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After Israel allowed ‘limited entry' to Sweida, Syria denies plan to redeploy forces in Druze-Sunni clash region
Syria's security forces enter the predominantly Druze city of Sweida on July 15, 2025, following clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters. Syrian government forces entered the majority Druze city of Sweida on July 15, 2025, the interior ministry said, aiming to end clashes with Bedouin tribes that have killed nearly 100 people. (Photo by Sam HARIRI / AFP)
Israel has agreed to allow Syrian forces limited entry into the Sweida area of southern Syria for the next two days, an Israeli official said on Friday, following days of killing in and around Syria's Druze city of Sweida.
'In light of the ongoing instability in southwest Syria, Israel has agreed to allow limited entry of the (Syrian) internal security forces into Sweida district for the next 48 hours,' an officer who refused to be named told reporters.
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Syria's interior ministry spokesperson stated on Friday that government forces were not prepared to redeploy to Sweida Province, according to the official news agency.
Syrian army withdrew from Sweida after a truce was declared on Wednesday, but fighting resumed late Thursday between rebels from Bedouin tribes and the Druze, a religious minority in Syria with supporters in Lebanon and Israel.
The skirmishes in Sweida province continued into Friday, according to Sweida locals and Ryan Marouf, the head of local news source Sweida24.
Damascus dispatched forces to Sweida, which is next to Israeli-controlled territory, this week in an attempt to settle some of Syria's most serious internal violence since the interim government took power late last year.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported 254 deaths in four days of violence, including medical workers, women, and children.
Israel became involved in the conflict on Wednesday. It stated that it would not allow Syria's Islamist-led government to send soldiers to the south, assaulted Syrian forces in Sweida and Syria's defence ministry, and struck near the presidential palace in Damascus.
Describing Syria's new rulers as thinly veiled Islamists, Israel has pledged to protect the area's Druze people, bolstered by pleas from its own Druze minority.
Israel's military launched additional assaults in Sweida province overnight.
UN agencies' concerns
The head of the UN human rights office urged Syria's interim authorities to ensure accountability justice for what it said are credible reports of widespread rights violations during the fighting, including summary executions and kidnappings, the office said in a statement.
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At least 13 people were unlawfully killed in one recorded incident on July 15 when affiliates of the interim authorities opened fire at a family gathering, the OHCHR said. Six men were summarily executed near their homes the same day.
The UN refugee agency on Friday urged all sides to allow humanitarian access, which it said had been curtailed by the violence.
Israel's deep distrust of Syria's new Islamist-led leadership appears to be at odds with the United States, which said it did not support the recent Israeli strikes on Syria.
The US intervened to help secure the earlier truce between government forces and Druze fighters, and the White House said on Thursday that it appeared to be holding.
Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has worked to establish warmer ties with the US, accused Israel of trying to fracture Syria and promised to protect its Druze minority.
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Ghaziabad fake embassy scandal: Westarctica and the world of micronations
A 45-year-old man in Ghaziabad was pulling off a unique scam by pretending to be the 'ambassador' of Westarctica, an unrecognised micronation in Antarctica. A raid by the Uttar Pradesh Police at the house he claimed was the official embassy busted his con. The case has put the spotlight on micronations. What are they? read more A man has been arrested in Ghaziabad for running a fake embassy and conning people. News18 The Uttar Pradesh Police have busted a fake embassy in Ghaziabad. A 45-year-old man, identified as Harsh Vardhan Jain, was allegedly running a scam from a two-storey house in Kavi Nagar, claiming to be the 'ambassador' of Westarctica, an unrecognised micronation in Antarctica. According to the Noida unit of the Uttar Pradesh Police Special Task Force (STF), the man conned people using forged Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) documents and promises of international deals. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While his embassy was not real, Westarctica is. The incident has brought micronations to the limelight. But what are these? We will explain. What are micronations? Micronations are 'wannabe' states whose representatives claim to belong to an independent nation or sovereign state. However, these political entities are neither recognised by any sovereign state nor under international law. The 'rulers' or founders of these micronations are motivated by philosophical experiment, political protest, entertainment or artistic expression, and sometimes by criminal activity. A lack of legal basis has, however, not stopped these micronations from creating their own coins, postage stamps, national anthems, flags and even passports. Dozens of micronations have emerged since the 1960s. American writer Leicester Hemingway founded New Atlantis in 1964 by constructing a bamboo raft with steel, iron piping, and rock, six miles off the coast of Jamaica. He claimed it was an island with full sovereignty. The raft was ultimately destroyed by a cyclone. There are micronations that still exist, such as the Principality of Sealand. It is an offshore platform in the North Sea used by the British military during World War II. Paddy Roy Bates, a former soldier, took up HM Fort Roughs in 1967 and later declared its independence. He later named it the Principality of Sealand, with its own flag, money, national anthem, stamps and football team. Australia has many micronations, with its first being the Principality of Hutt River founded in 1970. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Republic of Lamb is an island off the coast of Scotland purchased by popular spoon bender and legendary 'psychic' Uri Geller. He offers citizenship, with all proceeds going to Save a Child's Heart, an Israeli charity which treats children with heart conditions globally. In a picture taken on May 27, 2010 Emperor George II of Atlantium, a micronation, displays the 25 imperial solidi note featuring a portrait of himself (top) in Sydney. File Photo/AFP Another micronation is the Republic of Minerva, an artificial island built over disputed coral reefs between the Pacific island nations of Fiji and Tonga. The Royal Republic of Ladonia was created in 1986 by artist Lars Vilks to protest local authorities in southern Sweden's Kullaberg, who deemed the two large sculptures he built in an inaccessible nature reserve illegal. Ladonia, which is ruled by Queen Carolyn, promotes freedom of expression, art and creativity. Kailasa, the so-called country founded by self-styled godman Nithyananda, who is wanted in India for rape and abduction, is also a micronation. Nithyananda purchased an island off the coast of Ecuador, which he claims as 'Kailasa', as per BBC. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How serious are micronations? The creators or founders of these mock nations know these entities are not 'real'. But they still have fun and sometimes use the opportunity to protest. 'They are very serious about this. Pretending to be a king or a president takes a lot of effort. I think the psychological strength you need to do this constantly when no one recognises you must be quite difficult. But generally speaking, it is for fun. A lot of them also do it as a way to build a community,' Harry Hobbs, co-author of How to Rule Your Own Country: The Weird and Wonderful World of Micronations, told Forbes in 2023. He added: 'I think the best ones are really designed for a clear political purpose. There's the famous Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands. They seceded from Australia to protest legislation banning same-sex marriage and formed a gay and lesbian kingdom. They sailed to an island in the Great Barrier Reef, planted a flag, and set up a country.' However, pretending to rule a sovereign state is not fun when reality hits. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In 2002, Vilks received applications from migrants and refugees from across the globe for citizenship, believing Ladonia to be a real country. The Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands also got letters from queer people in other country who needed asylum. Ghaziabad man's con as 'ambassador' of many micronations The UP STF has arrested Harsh Vardhan Jain after a raid for running a fake embassy in Ghaziabad. The man converted a house in Kavi Nagar, surrounding it with high-end cars, and claimed it to be the official embassy of Westarctica. The Grand Duchy of Westarctica is a 620,000-square-mile tract of land in western Antarctica. It has its 'royal head of state' — the Grand Duke Travis, a flag, currency, and over 2,500 'citizens'. 'Jain claimed to be the consul or ambassador of Westarctica, Saborga, Poulvia, and Ladonia — none of which are recognised as sovereign nations," SSP Sushil Ghule, who led the STF raid, told the media. 'He used diplomatic insignias and paraphernalia to create an illusion of official legitimacy," he added. UP Police busts fake '#Westarctica' #embassy in Ghaziabad! A man posing as a diplomat arrested in a bizarre international scam@_anshuls brings you the ground report#Ghaziabad | @Poonam_Burde — News18 (@CNNnews18) July 23, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Jain morphed photographs of himself with world leaders, including prime ministers and presidents, and used credentials with forged seals of the MEA. 'He used the guise of diplomacy to influence businessmen, promise them access to international markets, and run a hawala network through shell companies,' the UP police said in its statement. The fake embassy helped Jain scam people seeking foreign investment or work permits, as per the police. Jain is alleged to have pocketed large sums from private individuals and companies, promising them special diplomatic permissions or international licenses. The UP STF seized Rs 44.7 lakh in cash, foreign currency from several countries, and four high-end luxury vehicles, all bearing fake diplomatic number plates. Forged diplomatic passports and MEA seals were also recovered. With inputs from agencies
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Tuvalu faces exodus: Sea rising, 80% people seek Australia's climate visa for relocation
More than 80% of Tuvalu's population has applied for Australia's climate visa under a landmark migration pact, as rising seas threaten the Pacific nation. The Falepili Union offers Tuvaluans relocation, rights and defence support amid worsening climate impacts. read more More than 80 percent of Tuvalu's citizens have applied for a special visa to move to Australia, official data revealed on Wednesday, as rising sea levels continue to threaten the low-lying Pacific island nation. Under a pioneering agreement described by Canberra as the first of its kind globally, Australia is offering annual climate visas to Tuvaluan nationals. 'The ballot drew exceptionally high interest, with 8,750 entries, including dependents of primary applicants,' the Australian High Commission in Tuvalu said in a statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This figure amounts to roughly 82 percent of Tuvalu's total population of 10,643, based on the country's 2022 census. 'With only 280 visas available this year, many applicants will not be successful,' the commission added. Tuvalu is considered one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. Scientists have warned that the nation could become uninhabitable within decades due to rising seas. Two of its nine coral atolls have already been almost completely submerged. The application figures were released just ahead of a major ruling by the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which will define states' legal duties to combat climate change and assess whether major polluting nations should be held financially responsible for resulting damage. The case, initiated by Pacific island states, could significantly influence global climate accountability and legal standards. 'First agreement of its kind' Australia and Tuvalu signed the ground-breaking Falepili Union in 2024, part of Canberra's efforts to blunt China's expanding reach in the region. Under that pact, Australia opened a new visa category specially set aside for citizens of Tuvalu who will be selected at random. 'Australia recognises the devastating impact climate change is having on the livelihoods, security, and wellbeing of climate vulnerable countries and people, particularly in the Pacific region,' Australia's foreign affairs department told AFP last month. 'This is the first agreement of its kind anywhere in the world, providing a pathway for mobility with dignity as climate impacts worsen." STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It will also provide Tuvaluans the choice to live, study and work in Australia. Tuvalu citizens, including those living outside the country, were eligible to be included in the ballot if they are aged over 18 and pay a Aus$25 fee (US$16). The visa deal has been hailed as a landmark response to the looming challenge of climate-forced migration. The Falepili pact commits Australia to defending Tuvalu in the face of natural disasters, health pandemics and 'military aggression'. 'For the first time, there is a country that has committed legally to come to the aid of Tuvalu, upon request, when Tuvalu encounters a major natural disaster, a health pandemic or military aggression,' Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo said at the time. 'Again, for the first time there is a country that has committed legally to recognise the future statehood and sovereignty of Tuvalu despite the detrimental impact of climate changed-induced sea level rise." The agreement also gives Australia a say in any other defence pacts Tuvalu signs with other countries, raising concerns at the time that the Pacific nation was handing over its sovereignty. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tuvalu is one of just 12 states that still have formal diplomatic relations with Taipei rather than Beijing. With inputs from agencies
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