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.

Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara has accused Israel of deliberately escalating regional tensions through military operations justified under the guise of security. Speaking at the Doha Forum, Al-Shara reiterated his government’s commitment to national unity, peace, women’s empowerment, and democratic reforms, including plans to hold parliamentary elections within five years of the constitutional declaration.

In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Al-Shara claimed Israel is using the October 7 attacks as a pretext to expand military actions across the region, describing it as a state “fighting ghosts.” He urged Israel to return to pre-conflict positions and respect the 1974 disengagement agreement over the Golan Heights, warning that altering the long-standing accord could destabilize the region.

Al-Shara also addressed Syria’s internal reconciliation efforts, announcing amnesty measures and rejecting sectarian politics. He emphasized that Syria is governed by law and that women’s rights are protected, signaling a shift toward inclusive governance after years of conflict.

A full delegation of all 15 United Nations Security Council member states will visit Syria and Lebanon this week, marking the Council’s first Middle East mission in six years. The visit, led by Slovenia, comes as the country assumes the Council presidency for December. Slovenian UN envoy Samuel Žbogar said the trip aims to rebuild trust with Syrians following years of disillusionment and to clarify the Council’s expectations regarding inclusive governance and counterterrorism efforts. The visit also coincides with the first anniversary of Bashar al-Assad’s government collapse in December 2024, which ended decades of Ba’ath Party rule. Žbogar added that the delegation will encourage dialogue among Syria, Israel, Lebanon, and neighboring states amid recent regional tensions. During Slovenia’s presidency, the Council will also hold an open debate titled “Leadership of Peace” and special sessions on Afghanistan, Palestine, and Ukraine throughout December.

US President Donald Trump has cautioned Israel not to interfere in Syria’s internal affairs, calling for a 'strong and genuine dialogue' between the two nations. In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump emphasized that no actions should obstruct Syria’s progress toward becoming a prosperous state. His remarks came shortly after Israel reportedly launched new airstrikes inside Syria, killing 13 people near Damascus. The newly formed Syrian government condemned the attacks as 'war crimes,' accusing Israel of deliberate shelling in the Beit Jinn area. Although Trump did not directly mention the Israeli strikes, he expressed satisfaction with the new Syrian administration led by President Ahmed al-Sharar, who replaced Bashar al-Assad last December. Trump praised al-Sharar’s commitment to national unity after years of civil war and reiterated US support for Syria’s development and stability.

France has called on Israel to respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity following an Israeli airstrike in Damascus that killed at least 13 civilians, including women and children. The French chargé d’affaires in Syria, Jean-Baptiste Favre, expressed concern over civilian casualties and reaffirmed France’s commitment to international law and the 1974 disengagement agreement between the two countries. He urged Middle Eastern nations to engage in efforts to make Syria a center of peace, security, and stability for the region. Reports indicate that since December 2024, Israel has conducted over a thousand airstrikes and more than 400 cross-border operations in southern Syria. Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government late last year, Israel reportedly took control of a buffer zone in the Golan Heights, violating the previous agreement with Syria. France’s statement reflects growing international concern over escalating violence and regional instability.

The United States and Syrian joint forces have destroyed 15 Islamic State (IS) weapons depots in southern Syria, according to a statement from the US Central Command (CENTCOM) released on Friday, November 28. The operations, conducted between November 24 and 27, targeted IS stockpiles containing over 130 mortars and rockets, as well as numerous assault rifles, machine guns, anti-tank mines, and bomb-making materials. The campaign is part of ongoing efforts to eliminate IS remnants that once controlled vast territories across Syria and Iraq following its rise in 2013. Although the group has lost most of its territory, it continues to maintain limited presence in remote areas. The latest operation comes amid political changes in Syria, where interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa recently met US President Donald Trump, who pledged full American support to the new transitional government following the December 2024 coup that ousted Bashar al-Assad.

At least 12 people, including women and children, were killed and 18 others injured, among them six Israeli soldiers, during intense clashes following Israeli airstrikes in Syria’s Beit Jinn and Mazraat Beit Jinn areas near Damascus. According to Syrian state media, the attacks occurred early Friday, leaving several people trapped under rubble as rescue operations continued. Israeli forces claimed the operation targeted members of Al-Jamaa Islamiyah allegedly plotting attacks on Israeli civilians. Syrian authorities have not commented on the incident. The Israeli military confirmed six of its soldiers were wounded, three critically. Reports indicate that Israel has conducted 47 operations in southern Syria this November alone, and over 1,000 airstrikes since late 2024, expanding its control over the Golan Heights and violating the 1974 disengagement agreement. The renewed violence follows similar Israeli attacks in Lebanon, raising regional tensions.

US special envoy Tom Barrack announced that Syria will actively assist the United States in combating ISIS, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hamas, and Hezbollah. The statement followed Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s historic visit to the White House—the first by a Syrian leader since 1946. Syria has now joined the US-led coalition against ISIS as its 90th member. Barrack also met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Turkey’s Hakan Fidan, and Syria’s Asaad al-Shaibani to discuss integrating the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into Syria’s new defense and civic structures. The talks also addressed regional realignments involving Turkey, Israel, and Lebanon. Barrack urged the US Congress to lift sanctions on Syria, emphasizing regional self-driven diplomacy. Despite cooperation with Washington, Sharaa ruled out normalizing ties with Israel, citing US support for a full Israeli withdrawal from Syrian territory.

The United Nations Security Council has officially lifted sanctions against Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara, paving the way for his scheduled visit to the White House next week. The decision, supported by the United States and backed by a council vote, marks a significant diplomatic shift in the international community’s stance toward Syria. Shara assumed office as interim president in December 2024 after rebel forces ousted Bashar al-Assad, effectively ending the country’s 13-year civil war.
U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz described the vote as a “powerful political message” affirming that Syria has entered a new era beyond Assad’s regime. Shara had previously been under UN sanctions for his leadership of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), once affiliated with al-Qaeda, but the U.S. removed HTS from its terrorist list last July. The Security Council also lifted sanctions on Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab.
According to the BBC, President Shara will meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday. Their previous meeting took place in Riyadh in May, where Trump praised Shara as a strong and determined leader. This upcoming visit will be Shara’s second trip to the United States this year.

Syria has officially released the results of its first parliamentary election since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024. The election commission announced on Monday that the outcomes for two-thirds of parliamentary seats are final and not subject to appeal. President Ahmad al-Shara will appoint members for the remaining one-third of seats, a process separate from the electoral body. On Sunday, Syrian voters cast ballots to elect representatives for 210 parliamentary seats, with 1,578 candidates competing, including 14 percent women. Authorities described the election as a key step in Syria’s political transition, marking the country’s first post-Assad electoral process. Officials emphasized the transparency and finality of the results, while noting that the appointment of remaining members by the president ensures a complete parliamentary body.

Syria recently announced the dismantling of a cell linked to Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah, seizing rockets, missiles, and arresting five suspects. Hezbollah denied any presence in Syria, but analysts note Iran continues to use the group as part of its regional strategy. Recent Israeli strikes and internal pressures in Lebanon have weakened Hezbollah’s military capabilities, limiting its influence in Syria. While still part of Iran’s plans, the group struggles to project the same strength, signaling a new reality for regional dynamics.