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Middle East Eye
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Why Syria needs to play the long game against Israel
Israel's unprecedented aerial assault on Syria this month, targeting military and civilian sites in Damascus and Sweida, has been sold as a protective measure for the Druze minority - an ironic stance, given Israel's ongoing war against Palestinians, including Gaza's Christian minority. The Israeli aggression followed the Syrian government's intervention in the country's south amid escalating violence between Druze factions and Bedouin communities. This intervention was part of the government's broader efforts to consolidate national sovereignty and regain full authority over all of Syria, amid efforts by foreign-backed minority groups to establish sectarian or ethnic enclaves. Ahead of its assault, Israel promoted the narrative that Syria's new government was prepared to normalise relations with Tel Aviv under favourable conditions, including sustained Israeli control over the occupied Golan Heights. But Damascus has denied reports of any direct talks between President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Israeli officials. Regardless, the recent Israeli aggression points to the failure of Israel's diplomatic and military pressure on Syria's new administration. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel's ambitions in Syria include demilitarisation of the south, under the guise of protecting the Druze, but Tel Aviv's broader geopolitical strategy is clear: to weaken the Syrian government, while fostering sectarian and ethnic divides. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Such managed chaos would enable Israel to consolidate its occupation, accelerate its land grabs, and expand its influence eastwards through alliances with other minority groups, such as the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). Israel's longstanding strategy involves weaponising minorities across the region to further its expansive geopolitical agenda, as demonstrated historically in Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq and Syria. Fragmenting the region Israel has employed the Druze community against Palestinians, including in the recent Gaza genocide. In Lebanon, Israel supported the Christian-dominated South Lebanon Army, which ultimately disbanded in 2000 after the Israeli withdrawal. Tel Aviv has also long supported Kurdish factions in northern Iraq, throwing its weight behind their independence aspirations. For Israel, fragmenting the region into smaller ethnic and sectarian entities serves in the long run to legitimise its own presence as a settler-colonial state. In addition, it believes that fostering such divisions creates a sense of unity and alignment among minority groups against regional majorities, mainly Sunni Arabs. This strategy has been used by other foreign regional powers, enabling the Assad regime to survive 14 years of civil war. For Syria, its strategic options remain limited as Sharaa attempts to navigate Israel's destabilising military power and influence Druze leader Hikmat al-Hajri, who supported the Assad regime during the Syrian uprising, has become a central figure opposing the new administration. After former President Bashar al-Assad's fall last December, Hajri reportedly represented a local military council, including former Assad generals, that was aligned with Israel and the YPG; in addition to demanding a land corridor eastwards from southern Syria towards the American al-Tanf military base, some members of the council reportedly pledged loyalty to Israel. In parallel with Israel's recent strikes on Syrian government positions, Hajri also demanded the establishment of a corridor connecting Sweida to the country's northeast, where the YPG operates. This request has prompted strong reactions, particularly from Turkey - especially as the Syrian Democratic Forces, of which the YPG is the primary component, have refused to dissolve and surrender their weapons to the central government in Damascus, anticipating support from Israel. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has denounced Israel as a 'terrorist state' aiming to undermine Syria's sovereignty and unity, and rejected the partitioning of Syria along ethnic or sectarian lines. Still, amid a shifting regional power balance following the brief Israel-Iran war, Ankara has exercised notable restraint towards Israel, recognising that further escalation could lead to the Syrian state's collapse, thus serving Tel Aviv's interests. Diplomatic route Turkey's reluctance to counter Israel in this moment is influenced by a combination of internal and external factors, including economic challenges, domestic political opposition, and the ongoing dissolution of the Kurdistan Workers' Party. While ties with the administration of US President Donald Trump previously helped Turkey advocate for Syria, recent events have shown that trusting Trump is unwise; he is not a reliable ally. Deciding to counter Israel using hard power, based on perceived support from Trump, would be a mistake. As a consequence, Turkey has chosen a diplomatic route, joining 10 Arab states in condemning Israel and reaffirming Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. According to the Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, intervention from Ankara and some Arab countries to counter Israel's schemes in Syria has "saved the region from an unknown fate". From Damascus to Gaza, Israel's doctrine of domination has one fatal flaw Read More » For Syria, its strategic options remain limited as Sharaa attempts to navigate Israel's destabilising military power and influence. Advocating for a military confrontation - with an unrestrained Israel and an unprepared Syria - might not be the most prudent choice, especially if it were to result in further gains for Israel. While the new administration and the Syrian people continue to prioritise reconstruction, stabilisation and institution-building, it is crucial to consider strategies that could increase the costs of Israeli actions in Syria. Given the geopolitical and security complexities, Syria might benefit from leveraging diplomatic channels and regional alliances more actively, particularly with Turkey, Saudi Arabia and supportive Arab states, to counter Israel's ambitions without immediate escalation. Strengthening internal cohesion, enhancing national legitimacy, and isolating minority factions backed by foreign powers through intense public pressure could help to reduce the state's vulnerabilities. Ultimately, Syria's resilience will depend upon balancing diplomatic engagement, internal stability and military preparedness against Israel's multifaceted strategy. One critical move could be to eliminate the internal threat stemming from the YPG, in cooperation with Ankara and a willing coalition. In other words, if the current negotiation process does not result in YPG surrendering weapons and disarming, a military operation would seem inevitable against the armed group to discourage Israel from banking on separatist minorities. Such a move could undermine the value of the Hajri card for Israel, and potentially block Israel's expansion to eastern and northern Syria via the Druze Trojan horse. By deepening military and security ties with Turkey, delimiting maritime borders with Ankara, and intensifying its readiness to play the long game, Syria could ultimately raise the costs of Israeli intervention in the future. The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.
Al-Ahram Weekly
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
First group of Syrian refugees returns home from Lebanon under new UN plan - Region
The first group of Syrian refugees returned home from Lebanon on Tuesday under a new plan the United Nations developed with the Lebanese government following the downfall of Bashar Assad's rule in December. Syria's uprising-turned-conflict displaced half of the country's pre-war population of 23 million over the last 14 years. Lebanon hosted an estimated 1.5 million refugees, at one point making up roughly a quarter of its six million people, with many having been smuggled across the border and unregistered with the UN. The new plan has the UN refugee agency offering $100 in cash to each repatriated Syrian refugee and the Lebanese authorities waiving any fees or fines they owe. The UNHCR and the International Organisation for Migration will provide them with buses for their return journey. The UNHCR also says it will help returning Syrians with "cash grants, legal assistance for civil documents, psychosocial support, livelihood opportunities, and other protection services.' The strain on Lebanon as poverty spreads Lebanese authorities have repeatedly requested the repatriation of Syrian refugees over the years, a call that grew louder with the widespread poverty in the Mediterranean country and shrinking funding for aid agencies. But Syria under Assad was not yet safe for their return, according to major rights organizations. Many Syrians had also previously said the war, forced conscription under Syria's former government, and unpaid residency fines in Lebanon have held them back from returning. But Syria now has a new government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the surprise offensive that ousted Assad, and the Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's government hopes Syrians will sign up for the joint repatriation plan. The UNHCR estimates that over 205,000 Syrians have crossed back into the country from Lebanon since December, of which at least 126,000 were confirmed to be full returns, said Abou Khaled. Thousands of Syrian refugees ready to return home UNHCR Lebanon spokesperson Lisa Abou Khaled says about 17,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon have already signed up to go back to their home country, though the vast majority have opted not to take the buses. Tuesday's repatriation was a 'test run,' she said, with only 72 people, mostly going to Syria's third-largest city of Homs and rural Damascus. Syrian border authorities greeted the returning refugees with roses and water bottles, as they filled out forms after exiting the bus. Some took pictures in front of Syria's new green flag. Among them was Rasha, who told The Associated Press she was elated to return for the first time in 14 years. 'We're going home with nothing, but it's easier than having to keep paying rent,' she said, using only her first name. She and her husband are heading to Homs. Before, she wouldn't leave because her sons were at the age of conscription, which she described as 'sending your son to his death." They also couldn't afford to pay all the fines for overstaying in Lebanon for 14 years. Raghad fled to Lebanon when she was 10 years old after her father was killed in Homs, and is returning for the first time to her family home with her siblings and their children. 'We're hoping to fix it so we can live there for a bit," she said. 'I can't imagine myself living there without Dad." A humanitarian crisis still exists in Syria Despite Washington lifting decades-long sanctions, Syria is still reeling from an economic crisis that has pulled the vast majority of its population into poverty. It's still also trying to rebuild hundreds of billions of dollars in battered infrastructure after the conflict. Abou Khaled, the UNHCR Lebanon spokesperson, warns that this might hinder long-term returns if not resolved soon. 'We must acknowledge that there is a real humanitarian crisis in Syria that remains very significant,' she explained. 'Millions of people will need urgent help to be able to return in a sustainable way.' Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
The Independent
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
First group of Syrian refugees returns home from Lebanon under new UN plan
The first group of Syrian refugees returned home from Lebanon on Tuesday under a new plan the United Nations developed with the Lebanese government following the downfall of Bashar Assad 's rule in December. Syria's uprising-turned-conflict displaced half of the country's pre-war population of 23 million over the last 14 years. Lebanon hosted an estimated 1.5 million refugees, at one point making up roughly a quarter of its six million people, with many having been smuggled across the border and unregistered with the UN. The new plan has the UN refugee agency offering $100 in cash to each repatriated Syrian refugee and the Lebanese authorities waiving any fees or fines they owe. The UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration will provide them with buses for their return journey. The UNHCR also says it will help returning Syrians with "cash grants, legal assistance for civil documents, psychosocial support, livelihood opportunities, and other protection services.' The strain on Lebanon as poverty spreads Lebanese authorities have repeatedly requested the repatriation of Syrian refugees over the years, a call that grew louder with the widespread poverty in the Mediterranean country and shrinking funding for aid agencies. But Syria under Assad was not yet safe for their return, according to major rights organizations. Many Syrians had also previously said the war, forced conscription under Syria's former government, and unpaid residency fines in Lebanon have held them back from returning. But Syria now has a new government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the surprise offensive that ousted Assad, and the Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's government hopes Syrians will sign up for the joint repatriation plan. The UNHCR estimates that over 205,000 Syrians have crossed back into the country from Lebanon since December, of which at least 126,000 were confirmed to be full returns, said Abou Khaled. Thousands of Syrian refugees are ready to return home UNHCR Lebanon spokesperson Lisa Abou Khaled says about 17,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon have already signed up to go back to their home country, though the vast majority have opted not to take the buses. Tuesday's repatriation was a 'test run,' she said, with only 72 people, mostly going to Syria's third-largest city of Homs and rural Damascus. Syrian border authorities greeted the returning refugees with roses and water bottles, as they filled out forms after exiting the bus. Some took pictures in front of Syria's new green flag. Among them was Rasha, who told The Associated Press she was elated to return for the first time in 14 years. 'We're going home with nothing, but it's easier than having to keep paying rent,' she said, using only her first name. She and her husband are heading to Homs. Before, she wouldn't leave because her sons were at the age of conscription, which she described as 'sending your son to his death." They also couldn't afford to pay all the fines for overstaying in Lebanon for 14 years. Raghad fled to Lebanon when she was 10 years old after her father was killed in Homs, and is returning for the first time to her family home with her siblings and their children. 'We're hoping to fix it so we can live there for a bit," she said. 'I can't imagine myself living there without Dad." A humanitarian crisis still exists in Syria Despite Washington lifting decades-long sanctions, Syria is still reeling from an economic crisis that has pulled the vast majority of its population into poverty. It's still also trying to rebuild hundreds of billions of dollars in battered infrastructure after the conflict. Abou Khaled, the UNHCR Lebanon spokesperson, warns that this might hinder long-term returns if not resolved soon. 'We must acknowledge that there is a real humanitarian crisis in Syria that remains very significant,' she explained. 'Millions of people will need urgent help to be able to return in a sustainable way.' — Chehayeb reported from Beirut.
Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Indian diplomat visits Syria for meetings with regime led by al-Sharaa
New Delhi: India has made a formal outreach to Syria's provisional government led by former Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, with a middle-ranking diplomat visiting Damascus for meetings with Syrian ministers. Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. (REUTERS) This was the first official visit to Damascus from the Indian side since al-Sharaa, whose group was once affiliated to al-Qaeda, assumed power after ousting the regime of Bashar al-Assad following a lightning offensive last December. There was no official word from the Indian side on the visit by Suresh Kumar, director of the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) division of the external affairs ministry. Kumar's meetings with Syria's foreign and education ministers in Damascus on Monday were reported by State-run SANA news agency. 'A beginning had to be made and India had to register its presence. You have to open the door at some point,' a person familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity. Syria's foreign minister Asaad Al-Shaibani and the Indian delegation led by Kumar discussed 'issues of mutual concern and ways of enhancing relations between the two countries in the interests of both peoples', SANA reported. The meeting between Kumar and Syrian health minister Musab Al-Ali focused on enhancing health cooperation, particularly in the fields of pharmaceutical industries and medical training, according to another report by SANA. The two sides also discussed a mechanism for implementing a scholarship for Syrian students, and allocating a specialised engineering cooperation programme for government employees. Al-Ali stressed Syria's aspiration to establish a strong partnership with India in pharmaceutical industries and health technologies in order to support the national health sector and provide medicines. Kumar said India will continue funding specialised training courses for Syrian personnel, coordinate the training of Syrian doctors in Indian centres, and enhance cooperation in nursing, pharmaceutical industries and pharmaceutical exports, the report said. India has had strong political ties with Syria and both countries were key members of the Non-Aligned Movement. India's traditional support for Arab causes such as the issue of Palestine was appreciated by Syria. India also backed Syria's right to the Golan Heights, currently occupied by Israel, and its full return to the country. Under the Assad family, the Syrian government usually backed India at multilateral forums, including on the issue of Kashmir. In response to a request from Damascus for emergency humanitarian aid in 2021, the Indian government gifted 2,000 tonnes of rice to Syria. During the Covid-19 pandemic, India sent 10 tonnes of medicines to Syria. This was the largest medical assistance from any country to Syria during the pandemic. India has been monitoring the situation in Syria since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. At the time, India evacuated 77 Indian nationals from Syria. 'We hope that the new constitution, due to be drafted, takes into account the interests of all the sections of the Syrian society,' the external affairs ministry said in a statement around the time of the change of government. In January, al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda commander who went by the name Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, became president of the provisional government. People familiar with the matter said the outreach to Damascus was influenced by Syria's strategic location in West Asia – the country shares borders with five key regional actors, Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel and Lebanon – and the long-standing ties between the two sides. The outreach also follows the US decision to end sanctions on Syria after a meeting between al-Sharaa and President Donald Trump in May.
Broadcast Pro
2 days ago
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Salam and Syrian Ministry of Communications sign MoU
The agreement aims to develop Syrias digital infrastructure and expand access to high-quality telecommunications services. As part of the Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum held in Damascus under the patronage of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Etihad Salam Telecom Company (Salam) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Syrias Ministry of Communications and Technology. The agreement aims to accelerate the development of the country's digital infrastructure and expand access to high-quality telecommunications services. The MoU sets out a collaborative plan to explore the establishment of IP Points of Presence (IP Nodes PoPs) in both Damascus and Aleppo. These infrastructure nodes will allow Salam to deliver highly reliable local and international Tier-1 connectivity, supporting Syrias ambitions for digital transformation and broader technological advancement. Salams involvement in the forum reflects its commitment to enhancing regional knowledge-sharing and applying global best practices across the telecommunications and ICT sectors. Since its founding in 2005, the company has built a strong reputation for innovation and leadership in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East. Speaking at the forum, His Excellency Eng. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih highlighted the collaborative efforts between Saudi Arabia and Syria in telecommunications and ICT. He also extended his gratitude to His Excellency Abdulsalam Haykal, Minister of Communications and Technology in Syria, for maintaining close dialogue with Saudi companies. He stated: 'Our joint efforts aim to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities and develop advanced systems in programming, artificial intelligence, data centres, and educational academies in Syria. The estimated value of these investment agreements is approximately SAR 4bn.' Abdullah AlRufaidi, Vice President of Wholesale and Carrier Relations at Salam, commented: 'Our participation in the forum reflects Salams commitment to advancing regional cooperation, innovation, and digital transformation. By drawing on our successful business model in Saudi Arabia, we aim to deliver scalable, reliable telecom services that empower Syrias digital infrastructure and economic growth.' This initiative aligns with the Kingdom's broader vision to promote regional digital integration, enhance infrastructure readiness and drive sustainable technological advancement through impactful partnerships. It reflects the leadership's commitment to fostering deeper cooperation with the Syrian Arab Republic, advancing strategic collaborations in technology and economics, and building a foundation for stronger bilateral ties based on innovation and shared development.
