Syrian opposition fighters have reached the suburbs of the capital, Damascus, and authorities forces are withdrawing from the strategic metropolis of Homs because the rebels’ stunning offensive picks up pace and President Bashar Assad’s whereabouts are unknown.
Homs is a crucial intersection between Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces which are the Syrian chief’s base of assist. In Damascus, residents described a metropolis on edge, with safety forces on the streets and plenty of outlets operating out of staple meals.
The quickly creating occasions have shaken the area. Lebanon mentioned it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria apart from one which hyperlinks Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria, too.
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Eight key nations gathered with the U.N. particular envoy on Syria on the sidelines of the Doha Summit for 2 hours of discussions Saturday night time, and extra will comply with. The U.N. envoy seeks pressing talks in Geneva to make sure an “orderly political transition.”
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Syrian rebels say they’ve taken over key metropolis of Homs
The Syrian insurgency introduced Saturday that it has taken over Homs, following reviews of presidency forces withdrawing from the strategic metropolis.
This newest improvement within the rebels’ swift shock offensive within the war-torn nation has left embattled Syrian President Bashar Assad successfully accountable for the capital Damascus and two different cities the place his key assist base among the many Alawite Muslim inhabitants are primarily based.
Homs is a crucial intersection between Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces which are the Syrian chief’s base of assist.
Syrian opposition fighters have reached the suburbs of the capital, Damascus because the rebels’ offensive picks up pace. President Bashar Assad’s whereabouts are unknown.
Mother of hostage seen in video says ‘sufficient with the video games’
The mom of an Israeli man held hostage in Gaza and seen in a newly launched video by Hamas says “sufficient with the video games” and requires extra stress on the federal government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Einav Zangauker instructed an indication in Tel Aviv on Saturday night time that like her son Matan, “there are a couple of dozen who’re at present alive. Don’t permit them to be introduced again useless in luggage. Take to the streets.”
Matan Zangauker, talking underneath duress, appealed to the general public to protest in entrance of Netanyahu’s house and “not let him sleep even for a minute.” Zangauker additionally referred to 420 days of being held by Hamas militants and mentioned “isolation is killing us.”
Police used a water cannon on the demonstrators as hundreds took to the streets for the weekly anti-government protests.
Iran-backed militias watch Syria occasions earlier than a choice on assist
Two officers with Iran-backed Iraqi militias in Syria say the militias are monitoring the scenario and haven’t decided to enter in assist of Iran’s ally, Syrian President Bashar Assad.
One of the officers mentioned Iranian militias had withdrawn to Iraq from their positions in Syria.
“All the militias are ready to see what Bashar Assad will do in Damascus. If he resists and doesn’t permit Damascus to fall, it’s doable that the Iraqi factions will intervene for the aim of assist,” he mentioned.
The officers spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t approved to talk publicly concerning the matter.
— Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad
Multi-country talks on Syria finish, with extra to come back
Multi-country discussions on Syria have ended on the sidelines of the Doha Summit. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein says the nations will problem an announcement, and there will likely be follow-up talks “considering the sensible and actual scenario on the bottom.”
He mentioned the talks, which lasted over two hours Saturday night, targeted on tips on how to cease the preventing. Eight key nations together with Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran gathered with the U.N. particular envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen.
When requested the place Syrian President Bashar Assad is, Iraq’s overseas minister replied, “I don’t know.” He declined to take a position on whether or not Assad could be overthrown. Opposition fighters have reached the Damascus suburbs.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry says Israeli airstrikes kill 6
BEIRUT — Lebanon’s Health Ministry says two Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday killed six folks and wounded 5 others.
The ministry mentioned an airstrike on the village of Beit Leif killed 5 folks and wounded 5, whereas a drone strike on the village of Deir Serian killed one individual.
Israel’s navy mentioned it was trying into the report.
Despite a ceasefire that went into impact on Nov. 27 to finish the 14-month preventing between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants that had escalated into all-out battle, violations of the truce have continued.
Northern Gaza hospital reviews new Israeli bombardment
The director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza says the power got here underneath heavy Israeli bombardment once more on Saturday and three medical employees had been killed.
Dr. Hussam Abu Safia in an announcement posted by Gaza’s Health Ministry mentioned the hospital was hit by over 100 projectiles and bombs, and electrical energy was minimize off. He mentioned the surgical procedure division and neonatal unit had been hit, and he pleaded for “rapid coordination for restore operations.”
Kamal Adwan is without doubt one of the final remaining hospitals in northern Gaza. Israeli forces are urgent an offensive that has nearly utterly sealed off the world from humanitarian help for 2 months.
Israel’s navy mentioned it wasn’t conscious of any assault Saturday.
The hospital director on Friday mentioned Israeli strikes had killed a minimum of 29 folks together with 4 medical employees.
Israel’s navy says it is not intervening in Syria
Israeli Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi says the navy is monitoring the Syrian border to guarantee that “native factions don’t direct actions in the direction of us,” including that Israel will not be intervening within the occasions in Syria.
Israel’s navy has mentioned it’s reinforcing its deployment alongside the border with Syria. Halevi mentioned if “confusion” arises and actions are directed towards Israel by “native factions” taking management of elements of Syria, Israel has a powerful “offensive response.”
U.N. says it’s relocating non-critical employees from Syria
The United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Syria says the U.N. is relocating non-critical employees outdoors the nation.
Adam Abdelmoula in an announcement Saturday referred to as it a precautionary measure to guard U.N. groups. “Let me emphasize—this isn’t an evacuation and our dedication to supporting the folks of Syria stays unwavering,” Abdelmoula mentioned.
The assertion didn’t say what number of U.N. staffers had been leaving Syria as opposition fighters reached the suburbs of Syria’s capital, Damascus. The assertion mentioned the preventing in Syria has displaced over 370,000 folks because the humanitarian scenario deteriorates, “with many looking for refuge within the northeast and others trapped in frontline areas, unable to flee.”
Foreign ministers collect at Doha Summit to debate Syria
Foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key nations together with Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran have gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit together with the U.N. particular envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, to debate the scenario in Syria.
The talks continued late Saturday and no particulars had been instantly accessible. Qatar, Jordan and Iraq additionally had been a part of the discussions as opposition fighters closed in on the Syrian capital, Damascus.
About 2,000 Syrian troopers cross into Iraq, official says
BAGHDAD — An Iraqi authorities spokesperson says about 2,000 Syrian military troopers have crossed into Iraq looking for refuge as opposition forces advance in Syria.
Bassem al-Awadi mentioned the troopers’ gear and weapons had been registered and brought into custody by the Iraqi military. “We handled them in line with the precept of excellent neighborliness and humanity,” he mentioned Saturday.
Al-Awadi additionally mentioned Iraqi officers are involved concerning the safety of the al-Hol camp and different services in northeast Syria the place suspected Islamic State group members and their households are detained. The services are guarded by U.S.-backed Kurdish forces.
Al-Awadi mentioned there’s “excessive safety coordination” between Iraqi officers and people forces to “stop the prisoners from escaping.”
Syria’s military fortifies positions in Damascus suburbs
Syria’s military says it’s fortifying its positions within the suburbs of Damascus and within the nation’s south, as opposition fighters shut in on the capital.
The military assertion on Saturday additionally asserted that Syria is being subjected to a “terrorist” and propaganda marketing campaign aiming to destabilize and unfold chaos.
The assertion additionally mentioned the navy is continuous with operations in areas together with the central provinces of Hama and Homs, and that it has killed and wounded tons of of opposition fighters.
2 wounded in car-ramming assault within the West Bank
At least two folks had been wounded in a car-ramming assault within the West Bank on Saturday, in line with the Israeli military and rescue companies.
The military mentioned the assault befell within the space of the Fawwar refugee camp, close to the town of Hebron. It mentioned a soldier was severely wounded, and safety forces had been in search of the attacker. Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service mentioned one other man in his 40s suffered gentle accidents from shrapnel.
The West Bank has seen a surge in violence since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 assault out of Gaza sparked the battle there. Israel has intensified its navy raids within the West Bank, concentrating on what it says are militants planning assaults, and there has additionally been an increase in Palestinian assaults on Israelis.
Israel’s navy assists U.N. forces towards assault in Syria
The Israeli navy says it’s serving to United Nations forces to move off an assault on a U.N. place in Syria near the Israeli border.
The military mentioned in an announcement Saturday that an assault was carried out by “armed people” on a U.N. put up close to the Syrian city of Hader and it was “aiding U.N. forces in repelling the assault.”
On Friday, Israel’s navy mentioned it might reinforce its forces within the Golan Heights and close to the border with Syria, the place civil battle has reignited between the federal government and opposition fighters.
Hamas releases a video of an Israeli hostage
Hamas has launched a video exhibiting Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker making an emotional plea for his launch and describing the circumstances he and different hostages face in Gaza after being seized within the Oct. 7, 2023 assault on Israel.
His mom, Einav, has change into an emblem of the struggle to convey again the hostages and is an outspoken critic of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s authorities.
Matan Zangauker, talking underneath duress, appealed to the general public to protest in entrance of Netanyahu’s house and “not let him sleep even for a minute.”
Zangauker additionally referred to 420 days of being held by Hamas militants. “We need to return earlier than we go loopy. Isolation is killing us, and the darkness right here is scary,” he mentioned, describing having little meals and medication and “undrinkable” water.
Trump says on Syria that ‘this isn’t our struggle’
President-elect Donald Trump has made his first intensive feedback on dramatic advances by opposition fighters in Syria, saying the besieged President Bashar Assad didn’t deserve U.S. assist to remain in energy. “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT,” Trump posted on the Truth Social platform on Saturday.
Syrian opposition activists and regional officers have been watching intently for any indication from each the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration of how the U.S. would deal with the sudden advances towards Syria’s Russian- and Iranian-allied chief.
Trump condemned the general U.S. dealing with of the 13-year civil battle in Syria, however spoke favorably of the routing of Assad and Russian forces.
Turkey says assaults on civilians in Syria had been the straw that broke the camel’s again
ISTANBUL — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan mentioned Saturday that there was “now a brand new actuality in Syria” following the speedy advance of insurgent forces.
Speaking in Gaziantep, a metropolis lower than 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the Syrian border, Erdogan mentioned that “rising assaults on civilians” in Syria’s northwest Idlib province “triggered the most recent occasions just like the straw that broke the camel’s again.”
It was not doable for Turkey to disregard developments in a rustic with which it shares a prolonged border and it might not permit any threats to its nationwide safety, he added in a televised speech.
“Our want is for our neighbor Syria to realize the peace and tranquility it has been eager for for 13 years,” he instructed a rally of supporters. “We need to see a Syria the place completely different identities reside aspect by aspect in peace. We hope to see such a Syria within the very close to future.”
Erdogan claimed President Bashar Assad had erred in rebuffing Turkey’s earlier efforts to ascertain relations, saying Damascus “couldn’t recognize the worth of the hand Turkey prolonged.”
Ankara has supported anti-Assad insurgent teams for the reason that early months of the battle and hosts 3 million refugees dislodged by the preventing. While Turkey lists HTS, the group main the most recent offensive, as a terrorist group, the Turkey-backed Syrian National Army has labored alongside it.
Tension in Damascus as safety forces patrol the streets
BEIRUT — A resident of the Syrian capital of Damascus says the town could be very tense as troops and members of safety companies are deployed on primary streets and intersections.
The resident instructed The Associated Press that many outlets are closed and people which are open have run out of primary commodities corresponding to sugar. He added that if meals merchandise can be found, some outlets are promoting them for a value thrice larger than ordinary.
“The scenario could be very unusual. We will not be used to that,” the resident mentioned on situation of anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are frightened whether or not there will likely be a battle (in Damascus) or not.”
— Bassem Mroue in Beirut
Russian overseas minister refuses to make predictions about Syria
DOHA, Qatar — Russia’s overseas minister says he has met his Turkish and Iranian counterparts in Doha and that every one three nations had been calling for an “rapid finish to hostile actions” in Syria.
Russia and Iran are the chief supporters of Syria’s authorities, whereas Turkey backs opposition fighters attempting to take away President Bashar Assad from energy.
Speaking on the annual Doha Forum, Sergey Lavrov mentioned Russia continues to assist the Syrian military confront insurgents, navy through airstrikes. Asked whether or not Assad’s rule is threatened by the fast-moving insurgent offensive, he mentioned, “We will not be within the enterprise of guessing what’s gong to occur.”
He blamed the United States and the West for the occasions in Syria and mentioned, “We are very sorry for the Syrian individuals who turned a topic of one other geopolitical experiment.
“We are doing every little thing we will to not make terrorists prevail, even when they are saying they don’t seem to be terrorists,” Lavrov mentioned, referring to the de facto chief of the Syrian insurgents, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who says he has minimize hyperlinks with al-Qaida. His group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is listed as a terrorist group by the U.S. and United Nations.
He mentioned Russia, Iran and Turkey need the total implementation of a U.N. decision, which endorsed a highway map to peace in Syria. Resolution 2254 was adopted unanimously in December 2015.
The measure referred to as for a Syrian-led political course of, beginning with the institution of a transitional governing physique, adopted by the drafting of a brand new structure and ending with U.N.-supervised elections.
Lavrov additionally downplayed reviews that Moscow had withdrawn ships from Russia’s base in Syrian metropolis of Tartus, saying that the vessels had left to participate in naval workouts within the Mediterranean.
US envoy says Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire presents alternative for Lebanon
DOHA, Qatar — The U.S. envoy who brokered the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah says the deal has created a brand new alternative for Lebanon to reshape itself.
Amos Hochstein instructed the Doha Forum that the weak spot of Hezbollah after practically 14 months of preventing alongside, together with blows to its Syrian and Iranian allies, give the Lebanese navy and authorities an opportunity to reassert itself.
“Now is the second with this ceasefire to rebuild Lebanon once more for a way more affluent future and stronger state establishments,” Hochstein instructed The Associated Press on the sidelines of the convention.
He mentioned Lebanon wants “to do its half” by rebuilding its economic system, selecting a president after years of delays and strengthening its central authorities to draw traders.
“And the worldwide neighborhood has a requirement and a duty to assist Lebanon after this devastating battle and after years of Hezbollah management,” he mentioned.
Hochstein instructed the convention that the turning level in ceasefire efforts was Hezbollah dropping its pledge to maintain preventing so long as the battle in Gaza continues. He mentioned the change in place was the results of the heavy losses inflicted on Hezbollah, and Lebanese public opinion in favor of delinking the 2 conflicts.
He mentioned key checks for the ceasefire will likely be whether or not Israel carries out its promised phased withdrawal from southern Lebanon over the approaching two months and whether or not the Lebanese military is ready to transfer into these areas.
Syrian opposition fighters advance on Damascus
BEIRUT — Insurgents and a battle monitor say opposition fighters are taking on navy posts evacuated by Syrian authorities forces within the nation’s south, bringing them nearer to the capital, Damascus.
An rebel official often called Maj. Hassan Abdul-Ghani posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition fighters are actually within the city of Sanamein, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the southern outskirts of Damascus, President Bashar Assad’s seat of energy.
Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, mentioned insurgents have entered the city of Artouz, which is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) southwest of Damascus.
Opposition fighters have captured large elements of Syria, together with a number of provincial capitals, since they started their offensive on Nov. 27.
Lebanese authorities approves a plan to deploy extra troops alongside the Israeli border
BEIRUT — Lebanon’s authorities has accredited a plan to deploy extra troops alongside the border with Israel, a part of the ceasefire deal that ended the Israel-Hezbollah battle.
In a uncommon Cabinet assembly outdoors of Beirut, held Saturday at a navy base within the southern port metropolis of Tyre, the federal government additionally accredited a draft regulation to reconstruct buildings destroyed through the Israel-Hezbollah battle that broke out in October 2023 and ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire final week.
Information Minister Ziad Makary instructed reporters after the assembly that the committee whose job is to observe the ceasefire that went into impact on Nov. 27 will maintain its first assembly on Monday. The committee is made up of navy officers from the U.S., France, Israel and Lebanon in addition to the U.N. peacekeeping power deployed alongside the border.
As a part of the ceasefire deal, through the first 60 days Israeli troops must withdraw from Lebanon, whereas Hezbollah must pull its heavy weapons away from the border space to north of the Litani river.
The Lebanese military mentioned this week it should start recruiting extra troopers, apparently to deploy them alongside the border with Israel.
Syrian military withdraws from a lot of southern Syria
BEIRUT — The Syrian military withdrew from a lot of southern Syria on Saturday, leaving extra areas of the nation, together with two provincial capitals, underneath the management of opposition fighters, the navy and an opposition battle monitor mentioned.
The redeployment away from the provinces of Daraa and Sweida got here as Syria’s navy despatched giant numbers of reinforcements to defend the important thing central metropolis of Homs, Syria’s third largest, as insurgents approached its outskirts.
The speedy advances by insurgents are a shocking reversal of fortunes for Syria’s President Bashar Assad, who seems to be largely on his personal, with erstwhile allies preoccupied with different conflicts.
His chief worldwide backer, Russia, is busy with its battle in Ukraine, and Lebanon’s highly effective Hezbollah, which at one level despatched hundreds of fighters to shore up his forces, has been weakened by a yearlong battle with Israel. Iran, in the meantime, has seen its proxies throughout the area degraded by Israeli common airstrikes.
Israel kills Palestinian man who attacked safety forces at border crossing
JERUSALEM — Israeli safety forces killed a Palestinian man after he attacked them at a border crossing within the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Saturday morning, police mentioned.
The man shot firecrackers at safety forces on the checkpoint and threatened them with a knife, the police assertion mentioned. The man wore a t-shirt emblazoned with an emblem of the Islamic State militant group, in line with an Associated Press reporter
Israeli fireplace has killed a minimum of 700 Palestinians within the West Bank for the reason that Israel-Hamas battle started final 12 months, Palestinian well being officers mentioned. In that point, Palestinian militants have launched quite a few assaults on troopers at checkpoints and inside Israel.
Qatari prime minister sees motion in Gaza ceasefire negotiations
DOHA, Qatar — The prime minister of Qatar says he has seen new momentum in Gaza ceasefire efforts for the reason that U.S. presidential election, with the incoming Trump administration looking for an finish to the battle earlier than it takes workplace.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, a key mediator within the ceasefire efforts, declined to present specifics of the negotiations however instructed a global convention in Doha that the gaps between the perimeters will not be giant.
Qatar, which has served as a mediator all through the 14-month battle, suspended its efforts final month in frustration over the dearth of progress. But Sheikh Mohammed mentioned his authorities has re-engaged in latest days after figuring out a brand new willingness by each events to achieve a deal.
’We have sensed after the election that the momentum is coming again,” he instructed the Doha Forum on Saturday.
He mentioned has been in contact with each the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration and located that whereas there are some variations in method, each are dedicated to the identical objective of ending the battle.
’We have seen quite a lot of encouragement from the incoming administration as a way to obtain a deal, even earlier than the president involves the workplace,” Sheikh Mohammed mentioned.
He declined to debate particulars, saying he needed to “defend the method,” however expressed hope for a deal “as quickly as doable.”
’If you have a look at the gaps and the disagreements, they don’t seem to be one thing substantial that basically impacts the settlement,” he mentioned.
Israeli strikes kill a minimum of 29 at hard-hit Gaza hospital
CAIRO — At least 29 folks had been killed, together with 4 medical employees, when Israeli strikes pummeled the world round one of many final remaining hospitals in northern Gaza, Palestinian officers mentioned.
The scenario in and across the Kamal Adwan hospital is “catastrophic,” in line with Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, the director of the hospital. The useless included 5 youngsters and 5 ladies, in line with the hospital casualty checklist, which was obtained by The Associated Press. Friday’s strikes additionally wounded 55 folks together with six youngsters and the 5 ladies, in line with the hospital.
Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya is without doubt one of the few hospitals nonetheless partially working within the Gaza’s northernmost province, the place Israeli forces are urgent an offensive that has nearly utterly sealed off the world from humanitarian help for 2 months.
Israel’s navy denied that its forces had struck the hospital or operated inside it. The military mentioned that previously few weeks, “coordinated efforts with worldwide organizations have been underway as a way to switch sufferers, companions, and medical employees to different hospitals.”
An Indonesian medical crew which had been aiding in Kamal Adwan for the previous week was pressured to evacuate on foot after the world was surrounded by Israeli troopers, in line with an announcement from the crew. The Israeli navy didn’t instantly touch upon the medical crew’s expulsion.
Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization consultant within the Palestinian territories, mentioned an Israeli tank approached the hospital at round 4 a.m. Friday. Although no official Israeli evacuation order was issued, “folks began to climb the wall to flee, and this panic attracted IDF (Israeli) fireplace,” he mentioned. He spoke by video from Gaza to journalists in Geneva.
Kamal Adwan Hospital has been struck a number of occasions over the previous two months since Israel launched a fierce navy operation in northern Gaza towards Hamas militants. In October, Israeli forces raided the hospital, saying that militants had been sheltering inside and arrested quite a few folks, together with some employees. Hospital officers denied the declare.
Saudi Arabia requires and finish to Gaza battle and assaults Israel’s actions
MANAMA, Bahrain — Saudi Arabia’s overseas minister has reiterated the dominion’s name for an finish to the battle within the Gaza Strip.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan described Israel as appearing with “impunity and is getting away with out punishment” in its battle on Hamas there. The prince mentioned that any everlasting resolution requires a two-state resolution, with the Palestinians having east Jerusalem as their capital.
After the speech, Prince Turki al-Faisal, a distinguished royal within the kingdom who led Saudi intelligence for greater than twenty years and served as ambassador to the U.S. and Britain, took the stage. He harshly criticized Israel’s conduct within the wars.
“Israel has change into an apartheid, colonial and genocidal state,” Prince Turki mentioned. “It is about time for the world to handle that problem and take the required steps to convey those that are thus charged by the International Criminal Court to justice.”
Israeli officers couldn’t be instantly reached for touch upon Prince Turki’s remarks. The Saudis spoke on the International Institute for Security Studies’ Manama Dialogue in Bahrain.
