Israel carries out 480 attacks; Banks, shops reopen

- Israel’s military says it carried out 480 attacks on Syria in the past 48 hours, destroying 15 naval vessels, anti-aircraft batteries and weapons production sites in several cities.
- Syria’s caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir says Syrians need “stability and calm” and that he’s working with officials from Bashar al-Assad’s regime to reset public services and institutions.
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Here’s a quick look at the recent developments:
- Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asserted that the US and Israel were behind the fall of Bashar al-Assad and vowed the Tehran-led axis of resistance would “encompass” the whole region.
- The UN’s humanitarian agency (OCHA) says its partners in Syria have identified 52 minefields across the country since the beginning of December.
- Banks and shops have reopened as opposition forces try to restart a semblance of normal life, but there are food shortages in big cities, and prices are spiking.
- A commander with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced a ceasefire with Turkiye-backed Syrian National Army after days of fighting around the northern city of Manbij.
- The HTS-led opposition forces are also advancing in Deir Az Zor in the Kurdish-controlled east, having taken over the city and its military airport.