Syria's new Islamist rulers kicked off a long-awaited national dialogue conference on Tuesday as a “rare historical opportunity” to rebuild the country after fall of former President Bashar Assad and nearly 14 years of civil war. Some 600 people from different parts of Syria were invited to the gathering in Damascus, hosted by the new authorities led by the Islamist former insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS. The group spearheaded the lightening offensive that ousted Assad in early December. “Just as Syria has liberated itself by itself, it is appropriate for it to build itself by itself,” interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa told the conference. “What we are experiencing today is an exceptional and rare historical opportunity in which we must use every moment to serve the interests of our people and our nation and honor the sacrifices of its children,” he said. Syria's country’s new rulers, who have promised an inclusive political transition since seizing power, will be closely watched by both Syrians and the international community, including countries still weighing whether to lift sanctions imposed during Assad’s authoritarian rule. Syria faces major challenges, from rebuilding an economy and war-wrecked infrastructure, to setting up a new constitution and justice mechanisms for those accused of war crimes. Although incidents of revenge and collective punishment have been far less widespread than expected, many in Syria's minority communities — including Kurds, Christians, Druze and members of Assad's Alawite sect — are concerned for their future and not yet convinced by the new rulers' promises of inclusive governance. HTS was formerly affiliated with al-Qaida, although it broke ties and al-Sharaa has since preached coexistence. The organizers of the Damascus conference said all of Syria's communities were invited — but it was not immediately clear how many minority participants showed up. The gathering is meant to come up with non-binding recommendations to the country's interim rules ahead of the drafting of a new constitution and formation of a new government. Syria's new Islamist leaders also also face the challenge of transforming former insurgent factions into a single national army they say should control all of Syria's territory. Some armed groups — mainly the U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces that holds sway in northeastern Syria — have so far refused to disarm and dissolve their units. Also, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel will not allow Syria’s new army or the HTS, the former insurgent group that led the ouster of Assad, to “enter the area south of Damascus.” After Assad's fall, Israeli forces moved into territory in southern Syria adjacent to the Israel-annexed Golan Heights and have made it clear they plan to stay there indefinitely. Syria's new rulers have not directly responded to Netanyahu's warning but al-Sharaa said at the Damascus conference that Syria must “firmly confront anyone who wants to tamper with our security and unity.” Interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said Syria's new authorities "will not accept any violation of our sovereignty or the independence of our national decisions.” He also touted the new government's efforts to rebuild diplomatic ties with Arab and Western countries and push for lifting of sanctions imposed during Assad's rule.

At least 15 people lost their lives, and dozens were injured on Monday when a car bomb detonated on the outskirts of a northern Syrian city, according to local civil defence and a war monitor, reports AP. The explosion occurred near the city of Manbij, where the bomb-laden vehicle went off next to another vehicle transporting agricultural workers. The local Syrian civil defence reported that 14 women and one man were killed, while 15 more women sustained injuries, some in critical condition. However, the Britain-based war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, claimed that 18 women and one man had died. Aid freeze deepens crisis at Syria’s Al-Hol camp Despite the fall of President Bashar Assad in December, Manbij, located in northeastern Aleppo province, remains plagued by violence. Turkish-backed factions known as the Syrian National Army continue to engage in clashes with the U.S.-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. On Saturday, another car bombing in Manbij resulted in the deaths of four civilians and left nine others wounded, according to SANA, which cited civil defence officials. Syria's interim president lands in Saudi Arabia on first trip abroad

Protesters in Syria held a sit-in Wednesday demanding justice for four activists who were forcibly disappeared in 2013 and whose fate remains one of the most haunting mysteries of the country's 13-year civil war. On Dec. 9, 2013, gunmen stormed the Violation Documentation Center in Douma, northeast of Damascus, and took Razan Zaitouneh, her husband Wael Hamadeh, Samira Khalil and Nazem Hammadi. Outspoken and defiantly secular, Zaitouneh was one of Syria’s most well-known human rights activists. Perhaps most dangerously, she was impartial. She chanted in protests against then-President Bashar Assad but was also unflinching in documenting abuses by rebels fighting to oust him. There has been no sign of life nor proof of death since she and her colleagues were abducted. Since the ouster of Assad on Dec. 8, protests have erupted across Syria demanding information about thousands of people who were forcibly disappeared under his rule. The new leadership under the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which orchestrated the offensive to oust Assad, has maintained a neutral stance regarding accusations against various armed groups for forcibly disappearing activists. At the same time, HTS has aligned with activists in their efforts to uncover the truth and seek justice. “We are gathering here to remind the world of their case,” Yassin Haj Saleh, Khalil’s husband, said Wednesday, adding that the disappearance of activists represents “the deepest wounds” of Syria’s conflict. “This is the first opportunity that allows us to be in Douma, and in front of the place that they were kidnapped from, to speak up about the case, taking advantage of the political change that took place in the country.” Saleh said they had repeatedly appealed to various armed groups for cooperation in finding the four activists in the years before Assad's ouster but were met with silence. Strong clues had pointed to the Army of Islam, the most powerful rebel faction in Douma at the time, as the perpetrators. The group, made up of religious hard-liners who were pushing out other rebels and imposing strict Shariah rules, long denied involvement. An Army of Islam official, Hamza Bayraqdar, told The Associated Press in 2018 they brought Zaitouneh to Douma to protect her from the Assad government. Read: Iran's supreme leader says Syrian youth will resist incoming government The Army of Islam repeatedly blamed the Assad government, along with the Nusra Front — an al-Qaida-linked group originally founded by the current HTS leader — for his wife's disappearance, Saleh said. Zaitouneh was a prominent human rights lawyer and founder of the Violation Documentation Center. She also helped organize networks of activists like the Local Coordination Committees, an umbrella network made up of activists who organized protests as part of the Syrian uprising. Her work earned her international recognition, including an International Woman of Courage award presented by U.S. first lady Michelle Obama in 2013. Several of those who spoke to the AP in 2018 said the Army of Islam saw Zaitouneh documenting abuses as a threat and resented her local administration plan as an encroachment on their power. Zaitouneh received a series of threats that friends and activists said traced back to the Army of Islam. The Army of Islam was forced to move north in 2018 after the Assad government retook Douma, leading to the group's weakening and disintegration. Hopes that Zaitouneh and her colleagues would emerge among released prisoners during that time were unmet. Today, the Army of Islam remains an armed faction backed by Turkey. It did not fight alongside the other Islamist factions that led the offensive against Assad and remains excluded from the HTS-led Syrian leadership. Recently, an Army of Islam delegation met HTS leader Ahmad Sharaa to explore integration into the new Syrian system, but no agreement has been reached. Protesters on Wednesday held banners openly accusing the Army of Islam and reading “Freedom” in English and “Traitor who kidnaps a revolutionary” in Arabic, alongside posters of the four missing activists. Saleh described the plight of the disappeared as uniquely painful, saying, “Those who die are mourned, but the forcibly disappeared are forbidden from both living and being mourned.” Their bodies must be found, he said, adding: “For Syria to heal, truth and justice must prevail.” Wafa Moustafa, whose father was forcibly disappeared separately in 2013, also attended the protest. Read more: Palestinian refugees return to Yarmouk, facing uncertainty in post-war Syria “Justice in Syria cannot be limited to those detained by the Assad regime,” she said. “For many years, other factions controlled parts of Syria and committed similar crimes of detention, torture and killing. If justice does not include all victims, it will remain incomplete and threaten Syria’s future.” Syrian delegation arrives in Saudi Arabia A Syrian delegation led by the foreign and defense ministers, along with the head of intelligence, arrived in Saudi Arabia on their first official foreign trip, Syrian state media reported, citing a foreign ministry official. Relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia have long been tense. Many Arab nations cut ties with Assad’s government after it relied on support from Iran and Russia to suppress uprisings. But the Arab League reinstated Syria in 2023, and regional leaders are increasingly open now to renewing diplomatic ties.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated on Sunday that Syria's youth would oppose any new government formed after the fall of President Bashar Assad. He accused the United States and Israel of instigating instability in the country. Khamenei emphasized that Iran had supported Assad throughout Syria's 14-year civil war, which began with a violent crackdown on protests against his long-standing rule. Syria has also served as a vital link for Iranian support to Lebanon’s Hezbollah group. Rocket from Yemen Hits Tel Aviv, Injuring 16 People Addressing the situation, Khamenei said Syrian youth face insecurity after Assad’s ouster and must confront those responsible for the unrest. “They must resist with determination,” he asserted, expressing hope for their success. He further accused the U.S. and Israel of orchestrating Assad’s downfall to exploit Syria’s resources. “They believe they’ve achieved victory,” he said, referring to Washington, Israel, and their allies. Palestinian refugees return to Yarmouk, facing uncertainty in post-war Syria Khamenei dismissed claims that Iran uses regional militant groups as proxies, saying these groups act based on their own ideologies, not Iranian directives. “If we ever choose to act, we won’t need proxies,” he added.

Bangladesh has reaffirmed its steadfast support for the Syrian people and their choices during this critical time, urging all parties to maintain calm and peace throughout the country. Bangladesh also urged all stakeholders, including Syria's transitional government, to exercise restraint, respect the aspirations of Syrians and pursue a peaceful resolution through dialogue. "The government of Bangladesh is closely monitoring the recent evolving developments in Syria," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Sunday. Bangladesh reiterated its principal position on territorial integrity and sovereignty in Syria. In this context, Bangladesh unequivocally condemned the illegal act of aggression by Israel during this moment of critical transition. Bangladesh, India exchange delegations marking Victory Day Bangladesh believes that the recent development presents a critical opportunity for the Syrian people to rebuild their nation on the principles of inclusivity, democracy and respect for human rights. Bangladesh called upon the international community, particularly the United Nations, to intensify efforts to protect civilian lives, uphold humanitarian principles, and foster an inclusive political solution consistent with UNSC Resolution 2254. "It is imperative that all external actions respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity," the ministry said. Bangladesh also urged all parties to engage in efforts toward the country’s nation-building, reflecting the will of the Syrian people. Ensuring a path toward inclusive democracy and sustainable peace remains essential for long-term stability in the region, Dhaka said.

Germany’s foreign minister is warning anyone involved in atrocities for the ousted Syrian government against seeking refuge in her country, saying they would face “the full force of the law.” Germany has been a major destination for Syrian refugees over the past decade, and several hundred thousand Syrian nationals live there. In rulings since 2021, former Syrian secret police officers already have been convicted in Germany for overseeing or facilitating the abuse of detainees. “To any of (former President Bashar) Assad’s torturers who might be considering fleeing to Germany now, I can only say clearly: We will bring all the regime’s henchmen to account for their terrible crimes with the full force of the law,” Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told Sunday’s edition of the Bild am Sonntag newspaper. South Korea's opposition chief urges swift action from top court on impeachment Baerbock called for international security authorities and intelligence services to work closely together. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said Germany is “extremely vigilant” and pointed to border checks that the country already has put in place on its frontiers as it tries to reduce irregular migration. She told Bild am Sonntag that “no one who participated in atrocities is safe from prosecution here.” She said the convictions already handed down show that Germany pursues such crimes rigorously and should act as a deterrent against people involved in them going there. More broadly, German officials have stressed that many well-integrated arrivals of recent years will be welcome to stay after the removal of Assad. That was followed by some talk of Syrians going home, which Chancellor Olaf Scholz acknowledged in a video released Friday “deeply unsettled” them. “Anyone who is working here, who is well integrated, is and remains welcome in Germany,” he said. “That goes without saying.” “Some of the refugees hope they can soon return to their homeland. We will support that as soon as the situation allows," he added. But “only the coming days, weeks and months will show what direction Syria takes after Assad.”

The deputy executive director of the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) has been visiting hotspots across the Middle East and Sudan to evaluate worsening humanitarian crises and increasing demands for food among millions affected by conflict, reports AP. Carl Skau, in a recent interview with the Associated Press, revealed that funding shortages have compelled the agency to reduce the number of people it can assist. Despite efforts to diversify funding sources, including private sector contributions, Skau warned of a challenging future with growing needs and insufficient resources. Israel's Syrian buffer zone advance reveals both risks and opportunities ‘A triple crisis’ in Syria Syria is grappling with the aftermath of a 13-year civil war, an influx of people from the recent Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon, and the unexpected ousting of long-time leader Bashar Assad. Prior to these developments, 3 million Syrians were already acutely food insecure, though the WFP could only assist 2 million due to funding constraints. Now, the compounded crises are escalating humanitarian needs. While Aleppo remains relatively calm, the capital, Damascus, is marked by disruptions in markets, currency devaluation, rising food prices, and transport issues. This has necessitated immediate humanitarian efforts. Moving forward, the U.N. plans to focus on recovery and eventual reconstruction in Syria. Gaza’s descent toward famine Skau highlighted dire conditions in northern Gaza but expressed even greater concern for southern Gaza, particularly for approximately 1 million displaced individuals near Khan Younis as winter looms. In northern Gaza, where about 65,000 Palestinians remain without aid for over two months, Israeli military actions, lawlessness, and theft of food aid have hindered humanitarian access. Limited convoys have managed to reach Gaza City, accommodating around 300,000 people. In southern Gaza, where 1.2 million people received WFP aid through September, only 400,000 Palestinians were assisted in October and November. Restricted entry points, difficulties in transporting supplies, and a breakdown in civil order have severely limited aid delivery. International famine experts warned weeks ago that without change, famine was imminent in Gaza—a trajectory Skau believes is now unfolding. Over 50 killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza Sudan’s overwhelming humanitarian crisis Sudan faces the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with 25 million people acutely food insecure and famine officially declared in the Zam Zam displacement camp in western Darfur. Skau noted recent progress in securing clearances for aid delivery across conflict zones and from Chad. With the end of the rainy season, roads have become accessible, enabling greater food deliveries. A WFP convoy recently reached Zam Zam camp, but two others have been delayed due to recent fighting in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur and the last major city in Darfur under Sudanese military control. Sudan’s conflict began in April 2023, following tensions between military and paramilitary factions, leading to widespread violence in Khartoum and other regions, including Darfur. Paramilitary rampage kills over 120 in east-central Sudan: UN This month, WFP reached 2.6 million people in Sudan, but Skau stressed that the international community has not adequately addressed the crisis and must increase its efforts.

Suheil Hamwi, a Lebanese man who spent 32 years imprisoned in Syria, has finally returned to his home in Lebanon following a major offensive by insurgents that ousted the government of Bashar Assad, reports AP. Hamwi, who worked as a merchant in Chekka, northern Lebanon, was abducted in 1992 on Saint Barbara’s Day, a holiday akin to Halloween. He was taken by force when a group of men dragged him into their car as he fetched whiskey for a customer. His family did not hear from him for years. US keen to support Syrian leaders on conditions He was among hundreds of Lebanese citizens detained during Syria’s occupation of Lebanon from 1976 to 2005. On Sunday, in the wake of Syria’s opposition forces advancing, Hamwi and other prisoners discovered their guards had fled. Seizing the moment, they walked free. “I’m still scared this might not be real,” Hamwi told The Associated Press from his home, the same place he left more than three decades ago. Yet, he added, “I found my freedom.” Decades of Uncertainty For years after his disappearance, Hamwi’s family had no idea where he was. Sixteen years later, his wife learned he was detained in Syria, but the reasons for his arrest remained unclear. It wasn’t until 20 years after his abduction that Hamwi was informed of the charges against him: he was accused of being a member of the Lebanese Forces, a Christian political party and militia opposed to Syria’s military presence in Lebanon during the 15-year Lebanese civil war. Hamwi endured years of cryptic interrogations and isolation. Held in multiple facilities, including the notorious Saydnaya prison, he faced torture during his early captivity but said it eventually ceased. In 2008, after 16 years, his wife was allowed to visit him, a meeting that became an annual occurrence. The Path to Freedom Last week, prisoners heard rumours of rebel advances but didn’t expect the impact to reach them. Early Sunday, chaos erupted as prisoners discovered the guards had abandoned their posts. Rebels broke open gates, and prisoners began escaping. Hamwi, along with others, walked into uncertainty, guided by strangers back to Lebanon. He crossed into his homeland via the Arida border crossing, where his family awaited him. A Joyful Homecoming Back in Chekka, Hamwi was greeted by his two grandchildren, meeting them for the first time. Photos of family milestones, including his son George’s graduation and wedding, filled the home he hadn’t seen in over 30 years. Amidst laughter and shared memories, neighbours and friends gathered to celebrate. Josephine, his wife, served sweets while friends asked, “Do you remember me?” Hamwi recognised many faces, rekindling old connections. He has undergone medical tests to assess the physical toll of his decades-long captivity and is adjusting to life outside prison. Still, he eagerly anticipates reuniting with his son George, now an engineer in the Gulf. In their first phone call, George expressed the words Hamwi had longed to hear: “I miss you. I love you. I’m waiting to see you.”

The Biden administration announced its readiness to support a new Syrian government that upholds minority rights, protects women, renounces terrorism, and dismantles chemical weapon stockpiles. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of a smooth transition post-Assad and urged an inclusive and transparent process for determining Syria’s future, with minimal external interference. This commitment comes after the sudden collapse of Bashar Assad's regime, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group classified as a terrorist organization by the U.S. since 2012. While the State Department remains open to revisiting HTS's designation, discussions with the group aren't ruled out. Florida Rep. Mike Waltz, named as President-elect Donald Trump's national security adviser, noted cautious optimism about HTS's initial actions but highlighted ongoing scrutiny of its conduct. Meanwhile, Israel has launched strikes targeting Syrian military and chemical facilities and taken control of a buffer zone in the Golan Heights, asserting national security imperatives. The U.S. expressed support for Israel's self-defense rights while reaffirming its stance on the 1974 Golan Heights disengagement agreement. Read: Israel's Syrian buffer zone advance reveals both risks and opportunities In parallel, Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, is engaging in discussions with Israeli officials to address the evolving Syrian situation and ongoing efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza. The U.S. hopes these developments will further isolate groups like Hamas and encourage negotiated solutions. Source: With inputs from agencies

Tens of thousands of Syrians flocked to Saydnaya Prison, a site infamous for its brutal history under former President Bashar Assad, after Damascus fell into the hands of insurgents. The notorious prison, often referred to as “the slaughterhouse,” became the focal point for desperate families seeking answers about loved ones who vanished during Assad’s regime.  For two days, families searched the sprawling facility, hoping to find detainees who had disappeared over the years. Heavy iron doors were opened, floors were hammered, and walls were drilled, but the cells were empty.  Israel's Syrian buffer zone advance reveals both risks and opportunities Insurgents had freed dozens of prisoners when they captured Saydnaya on Sunday, but since then, no additional inmates have been located.  “Where is everyone? Where are our children?” cried Ghada Assad, whose brother was detained in 2011 during the early days of protests against Assad’s rule. For 13 years, she had searched for him, holding on to hope. The swift rebel offensive that led to the fall of Damascus had revived her dreams of his freedom, but they were crushed when she found no trace of him in the prison.  Saydnaya, situated outside the capital, is a grim symbol of the Assad regime’s oppressive rule. During the years of conflict, even minor dissent could land someone in its cells, where few ever emerged. Amnesty International estimated in 2017 that 10,000 to 20,000 people were held there, with many subjected to systematic torture and execution. Testimonies from former prisoners and officials described mass killings, constant abuse and appalling conditions.  Khairiya Ismail, 54, knows the pain firsthand. Two of her sons were detained early in the uprising, and she herself was imprisoned for eight months, accused of helping one evade military service. “Every home in Syria has lost someone,” she lamented, reflecting on the scale of suffering tied to Assad’s prison network.  Since 2011, around 150,000 people have been detained or disappeared in Syria, many presumed to have passed through Saydnaya. Families clung to any sliver of hope that their loved ones might still be alive, combing through documents and scouring the prison for secret chambers.  Syrians line up at Turkish border crossing, awaiting return home White Helmet teams, known for their search and rescue efforts in rebel-held areas, joined the search. Using prison floor plans and even bringing in the facility’s former electrician, they explored every vent, shaft, and potential hiding place. Canine teams were also deployed, but after exhaustive efforts, no hidden chambers or additional detainees were found.  Ghayath Abu al-Dahab, a White Helmets spokesman, said the civil defense teams had records indicating that 3,500 people were held in Saydnaya as recently as three months ago. However, the number may have dwindled as the regime moved prisoners to other locations.  “The regime turned all of Syria into a giant prison,” Abu al-Dahab said, adding that detainees were often held in various government and military facilities across the country.  Despite the absence of new discoveries, the search persisted. Men with sledgehammers dismantled columns, believing they concealed hidden rooms, while others excavated basements and sewage openings. Each time hopes rose, they were dashed by the grim reality: Saydnaya appeared largely abandoned.  Firas al-Halabi, one of the few prisoners freed when insurgents stormed the prison, recounted the horrors he endured. A former army conscript, he spent four years in a cramped cell, surviving on scraps of food and enduring relentless torture. “Life was one big violation,” he said, describing beatings for trivial infractions and the terror of executions.  Assad flees to Moscow after fall of Damascus: Russian state media Al-Halabi recalled guards calling out hundreds of names for executions in his first year. For him, freedom felt surreal. “We never thought we’d see this moment,” he said, still in disbelief.  Meanwhile, families like Noha Qweidar’s continued searching, driven by faint hope. Her husband was reportedly executed in 2015, but rumors and uncertainty left her clinging to the possibility he might still be alive.  By late Monday, the White Helmets concluded their search, announcing they found no additional hidden areas in the prison. Their statement expressed solidarity with the families of the missing, acknowledging the profound heartbreak of not knowing their loved ones’ fates.  For many Syrians, Saydnaya remains a haunting reminder of a brutal regime and the enduring agony of unanswered questions.   Source: With inputs from wires