Israel and Syria agree to ceasefire, says U.S. ambassador to Türkiye
The U.S. ambassador to Türkiye says Israel and Syria have reached a ceasefire deal supported by Türkiye, Jordan, and regional actors after cross-bor...
In the latest chapter of Syria's ongoing conflict, violence has reached deadly levels, particularly in the coastal regions of the country. A war monitor reports that over 1,000 people have been killed, with the majority of casualties being civilians. The clashes, which began several days ago, continue to ravage the region, pitting loyalists of deposed President Bashar al-Assad against Syria’s new Islamist rulers, led by interim president Ahmed Sharaa.
The escalating violence has raised concerns for the fragile peace in Syria after years of brutal civil war. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the majority of those killed in the recent fighting are civilians, many of them from Assad's Alawite sect. At least 125 security forces members and 148 fighters loyal to Assad are also reported dead.
Sharaa, who assumed leadership after Assad’s fall, has called for national unity and peace in the wake of the violence. In a video message, he urged Syrians to resist sectarian tensions and to focus on preserving the country’s unity. Speaking from his childhood neighborhood of Mazzah in Damascus, Sharaa emphasized that Syria has the resilience to overcome these challenges.
"We must live together," Sharaa stated. "What is currently happening is within the expected challenges. We will get through this." His calls for unity come as the conflict has deepened, with government forces targeting insurgents hiding in the mountainous areas near key coastal cities such as Latakia and Jabla.
The fighting, which has slowed somewhat in recent days, involves remnants of Assad’s loyalist forces, now operating as insurgents, and militias aligned with the new government. Pro-Assad fighters have resorted to hit-and-run tactics, targeting utilities and infrastructure. A Syrian security source confirmed that vital installations, including a power station, a water pumping station, and several fuel depots, have been sabotaged in recent days. These actions are believed to be part of a broader effort to disrupt life and further destabilize the region.
The international community has been quick to condemn the violence. The European Union issued a statement condemning "all violence against civilians" and any actions that might undermine Syria's prospects for peace. The EU also expressed concern over the potential derailment of a peaceful transition in the country.
The current unrest follows months of relative calm after the ouster of Assad, which came as a result of the efforts of rebel groups, including Sharaa's Sunni Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. The removal of Assad has marked the end of nearly two decades of dynastic rule by the Assad family, which had been characterized by a brutal crackdown on dissent and a devastating civil war that has left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced.
Despite the victory over Assad, Syria is far from peace. The country's political landscape remains fractured, with ongoing insurgency in the Mediterranean provinces and growing tensions between various factions. While the new government led by Sharaa has been able to take control of the military and establish an interim leadership, the path forward remains uncertain.
The escalating violence underscores the challenges facing Syria’s new leadership, as it grapples with internal divisions and the complex web of allegiances within the country. The situation is compounded by the broader geopolitical struggle, as various regional powers continue to exert influence in the conflict, adding to the difficulties of establishing a lasting peace.
The fighting in Syria’s coastal heartland is far from over, and with the involvement of numerous armed factions and the humanitarian toll mounting, the international community remains on edge as it watches events unfold. Whether the country can heal from the scars of a decade-long war and achieve lasting peace remains to be seen.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will send an upgraded ‘version 3.0’ free-trade agreement to their heads of government for approval in October, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday after regional talks in Kuala Lumpur.
Germany's export slump since 2021 is largely driven by deep-rooted competitiveness issues, the Bundesbank warned in its latest report, calling for urgent structural reforms.
Israeli researchers have unveiled an artificial intelligence tool that can determine a person’s true biological age from tiny DNA samples with remarkable precision.
Two Harry Potter actresses, Emma Watson and Zoe Wanamaker, have each received a six-month driving ban after separate speeding offences, both sentenced on the same day at a Buckinghamshire court.
The total value of foreign currency transactions between banks and individuals in Uzbekistan reached 14.5 billion U.S. dollars in the first six months of 2025, reflecting a 24% increase year on year.
Syrian security forces are preparing to redeploy to the Druze-majority city of Sweida in the south of the country after a brief ceasefire collapsed, reigniting clashes with Bedouin tribes, according to the Syrian Interior Ministry.
Pope Leo said on Thursday he hopes to travel to Türkiye later this year for the 1,700th anniversary of a major Christian Church summit, in what would be the first foreign trip of his papacy.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced on Thursday that the latest discussions on Cyprus were "constructive" and that progress had been made on several initiatives.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan has called Israel 'a terrorist state', stating that its aggression poses a threat to the entire region.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment