Syria’s Defense Ministry has announced a ceasefire in several districts of Aleppo following deadly clashes between government forces and Kurdish fighters. The truce took effect early Friday after days of violence that forced thousands of civilians to flee. At least 21 people were killed in what observers described as the worst fighting since Islamist authorities took power over a year ago. The clashes, which began Tuesday, pitted the Syrian army against the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), with both sides blaming each other for the escalation.

The ministry said the ceasefire covers Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafiyeh, and Bani Zeid districts from 3 a.m., aiming to prevent further military tension in residential areas. Kurdish fighters were ordered to withdraw by 9 a.m. local time to allow displaced civilians to return home safely. According to state television, around 16,000 people had already left the affected neighborhoods. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi warned that attacks on Kurdish areas undermine reconciliation efforts, noting that talks on integrating Kurdish structures into the new government remain stalled.

Analysts said Aleppo is a vulnerable area for the SDF, and any wider conflict could draw in Turkey and Israel, posing a serious threat to Syria’s stability.

Heavy clashes between the Syrian Army and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have intensified in Aleppo, prompting thousands of residents to flee. To control the situation, local authorities have imposed a curfew across several neighborhoods, including Ashrafieh, Sheikh Maqsoud, Bani Zeid, Al-Sirian, Al-Hulok, and Al-Midan, effective until further notice, according to Al Jazeera.

The Aleppo Internal Security Command stated that the curfew aims to ensure public safety, maintain order, and prevent further casualties. During the curfew, all civilian movement is prohibited. The city’s media department reported that since fighting began earlier in the week, large numbers of people have fled from Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud.

The Syrian Army accused the SDF of shelling civilian areas with artillery and mortars, resulting in at least 22 deaths and 173 injuries this week. The SDF denied the allegations, claiming that casualties were caused by attacks from groups linked to the Damascus government.

Heavy fighting between the Syrian army and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has forced thousands of civilians to flee Aleppo. Authorities reported on Wednesday night that more than 45,000 people have been displaced since the clashes began on Tuesday. Most of the displaced are moving toward the Afrin valley in the northwest. Many residents are leaving on foot through humanitarian corridors established by the Syrian army, though it remains uncertain when they might return.

Residents described desperate conditions as they fled the violence. Ahmed, a resident of Aleppo, said they escaped the fighting without knowing where to go. Another displaced person, 41-year-old Ammar Razi, said he and his family were forced to leave the country with their six children, uncertain if they would ever return.

Officials confirmed that nine people have been killed since the fighting began. In response, schools, universities, and government offices in Aleppo were closed on Wednesday, and flights at Aleppo airport were suspended until Thursday evening.

All flights at Aleppo International Airport in Syria have been temporarily suspended following clashes between government security forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Tuesday. The General Authority of Civil Aviation announced that the decision was made to ensure the safety of passengers, flight crews, and airport operations.

According to the authority’s statement, all scheduled flights will be redirected to Damascus International Airport until technical and security assessments are completed in coordination with relevant agencies. The suspension has been described as a precautionary and temporary measure, with updates to be provided once the review period ends or if new developments occur.

Authorities have advised passengers to contact their airlines for updated flight information. The SDF, led by the YPG group, has been blamed for a terrorist attack in Aleppo that killed one soldier and four civilians and injured several others.

The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence announced that the Royal Air Force, in coordination with France, carried out a joint airstrike on Saturday night targeting an underground facility in Syria. The site was believed to be used by ISIS for storing weapons and explosives. Officials stated that the target was located in a sparsely populated area and that the operation posed no risk to civilians.

Although ISIS was territorially defeated in Syria in 2019, the group remains active in the country’s desert regions. Palmyra, known for its UNESCO-listed ancient ruins, was previously under ISIS control. The latest strike follows an attack last month in Palmyra by a lone ISIS gunman that killed two U.S. soldiers and one American civilian. In response, U.S. forces launched airstrikes on several ISIS targets across Syria.

The joint UK-France operation underscores continued international efforts to suppress ISIS activities in Syria’s remote areas following renewed militant attacks.

At least three people were killed on Sunday when security forces opened fire during Alawite community protests in western Syria, according to the country’s health authorities. The demonstrations erupted after a deadly bombing at a mosque in Homs city, which killed eight people on Friday. The protests spread across coastal and central provinces, raising renewed concerns over minority safety under the new Islamist-led government.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that two people were shot dead in Latakia province as security forces dispersed demonstrators, while state news agency SANA cited local health officials saying three were killed and about 60 injured in attacks blamed on remnants of the former regime. The Interior Ministry later confirmed one of the dead was a member of the General Security police. Clashes also broke out between protesters and government supporters in Latakia and Jableh, prompting security intervention and aerial gunfire.

Alawite religious leader Ghazal Ghazal, who called for the protests, urged political decentralization and protection of minority rights. The Alawite Council condemned attacks on unarmed civilians and asked supporters to return home.

At least eight people were killed and eighteen others injured in an explosion at a mosque in the central Syrian city of Homs during Friday prayers, according to the country’s health ministry. The blast occurred at the Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib Mosque on Al-Khodari Street in the Wadi Al-Dahab neighborhood. Emergency and ambulance services responded immediately, and officials warned that the death toll could rise.

The Syrian Interior Ministry confirmed that security units were dispatched to the scene and that an investigation had begun. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. The Syrian Foreign Ministry described the bombing as an attempt to destabilize the country and vowed to hold those responsible accountable.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, the ministry condemned the act as a cowardly assault on human and moral values, asserting that its purpose was to undermine Syria’s security and stability.

Tensions between Israel and Turkey have intensified following reports that Turkey is deploying radar systems inside Syria. According to Western intelligence sources cited by i24News, the deployment aims to enhance Turkey’s monitoring capabilities in the region. The move is expected to significantly restrict Israel’s freedom of movement in Syrian airspace and could also affect its ability to conduct operations in Iran and other nearby areas using Syrian routes.

Reports from Middle East Monitor indicate that the new Turkish radar installations will allow Ankara to track Israeli aircraft operating over Syria, as well as those en route to missions in Iraq or Iran. Israeli security sources described the potential establishment of Turkish military bases in Syria as a “possible threat,” warning that such developments could further limit Israel’s operational freedom in the region.

The situation underscores growing regional friction as both countries expand their strategic presence in and around Syria, with implications for future military coordination and airspace control.

Syria’s foreign and defense ministers met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday to discuss strengthening bilateral military cooperation, according to Syria’s state news agency SANA. The talks focused on expanding strategic collaboration in the defense industry, modernizing military equipment, and enhancing technical and research partnerships aimed at boosting Syria’s defense capabilities.

This visit marks the first high-level engagement between the new Syrian leadership and Moscow since former president Bashar al-Assad, a long-time Russian ally, was ousted last December. Despite Assad’s exile in Russia, the Kremlin appears keen to maintain influence in Syria, particularly regarding access to its key Mediterranean bases at Hmeimim and Tartus. Discussions also covered economic and trade cooperation, including reconstruction projects and investment promotion.

Analysts view the renewed dialogue as part of Russia’s broader strategy to preserve its strategic foothold in the Middle East amid shifting alliances. The outcomes of these talks could shape Syria’s post-war defense posture and Moscow’s long-term regional presence.

At least two people were killed and thirteen others injured in clashes between the Syrian Army and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Aleppo on December 22. The fighting erupted near the Sheikh Maqsoud and Lairamoun roundabouts, involving heavy machine guns and mortar fire. According to state media, several families fled the area, while the Syrian Civil Defense reported injuries among rescue workers and children.

The Syrian Interior Ministry accused the SDF of attacking joint checkpoints, labeling the group as 'traitors.' In contrast, the SDF blamed pro-government militias for targeting civilians. After hours of fighting, both sides agreed late Monday night to cease fire following orders from their respective commands.

The confrontation occurred as Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Damascus to discuss integrating the U.S.-backed SDF into the Syrian Army—a process stalled since a March agreement. Analysts warn that the issue remains one of Syria’s most sensitive national unity challenges, with Turkey’s classification of the SDF as a terrorist organization further complicating regional diplomacy.

The United States has launched a large-scale military operation in Syria targeting Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) positions. President Donald Trump announced the strikes on his Truth Social platform, describing them as a retaliatory response to the killing of two American soldiers and an interpreter in Palmyra last week. The campaign involves airstrikes, helicopter assaults, and artillery fire across central Syria.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), more than 70 targets were hit using over 100 precision-guided munitions, with aircraft from Jordan participating in the mission. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated that the US will continue its relentless fight against terrorists threatening American forces and allies. Syria’s foreign ministry reaffirmed its commitment to combating ISIS and invited international partners to support the effort.

Analysts suggest the renewed offensive signals Washington’s intent to reassert its counterterrorism presence in the region. The cooperation of Syria’s new government could mark a shift in regional dynamics, though risks of escalation remain high as ISIS cells persist in desert areas.

The United States Congress has permanently lifted all economic sanctions imposed on Syria during the rule of former President Bashar al-Assad. The decision, approved by both chambers of Congress and signed by President Donald Trump, aims to reopen the war-torn nation to domestic and foreign investment after years of civil conflict and economic isolation.

The Senate passed the bill with 77 votes in favor and 20 against, following appeals from Saudi Arabia and Turkey to normalize economic ties with Damascus. Senator Jeanne Shaheen of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said the move would give Syrians a real chance to rebuild after decades of hardship. Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Shara—once linked to al-Qaeda’s Syrian branch—had been pressing for a full lifting of sanctions since taking office.

The decision has been welcomed in Damascus, where officials described it as a step toward national recovery. Analysts note that the lifting of sanctions could accelerate reconstruction but also raise questions about governance and regional stability.

Former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and his family have been living in seclusion and luxury in Moscow for over a year, according to a Guardian report. After leaving Syria on December 8, 2024, with Russian military assistance, Assad has resumed his earlier profession as an ophthalmologist. He is reportedly studying medicine again, learning Russian, and refining his medical skills while avoiding political activity.

The Assad family resides in Rublyovka, an elite gated community west of Moscow, home to Russia’s political and business elite. Russian authorities are said to be closely monitoring the family, restricting their external communications. Assad’s sudden departure has angered close relatives and loyalists, including his brother Maher al-Assad, who reportedly failed to reach him.

Diplomatic sources confirm that Assad is safe but barred from political or media engagement. His children are adapting to life in Moscow, with daughter Zein graduating from MGIMO University and son Hafez maintaining a low profile online. Observers say the family is adjusting to life away from power and public visibility.

Two US soldiers and an interpreter were killed in central Syria during a joint mission with Syrian forces near Palmyra, following an attack by Islamic State (ISIS) militants. Three other American soldiers were injured in the assault, which occurred on December 13, according to the Pentagon. The attack took place less than a month after Washington and Damascus signed an agreement to cooperate against ISIS.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the soldiers were meeting local leaders when a gunman opened fire. The assailant, reportedly a member of Syria’s security forces with extremist leanings, was killed at the scene. Syrian state media confirmed that two Syrian security officers were also wounded. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that any group targeting Americans would face “dire consequences.”

President Donald Trump condemned the attack as “horrific” and promised “severe retaliation” via his Truth Social platform, calling the fallen soldiers “great patriots.” The incident risks straining fragile US-Syria cooperation and could prompt expanded counterterrorism operations in the region.

Two US soldiers and a local interpreter were killed in an ISIS ambush near Palmyra, Syria, on Saturday, December 13, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM). The attack reportedly involved a single ISIS militant who opened fire on a joint US-Syrian patrol vehicle before being killed in a counter-assault. CENTCOM confirmed the deaths via social media, adding that several others had been injured in earlier related incidents.

US envoy Tom Barrack stated that the attack targeted a joint patrol unit operating in the region, which remains volatile despite years of counterterrorism operations. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the assailant was neutralized by accompanying forces. The identities of the fallen soldiers are being withheld until families are notified.

Officials noted that the area where the attack occurred is outside the control of Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Shara, underscoring the persistent instability in central Syria. The incident highlights the enduring threat posed by ISIS remnants and the risks faced by coalition troops stationed in the region.