from the United States (US) said they had a "positive" meeting with Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, aka Abu Mohammad al-Julani. The delegation arrived in Syria on Friday (Dec 20).

A delegation of diplomats from the United States (US) said they had a "positive" meeting with Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, aka Abu Mohammad al-Julani. The delegation arrived in Syria on Friday (Dec 20). The United States is on the brink of another government shutdown, sparking concerns about the impact on federal services, the economy, and Americans' daily lives. Latest in the Gaza war, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announced that they have destroyed three tunnel routes in the northern Gaza city. Click on the headlines to read more West Asia crisis: US diplomats have 'positive meeting' with new Syrian leader A delegation of US diplomats, who arrived in Syria on Friday (Dec 20), had a "positive" meeting with the country's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, aka Abu Mohammad al-Julani. Speaking to the news agency AFP, a Syrian official who chose to remain anonymous said, "The meeting took place, and it was positive. And the results will be positive, God willing." US lawmakers scramble to avert govt shutdown. Here's what's at stake The United States is on the brink of another government shutdown, sparking concerns about the impact on federal services, the economy, and Americans' daily lives. With the deadline for a new spending bill fast approaching, lawmakers are scrambling to reach a compromise to avoid another shutdown. IDF razes 7.5 km of Hamas tunnels, denies reports of civilian killings in Gaza The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announced on Friday (December 19), that they had destroyed three tunnel routes in the northern Gaza city of Beit Lahia. According to the military, these tunnels spanned a combined length of 7.5 kilometres. Kuwait among India's 'top trading partners' says MEA ahead of PM Modi's visit Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Kuwait on 21 and 22 December, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Gulf nation in over four decades. Russia launches barrage of missiles on Kyiv, damaging six diplomatic missions Russia on Friday (Dec 20) launched a barrage of missiles on Ukraine's capital Kyiv, killing at least one person, and cutting heating to hundreds of buildings in cold temperatures, as the war between the two countries nears its three-year mark. Malaysia approves new $70 million search for missing flight MH370, 10 years after it went missing Malaysia has agreed to resume the search for the wreckage of missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, its transport minister said on Friday, more than 10 years after it disappeared in one of the world's greatest aviation mysteries. US House rejects Trump-backed Republican funding bill, government shutdown looms The US House of Representatives on Thursday (Dec 19) rejected a Republican-led funding bill that was backed by incoming president Donald Trump. This rejection increases the likelihood of a government shutdown as federal agencies run out of cash and begin closing down starting this weekend. Nigeria school fair stampede kills 35 children, 8 arrested for involvement A stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has killed 35 children and seriously injured six others, police said on Thursday. ‘We have sent a clear message,’ Miandad lauds PCB over CT 2025 venue stance Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad is happy with PCB for not bending its stance over the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 venue debate. With the apex body announcing the hybrid model for the eight-team tournament scheduled originally in Pakistan during the February-March window next year, Miandad said the Pakistan board has gained more with this decision than its counterpart BCCI. Pushpa 2 box office: Allu Arjun's movie is unstoppable, earns $177mn globally Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2: The Rule continues to dominate the box office world. Since its release on Dec 5, the movie has been raking money in double digits, becoming the biggest hit of the year 2024.

After rebels toppled Bashar al-Assad's government, many former prisoners in Syria are now coming forward with their stories one of them is ghazi mohammed Al-Mohammed, who was told to forget his name and remember the number 3006.

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