The Gulf Cooperation Council supports Syria's interim administration in maintaining unity and stability with the aim of bringing development and prosperity to the Syrian people, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, secretary-general of the GCC, said during high-level talks with the country's interim rulers.

Albudaiwi, along with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, led a delegation of GCC officials for a meeting on Monday with Syria's interim administration officials, including the de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, in the Syrian capital Damascus, media reports said.

The GCC "welcomes the UN's call to establish a special mission to support the political transition process in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter to help the Syrian people achieve a Syrian-led political process", the GCC chief said during the meeting, Arab News reported.

Albudaiwi said the Gulf countries have always stressed the need to respect Syria's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, reject foreign interventions, and combat terrorism and extremism while respecting religious and cultural diversity in the country.

He condemned repeated Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, calling on Israel to withdraw its forces from occupied Syrian lands.

Rasha Al Joundy, a senior researcher at the Dubai Public Policy Research Centre, told China Daily that Syria cannot navigate these sensitive times without the support of its Arab and Gulf neighbors.

Qatar and Kuwait have already begun sending humanitarian aid and are exploring solutions to address the severe power shortages in Syria.

The high-level communication with Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC indicates that Syria's new transitional leadership has garnered Arab legitimacy and approval, which is crucial, alongside the potential lifting of US sanctions.

It seems everyone wants to give Syria all the tools it needs to overcome this critical period, Al Joundy said.

Electoral timetable

Al-Sharaa has said that holding elections in the country could take up to four years. It is the first time the new Syrian leader has commented on a possible electoral timetable since the fall of president Bashar al-Assad weeks ago.

By outlining a four-year timeline until elections, al-Sharaa will face challenges from civil society in Syria, Al Joundy said.

However, the new government formed after a national conference will ultimately have the final say on the election, rather than al-Sharaa alone, even if he is elected president during the conference, she said.

According to reports on Monday, the Syrian national conference is to take place in Damascus on Jan 4 and 5 to discuss the country's future. The conference is expected to establish a constitutional drafting committee and propose the formation of a new government within a month.

Meanwhile, a convoy of 60 trucks from the US-led coalition entered northeastern Syria on Monday, carrying weapons and logistics supplies to support the allied forces, Al-Arabiya TV reported.

The reinforcements come amid clashes between the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and Turkish-aligned factions in the region.

Hussein Talal Maklad, professor of international relations at Damascus University, told China Daily the Gulf states will focus on playing a major role in the future of Syria through political and economic reconstruction of the country and the creation of a stable political order within Syria.

Maklad said a new, free Syria is a big opportunity for Turkiye and the Gulf states. Saudi Arabia expressed the "strongest support" for Syria's people, commending measures taken by the new leadership in Damascus to promote stability, he said.

Xinhua and agencies contributed to this story.

DAMASCUS - Ahmed al-Sharaa, head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and Syria's de facto leader, gave his most comprehensive remarks yet on Sunday about how he plans to steer the country through its current transition.

Speaking to Saudi state-owned broadcaster Al Arabiya, al-Sharaa discussed various issues, from maintaining ties with Russia to negotiating with Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria.

Al-Sharaa sought to reassure Moscow of its continued importance in post-Assad Syria. "We do not want Russia to depart in a manner unbefitting its longstanding relationship with our country," he said, referring to the presence of Russian bases at Hmeimim and Tartous.

Al-Sharaa said Syria shared "strategic interests" with Russia. The Russian officials earlier stressed international treaties legitimated their bases.

In a possible breakthrough for the fractured northeast, al-Sharaa confirmed his administration is in talks with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), predominantly led by Kurdish units.

"We aim to resolve issues in the northeast and eventually integrate them into the governmental armed forces," he said, adding that "the Kurds are integral to Syria's makeup, and partition is off the table."

Al-Sharaa reiterated that all armed factions, including the HTS, will dissolve "in due course," stating that the authority will "manage the country with a state-centered approach" rather than a revolutionary ethos. This restructuring is expected to happen in tandem with a national dialogue conference and the creation of a Ministry of Defense.

On the home front, al-Sharaa affirmed that establishing a new constitution could take up to three years, with credible elections possibly requiring four years to organize.

A comprehensive census must precede the voting process, he said, to ensure transparency and fairness. The leader also emphasized the urgent need to restore the rule of law and end the chaos caused by years of war.

While acknowledging isolated acts of retribution, he claimed they are fewer than anticipated, given the scale of societal ruptures.

Al-Sharaa welcomed Saudi Arabia's "very positive" comments and expressed gratitude for the kingdom's past support. He envisions major Saudi investments that could help rebuild the war-ravaged nation.

He also appealed for an end to Western sanctions, voicing hopes the incoming U.S. administration under Donald Trump would rescind measures like the Caesar Act that have squeezed the Syrian economy.

Meanwhile, al-Sharaa questioned Iran's ongoing role, urging Tehran to reconsider its regional policies. He also acknowledged that some Syrians desire a more constructive Iranian contribution.

The new authority's military arm reportedly took steps "to secure all Iranian facilities" after the transition, though al-Sharaa expressed disappointment at the lack of positive signals from Tehran.

DAMASCUS - Fourteen officers from Syria's interim Ministry of Interior were killed and ten others injured in a "treacherous ambush" in the northwestern province of Tartus on Wednesday, the interim government's Interior Minister Mohammed Abdul Rahman announced.

Cited by local Al-Watan newspaper, the minister described the attackers as "remnants" of the former government.

The ministry said the slain officers were carrying out duties aimed at maintaining security and protecting civilians.

No further details were provided.

Following the recent collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria earlier this month, several high-profile incidents have heightened sectarian tensions across the country.

On Wednesday, a video circulated depicting an alleged attack on a shrine revered by Alawite worshipers in Aleppo sparked protests and calls for accountability.

Demonstrations also erupted in several predominantly Alawite areas, with community members voicing concerns that the new authorities were not doing enough to protect their religious symbols.

Meanwhile, security officials insisted such events were isolated and warned that remnants of the former government might exploit sectarian fault lines to sow discord.

DAMASCUS — Syria's new leaders announced on Tuesday that they had reached an agreement with the country's other military factions on their dissolution and integration under the Defense Ministry.

Absent from the meeting were representatives of the US-backed, Kurdish-led forces that control swathes of Syria's northeast.

The meeting between the military groups and head of Syria's de facto governing group, Ahmed al-Sharaa, "ended in an agreement on the dissolution of all the groups and their integration under the supervision of the Ministry of Defense", said a statement carried by state news agency SANA and the authorities' Telegram account.

The announcement came as Syria navigates a sensitive political transition following the downfall of the previous government on Dec 8.

A militant alliance led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, waged a major military operation from northern Syria on Nov 27. It swept southward, captured the capital Damascus and overthrew former president Bashar al-Assad's government within 12 days.

On Sunday, Sharaa, commander of HTS, had said the new authorities would "absolutely not allow there to be weapons in the country outside state control".

That also applied to the Kurdishled Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, he said.

Last week, Sharaa told AFP that Kurdish-held areas would be integrated under the new leadership and that "Syria will not be divided".

SDF spokesman Farhad Shami told AFP the question of his group's integration into the national armed forces "should be discussed directly".

He did not dismiss the possibility, saying that doing so would strengthen "the whole of Syria".

Shami added that his forces prefer "dialogue with Damascus to resolve all questions".

Serving the people

Meanwhile, Asaad al-Shaibani, the newly appointed foreign minister by Syria's interim administration, pledged on Tuesday to prioritize serving the people and representing "every segment of society", asserting that the country will reclaim its regional and international role.

In a series of posts on X, Shaibani emphasized that protecting citizens' rights and interests, as well as ensuring fair representation of all ethnic and social groups, will be the "compass" guiding Syria's future.

"In the new Syria, everyone will feel they belong," he said, adding that the state aims to guarantee dignity, freedom and a return home for those displaced by past conflicts.

Acknowledging the struggles endured by the Syrian people, Shaibani highlighted "the immense sacrifices and suffering" they have faced.

"Our sole tribute to those victims", he said, "is to ensure such atrocities never happen again and to bring perpetrators to justice".

Regarding Syria's position in the international arena, Shaibani stated he would represent the country "with sincerity and strength", emphasizing the interim government's commitment to creating a "brighter future".

He also urged Syrian youth to contribute to the rebuilding of the country and to lead it toward innovation and progress.

"We require the efforts of all young Syrians to shape the present and map out the future," he said.

In another post on X, Shaibani warned Iran against "spreading chaos" in Syria, urging the country to "respect the will of the Syrian people". Iran has long been a key ally of Assad.

Shaibani, born in 1987, was appointed on Saturday by the Syrian interim administration, which is supported by HTS. He is known for his pivotal role as the head of HTS' political affairs department.

Xinhua-Agencies

UNITED NATIONS/LATAKIA, Syria — China hopes Syria will achieve peace and restore stability as soon as possible, and stands ready to play a constructive role to that end, a Chinese envoy says.

"Recently, the situation in Syria has undergone drastic changes, to which China pays great attention," Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said at a UN Security Council briefing on Syria on Tuesday.

"It is imperative to stabilize the security situation," Geng said, calling on all parties concerned in Syria to exercise calm and restraint, refrain from actions that may escalate the situation, and prevent new conflicts.

The ambassador urged all parties to take measures to prohibit attacks against civilians and protect the security of diplomatic missions and foreign nationals in the country.

"We hope that Syria's state institutions will remain operational to create conditions for the restoration of social order" and that "countries with influence, especially regional countries, will play a constructive role in stabilizing the situation in Syria", he said.

Geng also expressed "grave concerns" over Israel's recent continued airstrikes against Syria and its entry into the demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan Heights, where it claimed to expand settlements, calling on Israel to stop these actions.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a security briefing on Tuesday on Mount Hermon, Syria's highest peak, one of the areas of the buffer zone that Israel seized this month.

Netanyahu visited "outposts at the summit of Mount Hermon for the first time since they were seized by the military", Katz's office said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Israeli move to seize the buffer zone was a violation of the 1974 armistice that set up the zone to separate Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights following the previous year's war.

Geng reiterated that China has long pursued a policy of friendship and cooperation with Syria, not interfering in Syria's internal affairs, and respecting the choice of the Syrian people.

Voicing his sincere expectation that Syria will achieve peace and restore stability as soon as possible, Geng said China is "ready to play a constructive role to that end".

The long-term solution is to promote a political settlement, he said, noting that China supports Syria in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2254, advancing its domestic political process in line with the Syrian-led and Syrian-owned principles, and finding a national reconstruction plan through inclusive dialogue.

"The will of the Syrian people should be respected to avoid national division and fragmentation of the domestic situation," he said, adding that China supports the active mediation role of the UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen in facilitating dialogue among all parties.

Furthermore, Geng said the clear bottom line is the fight against terrorism, urging Syria to stand firm against any form of terrorism and extremist forces. "The Syrian territory must not be used to support terrorism or threaten the security of other countries."

As the drastic changes in Syria have exacerbated the already dire humanitarian crisis across the country, Geng called on all parties to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access and facilitate the humanitarian operations of UN agencies, urging the relevant country to immediately lift the unilateral sanctions imposed on Syria.

Xinhua - Agencies

UNITED NATIONS -- China hopes Syria will achieve peace and restore stability as soon as possible, and is ready to play a constructive role to that end, a Chinese envoy said on Tuesday.

"Recently, the situation in Syria has undergone drastic changes, to which China pays great attention," Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said in his remarks at the UN Security Council briefing on Syria.

"It is imperative to stabilize the security situation," Geng stressed, calling on all parties concerned in Syria to exercise calm and restraint, refrain from actions that may escalate the situation, and prevent new conflicts.

The ambassador urged all parties to take measures to prohibit attacks against civilians and protect the security of diplomatic missions and foreign nationals in the country.

"We hope that Syria's state institutions will remain operational to create conditions for the restoration of social order," and that "countries with influence, especially regional countries, will play a constructive role in stabilizing the situation in Syria," he said.

Geng also expressed "grave concerns" over Israel's recent continued airstrikes against Syria and its entry into the demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan Heights, where it claimed to expand settlements, calling on Israel to stop these actions.

The ambassador reiterated that China has long pursued a policy of friendship and cooperation with Syria, not interfering in Syria's internal affairs, and respecting the choice of the Syrian people.

Voicing his sincere expectation that Syria will achieve peace and restore stability as soon as possible, Geng said China is "ready to play a constructive role to that end."

He said that the long-term solution is to promote a political settlement, noting that China supports Syria in implementing Security Council Resolution 2254, advancing its domestic political process in line with the Syrian-led and Syrian-owned principle, and finding a national reconstruction plan through inclusive dialogue.

"The will of the Syrian people should be respected to avoid national division and fragmentation of the domestic situation," the ambassador stressed, adding that China supports the active mediation role of the UN and Special Envoy Geir Pedersen's work in facilitating dialogue between all parties.

Furthermore, Geng highlighted that the clear bottom line is the fight against terrorism, urging Syria to stand firm against any form of terrorism and extremist forces. "The Syrian territory must not be used to support terrorism or threaten the security of other countries."

As the drastic changes in Syria have exacerbated the already dire humanitarian crisis across the country, the ambassador called on all parties to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access, and facilitate the humanitarian operations of UN agencies, urging the relevant country to lift the unilateral sanctions imposed on Syria immediately.

DAMASCUS -- US-led mediation efforts have failed to establish a lasting ceasefire in northern Syria's Manbij and Kobani regions, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Monday.

In a statement from its media center, the SDF accused Türkiye and allied militias of rejecting key provisions in a proposed agreement, including the transfer of remaining Manbij Military Council fighters and civilians seeking relocation to safer areas in northern and eastern Syria.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights corroborated the claim, reporting that Turkish-backed factions have refused to implement the terms of a de-escalation agreement reached with the US-backed SDF. The Observatory added that these factions are blocking entry for the Kurdish Red Crescent and "autonomous administration" convoys aiming to evacuate civilians, prisoners, and the bodies of the deceased.

The situation in Manbij, a strategically vital city in northern Syria, has sharply deteriorated. In late November 2024, the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army launched a major offensive against the city, which has been under SDF control. The assault has led to intense clashes, civilian casualties, and a deepening humanitarian crisis.

On Dec 11, the SDF said it had reached a US-sponsored ceasefire with Turkish-backed militant groups and retreated from Manbij.

Since its liberation from the Islamic State in 2016, Manbij, a strategic city in the Aleppo province, has been controlled by the US-backed SDF. Türkiye, however, regards the SDF as a terrorist organization and supports rebel groups attempting to drive out these Kurdish-led forces.

DAMASCUS -- Former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad released on Monday his first public statement since leaving Damascus on Dec 8, detailing the chaotic moments leading up to his departure for Russia.

The statement, released via the Syrian Presidency's Telegram account, addressed rumors surrounding al-Assad's departure and the collapse of his government after more than 13 years of civil conflict.

Al-Assad insisted that he did not plan the departure and remained in the capital city until the early morning hours of Dec. 8, attending to his responsibilities. When militant groups entered Damascus, he coordinated with "Russian friends" to relocate to the coastal province of Latakia, aiming to continue directing military operations from there, he added.

However, upon his arrival at Russia's Hmeimim Air Base, al-Assad realized that all remaining Syrian army positions had collapsed, and that ground forces had withdrawn from the front lines, said the statement.

With the situation deteriorating and the Russian base itself encountering drone attacks, al-Assad said Moscow arranged an immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of Dec 8.

Al-Assad claimed that the idea of seeking asylum or relinquishing his post never arose before, saying his sole option had been to continue fighting.

He dismissed any notion that he would abandon the people of Syria, stressing he had refused "deals and temptations" throughout the war. Al-Assad noted that he remained in Damascus with his family during even the worst years of conflict, facing repeated threats of militant advances for more than 13 years.

The ousted president described himself as a leader who never aspired to personal power, viewing his role as part of a national project supported by the Syrian people.

With the state falling to what he termed "terrorists" and no capacity left to serve the public, he said the position of president became "meaningless."

Still, al-Assad insisted that his national identity and allegiance to Syria remain firm, expressing hope that the country will one day regain freedom and independence.

A militant alliance led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group waged a major offensive from northern Syria on Nov 27 and had since swept southwards through areas held by al-Assad's government. Following territorial gains, including the capture of the capital Damascus, the alliance declared the end of al-Assad's rule on Dec 8.

Senior diplomats from eight Arab countries affirmed their support on Saturday for a peaceful, inclusive and fair political transition in Syria while denouncing Israeli incursions and bombings in the country.

At the Arab Ministerial Contact Committee on Syria in Aqaba, Jordan, foreign ministers from Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also called for supporting the role of the United Nations envoy to Syria.

They sought necessary resources for establishing a UN mission to assist Syria in supporting and overseeing the political transition process in accordance with the Security Council Resolution 2254.

The diplomats condemned Israeli incursions and attacks on Syria, emphasizing that the Golan Heights is "occupied Arab Syrian land" and calling for an end to the occupation. They demanded urgent action from the UN Security Council to halt Israeli violations of international law, including its military operations in Gaza and Syria.

On Saturday, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israel fired 61 missiles at Syrian military sites in less than five hours on Saturday evening.

Israel has conducted about 800 airstrikes across Syria since the downfall of Bashar al-Assad's government on Dec 8, destroying military capabilities and infrastructure and leaving Syria without air defenses against its attacks, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday.

Abu Mohammad Al-Jolani, who led the military operation that resulted in the collapse of Assad's government, accused Israel of justifying its attacks on Syria in the guise of security concerns.

"Israeli arguments have become weak and no longer justify their recent violations. The Israelis have clearly crossed the lines of engagement in Syria, which poses a threat of unwarranted escalation in the region," he said in an interview published on the website of Syria TV.

In a note to reporters on Thursday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was deeply concerned by "the recent and extensive violations of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity", highlighting the urgent need to "de-escalate violence on all fronts throughout Syria".

The 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement remains in force, he said, condemning all actions that would be inconsistent with the agreement.

'Vacuum' on border

Israel said on Thursday that the "collapse of the Syrian regime created a vacuum on Israel's border" and in the buffer zone established by the 1974 agreement.

It called the incursion into Syrian territory a limited and temporary measure to ensure border security.

The US has defended the recent Israeli takeover of the Syrian side of the Golan Heights.

Arhama Siddiqa, a research fellow at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad in Pakistan, described the Arab Ministerial Contact Committee's communique on Syria as a polished reiteration of familiar themes: peace, inclusivity and the long-standing principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

The Arab world's post-pandemic pivot toward economic priorities "further explains the cautious, almost superficial approach to Syria", Siddiqa told China Daily.

"Stability is the goal, not out of altruism but necessity — regional peace is a prerequisite for economic recovery and cooperation," she said.

"Inclusivity remains the cornerstone of any genuine resolution, yet it is conspicuously absent in practice.

"Syria's fragmented society demands a process that engages opposition groups, civil society actors and marginalized voices — yet these stakeholders are often sidelined in favor of expedient but fragile agreements," she said.

Xinhua and Reuters contributed to this story.

MOSCOW -- Russia has evacuated some of its diplomats out of the Syrian capital Damascus while its embassy continues to function, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.

The diplomats were transported by a Russian Aerospace Forces flight from the Khmeimim Air Base in Syria to Moscow, the ministry said in a statement.

The flight also carried diplomats from Belarus and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, it added.

DOHA -- Qatar announced on Sunday that it will resume operations at its embassy in Syria, effective Tuesday, with Khalifa Abdullah Al Mahmoud Al Sharif appointed as the charge d'affaires.

In a statement, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that this move marks the restoration of diplomatic relations with Syria after a 13-year hiatus.

The ministry emphasized that the reopening of the embassy will enhance Qatar's ongoing humanitarian efforts, including its airlift of relief supplies to support the Syrian people during the transitional phase and address urgent humanitarian needs.

Qatar announced on Wednesday to reopen its embassy in Damascus, days after a militant coalition led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted former President Bashar al-Assad last week.

Qatar closed its embassy in Damascus in 2011 following the outbreak of anti-government protests in Syria.

JERUSALEM -- The Israeli government approved a plan on Sunday to expand settlements in the Golan Heights, a Syrian territory currently occupied by Israel, according to a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.

The 10.81-million-US dollar plan, unanimously approved by the cabinet, is being advanced "in light of the war and the new front with Syria," the statement said.

According to the statement, the plan aims to double the Israeli population in the Golan Heights. It includes establishing a student village, a development program to integrate new residents, and initiatives to strengthen the education system and renewable energy infrastructure.

"Strengthening the Golan is strengthening the State of Israel, and it is especially important at this time," Netanyahu said at the start of the cabinet meeting on the plan. "We will continue to hold on to it (Golan Heights), make it flourish, and settle in it."

Israel captured part of the Golan Heights during the 1967 war and annexed it, despite international condemnation. Following the downfall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government on Dec. 8, Israel seized the UN-monitored buffer zone, a demilitarized area established in 1974 under a ceasefire agreement between the two countries.

Israeli forces also took control of a Syrian army outpost and stationed troops on the summit of Mount Hermon on Golan. Meanwhile, Israel increasingly launched airstrikes on Syrian army assets across the country, claiming to prevent the weapons "from falling into the hands of terrorist elements."

Israel's military actions have sparked condemnation from regional countries and prompted calls from the international community for respect for Syria's sovereignty.

Early signs of some stability and progress in Syria have sparked cautious optimism among observers. However, experts continue to be wary about the country's uncertain future, and the potential regional and global ramifications of its trajectory.

In a notable development, a coalition of rebel groups appointed Mohammed al-Bashir as the head of an interim government tasked with governing Syria until March 1. Bashir has pledged to establish representative governance and promote religious tolerance.

Bashir said he will bring back millions of Syrian refugees, who were forced to flee their homes during the country's 13-year civil war.

"The country is moving toward development and reconstruction," said Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, leader of the main insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, in an interview with Sky News. "It's going toward stability."

In another sign of easing tensions, the US-backed Kurdish forces and Turkiye-backed Syrian rebels agreed on a ceasefire, mediated by the United States, in the northern city of Manbij on Wednesday.

While these developments suggest progress, the road ahead for Syria remains fraught with challenges and complexities.

Fragile, complex reality

Analysts cautioned that Syria's precarious situation leaves little hope for a swift resolution to issues and return to normalcy. They highlighted the risks of sectarian violence, internal power struggles within the rebel coalition, and the resurgence of extremist groups like ISIS.

Syria's political future remains deeply uncertain. HTS, the dominant force in the rebel coalition, is working to consolidate its control, while exiled political leaders are beginning to return.

The country's diverse population — Sunni Muslims, Shia Alawites, Christians, Kurds, and Palestinian factions — remains divided along ethnic and sectarian lines. Historically, these groups have often been in conflict. Additionally, Palestinian factions such as Fatah, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad have maintained a presence in Syria as guests of the government for decades.

The rebel coalition currently governing much of Syria is led by HTS, which is designated a terrorist organization by both the United States and the United Nations.

Niu Xinchun, a professor at Ningxia University's China-Arab Research Institute, warned of the devastating consequences if power transition is not peaceful. "If Syria fails to establish a stable and efficient central government, it could plunge back into a larger-scale civil war, resulting in immense suffering for its people," Niu said.

While a smooth regime transition would be the ideal outcome, according to Niu, "the likelihood of such a scenario is very low. Syria is highly likely to remain unstable and turbulent".

Syria's economy is in shambles, marked by widespread unemployment and lack of basic services. The newly formed transitional government faces enormous challenges in addressing these issues, particularly with international sanctions still in place.

Meanwhile, in a bid to consolidate power, HTS has informed Palestinian factions in Syria that they are no longer permitted to maintain weapons, training camps or military headquarters, according to Arabic media reports.

Reports of public executions of former government officials have also been coming in.

Foreign stakeholders

Zhao Beiping, deputy director of the Center for Middle East Studies at Shandong Normal University, emphasized the ongoing uncertainty in Syria, highlighting that the major powers supporting various factions will play a pivotal role in shaping the country's future.

"(Former Syrian president) Bashar al-Assad's collapse will inevitably alter the geopolitical map of the region," Zhao said. "Regional stakeholders are actively trying to influence the developments in Syria to align with their political interests."

Israel, in particular, appears to be capitalizing on the situation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently ordered his troops to swiftly seize the demilitarized buffer zone that separated Israel from Syria since the 1974 disengagement agreement. Netanyahu's office stated that troops would remain slightly beyond the buffer zone for "strategic reasons".

The Israel Defense Forces announced on Thursday that it had "severely damaged" Syria's air defenses, destroying over 90 percent of identified strategic surface-to-air missile systems.

UN experts have strongly condemned Israel's extensive military operations in Syria, asserting that these actions constitute serious violations of international law.

Zhao Jun, an associate researcher at Shanghai International Studies University's Middle East Studies Institute, noted that the situation in Syria will trigger a new round of competition among international and regional stakeholders, each vying for influence and control over the country's future.

Turkiye, Iran, Russia and the US have vested interests in Syria, but their competing agendas create significant barriers to coordinated action, Zhao said.

Earlier this year, Gulf states took a step toward normalizing relations with Damascus, leading to Syria's readmission to the Arab League. Shamiran Mako, an assistant professor of international relations at Boston University's Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, said that key Arab states will play a significant role in Syria's transition, with the aim of safeguarding their own interests while containing potential Islamist threats.

In his first address following the ousting of Assad, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei harshly criticized the US and Israel, accusing them of orchestrating the downfall of one of Teheran's key allies.

Assad's collapse represents a significant blow to Iran's "Shia Crescent", a geopolitical alliance that once spanned from western Afghanistan to the Mediterranean. Syria, at the heart of this corridor, was crucial for Teheran's ability to arm Hezbollah and project influence in Lebanon and across the Levant. With Syria's shift, Teheran now faces heightened regional vulnerability and a diminished strategic foothold, analysts noted.

Russia's military intervention in 2015 was pivotal in saving the Assad government from collapse, securing key air and naval bases in Tartus and Khmeimim, and solidifying Moscow's presence in the Eastern Mediterranean. From Syria, Russia has extended its influence into Libya, the Sahel and beyond, strengthening its broader Middle East and Africa strategy.

On Thursday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov confirmed that Moscow had established direct contacts with HTS and expressed the intent to maintain its military bases in Syria, citing the continued need to "fight international terrorism", according to Interfax.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Turkiye, Iraq and Jordan between Wednesday and Saturday to discuss Syria, signaling ongoing diplomatic efforts to navigate the region's shifting dynamics. He said in Jordan on Saturday that US officials also have been in direct contact with HTS.

US involvement in Syria began in 2011, following the Arab Spring's spread to the country. Diplomatic ties between the US and Syria were severed in 2012.

In recent days, the US has conducted a series of strikes on "ISIS targets", citing the need to prevent ISIS from gaining ground after the collapse of the Assad government. The US currently maintains about 900 troops in northeast Syria as part of its efforts to combat ISIS. The future of the US presence in the region remains uncertain, especially with President-elect Donald Trump's stance that the US should "not get involved" in Syria.

Turkiye takes itself as the most important player in shaping new Syria's political landscape as it has troops there and stands behind some rebel forces, Niu Xinchun of Ningxia University said.

Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated on Friday that his country's "strategic goal" is to eliminate the Syrian Kurdish forces, which are supported by the US.

Experts have warned that as various armed groups vie for power and foreign stakeholders attempt to shape Syria's future, the country could descend into domestic chaos akin to what followed the ousting of Moammar Gaddafi in Libya or Saddam Hussein in Iraq. This uncertainty underscores the fragile and volatile nature of Syria's transition.

caihong@chinadaily.com.cn

Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday urged a ceasefire in the Middle East and called for more efforts to resume dialogue and negotiations to promote security and peace as the region is plagued by mounting crises since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict last October.

Wang elaborated on China's stance at a joint news conference with visiting Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs Badr Abdel Aaty after co-chairing a strategic dialogue in Beijing.

Israel's conflicts with Palestine, Iran and Lebanon — as well as tensions in the Red Sea and the recent upheavals in Syria — have posed a serious threat to international peace and security.

Where the Middle East is headed is first of all a must-answer question facing countries in the region, and the international community needs to seriously reflect on it and learn lessons, Wang said.

Actions that would create new obstacles to end hostilities, the top priority in the region, must be avoided, Wang said.

He said efforts must be made to alleviate humanitarian crises and improve humanitarian hardships, in particular, to prevent the resurgence of a Syrian refugee crisis.

Humanitarian issues should not be politicized, and civilian lives must not be used as bargaining chips, the foreign minister stressed.

He called on members of the United Nations Security Council to take the responsibility and contribute to safeguarding peace and stability in the Middle East rather than stirring up trouble.

Efforts toward dialogue and consultation should continue to keep the momentum of regional reconciliation led by rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, he said, calling for building a sustainable new security architecture for the Middle East.

The foreign minister said that a fragmented situation in Syria must be prevented while the Palestinian issue should not be marginalized again.

Wang expressed regret that the Middle East has long been a victim of major power games and geopolitical conflicts, saying that this historical injustice must not continue.

The international community should stick to the facts and international fairness and justice, assisting rather than replacing regional countries in finding solutions to their disputes, he said.

The foreign minister said he expects Middle Eastern countries will put aside past grievances, resolve enmity, enhance solidarity and prioritize the overall peace and development of the region.

China will continue to uphold peace and stability in the Middle East, promote development and prosperity, support unity and independence, and remain a long-term reliable partner of regional countries, he added.

Speaking of the situation in Syria, Wang said that China supports the early realization of peace within the country, the implementation of UNSC Resolution 2254, and seeking a reconstruction plan that conforms to the will of the Syrian people through inclusive dialogue. The future Syria must firmly oppose all forms of terrorism and extremist forces, he said.

The international community should uphold Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, respect its national and religious traditions, and ensure that Syrians make decisions independently, Wang said.

Wang also called for efforts to lift the yearslong illegal unilateral sanctions imposed on the country.

BEIJING -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday China supports the early realization of peace in Syria, and supports the country in finding a rebuilding plan that meets the wishes of the people through inclusive dialogue.

Wang made the remarks when asked about China's views on the current situation in Syria during a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty after the China-Egypt foreign ministers' strategic dialogue in Beijing.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China is highly concerned about the situation in Syria, which has been volatile recently.

China has long pursued a policy of friendship and cooperation with Syria, never interfered in Syria's internal affairs, and respected the choice of the Syrian people, he said.

"We support Syria in realizing peace at the earliest, implementing Security Council resolution 2254, advancing the domestic political process in accordance with the principle of 'Syrian-led, Syrian-owned', and finding a rebuilding plan that meets the wishes of the people through inclusive dialogue," said the minister.

Wang added that the future Syria should firmly oppose all forms of terrorism and extremist forces. Meanwhile, the international community should earnestly safeguard Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, respect Syria's ethnic and religious traditions, and allow the Syrian people to make independent decisions.

All countries should work together to extend a helping hand to Syria, push for the lifting of the illegal unilateral sanctions imposed on the country over the years, and ease its grave humanitarian situation, Wang said.

DAMASCUS - Syria's interim authorities announced Thursday that all public and private educational institutions will resume classes on Sunday, following a period of disruption due to recent political upheavals in the country.

In a statement released by the prime minister's office, the interim government emphasized that educational institutions are fully prepared to ensure the continuation of the academic process.

The reopening of schools and universities is seen as a critical move in stabilizing daily life, just a few days after the militants of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took control of Damascus, resulting in the collapse of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government.

UNITED NATIONS - More than 1.1 million people have fled their homes across Syria since the recent hostilities erupted two weeks ago amid reports of food and fuel shortages, UN humanitarians said on Thursday.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the United Nations and its partners continue humanitarian activities as the security situation allows, with some partners operating in a limited scope in the cities of Damascus, Tartous, Latakia and Raqqa. The world body is closely monitoring the situation.

In Syria's northwest, the lack of flour and fuel has shuttered Aleppo bakeries, the office said. There are limited vegetable supplies. Electricity outages are reported in some neighborhoods. Fuel prices remain high.

OCHA said hostilities near Tishreen Dam in the Aleppo governorate have extended electricity outages since Tuesday, affecting more than 400,000 people in some areas, such as Menbij and Kobani cities, disrupting access to water and other key services.

Despite the challenges, and as security allowed, the United Nations and partners have provided food to more than 700,000 people in northwest Syria since the escalation of hostilities.

In the northeast, humanitarian access and delivery remains challenging, according to OCHA. Checkpoints are restricting movement in the cities of Raqqa, Tabqa, Hassakeh and Derik, where reports of looting continue. More than 40,000 displaced people are staying in around 200 collective centers.

Humanitarian organizations are distributing food, hygiene kits, cash, and psychosocial support to children and adults.

DAMASCUS -- The Syrian constitution and parliament have reportedly been suspended for three months, according to Sawt al-Asima, a news outlet supportive of militant groups that overthrew the Assad government.

The outlet reported the development on Thursday, citing unnamed sources, but did not provide details on how the suspension would be implemented.

The United Nations said on Tuesday that it rejects any aggression against Syrian sovereignty and violations of its territorial integrity, while Israel said it was establishing a "sterile defense zone" in southern Syria after carrying out more than 350 strikes in 48 hours.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said at a news conference that Syria's "turning point" should not be used by its neighbors to encroach upon its territory, and should instead be used by all those in the region to support the Syrian people.

Dujarric said they were very clear about the violation of the 1974 disengagement agreement following the Israel Defense Forces' occupation of the buffer zone. In 1967, Israel occupied most of the Golan Heights during the Middle East war and later annexed the territory. This was never recognized by the international community.

Meanwhile, Geir Pedersen, the UN special envoy for Syria, told journalists in Geneva on Tuesday that the conflict in northeastern Syria is not over as there have been clashes between the Syrian National Army, the opposition groups and the Syrian Democratic Forces.

"We are calling obviously for calm also in this area," Pedersen said.

In addition, Israeli troop movements into the occupied Golan Heights and bombardments "need to stop", he said. "The message from New York is just the same — that what we are seeing is a violation of the disengagement agreement in 1974."

In a post on X, the Israel Defense Forces reported striking most of what it claimed were the strategic weapons stockpiles in Syria in 48 hours "to prevent them from falling into the hands of terrorist elements".

Among the actions were more than 350 airstrikes. A "wide range of targets" included antiaircraft batteries, Syrian Air Force airfields and dozens of alleged weapons production sites in Damascus, Homs, Tartus, Latakia and Palmyra.

Syria's naval operations were also targeted, including the Al-Bayda port and the Latakia port, where 15 Syrian naval vessels were hit.

Pedersen said Syria is still in a very "fluid" period, adding that there is a real opportunity for change, but it needs to be grasped by the Syrians themselves and supported by the UN and the international community.

Abu Mohammad Al-Jolani, leader of the opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham that led the rebel offensive and wrested control of Syria, told CNN that their goal had been to overthrow Syria's longtime president Bashar al-Assad.

Syria's caretaker Prime Minister Mohamed al-Bashir called for stability and calm amid a leadership change.

On Wednesday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the toppling of Assad was the result of a plan by the United States and Israel.

"What happened in Syria was mainly planned in the command rooms of America and Israel. We have evidence of this. A neighboring government of Syria was also involved," Khamenei said in a speech reported by state media, without naming the neighboring country in question.

Dina Yulianti Sulaeman, director of the Indonesia Center for Middle East Studies, told China Daily that Israel, which is "most invested in weakening Syria" because of the latter's historically hostile stance toward it, will not allow Syria to become stable and secure.

"In recent days, Israel has bombarded Syria, destroying nearly all of Syria's military facilities, effectively leaving the country with no capacity to defend its sovereignty," she said.

"The accumulation of Israeli attacks, the collapse of infrastructure safeguarding territorial sovereignty, economic hardships, and internal chaos bring the potential for Syria's balkanization, as long envisioned in Israel's Oded Yinon Plan."

The Oded Yinon Plan refers to a strategy, outlined in a 1982 article by a former Israeli official and scholar, for Israel's expansion in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Reuters contributed to this story.

DAMASCUS -- Syria's Military Operations Administration announced Wednesday the lifting of a curfew in Damascus and surrounding areas, urging residents to return to work as the country grapples with the aftermath of Bashar al-Assad's ouster. The announcement coincided with interim Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir's call for refugees to return home.

Al-Bashir, a former regional leader in northwestern Syria, was appointed Tuesday to head a transitional government until March 2025. His appointment follows a swift offensive by a militant alliance led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which captured Damascus within 12 days after launching its offensive from northern Syria on Nov 27. Assad has fled the country, ending five decades of his family's rule.

The new leadership, dominated by the Islamist HTS, has sought to reassure religious minorities and promise that the rights of all religious and ethnic groups will be guaranteed.

Meanwhile, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani pledged justice for "victims" of Assad's administration, saying that officials in Assad's government involved in torture would not be pardoned.

In the northeast, Kurdish-led forces announced a US-brokered ceasefire on Wednesday with Turkish-backed militants in the strategic city of Manbij. Days of fierce clashes in the Arab-majority city erupted after HTS-led forces ousted the Assad government on Sunday. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led coalition of US-backed militias, reported that 218 combatants were killed in the fighting and pledged to withdraw from the area "as soon as possible."

US Central Command confirmed on Tuesday that its chief, General Michael Kurilla, had visited US bases in Syria and met with SDF partners.

Earlier this month, Turkish-backed forces captured the strategic northern enclave of Tal Rifaat from Kurdish forces, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor.

Ankara views the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), the dominant force within the SDF, as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is designated a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei downplayed the impact of Assad's ouster on Tehran's regional influence, dismissing the notion that the weakening of Syria's role in the "resistance" against Israel would diminish Iran's power. Khamenei accused the United States, Israel, and an unnamed "neighboring country" of orchestrating Assad's downfall.

Qatar announced plans to reopen its embassy in Damascus, citing historical ties and a commitment to support Syria's reconstruction. The decision aligns with Qatar's efforts to channel humanitarian aid to the Syrian population through an established air bridge.

In July 2011, after the outbreak of the anti-government protests in Syria, Qatar recalled its ambassador to Syria and closed its embassy

The humanitarian situation remains dire, according to the United Nations. Hospitals are overwhelmed, food shortages persist, and displaced populations face widespread trauma. The price of bread in cities like Idlib and Aleppo has surged by 900 percent, and over 1 million people have been displaced since the start of the offensive spearheaded by HTS on Dec 27.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported numerous minefields obstructing movement and aid delivery, with at least 52 identified in the past 10 days.