Syrian rebel fighters defended their gains in Aleppo on Saturday, a day after breaching the city, while pushing south toward Hama and claiming control of government-held areas along the way.
President-elect Donald Trump has filled the key posts for his second term in office, prioritizing loyalty to him after he felt bruised and hampered by internal squabbling during his first term.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani told Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Saturday that his country's security was key to the stability of the whole region.