World News

‘A blow to Putin’s prestige’: What al-Assad’s fall means for Russia

After overseeing 13 years of the devastation that has come to define Syria’s civil war, the country’s former president, Bashar…

Read More »

Al-Bashir headed the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG) in Idlib province before the 12-day lightning offensive swept into Damascus, toppling longtime leader al-Assad and ending more than half a century of al-Assad family rule. Al-Bashir has close ties to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) – the group that led the Damascus takeover – which is tied to the SSG he headed. The SSG, with its own ministries, departments, judicial and security authorities, was set up in the northwest bastion of Idlib in 2017 to assist people in the rebel-held area who were cut off from government services. Al-Bashir also previously held the role of development minister in the SSG. The SSG has begun rolling out assistance in Aleppo, the first major city to fall from government hands after opposition forces began their offensive. A Facebook page of the rebel administration says al-Bashir was trained as an electrical engineer, later received a degree in sharia and law, and has also held posts in education. HTS’s leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, met outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali on Monday to discuss the transition to a caretaker government.

Hamas decries Israeli ‘aggression’ in Syria The Palestinian group has decried Israel’s “aggression” in Syria, saying Israel is now imposing…

Read More »

Israel incursion into Syria must be ‘temporary:’ US

Israel’s incursion into Syria beyond the Golan Heights following Bashar al-Assad’s overthrow must only be “temporary,” the United States said…

Read More »

The Palestinian boy who wanted to be like Ronaldo, killed by Israel

Like kids the world over, Naji al-Baba dreamed of becoming an international football player, “just like Ronaldo”. But – like…

Read More »