Syrian gratitude for global support in a challenging time
I write in reference to Nada AlTaher's article Israeli civilians try to stop aid lorries from entering Gaza (May 21): by killing women, children and elders, the situation in Gaza is further worsening, and those involved in these atrocities are losing support and sympathy from their partners around the world.
From a humanitarian perspective, it is especially worrying when supplies are being prevented from entering the conflict zone. Such attempts are a shame for all human beings around the world.
It is certain that this conflict cannot resolve the root cause of the Palestine-Israel issue. And so, while the world community has so far been unable to resolve it peacefully, the UN and the US, together with the Arab world, must continue to find ways in doing so.
Ramachandran Nair, Kerala, India
Sanctions relief for Syrians
I write in reference to Khaled Yacoub Oweis's report EU set to lift sanctions on Syria's central bank (May 20): we really appreciate the European Union and the efforts of the rest of the international community. Gratitude from Syria.
Rima Alhabash, Damascus, Syria
Agritech's future in the East
I write in reference to Rachel Kelly's article China-UAE AgriTech Dh120 million megaproject to launch in Al Ain (May 19): this is an exciting move in agritech. This Al Ain hub boosts food security and highlights UAE-China synergy in agriculture innovation. It's a huge step towards a sustainable future.
Ahmed P, Cairo, Egypt
Tackling chronic disease in Abu Dhabi
I write in reference to Shireena Al Nowais's article Abu Dhabi launches campaign to cover costs of chronic disease care (May 19): it is outstanding to see Abu Dhabi champion health care for all. Such forward-thinking support for chronic illness uplifts citizens and expatriates alike. It's a proud moment for the UAE community.
Wassim A, Sharjah
Beirut's cultural recovery
I write in reference to Robert McKelvey's article Beihouse: Upscale community hub rises from the ashes of the Beirut Port explosion (May 16): how nice it is to see the way Beihouse is reviving the cultural pulse of Beirut's Gemmayzeh neighbourhood. This is heritage and innovation in dialogue, and truly speaks to the city's memory.
BC, Granada, Spain
Dubai a global educational hub
I write in reference to the article Number of university students in Dubai surges by 20% (May 19): over the years, Dubai has evolved into a prominent educational hub, home to several globally recognised universities. This growth highlights the emirate's impressive standing in the international arena. Today, it offers vast opportunities for international students across all academic fields, making it a truly global destination for higher education.
All of this progress is a result of the forward-thinking policies aimed at not only advancing the lives of Emiratis but also welcoming students from around the world. Kudos to Dubai for its commitment to education, diversity and global excellence.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, Indi a
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Khaleej Times
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The National
43 minutes ago
- The National
Israel creating sectarian strife in Syria, Damascus and Ankara say
Syria and Turkey 's foreign ministers have accused Israel of undermining Damascus's rule and fuelling sectarian strife by claiming to be protecting the Druze minority amid violence in the south of the country. 'What is taking place in Syria is being created by Israel. Israel wants sectarian strife to take hold in Syria, but we want peace to prevail in the region,' Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Shibani said in a press conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Ankara. Israel last month carried out air strikes on Sweida in southern Syria and the Defence Ministry building in central Damascus after days of violence between Bedouin tribes, pro-government forces and members of Syria's Druze community. The religious minority is deeply embedded in Syria and Israel, as well as Jordan and Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government justified its strikes on grounds that combine national security with protection of the Druze. In the Turkish capital on Wednesday, Mr Shibani rejected the idea that the country's Druze community was being sidelined by Damascus and needed protection from an outside power. 'The Druze are part of Syrian society, and under no circumstances are we going to shut them out,' he said. 'We don't have any such intentions. This is being bandied about by Israel, but we reject those claims.' The meetings in Turkey came after Syria agreed to form a working group to sustain the fragile ceasefire in Sweida and assure long-term security, following talks in Jordan. Since the Assad regime fell in December, Israel has also taken territory in a UN-patrolled buffer zone in southern Syria's Golan Heights, a rocky plateau that has been occupied by Israel since the 1960s. The US, which has lifted sanctions on Syria, has called on Damascus to join the Abraham Accords, a set of agreements normalising relations with Israel. Syrian and Israeli officials have met in the Azerbaijani capital Baku but reports of a peace agreement with Israel were 'premature," Syrian state television said last month. Mr Fidan also accused Israel of attempting to destabilise Syria as part of what he described as 'expansionist' policies in the Middle East. 'Syria is but one leg of their policies, and they're trying to undermine Syria,' Mr Fidan said. 'You should make sure that your neighbouring countries are prosperous and that they are secure,' he added, addressing the Israeli government and population. Acknowledging the security challenges that Syria faces, and the recent violence in Sweida, Mr Fidan called on Middle Eastern and Arab nations to back Syria. 'We need to support these efforts, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, Iraq, all the other countries in the region – we must join our forces and unite our forces and help Syria get back on her feet,' he said. Syria's largest northern neighbour, Turkey has emerged as a key source of influence over the new government of President Ahmed Al Shara since the Assad regime's fall. Mr Fidan and Mr Shibani were joined in meetings in Ankara on Wednesday by Syrian Defence Minister Murhef Abu Qasra and Syrian Intelligence Director Hussein Al Salama. Mr Abu Qasra also met with Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler in a closed-door meeting, Turkish state news agency Anadolu reported. This is the latest in a series of frequent face to face meetings between Turkish and Syrian officials, most recently when Mr Fidan met Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa in Damascus last week. Over the course of the past 14 years, Turkey has hosted more than three million Syrians who fled the conflict in their home country, and Ankara is under domestic pressure to see them return back across the border. Turkish contractors are also eyeing large opportunities in Syria's reconstruction and last week the Turkey-Syria Business Council was re-established as the two countries seek closer trade ties. Mr Fidan said Syria's safety and security was Ankara's number one priority. 'Syria should exist in peace and in unity. As Turkey, we have been offering our advice to Syria,' the Turkish foreign minister said. 'We have been supporting these endeavours, with our friends, with our partners in Syria.' Ankara is also eyeing with concern slow progress on efforts to integrate Kurdish militias in Syria's north-east into security forces controlled from Damascus. Turkey views forces under the umbrella of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which, alongside the EU and the US, it designates as a terrorist organisation. The PKK agreed to dissolve itself earlier this year but Kurdish armed groups in Syria have said the move does not apply to them. The SDF signed an integration agreement with Damascus in March but the contours of actually doing so remain contentious. Mr Fidan, who has previously said he wants to see the elimination of PKK affiliates in Syria , said Turkey 'will have to take action' if its security demands are not met. 'We harbour good intentions, but that doesn't mean that we will turn a blind eye to mischievous or devious ways,' he said. Syria has rejected federal arrangements for Kurdish semi-autonomy. Damascus pulled out of talks scheduled to take place in Paris to mediate differences with Kurdish-led forces, after they hosted a meeting that called for a decentralised administration. 'They were trying to sow seeds of discord,' Mr Shibani said in Ankara, of the meeting that took place in Hassakeh, in north-eastern Syria last week.
Zawya
an hour ago
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Jordan: Amman hosts Washington, Damascus for talks on Syria's recovery, reconstruction
AMMAN — Jordan on Tuesday hosted a joint Jordanian-Syrian-American meeting to discuss the situation in Syria and ways to support the war-torn country's reconstruction efforts. A Foreign Ministry statement said that the trilateral meeting discussed ways to support Syria on foundations that safeguard its security, stability, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in its internal affairs, while meeting the aspirations of the Syrian people and protecting their rights. The meeting, attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani and US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack, along with representatives of relevant institutions from the three countries, followed up on talks hosted in Amman on July 19 to consolidate the ceasefire in Syria's southern Sweida Governorate and address the crisis there. Participants affirmed that Sweida, with all its local communities, is an integral part of Syria, with its people's rights safeguarded in building a new Syria that ensures security and representation for all citizens, the statement said. Dozens of people were reportedly killed in a week of armed clashes that began on July 13 between local Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes in the Druze-majority Sweida province. Jordan and the US welcomed steps taken by the Syrian government, including launching full investigations and holding perpetrators of crimes and violations in Sweida accountable, cooperating with relevant UN bodies in the investigation process, increasing humanitarian aid delivery to all areas of the governorate in coordination with UN agencies, restoring disrupted public services, beginning rehabilitation of affected areas, supporting the return of displaced persons, and initiating community reconciliation to promote civil peace. The two countries also welcomed international contributions to these efforts and reaffirmed their support for Syria's unity, sovereignty, and stability, the statement said. Safadi and Barrack reiterated Jordan and the US solidarity with Syria, calling on the international community to support the country's reconstruction on the basis of security, stability, and inclusivity. The three sides agreed to hold another meeting in the coming weeks to continue discussions and to respond to the Syrian government's request to form a tripartite working group, comprising Syria, Jordan, and the US, aimed at supporting the Syrian government's efforts to maintain the ceasefire in Sweida and resolve the crisis there.
