While in Paris tonight, US President-elect Donald Trump wrote a post on the X social network addressing the escalating situation in Syria. According to his announcement, the US will stand aside from the internal conflict in Syria.

"Opposition fighters in Syria, in an unprecedented move, have completely captured many cities, in a highly coordinated offensive, and are now on the outskirts of Damascus, apparently preparing to take a very big step toward ousting Assad. Russia, being so tied up in Ukraine and with the loss of over 600 troops there, seems unable to stop this literal march through Syria, a country they have protected for years. This is where former President Obama refused to honor his commitment to protect the red line in the sand and all hell broke loose, with Russia stepping in. This is the best thing that could happen to her. There was never much use in Syria for Russia, other than to make Obama look really stupid. Either way, Syria is a mess, but it is not our friend, and the US SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET'S STAY ASIDE. LET'S NOT GET INVOLVED! - wrote Trump.

The Israeli military announced today that it helped the United Nations (UN) forces repel an attack in Syria, on the Golan border.

"Armed men attacked a UN post in the Hader region of Syria," the military said in a statement, referring to the town on the edge of the UN-controlled buffer zone in the Golan Heights.

The statement added that the Israeli military had strengthened its forces in the area, which Israel captured during the 1967 Six-Day War.

UN forces have been deployed in the buffer zone since 1974 to monitor the ceasefire.

Although rebels have been on the offensive in Syria for more than a week, the Israeli military has confirmed it will continue to act "to protect Israel and its citizens".