Senior ISIS Leader Killed in US-Syrian Raid
A security source told state media that coalition troops conducted a helicopter raid targeting a house in the town of Atmeh, near the Turkish border. The strike resulted in the death of Salah Nouman, described as an Iraqi national and a senior ISIS figure.
Nouman was identified as 'one of the most dangerous wanted men' for his role in reactivating and directing ISIS sleeper cells inside Syria.
In a separate development, Syrian state media reported that Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani held talks in Paris on Tuesday with Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.
The discussions reportedly focused on de-escalation efforts and the humanitarian situation in the southern province of Sweida, which witnessed sectarian violence last month.
According to an unnamed Syrian government source cited by state television, both sides stressed their commitment to the 'unity of Syrian territory and rejection of any projects aimed at partition.'
The statement stressed that Suweida 'is an integral part of Syria' and that the Druze community 'forms an essential component of the national fabric.'
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Arab News
5 hours ago
- Arab News
UN warns situation in Syria remains fragile amid shaky ceasefire
NEW YORK CITY: The UN's special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, told the Security Council on Thursday that the situation in the country remains 'deeply fragile,' with a ceasefire in Sweida under growing strain and political tensions on the rise. He urged the international community to renew its efforts to protect civilians, ensure accountability, and support a Syrian-led political process that is capable of delivering lasting peace. Marking the anniversary of the 2013 chemical weapons attack in Ghouta, carried out by the forces of former President Bashar Assad, Pedersen described the occasion as 'a painful reminder of the suffering endured by Syrian civilians, and of the grave abuses and violations of international law that must never be repeated.' He urged council members to help Syria 'emerge from a dark past toward a brighter future.' The July 19 ceasefire agreement in Sweida has so far prevented a return to open conflict following a spike in violence, Pedersen said, but he warned that the peace remains tenuous. 'We are still seeing dangerous hostilities and skirmishes on the margins of Sweida and violence could resume at any moment,' he said. 'Absent more tangible and binding measures, including to build confidence, the ceasefire risks remaining fragile — an interim truce rather than the foundation for lasting stability.' He welcomed the creation by the US, Jordan and Syrian authorities of a trilateral working group to support the truce. However, he cautioned that 'a month of relative military calm belies a worsening political climate, with escalatory and zero-sum rhetoric hardening among many.' He also condemned ongoing Israeli ground operations in southwestern Syria, despite a pause in airstrikes. 'Such actions are unacceptable,' Pedersen said. 'We must insist on full respect for Syria's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.' The humanitarian cost of unrest, he added, remains severe, with more than 186,000 people displaced in Sweida, Daraa and rural Damascus. Access to affected areas is limited as a result of insecurity and road closures, and widespread damage to infrastructure compounds the suffering. Referring to reports of abuses during fighting in Sweida last month, including a video that appeared to show the execution of an unarmed man in a hospital, Pedersen said it was 'essential' that the conclusions of a fact-finding committee's investigation into such violations 'are made fully public and that all perpetrators — regardless of affiliation — are held responsible.' He called on all sides to combat divisive rhetoric and build a shared national vision, adding: 'Security forces must demonstrate that they are acting solely to protect all Syrians and do not constitute a threat.' To avoid future violence, Pedersen stressed the need for comprehensive reforms of the security sector, including disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of armed factions. He praised efforts by the new Syrian authorities to counter Daesh and Al-Qaeda but emphasized that 'continued vigilance' remains critical. On the political front, Pedersen noted a decree that was issued on Wednesday for indirect elections to appoint two-thirds of the 210 members of an interim People's Assembly. The remaining 70 will be appointed by the president. For this process to succeed, he said, it must be transparent, inclusive and allow the participation of all major groups within Syrian society, not only 'trusted individuals,' and include the 'equal and visible' representation of women. 'Anything less,' he warned, 'would entrench skepticism, aggravate the forces pulling Syria apart, and impede reconciliation.' He called for dialogue with all communities, including those critical of the interim authorities. Pedersen also voiced concern about stalled efforts to implement the March 10 agreement between the interim government and the Syrian Democratic Forces for the integration of the latter into state institutions, citing in particular recent flare-ups of violence in Aleppo. 'We hope that reported further contacts between interim authority officials and SDF representatives can be cemented into real compromise,' he said. He also underscored the role of civil society in the political transition process, and the important need for women to play a significant part. 'Syrian women continue to stress the necessity of meaningful political participation,' Pedersen said, while acknowledging the risks and pressures they face. Tom Fletcher, the UN's humanitarian chief, echoed Pedersen's concerns and warned that 'the humanitarian crisis is not over.' He said 16 million Syrians remain in need of support, a situation he described as 'dire.' UN teams are managing to provide life-saving aid to about 3.5 million people a month, despite funding shortfalls and access challenges, he revealed. 'Our humanitarian appeal for 2025 is only 14 percent funded,' Fletcher said, warning that budget cuts could reduce humanitarian staffing levels by 40 percent. Already, he noted, '16 percent of health facilities have suspended or reduced capacity.' He welcomed recent sanctions-relief measures announced by the US, EU and UK, but said it will take time to feel the full effects of this. 'We need investment in longer-term support for development and reconstruction that will allow the people of Syria to reduce, and ultimately end, reliance on humanitarian aid,' he said. 'With funding and access, we aim to no longer be needed.' Fletcher concluded his remarks with a direct appeal to members of the Security Council: 'The people of Syria do not need us to be commentators and problem-observers. They need us to move with genuine urgency, generosity and purpose.'
Arab News
12 hours ago
- Arab News
Iraqi Kurd court extends detention of opposition leader
SULAIMANIYAH: A court in Iraqi Kurdistan on Thursday extended the detention of opposition leader Shaswar Abdulwahid following his arrest last week, his party said. Abdulwahid — who heads the New Generation party, which holds 15 of the 100 seats in the autonomous northern region's parliament — was taken into custody on August 12. His detention stemmed from a six-month prison sentence handed down in absentia after he repeatedly failed to attend hearings in a defamation case filed by a former MP, a judicial official said. The opposition leader appeared before a judge on Thursday in a hearing attended by dozens of supporters, lawmaker Omed Mohammed of the New Generation party told AFP. Abdulwahid's lawyer had sought his release on bail, a request the judge denied. Court spokesman Salah Hassan said the refusal was due to Abdulwahid's failure to appear for hearings and questioning. 'This does not give the judge sufficient guarantees for a bail release... which could disrupt future proceedings,' he told AFP. Abdulwahid has been arrested several times since he launched the party in 2017. He was also wounded in an assassination attempt. The region's ruling alliance of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan has been criticized by human rights groups for its intolerance of dissent and for resorting to arbitrary arrests. Abdulwahid's trial was adjourned until August 28.
Asharq Al-Awsat
15 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Jordan's King Affirms Full Support for Lebanon in Safeguarding its Security, Sovereignty
Jordanian King Abdullah II, who received Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Tuesday, affirmed Jordan's full support for Lebanon in safeguarding its security and maintaining its sovereignty. During the meeting attended by Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, King Abdullah highlighted Jordan's readiness to expand cooperation with Lebanon across all fields, especially economic sectors. The King called for maintaining coordination with Arab countries to work towards regional stability. The Jordanian King also affirmed that Syria's security and stability are a shared priority, expressing Jordan's support for Syrian efforts to preserve its stability, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens. Turning to regional developments, King Abdullah reiterated the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and increased aid to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in the Strip. He reaffirmed Jordan's full rejection of Israeli plans to expand its control in the West Bank, and the region, according to Jordan's news agency, Petra. Later, Salam and his Jordanian counterpart, Hassan, agreed to hold the Jordanian-Lebanese Joint Higher Committee this year. The two sides announced the committee will focus on the trade, transportation, and energy sectors to expand bilateral cooperation. Hassan responded to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who openly declared his support for the vision of 'Greater Israel.' 'The reality does not reflect the illusion of a so-called Greater Israel, but rather an outcast, isolated Israel besieged regionally and internationally as a result of its policies of brutality and extremism,' Hassan said. During talks with Salam in Amman, Hassan warned against proposals and visions aimed at perpetuating the war indefinitely similar to delusions of a so-called Greater Israel promoted by extremist politicians in Israel, noting that reality points to policies that only fuel hatred due to the ongoing massacres. He underlined that 'the peoples of the region and the world will not forgive the massacres taking place.' The PM reiterated Jordan's condemnation of the continued Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory, calling for full implementation of the ceasefire agreement and an immediate halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Hassan called for intensified efforts to end the war in Gaza, the escalating Israeli attacks in the West Bank, and the wider regional escalation. He said Israel bears full legal and humanitarian responsibility for the collapse of the relief system in Gaza. 'We are facing a tragedy we witness daily in Gaza, where starvation, killing, and massacres are taking place. All crossings must be opened immediately to allow aid to reach our people and children in Gaza,' he added.
