Israeli FM: Jihadi group seized power in Syria
Shafaq News/ Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa'ar, described Syria's new leadership as a 'jihadi terrorist group', during a meeting with European Union foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday as part of the EU-Israel Association Council.
During the 13 th session of the council, Sa'ar stated, 'Everyone knows who [Syrian transitional president] Ahmed Al-Sharaa is. They are taking revenge on the Alawites and harming the Kurds. We will not compromise on our border security.'
He also claimed that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad were operating in Syria to establish another front against Israel.
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said that Israel would not tolerate the presence of Syrian government forces in southern Syria, calling for 'complete demilitarization' of the area, declaring that Israeli forces would remain in Syria to protect settlements and prevent militant infiltration.
He also warned against threats to the Druze community in southern Syria, prompting protests in Sweida, where demonstrators condemned his remarks.
In December 2024, Israel's government has approved plans to expand settlements in the occupied Golan Heights, citing security concerns following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Israeli forces moved into a UN buffer zone, declaring previous ceasefire arrangements void.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iranian UN Mission reaffirms nuclear stance amid tensions
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, Iran's mission to the United Nations reaffirmed that diplomacy instead of military strength is the only viable path forward. In a statement released following news of American regional actions and preparations to evacuate embassies, the Iranian mission reiterated Tehran's position on nuclear weapons, stating, 'Iran is not seeking a nuclear weapon,' and warned that 'the US militarism only fuels instability.' The mission also claimed that 'the legacy of US Central Command in enabling Israel's crimes strips it of any credibility on peace or non-proliferation.' Threats of 'overwhelming force' won't change facts:Iran is not seeking a nuclear weapon, and U.S. militarism only fuels legacy of fueling regional instability, through arming aggressors and enabling Israeli crimes, strips it of any credibility to speak on… — Mission to UN, NY (@Iran_UN) June 11, 2025 Earlier on Tuesday, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that Tehran would target US bases in the region if nuclear talks failed or a conflict erupted with Washington. Nasirzadeh told reporters that Iran still hoped for positive results from talks with the United States, but remained prepared to respond. 'If conflict is imposed on us, the opponent's losses will certainly exceed ours,' he stated. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued a notice warning vessels in the region of heightened tensions that could lead to increased military activity impacting seafarers directly. The advisory urged caution in the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz. Although it did not name Iran, those waterways have previously been the site of Iranian ship seizures and attacks.
Shafaq News
6 hours ago
- Shafaq News
US Defense Official to Shafaq News: Middle East tensions under watch
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, the US Department of Defense confirmed that it has authorized the voluntary departure of military families from several locations within the US Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations, which covers Iraq and other countries across the Middle East. 'The safety and security of our service members and their families remains our highest priority and US Central Command (CENTCOM) is monitoring the developing tension in the Middle East,' a US Defense Official told Shafaq News, adding that 'CENTCOM is working in close coordination with our Department of State counterparts, as well as our Allies and partners in the region to maintain a constant state of readiness to support any number of missions around the world at any time.' Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the US Embassy in Baghdad affirmed to Shafaq News that 'US President Donald Trump is committed to keeping Americans safe, both at home and abroad', explaining that 'In keeping with that commitment, we are constantly assessing the appropriate personnel posture at all our embassies. Based on our latest analysis, we decided to reduce the footprint of our Mission in Iraq.' A senior Iraqi government official told Shafaq News that 'There are no security indicators on the Iraqi side that justify an evacuation,' clarifying, 'steps concern the American diplomatic presence in several countries in the region, not Iraq alone'. These developments come amid rising regional tensions, particularly following comments by Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, who warned that Iran would strike US bases in the region if a confrontation erupted with Washington over nuclear negotiation.
Shafaq News
9 hours ago
- Shafaq News
US Embassy to Shafaq News: President Trump committed to Americans safety
Shafaq News/ US President Donald Trump is committed to keeping Americans safe, both at home and abroad, a spokesperson for the US Embassy in Baghdad said in an exclusive statement to Shafaq News Agency on Wednesday. 'In keeping with that commitment, we are constantly assessing the appropriate personnel posture at all our embassies. Based on our latest analysis, we decided to reduce the footprint of our Mission in Iraq,' the spokesperson added. This came following an announcement from the embassy about a reduction in its staff in Iraq, confirming that the decision is part of broader regional measures aimed at ensuring the safety of American personnel. 'These steps concern the American diplomatic presence in several countries in the region, not Iraq alone,' A senior Iraqi government official told Shafaq News, adding that 'There are no security indicators on the Iraqi side that justify an evacuation.' The official reiterated that all available intelligence and security briefings point to increasing stability and internal security in Iraq. 'All Arab and foreign diplomatic missions operating in Iraq enjoy full freedom of movement, safe working conditions, and operational effectiveness across the country—not only in the capital, Baghdad,' the official noted.
