Latest news with #Alawites
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Islamic State group claims first attack on new Syria forces since fall of Assad regime
The Islamic State group on Thursday claimed responsibility for what seems to be its first attack on Syria's new government forces, two war monitors have reported. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that one person was killed and three wounded by a remote control landmine on Wednesday. The Islamic State (IS) group on Thursday claimed its first attack on Syria's new government forces since the fall of longtime Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, two war monitors said. In a statement picked up by SITE Intelligence Group, IS said it had planted an "explosive device" on a Syrian forces' vehicle in the southern province of Sweida. SITE and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said it was the first IS-claimed attack on Syria's new government. SOHR said that one person was killed and three members of the Syrian army's 70th division were injured when a patrol was hit by a remote control landmine on Wednesday. The man killed was accompanying the Syrian government forces in the desert area, according to SOHR. Once in control of large swathes of Syria and Iraq, IS was territorially defeated in Syria in 2019 largely due to the efforts of Kurdish-led forces supported by an international coalition. It has maintained a presence mainly in the country's vast desert. (FRANCE 24 with AFP and AP) Read more on FRANCE 24 EnglishRead also:In Damascus, US envoy inks $7 billion energy deal, calls for Israel-Syria peace pactEU sanctions Syrian militia groups over ethnic violence targeting Alawites
2 days ago
- Politics
EU lifts most Syria sanctions but slaps new ones on alleged culprits in attacks on Alawite civilians
PARIS -- The European Union lifted a wide range of sanctions on Syria on Wednesday, but slapped new ones on people and groups it says participated on attacks on civilians during a wave of violence in the Syrian coastal region in March. The move lifted most sanctions that had been imposed on the country, including on its financial system, while keeping them in place on individuals and organizations in Syria it says violated human rights or for 'security grounds,' like the extended family of former President Bashar Assad or its chemical weapons program, according to the text of the European Council on the decision. The EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas had announced plans to lift the sanctions last week. She said the move was 'conditional' and that sanctions could be resumed if the new government of Ahmad al-Sharaa - a former rebel commander who led the charge that unseated former President Bashar Assad in December - doesn't keep the peace. Kallas said in a statement Wednesday that removing sanctions 'is simply the right thing to do, at this historic time, for the EU to genuinely support Syria's recovery and a political transition that fulfils the aspirations of all Syrians.' Wednesday's decision slapped 'restrictive measures' on two people and three armed groups that were accused of 'targeting civilians and especially the Alawite community' - referring to the religious minority to which Assad belongs - during violence in March on the coast and of torture and 'arbitrary killings of civilians.' Clashes erupted at the time after a group of Assad loyalists attacked security forces near the coastal city of Latakia. Rights groups reported widespread revenge killings as militants from Syria's Sunni majority - some of them officially affiliated with the new government's security forces - targeted Alawites, regardless of whether they were involved in the insurgency. Hundreds of civilians were killed. The new government in Damascus has promised to hold perpetrators accountable, but a body formed to investigate the violence has yet to release its findings. While there have not been large-scale attacks on Alawites since March, members of the community remain fearful and say that individual incidents of kidnappings and killing continue to take place. The two people targeted by the new sanctions are Mohammad Hussein al-Jasim, leader of the Sultan Suleiman Shah Brigade, and Sayf Boulad Abu Bakr, leader of the Hamza Division, both armed groups that the EU said had taken part in the attacks. The militias were also slapped with new sanctions, as was another armed group, the Sultan Murad Division. The lifting of the broader sanctions on Syria comes days after the United States granted Syria sweeping exemptions from sanctions in a first step toward fulfilling President Donald Trump's pledge to lift a half-century of penalties on a country shattered by 13 years of civil war. A measure by the U.S. State Department waived for six months a tough set of sanctions imposed by Congress in 2019. The easing of sanctions removes one of the major barriers to reconstruction of the country, which the United Nations in 2017 estimated would cost at least $250 billion. Some experts now say that number could reach at least $400 billion. The United Nations estimates that 90% of Syrians live in poverty and state-supplied electricity comes as little as two hours every day. ———— Sewell reported from Beirut.
Euronews
2 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
EU slaps sanctions on alleged culprits of attacks on Syria's Alawites
The European Union has lifted a wide range of sanctions on Syria but slapped new ones on people and groups it says participated in attacks on civilians during a wave of violence in the coastal region in March. The move removed most sanctions that had been imposed on the country, including on its financial system. But sanctions remain in place on individuals and organisations the EU says violated human rights or for "security grounds." That includes the extended family of former President Bashar al-Assad or the country's chemical weapons programme, according to the text of the European Council on the decision. The EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas had announced plans to lift the sanctions last week. She said the move was "conditional" and that sanctions could be resumed if the new government of Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former rebel commander who led the charge that ousted al-Assad in December, doesn't keep the peace. Kallas said in a statement that removing sanctions "is simply the right thing to do, at this historic time, for the EU to genuinely support Syria's recovery and a political transition that fulfils the aspirations of all Syrians." But Wednesday's decision also slapped "restrictive measures" on two people and three armed groups accused of "targeting civilians and especially the Alawite community." That referred to the religious minority to which al-Assad belongs, during violence in March on the coast and of torture and "arbitrary killings of civilians." The two people targeted by the new sanctions are Mohammad Hussein al-Jasim, leader of the Sultan Suleiman Shah Brigade and Sayf Boulad Abu Bakr, leader of the Hamza Division, both armed groups that the EU said had taken part in the attacks. The militias were also slapped with new sanctions, as was another armed group, the Sultan Murad Division. Clashes erupted after a group of al-Assad loyalists attacked security forces near the coastal city of Latakia. Rights groups reported widespread revenge killings as militants from Syria's Sunni majority, some of them officially affiliated with the new government's security forces, targeted Alawites, regardless of whether they were involved in the insurgency. Hundreds of civilians were killed in the clashes. The new government in Damascus has promised to hold perpetrators accountable, but a body formed to investigate the violence has yet to release its findings. While there have not been large-scale attacks on Alawites since March, members of the community remain fearful and say that individual incidents of kidnappings and killing continue to take place. Since seizing power, al-Sharaa's government has struggled to weld a patchwork of undisciplined former rebel factions together into a national army. The lifting of the broader sanctions on Syria comes days after the United States granted Syria sweeping exemptions from sanctions in a first step toward fulfilling President Donald Trump's pledge to lift a half-century of penalties on a country shattered by 13 years of civil war. A measure by the US State Department waived for six months a tough set of sanctions imposed by Congress in 2019. The easing of sanctions removes one of the major barriers to reconstruction of the country, which the United Nations in 2017 estimated would cost at least $250 billion (€221 billion). Some experts now say that number could reach at least $400 billion (€354 billion). The United Nations estimates that 90% of Syrians live in poverty and state-supplied electricity comes as little as two hours per day.
Mint
2 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
After Donald Trump, European Union also lifts sanctions on Syria—but with conditions
European Union (EU) announced on Wednesday the lifting of a broad range of economic sanctions previously imposed on war-torn Syria. This move follows closely on the heels of similar sanctions relief granted by the United States under former President Donald Trump. However, the EU's decision comes with caveats, as Brussels simultaneously imposed new sanctions on individuals and armed groups accused of involvement in violent attacks on civilians during recent unrest in Syria's coastal region. The riders set by EU for lifting sanctions on Syria cited human rights violation or 'security grounds,' like the extended family of former Syrian President Bashar Assad or its chemical weapons program, according to the text of the European Council on the decision. European Union's decision slapped 'restrictive measures' on two people and three armed groups that were accused of 'targeting civilians and especially the Alawite community' - referring to the religious minority to which Bashar al-Assad belongs - during violence in March on the coast and of torture and 'arbitrary killings of civilians.' The Alawites are a minority ethnoreligious group primarily residing along Syria's Mediterranean coast, particularly in the Latakia and Tartus regions, as well as in parts of Homs, Hama, and Damascus. Making up roughly 10 to 13 per cent of Syria's population, the Alawites follow a distinct sect of Islam with roots in early Shia traditions, incorporating elements from various religious beliefs. Historically marginalized under Sunni-dominated rule, their social and political status dramatically changed when Hafez al-Assad, an Alawite, assumed power in 1970, leading to the community's dominance in Syria's military, intelligence, and political elite. The Assad family, including Bashar al-Assad, belongs to this community, which has often been portrayed as a protector of Syria's minorities. Earlier this month, Donald Trump surprised many by announcing a sweeping easing of US sanctions on Syria, a country devastated by more than a decade of civil war. At the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Riyadh, Trump declared he was 'ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria to give them a fresh start,' describing the sanctions as 'really crippling' and 'very powerful.' The US Treasury Department swiftly followed with General License 25 (GL 25), effectively suspending many of the sanctions that had restricted business and investment in Syria since 2011. The US State Department also issued a 180-day waiver under the Caesar Act, enabling investments in vital sectors such as electricity, energy, water, and sanitation. The EU's decision to lift sanctions comes in the wake of profound political changes in Syria. On 8 December 2024, Bashar al-Assad regime, which had ruled Syria with an iron fist for over 13 years, was overthrown following a prolonged and brutal civil war. Assad's departure to Russia marked a historic turning point for the Syrian people, who endured widespread repression, chemical attacks, and mass displacement during his rule. In the power vacuum that followed, Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former rebel commander who led the offensive that unseated Assad, was appointed as the transitional president. Al-Sharaa's government has pledged to pursue political transition and national reconciliation, while also promising to hold those responsible for recent violence accountable. However, the situation remains fragile. In March 2025, intense clashes erupted in Syria's coastal region, particularly around Latakia, where armed groups loyal to Assad launched attacks against security forces. These confrontations triggered retaliatory violence targeting the Alawite minority community, to which Assad belonged. Human rights organisations reported widespread abuses, including torture and arbitrary killings, prompting the EU to impose new sanctions on specific militia groups and their leaders implicated in these attacks. The EU's removal of most economic sanctions signals a cautious but hopeful step towards Syria's recovery. It lifts restrictions on the country's financial system and broader economy, potentially paving the way for increased trade, investment, and reconstruction efforts. Yet, the EU has retained sanctions against individuals and entities linked to human rights violations, security threats, or the former Assad regime's inner circle, including those involved in chemical weapons programmes. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasised the conditional nature of this move, stating that sanctions could be reinstated if the new Assad government in Syria fails to maintain peace and uphold human rights. Kallas described the decision as 'simply the right thing to do, at this historic time, for the EU to genuinely support Syria's recovery and a political transition that fulfils the aspirations of all Syrians.' Kallas described the move as 'the right thing to do' to support Syria's recovery and political transition. With over 90% of Syrians living in poverty and electricity supply limited to just a few hours daily, easing sanctions is a crucial step toward rebuilding the country. The easing of sanctions removes one of the major barriers to reconstruction of Syria, which the United Nations in 2017 estimated would cost at least $250 billion. Some experts, quoted by AFP, now say that number could reach at least $400 billion.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
EU lifts most Syria sanctions but slaps new ones on alleged culprits in attacks on Alawite civilians
PARIS (AP) — The European Union lifted a wide range of sanctions on Syria on Wednesday, but slapped new ones on people and groups it says participated in attacks on civilians during a wave of violence in the Syrian coastal region in March. The move lifted most sanctions that had been imposed on the country, including on its financial system, while keeping them in place on individuals and organizations in Syria it says violated human rights or for 'security grounds,' like the extended family of former President Bashar Assad or its chemical weapons program, according to the text of the European Council on the decision. The EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas had announced plans to lift the sanctions last week. She said the move was 'conditional' and that sanctions could be resumed if the new government of Ahmad al-Sharaa - a former rebel commander who led the charge that unseated Assad in December - doesn't keep the peace. Kallas said in a statement Wednesday that removing sanctions 'is simply the right thing to do, at this historic time, for the EU to genuinely support Syria's recovery and a political transition that fulfils the aspirations of all Syrians.' Wednesday's decision slapped 'restrictive measures' on two people and three armed groups that were accused of 'targeting civilians and especially the Alawite community' - referring to the religious minority to which Assad belongs - during violence in March on the coast and of torture and 'arbitrary killings of civilians.' Clashes erupted at the time after a group of Assad loyalists attacked security forces near the coastal city of Latakia. Rights groups reported widespread revenge killings as militants from Syria's Sunni majority - some of them officially affiliated with the new government's security forces - targeted Alawites, regardless of whether they were involved in the insurgency. Hundreds of civilians were killed. The new government in Damascus has promised to hold perpetrators accountable, but a body formed to investigate the violence has yet to release its findings. While there have not been large-scale attacks on Alawites since March, members of the community remain fearful and say that individual incidents of kidnappings and killing continue to take place. The two people targeted by the new sanctions are Mohammad Hussein al-Jasim, leader of the Sultan Suleiman Shah Brigade, and Sayf Boulad Abu Bakr, leader of the Hamza Division, both armed groups that the EU said had taken part in the attacks. The militias were also slapped with new sanctions, as was another armed group, the Sultan Murad Division. Since seizing power, al-Sharaa's government has struggled to weld a patchwork of undisciplined former rebel factions together into a national army. The lifting of the broader sanctions on Syria comes days after the United States granted Syria sweeping exemptions from sanctions in a first step toward fulfilling President Donald Trump's pledge to lift a half-century of penalties on a country shattered by 13 years of civil war. A measure by the U.S. State Department waived for six months a tough set of sanctions imposed by Congress in 2019. The easing of sanctions removes one of the major barriers to reconstruction of the country, which the United Nations in 2017 estimated would cost at least $250 billion. Some experts now say that number could reach at least $400 billion. The United Nations estimates that 90% of Syrians live in poverty and state-supplied electricity comes as little as two hours every day. ———— Sewell reported from Beirut.
