Kurdish official urges authorities to 'reconsider' policy toward minorities
"The transitional government must undertake a comprehensive and urgent review of its approach in managing Syria's internal affairs, and initiate a serious and responsible national dialogue with all components, while respecting the specificity and the cultural and religious identity of each of them," Bedran Ciya Kurd said on X.
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Nahar Net
8 hours ago
- Nahar Net
German FM backs Israel and Palestine two-state solution during Indonesia visit
by Naharnet Newsdesk 20 August 2025, 15:56 The foreign minister of Germany called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas after a meeting Wednesday with his counterpart in Indonesia. Johann Wadephul and Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said the humanitarian catastrophe resulting from the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is unbearable and a two-state solution is the sole means of ending the conflict. "The goal for all of us is clear: a two-state solution, which must be negotiated," Wadephul said. Sugiono, who like many Indonesians uses a single name, told a joint news conference with Wadephul in the capital Jakarta that they also discussed how to overcome geopolitical challenges and rising trade barriers during the productive and contructive meeting. Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, is a longtime supporter of Palestine and does not recognize Israel. "Germany, as a special friend and partner of Israel, also has a responsibility, and I believe we will have responsible discussions about this in the future," Wadephul said. Germany supports Israel's fight against Hamas while calling on Israel to take further measures to alleviate suffering in Gaza. "There is now a very acute opportunity for a conflict resolution in which many neighboring countries have contributed to this," Wadephul said. "It would be in all of our interests if this political conflict could be resolved through a peaceful process." The meeting took place on the second leg of Wadephul's five-day trip to Indonesia and Japan, which he called key partners for economic relations to build free trade, competition and fairness. "It is crucial for us that, in a world of crises and conflicts, of trade restrictions and trade barriers, we build a network of strong, global partnerships with whom we connect politically and economically," Wadephul said. The talks came as the Trump administration enacted new tariffs on dozens of countries, including a 19% rate on Indonesia and 10% on the European Union. Germany is Indonesia's main trading partner and investor in Europe, with trade volume last year reaching $6.15 billion, while Europe's largest economy invested more than $343 million in Indonesia in 2024, Sugiono said. Negotiations between Indonesia and Germany on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement likely can be concluded in 2026, he said. "The CEPA will further expand opportunities for cooperation, particularly in the economic sector, between the two countries to increase trade and investment," Sugiono said, adding that Germany has made a 1.6 billion euro ($1.8 billion) commitment to Indonesia's clean energy future through the Just Energy Transition Partnership. Wadephul also praised Indonesia's role during the mediation of the July conflict between Thailand and Cambodia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for serving as an anchor of stability in Southeast Asia.
Nahar Net
17 hours ago
- Nahar Net
Syrian, Israeli diplomats meet in Paris as US pushes for normalizing ties
by Naharnet Newsdesk 20 August 2025, 10:25 Syria's foreign minister held a rare direct meeting with an Israeli delegation in Paris on Tuesday, talks that were brokered by the United States as part of a diplomatic push for Syria and Israel to normalize relations despite a recent surge in tensions between them. Syria's state-run SANA news agency said Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani met with Israeli officials to discuss de-escalating tensions and restoring a 1974 ceasefire agreement — a deal that established a demilitarized separation zone between Israeli and Syrian forces and stationed a U.N. peacekeeping force to maintain calm. The statement gave no details on the outcome of the Paris meeting. But a senior Trump administration official, who was not authorized to comment publicly on the matter, confirmed the talks. "The United States continues to support any efforts that will bring lasting stability and peace between Israel and its neighbors," the official told The Associated Press, adding that the backing follows President Donald Trump's outlined "vision of a prosperous Middle East" that includes a "stable Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors — including Israel." "We want to do everything we can to help achieve that," the official added. The long road to normalization In the past, Syrian officials have acknowledged holding indirect talks with Israel to defuse tensions, but this was the first time they acknowledged taking part in direct negotiations. There was no immediate confirmation of the meeting from Israel. Tensions have soared between the two neighbors following the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar Assad in December in a lightning rebel offensive led by Islamist insurgents. Shortly after Assad's overthrow, Israeli forces seized control of the U.N.-patrolled buffer zone in Syria set up under the 1974 agreement and carried out airstrikes on military sites in what officials said was aimed at creating a demilitarized zone south of Damascus. Israel has said it will not allow hostile forces to establish themselves along the frontier, as Iranian-backed groups did during Assad's rule. It distrusts Syria's new government, which is led by former Islamist insurgents. Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaida commander who severed ties with the militant group years ago, has pledged to build a new country that respects the rights of minorities, but sectarian violence has erupted on a number of occasions, raising concerns about Syria's fragile transition. Sectarian clashes and Druze grievances Israel stepped up its intervention when violence erupted in Syria's Sweida province last month between Bedouin clans and government forces on one side and armed groups from the Druze religious minority on the other. During the fighting, some government forces allegedly killed Druze civilians, including a medical worker in a hospital in Sweida — an incident that was caught on video — and a U.S. citizen. Other videos circulating online have shown fighters forcibly shaving the mustaches off Druze sheikhs, or religious leaders, and stepping on Druze flags and photographs of religious clerics. The Syrian government has said it is investigating the allegations. The conflict then prompted airstrikes against Syrian forces by Israel before a truce — mediated by the U.S., Turkey and Arab countries — halted most of the fighting. Israel said it was acting to protect the Druze, who are seen as a loyal minority in Israel and often serve in the military. Israel launched dozens of airstrikes on convoys of Syrian forces around Sweida and struck the headquarters of the Syrian Ministry of Defense in the heart of Damascus, Syria's capital. Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed the strategic plateau in a move that has only been recognized by the United States. The rest of the international community views the Golan as occupied Syrian territory. A US envoy holds talks Earlier on Tuesday, U.S. envoy to Syria Tom Barrack posted on X that he had held a "warm and informative meeting" with Moafaq Tarif, the spiritual leader of Druze in Israel, and that the two discussed "how to bring together the interests of all parties, de-escalate tensions, and build understanding." Tarif described the meeting as "excellent" and said the Druze want American assistance with an end to the blockade of Sweida and humanitarian aid for the people there, the return of the Druze who were kidnapped during the fighting, as well as American assurances of Druze security. Though the fighting has largely calmed down, Syrian government forces have surrounded the southern city of Sweida, named after the province, and the Druze have said that little aid is getting in, describing the situation as a siege. While the Druze in Syria have historically been wary of Israel, an increasing number are now open to seeking Israeli assistance. Hundreds demonstrated in Sweida on Saturday to demand the right to self determination for the Druze minority, with some protesters waving Israeli flags. Videos and photos of the spectacle circulating on social media sparked outrage from many other Syrians, who accused the protesters of being traitors.
L'Orient-Le Jour
2 days ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Criticized at protest in Sweida, Joumblatt supported by Druze figures in Lebanon
From Sheikh Akl, Sami Abi al-Mona, to MP Wael Bou Faour, to the Union of the Municipalities of Haut-Metn (Baabda District), a front of support has formed around Druze leader Walid Joumblatt, who was targeted by comments on social media and criticized during a protest organized Saturday in the majority-Druze Syrian province of Sweida to denounce the intercommunal violence in July and demand self-determination. According to the Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar, protesters allegedly called the Lebanese Druze leader a "traitor" during a gathering on Aug. 16. Located in southern Syria, Sweida has been the scene of deadly clashes between Druze factions and Sunni Bedouin fighters, who were allegedly supported by government forces, according to several accounts and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). According to the SOHR, the violence left about 1,600 dead, mostly Druze civilians. The first Lebanese political leader to travel to Damascus to meet the new interim president Ahmadal-Sharaa after the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Walid Joumblatt has always advocated for dialogue between all Syrian groups, and continues to show his support for the new Islamist authorities, rejecting any rapprochement with Israel, which claims to extend a hand to the Syrian Druze. These positions irritate some Syrian Druze circles who oppose the new authorities and call for cooperation with Israel. Within the Lebanese Druze community, Joumblatt's positions do not have unanimous support. Israeli flags in Sweida On Saturday, some Syrian protesters held up Druze as well as Israeli flags, as the Israeli state, which hosts a significant Druze community, had bombed government positions during the clashes, asserting its intention to protect the minority. Contacted by L'Orient-Le Jour, a source within the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) emphasized that the Mukhtara leader has always opposed "the Israeli project of interference within the Druze community of Sweida." A sign of the tensions, a video that had been posted online in December 2024, in which the former PSP chief called on the Druze "to return to Islam, their origin," resurfaced last weekend on social networks, sparking a series of hostile comments against Joumblatt, some going so far as to label him a "traitor ...Why are you meddling in the affairs of the Druze? Your game is over, and your speeches about plots no longer scare anyone. The only and final plot against the Druze is you," protested one internet user. "Walid Joumblatt the traitor: Expect him to accuse of treason everyone who broke the silence and stood up to him," added another. Joumblatt "is a threat to the Druze of Lebanon. He is now exposed and has fallen morally, politically, and as a leader. His role is finished ... don't try to save him," said another user on the X network. 'Those who dared attack Walid Joumblatt are only a minority' In response, Druze Sheikh Akl in Lebanon, Sami Abi al-Mona, known to be close to Joumblatt, explained Sunday in a statement picked up by the press that "our positions are far from betraying our history and our identity." He believes that "the religious, national and pan-Arab duty requires the wise of Sweida to oppose the project aiming to uproot the Arab and Islamic identity of the Druze," referring to the Israeli positions. However, for the Druze dignitary, "the new [Syrian] State has not proven its ability to protect its people and preserve its diversity." He concluded: "Jabal al-Arab [the Druze region in the Sweida province in Syria], like Mount Lebanon, is rich in its history and national heritage, and will accept as religion only Islam." Coming to Joumblatt's defense, the Union of the Municipalities of Haut-Metn denounced a "defamation campaign orchestrated by certain opportunists ... to promote projects of separation and isolation." It considers that the Druze leader's stance follows "the continuity of the Druze community's historical Arab and Islamic attachment. The Druze have never been anyone's border guards." As for Joumblattist MP Wael Bou Faour, he claims that "those who dared attack Walid Joumblatt ... are only a minority who sold their voices, wrapped themselves in the Israeli flag and renounced the mountain's historical heritage."
