The Middle East experienced a tumultuous 2024 marked by the monumental end of President Bashar al-Assad’s reign in Syria, major losses for Hamas and Hezbollah at the hands of Israel and an agreement on the drawdown of US forces from Iraq.

The Syrian rebel offensive that began in late November led to the fall of Damascus on Dec. 8, prompting Assad to flee to Moscow. Days later, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, formed a transitional government in the country, marking the end of 54 years of Assad family rule.

Israel invaded Lebanon in early October, just days after killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a strike and blowing up hundreds of pagers used by the group. A ceasefire was reached between the two in November, though sporadic clashes are ongoing. The ceasefire will expire in late January, within days of former US President Donald Trump's return to the White House.

The Gaza war continued throughout the year, despite international efforts to reach a ceasefire and cases brought to The Hague. Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh were both killed by Israel in October and July, respectively.