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A member of the Syrian military police stands guard near Raqqa prison, where the Syrian army is besieging members of the SDF after taking control of the city of Raqqa, Syria, on Jan. 19, 2026. (Credit: Mahmoud Hassano/Reuters)

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Nine SDF fighters, three Syrian soldiers killed in clashes near Raqqa prison holding IS detainees | LIVE

What you need to know

Iranian television channels were reportedly hacked on Sunday evening, broadcasting images of protests.

An Israeli army helicopter fired at Dhaira (Sour district); Israeli media reported an attempted infiltration in the South.

The weekend was marked by clashes between the Syrian army and the SDF in northern Syria, before a new truce agreement was reached.

21:34 Beirut Time

Morocco agrees to sit on Gaza 'Peace Council'

The Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Morocco has accepted U.S. President Donald Trump's invitation to sit on the Gaza 'Peace Council', according to Reuters.

Earlier, Canada announced that it had declined the invitation. For its part, France intends to decline the invitation for the time being, according to a source close to Emmanuel Macron contacted by Reuters.

21:33 Beirut Time

Southern Lebanon: Israeli artillery fire on a border village

An Israeli drone fired a stun grenade on a resident of the village of Boustan (Sour), according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

Israeli artillery also fired on Labbouneh, in the same district.

21:31 Beirut Time

Gaza: Two new Palestinian deaths recorded in the last 24 hours

A Palestinian was killed in the Gaza Strip by the Israeli army in the last 24 hours, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Health authorities added that they had also recorded the death of another person who was killed in a previous Israeli attack.

This brings the number of Palestinians Israel has killed since the ceas-fire came into effect on Oct. 10 to 465.

In total, Israel has killed at least 71,550 Palestinians since the start of its offensive against Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, while the bodies of many victims remain unaccounted for under the rubble, according to information provided by the ministry.

21:29 Beirut Time

Air strikes heard near Raqqa

Air strikes were heard on Monday evening near the city of Raqqa, in central Syria, according to AFP.

An hour earlier, government forces announced that they were preparing to carry out strikes against al-Aqtan prison in Raqqa "after negotiations with SDF fighters entrenched in the prison failed," Al Jazeera reported.

Clashes took place throughout the day between the Syrian army and the SDF in the region, leaving at least three dead among Damascus's forces and nine among the Kurds.

20:51 Beirut Time

Graham says he will push the US Senate to 'reimpose enhanced sanctions' on Syria

Far-right Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Donald Trump, said Monday that he will push the U.S. Senate to "reimpose enhanced sanctions" under the Caesar Act, recently lifted by Washington, "if Syrian government forces continue to advance north toward Raqqa."

"Apparently, no one in Syria is listening to me or other U.S. government officials. If this continues, not only will the sanctions be devastating, but relations between the US and the new Syrian government will be irreparably damaged. If you think we're talking nonsense, go ahead," he wrote in a message on X.

This message is confusing, as Syrian government forces entered the city of Raqqa more than 24 hours ago. Furthermore, the administration of Raqqa has been officially handed over to the Damascus government under the cease-fire agreement signed on Sunday between Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Kurdish SDF leader Mazloum Abdi, under the supervision of U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack.

"I have tried to be fair to the new government, but apparently my efforts have been in vain. If you want a conflict with the U.S. Senate and to cause lasting damage to U.S.-Syrian relations, go ahead," Graham added.

20:45 Beirut Time

Walid Joumblatt welcomes Sunday's signing of the cease-fire in Syria

The former president of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), Walid Joumblatt, welcomed "the cease-fire agreement and the full integration of factions affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)," in a statement released by the party's media commission and relayed by the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

He also welcomed "the joint coordination efforts between Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, U.S. envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, and Kurdistan Democratic Party President Massoud Barzani, which led to the signing of this agreement."

Despite the cease-fire signed on Sunday, clashes continued today in Syria between the two warring parties, who accuse each other of violating the agreement.

19:07 Beirut Time

Damascus accuses the SDF of releasing jihadist prisoners from al-Shaddadi prison, where a curfew has been imposed

The Syrian government has accused the SDF of releasing prisoners from al-Shaddadi prison as government forces advanced towards the town, located south of al-Hasakah in northeastern Syria. The SDF has denied the accusations, claiming that the prison was "attacked by government-affiliated fighters."

The Syrian government issued a statement warning Kurdish forces against any attempt to release Islamic State (IS) prisoners from its detention centers "as a reprisal or political pressure tactic," according to the Sana news agency.

The Syrian army subsequently imposed a total curfew in al-Shaddadi, while clashes were reported throughout the afternoon in and around the town, which houses a prison where people accused of belonging to IS are being held.

19:00 Beirut Time

Nine SDF fighters killed in clashes near Raqqa's al-Aqtan Prison

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said that clashes around al-Aqtan prison on the outskirts of Raqqa where Islamic State (IS) detainees are being held left nine of their fighters dead and 20 wounded.

In a statement, the Kurdish forces said that their forces had coordinated their actions with the U.S.-led international coalition over the past three days to transfer IS prisoners held in the prison to "safe locations."

However, the group said that despite "repeated promises," the coalition had so far taken "no concrete steps" to carry out these transfers.

The SDF added that its forces had protected the prison during clashes with what it described as "factions affiliated with Damascus" that it said were attacking the facility.

18:25 Beirut Time

Erdogan praises Syrian army's 'measured' offensive, despite 'provocations'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday praised Damascus' "measured" offensive against Kurdish fighters in Syria, despite "provocations." He was speaking in a televised address after the weekly cabinet meeting, AFP reports.

"The Syrian army's meticulous handling of this delicate operation, as well as its remarkable sensitivity to the safety of civilians, are commendable. Despite the provocations, the Syrian army has passed this test, avoiding any action that could have discredited it while it was within its rights," he said.

He also described the recent unrest in Iran as a "new test" for Tehran, saying that Turkey "will oppose any initiative" that could plunge the region into chaos.

"We believe that, thanks to a policy that prioritizes dialogue and diplomacy, our Iranian brothers will, God willing, get through this difficult period," said Erdogan.

17:18 Beirut Time

Iran police chief asks 'unwilling rioters' to turn themselves in

The head of the Iranian police gave "a maximum of three days" to those "unintentionally involved in the riots" to turn themselves in to the authorities, assuring them that they would then be treated with "greater leniency."

"Young people who found themselves unwittingly involved in the riots are considered to be misled individuals, not enemy soldiers," Ahmad-Reza Radan added on state television.

17:17 Beirut Time

Israeli forces provoke Lebanese Army in south Lebanon

The Lebanese Army established earlier today a new position in the Khallet al-Mahafir area, south of the village of Odaisseh (Marjayoun), opposite the border wall.

Following this, the Israeli army made a provocative move opposite the new position, by crossing an opening in the wall facing Lebanese Army soldiers with an Israeli tank and prompting the Lebanese Army to go on high alert, according to our correspondent in the south.

The Lebanese Army had also established a position in the old square in the center of the village of Kfar Kila (Marjayoun) two days ago.

16:42 Beirut Time

Gaza Board of Peace: France reiterates its 'commitment to the United Nations Charter'

France, which holds a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council, has reiterated its "commitment to the United Nations Charter" after being invited by the United States to join the "Board of Peace," according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Like several other states, France has been invited by the United States to join the 'Board of Peace.' In conjunction with our close partners, we are currently examining the provisions of the proposed text as the basis for this new body, whose scope goes beyond the situation in Gaza alone," the French foreign minister said.

16:22 Beirut Time

Kurdish led SDF accuses government factions of attacking Shaddadi prison.

15:26 Beirut Time

Iran to consider lifting internet ban; state TV hacked

Iran may lift its internet blackout in a few days, a senior parliament member said on Monday, after authorities shut communications while they used massive force to crush protests in the worst domestic unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

In the latest sign of weakness in the authorities' control, state television appeared to be hacked late on Sunday, briefly showing speeches by U.S. President Donald Trump and the exiled son of Iran's last shah calling on the public to revolt.


15:23 Beirut Time

Saudi-backed Yemeni government claim to have found 'secret prisons' run by UAE

Senior official in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government told Reuters they discovered a "secret prisons" run by the U.A.E. in Hadramout province

"We will take all necessary measures against the U.A.E. and Yemen’s separatist STC forces in order to achieve justice for victims," he added.

13:59 Beirut Time

Fighting breaks out in Syria after government assault, truce deal

The ‍Syrian ⁠Democratic Forces have described the clashes as a “highly dangerous development” and say government forces seizing the prison “could ​have serious ‌security repercussions that threaten stability and pave the way for a ‌return to chaos and terrorism.”

The confrontation is under way at the al-Aqtan prison holding ISIL (ISIS) detainees ‍on the outskirts of Raqqa city in the country’s northeast, the SDF said.

Under ‌a sweeping integration ⁠deal agreed on Sunday, responsibility for prisons housing ISIL detainees ‌was meant to be transferred to the Syrian government forces.

13:54 Beirut Time

Syria says 3 soldiers killed in attacks by Kurdish fighters

Syria's army said three soldiers were killed on Monday in attacks by Kurdish fighters, while the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) accused the government of launching attacks despite a cease-fire announced a day earlier.

In a statement to state news agency SANA, the army said three soldiers were killed and others wounded in two attacks, without saying where, adding that "some terrorist groups... are attempting to disrupt the implementation" of the cease-fire deal.

The SDF in a statement accused government forces of attacks on its fighters in several locations in north and northeast Syria, adding that "violent clashes are taking place... in the vicinity" of a prison in Raqqa that holds detainees from the Islamic State group.

13:01 Beirut Time

Israeli army claims to have targeted Hezbollah positions

The Israeli army claimed that it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon, which includes "launch sites, military camps and shafts used to store weapons."

The statement mentioned that unusual military activity by Hezbollah had been identified in recent months at the military sites targeted.

Our correspondent earlier reported that Israeli warplanes carried out 11 airstrikes in different areas of south Lebanon in under an hour.

Since the November 2024 cease-fire, Israel has routinely claimed with little to no evidence to target "Hezbollah positions" in its post-truce attacks, which have killed over 430 people.

12:45 Beirut Time

Syrian army deploys in Deir al-Zor province after Kurdish withdrawal

Syria's army on Monday deployed its forces in parts of the eastern Deir al-Zor province formerly controlled by Kurdish forces following their withdrawal from the area.

After two days of rapid gains in Kurdish-controlled territory, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa announced on Sunday a deal with their leader, Mazloum Abdi, that includes a cease-fire and the integration of the Kurdish administration and forces into the central state.

The government pushed captured Arab-majority areas that came under Kurdish control during the fight against the Islamic State group.

In Deir al-Zor, an AFP correspondent saw dozens of military vehicles heading to the east of the Euphrates River, which once separated Damascus-controlled areas to the west from the U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to the east.

12:33 Beirut Time

Israel launches 11 airstrikes on south Lebanon

Israeli warplanes carried out 11 airstrikes on south Lebanon in less than an hour, our correspondent in the South reported.

  • Three airstrikes on Wadi Berghoz (Hasbaya)
  • Three near Qalaa Meis in Ansar (Nabatieh)
  • Two near the villages of Kfar Melki, Bouslaiya and Berti (Saida)
  • Two on Louaizeh and Nabeh al-Tasa (Jezzine)
  • One on Mahmoudieh (Jezzine)
12:19 Beirut Time

Israeli warplanes launch flares

Israeli warplanes drop heat flares while striking the targeted areas in south Lebanon.

12:13 Beirut Time

New Israeli airstrikes on Jezzine district

New Israeli airstrikes target Louaizeh (Jezzine district) and the area between the villages of Kfar Melki and Bouslaiya (Jezzine).

12:09 Beirut Time

New Israeli strikes in the Nabatieh district

New Israeli airstrikes targeted Qalaat Mais on the outskirts of Ansar, in the Nabatieh district, our correspondent reports.

12:06 Beirut Time

New Israeli strikes near Jezzine

New Israeli airstrikes target Mahmoudieh heights, the outskirts of Bouslaiya (Jezzine district) and the vicinity of Nabeh al-Tasa in Iqlim al-Tuffah, according to our correspondent. The targeted areas have been regularly struck by the Israeli army in recent months.

12:01 Beirut Time

Israeli drones fly over Beirut southern suburbs

Israeli drones are flying over the southern suburbs of Beirut in parallel with the ongoing airstrikes in the South, according to local media outlets.

11:57 Beirut Time

Israeli strike targets south Lebanon

Israeli warplanes are flying over south Lebanon at a low altitude after conducting several strikes, according to our correspondent in the region.

Earlier, an Israeli force, positioned at the occupied Hamames hill, swept the surroundings of the Sarda farm south of Khiam (Marjayoun district) with medium machine-gun fire.

11:57 Beirut Time

(Photo sent by Mountasser Abdallah)

A new Israeli airstrike targeted the heights of Mahmoudieh (Jezzine district).

10:21 Beirut Time

Syria-Kurdish truce comes into effect

Over the weekend, Damascus’ army seized key territories within hours in northeastern regions controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces, then translated those territorial gains into diplomatic momentum.

It marked one of Damascus’ biggest strategic victories since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024.

10:21 Beirut Time

Israeli fire on Dhaira, Israeli media report attempted infiltration

Between 9 and 10 p.m. Sunday, an Israeli army helicopter opened automatic fire on Dhaira (Sour), our correspondent in the South reported.

Several Israeli media outlets later reported an operation aimed at thwarting a suspected infiltration attempt into Israeli territory. Citing an Israeli army spokesperson, the reports said fire was carried out from a tank and a combat helicopter, without providing details on the identity or condition of the suspect. The Israeli army did not issue an official statement on the incident.

Dhaira was again targeted Monday morning by a sound bomb dropped from a small Israeli army drone, according to our correspondent’s sources.

10:16 Beirut Time

Iranian television channels reportedly hacked Sunday night

Hackers briefly interrupted programming on several Iranian television channels Sunday night to broadcast messages supporting the son of Iran’s former shah, Reza Pahlavi, and calling on security forces “not to point their weapons at the people,” according to videos circulating on social media and reports in several outlets, including The Independent.

The incident was not the first of its kind in Iran, which has been shaken for weeks by mass protests over the economic crisis and calls for regime change. The demonstrations were harshly repressed by authorities, with several NGOs saying the crackdown left thousands dead. The repression also included a nationwide internet blackout.

10:11 Beirut Time

New Israeli army and security operation in Hebron, occupied West Bank

The Israeli army and the internal security service Shin Bet said they launched a new operation in Hebron, in the occupied West Bank, aimed at “dismantling terrorist infrastructure” in the city, according to a statement issued Monday morning.

The operation will focus on the Jabal Johar neighborhood and is expected to continue for several days. The army said “explosions” may be heard in the area and that there will be a “notable increase” in troop deployments in the sector.

10:04 Beirut Time

Good morning, thank you for joining today's live coverage of the events in the region.

Make sure to read today's Morning Brief to catch up on the weekend's key events.


21:34 Beirut Time

Morocco agrees to sit on Gaza 'Peace Council'

The Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Morocco has accepted U.S. President Donald Trump's invitation to sit on the Gaza 'Peace Council', according to Reuters.

Earlier, Canada announced that it had declined the invitation. For its part, France intends to decline the invitation for the time being, according to a source close to Emmanuel Macron contacted by Reuters.

21:33 Beirut Time

Southern Lebanon: Israeli artillery fire on a border village

An Israeli drone fired a stun grenade on a resident of the village of Boustan (Sour), according to our correspondent in southern Lebanon.

Israeli artillery also fired on Labbouneh, in the same district.

21:31 Beirut Time

Gaza: Two new Palestinian deaths recorded in the last 24 hours

A Palestinian was killed in the Gaza Strip by the Israeli army in the last 24 hours, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Health authorities added that they had also recorded the death of another person who was killed in a previous Israeli attack.

This brings the number of Palestinians Israel has killed since the ceas-fire came into effect on Oct. 10 to 465.

In total, Israel has killed at least 71,550 Palestinians since the start of its offensive against Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, while the bodies of many victims remain unaccounted for under the rubble, according to information provided by the ministry.

21:29 Beirut Time

Air strikes heard near Raqqa

Air strikes were heard on Monday evening near the city of Raqqa, in central Syria, according to AFP.

An hour earlier, government forces announced that they were preparing to carry out strikes against al-Aqtan prison in Raqqa "after negotiations with SDF fighters entrenched in the prison failed," Al Jazeera reported.

Clashes took place throughout the day between the Syrian army and the SDF in the region, leaving at least three dead among Damascus's forces and nine among the Kurds.

20:51 Beirut Time

Graham says he will push the US Senate to 'reimpose enhanced sanctions' on Syria

Far-right Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Donald Trump, said Monday that he will push the U.S. Senate to "reimpose enhanced sanctions" under the Caesar Act, recently lifted by Washington, "if Syrian government forces continue to advance north toward Raqqa."

"Apparently, no one in Syria is listening to me or other U.S. government officials. If this continues, not only will the sanctions be devastating, but relations between the US and the new Syrian government will be irreparably damaged. If you think we're talking nonsense, go ahead," he wrote in a message on X.

This message is confusing, as Syrian government forces entered the city of Raqqa more than 24 hours ago. Furthermore, the administration of Raqqa has been officially handed over to the Damascus government under the cease-fire agreement signed on Sunday between Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Kurdish SDF leader Mazloum Abdi, under the supervision of U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack.

"I have tried to be fair to the new government, but apparently my efforts have been in vain. If you want a conflict with the U.S. Senate and to cause lasting damage to U.S.-Syrian relations, go ahead," Graham added.

20:45 Beirut Time

Walid Joumblatt welcomes Sunday's signing of the cease-fire in Syria

The former president of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), Walid Joumblatt, welcomed "the cease-fire agreement and the full integration of factions affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)," in a statement released by the party's media commission and relayed by the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

He also welcomed "the joint coordination efforts between Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, U.S. envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, and Kurdistan Democratic Party President Massoud Barzani, which led to the signing of this agreement."

Despite the cease-fire signed on Sunday, clashes continued today in Syria between the two warring parties, who accuse each other of violating the agreement.

19:07 Beirut Time

Damascus accuses the SDF of releasing jihadist prisoners from al-Shaddadi prison, where a curfew has been imposed

The Syrian government has accused the SDF of releasing prisoners from al-Shaddadi prison as government forces advanced towards the town, located south of al-Hasakah in northeastern Syria. The SDF has denied the accusations, claiming that the prison was "attacked by government-affiliated fighters."

The Syrian government issued a statement warning Kurdish forces against any attempt to release Islamic State (IS) prisoners from its detention centers "as a reprisal or political pressure tactic," according to the Sana news agency.

The Syrian army subsequently imposed a total curfew in al-Shaddadi, while clashes were reported throughout the afternoon in and around the town, which houses a prison where people accused of belonging to IS are being held.

19:00 Beirut Time

Nine SDF fighters killed in clashes near Raqqa's al-Aqtan Prison

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said that clashes around al-Aqtan prison on the outskirts of Raqqa where Islamic State (IS) detainees are being held left nine of their fighters dead and 20 wounded.

In a statement, the Kurdish forces said that their forces had coordinated their actions with the U.S.-led international coalition over the past three days to transfer IS prisoners held in the prison to "safe locations."

However, the group said that despite "repeated promises," the coalition had so far taken "no concrete steps" to carry out these transfers.

The SDF added that its forces had protected the prison during clashes with what it described as "factions affiliated with Damascus" that it said were attacking the facility.

18:25 Beirut Time

Erdogan praises Syrian army's 'measured' offensive, despite 'provocations'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday praised Damascus' "measured" offensive against Kurdish fighters in Syria, despite "provocations." He was speaking in a televised address after the weekly cabinet meeting, AFP reports.

"The Syrian army's meticulous handling of this delicate operation, as well as its remarkable sensitivity to the safety of civilians, are commendable. Despite the provocations, the Syrian army has passed this test, avoiding any action that could have discredited it while it was within its rights," he said.

He also described the recent unrest in Iran as a "new test" for Tehran, saying that Turkey "will oppose any initiative" that could plunge the region into chaos.

"We believe that, thanks to a policy that prioritizes dialogue and diplomacy, our Iranian brothers will, God willing, get through this difficult period," said Erdogan.

17:18 Beirut Time

Iran police chief asks 'unwilling rioters' to turn themselves in

The head of the Iranian police gave "a maximum of three days" to those "unintentionally involved in the riots" to turn themselves in to the authorities, assuring them that they would then be treated with "greater leniency."

"Young people who found themselves unwittingly involved in the riots are considered to be misled individuals, not enemy soldiers," Ahmad-Reza Radan added on state television.

17:17 Beirut Time

Israeli forces provoke Lebanese Army in south Lebanon

The Lebanese Army established earlier today a new position in the Khallet al-Mahafir area, south of the village of Odaisseh (Marjayoun), opposite the border wall.

Following this, the Israeli army made a provocative move opposite the new position, by crossing an opening in the wall facing Lebanese Army soldiers with an Israeli tank and prompting the Lebanese Army to go on high alert, according to our correspondent in the south.

The Lebanese Army had also established a position in the old square in the center of the village of Kfar Kila (Marjayoun) two days ago.

16:42 Beirut Time

Gaza Board of Peace: France reiterates its 'commitment to the United Nations Charter'

France, which holds a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council, has reiterated its "commitment to the United Nations Charter" after being invited by the United States to join the "Board of Peace," according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Like several other states, France has been invited by the United States to join the 'Board of Peace.' In conjunction with our close partners, we are currently examining the provisions of the proposed text as the basis for this new body, whose scope goes beyond the situation in Gaza alone," the French foreign minister said.

16:22 Beirut Time

Kurdish led SDF accuses government factions of attacking Shaddadi prison.

15:26 Beirut Time

Iran to consider lifting internet ban; state TV hacked

Iran may lift its internet blackout in a few days, a senior parliament member said on Monday, after authorities shut communications while they used massive force to crush protests in the worst domestic unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

In the latest sign of weakness in the authorities' control, state television appeared to be hacked late on Sunday, briefly showing speeches by U.S. President Donald Trump and the exiled son of Iran's last shah calling on the public to revolt.


15:23 Beirut Time

Saudi-backed Yemeni government claim to have found 'secret prisons' run by UAE

Senior official in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government told Reuters they discovered a "secret prisons" run by the U.A.E. in Hadramout province

"We will take all necessary measures against the U.A.E. and Yemen’s separatist STC forces in order to achieve justice for victims," he added.

13:59 Beirut Time

Fighting breaks out in Syria after government assault, truce deal

The ‍Syrian ⁠Democratic Forces have described the clashes as a “highly dangerous development” and say government forces seizing the prison “could ​have serious ‌security repercussions that threaten stability and pave the way for a ‌return to chaos and terrorism.”

The confrontation is under way at the al-Aqtan prison holding ISIL (ISIS) detainees ‍on the outskirts of Raqqa city in the country’s northeast, the SDF said.

Under ‌a sweeping integration ⁠deal agreed on Sunday, responsibility for prisons housing ISIL detainees ‌was meant to be transferred to the Syrian government forces.

13:54 Beirut Time

Syria says 3 soldiers killed in attacks by Kurdish fighters

Syria's army said three soldiers were killed on Monday in attacks by Kurdish fighters, while the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) accused the government of launching attacks despite a cease-fire announced a day earlier.

In a statement to state news agency SANA, the army said three soldiers were killed and others wounded in two attacks, without saying where, adding that "some terrorist groups... are attempting to disrupt the implementation" of the cease-fire deal.

The SDF in a statement accused government forces of attacks on its fighters in several locations in north and northeast Syria, adding that "violent clashes are taking place... in the vicinity" of a prison in Raqqa that holds detainees from the Islamic State group.

13:01 Beirut Time

Israeli army claims to have targeted Hezbollah positions

The Israeli army claimed that it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon, which includes "launch sites, military camps and shafts used to store weapons."

The statement mentioned that unusual military activity by Hezbollah had been identified in recent months at the military sites targeted.

Our correspondent earlier reported that Israeli warplanes carried out 11 airstrikes in different areas of south Lebanon in under an hour.

Since the November 2024 cease-fire, Israel has routinely claimed with little to no evidence to target "Hezbollah positions" in its post-truce attacks, which have killed over 430 people.

12:45 Beirut Time

Syrian army deploys in Deir al-Zor province after Kurdish withdrawal

Syria's army on Monday deployed its forces in parts of the eastern Deir al-Zor province formerly controlled by Kurdish forces following their withdrawal from the area.

After two days of rapid gains in Kurdish-controlled territory, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa announced on Sunday a deal with their leader, Mazloum Abdi, that includes a cease-fire and the integration of the Kurdish administration and forces into the central state.

The government pushed captured Arab-majority areas that came under Kurdish control during the fight against the Islamic State group.

In Deir al-Zor, an AFP correspondent saw dozens of military vehicles heading to the east of the Euphrates River, which once separated Damascus-controlled areas to the west from the U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to the east.

12:33 Beirut Time

Israel launches 11 airstrikes on south Lebanon

Israeli warplanes carried out 11 airstrikes on south Lebanon in less than an hour, our correspondent in the South reported.

  • Three airstrikes on Wadi Berghoz (Hasbaya)
  • Three near Qalaa Meis in Ansar (Nabatieh)
  • Two near the villages of Kfar Melki, Bouslaiya and Berti (Saida)
  • Two on Louaizeh and Nabeh al-Tasa (Jezzine)
  • One on Mahmoudieh (Jezzine)
12:19 Beirut Time

Israeli warplanes launch flares

Israeli warplanes drop heat flares while striking the targeted areas in south Lebanon.

12:13 Beirut Time

New Israeli airstrikes on Jezzine district

New Israeli airstrikes target Louaizeh (Jezzine district) and the area between the villages of Kfar Melki and Bouslaiya (Jezzine).

12:09 Beirut Time

New Israeli strikes in the Nabatieh district

New Israeli airstrikes targeted Qalaat Mais on the outskirts of Ansar, in the Nabatieh district, our correspondent reports.

12:06 Beirut Time

New Israeli strikes near Jezzine

New Israeli airstrikes target Mahmoudieh heights, the outskirts of Bouslaiya (Jezzine district) and the vicinity of Nabeh al-Tasa in Iqlim al-Tuffah, according to our correspondent. The targeted areas have been regularly struck by the Israeli army in recent months.

12:01 Beirut Time

Israeli drones fly over Beirut southern suburbs

Israeli drones are flying over the southern suburbs of Beirut in parallel with the ongoing airstrikes in the South, according to local media outlets.

11:57 Beirut Time

Israeli strike targets south Lebanon

Israeli warplanes are flying over south Lebanon at a low altitude after conducting several strikes, according to our correspondent in the region.

Earlier, an Israeli force, positioned at the occupied Hamames hill, swept the surroundings of the Sarda farm south of Khiam (Marjayoun district) with medium machine-gun fire.

11:57 Beirut Time

(Photo sent by Mountasser Abdallah)

A new Israeli airstrike targeted the heights of Mahmoudieh (Jezzine district).

10:21 Beirut Time

Syria-Kurdish truce comes into effect

Over the weekend, Damascus’ army seized key territories within hours in northeastern regions controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces, then translated those territorial gains into diplomatic momentum.

It marked one of Damascus’ biggest strategic victories since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024.

10:21 Beirut Time

Israeli fire on Dhaira, Israeli media report attempted infiltration

Between 9 and 10 p.m. Sunday, an Israeli army helicopter opened automatic fire on Dhaira (Sour), our correspondent in the South reported.

Several Israeli media outlets later reported an operation aimed at thwarting a suspected infiltration attempt into Israeli territory. Citing an Israeli army spokesperson, the reports said fire was carried out from a tank and a combat helicopter, without providing details on the identity or condition of the suspect. The Israeli army did not issue an official statement on the incident.

Dhaira was again targeted Monday morning by a sound bomb dropped from a small Israeli army drone, according to our correspondent’s sources.

10:16 Beirut Time

Iranian television channels reportedly hacked Sunday night

Hackers briefly interrupted programming on several Iranian television channels Sunday night to broadcast messages supporting the son of Iran’s former shah, Reza Pahlavi, and calling on security forces “not to point their weapons at the people,” according to videos circulating on social media and reports in several outlets, including The Independent.

The incident was not the first of its kind in Iran, which has been shaken for weeks by mass protests over the economic crisis and calls for regime change. The demonstrations were harshly repressed by authorities, with several NGOs saying the crackdown left thousands dead. The repression also included a nationwide internet blackout.

10:11 Beirut Time

New Israeli army and security operation in Hebron, occupied West Bank

The Israeli army and the internal security service Shin Bet said they launched a new operation in Hebron, in the occupied West Bank, aimed at “dismantling terrorist infrastructure” in the city, according to a statement issued Monday morning.

The operation will focus on the Jabal Johar neighborhood and is expected to continue for several days. The army said “explosions” may be heard in the area and that there will be a “notable increase” in troop deployments in the sector.

10:04 Beirut Time

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