Latest news with #Al-Shaara
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First Post
6 days ago
- General
- First Post
Trump allows new Syrian govt to recruit foreign jihadists in military
US President Donald Trump has approved Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa's plan to recruit foreign jihadists in Syria's reconstituted military, according to Thomas Barrack, the US Special Envoy to Syria. read more Syrian anti-regime forces celebrate as they pour into the captured central-west city of Hama on December 6, 2024, in the offensive against then-Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad. (Photo: AFP) US President Donald Trump has approved Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa's plan to recruit foreign jihadists in the country's reconstituted military. For over a decade, as a civil war raged in Syria, thousands of jihadists from West Asia, Central Asia, and elsewhere flocked to Syria where they joined a host of groups. Many of them joined groups fighting against Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad's regime — including Al-Shaara's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Al-Shaara himself has jihadist roots and was previously part of Isis before joining HTS when it functioned as the Syrian branch of Al Qaeda. He announced HTS' separation from Al-Qaeda in 2016 and has since pitched the group as a political movement opposed to the Assad dynasty instead of a jihadist outfit. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ALSO READ: Beyond Pakistan: Trump's open embrace of jihadist forces across Asia a new headache for India Even as there are concerns among Western governments about Al-Shaara's government's jihadist character, Trump has announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria and has now approved the recruitment of foreign jihadists in the country's military. Thousands of foreign jihadists to join Syrian military Thomas Barrack, the US Special Envoy to Syria, has told Reuters that the Trump administration has reached an understanding with Al-Sharaa about the recruitment of foreign jihadists in the country's military. Barrack said, 'I would say there is an understanding, with transparency.' Barrack further said that it was better to keep these jihadists, many of whom are 'very loyal' to Al-Sharaa's government, within Syria's new structures than excluding them. ALSO READ: Syria's rebel-in-chief wants to be a politician, not a rebel Three Syrian defence officials have told the news agency that there are around 3,500 foreign jihadists in Syria affiliated with the HTS. They comprise mainly Uyghurs from China and neighbouring countries. Official said that these jihadists would join a newly-formed unit, the 84th Syrian Army Division. The formation would also include Syrians. The news agency reported that Barrack has echoed the same reasoning as that of Al-Sharaa's government. Two sources close to the Syrian defence ministry told the news agency that Al-Sharaa and his circle believe that bringing foreign jihadists into the reconstituted military would be less of a security risk than abandoning them which could drive them into joining groups like Al-Qaeda or Isis.
Al Manar
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Israeli Air Raids Target Border Area between Lebanon and Syria
The Israeli enemy continued on Monday violating the Lebanese sovereignty and the ceasefire in South Lebanon based on the UN Resolution 1701, carrying out more attacks and air raids. In this regard, Al-Manar correspondent indicated that an Israeli raid targeted Lebanon's border area with Syria in the eastern mountain range, while a previous air raid struck Al-Shaara in the same area. An Israeli drone had earlier targeted an open area in Aitaroun town, South Lebanon, with three missiles. No casualties were recorded. A Zionist helicopter flew over Teir Harfa, targeting prefabricated houses in the Southern town. All those violations take place amid the silence of the ceasefire monitor committee, the sponsor states, and the international community about the Israeli insistence in its criminal approach.
