Israel denies reports of overnight strikes in Syria
'The (Israeli military) is not aware of overnight strikes in Syria,' a spokesperson told AFP.
Israel bombed the Syrian army in Sweida and Damascus earlier this week to pressure the Islamist-led government to withdraw its troops from the Druze heartland around Sweida following deadly sectarian clashes. Syrian troops pulled out on Thursday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
26 minutes ago
- Arab News
British charities funded illegal Israeli settlement in West Bank
LONDON: Two charities in the UK sent millions of pounds to a school in an illegal Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, The Guardian reported on Friday. Kasner Charitable Trust sent around £5.7 million ($7.66 million) to Bnei Akiva Yeshiva high school in Susya via another charity, UK Toremet. The Susya settlement was established around 1983 south of the city of Hebron. It was founded next to the Palestinian village of Khirbet Susiya, which was declared an archaeological site by Israel three years later and had all its residents evicted. Settlement expert Dror Etkes told The Guardian: 'The school is likely the largest single source of employment in the settlement, and constitutes one of the main elements of the entire settlement's existence.' Baroness Warsi, the former Conservative chair, told The Guardian: 'It's appalling that any British national should be engaged in funding illegal settlements on occupied land — and it's even more disturbing that this is being subsidised by all of us taxpayers.' She added: 'Serious action must be taken so that settlements which are illegal under international law, and at the heart of a regime of discrimination and displacement, cannot benefit from charitable donations.' Labour MP Andy McDonald said: 'The government must urgently take the steps necessary to ban the use of funds originating from the UK being used to support any aspect of the illegal occupation.' He added: 'Donations to illegal settlements should invalidate charitable status and result in individual prosecutions. If legislation is needed, we must do it.'
Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Lebanese army warns of security crackdown in wake of clashes in Syria's Sweida
BEIRUT: The Lebanese army said on Friday that it 'will not allow any breach of security or violation of civil peace' amid fears that rising tensions in the neighboring Syrian Arab Republic could spread to Lebanon. In a statement, the army added that 'overcoming this phase requires the unity and solidarity of the Lebanese, awareness of the gravity of the situation, and their responsibility, and refraining from taking any action that would have unintended consequences for the security of the Lebanese.' Towns and villages in Mount Lebanon, home to the Druze community, have witnessed attempts to block roads and assault Syrian workers in recent days following the renewed clashes in Sweida, Syria. President Joseph Aoun chaired a meeting of security leaders on Friday. A military source told Arab News: 'The security, military, and intelligence agencies have taken the utmost caution and vigilance to thwart any attempt at sedition within Lebanon.' Prime Minister Nawaf Salam spoke with Druze Sheikh Sami Abi Al-Mona and praised his 'responsible role in calming tensions, quelling strife, and preserving civil peace in Lebanon,' according to Salam's office. The media office said the two sides stressed that 'what is happening outside Lebanon's borders should not be turned into a source of internal incitement.' An extraordinary meeting of the Druze Religious Council in Lebanon concluded with former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt calling for 'an immediate ceasefire in Sweida in preparation for direct dialogue between the Syrian state and local actors.' Jumblatt added that 'Jabal Al-Arab is an integral part of Syria.' He condemned the Israeli attacks on Syria and Lebanon, and called for the 'formation of an investigation committee to uncover the crimes committed against the people of Sweida and the Bedouins.' Al-Mona declared the council's 'full solidarity with our people in Sweida, and with the wounded and injured as a result of the recent unfortunate events.' He called on 'everyone to reject any divisive tendency,' and stressed 'the need to adhere to the ceasefire agreement signed two days ago.' Al-Mona denounced 'the attack on Sunnis,' considering it a reaction. 'The council neither justifies nor accepts this type of action, whatever its reasons,' he said. Al-Mona rejected any Israeli interference in Syrian affairs, calling on the international community to open a transparent investigation into the events and hold those responsible accountable. He also declared his rejection of 'the spread of strife to Lebanon.' The Grand Mufti of the Lebanese Republic, Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, the highest religious authority in the Sunni sect, contacted Al-Mona, and both sides affirmed their 'complete rejection of being drawn into any inflammatory rhetoric or covering up any provocative actions that would inflame sectarian tensions and give a false image of the relationship between the two sects.' The two sides called for 'avoiding falling into the trap of strife' and emphasized their 'rejection of any foreign interventions and attacks that contribute to undermining the unity that has always governed the historical relationship between the two sects.' Both called on 'the Syrian state, the religious sheikhs of Jabal Al-Arab, religious authorities, religious figures, and tribes to work seriously and effectively to bring about an immediate end to the ongoing violence and to expel the extremists who, intentionally or unintentionally, contribute to the implementation of suspicious plans.'
Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
Retired US Special Operations personnel warned of credible terror threat
The US military has issued a warning to retired special operations personnel about a credible terrorist threat potentially targeting those who previously served in Iraq or Syria. A memo obtained by Al Arabiya English states: 'This message is to inform you of a recent 'Duty to Warn' notification regarding a potential terrorist threat targeting retired senior officials who previously served in the Department of Defense with roles in the Syria/Iraq theater.' The threat appears to be centered on Florida, home to the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) headquarters, but it does not directly involve active-duty personnel. 'We respectfully request that you share this information with any retired military personnel you know who are currently residing in Florida. Encourage them to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement,' the memo reads. The warning, signed by Provost Marshal Col. Mark Katz, did not specify which terrorist group may be behind the threat. However, it urged recipients to maintain a 'heightened awareness of your surroundings, secur[e] your residences, and report any unusual or concerning behavior to appropriate authorities.' While the memo, which was first reported by The New York Times, was vague, one retired Green Beret said this type of alert is not unprecedented. Special Operations forces have played a central role in the US-led fight against terrorism over the last several years, particularly in Iraq and Syria.
