Following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s new government has reportedly terminated the 2017 agreement granting Russia a 49-year lease on the Tartus port, demanding the immediate withdrawal of Russian forces. This action also reverses the revenue-sharing arrangement, with Syria now retaining all profits from the port. The Syrian government also implemented import bans on goods from Russia, Iran, and Israel. Moscow has yet to officially respond to these significant developments.
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Syria’s newly installed government has enacted a sweeping ban on goods from Russia, Iran, and Israel, effective January 17th. All affected goods found at border crossings will be seized. This action follows a recent restriction on entry for citizens of Iran and Israel and comes amid burgeoning ties between Syria and Ukraine, which recently sent its first official delegation in years. The ban’s impact on regional stability and trade remains to be seen.
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In a rare public rebuke, Iranian Brigadier General Behrouz Esbati accused Russia of misleading Iran about its military actions in Syria, claiming that Russian airstrikes targeted empty deserts instead of Syrian rebels. Esbati, a senior commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, partially blamed Russia for the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government, citing this deception and Russia’s alleged inaction during Israeli strikes. He also highlighted internal Syrian corruption as a contributing factor. These accusations, while unverified, represent a significant departure from Iran’s official stance and reveal strained relations between Tehran and Moscow.
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Damascus International Airport resumed full international operations on January 7th, with the arrival of a Qatar Airways flight, marking the first such flight in nearly 13 years. A Syrian Airlines flight to the UAE also departed, signifying a return to international commercial travel after a month-long closure following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad. This event coincides with renewed diplomatic efforts by Syria’s new authorities to re-engage with the international community and rebuild the war-torn nation. The airport’s reopening, following damage and theft, is seen as a symbol of hope and a new beginning.
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Recently surfaced videos, verified by Verify-sy, reportedly show Syria’s interim justice minister, Shadi al-Waisi, reading execution sentences in 2015 while serving as a judge under the HTS-led government. A senior official anonymously confirmed al-Waisi’s identity in the footage, which depicts the sentencing of two women for “corruption and prostitution.” While the official stated the actions were legal at the time, the videos have sparked significant online criticism and calls for al-Waisi’s resignation, raising questions about the compatibility of such practices with Syria’s new administration.
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An aide to the Syrian leader recently met with the head of Syria’s tiny Jewish community, issuing a call for Jews to return to the country. This unexpected gesture follows a long and complex history, marked by periods of both coexistence and persecution. The current situation presents a fascinating, if somewhat perplexing, development.
The sheer number of remaining Syrian Jews – a mere nine individuals, mostly elderly – immediately raises questions about the practicality of this appeal. Who exactly is being urged to return? Their children and grandchildren, likely integrated into other societies, may have little connection to Syria beyond ancestral roots.… Continue reading
Colonel Salem Turki al-Anteri of the Syrian Free Army (SFA) urged the continued presence of U.S. troops in Syria, citing the importance of preventing an ISIS resurgence amidst a complex political landscape dominated by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Al-Anteri highlighted the SFA’s valuable partnership with the U.S. in combating extremism and stabilizing parts of the country. The SFA’s perspective contrasts with the incoming administration’s expressed desire for troop withdrawal, creating uncertainty regarding future U.S. involvement and the stability of the region. The situation is further complicated by the presence of other actors, including Turkey and Russia, and the ongoing threat of ISIS.
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One hundred and twenty commandos from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a daring raid deep inside Syrian territory, targeting an Iranian missile factory. The operation, codenamed “Operation Many Ways,” aimed to dismantle an underground facility nestled within the Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC) in Masyaf, Syria. This location, over 200 kilometers from the Israeli border, was crucial for the production of precision-guided missiles intended for Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Assad regime.
The facility, known internally as “Deep Layer,” was situated within a mountain, making it a challenging target. While not yet fully operational, the IDF asserts that the facility was nearing completion, with at least two missiles already successfully tested and rocket engines in mass production.… Continue reading
Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced plans to restore diplomatic relations and economic cooperation with Syria, including the provision of Ukrainian grain through the “Grain from Ukraine” program. An initial shipment of 500 tonnes of wheat flour has already been delivered, with the initiative aiming to stabilize the situation and contribute to broader Middle Eastern peace. This aid is part of a larger effort that has already delivered over 221,000 tonnes of agricultural products to various countries. The move reflects Ukraine’s commitment to expanding its global trade partnerships while countering Russia’s influence in the region.
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Unverified reports indicate Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad suffered a suspected poisoning in Moscow on Sunday, experiencing severe respiratory distress. Initial medical intervention at his residence reportedly stabilized his condition, though tests allegedly revealed traces of poison. Russian authorities have yet to confirm the incident, but an investigation is underway. Assad and his family have been residing in Moscow since the recent collapse of the Syrian Baath regime.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood