• Source:JND
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As the Sunni Islamic militia, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham replaces Iran-backed Alwite leader Bashar al-Assad in Syria, ending a near 50-year-long family rule, calls for reconsideration of its terrorist designation have gained momentum. The United Nations' special envoy for Syria on Tuesday emphasised that it was essential for transitional arrangement after Assad's ouster to be as inclusive as possible. The envoy highlighted how HTS, which remained a UN-designated terrorist organisation is sending good messages to the Syrian people.

"It is now nine years since that resolution (declaring HTS's predecessor a terrorist group) was adopted," he told a briefing at the UN's Geneva headquarters.

"The reality is so far that HTS and also the other armed groups have been sending good messages
to the Syrian people ... of unity, of inclusiveness," the envoy added.

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He warned against initiating the repatriation of the millions of refugees who have fled Syria during its 13 years of conflict, highlighting that the situation remains "fluid" due to ongoing clashes in the northeast and Israeli incursions.

"It is extremely important that we don't see any action from any international actor that destroys the possibility for this transformation in Syria to take place," he added, concerning Israeli moves to extend a buffer zone inside the country.

Israel Denies Reports Of IDF Entering Syria

Meanwhile, Israel rejected the claims that its forces had crossed beyond the buffer zone near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, following Syrian reports alleging an incursion reaching within 25 km (15 miles) of Damascus.

The move into the buffer zone, established after the 1973 Middle East war, came as rebel forces from the north overwhelmed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government over the weekend.

"The reports circulating in the media about the alleged advancement of Israeli tanks towards Damascus are false," an Israeli military official said."IDF troops are stationed within the buffer zone, as stated in the past." Officials said as reported by Reuters.