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Ukraine Claims Russian Summer Offensive Falls Short of Strategic Goals

A firefighter works at the site of an apartment building hit during a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine in this handout picture released August 30, 2025. Ukraine’s armed forces have declared that Russia’s much-publicized summer offensive failed to secure full control of any major Ukrainian city, despite Moscow’s claims of significant territorial gains. Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov stated that since March, Russian forces had captured over 3,500 square kilometers of territory and taken control of 149 settlements. However, Ukraine’s General Staff dismissed these figures as “grossly exaggerated,” asserting that no major urban centers were fully occupied by Russian troops. Military analysts note that Russia’s campaign, aimed at seizing the Donbas region and forcing Ukraine into concessions, devolved into a slow, attritional struggle rather than the decisive breakthrough Moscow had anticipated. While Russian ...

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Fragile Peace in Sweida: Syria Calls for Calm Amid Sectarian Strife

 

The Syrian government has issued an urgent appeal for all factions involved in the recent violence in Sweida province to honor a newly brokered ceasefire. The region, predominantly inhabited by the Druze minority, has been rocked by deadly clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin clans, prompting widespread displacement and humanitarian crisis.

Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa emphasized the importance of unity and denounced foreign interference, particularly Israeli airstrikes that targeted Syrian military positions in Damascus and southern Syria. These strikes were reportedly carried out under the pretext of protecting the Druze community.

The ceasefire, mediated by the United States, Turkey, and Jordan, aims to halt hostilities and restore stability. Internal security forces have begun deploying in Sweida to enforce the truce, while Druze factions have been tasked with maintaining local order.

Despite the agreement, tensions remain high. Some Druze leaders have rejected the deal, calling for continued resistance, while others advocate reconciliation. The United Nations estimates that nearly 80,000 people have been displaced since the violence erupted, with essential services in the region severely disrupted.

As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, hoping the ceasefire holds and paves the way for lasting peace in Syria’s troubled south.

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