Conflict in Syria

9 Dec 2024, 10:42

Ex-PM Riyad Hijab to head Syria’s interim cabinet — newspaper

Hijab served as prime minister from June to August 2012

PARIS, December 9. /TASS/. Syria’s former Prime Minister Riyad Hijab will head the country’s government during the transitional period, France’s Le Figaro said, citing sources.

According to the sources, Hijab, who served as prime minister from June to August 2012, will head the interim cabinet.

In such an event, the United States "will not have to deal" with armed opposition leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani.

Al-Sharaa is the leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group (outlawed in Russia), a coalition of Syrian Islamists formed on the basis of Jabhat al-Nusra (outlawed in Russia), which has seized power in Damascus.

Syria’s armed opposition units launched a large-scale offensive on government troops in the Aleppo and Idlib governorates on November 27. By the evening on December 7, they seized several large cities, including Aleppo, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, and Homs. On December 8, they entered Damascus while government troops withdrew from the city. The head of the Syrian government, Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, expressed his readiness for a peaceful transfer of power in the country. According to a statement from the Russian foreign ministry, Bashar Assad resigned as president of Syria and fled the country, instructing for the peaceful transfer of power.

Tags

Syrian conflict

80th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany

EU diplomacy chief warns members against attending Moscow's Victory Day parade

When asked whether EU leaders planned to visit Kiev on May 9, Kaja Kallas responded that she encouraged representatives from all EU countries "to visit Kiev and Ukraine as much as possible to show solidarity"

Russian officer details Ukrainian mining tactics in Guyevo

He also highlighted the critical role of reconnaissance units in evacuating civilians from combat zones, noting that only experienced guides can safely lead people out

Two days ago, 21:51

Certain types of Western weapons proved to be useless in Ukraine — lawmaker

Yegor Chernev, who heads the Ukrainian parliament’s national security committee, said some of Western weapons were nothing but "partners’ money going to waste"

Yesterday, 13:49

Hamas insists on ceasefire, hostage exchange as part of deal with Israel

Hamas delegation is currently in Cairo to discuss with the mediators "prospects for ending the war and opening checkpoints on the border with Gaza" to resume humanitarian deliveries to the enclave

Next round of Iran-US talks won’t be held in Vienna — envoy

Mikhail Ulyanov confirmed the publication of Abas Aslani, a senior research fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies

Yesterday, 02:30

Given hostile rhetoric, Vienna’s idea to host Ukraine talks is ridiculous — diplomat

"Austria is a solid part of the European Union’s anti-Russian paradigm," Dmitry Lyubinsky said

What we know about Russia’s Iskander strike on Ukrainian military command in Sumy

The strike on the target eliminated more than 60 Ukrainian army personnel, Russia’s Defense Ministry said

Ukrainian troops in Kursk Region deflated, actively surrendering — Russian officer

Army General Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces and first deputy defense minister, said on March 12 that around 430 Ukrainian soldiers had been captured in the Kursk Region

Zhuravka liberation brings Russian troops closer to Ukrainian army’s hub in Sumy Region

Yunakovka is a logistics hub for the Ukrainian army to supply its combat group in Russia’s borderline Kursk Region

Deal between Trump, Zelensky impossible, Medvedchuk believes

He said that Washington's greed is clouding its judgement in the Ukrainian conflict

Yesterday, 23:00

China proposes to create global management system for AI development — envoy to Russia

According to the ambassador, the modern world is going through an era of profound technological transformation

24 Aug 2022, 05:10

Turkey believes Crimea should be returned to Ukraine if agreement signed with Russia

According to Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the return of Crimea to Ukraine, of which it is an inseparable part, is essentially a requirement of international law

Extension of moratorium on energy strikes depends on Putin's decision — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov recalled that "the moratorium has essentially not been observed by the Ukrainian side"

Yesterday, 12:19

Russia says its air defenses shot down Ukrainian F-16

Russian army also shot down more than 200 drones over the past day

Air defenses down 52 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions overnight — top brass

According to regional authorities, there was no damage or casualties

Press review: Russia-US Ukraine talks continue as Iranian-US Oman meeting makes headlines

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 14th

Trump calls Ukrainian crisis 'Biden’s war' that he wants to stop

The US president said that he is "just trying to get it stopped"

Yesterday, 07:55

Russia-China ties could get stronger amid global trade wars — senior Russian diplomat

The countries could reach a new high in bilateral trade, Andrey Rudenko said

Denmark may terminate defense agreement with Washington if US leaves NATO

Lars Lokke Rasmussen stated that the treaty "may well be terminated by means other than denunciation or mutual agreement" if "very special circumstances" arise

Russia's downing of Ukrainian F-16 shows hoopla around jet overblown, general says

Major-General Vladimir Popov argued that Ukrainian pilots have trouble with the multirole fighter jet because, among other things, they are not accustomed to the layout of the cockpit

Yesterday, 10:25

Russia says its forces liberated Yelizavetovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Russian forces hit a Ukrainian storage site of tactical missiles, an airfield and a training center for drone operators, the Russian Defense Ministry added

Russian forces gain fire control over roads to Kursk Region monastery — officer

According to the report, assault teams are fighting to liberate the monastery

Referendum on Ukraine's EU accession kicks off in Hungary

Voting will continue until the end of May, and its results will be summarized under strict control with the participation of a notary

Yesterday, 21:42

Trump says US makes no exceptions on tariffs for China

US president noted that his administration will investigate whether trade tariffs on the entire electronics supply chain are consistent with US national security interests

Two days ago, 10:52

Russia-US negotiations progress towards lifting American sanctions — expert

Jeffrey Sachs added that he saw no pressing risks for Russia at the moment regarding US President Donald Trump's policy on customs duties

Trump says decision on Iran to be made soon

The second round of the consultations between representatives of Tehran and Washington on the settlement of the situation around the Iranian nuclear program will take place on April 19

US to take control of Gazprom pipeline in Ukraine — Reuters

US and Ukrainian officials met on the draft proposal in Washington on Friday, the source said

Uncontrolled AI growth in US could doom humanity — Chinese ambassador

Zhang Hanhui stressed that China regards security as a fundamental principle of AI development, "emphasizing the priority of ethical norms and the need to keep AI under control"

Russia may take Kharkov, Odessa if Ukraine conflict continues — French expert

Colonel Herve Carresse added that the Europeans have suffered a lot from the conflict

Merz indicates willingness to supply Taurus missiles to Kiev if agreed with EU allies

According to Friedrich Merz, even as Ukrainian troops have been in the defensive position, the German-Swedish air-launched cruise missile could be used to strike the Kerch bridge and other targets

Estonian president approves law enabling military to attack civilian ships

According to the media, the approved amendments give the Estonian Defense Forces permission to use force in the country’s maritime zone to address threats against critical infrastructure, defense facilities, ports and other installations

Two days ago, 23:12

Russia’s import-substituted SJ-100 plane rises to 12,200 meters during test flight

The flight lasted about three hours

Yesterday, 01:13

Russian diplomat says results of US-Iranian talks in Oman reassuring

"On the outcomes of today’s meeting in Oman, both the Iranians and the Americans described the negotiations as positive and constructive," Mikhail Ulyanov said

Algeria expels 12 French diplomats — foreign ministry

Barrot noted that Algeria's move will not go without a response

Ukraine’s military attacks Russia’s Belgorod Region with over 80 UAVs in past day

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said that a civilian was wounded after a Ukrainian UAV dropped an explosive in the area of the settlement of Glotovo

Two days ago, 17:16

Trump extends package of anti-Russian sanctions for another year

On April 15, 2021, the Biden administration introduced executive order 14024, imposing sanctions on Russian individuals and entities that may have allegedly been engaged in cyber-enabled activities against the country

Yesterday, 22:02

Hamas ready to provide mediators with details on all remaining hostages — TV

According to the Al Arabiya, the radicals have tentatively agreed to release 'more hostages than originally agreed upon'

Merz aligning with Zelensky, could become his 'accomplice' in war crimes — Russian MP

"Germany’s intention to supply long-range cruise missiles to the Ukrainian army has nothing to do with resolving the Ukrainian crisis," Leonid Slutsky stressed

Yesterday, 12:57

Russia-US talks not expected to bring swift results — Kremlin

"The problems are too complicated and they have been neglected too long," Dmitry Peskov told

Two days ago, 00:22

Kellogg suggests Ukraine could be divided between West, Russia like postwar Berlin

UK and French troops could adopt zones of control in Ukraine’s west, forming a "reassurance force" for allegedly preventing the resumption of combat operations whereas Russia could control the east of the country, US Presidential Special Envoy said

Two days ago, 09:31

Kellogg’s idea on division zones in Ukraine may lead to new escalation — Russia’s diplomat

It is one of the options for freezing the conflict, Rodion Miroshnik said

Yesterday, 23:38

Ovechkin updates his own record for goals scored in regular NHL championships

The meeting with Columbus is Washington's 80th of 82 in the current regular season

Ecuador's head of state leads in presidential election — preliminary results

Daniel Noboa was supported by 57.16% of voters, while his rival Luisa Gonzalez was backed by 42.84%

Press review: Russia, US move past Biden’s legacy as Kiev assures NATO of fight readiness

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 11th

Chinese neural network DeepSeek to remain open-source to benefit the world — ambassador

According to Zhang Hanhui, China believes that artificial intelligence "should be a technology accessible to all, not a privilege for the few"

Acting German chancellor still resolute in refusal to provide Taurus missiles to Kiev

German Defense Ministry Spokesperson Natalie Jenning, in turn, noted that the ministry preferred not to speculate on the subject

FSB detains Moldovan national recruited by Kiev to deliver explosive devices to Russia

According to the report, the man was recruited by a GUR officer in December 2023

Zelensky admits inability to regain lost territories

At the same time, he noted his distrust of Russian authorities and continued to demand security guarantees from the West

Yesterday, 04:58

Number of Ukrainian servicemen who surrendered in Kursk exceeds 500

"There was one foreign mercenary, a Colombian citizen," sources in Russia’s law enforcement said

Russian envoy inquires Rubio about Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilians

Mikhail Ulyanov commented on Marco Rubio’s statement expressing condolences to Ukrainians over strikes on Sumy

Yesterday, 12:46

Russia says its forces struck 8 Ukrainian brigades near Gornal, Oleshnya in Kursk Region

Over the past day, Ukraine lost up to 190 servicemen, a tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, an armored fighting vehicle, 12 motor vehicles, four field artillery guns, three mortars and a BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system

Kiev says more discussions needed on minerals deal with United States

The latest proposal demands all of Ukraine’s revenues from natural resources as repayment for aid worth some $120 billion that Washington has provided to Kiev

Yesterday, 03:02

Russian ambassador to London denies any Russian threat to UK

"I am not going to deny it, but I wonder whether we really have an interest in following all the British submarine with very old outdated nuclear warheads," Andrey Kelin said

Israel pushes US to consider military option if talks with Iran fail

According to the sources, US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff has briefed Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer on the outcome of the first round of talks with Iranian officials

Talk on appointing EU special envoy for Ukraine talks stalled — source

The Brussels-based Euractiv news website, citing its sources, reported that EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas had emotionally rejected the proposal during the EU summit

Yesterday, 22:19

Putin’s Direct Line Q&A session to be held this year — Kremlin

According to presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov, this is a format that has repeatedly confirmed its demand, its informational value

Yesterday, 18:23

Israeli military dismantle 1.2-km long Hamas tunnel in northern Gaza

According to the IDF, during the operation, an IDF drone "identified several terrorists planting an explosive device near the troops," who were eliminated by a precise strike

Yesterday, 17:49

Nearly 130 violations of Belarus’ airspace reported in 2025

18 drones were shot down

Medvedev labels German chancellor candidate 'Nazi' for his idea to strike Crimean bridge

Kiev has repeatedly requested Taurus missiles from Berlin

Russia to continue increasing LNG exports — deputy PM Novak

According to the deputy prime minister, the strategy also provides for the diversification of resource supplies, the development of new logistics routes, including the Northern Sea Route

Navarro denies tensions in relations with Musk — TV channel

The adviser also praised the work that Musk is doing with the DOGE effort

Russian government approves energy strategy until 2050

The updated strategy expands the planning horizon and takes into account existing challenges, which should allow the oil, gas, coal, electric power, power engineering and related transport sectors to more accurately meet the changes taking place in the world

Kremlin mum on Turkish media reports about potential Black Sea security talks

The Turkish Defense Ministry said earlier that it planned to organize a meeting on safe navigation in the Black Sea in Ankara on April 15 and 16

Moldovan national detained in Crimea for plotting terrorist attack — FSB

According to the security service, in April 2024, the man established contact with a Ukrainian intelligence officer on the Internet

Russia has proof its strike hit Ukrainian commanders’ meeting at facility in Sumy — Lavrov

"There are military officers from NATO countries present, and they are directly in command," the top Russian diplomat said

Trump promises to announce tariffs on semiconductors next week

Earlier, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that the US administration has temporarily exempted shipments of smartphones, computers and other electronics from the reciprocal tariffs

Opposition figure Gonzalez refuses to recognize defeat in Ecuador's presidential election

According to the politician, Ecuadorian citizens had witnessed 'blatant electoral fraud'

Berlin to provide Kiev with 500,000 shells under EU initiative — acting foreign minister

The arms delivery is part of a broader EU effort to bolster Ukraine’s defense amid the ongoing conflict with Russia

Yesterday, 20:14

UAE ready to help Syrian government in post-war restoration

The sides discussed a number of issues on the regional and international, agenda, including the situation in Syria

Ecuador's National Electoral Council declares Daniel Noboa winner of presidential election

According to Council head Diana Atamaint, the results of the vote count "are an accurate reflection of the will of the people"

Ukrainian army leaving positions in Gornal community in Kursk Region — officer

The artillery of Russia’s 30th Motor Rifle Regiment has cut off all the supply routes for the Ukrainian combat group in the village of Gornal, he said

22 Jan 2022, 07:29

Plane with US weapons arrives in Kiev, US Embassy says

This shipment includes close to 90 tonnes of lethal aid

Ukrainian army running low on supplies in Gornal settlement in Kursk Region — officer

As soon as the enemy’s infantry and equipment come within the sight of Russian artillery, it immediately delivers a strike and the "adversary runs back to its territory," he added

Hungary to speak against continued military aid to Ukraine at EU meeting — top diplomat

Peter Szijjarto is confident that "all that needs to be done is supporting peace efforts"

Storm Shadow manufacturer to increase missile production amid pressure from military

The concern has already invested tens of millions of euros into the modernization of its production line, including by adding more robotic machines and expanding shifts

Russia’s oil reserves sufficient for over 65 years at current output rate

According to the strategy, Russia's coal reserves stand at 272.7 billion tons, ensuring more than 500 years of output

Germany's defense minister 'surprised' by reports weapons sent to Kiev not good enough

Boris Pistorius pointed out that he was "in constant contact with Ukrainian partners" and was not aware of complaints about German combat systems

Yesterday, 10:38

Kremlin spokesman says Russia, US make good progress in re-establishing relations

According to Dmitry Peskov, talks between the two counrtries have a lot of "nuances" related to the resumption of normal operation of their diplomatic missions

China to impose visa restrictions on US citizens over Tibet issue — foreign ministry

Tibetan issues are exclusively part of China's internal affairs, Lin Jian stressed, adding that China welcomes tourist visits and business contacts by friendly foreigners in this Chinese southwestern region

The Times says UK deeply involved in Ukrainian conflict

The newspaper said that the country’s military specialists were secretly deployed to Ukraine in order to equip airplanes with the missiles and train Ukrainians in their use

Yesterday, 19:59

Houthis say they attacked Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, Sdot-Micha military base

The Israeli police said earlier in the day that sirens had sounded in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and a number of other localities in the central part of the country due to a missile attack from Yemen

Trump says CBS News should lose license over reports on Ukraine, Greenland

Even before winning the 2024 US presidential election, Trump sued CBS News for editing an interview with his Democratic rival Kamala Harris

Russia invites 19 countries to Victory Day parade on Red Square — minister

According to Andrey Belousov, solemn events involving military personnel will be held in 370 settlements

French expert sees signs of Ukraine's military exhaustion

Colonel Herve Carres also pointed to "a noticeable decline in the morale of Ukrainian society"

Yesterday, 16:24

OSCE degraded, no reasons for Russia to continue working with it — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik stressed that Russia will not withdraw from this organization not to let the West use it to "tell its own truth and build its own reality"

Ukrainian army concentrates forces in Krasnoarmeisk area, DPR leader says

Denis Pushilin added that Russian forces were also advancing in the South Donetsk area near the settlement of Bogatyr and in the Krasny Liman area

Russian army clears Ukrainian fortifications near liberated Guyevo in Kursk Region

Russian forces continue their offensive, with some Ukrainian units abandoning their positions and retreating toward the Sumy Region

Two days ago, 04:49

Chinese citizens not fighting in Ukraine — Russian MFA

"China’s position on settlement in Ukraine is quite balanced, and we are grateful to our friends for that," Andrey Rudenko noted

Lavrov advises Central Asian countries to 'outlast' Kaja Kallas in her position

"It will probably be much easier than tolerating damage to their own people," the top Russian diplomat noted

Ukraine’s fleet of F-16s is comparable to drop in the sea — expert

On April 13, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that one of the Ukrainian Air Force's F-16 aircraft had been shot down by Russian air defenses

Ecuador's head of state calls his victory in presidential election uncontested

According to data released after processing 92.65% of the ballots, 55.87% of voters supported him, while Luisa Gonzalez received 44.13% of the vote

Russian forces strike Ukrainian army, foreign mercenaries in 137 areas over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 420 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day

Yesterday, 14:28

Russia has more tools to respond to Japan’s unfriendly policy — senior diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko recalled that Moscow had already taken "a lot of steps" in response to Tokyo’s unfriendly actions

Yesterday, 00:52

US forces deliver multiple strikes on tech college in southwest Yemen — TV

No information on casualties is available at this point

21 Dec 2024, 04:29

CIA station in Kiev targeted in recent Russian attack, military expert reveals

According to Alexander Stepanov, strikes are systematic efforts to gradually wipe out the military capabilities of Ukraine

Syria’s ambassador asks Russia for asylum — TASS source

Earlier it became known that Jaafari was notified of his recall to Damascus and the change of the head of Syria’s diplomatic mission in Russia

Russian forces only hit military targets — Kremlin comments on Sumy strike

Earlier, Igor Korotchenko, military analyst and editor-in-chief of the National Defense magazine, told TASS that the Russian missile strike had targeted an administrative building in Sumy hosting an awarding ceremony for Ukrainian service members who had distinguished themselves in fighting against the Russian Armed Forces

Russia expected renewal of sanctions by Trump — Kremlin

Moscow and Washington are only at the start of normalizing bilateral relations and Russia therefore had no exaggerated expectations as regards US actions, Dmitry Peskov noted

Russian army prevails in Sumy due to being better trained than Ukrainian servicemen

The Russian serviceman noted that the 30th Motorized Rifle Regiment deployed to the Kursk Region in August 2024 and had been involved in all key operations there alongside a neighboring unit

Yesterday, 21:22

Houthis down another US MQ-9 drone over Yemen — spokesman

Yahya Saria said it was the fourth such drone destroyed by the rebels in Yemeni airspace in two weeks, and the nineteenth since the conflict in the Gaza Strip escalated

Kremlin believes Germany’s Merz wants Ukraine conflict to escalate

"We are seeing the same approach in other European capitals as well," Dmitry Peskov added