Syrian authorities say they've foiled an Islamic State plot to bomb a Shiite shrine in Damascus, a move aimed at reassuring religious minorities. Meanwhile, Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister meets with Syria's new leader to discuss border demarcation and other issues.
State Senator Jose Menendez introduced “dangerous dog” legislation more than a year after Governor Greg Abbott vetoed a similar bill‘We’re trying to send a message’: San Antonio state Senator discusses dangerous dog legislation‘Even if the potential is low, that doesn’t mean a fire can’t happen’; Expert weighs in on wildfire risks in TexasHere's how to get fabulous items to make life around the house easier, more organized and tidy — all while saving big.
In this photo released by Lebanon's Prime Minister's office, Syria's de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, right, meets with Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Damascus, Syria, Saturday Jan. 11, 2025. (LEBANON PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE via AP)thwarted a plan by the Islamic State group to set off a bomb at a Shiite shrine in the Damascus suburb of Sayyida Zeinab, state media reported Saturday. State news agency SANA reported, citing an unnamed official in the General Intelligence Service, that members of the IS cell planning the attack were arrested. It quoted the official as saying that the intelligence service is “putting all its capabilities to stand in the face of all attempts to target the Syrian people in all their spectrums.”Sayyida Zeinab has been the site of past attacks on Shiite pilgrims by IS — which takes an extreme interpretation of Sunni Islam and considers Shiites to be infidels. In 2023, a motorcycle planted with explosives detonated in Sayyida Zeinab, killing at least six people and wounding dozens a day before the Shiite holy day of Ashoura, The announcement that the attack had been thwarted appeared to be another attempt by the country's new leaders to reassure religious minorities, including those seen as having been supporters of the former government ofAssad, a member of the Alawite minority, was allied with Iran and with the Shiite Lebanese militant group Hezbollah as well as Iranian-backed Iraqi militias. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, the former insurgent group that led the lightning offensive that toppled Assad last month and is now the de facto ruling party in the country, is a Sunni Islamist group that formerly had ties with al-Qaida. The group later split from al-Qaida, and HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa has preached religious coexistence since assuming power in Damascus. Also Saturday, Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati arrived in Damascus to meet with al-Sharaa. Relations between the two countries had been strained under Assad, with Lebanon's political factions deeply divided between those supporting and opposing Assad's rule. Mikati told journalists following his meeting with al-Sharaa that the two countries will form a committee to work on demarcation of the border, which has never been officially defined.“Some of the matters on the border need to be fully controlled, especially at illegal border points, to stop any smuggling operation between Lebanon and Syria,” he said. One particularly knotty issue is the area known as Chebaa Farms, which is currently controlled by Israel as part of the Golan Heights it captured from Syria in 1967 and subsequently annexed. Most of the international community regards the area as occupied. Beirut and Damascus say Chebaa Farms belong to Lebanon. The United Nations says the area is part of Syria and that Damascus and Israel should negotiate its fate. The fact that the Lebanon-Syria border was never clearly demarcated has complicated the issue.“I think it is too early to talk about all the details of border demarcation,” he said. “There are so many problems in the Syrian reality. We can’t solve it all at once.” Al-Sharaa said he hopes, meanwhile, that issues at the official border crossing will soon be resolved. Lebanese citizens, who had previously crossed easily into Syria without needing a visa, are currently barred from entry. “We seek to have social ties between us that increase and not decrease, so any border obstacles between us should be eliminated in the future, but this is a detailed matter for customs officials,” al-Sharaa said.
SYRIA LEBANON ISLAMIC STATE BORDER DEMARCATION RELIGIOUS MINORITIES NEW LEADERSHIP
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Syria Thwarts IS Bomb Plot at Shiite ShrineIntelligence officials in Syria's new de facto government foiled an Islamic State attack planned for a Shiite shrine in Damascus. The thwarted attack highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region and the new government's efforts to maintain stability.
Read more »
Syria's embassy in Lebanon suspends services as Lebanon hands over former Syrian army officersSyria’s embassy in Lebanon has suspended consular services a day after two relatives of deposed Syrian President Bashar Assad were arrested at the Beirut airport with allegedly forged passports.
Read more »
Syrian Families Flee to Lebanon as HTS Takes ControlAs the Islamist group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) assumes control in Syria, thousands of families are fleeing to Lebanon seeking safety. Asa'ad Zain al-Deen, a Syrian chef, is among those returning to Lebanon after previously seeking refuge there during the war. Deen and his family initially fled Syria in 2012 due to the Assad regime's persecution, but returned to Syria for safety during Israel's air strikes against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Now, facing uncertainty under HTS rule, they are returning to Lebanon once again.
Read more »
UNIFIL and Lebanon Urge Israel to Speed Up Withdrawal from South LebanonUN peacekeepers and Lebanon's Prime Minister are calling for a faster Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon following a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.
Read more »
What Syria means for Hezbollah's efforts to rebuild LebanonWith a ceasefire in place, Hezbollah wants to rebuild Lebanon. But its supply chains across Syria have been weakened by Israeli airstrikes, rebel fighting and the ouster of its ally Bashar al-Assad.
Read more »
What Syria means for Hezbollah's efforts to rebuild LebanonWith a ceasefire in place, Hezbollah wants to rebuild Lebanon. But its supply chains across Syria have been weakened by Israeli airstrikes, rebel fighting and the ouster of its ally Bashar al-Assad.
Read more »