Syria news

2024 - 12 - 7

When Rebellion Meets Political Denial: Syria's Sudden Transformation!

Assad -- Damascus -- bashar al assad -- syrian civil war Bashar al-Assad - civil war - Daraa - Donald Trump - geopolitics - Middle East politics - political detainees - Rami Makhlouf - Syria - Syrian rebels - Assad - Damascus - bashar al assad - syrian civil war

With rebels knocking at Damascus' door, can Bashar al-Assad hold on, or is it time to call in a u-haul?

The ongoing saga in Syria just took a suspense-filled turn, with reports confirming that Syrian rebels have seized control of Daraa, the birthplace of the 2011 uprising. As government forces scramble to regroup and defend positions around Homs and the capital Damascus, the atmosphere is increasingly charged with a mix of hope and despair. Families of long-missing political detainees are flooding social media with renewed hopes and fears as the grip of both rebel factions and government forces continues to oscillate throughout the region. It’s like watching a soap opera - will the protagonist escape a dramatic showdown, or is there another plot twist on the horizon?

In an unexpected twist, Syrian tycoon Rami Makhlouf, a cousin of President Bashar al-Assad, resurfaced after nearly a year of absence, apparently tasked with rallying support against the opposition. His call for confronting the rebel factions suggests a desperate squeeze on the Assad regime's already slipping grip on power. Meanwhile, the mounting pressures on the capital demonstrate an almost comedic urgency; it’s like the rebels are playing a high-stakes game of Monopoly with the Assad administration, now one property away from an instant bankruptcy if they lose their next battle.

While chaos unfolds on ground, the U.S. response has taken a sharp turn; President-elect Donald Trump has made it clear he favors a non-interventionist approach to Syria, claiming, “Not our fight.” This almost ironic detachment of a nation that has had its share of battles and alliances in the Middle East raises eyebrows globally. Are we witnessing a new age of political isolationism, or is it just classic political theater as the stakes rise?

As rebel groups reported advances through Southern Syria and encircling the capital, the tone shifts intriguingly; many observers ponder whether this truly signifies a turning point for the Assad regime or simply the beginning of an unconventional geopolitical game where everyone knows the rules, yet nobody wants to play.

In essence, the current situation in Syria reflects the classic tale of power dynamics in a region characterized by evolving allegiances and shifting foundations. With rebels claiming dominance over key cities continuously slipping from Assad’s grasp, it may be a golden opportunity for broader change. Additionally, the U.S. stance not to intervene might fluctuate based on political tides as future administrations chart a careful course between intervention and neglect.

As we dive deeper, let’s keep an eye on how geopolitical events unfold in Syria, as history reminds us: the only constant in this domain is change, and you better believe we’ll be keeping tabs on who builds the most luxurious political fort next!

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

'He has come out an old man': joy and grief as loved ones released ... (The Guardian)

Family members describe renewed hopes after decades-long searches for political detainees in 'Kingdom of Silence'

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Syrian rebels claim to take control of Daraa, birthplace of the 2011 ... (CNN)

Syrian opposition forces claim to have taken control of Daraa city in southwestern Syria, inching closer to the capital Damascus.

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Opposition forces take Syria's Daraa, Sweida as Astana talks set up (Aljazeera.com)

Daraa, known as the 'cradle of the revolution' is fourth city al-Assad loses in a single week. Anti government fighters gesture as they check a Syrian army jet ...

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Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

Live Briefing: Rebels make gains in southern Syria (The Washington Post)

Syrian rebel groups reported gains in the country's south on Saturday, advancing in Daraa and putting adding pressure on the capital Damascus.

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Image courtesy of "The Defense Post"

Syria Govt Troops Withdraw From Areas It Held in Deir Ezzor ... (The Defense Post)

Syria's army said it was redeploying in two southern provinces after government forces lost control of most of Daraa province.

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Image courtesy of "Hindustan Times"

Syria Crisis LIVE Updates: 'Damascus awaits you' says rebel leader ... (Hindustan Times)

Syria Crisis LIVE Updates: On November 27, a rebel alliance launched an offensive targeting the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

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Image courtesy of "The New Arab"

Syria's Daraa in rebel hands, Israeli strikes in Gaza kill 50 (The New Arab)

Syrian rebels and the Kurdish-led SDF have taken control of several provincial capitals while Israel has killedscores of Palestinians in Gaza.

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Image courtesy of "Middle East Eye"

Syrian rebels say they control the south and are approaching ... (Middle East Eye)

Opposition forces say they seized control over Sanamayn and Quneitra, as Assad's troops withdraw to defend Homs and the capital.

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Image courtesy of "The Defense Post"

Source Close to Hezbollah Says Group Sent 2000 Fighters to Syria (The Defense Post)

A source close to Lebanon's Hezbollah said the group sent 2000 fighters into Syria near the border, as its ally Damascus reels from a rebel offensive that ...

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Image courtesy of "Middle East Monitor"

Syria: Rami Makhlouf calls for confronting opposition factions (Middle East Monitor)

Syrian tycoon Rami Makhlouf, cousin of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, reappeared after disappearing for a year and called for confronting the opposition ...

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Image courtesy of "Iran Focus"

Strategic Retreat in Syria: Khamenei's Policies and Their Regional ... (Iran Focus)

Nine years ago, UN Resolution 2254 was adopted by the Security Council as a solution to end the Syrian crisis. The resolution aims for political transition and ...

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Image courtesy of "NBC News"

Syrian rebels claim control of fourth city and advance towards ... (NBC News)

If confirmed, it would be the third Syrian city that President Bashar Al-Assad has lost in four days as insurgents press on with their lightning-fast ...

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Image courtesy of "CBC.ca"

Syrian rebels now at the outskirts of key city of Homs | CBC News (CBC.ca)

Syrian rebels pressed their lightning advance on Saturday, saying they had seized most of the south, as government forces dug in to defend the key central ...

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Image courtesy of "Delta-Optimist"

Syrian opposition activists say insurgents have reached the suburbs ... (Delta-Optimist)

BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian insurgents have reached the suburbs of Damascus as part of a rapidly moving offensive that has seen them take over some of Syria's ...

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Image courtesy of "bne IntelliNews"

Syria's conflict enters a dangerous new phase as rebels advance (bne IntelliNews)

Syria's long-running civil war has entered a markedly more dangerous phase as opposition forces capture strategic cities and vital infrastructure. ...

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Syria's Government Battles Multiple Rebel Uprisings (The New York Times)

The longtime Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad is facing threats from rebellions on numerous fronts as his key ally, Iran, is paring back support.

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Image courtesy of "The Times of Israel"

Alone, broke and under attack: Is Assad's rule in Syria at risk of ... (The Times of Israel)

The last time Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was in serious trouble was 10 years ago, at the height of the country's civil war, when his forces lost ...

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

In Fight for Syria, a Battle for Domination of the Middle East (The New York Times)

In a region “already on fire,” analysts say, rebels' advance toward Damascus is a barometer of the shifting power dynamics that also affect nations like ...

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Image courtesy of "NPR"

Syrian opposition activists say insurgents have reached the suburbs ... (NPR)

It was the first time that opposition forces reach the outskirts of the Syrian capital since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the region adjacent to the ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Syrian rebels have reached Damascus suburbs, insurgent ... (The Guardian)

Hassan Abdul-Ghani says opposition forces have begun to encircle capital in 'final stage' of offensive.

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Syria's rebels say they are encircling Damascus but army denies ... (CNN)

Syria's rebel alliance is edging closer to the capital Damascus, after anti-regime forces swept across the country in a lightning offensive.

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Image courtesy of "KFSN-TV"

Syrian opposition activists say insurgents reached the suburbs of ... (KFSN-TV)

BEIRUT -- Syrian insurgents have reached the suburbs of Damascus as part of a rapidly moving offensive that has seen them take over some of Syria's largest ...

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Image courtesy of "FRANCE 24"

Is the 'writing on the wall' for Syria's Assad? (FRANCE 24)

More than 13 years since Bashar al-Assad's security forces opened fire on protesters demanding democratic reforms, the Syrian president's grip on power may ...

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Image courtesy of "CBS News"

Syrian insurgents have reached the suburbs of Damascus in swiftly ... (CBS News)

He added that opposition fighters on Saturday were also marching from eastern Syria toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta. A commander with the insurgents, ...

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Image courtesy of "FRANCE 24"

Syria govt says set up security cordon as rebels advance on ... (FRANCE 24)

"Our forces have begun the final phase of encircling the capital," said rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani, with the Islamist-led alliance that launched the ...

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

'Not our fight': President-elect Trump distances US from Syria's conflict (Aljazeera.com)

In a morning social media post, Republican Donald Trump indicated the US should have 'nothing to do' with Syria's war.

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Image courtesy of "Toronto Star"

Trump says US shouldn't intervene in Syria as opposition forces ... (Toronto Star)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria amid an opposition offensive ...

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Image courtesy of "Forbes"

Donald Trump Says U.S. Should 'Not Get Involved' In Syria's Civil War (Forbes)

As rebels opposed to al-Assad's government take control of several Syrian cities, including their approach to the Syrian capital of Damascus, Trump suggested ...

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Assad regime in Syria may fall in days, US increasingly believes (CNN)

Biden administration officials, watching the remarkable speed of the Syrian rebel advance, increasingly see the possibility of the regime of Bashar al-Assad ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Syrian rebels say they have reached Damascus in 'final stage' of ... (The Guardian)

Hassan Abdul-Ghani, an insurgent commander, said fighters were heading from eastern and southern Syria towards Damascus.

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Image courtesy of "Voice of America"

Trump says that US should 'not get involved' in conflict in Syria (Voice of America)

President-elect Donald Trump said on Saturday the U.S. should not be involved in the conflict in Syria, where rebel forces are threatening the government of ...

Trump Says Pullout From Syria Might Be 'Best Thing' for Russia (BNN)

With rebel forces opposed to President Bashar Al-Assad retaking a string of Syrian cities, Trump commented on their advance in a post Saturday on his Truth ...

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Syria war live news: Gov't says President al-Assad has not fled ... (Aljazeera.com)

Syrian opposition groups say they had started to surround Syria's government-held capital Damascus. · Reports say Syrian army has withdrawn from much of the ...

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Image courtesy of "BNN"

Syria's Assad is Under Siege and Is Making Overtures to US (BNN)

With Syrian rebels edging ever-closer to the capital, President Bashar Al-Assad is making a last-ditch attempt to remain in power, including indirect ...

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Image courtesy of "The Times of Israel"

Syria rebels say they encircle Damascus; West said expecting ... (The Times of Israel)

Syrian rebel forces on Saturday made major advances in their offensive against Syrian government forces, with reports saying rebels were closing in on the ...

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Image courtesy of "Delta-Optimist"

Insurgents reach gates of Syria's capital, threatening to upend ... (Delta-Optimist)

BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents' stunning march across Syria accelerated Saturday with news that they had reached the gates of the capital and that government ...

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Uncertainty grips Damascus as rebels approach Syrian capital (BBC News)

There is a "sense of fear" about the days to come as rebels sweep towards Damascus in the face of limited opposition.

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Image courtesy of "Middle East Forum"

Facilitate America's Enemies Killing Each Other in Syria (Middle East Forum)

Türkiye, Hezbollah, Iran, and Russia Would Be Fighting Each Other Instead of the United States and Its Allies.

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Image courtesy of "The Associated Press"

Trump says US should stay out of fighting in Syria as opposition ... (The Associated Press)

President-elect Donald Trump says the U.S. should avoid engaging militarily in Syria as an insurgent offensive reaches the suburbs of the capital.

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Trump says US should 'NOT GET INVOLVED' in conflict in Syria (Reuters)

President-elect Donald Trump said on Saturday the U.S. should not be involved in the conflict in Syria, where rebel forces are threatening the government of ...

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