Israel defended the moves as necessary security measures, but Syria accused it of trying to destabilize the country.

The United Nations and regional countries, including Iraq, on Thursday condemned the Israeli airstrikes in Syria, which Tel Aviv says serve as a warning.

President Donald Trump said that although there has been “virtually no sign" of Tice, his administration would continue to secure Tice’s release.

Three months after the overthrow of President Bashar Assad, Syria is at a crossroads, the top U.N. envoy for the country says. Geir Pedersen told the U.N.

A French diplomatic source on Thursday expressed hope that dialogue between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the new Damascus administration will continue, stressing the need for an inclusive political process in the country.

The choice of cabinet officials was seen as a litmus test for whether the rebels who ousted Bashar al-Assad would deliver on a pledge to create a government representative of all Syrians.

Syria’s new transitional government has been sworn in nearly four months after the Assad family was removed from power and as the new authorities in Damascus work to bring back stability to the war-ton country.

The U.S. has warned of an increased possibility of attacks in Syria during the Eid el-Fitr holiday that marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.