In Gaza, a young girl named Razan Abu Zaher, just four years old, lost her life due to severe hunger. Her story is not alone. Many children and adults are suffering from malnutrition, with at least 76 kids and 10 adults having died since the conflict started in October 2023. The situation worsened when Israeli authorities imposed a blockade in March, cutting off much...
The Syrian government's loyalists are accused of committing atrocities against civilians. This is the worst violence in Syria since the removal of former President Bashar al-Assad. The violence has been described as a crackdown against those still loyal to the former government. This has led to communal killings and a grim situation. The violence started after armed...
US leaders are thinking about pulling all of their soldiers out of Syria now. Officials in the Defense Department are making plans for this possible move. The recent discussions about pulling out the troops were a result of a recent statement that was made by the president. This was not discussed openly during a visit by a newly appointed adviser. He was at...
For a long time, Syria was Iran's best friend in the Arab world while rich Gulf countries competed with Tehran. But with dictator Bashar al-Assad suddenly gone, Iran's out, and the Gulf states see a chance to step in. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are being careful, though. The biggest rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is linked to Al Qaeda. These ...
For years, Israel had a clear idea of what to expect from Syria. Now, everything's changed. The sudden collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime has given rise to powerful Sunni extremist groups, like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, led by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani. This shift might seem like good news for Jerusalem, as it has weakened Iran's presence on the northern ...
Bashar al-Assad's rule in Syria ended after many years of bloodshed and terror. Many people see this as a good thing because Assad's regime was horrible, using methods like torture, chemical weapons, and bombings to control people. But now, a group called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has links to al-Qaeda, is in charge. Some countries fear this because HTS is an...
The Islamic group HTS, formerly known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, recently seized control of Syria's capital, Damascus. Unlike its counterparts, the Taliban in Afghanistan, HTS is eager to stand out. HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, previously known as Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, has pledged to take a different approach to governance. He wants to create a more moderate governmen...
In the heart of northern Syria lies Idlib Province, known for its rolling hills and red dirt. Every autumn, farmers here harvest their olive crops. But they've got company during this process - tax collectors. These representatives of the local government, run by the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, take a cut of the oil, usually 5 percent. This tax, introduced in 2...
The Syrian civil war saw the birth of an unexpected economic powerhouse: the drug Captagon. Under Bashar al-Assad's rule, Syria became the world's leading supplier of this stimulant, with an estimated $10 billion annual income from its sale. This turned Syria into a narco-state, with high-ranking officials, including Assad's brother Maher, allegedly overseeing produc...
Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria has crumbled after decades of brutal rule and a long civil war. The rebels, led by Abu Mohammad al-Julani, have taken control of Damascus. But who are these rebels? Al-Julani has ties to radical Islamic groups and is now preaching "diversity. " Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Let's explore the complexities. Assad was a tyrant, ...