Syria’s main international airport in Damascus is set to reopen next week, as the new government led by Ahmad al-Shara works to restore a sense of normalcy following the uprising that ousted former President Bashar al-Assad. The region has been plagued by tensions along the border with Lebanon, with Syrian militants firing at Lebanese soldiers in clashes that left four soldiers wounded. Al-Shara, the de facto leader of Syria and head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has been working to project a moderate image and assure both Syrians and foreign governments that the country is on a stable path.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati of Lebanon discussed the border violence with al-Shara, who pledged to restore calm along the border and prevent further incidents from occurring. Countries bordering Syria have been on edge since Assad’s ouster, fearing that chaos could spill over into their territories. In eastern Syria, Turkish-backed fighters continue to clash with Kurdish forces in an autonomous region, while there are ongoing skirmishes between the new regime and loyalists of al-Assad. Syrian government forces near Homs have been searching for remnants of the former regime and have arrested two former officials.
In response to potential attacks from Syrian territory, Israeli forces have conducted airstrikes on military sites in Syria and deployed troops into a buffer zone between the two countries. Jordan has also partially closed its ground crossing with Syria. Al-Shara and his allies are working to unify various militant groups under a single armed force, appointing a new acting defense minister to oversee the transition. These efforts are part of a broader plan to stabilize the country and dissolve remaining militant groups aligned with the previous regime.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, the Israeli military is carrying out a three-month ground operation in the northern part of the region. Israeli forces are reportedly surrounding the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza, one of the last medical facilities in the area. Despite calls to evacuate patients and medical workers from the hospital, the Israeli military has stated that it has no immediate plans to do so. Israel has targeted hospitals in Gaza, accusing Hamas of using them as military bases, a claim that Hamas has denied. The ongoing conflict in Gaza adds to the complex and volatile situation in the region.
The reopening of Damascus International Airport signals a step towards normalcy in Syria under the new leadership of Ahmad al-Shara, who is working to stabilize the country after years of civil war. The border tensions with Lebanon and clashes with Kurdish forces highlight the challenges that the new regime faces in asserting control over the territory. The regional implications of the conflict, including Israeli airstrikes, buffer zone deployments, and border closures, underscore the interconnected nature of the conflicts in the Middle East. Efforts to unite militant groups and transition to a single armed force represent a key aspect of the new government’s strategy in restoring order to the country.
