These aspects include the Syrian revolutionary flag (with three stars) becomes the new independence flag, the national anthem is from a poem by late Syrian diplomat and poet Omar Abu Risha.

"A confrontation, possibly even a small-scale military one, may occur between Israel and Turkey," one expert told Newsweek.

Paterson, a longtime home for Syrian Americans, raised the three-star flag of the Syrian revolution before cheering crowds Saturday, six days after the toppling of the Assad regime in Damascus.