For today, links to five reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, and the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (LEBANON, GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.  SYRIA 4-15-25 is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Israeli defense minister says troops will remain in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria indefinitely, by Isaac Schaffer, Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy | AP  JERUSALEM — Israel’s defense minister said today that Israeli troops will remain in so-called security zones in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria indefinitely . . .READ MORE . . .   Click HERE for report from Reuters.

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FROM APRIL 15  U.S. military poised to slash troops in Syria, officials say, by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart | Reuters  WASHINGTON — The U.S. military is set to consolidate its presence in Syria over the coming weeks and months, two U.S. officials said on Tuesday, in a move that could reduce the number of troops it has in the country — about 2,000 — by half. The troops are working with local forces to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State, which . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from the Cradle.

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FROM APRIL 15  Syrian state forces continue sectarian killings of Alawites. From the Cradle. A month after government-affiliated forces massacred some 1,700 Alawites in Syria’s coastal regions, the killing, abduction, and robbing of members of the minority religious minority continue. READ MORE . . .

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