Seven years ago, Putin declared victory in Syria, supporting Assad amid civil war. Recently, Assad fled to Moscow as rebels advanced, revealing limits to Russia’s power and affecting its international influence, especially during its Ukraine conflict. Historically, Russia, a longtime ally of Syria, intervened militarily in 2015 to support Assad, deploying warplanes and military advisers, and upgrading its naval base in Tartus. Despite these efforts, Russia and Iran couldn’t prevent Assad’s recent downfall, highlighting challenges in maintaining regional influence. Penelope Kingsley 09/12/2024 8:00 pm
Germany has halted asylum proceedings for Syrians following the ousting of President Bashar Assad by rebel forces. The EU calls for a peaceful transition, while Russia has not confirmed reports of Assad seeking asylum in Moscow. Rebels have freed inmates in Damascus, and several European countries have suspended Syrian asylum evaluations. Turkey is reopening the Yayladagi border crossing to facilitate the voluntary return of Syrian migrants, emphasizing its operations in Syria are for security, not territorial gain. The UN Security Council is set to discuss the situation. Ava Sinclair 09/12/2024 8:00 pm
Around 180 elderly people in Haiti were killed after being accused of witchcraft by gang leader Monel “Mikano” Felix, following his child’s death. The massacre occurred in Cite Soleil, Port-au-Prince, with machete and knife attacks. The Haitian government vowed to pursue those responsible, including Felix. Gang control and political instability have hindered information sharing and security efforts. The UN mission, led by Kenyan police, is under-resourced, and Haiti has requested international support to address the growing power of armed gangs. Penelope Kingsley 09/12/2024 8:00 pm
The U.S. is seeking information on missing journalist Austin Tice following the fall of the Assad regime. Special envoy Roger Carstens is in Lebanon, working with Middle Eastern partners to track individuals from Syrian jails. Despite efforts, little intelligence on Tice’s whereabouts exists. Meanwhile, Germany and Austria have paused asylum for Syrian refugees due to the uncertain situation, affecting nearly 1 million in Germany and 100,000 in Austria. Ava Sinclair 09/12/2024 8:00 pm
President-elect Donald Trump visited Paris, engaging in diplomacy and charm. He attended the Notre-Dame Cathedral reopening and met with global leaders, including Ukrainian President Zelensky and French President Macron. Trump also bonded with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. He had a notable meeting with Prince William, discussing family health issues and complimenting the prince’s appearance. Trump shared details of their conversation, highlighting William’s affection for his family. The visit underscored Trump’s international engagement and personal diplomacy efforts. Ava Sinclair 09/12/2024 4:30 pm
Celebrations in Damascus halted as a hidden underground complex was discovered, containing 1,500 prisoners of the Assad regime. Cars rushed to Sednaya prison, known for torture, as families hoped to find missing loved ones. Despite rebel attempts to control the crowd, people surged into the prison, searching for the “red wing” where prisoners were reportedly starving and suffocating. Ahmad al-Shnein, searching for missing family, described the dire conditions, fearing for those trapped underground. Noah Prescott 09/12/2024 4:30 pm
The ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), disrupts Iran’s influence but raises concerns about instability and extremism. Western and Arab nations fear HTS might establish a hardline Islamist government. The power vacuum could lead to lawlessness, potentially allowing extremist groups like ISIS to resurge. U.S. President Biden welcomed Assad’s removal but warned of ensuing risks and uncertainties, highlighting the lack of a governance plan for Syria’s complex sectarian landscape. Penelope Kingsley 09/12/2024 4:30 pm
A Haiti gang leader, Micanor Altes, also known as Wa Mikanò, killed over 100 elderly residents in Cité Soleil, Port-au-Prince, following his son’s illness and death. Advised by a Vodou priest, Altes targeted the elderly, blaming them for his son’s condition. Human rights groups and the UN confirmed the massacre, with estimates of at least 184 deaths. This violence highlights Haiti’s ongoing gang crisis, displacing over 700,000 people and resulting in 5,000 deaths this year. The government struggles to protect residents, leaving communities vulnerable. Noah Prescott 09/12/2024 4:30 pm
Israel is conducting air strikes in Syria targeting suspected chemical weapons and missile sites to prevent them from reaching extremists after the Assad regime’s fall. Reports indicate dozens of strikes, including on a Damascus site linked to Iranian scientists. The UN’s chemical watchdog urges Syria to secure chemical stockpiles. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed Israeli strikes across coastal and southern Syria. Despite Syria’s 2013 OPCW agreement, chemical attacks persisted, with 106 incidents between 2014 and 2018. The OPCW stresses securing chemical materials in Syria. Ava Sinclair 09/12/2024 4:30 pm
In 2002, Bashar al-Assad appeared different from the brutal leader he became, initially presenting a reformist image. Succeeding his father, Hafez, Assad sought Western engagement, promoting a more ordinary family image. Despite this, he hinted at maintaining his father’s harsh tactics. Two decades later, Assad was ousted by an al-Qaida offshoot, ending the Assad dynasty and reshaping the Middle East. Even before the Arab Spring, Syria was a heavily surveilled state, similar to Gaddafi’s Libya, with a pervasive security presence. Ava Sinclair 09/12/2024 1:00 pm
