INTERNATIONAL

Amid escalating conflict in Gaza, India has reiterated its commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Palestine issue, emphasizing a two-state solution. Responding to questions raised by MPs Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and Raja A in the Lok Sabha, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) outlined India’s diplomatic efforts and humanitarian contributions in the region. The government expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and stressed the importance of ensuring timely and sustained delivery of aid to Palestinians. Since the onset of the conflict, India has sent 70 metric tonnes of humanitarian aid, including 16.5 metric tonnes of medical supplies, and contributed $10 million over two years to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA). ...

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has evacuated 75 Indian nationals from Syria, including 44 residents of Jammu Kashmir, following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The rescued group, including Kashmiri pilgrims stranded at Saida Zainab, has been transported to Lebanon, with arrangements underway for their return to India. The MEA urged remaining Indian nationals in Syria to stay in contact with the Indian Embassy for updates. The evacuation has brought relief to families of the pilgrims, who were stranded as Syria plunged into turmoil after Assad fled to Russia.

Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq have strongly criticized Israel’s recent land seizure near the occupied Golan Heights, calling it a violation of Syria’s sovereignty and international law. The condemnation follows large-scale Israeli attacks across Syria, including strikes on key military infrastructure and airports. Israeli forces have carried out extensive airstrikes targeting three major airports and other strategic military sites, including in the capital, Damascus. The offensive marks a sharp escalation in Israel’s military campaign following the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by opposition forces. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the military actions, stating they were necessary to address emerging threats near Israel’s borders. However, UN peacekeep...

Israeli ground forces have entered Syrian territory for the first time since the 1973 October War, advancing beyond the demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan Heights, Israeli officials confirmed. The move follows the takeover of several regions by HTS, triggering fears of escalating instability in the region. Israeli forces reportedly seized the summit of Mount Hermon and other key locations to stabilize control near the border. While Israeli military chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi acknowledged the troop movement, he did not provide further details. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that the decision was made to prevent “hostile forces” from taking positions near the Israeli border, calling the deployment a "temporary defensive measure." Israeli forces also impos...

In a continued campaign attributed to Israel, the Syrian government has reported that an airstrike targeted a border crossing near the Syrian city of al-Qusayr, allegedly used for arms transfers to Hezbollah in Lebanon. This marks another strike in what Syria has described as a multi-year Israeli campaign that has claimed the lives of civilians and soldiers alike. Syrian officials condemned the attack, stating that such strikes violate international norms and escalate tensions in the region. "This is part of Israel's ongoing aggression that disregards the sovereignty of nations and has led to the deaths of innocent civilians and our soldiers over the years," said a Syrian military representative. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the operation, asserting that the targeted ...

An FIR has been filed against Kumara Chandrashekaranatha Swamiji, a seer of the Vishwa Vokkaliga Mahasamastana Math, for controversial remarks about denying voting rights to Muslims, police reported on Friday, November 29. The remarks were made during a protest organized by the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh on Tuesday, addressing notices issued by Karnataka’s Waqf Board. In his speech, Swamiji called for unity to safeguard farmers and their land, suggesting that legislation should be introduced to strip the Muslim community of voting rights. He also criticized the Waqf Board, claiming that acquiring someone else's land violates “Dharma.” The seer's comments have drawn significant criticism, with calls for legal action against him. (With agency inputs)

In a major setback for the Bashar al-Assad regime, Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, has been captured by opposition factions led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). In the latest development, the HTS has taken control of the airport, local media reports said. HTS forces have reportedly overrun government troops in Aleppo, marking the group’s most substantial victory since 2016. The fall of Aleppo underscores a broader decline in Assad regime's ability to sustain its control over Syria. The Jerusalem Post reported that the Syrian government had anticipated assistance from its allies but has instead faced abandonment as both Iran and Russia remain preoccupied with their own conflicts. According to HTS, their forces have reclaimed more than half of the territory in Aleppo and ma...

Armed group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has claimed to re-enter the city of Aleppo, marking an escalation in Syria's ongoing conflict, however, most of them have been arrested in Aleppo, as per Syrian military. "The army has arrested a number of terrorists who took photos in several neighborhoods of Aleppo to show that terrorist groups have seized and controlled these neighborhoods," Syrian military has claimed. The offensive, which began two days ago, saw heavy clashes between HTS militants and Syrian government forces, as reported by Türkiye’s Anadolu Agency. "Since this morning, armed groups have seized over 50 villages in the eastern and southeastern regions of Idlib, areas that were previously controlled by the Assad regime," the report added. HTS had announced on Friday that...

Four civilians, including two university students, were killed in Aleppo on Friday following insurgent shelling of student dormitories, according to Syrian media. The attack was part of a broader offensive launched on Wednesday by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly affiliated with Al-Qaeda. The extremist group targeted several towns and villages in northwestern Aleppo, an important city in the war-torn country. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the ongoing clashes in the region have claimed 132 lives in the past 24 hours, including 65 HTS members, 18 allied militants, and 49 regime forces. The fighting has centered around areas straddling Idlib and Aleppo provinces, with some clashes occurring less than 10 kilometers from Aleppo city. In response to the...

Several violations of the ceasefire in southern Lebanon, with gunfire heard in Maroun Al-Ras and nearby areas, including Aitaroun and the outskirts of Al-Malkiya, since early morning. According to reports, the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) reportedly targeted towns such as Aita Al-Shaab and Bint Jbeil with artillery shelling during the night, marking a breach of the truce, which was announced just two days ago. In a warning issued by the IOF, residents of specific areas in southern Lebanon, including Shebaa, Hebbariyeh, Marjayoun, Arnoun, Yohmor, Qantara, Chaqra, Baraachit, Yater, and Mansouri, were instructed not to move south of a designated line or return to their homes. The statement emphasized that civilians venturing southward would be at risk, advising them to remain in saf...