What Happened & When

• Date: July 16, 2025
• Event: Israeli airstrikes bombed key Syrian military installations in Damascus, including the General Staff Command Building (Hayʾat al-Arkan) and areas near the presidential palace
• The strikes marked a rare direct attack on the heart of the Syrian capital.

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Why Israel Struck

• The Israeli military cited the targeting of Syrian forces involved in violence against Syria’s Druze minority, particularly near Sweida, where sectarian clashes resulted in hundreds of deaths
• Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that the era of warnings was over and that “painful blows” would continue until Syrian forces fully withdraw from Druze-majority areas

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Visual Evidence & On-Ground Impact

• Videos and satellite images from Damascus’s Umayyad Square show plumes of smoke rising from the damaged defense ministry entrance and nearby presidential vicinity

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Human Toll

• Damascus casualties: At least 3 killed, more than 30 injured
• Sweida region: Sectarian fighting between Druze militias, Bedouin tribes, and Syrian army resulted in ~250 deaths, prompting Israel’s intervention

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Cease‑Fire and Aftermath

• A cease-fire was agreed upon in Sweida between Druze leaders and Syrian forces. However, leadership rifts—such as between Sheikh Yousef Jarbou and Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri—led to uncertainties about its durability
• Despite the truce, Israel has stated it will continue strikes until Syrian troop withdrawal from Druze areas is confirmed

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International Reaction

• Turkey condemned Israel’s strikes as destabilizing Syria’s fragile peace
• United States urged restraint and facilitated diplomatic efforts to solidify the Sweida cease‑fire
• Syria denounced the attacks as violations of its sovereignty and appealed to the international community .

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Broader Context

• The strikes fall amidst significant power shifts in Syria following the fall of Assad in December and the rise of Ahmed al‑Sharaa (formerly tied to HTS/al‑Qaeda), who has struggled to maintain order with minority communities
• Israel has openly declared itself the protector of the Druze, with cross-border tensions as Israeli and Syrian Druze attempted border crossings
• This marks a dangerous escalation—strikes in Damascus represent an unprecedented deep strike into Syrian government territory.

Bollywood’s favorite couple, Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani, have officially stepped into a beautiful new phase of life — they have welcomed a baby girl!

Fans across the world, who have adored their love story from the beginning, are now celebrating this heartwarming news with immense excitement and love.

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The Official Announcement

On Monday morning, the couple shared an official statement through their social media handles:
“Our hearts are full of love and gratitude as we welcome our baby girl into this world. Thank you for all your blessings and support.”

The announcement was accompanied by an adorable pink-themed graphic, hinting at their daughter’s arrival.

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How the Couple Shared the News

Rather than hosting a press conference or paparazzi event, Sidharth and Kiara chose a personal and intimate approach.

They shared the news first with close friends and family before going public. Sources close to the couple mentioned that both mother and baby are healthy and doing well.

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Family & Friends’ Reactions

The couple’s families are overjoyed:

• Kiara’s parents expressed their excitement, calling their granddaughter “a blessing from above.”
• Sidharth’s family reportedly flew down to Mumbai to be with the couple during this special time.

Close friends like Karan Johar, Alia Bhatt, and Varun Dhawan also sent congratulatory messages and shared stories of their first visits to meet the newborn.

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How Fans Are Celebrating

Fans took to social media to shower the couple with love:

• Hashtags like #WelcomeBabyMalhotraAdvani and #SiddyKiaraBaby started trending within hours.
• Fan clubs created special edit videos and digital art to celebrate the arrival of the baby girl.
• Many fans expressed how they felt “emotionally connected” to the couple’s journey, making this moment feel like a family celebration.

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Changes Ahead for Sidharth and Kiara

While both actors have been busy with back-to-back projects, they are now expected to take some time off to enjoy parenthood.

Insiders say:

• Sidharth might take a short break from filming to be at home.
• Kiara has already postponed a few brand commitments and upcoming shoots to focus on her new role as a mother.

This phase marks a shift from glamorous red carpets to cozy, joy-filled family moments.

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Bollywood Celebrities Send Their Love

The Bollywood fraternity poured in heartfelt wishes:

• Alia Bhatt commented, “Biggest blessing ever! Love and hugs to all three of you.”
• Karan Johar, who played matchmaker for the couple, shared an emotional note, saying, “My babies have a baby! Overjoyed beyond words.”
• Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput sent a beautiful bouquet and handwritten note wishing them endless love and joy.

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The Couple’s Journey So Far

From their rumored relationship during the filming of Shershaah to their dreamy wedding in 2023, Sidharth and Kiara have been one of the most admired couples in Bollywood.

Their chemistry, respect for privacy, and grounded nature have won hearts worldwide.

This new chapter is seen as a natural, beautiful progression in their story.

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What’s Next for the Star Parents?

While fans are curious about baby photos, the couple is expected to maintain a balance between public life and privacy.

Future plans might include:

• Selective sharing of baby milestones on social media.
• Slowly resuming work commitments with adjusted schedules.
• Potential brand endorsements as a family, given their massive popularity.

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Conclusion

The arrival of Sidharth and Kiara’s baby girl is a moment of pure joy, not just for them but for their fans across the world.

Their story continues to inspire love, warmth, and the beauty of family bonds. We wish the new parents all the happiness and blessings as they embrace this exciting new journey together.

Bollywood has always struggled with the idea of peace when it comes to war narratives. Films that claim to be “anti-war” often end up glorifying patriotism to the point of warmongering. Ground Zero is just the latest example of this contradiction.

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What Ground Zero Tries to Say

Starring Emraan Hashmi as BSF officer Narendra Nath Dhir Dubey, the film follows his mental trauma and moral dilemmas while stationed in Kashmir. It attempts to tackle issues of identity, religion, duty, and personal loss.

There’s a clear attempt to humanize both sides—especially with a Muslim child at the emotional center of the plot. Yet the storytelling ultimately drifts into familiar territory: nationalism overrides nuance.

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Why the Message Falls Flat

Despite its softer moments, the script never fully breaks away from jingoistic tropes. For a film that hints at being anti-war, it fails to ask the hard questions:

• What causes war?
• Who profits from conflict?
• How does propaganda shape public opinion?

Instead, it reduces the conflict to a “patriotic challenge,” framing the enemy as faceless terrorists rather than contextual individuals.

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Social Media & Critical Reception

Critics are divided:

• NDTV praised the attempt but called it “tonally inconsistent.”
• ABP Live said it “lacked emotional grip.”
• India Times pointed out the slow pacing and vague positioning.

On social media, reactions ranged from “refreshingly different” to “just another uniformed hero movie.” The audience seems confused about whether it’s a war film, a PTSD drama, or a nationalist message piece.

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Can Bollywood Ever Make a Real Anti-War Movie?

To truly be anti-war, a film must highlight the futility of violence, question authority, and show the emotional toll on all sides—not just the “hero.” Unfortunately, Bollywood is still trapped in a patriotic echo chamber. Until it can shift from chest-thumping to empathy, genuine anti-war cinema may remain out of reach.