Syria's Military Operations Administration announced Wednesday that it has lifted the curfew previously imposed on Damascus and its surrounding areas, calling on residents to resume their daily activities and return to their workplaces.

In a statement, the administration encouraged citizens to "contribute to building the new Syria" as the country attempts to normalize conditions following the recent fall of Bashar al-Assad's government.

The lifting of the curfew came as Mohammed al-Bashir, previously a regional leader in northwestern Syria, announced Tuesday that he had been tasked with heading a transitional government in Syria until March 2025.

Fighters have gained full control of the eastern Syrian city of Deir al-Zour following the reported withdrawal of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to areas east of the Euphrates River, according to statements from a local commander and a war monitor.

Hassan Abdel Ghani, a commander of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), said that their fighters now hold all of Deir al-Zour city and continue to advance in rural areas.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Wednesday the SDF had pulled out of Deir al-Zour and the nearby city of Al-Bukamal, returning to areas east of the Euphrates River.

The SDF had taken control of Deir al-Zour earlier following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government.

The Kurdish forces, previously seen as a dominant force in parts of northeastern Syria, appear to have ceded ground as militant groups led by the HTS stake their claims on strategic territories and key population centers.

Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday its decision to reopen the country's embassy in Syria soon.

"This step aims to strengthen the close historical fraternal relations between the two countries and their peoples," the ministry's spokesperson Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari said in a statement.

Al Ansari stressed that the decision reflects Qatar's unwavering support for the Syrian people in building a state founded on justice, peace, stability and prosperity.

The top U.S. military leader spoke Tuesday over phone with his Turkish counterpart during which they recognized the necessity of maintaining communication and cooperation amid the transition in Syria, read a statement issued Wednesday by the U.S. military.

General CQ Brown, chairman of the U.S. joint chiefs of staff, "spoke with Chief of the Turkish General Staff Gen. Metin Gürak yesterday by phone," said the statement provided by Jereal Dorsey, spokesperson for the joint chiefs of staff.

"The two military leaders discussed the evolving security situation in Syria, our commitment to defense cooperation, and efforts to promote peace and stability. Both leaders agreed on the necessity of communication and partner cooperation to ensure a peaceful transition in Syria," the statement said.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud on Wednesday discussed the developments in Syria and their repercussions on the rest of the region over the phone, according to a statement from al-Sudani's office.

During the phone call, they "emphasized the importance of joint Arab coordination and the need to promote dialogue among all Syrian parties to ensure Syria's security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity," the statement said.

The two sides also discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance and expand cooperation in various fields.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty received a call from the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken Tuesday night on the recent developments in Syria, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

The two sides agreed on the importance of adopting a comprehensive political process that focuses on not excluding any Syrian national components or parties, so as to pave the road for restoring stability in Syria.

Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's support for Syria's sovereignty, unity, and land safety, according to the statement. 

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