Latest news with #Al-Monitor
Ya Libnan
3 days ago
- Business
- Ya Libnan
US envoy warns of assassination risk for Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa
US Ambassador to Türkiye Thomas Barrack (L) shakes hands with Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) during a meeting in Istanbul, Türkiye, May 24, 2025. (Turkish MFA) Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa faces significant risks as he pushes for inclusive governance and engagement with the West, with concerns growing that militant factions may target him for assassination. 'We need to coordinate a protection system around [Sharaa],' Ambassador Tom Barrack told Al-Monitor , highlighting the urgency of safeguarding the fragile new leadership. Barrack, Trump's top envoy for Syria, also warned that delays in economic relief and the integration of foreign fighters could fuel instability and violence in the war-torn country. Following Trump's surprising decision to lift all US sanctions on Syria after meeting Sharaa in Riyadh, Barrack confirmed there are no conditions tied to the relief—only expectations of transparency and reform. The administration seeks to support economic recovery, Kurdish forces' integration, and efforts against ISIS. Sanctions waivers will continue until Congress repeals the Caesar Act, with Trump expected to sign an executive order removing decades of Syria sanctions. Syria faces ongoing challenges from Israel's expanded military presence and control over buffer zones. Sharaa has pledged to honor the 1974 ceasefire and hinted at future normalization with Israel. Barrack hopes both sides maintain a 'silent understanding' to avoid further conflict. Internally, sectarian violence and revenge killings threaten stability, but Barrack credits Sharaa's government with managing these issues under difficult circumstances. TURKEY TODAY
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
US envoy warns of assassination threat to Syria's Al-Sharaa
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, US envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack voiced concern over the safety of Syria's transitional president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, warning that his efforts to promote inclusive governance and build relations with the West could make him a target for assassination by what he described as 'disgruntled militants.' In remarks to Al-Monitor, Barrack called for the establishment of a coordinated protection system around al-Sharaa, underscoring that US and Syrian interests are increasingly aligned. Barrack also highlighted the continuing risk posed by armed factions of foreign fighters who had joined forces with al-Sharaa during the campaign that led to the removal of former president Bashar al-Assad in early December. Although the current leadership is working to integrate these fighters into the national army, he noted they remain susceptible to recruitment by extremist groups, including ISIS. That risk, Barrack added, is part of a broader set of challenges confronting al-Sharaa's administration. These include the integration of Kurdish military units into the national army, the absorption of foreign fighter formations, and the management of extensive detention facilities across northern Syria. Turning to regional dynamics, Barrack voiced cautious optimism that, despite the absence of direct communication, Israel and the new Syrian leadership could reach a tacit understanding, warning that any military escalation at this point would carry severe consequences for all sides.
Shafaq News
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Former Israeli PM calls for direct talks with Syria
Shafaq News/ On Monday, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called on Benjamin Netanyahu's government to open direct communication with Syria's transitional administration. In an interview with Al-Monitor, Olmert stated, 'Achieving short-term calm through security agreements with Damascus is necessary,' while describing a peace treaty with Syria as a 'long-term strategic goal.' He further urged, 'Israel should inform Syrian [transitional] President Ahmed Al-Sharaa of its willingness to engage in dialogue,' suggesting that 'this step could open the door for similar peace talks with Lebanon.' Netanyahu, however, has repeatedly declared, 'Israel will not tolerate the presence of any forces affiliated with the Syrian regime in this region,' emphasizing the need for demilitarization to 'safeguard Israeli security.' Defense Minister Israel Katz reaffirmed this position, warning that Israel will not allow southern Syria to become 'another southern Lebanon.' The leadership of Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who was sworn in as transitional president on January 29, 2025, following the ouster of Bashar Al-Assad, has drawn scrutiny from regional powers, particularly Israel. Katz, for one, dismissed Al-Sharaa as a 'jihadist terrorist of the Al-Qaeda school.' Recent months have seen a surge in hostilities between Israel and Syria, with Israeli forces escalating airstrikes and military operations in southern Syria and Mount Hermon. Between March 10 and 11, Israel carried out 41 airstrikes, marking its largest aerial assault in two months, targeting radar systems, military sites, and weapons depots 'linked to the Syrian Army.'
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Syria's new leaders call for peace after deadly clashes
Syria's interim leader called for peace Sunday after hundreds were allegedly killed in the worst violence the country has seen since the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Loyalists of the deposed president have clashed in recent days with government-affiliated fighters near the Mediterranean coast, the home of Syria's minority Alawite community. The fighting presents a major test for the new government as it tries to unite a diverse and deeply divided country after more than 13 years of civil war. The outbreak could make Kurdish-led forces in Syria more reluctant to disarm, and weaken Western and regional support for Damascus, Al-Monitor wrote: 'The political transition in Syria is at the knife's edge of collapse because of mistrust between armed and organized minority communities that do not trust the [new] regime,' one expert said
Arab News
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Israel now applying its ‘Gaza model' in the West Bank
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict seems to have shifted from Gaza to the West Bank, with little international accountability, even though there are no hostages being held there. While global observers grapple with the ramifications of the US foreign aid suspension and incendiary calls for the forced displacement of 1.5 million Gazans, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has played a pivotal role in delaying ceasefire negotiations. Meanwhile, in the West Bank, Israeli military operations continue to escalate, exacting a devastating toll on Palestinian civilians. In recent weeks, Israeli military forces have intensified their presence in the West Bank, notably through the reoccupation of the Jenin refugee camp. This aggressive strategy mirrors historical patterns, drawing uncomfortable parallels to the policies of Ariel Sharon in the 1970s. Once again, the civilian population bears the brunt of military maneuvers as homes, roads and infrastructure are razed in the name of security. The deployment of massive Caterpillar D9 and D10 bulldozers to demolish homes and widen roads in Jenin is eerily reminiscent of Gaza's long-standing plight. The Israeli military claims these operations target militant strongholds, yet the scale of destruction suggests a broader objective — one that punishes entire communities rather than surgically addressing security threats. The Israeli army reported that its recent incursion in Jenin resulted in 18 Palestinian deaths and 60 arrests, yet it made no mention of the homes that were demolished or the families left homeless. In the town of Tamun, south of Tubas, Israeli airstrikes claimed the lives of 10 Palestinians in what can only be described as a massacre. Elsewhere, the pattern of destruction continued: the Al-Taqwa prayer hall in Sur Baher was demolished under the pretext of lacking a permit, while businesses and homes in Jabal Al-Mukaber suffered a similar fate. The cumulative effect of these actions suggests an insidious strategy — one that seeks to impose the 'Gaza model' on the West Bank, reducing Palestinian cities and refugee camps to rubble. The expansion of Israeli military aggression cannot be separated from the inflammatory rhetoric of far-right Israeli officials Daoud Kuttab The expansion of Israeli military aggression cannot be separated from the inflammatory rhetoric of far-right Israeli officials, such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who openly advocate for the destruction of Palestinian communities. These calls for violence are not empty threats; they translate into real-world policies that systematically strip Palestinians of their homes, rights and dignity. Adnan Dmeiri, a former spokesperson for the Palestinian security forces, articulated the sheer absurdity of Israel's justification for these incursions. Speaking to Al-Monitor, he pointed out that the destruction of essential infrastructure — such as roads, water systems and power grids — serves no military purpose beyond collective punishment. The calculated targeting of civilian spaces under the guise of counterterrorism raises fundamental ethical questions. How can one claim to fight extremism while employing tactics that deepen resentment and suffering? Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture. Abu Fayez, a resident of Jenin, likened the destruction to a second Nakba, a reference to the mass displacement of Palestinians in 1948. His words carry a chilling truth: for many, the loss of a home is not just a material setback — it is the erasure of history, identity and future prospects. Similarly, Maysoun Khanfar, another displaced resident, described the trauma of being forced from her home in the dead of night, watching helplessly as entire neighborhoods were reduced to ashes. The humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and the West Bank demands an immediate response from the international community. Yet, time and again, Palestinian suffering has been met with indifference or, worse, outright complicity. While some global leaders issue hollow condemnations, meaningful action remains elusive. The destruction of mosques, schools and hospitals — protected under international law — should elicit more than mere words of concern. The Palestinian Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs has condemned the targeted destruction of places of worship, emphasizing the cultural and spiritual significance of these sites. Such violations underscore the need for accountability. The international legal framework, including the Geneva Conventions, explicitly prohibits the targeting of civilian infrastructure. Yet, in practice, enforcement is nonexistent when it comes to Israel's actions in the Occupied Territories. Time and again, Palestinian suffering has been met with international indifference or, worse, outright complicity Daoud Kuttab If history has taught us anything, it is that silence emboldens aggressors. The world has watched this crisis unfold for decades, offering only sporadic interventions that fail to address the root causes of Palestinian suffering. Without substantive pressure — both diplomatic and economic — Israel has little incentive to alter its approach. The global community must demand an end to the systematic destruction of Palestinian homes and the relentless cycle of displacement. Beyond the statistics and political maneuvering, it is essential to recognize the human cost of this ongoing violence. The destruction in Tulkarem, Jenin and other West Bank areas is not merely about military strategy, it is about the everyday lives of people who are trying to survive under occupation. Families that once had homes, businesses and places of worship now face an uncertain future, stripped of the most basic of human necessities. For every building reduced to rubble, there is a family left homeless. For every school destroyed, there are children who will struggle to access education. For every act of aggression met with silence, the message is clear: Palestinian lives are deemed expendable in the grand chess game of global geopolitics. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot shift from one occupied area, Gaza, to another, the West Bank including East Jerusalem. A just resolution requires international accountability, a halt to illegal settlements and recognition of Palestinian sovereignty. Sustainable peace cannot be achieved through military might, but rather through genuine dialogue and mutual recognition of rights. • Daoud Kuttab is an award-winning Palestinian journalist and former Ferris Professor of Journalism at Princeton University. He is the author of 'State of Palestine NOW: Practical and logical arguments for the best way to bring peace to the Middle East.' X: @daoudkuttab
