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

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 |&nbsp;<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://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-syrias-people-must-be-allowed-to-determine-their-future-unsc-785111/embed" 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&nbsp;audience. 
&nbsp;

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.

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.

Rebel factions in Syria, who ousted Bashar al-Assad from power following their November 27 offensive, on Tuesday (Dec 10) named Mohammed al-Bashir as head of a transitional government.

Rebel factions in Syria, who ousted Bashar al-Assad from power following their November 27 offensive, on Tuesday (Dec 10) named Mohammed al-Bashir as head of a transitional government. Citing state media, a report by the news agency AFP said that the transitional government would be in place until March 1. "The general command has tasked us with running the transitional government until March 1," a statement attributed to Bashir said. The statement referred to him as the new prime minister of Syria. Who is Mohammed al-Bashir? Bashir has been serving as the prime minister of the Syrian Salvation Government since January 13 this year. Al-Bashir is an engineer by profession. Following the outbreak of the civil war in Syria in 2011, he became the director of an educational institution which provided education to children affected by the conflict. Click here to follow all updates on West Asia crisis As rebel groups led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched an offensive against the Assad government forces in late November, al-Bashir stated that the offensive was launched in response to attacks on civilians by Syrian government troops, which he claimed had led to the displacement of "tens of thousands" of civilians. Following the ouster of Assad on Sunday, al-Bashir was tasked with forming a transitional government after meeting with HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani and outgoing Syrian prime minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali to coordinate a transfer of power. The Syrian Salvation Government was set up in the Idlib bastion in 2017 to assist people in the rebel-held area people cut off from government services. AFP reported that the government has its own ministries, departments, and judicial and security authorities. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like 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.

Syrian conflict: Rebels name Mohammed al-Bashir as head of transitional govt

Rebel factions in Syria that launched an unprecedented offensive on November 27 against government forces overthrew President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday (Dec 8) and ended nearly six decades of his family's iron-fisted rule.

Rebel factions in Syria that launched an unprecedented offensive on November 27 against government forces overthrew President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday (Dec 8) and ended nearly six decades of his family's iron-fisted rule. This is one of the most consequential turning points in West Asia for generations, as the fall of the Assad administration wiped out a bastion from which Iran and Russia exercised influence across the Arab world, a report by the news agency Reuters said on Monday. Also read | Are people trapped in the underground of a notorious Syrian prison? White Helmets investigates The Kremlin told Russian media that Assad and his family were in Moscow, having been given asylum there. So, what is next for Syria? Here's a look > Reuters reported that Assad's sudden overthrow at the hands of the rebel factions led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) limited Iran's ability to spread weapons to its allies and could cost Russia its Mediterranean naval base. > Both Iran and Russia have been the main supporters of the Assad administration. However, they failed to stem the tide in Syria as they are caught up in their own conflicts— Iran and its proxies in their 14-month conflict with Israel, and Russia in a war with Ukraine since late February 2022. Also watch | Who controls what in Syria? × > A report by the Financial Times (FT) on Monday said Assad's ouster from Syria would be welcomed by the millions of people who suffered under his rule as he refused to compromise and negotiate a political settlement with his opponents. > During the November 27 offensive, there was coordination between the HTS and Turkish-backed factions that operate under the umbrella of the Syrian National Army, and other groups. > With the ouster of Assad, there is a risk of intra-rebel clashes. The FT report pointed out that the HTS is only one of the numerous opposition groups that are the remnants of the original rebellion and took part in the assault. > There are also fears that the Islamic State, which once took vast swathes of territory in Syria, would seek to exploit the chaos and make a comeback. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like 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.

What's next for Syria following Bashar al-Assad's ouster?

The incoming United States (US) President Donald Trump has expressed his thoughts on the ongoing rebel offensive in Syria. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, on Saturday (Dec 7), Trump said, "Syria is a mess but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.

The incoming United States (US) President Donald Trump has expressed his thoughts on the ongoing rebel offensive in Syria. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, on Saturday (Dec 7), Trump said, "Syria is a mess but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!" Trump made this remark shortly before he arrived at the Elysees Palace to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron while in Paris for the reopening ceremony of Notre Dame Cathedral. It was not immediately clear why Trump raised the issue of a role in Syria. However, he may have wished to ensure that outgoing President Joe Biden avoided any entanglement there before handing power to Trump on January 20. Also read | Syrian conflict: Rebel factions say they're in ‘final phase’ of encircling Damascus There has been no public signal that the Biden administration is contemplating such an intervention, a report by the news agency AFP said. The rebel offensive in Syria The rebel offensive in Syria, which began on November 27, is being led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The offensive represents the most significant threat to President Bashar al-Assad's power in years, after Syria's civil war which began in 2011. × The US President-elect's remarks came as rebel factions said they were encircling around Damascus. Earlier, rebel commander Abdel Ghani said that his forces had taken control of the Saasaa (security) branch in the Damascus countryside. Syrian Army strengthening defence lines around Damascus The Syrian Army has denied claims that its troops were withdrawing from Damascus. "Our armed units are reinforcing their lines throughout the Damascus countryside and the southern region," a spokesperson for the General Command of the Army and Armed Forces said in a televised statement. Also watch | US shouldn't get involved in Syria war, says Trump × Interior Minister Mohammed al-Rahmoun, meanwhile, said that there was a very strong security and military cordon on the far edges of Damascus and its countryside, "and no one... can penetrate this defensive line that we, the armed forces, are building." (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like 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.

Syria is a mess but not our friend: Trump says US shouldn't get involved in civil war

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani said on Saturday (Dec 7) that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad failed to engage with his people and address issues like the return of refugees during a period of calm in the country's ongoing civil war.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani said on Saturday (Dec 7) that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad failed to engage with his people and address issues like the return of refugees during a period of calm in the country's ongoing civil war. Addressing the Doha Forum for political dialogue, Prime Minister Al-Thani said, "Assad didn't seize these opportunities to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people, and we didn't see any serious movement, whether it's on the return of the refugees or on reconciling with his own people." Qatar calls for negotiated end to fighting Qatar had given early support to Syrian rebels after the Assad government crushed a peaceful uprising in 2011 which led to the civil war (in Syria). Though Qatar remains a fierce critic of Assad, it has now called for a negotiated end to the fighting. Also read | Bashar al-Assad's family flees Syria, president's whereabouts unclear: Reports Reacting to the November 27 offensive by rebel factions in Syria, Qatar PM Al-Thani said that the world was surprised by the speed of this offensive. He cautioned that the situation might become more and more dangerous, threatening a return to a more intense level of civil war. He added such an outcome would "damage and destroy what's left if there is not any sense of urgency to start putting (in place) a political framework for what's happening over there... in order to find a political solution." Turkey, Russia, and Iran to hold talks on conflict Al-Thani's remarks came as Turkey, Russia, and Iran were due in Doha on Saturday for expected talks on Syria following lightning gains by the Islamist-led rebels. All three of those powers were involved in the Astana process, which began in 2017 to end Syria's civil war, and were expected in the Qatari capital during the Doha Forum. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like 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.

Syrian conflict: Assad failed to engage with his people, says Qatar PM

Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, the leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that is leading the recent rebel offensive in Syria, said on Friday (Dec 6) that the goal of the offensive was to overthrow the rule of Syrian President Bashal-al Assad.

Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, the leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that is leading the recent rebel offensive in Syria, said on Friday (Dec 6) that the goal of the offensive was to overthrow the rule of Syrian President Bashal-al Assad. Speaking to CNN, al-Jolani said, "When we talk about objectives, the goal of the revolution remains the overthrow of this (Assad) regime. It is our right to use all available means to achieve that goal." Also read | Syrian conflict: Rebel factions enter Hama, oust pro-govt forces from key city The offensive led by HTS began on November 27. The rebel factions have captured control of Aleppo and Hama. The rebels are now at the gates of Homs, the main central city in Syria that functions as a crossroads connecting the country's most populous regions. Around 280,000 displaced since Nov 27 offensive The United Nations (UN) said on Friday that the fighting between rebel factions and Syrian government forces since November 27 has displaced around 280,000 people. Addressing a press conference in Geneva, UN's World Food Programme (WFP) official Samer AbdelJaber said, "The figure we have in front of us is 280,000 people since November 27." "That does not include the figure of people who fled from Lebanon during the recent escalations," added AbdelJaber, who leads emergency coordination at the WFP. WFP warned that the fresh mass displacement inside Syria, more than 13 years after the country's civil war erupted, was "adding to years of suffering." AbdelJaber cautioned that if the situation continued evolving at the current pace, "we're expecting collectively around 1.5 million people that will be displaced and will be requiring our support." He pointed out that the WFP and other humanitarian agencies were trying to reach communities wherever their needs were, and were working to secure safe routes "so that we can be able to move the aid and the assistance to the communities that are in need." Statue of Assad's father toppled in Hama As rebels took control of Hama, videos circulating on social media showed the statue of President Assad's father Hafez al-Assad being toppled in Hama. Also watch | World DNA: Syrian rebels capture city of Hama × Crowds could be seen in Hama, Syria chanting 'God is Great' as the statue was pulled down by anti-government protesters. Hafez al-Assad was the Syrian president from 1971 until he died in 2000. He was succeeded by his son Bashar. This incident nearly a week after the statue of Bashar's brother Bassel al-Assad was toppled in Aleppo. Meanwhile, in the latest updates from the conflict, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan would meet his Russian and Iranian counterparts for talks on Syria. A Turkish foreign ministry source told AFP that the meeting would take place under the Astana process. The process involving Turkey, Russia, and Iran was launched by Kazakhstan in 2017 in a bid to find a political solution to the civil war in Syria. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like 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.

Syrian conflict: Rebel leader says goal is to overthrow Assad's rule; 280k people displaced since Nov 27

Rebel factions in Syria,&nbsp;who launched a massive offensive against the government last week, on Thursday (Dec 5) seized the key city of Hama after ousting pro-government forces from there.&nbsp;

A report by the news agency Reuters said that the army was redeploying outside Hama to preserve civilian lives and prevent urban combat.&nbsp;

Rebel factions said that they had taken districts&nbsp;in Hama's northeast and seized the central prison, freeing detainees.&nbsp;

<h2>Hama seizure will send shockwaves through Damascus</h2>

Reuters reported that the rebels' seizure of Hama would send shockwaves through the Syrian capital and fears of a continued rebel march south.&nbsp;

Hama lies more than a third of the way from Aleppo to Damascus and its capture would open the road for a rebel advance on Homs, the main central city in Syria that functions as a crossroads connecting Syria's most populous regions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-says-it-wants-to-see-political-process-to-end-syrian-civil-war-following-rebel-offensive-781206">US says it wants to see 'political process' to end Syrian civil war following rebel offensive</a>

Hama is also critical to the control of two major towns with big minority religious communities – Muhrada, home to many Christians, and Salamiya where there are many Ismaili Muslims.

Although Hama had not previously been taken by rebels during the civil war (which is still going on)&nbsp;it was historically a centre of opposition to the Assad dynasty's rule.

Like other Syrian cities, Hama rebelled in 2011 against President Bashar al-Assad after the government's brutal crackdown on anti-government protests, triggering the civil war that drew in foreign powers and jihadists.

Since last week's offensive,&nbsp;rebels took the main northern city of Aleppo and have since pushed south from their enclave in northwest Syria.

<h2>Chinese embassy in Syria tells citizens to leave country</h2>

In other latest developments from the Syrian conflict, the Chinese embassy in Syria on Thursday advised its citizens&nbsp;to leave&nbsp;Syria&nbsp;"as soon as possible."

In a post on WeChat, the embassy said, "Currently, the situation in northwestern&nbsp;Syria&nbsp;is intensifying, and the overall security situation is deteriorating further."

Also watch | WION Fineprint: Syria spirals into crisis and mayhem

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"(The embassy) advises Chinese citizens in the country to make use of available commercial flights to return home or leave the country as soon as possible," the embassy added.

It also pointed out that those who remained in Syria might face "extremely high-security risks and potential delays in receiving assistance."

(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like 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.

Rebel factions in Syria, who launched a massive offensive against the government last week, on Thursday (Dec 5) seized the key city of Hama after ousting pro-government forces from there.

Rebel factions in Syria, who launched a massive offensive against the government last week, on Thursday (Dec 5) seized the key city of Hama after ousting pro-government forces from there. A report by the news agency Reuters said that the army was redeploying outside Hama to preserve civilian lives and prevent urban combat. Rebel factions said that they had taken districts in Hama's northeast and seized the central prison, freeing detainees. Hama seizure will send shockwaves through Damascus Reuters reported that the rebels' seizure of Hama would send shockwaves through the Syrian capital and fears of a continued rebel march south. Hama lies more than a third of the way from Aleppo to Damascus and its capture would open the road for a rebel advance on Homs, the main central city in Syria that functions as a crossroads connecting Syria's most populous regions. Also read | US says it wants to see 'political process' to end Syrian civil war following rebel offensive Hama is also critical to the control of two major towns with big minority religious communities – Muhrada, home to many Christians, and Salamiya where there are many Ismaili Muslims. Although Hama had not previously been taken by rebels during the civil war (which is still going on) it was historically a centre of opposition to the Assad dynasty's rule. Like other Syrian cities, Hama rebelled in 2011 against President Bashar al-Assad after the government's brutal crackdown on anti-government protests, triggering the civil war that drew in foreign powers and jihadists. Since last week's offensive, rebels took the main northern city of Aleppo and have since pushed south from their enclave in northwest Syria. Chinese embassy in Syria tells citizens to leave country In other latest developments from the Syrian conflict, the Chinese embassy in Syria on Thursday advised its citizens to leave Syria "as soon as possible." In a post on WeChat, the embassy said, "Currently, the situation in northwestern Syria is intensifying, and the overall security situation is deteriorating further." Also watch | WION Fineprint: Syria spirals into crisis and mayhem "(The embassy) advises Chinese citizens in the country to make use of available commercial flights to return home or leave the country as soon as possible," the embassy added. It also pointed out that those who remained in Syria might face "extremely high-security risks and potential delays in receiving assistance." (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like 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.

Syrian conflict: Rebel factions enter Hama, oust pro-govt forces from key city