Salman Khan house security guard dies suddenly dur…

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will visit Syria on Saturday. It will be the first visit by a serving UN secretary-general to the country since 2009. The visit comes at a major turning point for Syria. The country is trying to rebuild after years of war, political instability and international isolation. Syria’s conflict began in 2011. It continued for almost 14 years. The war killed hundreds of thousands of people. Millions more were forced to leave their homes. The conflict ended with the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024. Syrian opposition forces removed Assad from power after a rapid offensive. The country is now being led through a transitional period under President Ahmed al-Sharaa. His administration is seeking to establish a new political system and restore Syria’s relations with the international community. Guterres is expected to meet Sharaa during his visit to Damascus. He will also hold talks with Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. The UN secretary-general is also expected to meet other Syrian officials. He will hold discussions with representatives of civil society as part of his visit. The United Nations says Guterres will focus on Syria’s future. He is expected to underline the importance of creating a stable, inclusive and prosperous country. The visit is also expected to highlight the need for national reconciliation. Syria faces major challenges after years of destruction and displacement. The country’s transition has not been without difficulties. Sectarian violence remains a serious concern. Large numbers of Alawites were killed in violence in Syria’s coastal region last year. The Alawite community was closely associated with the former Assad government. Violence later affected the Druze community in southern Syria. Hundreds of people were reportedly killed during clashes. Guterres has expressed concern over both episodes of violence. He has called for accountability and protection for Syria’s minority communities. The new Syrian government is also working to restore diplomatic relations. Damascus wants to move beyond the alliances that dominated the country during Assad’s rule. Syria had long relied heavily on Russia and Iran. The new leadership is now seeking broader international engagement. Sharaa has already taken steps towards rebuilding Syria’s global diplomatic presence. Last year, he became the first Syrian president since 1967 to attend the UN General Assembly in New York. Washington has also taken steps towards improving relations with Damascus. The United States has removed most of its broad sanctions on Syria. US President Donald Trump has also indicated that Washington intends to remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. Guterres is expected to address Syria’s new parliament on Monday. The speech could focus on the country’s political transition and its future relationship with the international community. He will also visit a UN peacekeeping force operating near the Israeli-Syrian frontier. The force has maintained a buffer zone between Israeli and Syrian forces for decades. The situation in southern Syria remains sensitive. Israeli forces have occupied additional areas in the region since Assad’s removal. The Syrian government has demanded the withdrawal of Israeli troops. Damascus has also called for a return to the 1974 disengagement agreement. Guterres’ visit therefore carries significant diplomatic importance. It comes as Syria attempts to rebuild its institutions, economy and international relationships. For the United Nations, the visit also provides an opportunity to engage directly with Syria’s new leadership.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that Israeli forces had destroyed what they described as a major Hezbollah tunnel network in southern Lebanon. According to a joint statement released on Friday, the underground tunnels in the Beaufort area were considered an important part of Hezbollah’s alleged plan to enter communities in northern Israel’s Galilee region. The Israeli government said the military used around 700 tons of explosives to demolish the tunnel system. Officials described the operation as part of Israel’s continuing efforts to eliminate Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in southern Lebanon. They claimed the action was necessary after accusing Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire agreement that had been reached between the two sides. Before the Israeli announcement, Lebanese media reported a series of powerful explosions across several locations in southern Lebanon. Blasts were heard in the town of Hadatha, around Deir Mimas near Beaufort Castle and in the area between Arnoun and Yahmar. Residents said the explosions echoed across nearby districts and caused widespread concern during the night. The military operation comes only weeks after Lebanon and Israel signed a United States backed framework agreement on June 26 aimed at reducing tensions along the border. The deal outlined a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied Lebanese territory while the Lebanese army would expand its presence in the south and armed groups would be disarmed. Although Hezbollah was not named directly, the agreement was widely understood to include the group. As part of the first phase of the agreement, the Lebanese army began deploying forces in the town of Zawtar al Gharbiyeh on July 21 after Israeli troops pulled back from the area. The town was selected as one of the first locations for implementing the security arrangements outlined in the agreement. Despite the deal, tensions remain high. Israel continues to maintain a military presence in parts of southern Lebanon. Some of these areas have been occupied for decades while others have been under Israeli control since the conflict that took place during 2023 and 2024. Reports also indicate that Israeli forces recently advanced more than 10 kilometres into Lebanese territory during their latest operations. According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, Israeli attacks carried out since March 2 have killed 4,333 people and injured more than 12,200 others. The figures reflect the heavy human cost of the ongoing conflict, which has continued despite diplomatic efforts to restore stability along the border. Lebanon’s National News Agency also reported that large explosions shook the southern regions of Yohmor al Chqif, Arnoun and Kfar Tebnit overnight. The blasts were so powerful that shockwaves were felt in towns far from the affected areas. In the Marjayoun district, explosions near Beaufort Castle reportedly shattered windows and damaged nearby homes in Qlayaa. Residents described strong vibrations and the smell of gunpowder spreading through the area after the blasts. The agency further reported that Israeli forces carried out heavy machine gun fire near al Mansouri and Biyout al Sayyad in the Tyre district while artillery shells struck al Mansouri. Tank movements were also reported near Baraachit hill heading towards Aainata in the Bint Jbeil district as military activity continued across southern Lebanon.