logo
Hours in custody: Syria briefly detains PFLP-GC Secretary-General

Hours in custody: Syria briefly detains PFLP-GC Secretary-General

Shafaq News03-05-2025
Shafaq News/ Syrian authorities briefly detained Talal Naji, Secretary-General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command (PFLP-GC), on Saturday before releasing him hours later, a senior Palestinian official told Al-Mayadeen.
Earlier in the day, Syrian media reported that General Security forces had arrested Naji along with his chief of staff in Damascus.
No official statement has been issued by the Syrian government.
The PFLP-GC, a splinter faction from the original Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, has operated out of Syria since its founding in 1968. The group supported former President Bashar al-Assad during the civil war.
Naji's brief detention is the latest in a series of arrests targeting Palestinian factions operating in Syria. In April, security forces detained two senior officials from Palestinian Islamic Jihad — Khaled Khaled and Abu Ali Yasser — shortly after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas visited Damascus for talks with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. At the time, Syrian media reported that the detainees were suspected of collaborating with Iran.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

US rejects Iraq-Iran security pact
US rejects Iraq-Iran security pact

Shafaq News

timean hour ago

  • Shafaq News

US rejects Iraq-Iran security pact

Shafaq News – Washington The US State Department rejected on Tuesday a recent security memorandum of understanding signed between Iraq and Iran, expressing opposition to any legislation that conflicts with US goals and efforts to strengthen Iraq's security institutions. Earlier this week, a security agreement was signed in a ceremony overseen by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, involving Iraq's National Security Advisor Qasim Al-Araji and Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani. At a press briefing attended by Shafaq News in Washington, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce commented on the memorandum, emphasizing, 'We support genuine Iraqi sovereignty, not legislation that would turn Iraq into a client state of Iran.' Highlighting that the United States has been clear about the principle that the future of nations should be determined by their own people, she noted the agreement 'runs counter to what we seek.' These statements come at a time of heightened political maneuvering in Baghdad, as US officials are pressing the Iraqi government not to approve the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Authority law, which would formalize and expand the powers of the paramilitary coalition that includes several Iran-aligned factions.

Security briefing: Airstrikes, arrests, and tragedy mark Iraq's day
Security briefing: Airstrikes, arrests, and tragedy mark Iraq's day

Shafaq News

timean hour ago

  • Shafaq News

Security briefing: Airstrikes, arrests, and tragedy mark Iraq's day

Shafaq News Below is a summary of key security incidents reported across Iraq on August 12, 2025. Airstrike on ISIS Hideouts (Kirkuk) The Iraqi Air Force launched a precision airstrike targeting ISIS positions in Wadi al-Shay, south of Kirkuk. The strike followed intelligence on militant movements and destroyed several operational sites. Foreign Nationals Detained with Military Gear (Babil) Security forces arrested a group of Pakistani nationals walking among Arbaeen pilgrims in Al-Kifl. They were found with PMF-branded military uniforms and images showing them carrying medium weapons and riding in military vehicles abroad. Counter-Terrorism Sweep Nets 11 Suspects (Nationwide) Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service arrested 11 ISIS suspects in a series of coordinated raids across Nineveh, Kirkuk, Saladin, and al-Sulaymaniyah. Forces destroyed multiple hideouts, tunnels, and caves used for storing explosives. The operations were supported by army aviation and Kurdish Asayish units. Arbaeen Pilgrimage Crash Kills Five (al-Diwaniyah) A traffic accident on the al-Diwaniyah–Afak road left five dead and 23 injured. Among the victims were two sons of MP Karim Aliwi, head of the parliamentary Security and Defense Committee. The crash occurred when a tire burst, causing the vehicle to collide with a passenger bus.

Iraq, Turkiye hold direct talks on water and climate in Geneva
Iraq, Turkiye hold direct talks on water and climate in Geneva

Shafaq News

time4 hours ago

  • Shafaq News

Iraq, Turkiye hold direct talks on water and climate in Geneva

Shafaq News – Geneva Iraq and Turkiye held direct talks in Geneva on Tuesday to boost cooperation on water management and environmental issues, amid growing climate pressures and shrinking river flows into Iraq. The meeting took place on the sidelines of global negotiations to curb plastic pollution. Iraq's Environment Minister Helo al-Askari led the Iraqi delegation and warned that Iraq is facing intensifying environmental threats, driven by reduced upstream water releases and climate change, particularly in the southern provinces. Al-Askari stressed the need for stronger regional partnerships and ongoing dialogue with neighboring countries—chiefly Turkiye —to address Iraq's water and climate crisis. The talks focused on joint environmental action, climate adaptation, and sharing strategies for managing scarce water resources. Iraq also backed Turkiye's bid to host the next UN Climate Conference (COP).

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store