Over 100 Hepatitis Cases Reported in Rural Daraa Town
ARK News.. Medical sources have reported that the town of Mahja in the countryside of Daraa has recorded more than 100 cases of hepatitis, as residents call on medical teams from other Syrian provinces to intervene.
According to RT, sources at the local health center in Mahja said that infections have surpassed 100 cases amid a shortage of healthcare services and a continuous daily rise in cases.
The sources added that the capacity of the town’s health center is no longer sufficient to handle the growing number of cases, especially given the lack of services, forcing new patients to be transferred immediately to the nearby Izraa hospital, which is now under heavy pressure and has begun turning away some cases.
This has compelled patients to travel to Damascus for treatment, adding further health and financial burdens that residents say they are forced to bear.
Medical staff in Mahja stressed that the high number of infections suggests the outbreak is not isolated, indicating that the primary cause is likely contamination of local water sources. They called on relevant authorities to test and treat the water, as well as urgently remove widespread waste dumps in the area, which are also believed to be a contributing factor to the spread of hepatitis.
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Over 600 Large Commercial Vessels Stranded in Strait of Hormuz
ARK News.. Navigation data has revealed continued disruption to maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, with hundreds of large commercial ships remaining stranded in the area amid strict transit measures imposed by Iran on vessels permitted to pass.
According to The Times, citing maritime data, “more than 600 large commercial ships remain stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, as disruptions linked to the current regional crisis persist.”
The newspaper added that Iranian authorities are directing vessels granted permission to transit through Iranian territorial waters around Larak Island, under special navigation arrangements aimed at regulating traffic through the strait.
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Trump Survives New Assassination Attempt in Washington
ARK News.. U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday morning, April 26, 2026, that he had survived a new assassination attempt while attending the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington.
Gunshots were heard inside the venue, prompting U.S. Secret Service agents to evacuate Trump from the Washington Hilton. The incident adds to a series of attacks he has faced since his first presidential campaign, including shootings and repeated security breaches.
Speaking to reporters after the incident, Trump said the assailant engaged with security personnel before being apprehended, describing him as an individual “with mental health issues.” He also urged Americans to “unite” and resolve internal issues “peacefully.”
Trump confirmed that the attacker was at a distance from him when the shooting occurred, noting that preliminary investigations indicate the suspect acted alone.
When asked about the possibility of Iranian involvement, Trump responded: “I don’t think so, but we will learn more during the investigation.”
In the same context, The New York Times reported, citing U.S. officials, that the suspect has been identified as Cole Thomas Allen, a 31-year-old from California.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Washington police stated that initial indicators confirm the gunman acted independently, a view also supported by the city’s mayor, who ruled out the involvement of additional suspects.
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Israeli Patrol Incursion into Yarmouk Basin in Daraa Countryside
ARK News.. A Syrian media source reported that Israeli army forces carried out an incursion into the Yarmouk Basin area, with the reasons behind the move remaining unclear.
According to Syria TV, an Israeli military patrol advanced shortly after midnight on Sunday, April 26, 2026, into the Yarmouk Basin in the western countryside of Daraa, coinciding with the release of illuminating flares over the area.
The source stated that about 10 Israeli military vehicles moved between the villages of Jamla and Saysoun in the Yarmouk Basin, without any official explanation for the incursion.
The patrol later withdrew from its position, heading through Wadi al-Raqad towards the Til Abu al-Ghithar crossing leading to the Golan Heights.
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Kurdish National Council and Assyrian Democratic Organization Discuss Current Political Issues
ARK News.. The Kurdish National Council and the Assyrian Democratic Organization discussed a number of current political issues, focusing on files of mutual interest, foremost among them the upcoming parliamentary elections in Hasaka province.
Mohammed Ismail, head of the Kurdish National Council in Syria, along with several members of the council's presidency, received on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the council’s headquarters in the city of Qamishlo, a delegation from the Assyrian Democratic Organization headed by Gabriel Moshi, as part of joint efforts to enhance dialogue and develop coordination mechanisms among the components of the region.
During the meeting, both sides discussed several current political issues, with a focus on matters of common concern, particularly the anticipated parliamentary elections in Hasaka province, which are considered one of the most significant political milestones in the upcoming phase.
The meeting also addressed the issue of representing the various components of society in the region, with both parties stressing the importance of ensuring fair and inclusive participation of Kurds, Arabs, and Assyrian Syriacs in a way that reflects the social and political diversity and strengthens the principle of national partnership.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides emphasized the need to enhance joint cooperation and maintain continuous channels of communication in the coming period, in a manner that contributes to consolidating bilateral relations and supporting political stability in the region.
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Iran: No Plans for Tehran–Washington Talks in Islamabad
ARK News.. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei denied any plans to hold direct negotiations with the U.S. delegation.
Baghaei said the purpose of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Islamabad is limited to conveying Tehran’s messages through the Pakistani side.
He added that Araghchi will hold a series of meetings with senior Pakistani officials to discuss mediation efforts led by Pakistan.
Baghaei stressed that the primary objective is “to end the imposed war launched by the United States and restore peace to the region.”
Regarding the possibility of sitting at the same table with Washington, he said: “There are no plans to hold meetings between Tehran and the American side.”
He noted that all Iranian remarks and messages will be delivered to Pakistani officials, who will in turn relay them to the other party.
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Since the Start of 2026: More Than 1,200 Illegal Crossing Attempts into Syria Foiled
ARK News.. Syrian border guard forces have foiled more than 1,200 illegal crossing attempts since the beginning of 2026, according to official statements.
The Syrian Arab Army said via its official platforms that border guard units thwarted 1,240 illegal crossing attempts in coordination with neighboring countries and dismantled six smuggling networks.
The army added that 10 smugglers were arrested, while 23 vehicles, three agricultural tractors, and eight motorcycles used in smuggling operations were seized.
It also noted that border forces confiscated 326 kilograms of hashish, 210,000 Captagon pills, and more than 100 slabs of hashish before they were smuggled into Syria. In addition, 31 tons and 750 kilograms of copper were seized before being smuggled.
The statement further said that border guard forces confronted attacks involving suicide drones and recorded the fall of six rockets in various areas without any reported casualties. One drone was shot down over a military point, and a reconnaissance drone was forced to withdraw.
The army indicated that border forces also discovered and fully sealed three newly constructed tunnels, including two near the Lebanon border, in addition to backfilling five older tunnels in different locations.
Moreover, more than 140 weapons were seized, including anti-tank missiles, heavy shells, automatic rifles, night-vision devices, communication equipment, and various types of ammunition.
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Kurdistan Region Targeted by 809 Drone and Missile Attacks Since Outbreak of War
ARK News.. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has released statistics detailing the human and material losses resulting from attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region since the outbreak of the war between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other.
According to a recent report issued by the KRG’s Department of Media and Information, a total of 809 attacks were recorded between February 28 and April 20.
The report stated that these attacks resulted in 20 fatalities and 123 injuries.
It further explained that the attacks included 701 drone strikes and 108 missile attacks, directly targeting civilian sites, private property, and infrastructure, under what it described as “unfounded pretexts.”
According to the report, the distribution of attacks was as follows:
Erbil Governorate: The most affected, with 477 attacks (419 drones and 58 missiles), resulting in 10 deaths and 83 injuries.
Sulaymaniyah and Halabja: 235 attacks (194 drones and 41 missiles), leading to 3 deaths and 6 injuries.
Soran Independent Administration: 68 attacks (59 drones and 9 missiles), resulting in 7 deaths and 34 injuries.
Duhok Governorate: 29 attacks, all carried out by drones.
Regarding material damage, the report highlighted extensive destruction to civilian infrastructure and private property:
In Erbil, 726 civilians sustained material losses due to direct targeting of homes, vehicles, and workplaces.
In Sulaymaniyah and Halabja, dozens were affected by 24 attacks concentrated on civilian locations.
In Duhok, significant damage was recorded, including repeated targeting of private sector companies more than 13 times.
In Soran, 35 civilians suffered material losses affecting homes, property, and workplaces.
The report underscores the scale of the impact on the Kurdistan Region, despite it not being a direct party to the conflict.
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Nechirvan Barzani and Araghchi Discuss Latest Developments and the Need to Achieve Peace in the Region
ARK News.. The President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, held a phone call on Friday, April 24, 2026, with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi.
During the call, both sides exchanged views and perspectives on the latest developments in the region and emphasized the importance of maintaining security and stability and achieving peace, according to a statement issued by the Presidency of the Kurdistan Region.
Relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region, along with several issues of mutual interest, were also discussed during the call.
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Pakistan Conducts Secret Talks Inside Iran to Sustain Ceasefire Momentum
ARK News.. Pakistani mediators have intensified diplomatic contacts in a new covert mediation effort aimed at persuading Iran to return to the negotiating table with the United States, following a decision by Donald Trump to extend the ceasefire with Tehran.
Media sources reported that, according to experts, some intelligence assessments indicate Pakistani mediators have been holding parallel talks for the past two days with Iranian officials inside Iran. This comes alongside ongoing indirect negotiations in Islamabad, where a U.S. delegation remains engaged with an Iranian technical team.
According to the sources, experts said these simultaneous diplomatic efforts reflect Islamabad’s “dual-track” strategy to maintain the momentum of de-escalation after the fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
The increased pace of Pakistani mediation coincides with statements by Trump about the possibility of holding a new round of talks with Iran as early as Friday, expressing optimism about a potential breakthrough within the next 36 to 72 hours.
Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said in a post on X that he hopes both the U.S. and Iran will continue to adhere to the ceasefire, affirming that Pakistan will persist in its efforts to reach a negotiated settlement between Washington and Tehran.
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