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Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Iran, Hamas, Houthis, Hezbollah Slam Israeli Attacks On Syria; Pledge Support To Syrians Against Israel
Iran and its regional allies — Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis — have strongly condemned Israel's recent military strike in Syria. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called Israel 'predictable' and 'rabid,' accusing it of knowing only the language of aggression. Hamas decried the attack as a blatant violation of international law, while Hezbollah called it cowardly and colonial in nature. Yemen's Houthis said the strike was part of a broader imperialist agenda to dominate the Arab-Islamic world and called for a unified response. The UAE and Turkey also condemned the assault, warning it could destabilize the region and threaten Syria's fragile peace.#IsraelSyria #IranCondemnsIsrael #MiddleEastTensions #Hamas #Hezbollah #Houthis #ArabUnity #SyriaStrike #RegionalCrisis #TurkeyOnIsrael Read More
Arab News
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Syrian president, Lebanon's grand mufti hold ‘frank' talks in Damascus
BEIRUT: Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and Lebanon's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian had an hour-long meeting at the People's Palace in Damascus on Saturday. Derian's visit was the first by a Lebanese Sunni religious leader to Syria in more than 20 years, signaling a thaw in relations between the two nations that had been strained since the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and the start of the Syrian war in 2011. Described as 'frank,' the meeting addressed past estrangements and shared aspirations for renewal. Derian, accompanied by a delegation of religious leaders, including Sheikh Mohammed Assaf, head of the Sunni Shariah courts, emphasized the importance of reconciliation and cooperation. 'After a long absence we come to reform the present and build a prosperous future,' he said, acknowledging the suffering of millions of Syrians and praising their resilience in the face of extremism and displacement. He lauded the Syrian Arab Republic's path toward free elections under Al-Sharaa — the first for more than 60 years — and expressed hope for its revival as a pillar of the Arab world and ability to overcome challenges like the recent Damascus church bombing, which he cited as evidence of ongoing conspiracies. 'Syrians will not be defeated by terrorism,' he said, praising Al-Sharaa's navigation of a 'difficult and arduous' road. Derian underscored a renewed Lebanese-Syrian partnership founded on mutual support and Arab unity, and highlighted the promise of Lebanon's own trajectory under a new government committed to the Taif Agreement. 'The hopes of the Lebanese are pinned on what was contained in the ministerial statement and the presidential oath, which are the beginning of the road to rebuilding a strong and just state, striving to serve all the Lebanese,' he said. 'Lebanon's rise can only be achieved through the efforts of its best and loyal sons, both residents and expatriates, and the support of his Arab brothers and friends.' He said there could be no salvation for Lebanon except through 'sincere and constructive cooperation' with other Arab nations, which he described as the 'guarantee of Lebanon's security, stability, sovereignty, national unity and civilized Arabism which believes in the commitment to the Taif Agreement document … sponsored by Saudi Arabia.' As a symbol of the strong ties between Lebanon and Syria, Derian presented Al-Sharaa with the Dar Al-Fatwa Gold Medal. 'We will stand with you in every calamity and joy,' he said. The visit, coordinated with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, began with prayers at the Umayyad Mosque and a stop at Mount Qasioun. In a separate meeting with Syrian Minister of Endowments Mohammed Abu Al-Khair, Derian emphasized Dar Al-Fatwa's role in promoting moderate Islam, citizenship and coexistence amid regional challenges. A Lebanese political observer framed the visit as a pivotal shift, not just religious but political, signaling Lebanese Sunnis' readiness to forge a 'new and normal' relationship with Syria's emerging leadership. The visit underscores Lebanon's reaffirmation of its Arab identity and commitment to moderation, moving beyond decades of tension marked by assassinations and conflict. Hezbollah, through its activists on social media, reacted cautiously to Derian's visit to Damascus and his meeting with Al-Sharaa, with some accusing him of 'stabbing the party in the back.'
Arab News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Iranian Ambassador in Tokyo hails Saudi and Arab support
TOKYO: Iranian Ambassador to Japan, Peiman Seadat, expressed his gratitude for the unified support of Saudi Arabia and other Arab and Muslim countries in their collective effort against the aggression of the Israeli war machine. He stated that this unity among Arab and Muslim nations is a testament to the strength of regional cooperation. In an exclusive interview with Arab News Japan on Wednesday, the Ambassador highlighted that Arab and Muslim countries recognize the seriousness of the aggression by the Israeli regime and the threat it poses to the entire region. Ambassador Seadat recognized the substantial support from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Foreign Minister Prince Farhan. 'We are deeply grateful for the compassionate assistance provided by the Crown Prince to approximately 80,000 Iranian pilgrims who have been stranded in Saudi Arabia. His Highness personally assured us that these pilgrims are being welcomed as guests of the Kingdom. We will always remember the kindness shown to us by our brothers in Saudi Arabia.' The Iranian Ambassador, Seadat, also highlighted the support to Iran by Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman, among others. He also expressed gratitude to the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, for his clear condemnation of Israel's aggressive actions against Iran.
Irish Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Arab states unite in condemnation of Israel's attack
Arab countries have united in condemnation of Israel 's attack on Iranian nuclear and military facilities and personnel. Concerned that Israel's attack could trigger fresh conflict across the already unstable region , Arab leaders with close ties to the West and different degrees of unilateral relations with Israel had no choice but to support Iran . In recent years, Iran's ruling Shia Muslim clerics have ceased efforts to export their 1979 revolution to the region and have cultivated good relations with Sunni Muslim and secular neighbours. 'A war that's been planned for a decade' – why Israel has attacked Iran and what happens next Listen | 21:11 Seeking to assert Arab leadership, Saudi Arabia set the tone on Friday by referring to 'the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran' while condemning 'these heinous attacks'. The kingdom, which has not normalised diplomatic relations with Israel, said that 'the international community and the [UN] Security Council bear a great responsibility to immediately halt this aggression.' READ MORE After six years of estrangement over the Saudi execution of a dissident Saudi Shia cleric, Riyadh restored relations with Tehran in 2023, easing regional tensions. Although it normalised relations with Israel in 2001, the United Arab Emirates was sharply critical of Israel's strikes and stressed the need to 'exercise utmost self-restraint and judgment and to mitigate risks and prevent the expansion of the conflict.' Israel launches strikes on Iran - clip Having negotiated ceasefires in the Gaza war between Hamas and Israel , Qatar's foreign ministry denounced 'the Israeli aggression against Iran [which] forms part of a recurring pattern of aggressive policies that threaten regional peace and stability, and hinders efforts aimed at de-escalation.' The first Arab country to reach peace with Israel, Egypt stated, 'This action jeopardises the wellbeing of the region's peoples and threatens to plunge the entire region into overwhelming chaos.' It added: 'There are no military solutions to the region's crises, but rather that they must be resolved through political and peaceful means.' Jordan, the second Arab country to make peace with Israel, directed its defences to intercept armed Iranian drones fired at Israel, while foreign minister Ayman Safadi posted a strong condemnation of the Israeli attack on X. He reiterated the kingdom's support for the two-state solution, mandating the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel as the 'only framework capable of delivering lasting peace and security for all parties'. The two-state solution is backed by Arab states and Iran but is rejected by Israel. Iraqi prime minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani of Iraq, Iran's sometime ally, condemned Israel's 'military aggression' against Iran and said it threatened 'global security.' The foreign ministry of Lebanon, which signed a ceasefire in Hizbullah's conflict with Israel in November, said Beirut is 'continuing its contacts to spare Lebanon any repercussions from this aggression'. Having brokered five rounds of negotiations between Tehran and Washington on a deal limiting Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for lifting sanctions, Oman stated: 'Israel is responsible for this escalation and its consequences.' There is widespread concern among Arab states that Israel's attacks could end this diplomatic effort.
Arab News
27-05-2025
- General
- Arab News
Arab journalists, lawmakers call for media reform at Dubai summit
DUBAI: Speaking at the Arab Media Summit on Tuesday, prominent Arab journalists and lawmakers — including Emad El-Din Hussein, Paula Yacoubian, and Mohammed Al-Rumaihi — called for urgent media reform to confront growing political fragmentation and foster greater unity across the Arab world. 'Whether we like it or not, the world changed after Oct. 7, 2023,' said Hussein, editor-in-chief of the Egyptian daily Al-Shorouk. 'I am proud to stand with the Arab League, but we are deeply divided.' Hussein spoke during a panel alongside Yacoubian, Lebanese journalist and member of parliament, and Al-Rumaihi, Kuwaiti author and sociology professor. 'For the first time in the Arab world, we're witnessing significant transformation,' said Yacoubian. 'We are beginning to build our own foundation.' While acknowledging developments such as the Syrian Arab Republic's tentative steps toward stabilization, and the formation of a new Lebanese government, the panelists underscored persistent structural challenges across the region. 'The Israeli dream is to divide Syria — so what are Arabs doing in response?' Yacoubian asked, pointing to regional inaction and disunity. Each panelist offered a distinct perspective on the root causes of the Arab world's instability. 'Political Islam and the manipulation of religion remain among the most serious internal conflicts we face,' said Al-Rumaihi. Hussein echoed this sentiment: 'Political Islam is the biggest threat we face today. While many talk about solutions, few are willing to diagnose the real disease.' Despite differing viewpoints, the panelists agreed on one point: media and education must be at the heart of efforts to heal political rifts. 'Arab education is classical,' Al-Rumaihi noted. 'We need to provide an education to give people immunity against anything the media says.' Hussein added: 'Many can't comprehend the evolving language of today's youth. The Arab world remains in the dark, and our leaders are enabling this. Without free media, we cannot survive.'
