Joy Buoys Syria’s First Friday Prayers Since Assad Ouster, but Hardships Loom
In an impoverished, war-ravaged country, the first prayers after the fall of a brutal regime drew jubilant crowds, even in areas seen as regime strongholds.
December 13, 2024
Live Updates: Joyous Syrians Gather for 1st Friday Prayers Since al-Assad’s Fall
A celebratory mood in Damascus and other cities reflected relief at the fall of the Assad dynasty after a half-century of rule.
Macron Appoints François Bayrou as France’s New Prime Minister
François Bayrou, a veteran centrist politician, will now become the fourth prime minister in a year, a record for France.
With al-Assad Gone, Syrians Search Prisons for Traces of Their Loved Ones
Guided by cellphone flashlights, relatives searched a notorious lockup in Damascus for traces of loved ones who were snatched during the regime of Bashar al-Assad.
Europe Begins to Ask if Syrians Can Go Home After al-Assad’s Fall
Nearly a million Syrians in Germany alone have made new lives. But after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, some politicians across the continent have suggested that refugees could return home.
Iranians Confront Their Leaders Over Syria Debacle
For decades, Iran poured money and military aid into Syria, backing the Assad regime in its ambition to confront Israel. Now many Iranians are openly asking why.
Ukrainian Women Are Traveling to the Front Line to Keep Love Alive
Many women are making dangerous trips to places where loved ones are fighting Russian forces. “We try to imagine that for these two days, there is no war,” one said.