Syria's public services halt as state workers stay home after rebel takeover

Syria's prime minister reported that most cabinet ministers returned to work after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad. However, many state workers did not, leading to a complete halt of public services, according to a UN official. Refugees are returning to Syria, seeking relatives and a peaceful future. The rebel alliance, led by a former al-Qaida militant, has promised a representative government and religious tolerance, stating they will not impose dress codes on women. In northern Syria, Turkey-backed forces seized the town of Manbij from Kurdish-led groups. Israel conducted airstrikes on suspected chemical weapons sites amid concerns over security and the potential rise of extremist groups in the region.