Russia, Turkey Resume Joint Patrol Near Aleppo

Russian flags on military vehicles near Manbij, in northern Syria on 15 October (Reuters)
Russian flags on military vehicles near Manbij, in northern Syria on 15 October (Reuters)
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Russia, Turkey Resume Joint Patrol Near Aleppo

Russian flags on military vehicles near Manbij, in northern Syria on 15 October (Reuters)
Russian flags on military vehicles near Manbij, in northern Syria on 15 October (Reuters)

Turkish forces and the Russian military police has conducted a joint patrol in the countryside of Ain al-Arab, in the eastern countryside of Aleppo.

The patrol included four Russian and Turkish vehicles that roamed a number of villages, as Russian helicopters flew in the air.

The last joint patrol conducted in the region was on July 27.

Meanwhile, Turkish forces and opposition factions clashed with Syrian regime forces in Idlib, as other areas in Aleppo controlled by Turkey witnessed tension.

The Turkish forces attacked the regime forces in Hantoteen village of Idlib countryside, and the regime factions bombed San and Deir Sunbul villages in the southern countryside of Idlib.

The Turkish forces and its affiliated factions also targeted positions of the regime units in Jabal al-Zawiya in the southern countryside of Idlib. In turn, regime forces bombed areas in al-Bara, Kansafra, and al-Mouzra.

In addition, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that regime forces fired tens of rockets and artillery shells targeting places in Deir Sonbo, Kansafra, al-Hallouba, the vicinity of al-Bara, al-Fterah, Sfuhen, Fulayfel in the southern countryside of Idlib, Duwayr al-Akrad, al-Sarmaniyyah in Sahl al-Ghab in north-western Hama, and areas in Jabal al-Akrad in the northern countryside of Latakia.

Meanwhile, two members of the Turkish-backed “Sultan Murad division” were killed and others wounded in clashes with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on the frontline of Tal Tamer in al-Qamishli countryside.

On Friday, Turkey withdrew part of its military reinforcement and proxy factions from the frontlines of Um Ushbeh and Bab al-Khair in Abu Racine countryside. However, the forces and guard posts deployed along the frontline with SDF remained in place.



Reports: US to Withdraw All Troops from Syria

A US Army patrol in the Syrian city of Qamishli (Reuters file photo)
A US Army patrol in the Syrian city of Qamishli (Reuters file photo)
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Reports: US to Withdraw All Troops from Syria

A US Army patrol in the Syrian city of Qamishli (Reuters file photo)
A US Army patrol in the Syrian city of Qamishli (Reuters file photo)

The United States is planning to withdraw all of its 1,000 troops from Syria over the next two months, according to US media reports.

Washington will end its presence in the country after the Syrian government extended its control over the country and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces once key to fighting ISIS pledged to integrate into the state, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Television network CBS also reported on the plan, citing unnamed US officials.

The decision comes after US forces recently withdrew from some bases
in Syria including Al-Tanf and Al-Shadadi, which were used in the US-led international coalition's fight against ISIS, AFP reported.

The US is building up its military capabilities near Iran, where officials have vowed to respond to any attack by laying siege to American military outposts in the region.

US media reported Wednesday that Washington will be ready to launch strikes against Iran as early as this weekend, though Trump has reportedly not made a final decision yet.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


Canada Eases Sanctions on Syria

13 February 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, arrives at the Bavarian Hof for the 62nd Munich Security Conference. Photo: Felix Hörhager/dpa
13 February 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, arrives at the Bavarian Hof for the 62nd Munich Security Conference. Photo: Felix Hörhager/dpa
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Canada Eases Sanctions on Syria

13 February 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, arrives at the Bavarian Hof for the 62nd Munich Security Conference. Photo: Felix Hörhager/dpa
13 February 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, arrives at the Bavarian Hof for the 62nd Munich Security Conference. Photo: Felix Hörhager/dpa

Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand said on Wednesday that Canada had amended its economic sanctions on Syria ‌to ease ‌restrictions related ‌to the ⁠import and export ⁠of goods, investment activities and the provision of financial and other ⁠services, according to Reuters.

"The amendments also ‌remove ‌24 entities and ‌one individual from ‌the Syria Regulations to reduce barriers to economic activity and ‌to enable transactions with state-affiliated entities ⁠in ⁠key sectors critical to Syria’s recovery," Anand said in a statement.


Tetteh: Despite UN Engagement, No Progress in Libya Roadmap

Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya Hanna Tetteh Getty)
Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya Hanna Tetteh Getty)
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Tetteh: Despite UN Engagement, No Progress in Libya Roadmap

Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya Hanna Tetteh Getty)
Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya Hanna Tetteh Getty)

The UN’s top envoy for Libya, Hanna Tetteh, has informed the Security Council that despite active United Nations engagement, the Libyan House of Representatives and the High Council of State have failed to make progress on the first steps of the agreed political roadmap, including establishing a mechanism to select the board of the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) and advancing electoral legislation.

Briefing the Council in New York on Wednesday, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General said: “Their inability to use their agreed mechanism and follow-on unilateral actions has further eroded their credibility."

Tetteh added that Libyan public perceptions reflect a growing belief that the bodies are “unable or unwilling” to deliver.

She told Council members that she has begun consultations with key actors on an alternative two-step approach aimed at restoring momentum. Should a smaller group of Libyan representatives fail to agree on the roadmap’s milestones, she warned, a broader convening would be required. “We cannot wait indefinitely,” she emphasized.

The UN envoy also issued a stark warning about escalating tensions within Libya’s judicial system.

She said “contradictory, parallel judicial decisions put into jeopardy the unity of the legal and judicial systems,” cautioning that the situation “is a red line that if crossed can undermine the unity of the state.”

She urged Libyan leaders to refrain from further escalatory steps and called on the Council to hold accountable those taking actions that threaten to fracture the judiciary.

Tetteh also warned that transnational criminal networks continue to expand, turning Libya into a major transit hub for drug trafficking and sustaining illicit economies linked to corruption and armed groups.