Power struggle intensifies in Syria following Bashar al-Assad's departure

Bashar al-Assad has fled Syria following the collapse of his regime, creating a power vacuum. Various factions, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Syrian government forces, and the Syrian National Army (SNA), are now competing for control. HTS, which played a significant role in Assad's downfall, now controls Damascus but is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and others. Meanwhile, the SNA, backed by Turkey, focuses on combating Kurdish forces, while the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continue to fight ISIS and resist Turkish attacks. The U.S. has intensified strikes against ISIS in central Syria and maintains about 900 troops in the region. Israel has also increased military actions, targeting Assad's chemical weapons facilities and capturing territory in the Golan Heights for security purposes.