Syrians rebuild Maaret al-Numan, symbol of war’s devastation

The military chief of Syria's Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham stated they would dissolve their armed wing and integrate into the armed forces, emphasizing the importance of unity in the country. They rejected federalism and emphasized that Syria will not be divided, including Kurdish-held areas. Additionally, they called for international intervention to address Israeli strikes and incursions in Syrian territory, while also urging Western governments to lift the terrorist designation on HTS and its leader...

In a war-ravaged Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, Radwan Adwan returns to Yarmuk cemetery after Bashar al-Assad's fall, rebuilding his father's grave. The camp, once home to 160,000 Palestinians, was bombed and besieged before being recaptured in 2018, allowing former residents to return. Amid ruins and broken tombstones, families search for loved ones' gravesites, hoping for a better future in the devastated area. Full Article

President-elect Donald Trump described Turkey's ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as an "unfriendly takeover," praising Turkey's strategic move. Assad fled to Russia after an offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebels, supported by Turkey, toppled his regime. Trump commended Turkey's President Erdogan for his strong military presence and shared goal of eliminating Kurdish separatist fighters in Syria. Full Article

The war in the Palestinian territories is devastating the local economy, with economic output in Gaza plummeting by 86 percent and in the West Bank by 23 percent, leading to a projected 26 percent contraction this year. The ongoing conflict has caused a collapse of basic services, skyrocketing poverty, and food insecurity for 91 percent of Gaza's population, with significant disruptions in communication networks and a sharp rise in inflation. Israel's retaliatory offensive has resulted...

The UN has presented a plan to Libya to help organize elections, unify governments, and overhaul institutions, aiming to move beyond the current political deadlock. The plan includes establishing an advisory committee to address electoral issues, paving the way for general elections, although no specific date has been set. Despite challenges, Libya has the potential to become stable and prosperous, and the UN will facilitate dialogues to develop a unified national vision for the country's...

Libyans observed the fall of Syria's Bashar al-Assad with a mix of apprehension and hope, hoping for a better outcome for their Levantine "brothers" after their own tumultuous experience post-Moamer Kadhafi's downfall. Despite Libya's ongoing division and instability ten years later, Syrians celebrated the end of the Assad regime after a rebel coalition's swift offensive, drawing parallels to Libya's initial hope post-Kadhafi's death. As Libya continues to struggle with governance and militias, Libyans express optimism...