syrian president ahmed al sharaa

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is scheduled to meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. This marks Sharaa's first European visit since assuming power after Bashar al-Assad. The meeting occurs amidst concerns over human rights and sectarian clashes in Syria. Macron aims to encourage stability and respect for all Syrian communities.

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to host Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Paris, marking the first European visit for the former rebel leader. Macron aims to reaffirm France's commitment to a stable and democratic Syria, urging the new government to stabilize the region, especially Lebanon, and combat terrorism.

An invitation to Syria's new President Ahmad al-Sharaa for an Arab League summit in Baghdad has ignited political discord in Iraq. Al-Sharaa, formerly a Sunni Islamist militant, faces an Iraqi arrest warrant for terrorism. While Prime Minister Al-Sudani seeks regional mediation, Shiite factions oppose Al-Sharaa's presence due to his past conflict with Assad's regime.

Syria's new president arrived in Qatar on Tuesday, state media said, for his first official visit to the Gulf state, a key backer of the new administration after longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad's ouster. His new administration has received support from several countries including key backers Turkey and Qatar, as well as multiple Arab states.

Israeli airstrikes targeted areas near Syria's presidential palace following escalating clashes between pro-government forces and the Druze minority. This action, Israel's second this week, serves as a stern warning to Syria's Islamist-led leadership. The strikes followed Druze leader Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri's condemnation of the government's actions against his community.

A Syria war monitor on Tuesday said at least nine people were killed in clashes between Druze fighters and security forces loyal to the Islamist government who stormed a Damascus suburb. "Heavy clashes erupted in Jaramana after security forces and affiliated gunmen stormed" areas of the mostly Druze and Christian suburb of Jaramana, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor.

Officials of a small Palestinian militant group that was close to ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad said their leader was arrested Saturday by the country's new Islamist-led authorities. The arrest of the leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) came after the armed wing of another Palestinian militant group, Islamic Jihad, said last month that the new authorities had detained two of its officials on unspecified charges.

Syria's finance minister has said Qatar will help the Islamist-led government to pay public sector salaries for the coming months through a mechanism he said had been exempted from US sanctions. "We thank the Qatari government for the generous grant provided to pay part of the current wages and salary bill," Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh said in a statement carried by state news agency SANA late Wednesday.

A Syrian Islamist rebel ex-spokesman went on trial in France on Tuesday under the principle of universal jurisdiction, accused of complicity in war crimes during Syria's civil war. This is the first time that crimes committed during Syria's civil war have been tried in France under universal jurisdiction. French authorities arrested Majdi Nema in the southern city of Marseille in 2020.

Syrian Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri on Thursday condemned what he called a "genocidal campaign" against his people, after two days of deadly sectarian clashes. His call comes after sectarian clashes between Syrian security forces, fighters aligned with them, and local Druze fighters killed 17 people in Jaramana on Monday night and 22 people in Sahnaya on Tuesday night, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) monitor.

Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel carried out a strike in Syria on Wednesday on an "extremist group" preparing to attack members of the Druze community in the Damascus region. "The IDF (military) carried out a warning action and struck the organisation of an extremist group preparing to attack the Druze population in the town of Sahnaya, in the Damascus region of Syria," said a statement from the Israeli leader's office.

Syrian state television has officially relaunched with a trial broadcast, marking a significant step after Bashar al-Assad's ouster five months prior. The broadcast faced delays due to sanctions and damaged infrastructure, but authorities aim for the channel to mediate between the state and society. Despite newfound press freedoms, journalists face challenges amid political instability and economic pressures.

The UN special envoy for Syria condemned recent Israeli airstrikes following clashes between pro-government gunmen and Druze fighters, which have resulted in nearly 100 deaths. Israel stated its forces are on the ground in Syria to protect the Druze minority. The airstrikes targeted areas near Damascus and other Syrian regions, prompting international concern over escalating violations of Syria's sovereignty.

Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Bin Mubarak resigned, citing political struggles and an inability to govern effectively amidst the ongoing civil war and Huthi rebel control. His resignation comes as the Iran-backed Huthis escalate attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping in solidarity with Palestine. The country has been in civil war since 2014, leading to a humanitarian crisis.

Despite a fragile ceasefire agreement established in November, Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of two individuals, according to Lebanon's health ministry. Israel claimed the strikes targeted Hezbollah militants, while Lebanon asserts it has fulfilled its obligations under the truce, demanding Israel cease attacks and withdraw from strategic border positions. A commission is overseeing the ceasefire's implementation.

Palestinian group Islamic Jihad's armed wing said Tuesday that Syria's new authorities had detained two of the group's officials and called for their release. A statement from the Al-Quds Brigades said Islamic Jihad's Syria official Khaled Khaled and organising committee member Yasser al-Zafri had been detained in Syria for five days "without explanation".

The UK government announced on Thursday it was lifting sanctions that were imposed on Syria's interior and defence ministries during the rule of the now-deposed Bashar al-Assad. "The following entries have been removed from the Consolidated List and are no longer subject to an asset freeze -- Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defence," the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation said in a notice.

United Nations special envoy Geir Pedersen urged Israel Saturday to halt its attacks on Syria "at once", after it carried out multiple air strikes targeting the Islamist-led authorities following sectarian violence this week. "I strongly condemn Israel's continued and escalating violations of Syria's sovereignty, including multiple air strikes in Damascus and other cities," Pedersen said in a post on X, calling "for these attacks to cease at once".

Hundreds of clerics from Syria's Druze minority on Friday are heading to Israel where they will conduct a pilgrimage to a sacred shrine, the second such visit since longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad's ouster. Unlike during a smaller visit to the shrine last month, the clerics will spend the night in Israel this time.

Emirates Airline has announced a staggering USD 5.2 billion in annual profits, solidifying its position as a global aviation leader. The Dubai-based carrier transported 53.7 million passengers, contributing to the Emirates Group's overall USD 5.6 billion profit. Bolstered by Dubai's booming tourism and strategic East-West connectivity, Emirates is expanding its fleet with Airbus A350s.