“If Turkey were to renew its push for regime change in Damascus, it would put Ankara once again in conflict with major Arab states such as Iraq and the United Arab Emirates who have already indicated support for Assad. Presumably, Egypt and Saudi Arabia also support the Syrian regime given their wariness of the Islamist political groups that have enjoyed Turkish support.” – Steven A. Cook
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What Syria’s Revived Civil War Means for the Region: Steven A. Cook, Council on Foreign Relations, Dec. 1, 2024
Setbacks for Russia, Iran and Hezbollah Turn into a Catastrophe for Syria’s Assad: Yaroslav Trofimov, WSJ, Nov. 30, 2024
As Lebanon’s Battlefield Closes, Syria’s Reignites. Why Is Turkey Opening Aleppo Front Now: Ibrahim Hamidi, Al-Arabiya News, Nov. 30, 2024
Assad’s Worst Nightmare: Meet Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani: Lior Ben Ari, Alexandra Lukash, and New Agencies: Ynet News, Dec. 1, 2024
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Syrian Islamist Rebels Re-Enter Aleppo in Apparent Collapse of Regime Defenses: Andrew Bernard, JNS, Nov. 29, 2024 — Syrian Islamist rebels appear to have made stunning territorial advances against the forces of Syrian President Bashar Assad on Friday, re-entering the city of Aleppo for the first time in eight years amid the apparent collapse of government defenses in the area.
What’s Happening in Syria—A Revival of the Civil War or a Passing Episode?: Carmit Valensi, INSS, Dec. 1, 2024 — In recent days, dramatic events have unfolded in Syria that typically span years rather than mere days. Rebel factions affiliated with the central operations room, “al-Fatah al-Mubin,” led by the jihadist group “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham” (formerly al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria), and other groups supported by Turkey, launched an offensive against regime forces in northwestern Syria.
Netanyahu Holds Assessment on Syria as Jihadists Enter Aleppo in Lightning Assault: AFP, Times of Israel, Nov. 29, 2024 — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a special security discussion Friday evening with the heads of the defense establishment to discuss new internal fighting in Syria and the ceasefire in Lebanon that halted more than 13 months of fighting with Hezbollah.
Turkish Strikes in Syria Cut Water to One Million People: Namak Khoshnaw, Christopher Giles and Saphora Smith, BBC, Nov. 19, 2024 — Turkish air strikes in drought-struck north-east Syria have cut off access to electricity and water for more than a million people, in what experts say may be a violation of international law.
