Syria’s national dialogue conference calls for reforms, constitutional draft

US Congress members Cory Mills and Marlin Stutzman arrived in Damascus, marking the first visit by American lawmakers since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. Mills met with new President Ahmed al-Sharaa, discussing US sanctions and Iran, while Stutzman planned to meet Sharaa despite his sanctions due to past ties with al Qaeda. The congressmen, organized by the Syrian American Alliance for Peace and Prosperity, expressed concerns about Syria aligning with adversaries like China and Iran,...

Recent UN data indicates that one in ten bombs dropped by Israeli forces on Gaza since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, has failed to detonate, posing ongoing dangers to civilians, particularly as some families return to devastated areas. The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) reports that these unexploded munitions have already resulted in at least 23 deaths and 162 injuries, primarily among civilians, while humanitarian efforts to remove these threats are hindered...

US strikes on the Yemeni fuel port of Ras Issa have reportedly killed at least 80 people, marking the deadliest attack in a 15-month campaign against Huthi rebels, according to the group. The US military stated the strikes aimed to disrupt supplies and funding for the Iran-backed rebels, who have retaliated with missile attacks targeting Israel and US aircraft carriers. Protests erupted in Huthi-controlled areas, while US Central Command emphasized the strikes were intended to...

Lebanon's health ministry reported that Israeli air strikes in the south killed two people on Friday, despite a ceasefire established on November 27 aimed at ending conflict with Hezbollah. The Israeli military confirmed targeted strikes in Sidon and Aita al-Shaab, eliminating Hezbollah members, including a key figure responsible for communication system deployments. While Hezbollah claims adherence to the ceasefire, Israel has continued near-daily attacks, with strikes resulting in casualties and damage to vehicles, showcasing ongoing...

SummaryThe Gaza Strip is heavily contaminated with unexploded ordnance from over 40,000 Israeli airstrikes, rendering it "uninhabitable," as reported by the US government. Despite US President Trump's proposal to take responsibility for cleanup, efforts are hindered by Israeli restrictions on demining equipment imports. The UN emphasizes Israel's obligation to assist in clearing these explosives, which have already caused numerous casualties among civilians. Full Article

SummaryThe Turkish Embassy in Cairo hosted an event titled “NATO Mission: Past, Present and Partnership with Egypt” to discuss Egypt's relationship with NATO and the roles of Turkiye and Italy as NATO Contact Points in 2025 and 2026. The event featured a presentation on NATO's history, current activities, and future cooperation opportunities with Egypt, attended by diplomats, academics, and NATO representatives. Ambassador Şen emphasized the embassy's role in enhancing communication and coordination between NATO and...