For decades, Syrians have faced division and sectarian fighting. One city remained relatively untouched by the violence. Members of a community there say it could serve as an example to other cities.

Salamiyah

In Salamiyah, Syria, the Ismaili Muslim community has played a key role in fostering unity among the city's diverse population, which includes Sunni, Alawi, Circassian, and Bedouin groups. Despite suffering losses and displacement during the Syrian conflict, the Ismailis have maintained balanced relationships with neighboring communities and documented abuses, helping to preserve the city's social fabric.

Residents of Salamiyah recount personal tragedies but emphasize their commitment to rebuilding and supporting each other. The community credits its survival and resilience to open communication and cooperation with all groups, offering a potential model for Syria's future unity as the nation continues its recovery.

Syria's resilience: Minority group offers model of unit

A melody of love for the city of Salameh. Women from Sunni, Alawi, Circassian and other groups make up this orchestra. But most are Muslims from the Ismaili branch of Shia Islam. They believe in the continuity of their spiritual leader or Imam from 1400 years ago. And their beliefs have shaped the social fabric of the city. Ali Fakhor is an Ismaili sculptor whose brother was arrested by the Assad regime. Although life is better now, he's unsure whether minorities will have equal rights under Syria's new government. Syria is still struggling. We hope the new government, the international community and God will help Syria rise again. After just 10 months of recovery, it's too early to feel optimistic. That's a view shared by many other Ismailis here. They say a third of the 100,000 residents left after the conflict in Syria began in 2011, when Salameh became the first non-Sunni city to revolt against the Alawi-dominated regime of Bashar al-Assad. Although many people here were imprisoned and tortured, the city was spared from destruction. Known for its high number of educated professionals, the Ismaili community used the regime's claim of protecting minorities. It was a successful strategy to document and share details both within the country and abroad of the attacks and abuses committed by Assad regime forces. The former regime attempted to align us with its interests, but we remained steadfast in maintaining balanced relationships with all communities, including neighboring Bedouin tribes. We chose clarity and integrity over manipulation. Syria's Ismaili community believes that they were able to survive the Bashar al-Assad era because they communicated, coordinated and worked with all other diverse communities in Syria, and that for them is a formula for a united Syria's future. But beneath these melodies lies deep sorrow. Has anyone here lost loved ones during the revolution? Amal's home was hit by a rocket. Her security, life savings, all gone in one attack. Ahmad's brother-in-law was killed when he was shot in the head by a sniper. We are gathered to share. You'll see after a few minutes Amal will smile. Look, she's laughing. We will help each other. We will be united and we will rebuild Syria. Bedouins have learned to live with ever-present pain, and they still manage to find hope. Fama Mujavid al-Jazeera, Salamiyah.

The Trump administration is awaiting word from the Supreme Court after asking it to allow the immediate deployment of National Guard troops to Illinois to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. A lower court blocked the move.

Portland

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Washington

Trump says survivors of U.S. drug submersible will be sent home

The U.S. State Department issued a warning that Hamas appeared to be planning an attack 'against Palestinian civilians,' warning that such an attack would 'constitute a direct and grave violation of the ceasefire agreement'.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Middle East Conflict

State Dept. flags ceasefire violation by Hamas

Britain's Prince Andrew said on Friday he would give up using his title of Duke of York following years of criticism about his behavior and connections to the late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Windsor

Prince Andrew gives up title of Duke of York

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Ukraine Invasion

Trump pauses on sending Tomahawks to Ukraine

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Caracas

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Kipnuk

Mass evacuations in Alaska after record floodwaters

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Trump says he'd rather broker peace than send Tomahawks to Ukraine

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President Trump commutes George Santos' sentence

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Greenbelt

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London

Prince Andrew giving up his royal titles, Buckingham Palace says

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Trump set to meet with Zelenskyy

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Lima

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Šiauliai

NATO, EU step up defences to deter Russia

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U.S. flies B-52 bombers off the coast of Venezuela

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New York

Judge blocks Trump cuts to New York City's anti-terrorism funds

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Beijing

Global Tariffs

China blames U.S. for global panic over rare earths controls

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Trump says he plans to meet with Putin in Hungary

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Jerusalem

Netanyahu says fight with Hamas 'not over yet'

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Nairobi

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Balochistan

Pakistan, Afghanistan agree temporary truce after fresh fighting

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Trump authorizes CIA covert operations in Venezuela

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Gaza ceasefire fears as Israel limits aid trucks to less than agreed

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Hamas executes Palestinians accused of collaborating with Israel

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Chicago

Federal agents deploy tear gas in Chicago despite court order

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Breakdown