A rebel group known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which spearheaded the overthrow of the Assad dynasty in Syria, is now trying to form a national government. The group has roots in the Islamic State and Al Qaeda, but has modified its jihadist orientation since around 2016. Despite this, it has run much of the opposition-held province of Idlib since 2017, achieving a certain level of stability and discipline.
The group’s internal security force has been able to confront other military factions and domestic critics, prompting regular protests against harsh jail conditions and authoritarian methods. The primary question is whether these rebels can scale up what they achieved in Idlib, which is poor and agrarian with a relatively small population.
The US has been in direct contact with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirming this on Saturday. This marks the first official confirmation that Washington was communicating with the group, despite labeling it a terrorist organization.
Meanwhile, Israel launched 75 strikes against military sites near Damascus and Hama, as well as the cities of Homs. People in northern Syria are returning home after years of displacement.
In other news, Israel will close its embassy in Ireland due to tensions over South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. South Korea has been left without a strong elected leader after President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached, and Georgia’s lawmakers have handed the presidency to Mikheil Kavelashvili.
The US is also trying to win over former President Donald Trump using diplomacy and flattery. In sports news, Gary O’Neil was sacked as the head coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Arthur Fils will face Jakub Mensik in the Jeddah ATP Next Gen Finals.
Finally, Rick Steves is set to release a new book about his journey from Istanbul to Kathmandu in 1978. The guidebook writer has been helping people get the most out of their trips for decades.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/16/briefing/rebels-syria-israel-ireland.html