Refugees return to Syria as new interim prime minister takes office

Refugees from Syria are returning home as a new interim prime minister, Mohammed al-Bashir, has been appointed with support from rebel groups. He will lead until March 1, aiming to establish a transitional government. U.S. officials are engaging with rebel leaders, urging them to create an inclusive government that respects minority rights and facilitates humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, banks and shops have reopened in Damascus, signaling a shift in the city’s atmosphere. Israeli airstrikes have targeted Syrian army bases, claiming to strike strategic weapons stockpiles. This military action adds complexity to the new administration's challenges, as Israel aims to maintain a "sterile defense zone" in southern Syria.