Global powers reassess roles in Syria after Assad's fall

Syrian rebels overthrew President Bashar al-Assad on December 8, ending his decades-long rule after a 13-year civil war. The conflict has drawn in global powers, with Russia and Iran supporting Assad, while the US and Turkey backed various rebel groups. Turkey has provided military and political support to opposition forces, focusing on containing the Kurdish YPG militia. As Assad fell, Turkey's allied Syrian National Army launched attacks on areas held by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. Russia, which had a long-standing relationship with Assad, faced challenges due to its involvement in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Israel has conducted numerous air strikes in Syria to target Iranian-linked sites, asserting its interests in the region amid the ongoing conflict.