US, EU express concern following Israeli strikes on Damascus – DW – 07/16/2025
"An agreement was reached for a ceasefire in Sweida and for the establishment of security checkpoints across the city," the Syrian-state run SANA news agency reported. The Druze-majority city of Sweida is the capital of Sweida province.
It's unclear if the ceasefire deal will last, however, as a previous truce collapsed a day earlier.
Another influential Druze religious leader, Hikmat al-Hijri, has rebuked the idea of a new ceasefire deal. He urged Syrian government forces to leave Sweida. Al-Hijri earlier called for foreign powers to protect the Druze community in Syria, prompting Israel's military intervention.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told journalists he had phoned "relevant parties" amid the violence in Syria. Rubio said he was "very concerned" by the fighting.
Rubio also said he expected imminent "deescalation" after Israel attacked the Syrian army headquarters in Damascus.
"We think we're on our way towards a real deescalation," Rubio told journalists, saying there was a "misunderstanding" between Israel and Syria.
"In the next few hours, we hope to see some real progress," Rubio said.
The EU said it was "concerned" by Israeli attacks on the Syrian capital.
"Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity need to be respected," European Council President Antonio Costa posted on X.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry labeled Israel's strikes in Damascus an "act of sabotage."
"Israel's attacks on Damascus, following its military interventions in the south of Syria, constitute an act of sabotage against Syria's efforts to secure peace, stability and security," Turkey said.
The Israeli army struck targets in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Wednesday, as Israel claims its military intervention aims to protect the Syrian Druze minority.
"The IDF struck the entrance of the Syrian regime's military headquarters in the area of Damascus in Syria," the Israel Defense Forces said. Two Israeli attacks were reported in the area.
It's the third day in a row that Israel launched airstrikes on Syria.
"The warnings to Damascus have ended — now painful blows will come," Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on social media platform X.
Clashes between Bedouin Sunni tribes and the Druze community broke out in the southern Syrian province of Suweida on Sunday. On Monday, the Syrian government deployed troops to Suweida, with Syria's military then being drawn into fighting with the Druze militias.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights organization said at least 300 people have been killed in southern Syria since the clashes broke out on Sunday.
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The Druze are a small ethno-religious group in the Middle East who primarily live in Syria, Lebanon and Israel.
Amid the clashes, Druze in Israel have been attempting to enter Syria to help Druze militia groups, with members of the Syrian Druze community then attempting to go into Israel.
The Israeli military strikes on Syria come as Israel expresses distrust towards the Islamist-influenced Syrian government of Ahmad al-Sharaa.
Al-Sharaa's government came into power after Syrian rebels ousted Bashar Assad, whose family had maintained an iron-grip on Syria for decades. Demonstrations against the Assad regime in 2011 sparked the Syrian civil war.
Israel's military has launched strikes in Syria amid clashes between Syrian government forces and the Druze minority.
In addition to Syria, this blog will also cover developments in other parts of the Middle East, such as Gaza and Yemen.
Stay with us for the latest news, analysis, multimedia content and DW on-the-ground reporting in the region.
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Middle East: Tribal forces withdraw from Sweida – DW – 07/20/2025
Syrian leaders called for a ceasefire and deployed security forces to quell unrest between Druze and Bedouin factions. Later, Bedouin militias said they had left Sweida after a week of fighting. Follow DW for the more than a week of clashes between Bedouin and Druze groups in Sweida, the Bedouin clans announced that they were withdrawing from the city. Druze-majority Sweida province has also been hit by Israeli strikes in recent days, with Israel attacking government forces who had tacitly supported the Bedouins. Although Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has been more closely allied with the Bedouins, he urged them to lay down their arms, saying that paramilitaries "cannot replaced the role of the state in handling the country's affairs and restoring security." "We thank the Bedouins for their heroic stances but demand they fully commit to the ceasefire and comply with the state's orders," he added. The truce between the two groups was partly brokered by the United States, which dropped several of its sanctions against Syria in June following the ouster of strongman Bashar Assad. Thank you for reading until now. We'll resume the blog shortly. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on the interim Syrian government to "prevent ISIS and any other violent jihadists from … carrying out massacres" in the conflict-stricken south of the country. "The rape and slaughter of innocent people which has and is still occurring must end," he wrote on his personal account on X. "If authorities in Damascus want to preserve any chance of achieving a unified, inclusive and peaceful Syria free of ISIS and of Iranian control, they must help end this calamity by using their security forces." Rubio also demanded that the new Islamist-led regime in Damascus hold to account "anyone guilty of atrocities including those in their own ranks" and called for fighting between Druze and Bedouin groups in Sweida to stop. Syrian government forces returned to the region on Saturday after withdrawing earlier in the week. After the new German government resumed deportations to Afghanistan this week, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has floated a similar approach for Syria – despite the current unrest in the war-torn country. "It's possible that, in future, Syrians who have committed criminal offenses [could be] deported," he told the newspaper. "I think that's possible in principle – provided the country develops in [the right] direction." Southern Syria has been rocked by violence again this week, with the new Islamist-led regime in Damascus struggling to prevent clashes between Druze and Bedouin factions in Sweida and powerless to stop Israeli intervention. Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed. "We are watching Syria with concern," said Wadephul, calling on the interim government under Ahmed al-Sharaa to ensure that all sections of the population and all religious groups can co-exist. "No-one should have to fear for life and limb," he said. "But as it stands, we are of the opinion that we have to give this interim government a chance." US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Saturday visited Taybeh, the Palestinian Christian village in the occupied West Bank whose residents accuse Israeli settlers of torching a church there on July 9. A staunch Israel supporter, Huckabee struck a rare critical tone, going as far as calling the desecration of a place of worship, in that case the Church of St. George in Taybeh, an "act of terror." Huckabee, who is an evangelical Christian, stressed that "desecrating a church, mosque or synagogue is a crime against humanity and God." He said that Taybeh was home to many American citizens. "I work for ALL American citizens who live in Israel-Jewish, Muslim or Christian," Huckabee said on X. "When they are terrorized or victims of crime I will demand those responsible be held accountable [with] real consequences." Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has urged Sunni Muslim Bedouin tribes to "fully commit" to a ceasefire aimed at ending deadly clashes with Druze-aligned militias that have killed hundreds and threatened the country's fragile post-war transition. His call came Saturday as government forces, initially sent to restore order but seen siding with Bedouin fighters, were redeployed to contain renewed fighting that flared late Thursday. The violence also triggered Israeli airstrikes on Syrian government positions before a truce was reached. In his second televised address since the unrest began, al-Sharaa accused "armed groups from Sweida" of reigniting the conflict by "launching retaliatory attacks against the Bedouins and their families." He also warned that Israeli intervention had "pushed the country into a dangerous phase that threatened its stability." Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused Sharaa of siding with the perpetrators. "In al-Sharaa's Syria, it is very dangerous to be a member of a minority — Kurd, Druze, Alawite, or Christian," Katz posted on X. "This has been proven time and again over the past six months." The Vatican has voiced skepticism over Israeli claims that a deadly strike on a Catholic church in Gaza was accidental. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state and second only to the pope, made the remarks in a televised interview on Italy's Rai network. Parolin demanded full clarification from Israel following Thursday's shelling of the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City, which killed three people and injured nine others — including the local Italian priest. The church had been sheltering around 600 displaced people, according to Palestinian sources. Parolin said it was reasonable to doubt that the attack was merely a military mistake. His remarks came after a phone call between Pope Leo XIV and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had earlier expressed "deep regret." Parolin stressed that the Vatican is not satisfied with Israel's explanation so far. "We should give them the time necessary to tell us what actually happened: Whether it was really a mistake, which can be rightfully doubted, or whether it was the intention to target a Christian church, knowing how much Christians are an element of moderation in the Middle East," he said. Roughly 1,000 Christians live in the Gaza Strip, which is home to more than 2 million people. The Church of the Holy Family is Gaza's only Catholic church. Syria's Islamist-led government has deployed security forces to the southern city of Sweida and called for an end to days of deadly factional fighting. The presidency announced a nationwide ceasefire on Saturday, urging all sides to halt hostilities. The move comes after nearly a week of violence in Sweida province, where clashes between Druze factions and Bedouin fighters have left hundreds dead, according to local sources. The Interior Ministry confirmed that internal security forces had begun operations in the area. In a separate address, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa said mediation by "Arab and American" actors had helped calm tensions. He also condemned Israel for recent airstrikes targeting Syrian government positions in the south and in Damascus. Israel has said its strikes aimed to protect the Druze minority, which has a large presence in Israel and in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Sharaa warned that Syria would not become a "testing ground for partition, secession, or sectarian incitement." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Israeli troops have opened fire on Palestinians gathering near food distribution sites in southern Gaza, killing at least 32 people, according to witnesses and hospital officials. The deadly shootings occurred Saturday near facilities run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a controversial aid group backed by the US and Israel. The DPA news agency reported that at least 37 people were killed. The deaths were reported to have been near two aid hubs. At one site in the Khan Younis area, about 100 were wounded by gunfire and shelling and brought to Nasser Hospital from the nearby al-Tina district. Hospital staff warned that the death toll could rise due to the severity of many injuries. The Israeli military said it was investigating the incident in response to media inquiries. The GHF began operations in late May after a prolonged Israeli blockade of aid. Supported by both Israel and the US, the foundation has drawn criticism from the United Nations for running too few centers and putting civilians at risk. According to the UN, hundreds of people have died near aid convoys and distribution hubs in Gaza since the end of May. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Unrest in Syria continued on Saturday following increased tensions based around the region of Sweida in the south where Druze and Bedouin factions have been fighting. The deployment of Syrian forces during the week resulted in Israel launching strikes on Syria, including in the capital Damascus. US, Arab and Turkish support brought about a ceasefire between Syria and Damascus. At the same time, the situation in Gaza remains dire with many desparate for aid, but with Israel only allowing aid centers to be operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an aid group backed by Israel and the United States. There have been numerous reports of Palestinians being killed as they gather to receive aid since the GHF started operating in the enclave. Follow along as DW brings you the latest reports, explainers and analysis on developments across the Middle East.
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Germany updates: 'Bundestag a prime target' for cyberattacks – DW – 07/20/2025
Bundestag President Julia Klöckner wants to beef up defenses against cyberattacks and expand the rights of parliamentary police to protect the institution and its lawmakers. Join DW for more. Bundestag President Julia Klöckner says Germany's parliament is under constant cyberattack. On Sunday, she called for beefed up cyber defenses as well as expanded rights for parliamentary police when screening visitors. In other news, Germany's Red Cross warns that the population is lacking in people with skills to deal with major emergencies, while German media responds to the latest deportation flight to Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has warned the United States against escalating the tariff war with the European Union (EU). "This would lead to everything becoming more expensive for consumers in the USA," he told the newspaper. "The European Union is not defenseless." Wadephul insisted that EU member states were standing together and that he didn't fear an end to the resistance. "Indeed, there are states which are demanding more stringency and toughness than Germany thinks is right," he said. Wadephul reiterated the German government's belief that "the complete dismantling of all tariffs" is the preferred approach, and that "we can reach a positive agreement with the USA through negotiation." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video He said that Chancellor Friedrich Merz is heavily involved in the discussions, saying: "Germans can count on the fact that there is a chancellor standing up for our interests and European interests in Washington." After the new German government resumed deportations to Afghanistan this week, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has floated a similar approach for Syria – despite the current unrest in the war-torn country. "It's possible that, in future, Syrians who have committed criminal offenses [could be] deported," he told the newspaper. "I think that's possible in principle – provided the country develops in [the right] direction." Southern Syria has been rocked by violence again this week, with the new Islamist-led regime in Damascus struggling to prevent clashes between Druze and Bedouin factions in Sweida and powerless to stop Israeli intervention. Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed. "We are watching Syria with concern," said Wadephul, calling on the interim government under Ahmed al-Sharaa to ensure that all sections of the population and all religious groups can co-exist. "No-one should have to fear for life and limb," he said. "But as it stands, we are of the opinion that we have to give this interim government a chance." Germany spectacularly reached the semi-final of the Women's Euro 2025 on Saturday night, beating France 6-5 on penalties despite having been reduced to ten players for the majority of the evening. Kathrin Hendrich was sent off in the 13th minute for tugging on an opponent's hair in the penalty area, after which Grace Geyoro gave France the lead from the penalty spot. But Sjoeke Nüsken headed Germany level just nine minutes later. What followed was 100 minutes of defensive attrition from Germany to somehow reach extra-time and then penalties, where goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was the heroine. Germany will face Spain in the semifinal on Wednesday. The other semifinal sees defending champions England play Italy. Read DW's full match report here. German police on Saturday shot dead a man who had fired shots at passersby and neighboring buildings in the small town of Leonberg, just west of the city of Stuttgart in the southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg. Local police and state prosecutors said the 44-year-old German man had indiscriminately fired shots from the second floor of his house, fortunately injuring nobody. When armed police entered his apartment, he reportedly threatened officers with his weapon and was subsequently shot. Police secured the weapon which turned out to be a non-lethal gas pistol. Whether or not this was the weapon used to fire the shots from the house was not immediately clear. The state criminal police office (LKA) is also investigating the police's use of firearms in the operation. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Saturday honored the Central Council of Jews in Germany for its role in society on the 75th anniversary of its founding. "Jewish life is a part of us," wrote Merz on the messaging platform X, adding that the organization reminds everyone in the country of something "that should be obvious: Germany must be a safe space for Jews." Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also honored the day, saying that he was "deeply thankful" that the organization's first leaders had determined to "rebuild Jewish life in Germany in the aftermath of the Shoah ." Steinmeier said that beyond not letting Germany forget the crimes of its Nazi past and fighting antisemitism, the Central Council of Jews in Germany served as "an important driving force behind the democratic development of German society after 1945." The institution, which functions as Germany's main political, societal and religious representative for Jews in the country, was founded on July 19, 1950, in Frankfurt — just five years after the end of World War II and the industrial-scale murder of more than six million European Jews at the hands of Germany's Nazi dictatorship. Today the council comprises some 105 communities and associations, and 100.000 individual view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A majority of Germans have opposed banning the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), according to a new poll. The survey by the Allensbach Institute, published Saturday by , found that 52% of respondents reject a ban on the party, while 27% support it. In eastern Germany, two-thirds of those surveyed said they were against such a move. According to the researchers, one key reason is that many Germans know AfD supporters personally. In the West, 67% said they had AfD sympathizers in their social circles; in the East, that figure rose to 88%. While 54% of respondents described the AfD as far-right, only 5% viewed their acquaintances who back the party in the same way. Another factor behind the opposition to a ban is mistrust toward the parties advocating it. Many respondents suspect those parties are mainly trying to eliminate a political rival that has grown too strong. The idea of a ban is divisive within Germany's governing coalition. The center-left Social Democratic Party voted unanimously at its June 29 party congress to prepare proceedings and called for a federal-state working group. The center-right Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union has pushed back, citing steep legal hurdles and urging a focus on political argument. Two parties have been banned in (West) Germany, an openly neo-Nazi party in 1952 and the Communist Party (KPD) in 1956. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Around half of eligible voters in Germany have said they agree with the federal government's view that Russia poses a danger to the country, according to a new YouGov poll for Germany's DPA news agency. The survey found that 13% see a very serious military threat from Moscow, while 36% consider it a significant one. By contrast, 30% say Russia poses only a minor threat, and 14% see no threat at all. The divide is sharp along political party lines. Among supporters of the conservative CDU/CSU bloc, center-left Social Democrats, and the Greens, 58–62% view Russia as a major or very serious threat. About one-third of these party groups see little or no danger. The picture flips among far-right Alternative for Germany voters, where 65% say there is little or no military threat from Russia, while 29% see one. Among supporters of the populist left Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, only 33% see a threat, while 51% do not. Supporters of the socialist Left party are evenly split — 48% see a threat, 47% do not. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video German consumers are paying more for meat — and prices are still climbing this summer. And while retail costs rise, producers of Germany's favorite meat, pork, face falling returns. According to the Agricultural Market Information Company (AMI) in Bonn, average discount supermarket prices for a 400-gram pack of minute steaks increased by 30 cents in early July, from €3.49 to €3.79 ($4.06 to $4.41). The price for coarse pork sausages rose from €2.59 to €2.89, and a 550-gram pack of chicken schnitzel went up 30 cents to €6.26. Meat and meat product prices have steadily risen in recent years. The Federal Statistical Office reports that, by June, they were on average 31.7% higher than in 2020. Poultry had risen by more than 45%, and minced beef by over 68%. The German Meat Industry Association cites several causes: general inflation, rising feed costs, wage increases, and energy policy impacts. Beef has become scarcer in Germany. According to the industry association, more farms are ending cattle production, citing regulatory pressure and uncertainty about future farming standards. The result has been shrinking herds. Meanwhile, poultry consumption is rising. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video German media have begun scrutinizing the government's latest deportation flights to Afghanistan, questioning whether the men truly fit the label of dangerous criminals. One of the 81 men deported on Friday was Haroon I., 27, who was escorted from a facility in Pforzheim under heavy police presence late on Thursday. Footage of the scene, obtained by , shows the emotional moment. The report said the man was a convicted cannabis dealer who had already served his sentence. People close to him say he had been rebuilding his life and was well on his way to integrating into German society. said that Haroon had strong German, was living with his partner, a German woman, had a job and was a member of his community. He also had little connection to Afghanistan with most of his family having left the country. The convoy was guarded by police in balaclavas who kept back friends and supporters. Pforzheim was one of the departure points for the new round of deportations to Afghanistan ordered by Germany's centrist coalition. A plane carrying the men left Leipzig airport early on Friday. The government has said it is delivering on a campaign pledge to deport people to Afghanistan and Syria, starting with criminals and people posing a perceived risk. After the deportations, the United Nations said no one should be returned to Afghanistan, regardless of their legal status. A fireworks display at the Düsseldorf Rheinkirmes — a type of town fair — has left 19 people injured, including four seriously. Emergency services confirmed the injuries late Friday after fireworks reportedly exploded unusually close to the ground. According to police, at least one child was among the injured. Eyewitnesses told German public broadcaster WDR that some rockets flew sideways or detonated low, with a few even landing in the Rhine River. One video from across the river shows explosions lighting up both the sky and ground at the same time. "I was at the fair watching the fireworks," said one witness. "Some rockets flew surprisingly low and exploded close to people. I wondered if that wasn't too near the crowd." Fire officials believe some rockets may have veered off course, with one misfiring directly into the crowd. Organizers initially kept the fair running to avoid panic but ended festivities early around 10:45 p.m. (2045 GMT). The event had been scheduled to continue into the early morning. The Rheinkirmes fair, the biggest to take place on the river, is rooted in an annual celebration of the city's patron saint Apollinaris. It started on July 11 and is set to end on Sunday. Germany has been falling short on preparing its population for major emergencies, according to the German Red Cross (DRK). Millions of people need training in first aid and self-reliance, said Heike Spieker, head of the DRK's National Relief Society. "To build these skills sustainably, four million people would need to be trained," she said. That level of preparedness would ensure people could help themselves and others during a crisis. The courses, supported by federal funding and offered by aid groups, go beyond first aid. According to the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance, they cover how to act when power goes out or flooding follows heavy rain. To reach a "reasonable level" within five years, around 800,000 people would need training each year, Spieker said. "In reality, current funding covers an average of fewer than 100,000 participants per year," she added. She also criticized the government's current budget plans, saying they are "absolutely insufficient and contradict the political promises to strengthen civil protection." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video from the DW newsroom in sunny Bonn on the Rhine River. You join us as news comes in of a mishap at what was supposed to be a dazzling event at the Düsseldorf Rheinkirmes on Friday night, when a fireworks display went wrong. Emergency services said the rockets appeared to explode far too close to the ground, and 19 people were injured. According to police, at least one child was among those hurt. Follow along for the latest on what Germany is talking about on Saturday, July 19.
Int'l Business Times
17 hours ago
- Int'l Business Times
Clashes, Homes Torched In South Syria's Sweida Despite Ceasefire
Smoke rose from burning houses in south Syria's Sweida on Saturday and an Arab tribal fighter vowed to "slaughter" residents as deadly clashes with Druze fighters persisted. Just hours earlier, Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa had announced an immediate ceasefire, but Bedouins and tribal fighters who are allied with the Syrian authorities pushed on in the west of the Druze-majority city. "Go forward, tribes!" said fighter Abu Jassem, addressing fellow combatants in the area, where the streets were largely deserted. "We will slaughter them in their homes," he said, referring to the Druze. The tribal fighters have converged on Sweida from other parts of Syria to support the Bedouins who have been clashing with Druze fighters since July 13. The violence has killed at least 940 people, according to a monitor. An AFP correspondent on Saturday saw dozens of torched homes and vehicles and armed men setting fire to shops after looting them. Some fighters, their faces covered, opened fire in the streets with automatic weapons while others moved around on vehicles and motorbikes. One fighter wore a black band around his head that bore the Islamic profession of faith. Another was carrying scissors, after footage in recent days showed fighters cutting the moustaches of Druze elderly and clergy, a grave insult to members of the minority community. The Druze, followers of an esoteric religion that split from Shiite Islam, are regarded at best with suspicion by more hard-line Sunni Islamists who count among the ranks of Syria's new authorities. In Sweida city, where around 150,000 people live, residents have been holed up in their homes without electricity and water. Food supplies are scarce despite repeated appeals for humanitarian assistance, and communications have largely been cut off. Near the city's main hospital, an AFP photographer said bloated bodies were being taken for burial in a nearby pit as the morgue was overflowing. A doctor had told AFP that the facility had received more than 400 bodies. Security forces on Saturday were deploying in the province with the stated aim of protecting civilians and ending the chaos. Near a village north of Sweida, an AFP correspondent saw government forces deploying at a checkpoint and seeking in vain to prevent armed tribal fighters from advancing. Interior ministry spokesman Noureddine al-Baba told AFP in the province's north that security forces were deploying "to protect public and private property and guarantee the security of civilians". Government forces were to "supervise the withdrawal of the tribes that were in battle with outlaw groups," he added, referring to Druze fighters. An AFP correspondent said some tribal fighters withdrew from the city on Saturday afternoon, and also reported armed men dragging bodies from a street. According to the United Nations, the fighting has displaced at least 87,000 people. One resident of the city who fled days earlier told AFP that "We have nothing left." "Most of the people we know -- our relatives and friends -- are dead," said the resident, requesting anonymity due to the security situation. "Sweida has been destroyed, and we are trying to keep our families away until this madness ends." Residents of Syria's majority-Druze city of Sweida have been holed up in their homes as the violence raged AFP Syria's security forces were deploying in Sweida province with the stated aim of protecting civilians and ending the chaos AFP
