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BEMIDJI — Pixar’s loss has been Bemidji’s gain. When Gary Johnson graduated from college in 1988 and began looking for a job, the self-admitted computer geek sent applications to Pixar and Disney, hoping to get in on the cutting edge of animated movies. “My first resume I sent out was to Pixar,” said Johnson, who is retiring next week after a 36-year career at Bemidji-based Paul Bunyan Communications, the last 12 as chief executive officer and general manager. “It was also my first rejection letter.” He was rejected by Disney, too. But then he saw a tiny, two-line want ad for a computer programming job in Bemidji. It was close to home since Johnson graduated from Walker-Hackensack-Akeley High School and Minnesota State University Moorhead. The ad was from Paul Bunyan Telephone Cooperative, a small company that provided landline service to areas outside of Bemidji and needed a programmer to write software. Johnson got the job. “I was the 23rd employee, and I was the new guy for about five years,” said 59-year-old Johnson. “We weren’t hiring, we weren’t growing. But it was a great company, a fundamentally awesome company that was mission-driven.” Fast forward 36 years, and the cooperative has grown to 165 employees. The GigaZone, its all-fiber optic broadband network, serves 33,000 customers throughout northern Minnesota. As the cooperative grew, Johnson moved up from programmer to commercial manager to advanced services manager to chief operating officer. He was named CEO and GM in 2012 after Paul Freude retired. All the while, Johnson became one of Bemidji’s most prolific community leaders. As a Rotarian, he led the effort to launch the Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival. As a board member of Greater Bemidji Economic Development, he was instrumental in creating the LaunchPad entrepreneur support center, the 218 Relocate remote worker recruitment effort and the NorthStartUp Pitch Competition for new business ideas. He also has guided Paul Bunyan’s Communications efforts to create the annual and the Lumberjack Games. “Gary is one of the most effective leaders I have ever met,” said Greater Bemidji Executive Director Dave Hengel. “In fact, I would be hard-pressed to find anyone who has had a greater impact on our community than Gary over the past decade. "He is passionate and cares deeply about Bemidji. He is one of those leaders who people naturally like to follow not only because of his passion and energy but also his humility. He is a true community steward.” Scott Turn, executive director of the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce, has worked alongside Johnson on several projects, including the Dragon Boat Festival. “I don’t know if I have been to an important meeting or community initiative where Gary Johnson wasn’t there,” Turn said. “He has been a constant in Bemidji for many years, not only representing Paul Bunyan Communications but also the many community organizations he has been a part of. He has been a difference maker in our region.” Elaine Iverson worked with Johnson for 28 years and said it was no surprise that he rose to a leadership position. “We had a consultant working for us, and he could really see the potential in Gary for the future, the way technology maneuvered forward,” said Iverson, who retired in 2016 as administrative assistant to Johnson. “Gary had excellent leadership skills. He was fair and he was empathetic. He also had a very funny sense of humor. He was fun to work with.” Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan’s marketing supervisor used that same word to describe Johnson. They’ve worked together since 1998. “We’ve had so much fun along the way,” Bissonette said. “You’re not supposed to have fun at work, right? I just always appreciated Gary’s personality, the way he treats people. If you’ve been to our annual fish fry, he’s the one out sweeping. He’s always trying to get to the level of every employee. I think that resonates with a lot of people. We’ve made some very impactful decisions that were really a lot of fun to do.” Johnson made a name for himself and Paul Bunyan Communications in the industry. “There are a lot of independent companies in Minnesota like Paul Bunyan Communications, and Gary has always been a leader in our industry,” said Brent Christensen, president and CEO of the Minnesota Telecom Alliance. “Paul Bunyan Communications is one of the largest cooperatives in Minnesota ... and there are a lot of smaller companies that work together to transport internet traffic and pass it off to each other. There has to be a lot of collaboration, and Gary's really been at the forefront of the collaboration.” Johnson credits Freude and the cooperative’s board of directors for spurring the rapid growth of Paul Bunyan Communications. “We’ve had such great leadership at the board level that has had such trust in us to try new things, invest in new things,” Johnson said. “And there’s Paul Freude. I got to enjoy the fun time. Paul had to take on debt and boldly take on $60 million in debt because he believed in fiber technology. From a leadership perspective, I really feel lucky that I inherited this infrastructure.” Johnson said while he will miss his co-workers and his job, he knows Paul Bunyan Communications will continue to grow, and it’s in good hands with his successor, “There are a lot of reasons to be apprehensive about leaving something you’ve done for a long time,” Johnson said. “But the piece I’m absolutely not worried about is here. And that’s a gift to me.”UnitedHealthcare CEO’s shooting opens a door to vent frustrations over insurance

NEW YORK (AP) — If you’re planning on ringing in the new year quietly at home, you’re not alone. A majority of U.S adults intend to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home, according to a new poll by . “As I’ve gotten older over the last few years, it’s like if I don’t make it to midnight, it’s not a big deal, you know?” says Carla Woods, 70, from Vinton, Iowa. Nearly 2 in 10 will be celebrating at a friend or family member’s home, and just 5% plan to go out to celebrate at a bar, restaurant or organized event, the poll found. But many U.S. adults will celebrate the new year in a different way — by making a resolution. More than half say they’ll make at least one resolution for 2025. There’s some optimism about the year ahead, although more than half aren’t expecting a positive change. About 4 in 10 say 2025 will be a better year for them personally. About one-third don’t expect much of a difference between 2024 and 2025, and about one-quarter think 2025 will be a worse year than 2024. Relaxed New Year’s Eve plans for many Kourtney Kershaw, a 32-year-old bartender in Chicago, often fields questions from customers and friends about upcoming events for New Year’s Eve. She said this year is trending toward low-key. “A majority of who I’ve spoken to in my age range, they want to go out, but they don’t know what they’re going to do because they haven’t found anything or things are just really expensive,” she said. “Party packages or an entry fee are like a turnoff, especially with the climate of the world and how much things cost.” As expected, younger people are more interested in ringing in the new year at a bar or organized event — about 1 in 10 U.S. adults under 30 say they plan to do that. But about 3 in 10 older adults — 60 and above — say they won’t celebrate the beginning of 2025 at all. Anthony Tremblay, 35, from Pittsburgh, doesn’t usually go out to toast the arrival of the new year, but this year he’s got something special cooked up: He and his wife will be traveling through Ireland. “I don’t do anything too crazy for New Year’s, usually. So this is definitely a change,” he said. “I wanted to do something unique this year, so I did.” Woods will be working New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. She answers calls on The Iowa Warmline, a confidential, noncrisis listening line for people struggling with mental health or substance use issues. “Holidays are really hard for people, so I don’t mind working,” she said. “I’m passionate about it because I have mental health issues in the family and so being able to help people is rewarding to me.” Younger Americans are more likely to make a resolution Every New Year’s also triggers the eternal debate about resolutions. A majority of U.S. adults say they intend to make a New Year’s resolution of some type, but millennials and Gen Z are especially likely to be on board — about two-thirds expect to do so, compared to about half of older adults. Women are also more likely than men to say they will set a goal for 2025. Tremblay hopes to lose some weight and focus more on self-care — more sleep, meditation and breathing exercises. “It’s probably a good year to focus on mental health,” he said. Many others agree. About 3 in 10 adults choose resolutions involving exercise or eating healthier. About one-quarter said they’ll make a resolution involving losing weight and a similar number said they’ll resolve to make changes about priorities of money or mental health. Woods’ resolutions are to stay social and active. As a mental health counselor, she knows those are key to a happy 2025 and beyond: “Probably one of my biggest resolutions is trying to make sure I stay social, try to get out at least once a week — get out and either have coffee or do something with a friend. That’s not only for the physical but also for the mental health part.” Kershaw, the bartender, says weight loss and better health are the top resolutions she hears people make. “Mental health is the new one, but I think it’s high up there as well as with regular health,” she said. She prefers more goal-oriented resolutions and, this time, it’s to do more traveling and see more of the world: “I don’t know if that’s really a resolution, but that’s a goal that I’m setting.” And how will she welcome the arrival of 2025? Usually, she takes the night off and stays home watching movies with plenty of snacks, but this year Kershaw has a different plan, maybe one of the most Chicago things you can do. This die-hard sports fan will be on Tuesday watching the Chicago Blackhawks take on the St. Louis Blues. “Hockey’s my favorite sport. So I will be watching hockey and bringing in the new year,” she said. ___ The AP-NORC poll of 1,251 adults was conducted Dec. 5-9, 2024, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 3.7 percentage points. ___ Sanders reported from Washington. Mark Kennedy And Linley Sanders, The Associated Press

Martinez had gone eight matches since last finding the back of the net against Venezia on November 3 but after Alessandro Bastoni opened the scoring in the 54th minute, the Argentina international struck in Sardinia. The Inter captain took his tally against Cagliari to 10 goals in as many games after 71 minutes before Hakan Calhanoglu capped an excellent night for the visitors from the penalty spot a few moments later. This moment >>> #ForzaInter #CagliariInter pic.twitter.com/aZwbAZvRVI — Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter_en) December 28, 2024 Inter’s fifth-successive league victory led to them temporarily leapfrogging Atalanta, who reclaimed top spot but saw their lead cut to a single point following a 1-1 draw at Lazio. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side were grateful for a point in the end after falling behind to Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s first-half strike, only drawing level with two minutes remaining thanks to Marco Brescianini. Lautaro Valenti’s last-gasp strike condemned rock-bottom Monza to a 10th defeat in 18 matches as Parma edged a 2-1 victory, while Genoa defeated Empoli by the same scoreline.

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NoneCORK, Ireland , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The board of directors of Johnson Controls International plc (NYSE: JCI), the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, has approved a regular quarterly dividend of $0.37 per share of common stock, payable on Jan. 17, 2025 , to shareholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 23, 2024 . Johnson Controls has paid a consecutive dividend since 1887. About Johnson Controls At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet. Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering. Today, with a global team of experts, Johnson Controls offers the world`s largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry. Visit www.johnsoncontrols.com for more information and follow @Johnson Controls on social platforms. INVESTOR CONTACT: Jim Lucas Direct: +1 414.340.1752 Email: jim.lucas@jci.com MEDIA CONTACT: Danielle Canzanella Direct: +1 203.499.8297 Email: danielle.canzanella@jci.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/johnson-controls-announces-quarterly-dividend-302324312.html SOURCE Johnson Controls International plcIowa moves on without injured quarterback Brendan Sullivan when the Hawkeyes visit Maryland for a Big Ten Conference contest on Saturday afternoon. Former starter Cade McNamara is not ready to return from a concussion, so Iowa (6-4, 4-3) turns to former walk-on and fourth-stringer Jackson Stratton to lead the offense in College Park, Md. "Confident that he'll do a great job," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said of Stratton on his weekly radio show. "He stepped in, did a really nice job in our last ballgame. And he's got a good ability to throw the football, and he's learning every day. ... We'll go with him and see what we can do." Iowa had been on an upswing with Sullivan, who had sparked the Hawkeyes to convincing wins over Northwestern and Wisconsin before suffering an ankle injury in a 20-17 loss at UCLA on Nov. 8. Stratton came on in relief against the Bruins and completed 3 of 6 passes for 28 yards. Another storyline for Saturday is that Ferentz will be opposing his son, Brian Ferentz, an assistant at Maryland. Brian Ferentz was Iowa's offensive coordinator from 2017-23. "We've all got business to take care of on Saturday," Kirk Ferentz said. "I think his experience has been good and everything I know about it. As a parent, I'm glad he's with good people." Maryland (4-6, 1-6) needs a win to keep its hopes alive for a fourth straight bowl appearance under Mike Locksley. The Terrapins have dropped five of their last six games, all by at least 14 points, including a 31-17 loss at home to Rutgers last weekend. "It's been a challenging last few weeks to say the least," Locksley said. The challenge this week will be to stop Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson, who leads the Big Ten in rushing yards (1,328) and touchdowns (20), averaging 7.1 yards per carry. "With running backs, it's not always about speed. It's about power, vision and the ability to make something out of nothing," Locksley said. "This guy is a load and runs behind his pads." Maryland answers with quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., who leads the Big Ten in passing yards per game (285.5) and completions (268). His top target is Tai Felton, who leads the conference in catches (86) and receiving yards (1,040). --Field Level Media

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The are unrivaled in their consistency. Zoom out and one will find three coaches over the last five decades, zoom in and one sees that head coach Mike Tomlin has now gone 18 seasons without nine regular-season losses. Tomlin has taken the mantle of elite Steelers coaches and admirably carried the torch. Pittsburgh has remained competitive because of him and is in better position to win a playoff game than any year since quarterback Ben Roethlisberger retired. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.Insurgents reach gates of Syria’s capital, threatening to upend decades of Assad ruleThere are many lasting things from Korea that many Filipinos have come to love — K-Pop, K-Drama, 10-step skincare routines, fried chicken, face masks — and now ready-to-drink beverages. Just like how Mukbangs took over the internet, the latest Korean food culture is the 'coffee pouch.' Made even more popular on social media, many continue to be enamored over the endless ASMR videos of Korean drink pouches and its refreshing contents being poured over ice. Now Filipinos can enjoy a taste of Korea anytime and anywhere with Chingu Cafe. Chingu Cafe is a brand of ready-to-drink beverages developed, produced, packed, and imported straight from Korea. It comes in coffee, tea, and ades, all packaged in those Instagram-worthy, ASMR-ready pouches. Each pouch features adorable characters that add a fun, playful touch to the experience, making it not only delicious but also a delight to look at and share. Chingu Café's first coffee offerings are not to be missed. Each variant tastes as good as it looks — the classic Vanilla Latte, the after meal dessert feels Caramel Latte, and the bold yet sweet Hazelnut Americano. Not a coffee fan? Try the crisp and refreshing Green Grape Ade, inspired by Korea's premium shine muscat grapes; the tart and delicious Strawberry Lemonade, a delightful twist on the classic; and the vibrant Peach Iced Tea, a balance of sweet and fruity blend. Chingu Café's also got those matcha lovers covered with their newest flavor, Matcha Latte. The new Chingu Cafe retails are available in e-comm shops and leading supermarkets and convenience stores nationwide.

Syrian rebels push into Damascus: Bashar al-Assad 'nowhere to be seen' as his soldiers flee into Iraq and opposition fighters reach capital city's suburbs By MILO POPE Published: 07:19 AEDT, 8 December 2024 | Updated: 07:35 AEDT, 8 December 2024 e-mail View comments Syrian opposition fighters have reached the suburbs of the Damascus capital for the first time since the region was recaptured by government troops in 2018, as president Bashar al-Assad's regime nears collapse. One resident said the city was on edge, with security forces on the streets and many shops running out of staple foods. The Syrian army withdrew from much of the country's south on Saturday but later said it was fortifying positions in the Damascus suburbs and in the south. Syria's state news agency denied reports that Assad had already fled to Russia claiming he continued to govern from Damascus. However, following the statement claiming it was 'false news', a source has told CNN that Assad was 'nowhere to be found' at his usual residences in the capital. Lebanon said it is closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for a main one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria because of the security situation on the Syrian side. The rapidly developing events in Syria have again put the region on edge. Government forces reportedly withdrew as rebel groups amassed in the city's suburbs, wrestling for control after more than a week of intensified fighting. A giant portrait of Syrian president Bashar Assad sets on a building, as empty streets seen in Damascus, Syria A military vehicle belonging to the Syrian regime forces and seized by anti government forces burn after it was hit by regime forces in the Hama governorate A military vehicle belonging to the Syrian regime forces is pictured abandoned on the side of a road in the Hama governorate, on December 7 People ride a tank in the Syrian southern city of Daraa on December 7 A government armoured vehicle burns as rebels ride along the road south of Hama, in the south of Syria Anti-regime armed rebels fire their weapons into the air in victory after capturing Hama The fall of Bashar al-Assad's routine appeals all but assured (pictured: rebels ride past a damaged government vehicle in Hama) Armed groups reached the suburb of Darayya this afternoon, some five miles from the centre, according to the Turkish Anadolu Agency . 'Our forces have begun the final phase of encircling the capital, Damascus,' said rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani today, with the Islamist-led alliance that launched the offensive 10 days ago. 'Damascus awaits you,' HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, said in a statement Saturday addressed to rebel fighters on Telegram. Read More Syria rebels reach edge of Damascus as Russia and Iran abandon Assad Syrians still in the nominally government-controlled territory of Jaramana seized the opportunity to pull down a statue of Assad's father as the regime faces collapse. To the north, rebel troops made a lunge towards the strategic city of Homs, just days after they proclaimed a major victory in the taking of the city of Hama on Thursday. The staggering assault has seen rebels opposed to the regime make the fastest battlefield advance by either side since the civil war began almost 13 years ago. Assad's office said today that the President was staying put in the capital and continuing his duties after his children and British-born wife fled to Russia last week, and his brothers-in-law allegedly travelled to the UAE, per Syrian security officials. Assad's allies in Russia , Iran and Hezbollah, distracted or worn-down by other conflicts, meanwhile showed no signs of intervening . Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told CNN that Turkey wishes that neighboring Syria can 'quickly attain the peace and tranquility it has longed for' during 13 years of civil conflict. He said: 'I want to say this openly: We do not have our eyes on land — not even a pebble — that belongs to another country.' Local residents celebrate after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6 Rebel forces pressing a lightning offensive in Syria aim to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's rule, their Islamist leader said in an interview published on December 6 Russian president Vladimir Putin meets with Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow in July Asma al-Assad, wife of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, casts her vote during the country's presidential elections in Douma, Syria, with her husband in this file photo taken in 2021 People in Damascus topple a statue of Hafez al-Assad and wave a Druze flag as rebel forces approach the capital, on December 7 Charles Lister, director of the Syria and countering terrorism and extremism programs at the Middle East Institute, told Bloomberg that Assad's future has 'never looked more fragile' as the opposition encroaches on Homs and allied support withers. While capturing Homs could close the land route between the government and Tartus, home to Russia's only Mediterranean port, Russia appears not to be in a position to help Assad regain ground with focus and resources directed to Ukraine. 'Russia doesn't have a plan to save Assad and doesn't see one emerging as long as the Syrian president's army continues to abandon its positions,' a source 'close to the Kremlin' told Bloomberg. What is HTS? HTS, the group leading the rebel offensive in Syria, is a powerful Islamist organisation that has maintained de facto control of Idlib for several years. The group, led by Abu Mohammad al-Julani, solidified in 2017 as a conglomeration of various Islamist factions but traces its roots to al-Qaeda. HTS' core component arose from a group once known as Jabhat al-Nusra - al-Qaeda's Syrian branch - but later sought to reposition itself as a legitimate Syrian nationalist organisation. It officially severed ties with al-Qaeda and created a civilian arm known as the 'Salvation Government' through which it seeks to govern in Syria, insisting it has no ambition to expand beyond the nation's borders. Initial reports from civilians in Aleppo have appeared to suggest that HTS militants have treated inhabitants well after ousting Syrian government forces. But there are suspicions that HTS' jihadist origins remain and it is still designated a terrorist organisation by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), US, UK and the EU, among others. Advertisement Iran , likewise, has been hesitant, or unable, to funnel its support to Syria. On Friday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he would would only help Assad 'to the extent necessary', but previously promised to 'consider' sending troops. The capture of Hama has given rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), control of a strategic central city they never managed to seize before. Homs is the next target for the rebels, deemed crucial for Assad's hopes of staying in power. 'Assad now cannot afford to lose anything else. The big battle is the one coming against Homs. If Homs falls, we are talking of a potential change of regime,' Jihad Yazigi, editor of the Syria Report newsletter, told Reuters . It follows a staggering effort to seize Aleppo, the main northern city in Syria, last week as part of a blitz offensive beginning on November 27. The collapse of Syrian government control in the north has sharply illustrated a shift in the balance of power since Lebanon's Hezbollah group, a lynchpin of Assad's forces, suffered catastrophic losses in its war with Israel. While Hezbollah has reportedly sent 2,000 fighters to Syria, per a source close to the Iran-backed proxy group today, Assad's backing from allies continues to wither. Rebel forces were just 12 miles (20km) from Damascus by 11am GMT on Saturday, posing an imminent threat to the capital, according to a war monitor and rebels. The Syrian army reportedly withdrew its forces from all towns about 10km (6.2 miles) from the capital, a monitor reported soon after. The Syrian defence ministry, loyal to Assad, denied the army had fled positions. 'There is no truth to news claiming our armed forces, present in all areas of the Damascus countryside, have withdrawn,' it said. The Syrian government was also forced to evacuate from its positions in Quneitrea, near the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. The Syrian Democratic Forces, the main ally of the US against the regime, meanwhile seized key areas in Deir ez Zor and Raqqa on December 6, making it harder for Iran to move forces in to help Assad or resupply Iranian-backed forces like Hezbollah. Reported battlefield advances as of Friday, December 6. Claims are quickly changing In little over a week, the offensive has seen Syria's second city Aleppo and strategically located Hama fall from Assad's control for the first time since the civil war began in 2011 Assad's office said today that the President was staying put in the capital and continuing his duties after his children and British-born wife fled to Russia last week (pictured together 2021) Bashar al-Assad (L) with his wife Asma al-Assad arrive at New Delhi International airport, India, 17 June 2008 NEW - opposition fighters are currently advancing into #Homs city, as the advance into southern #Damascus appears to be triggering a sudden collapse of frontlines. pic.twitter.com/azUiaKPxQs — Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) December 7, 2024 A member of the Syrian opposition stands at an entrance to the Hama governorate on the Damascus-Aleppo International Highway, December 3 Video shared on social media by reporters claimed to show regime forces routing on foot from the town of Zakiah, a mere 16 miles (25.7km) from Damascus. President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly returned to the capital to continue carrying out duties, officials said today following reports he had left. Read More Syria tinderbox explained: A bloody new offensive that could spark the demise of Assad Meanwhile, Syrians in Jaramana - a suburb of the capital - tore down a statue of Bashar al-Assad's father, Hafez, as some waved the flag of the Druze. The suburb is still nominally controlled by the Assad regime at the time of writing, and it did not appear to be militant rebel groups (who are still several miles from Jaramana and Damascus) pulling down the statue, contrary to other reports. Rami Abdel Rahman, who heads the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AFP that local rebel fighters now also controlled all of Daraa province. Rebel commander Hassan Abdel Ghani, with the Islamist-led alliance that launched the offensive in the country's northwest, said 'we are now less than 20 km from the southern gate of the capital Damascus'. 'The advance towards the capital continues,' he added. A truck pulls the head of another toppled statue of late Syrian president Hafez al-Assad through the streets of the city of Hama on December 6 An aerial picture shows a car driving past Syrian army military equipment and vehicles that were abandoned on the highway to Damascus, near the town of Suran, on December 3, 2024 Syria 's British-born first lady, Asma al-Assad (pictured, file photo), has been diagnosed with leukemia, the Syrian presidency said on Tuesday. The announcement came almost five years after the 48-year-old announced she had fully recovered from breast cancer A short while ago, an attack was carried out by armed individuals at a @UN post in the Hader area in #Syria . The IDF is currently assisting the UN forces in repelling the attack. The IDF is deployed with reinforced forces in the Golan Heights area and will continue to operate... — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 7, 2024 Israel's military now assesses that the rebels pose a direct threat to Assad's rule. While a weakened Assad regime plays to Israel's interests, there remains debate around sending troops in - amid an ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza and clashes with Iran - and anxiety around helping Sunni jihadists once aligned with al-Qaeda. Read More BREAKING NEWS Donald Trump takes swipe at Obama as he warns US should not intervene in Syria The IDF announced on Saturday afternoon that an attack had been carried out by 'armed individuals' at a UN post in the Hader area of Syria. It said it was assisting UN forces in repelling the attack and would continue to operate in the Golan Heights in order to protect Israel and its citizens. Assadist forces have been backed by intense Russian airstrikes, but rebels continue to push through Assad's lines. Since Russia does not share a land border with Syria, it also depends on Turkey's goodwill to allow warships to pass through the Bosporus. While Turkey and Russia were able to work together to broker a truce in May 2020, Turkish forces have backed opposition groups in an effort to displace ISIS. For Russia, Syria represents a strategic stronghold key to its efforts to project power in the Middle East. The loss of influence would be 'devastating' for Russia, Nicole Grajewski, fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told the Wall Street Journal . 'To see Russian planes leave Syria as rebel forces move onward towards their air bases, and their assets in Damascus fall, this would be so devastating for the Russian image of itself,' she said. Anti-government fighters patrol the streets of Hama after they captured the central Syrian city, on December 6 Israeli soldiers sit atop an armoured vehicle near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria Saturday December 7, 2024 National Syrian Army soldiers celebrate in the city after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6 'It would be akin to a Saigon moment for them,' she added. Ukrainian intelligence has assessed that Russian forces have 'suffered significant losses, with some units of the aggressor state surrounded'. Read More ANOTHER city falls to Islamist rebels in Syria, with Assad's forces fleeing Hama 'Hundreds of Moscow troops are listed as missing in Syria,' it reported. Rebel groups were rumoured to have received operational training from Ukrainian special forces, learning from tactics developed during the war in Ukraine, the Kyiv Post reported . Assad relied heavily on Russian and Iranian backing during the most intense years of the conflict, helping him to claw back most territory and Syria's biggest cities before front lines froze in 2020. But Russia has been focused on the war in Ukraine since 2022, and many in the top leadership of Hezbollah, the most powerful Iran-aligned force, were killed by Israel over the past two months. Iran, meanwhile, has seen its proxies across the region degraded by Israeli airstrikes. And Syrian troops are exhausted and hollowed out by 13 years of war and economic crises, with little will left to fight. 'The coming days and weeks will be critical in determining whether the rebel offensive poses an existential threat to the Assad regime or whether the regime manages to regain its footing and push back on recent rebel gains,' said Mona Yacoubian, an analyst with the United States Institute for Peace, as reported the Associated Press . 'While weakened and distracted, Assad's allies are unlikely to simply cave to the rebels' offensive,' she wrote in an analysis. National Syrian Army soldiers celebrate in the city after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6 A view of a military airport seized by anti-regime groups in Hama, on December 6 National Syrian Army soldiers celebrate in the city after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6 Abu Mohammed al-Golani (AKA Abu Mohammad al-Julani), the main insurgent commander, has vowed to protect Syria's religious minorities as HTS makes gains. In public remarks clearly intended to soften his image and reassure foreign countries, Golani has also emphasised his split years ago with Al Qaeda and Islamic State, and said he has always opposed attacks outside Syria. HTS and the other rebel groups are trying to consolidate their rule in Aleppo, bringing it under the administration of the so-called Salvation Government they established in their northwestern enclave. The Institute for the Study of War assessed 'support to the Assad regime will almost certainly fail to stop the opposition offensive at this time unless ground forces are deployed rapidly and in larger numbers'. Israel Ukraine Iran Syria Russia Share or comment on this article: Syrian rebels push into Damascus: Bashar al-Assad 'nowhere to be seen' as his soldiers flee into Iraq and opposition fighters reach capital city's suburbs e-mail Add comment

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