Tehran

Iran, a staunch supporter of the deposed Syrian president, has repatriated 4,000 of its nationals since rebels seized Damascus and toppled Bashar al-Assad on Sunday, according to the Iranian government.

Israeli soldiers stand guard on a security fence gate near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024.

It took just 11 days for Syrian opposition groups to force Bashar al-Assad to flee the country and impose a new revision of the strategic map in the Middle East.

A US-backed rebel alliance led by Syrian Kurds has seized the largest city in the east of the country, the main border crossing with Iraq, putting it in de facto control of the eastern Syrian desert in two surprise moves.

One week after Aleppo fell to jihadist militias, the Syrian civil war has reverted to its familiar blend of military and diplomatic maneuvers. The next phase of this seemingly endless conflict remains shrouded in uncertainty.

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko held talks with Turkish citizens who have historical and business-related ties with Japan as part of the royal couple's Istanbul visit on Dec. 6.

The couple met with academicians, representatives of Turkish-Japanese friendship associations as well as Turkish citizens connected with Japan at Çırağan Palace in Istanbul.

Iran will “consider” sending troops to Syria if Damascus requests it, said Iranian diplomatic chief Abbas Araghsi, whose country supports the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that preparations are underway for a visit to Russia by Iranian President Masoud Pezeskyan, though the exact timing remains unclear.

Peskov noted that it is uncertain whether the visit will occur this year, but if necessary, a date could be set quickly.

The US and the United Arab Emirates are discussing between them the possibility of lifting sanctions against Syrian President Bashar Assad if he walks away from Iran and cuts off arms routes to Lebanon and Hezbollah, five people with knowledge of the talks told Reuters.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad sought to shore up support from his allies Sunday, after a monitor said a shock rebel offensive saw government forces lose control of Aleppo for the first time since the start of the country's civil war.

Jihadists and rebels have seized most of Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, including its airport, during a lightning assault that left over 320 people dead, a monitoring group reported on Saturday, as the international community voiced concern.