The European Union (EU) has sent a top envoy to Syria for diplomatic talks, marking the first such engagement since EU member states severed ties with the Assad regime over a decade ago. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes have targeted missile warehouses in Syria, and Kurdish leaders have called for an immediate halt to military operations across the country.

EU Sends Diplomat for Talks with Syrian Rebel Leaders

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s newly appointed foreign policy chief, confirmed the diplomatic move, stating that the bloc’s envoy would meet with members of Syria’s interim government, led by the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The visit follows similar actions by the United States and the United Kingdom.

“Our top diplomat in Syria will go to Damascus today. We'll have the contacts there,” Kallas told journalists ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers. “We can't leave a vacuum,” she added, referencing the growing competition among regional and international powers for influence in post-Assad Syria.

Western countries remain cautious in dealing with HTS due to its origins as an offshoot of al-Qaeda in Syria. Kallas stressed the importance of evaluating the group's actions, not just its words. “For us, it's not only the words, but we want to see the deeds going in the right direction,” she said.

Israeli Airstrikes Target Missile Warehouses in Syria

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Israel launched its “most violent strikes” in Syria since 2012, targeting missile storage facilities. The airstrikes occurred just days after the dramatic departure of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family to Russia.

Israeli forces have also seized control of a United Nations-demilitarized buffer zone between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The Israeli government has denied accusations of using the situation to make a “land grab” and insists that its presence in the buffer zone is limited to security measures.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended Israel’s military actions, asserting that the strikes aim to prevent Iran from using Syrian territory to arm Hezbollah. He revealed that he had discussed the situation with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, reaffirming Israel’s “peaceful intentions” in the region. “We will determine Israeli policy regarding Syria according to the reality on the ground,” Netanyahu stated.

Kurdish Leaders Call for Immediate Ceasefire in Syria

Leaders of Syria’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region in the northeast have called for an immediate cessation of all military operations across Syria. “A stop to military operations over the entire Syrian territory is essential to begin a constructive, comprehensive national dialogue,” the Kurdish leaders said in a joint statement.

The Kurds, Syria’s largest ethnic minority, have long faced repression under the Assad regime. During the Syrian Civil War, they played a significant role in fighting government forces. However, recent weeks have seen sporadic clashes between Kurdish forces and Turkish-backed militias in northeastern Syria.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has historically opposed Assad but also regards Kurdish separatist movements as a threat to Turkey’s internal security. This has led to ongoing tensions between Kurdish groups and Turkish-backed militias in Syria.

Context and Background

The developments come amid a broader geopolitical shift in Syria following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government. Israel’s airstrikes, EU’s diplomatic overtures, and Kurdish calls for a ceasefire highlight the fragile and complex nature of the post-Assad power struggle.

For years, Iran had been a strong backer of Assad’s regime, supporting him militarily and financially. However, with Assad’s ousting, regional powers, including Turkey, Israel, and Western nations, are competing for influence over Syria’s future.

These moves have sparked fears of renewed violence and the potential for prolonged conflict. The international community remains divided over how to engage with Syria’s new interim leadership, especially given HTS’s controversial history and links to extremist ideologies.

As the situation continues to evolve, eyes remain on diplomatic efforts and the potential for a long-term political solution in Syria.