Canada Removes Syria from Its List of Foreign State Supporters of Terrorism
ARK News.. The Canadian government announced that it has removed Syria from its list of foreign states that support terrorism.
In an official statement, the government said: “These measures align with recent decisions taken by our allies, including the United States and the United Kingdom.”
Ottawa noted that the decision reflects the Syrian transitional government’s efforts to strengthen stability, build a secure and inclusive future for its citizens, and work alongside international partners to enhance regional stability and combat terrorism.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said that, following a comprehensive review conducted jointly with Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, the government reached its decision regarding Syria.
According to Anand, delisting Syria from Canada’s “State Supporters of Terrorism” designation was carried out in accordance with the State Immunity Act.
The government statement clarified that Canada continues to impose sanctions on 56 entities and 225 Syrian individuals under its Special Economic Measures Regulations on Syria, noting that these sanctions target senior members of the former regime, their relatives, and close associates.
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Assad Resigns Himself to Life in Exile as Rami Makhlouf Moves to Build Sectarian Militias
ARK News.. A Reuters investigation has revealed that two of the closest former power brokers of the fallen Syrian regime—Kamal Hassan and Rami Makhlouf—are attempting from exile in Moscow to assemble new sectarian militias made up of Alawite fighters from Syria’s coastal region and Lebanon.
According to the report, the two men, along with other loyalist factions, are spending millions of dollars to mobilize more than 50,000 fighters, “in hopes of sparking two uprisings against the new government and reclaiming some of the influence they lost.”
Four individuals close to the Assad family told Reuters that Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia in December 2024, has “largely resigned himself to living in exile in Moscow.” However, his brother Maher and other members of the regime’s inner circle continue to struggle with the loss of power.
Documents and interviews reviewed by Reuters indicate that Hassan and Makhlouf are seeking to take control of a network of 14 underground command rooms built near the Syrian coast in the late years of the regime, in addition to weapons depots. Two officers and a provincial governor confirmed the existence of these facilities, and images seen by Reuters appear to show detailed preparations inside them.
Hassan continues to communicate with field commanders and advisers, expressing in voice messages his “deep anger over losing his influence” and outlining visions for “how the coast should be governed.”
Makhlouf, meanwhile, has been portraying himself to his followers as a “savior” who will lead an ultimate battle, drawing on religious rhetoric and apocalyptic narratives found in certain Shiite traditions.
Neither Hassan nor Makhlouf responded to Reuters’ requests for comment, and intermediaries for Bashar and Maher al-Assad also did not provide any response.
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Samuel Zbogar: The United Nations Will Support Syria
ARK News.. The head of the UN Security Council delegation affirmed that the delegation’s visit to Syria aims to support the country’s sovereignty and unity, and to reaffirm its independence and territorial integrity.
Speaking during a brief press conference at the conclusion of the Security Council delegation’s visit — the first of its kind to Syria in 14 years — Slovenian Ambassador Samuel Zbogar said the United Nations “will support Syria in achieving a better future for all Syrians.”
Zbogar added that the delegation met with the Syrian President, Ahmad al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shiaybani, as well as representatives of civil society and religious leaders.
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Nujaba Militia Threatens Trump’s Envoy to Iraq
ARK News.. The al-Nujaba Movement militia has issued a direct threat against Mark Savaya, the special envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump to Iraq, in a move that reflects growing tension between Iraqi armed factions and Washington.
In a strongly worded statement, Akram al-Kaabi, secretary-general of Harakat al-Nujaba—one of the most influential Iran-aligned militias in Iraq—accused Savaya of “betraying Iraq” and “colluding” with President Trump.
Al-Kaabi said: “The blatant interference in Iraqi affairs by American and Zionist arrogance—especially by Trump’s so-called envoy—is an act of treason by a man who has thrown himself into the arms of the occupiers. He arrives with arrogance, seeking to plunder Iraq’s wealth and hand us over to his foolish American master. Despite these shameless interventions, we are astonished by the timid silence in the face of such violations of Iraq’s sovereignty.”
He warned that if authorities do not curb Savaya’s actions, “the Islamic resistance will silence him and send him back to the masters who enslaved him, for he has betrayed his country and shown neither loyalty nor gratitude
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A mass grave was found in the Aleppo countryside.
Authorities in Rural Aleppo have uncovered several mass graves inside water reservoirs in the village of Turkan, in the western countryside of al-Sefira, according to Barakat al-Youssef, the administrator of the al-Sefira district.
Al-Youssef told SANA on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, that the graves were discovered inside large local water tanks used to collect rainwater. He noted that similar findings had been reported in other parts of the region in previous months.
The mass graves contain remains of victims killed in massacres carried out by militias of the former regime, he said, adding that the condition of the clothing and indicators at the site suggest that some of the bodies are relatively recent.
“They were killed shortly before the area was liberated, in what appears to have been an attempt to conceal the crimes,” he added. The remains include women, children, and men.
Al-Youssef noted that finding one body—whether of a child, woman, or man—suggests the likelihood of more victims in the same sites.
Search operations are ongoing to identify additional locations and uncover further details, including removing debris and soil used to hide the bodies, in order to determine the total number of victims in each reservoir. He added that specialized teams will move forward with identifying the remains and documenting the victims as part of the ongoing investigation.
Dozens of mass graves have been discovered across Syria since the fall of the Assad regime one year ago. Authorities have yet to clarify follow-up procedures, particularly the identification of recovered bodies, while the families of thousands of missing persons continue to await news about their loved ones.
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President Barzani: The People of Kurdistan Remain Grateful for the Solidarity and Support Provided by the United States
ARK News.. President Masoud Barzani met on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, in Erbil with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Michael Rigas and his accompanying delegation at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq.
During the meeting, the U.S. Deputy Secretary expressed his pleasure at visiting the Kurdistan Region and congratulated President Barzani on the successful Iraqi parliamentary elections and the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s strong performance in the vote. He also conveyed his appreciation for President Barzani’s role in advancing the Kurdistan Region and in countering terrorism while safeguarding the stability and security of the wider area.
Rigas reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to strengthening and expanding bilateral relations with the Kurdistan Region across all fields, describing the opening of the largest U.S. consulate in Erbil as a significant milestone. He stressed that the inauguration of the largest American consulate in the region sends a clear message that the United States stands with a strong, stable, secure, and prosperous Kurdistan Region. He also underscored that the region’s security is vital to the stability of the entire Middle East, affirming continued U.S. support in this regard.
The American official strongly condemned the recent attack on the Kormor gas field and called for decisive measures to end such acts of sabotage.
For his part, President Barzani described the day as a historic moment in the relationship between the United States and the Kurdistan Region, marking the opening of the largest American consulate in Kurdistan.
President Barzani also highlighted the long history of oppression endured by the people of Kurdistan under successive regimes in Iraq. He noted that the opportunities created during the uprising—along with the decisive role of the United States and the UN Security Council in establishing a no-fly zone—enabled Kurdistan to build a democratic process through elections and to establish its government, parliament, and institutions. He further emphasized the crucial role played by the United States in the war against ISIS, affirming that the Peshmerga forces made immense sacrifices and lost many martyrs in that fight, but that the toll would have been far greater without U.S. support.
President Barzani praised the important role of the United States in the region, expressing the deep gratitude of the people of Kurdistan for America’s solidarity and assistance. He reaffirmed that the people of Kurdistan are loyal and appreciative of the support they have received, and he voiced his commitment to further strengthening relations between both sides across all sectors.
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Hasaka: International Coalition Conducts Large-Scale Military Drills at Qasrek Base
ARK News.. Local sources reported that International Coalition forces carried out extensive military exercises at one of their bases in northern Hasaka.
According to the sources, the drills took place at the Qasrek base north of Hasaka around midnight on Tuesday–Wednesday and continued until Wednesday morning, December 3, 2025.
The exercises reportedly involved the use of heavy weaponry targeting mock objectives, accompanied by warplane flights over the area
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President Barzani Receives Greek Ambassador to Iraq
ARK News.. President Masoud Barzani received Georgios Alamanos, the Ambassador of Greece to Iraq, today, Wednesday, December 3, 2025, in Pirmam.
At the beginning of his farewell visit marking the end of his diplomatic mission, the Greek ambassador expressed his appreciation for the stability and progress witnessed in the Kurdistan Region. He also highlighted the historic struggle and resilience of the people of Kurdistan, describing it as a remarkable example of perseverance and renewal.
The meeting reaffirmed the importance of strengthening bonds of friendship and expanding avenues of cooperation between the Kurdistan Region and Greece across various economic, agricultural, cultural, and academic fields
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Barzani Headquarters Responds to “Bahçeli’s” Remarks on President Barzani’s Visit to Botan Island
ARK News.. Barzani Headquarters issued a statement on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, describing the comments made by “Devlet Bahçeli”, leader of Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), regarding President Masoud Barzani’s visit to Botan Island as “chauvinistic” and contrary to established norms.
Below is the full text of the statement:
Response to Bahçeli’s Statement on President Barzani’s Visit to Botan Jizira
“Devlet Bahçeli” has made a statement regarding President Barzani’s visit to Botan Island and his participation in the ‘Mela Jaziri’ Forum, once again—unfortunately—speaking with a chauvinistic mindset that contradicts all norms and serves no one.
Bahçeli’s remarks come at a time when all details and security arrangements for President Barzani’s visit were based on protocol coordination between the relevant institutions in the Kurdistan Region and Turkey. Moreover, every time senior Turkish officials visit the Region, they are accompanied by Turkish special military units without any issues.
President Barzani’s visit was a supportive step toward the peace process that “Bahçeli” claims to endorse. We had thought that God had guided Devlet Bahçeli toward wisdom, and that he had moved past adopting racism and chauvinism; but it appears he is still the same old ‘Grey Wolf,’ only now wearing sheep’s clothing.”
— Spokesperson for Barzani Headquarters
2 December
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Over 850 Iraqis Depart al-Hol Camp
ARK News.. Dozens of Iraqi families have left the al-Hol camp, located in areas under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), heading toward Iraqi territory.
According to local sources, 240 Iraqi refugee families—comprising 858 individuals—departed al-Hol camp in rural Hasaka, returning to Iraq.
On 27 November, another 260 Iraqi families had already left the camp for Iraqi territory.
Current figures indicate that around 24,000 people reside in al-Hol camp, including more than 3,000 Iraqis.
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