Latest news with #Asaad
Kuwait Times
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Zionist ground troops conduct raids in Syria
JERUSALEM: Zionist military said Sunday ground troops had operated in southern Syria, seizing weapons and questioning individuals suspected of arms trafficking, in the latest cross-border raid since the fall of Bashar Al-Assad in December. A military statement said that troops had completed overnight 'a mission involving on-site questioning of several suspects involved in weapons trafficking in the Hader area in southern Syria', near the annexed Golan Heights. 'Troops entered four locations simultaneously and located numerous weapons that the suspects had been trafficking,' the statement said. Footage released by the military showed uniformed Zionist troops in armored vehicles and on foot operating at night. A Zionist army division remains 'deployed in the area, continuing to operate and prevent the entrenchment of any terrorist elements in Syria, with the aim of protecting civilians, and in particular, the residents of the Golan Heights', the military said. As an Islamist-led offensive late last year toppled Syrian president Assad, Zionist entity deployed troops to the UN-patrolled buffer zone on the Golan Heights which has separated Zionist and Syrian forces following their 1973 war. In July, Zionists bombed Syrian government forces in the capital Damascus and in Sweida province to force their withdrawal from the southern region amid a wave of sectarian violence. Zionist entity said it was acting in defense of the Druze community, but some diplomats and analysts say its goal is to weaken the Syrian military and keep the forces of the new government away from the frontier. Zionist entity launched hundreds of strikes on military sites following Asaad's overthrow in December, saying at the time it wanted to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of the new authorities it considers jihadists. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded the demilitarization of southern Syria. In another development, renewed sectarian clashes in southern Syria's Druze-majority Sweida province killed at least four people on Sunday, a war monitor said, as Damascus accused local groups of violating last month's ceasefire. The province witnessed deadly clashes between Druze fighters and Sunni Bedouins in July that drew the intervention of government forces and tribal fighters who came to support the Bedouins. A ceasefire put an end to the week of bloodshed - which killed 1,400 people, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights - but the situation remained tense, flaring into violence again on Sunday. The Observatory said three Syrian security forces personnel were killed 'as clashes erupted with local factions around Tal Hadid in the western Sweida countryside'. The Observatory also reported the death of a 'local fighter'. Tal Hadid, controlled by government security forces, is a 'key control point' at a relatively high altitude, according to the monitor, allowing whoever holds it to overlook neighboring areas. Fighting also erupted around the city of Thaala, the Observatory said, 'following bombardment of the area with shells and heavy weapons launched from areas under the control of government forces, while the sound of explosions and gunfire was heard in various parts of Sweida city'. Syrian state-run news agency SANA accused Druze groups loyal to influential spiritual leader Hikmat Al-Hijri of breaching the ceasefire by attacking government troops in Tal Hadid, killing one security forces officer and injuring others. In a statement, the Syrian interior ministry accused local groups of 'launching treacherous attacks against internal security forces in several locations and striking some villages with rockets and mortars, resulting in the killing and wounding of a number of security personnel'. A security source told Syrian state television that government forces regained control of Tal Hadid and other areas that were attacked on Sunday. 'Force inhabitants to comply' According to the monitor and Sweida locals, Damascus has been imposing a siege on the province, with the Observatory saying the government wants to 'force inhabitants to comply'. On Friday, Sweida residents held protests across the province to demand the withdrawal of government forces and the opening of an aid corridor from neighboring Jordan. The road linking Sweida to Damascus has been cut off since July 20. Damascus accuses Druze groups of cutting it, but the Observatory says armed groups allied with the government took control of the area and have been blocking travel. The United Nations was able to send some aid convoys to the province, but an interior ministry source told Syrian state television on Sunday that the humanitarian corridor was temporarily closed 'until the area is secured after outlaw groups violated the ceasefire'. Syria's minority communities have expressed concerns for their safety since December, when an Islamist-led offensive toppled longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, who had presented himself as a protector of minorities. While the new Syrian authorities have repeatedly stated their intent to protect all of the country's ethnic and religious groups, the killing of more than 1,700 mostly Alawite civilians along the coast in March and the violence in Sweida have raised doubts about their ability to manage sectarian tensions. The government has said it will investigate July's violence in Sweida, and a committee in charge of the inquiry held its first meeting on Saturday.- AFP
Business Recorder
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Israel says ground troops conducted raids in Syria
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Israel's military said Sunday ground troops had operated in southern Syria, seizing weapons and questioning individuals suspected of arms trafficking, in the latest cross-border raid since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December. A military statement said that troops had completed overnight 'a mission involving on-site questioning of several suspects involved in weapons trafficking in the Hader area in southern Syria', near the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. 'Troops entered four locations simultaneously and located numerous weapons that the suspects had been trafficking,' the statement said. Footage released by the military showed uniformed Israeli troops in armoured vehicles and on foot operating at night. An Israeli army division remains 'deployed in the area, continuing to operate and prevent the entrenchment of any terrorist elements in Syria, with the aim of protecting Israeli civilians, and in particular, the residents of the Golan Heights', the military said. As an Islamist-led offensive late last year toppled Syrian president Assad, Israel deployed troops to the UN-patrolled buffer zone on the Golan Heights which has separated Israeli and Syrian forces following their 1973 war. In July, Israel bombed Syrian government forces in the capital Damascus and in Sweida province to force their withdrawal from the southern region amid a wave of sectarian violence. Israel said it was acting in defence of the Druze community, but some diplomats and analysts say its goal is to weaken the Syrian military and keep the forces of the new government away from the frontier. Israel launched hundreds of strikes on military sites following Asaad's overthrow in December, saying at the time it wanted to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of the new authorities it considers jihadists. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded the demilitarisation of southern Syria.
L'Orient-Le Jour
03-08-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Israel says ground troops conducted raids in Syria
Israel's military said Sunday ground troops had operated in southern Syria, seizing weapons and questioning individuals suspected of arms trafficking, in the latest cross-border raid since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December. A military statement said that troops had completed overnight "a mission involving on-site questioning of several suspects involved in weapons trafficking in the Hader area in southern Syria," near the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. "Troops entered four locations simultaneously and located numerous weapons that the suspects had been trafficking," the statement said. Footage released by the military showed uniformed Israeli troops in armoured vehicles and on foot operating at night. An Israeli army division remains "deployed in the area, continuing to operate and prevent the entrenchment of any terrorist elements in Syria, with the aim of protecting Israeli civilians, and in particular, the residents of the Golan Heights," the military said. As an Islamist-led offensive late last year toppled Syrian President Assad, Israel deployed troops to the U.N.-patrolled buffer zone on the Golan Heights, which has separated Israeli and Syrian forces following their 1973 war. In July, Israel bombed Syrian government forces in the capital Damascus and in Sweida province to force their withdrawal from the southern region amid a wave of sectarian violence. Israel said it was acting in defence of the Druze community, but some diplomats and analysts say its goal is to weaken the Syrian military and keep the forces of the new government away from the frontier. Israel launched hundreds of strikes on military sites following Asaad's overthrow in December, saying at the time it wanted to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of the new authorities it considers jihadists. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded the demilitarization of southern Syria.
Observer
09-07-2025
- Observer
How this inn in Wadi Tiwi is bringing Oman's heritage to life
In the rugged, wind-carved landscape of Wadi Tiwi, a quiet revolution has taken root—one that blends the timeless beauty of Oman's natural world with a deeply personal vision. At the centre of this transformation is Asaad Al-Akhzami, a man driven not just by entrepreneurial ambition, but by a profound connection to the land and its stories. His journey from a corporate titan steeped in global hospitality to a custodian of local heritage reveals a compelling tale of reinvention, rooted in passion, purpose, and a desire to redefine what it truly means to welcome others. How this inn in Wadi Tiwi is bringing Oman's heritage to life Asaad, for many years, thrived in the high-stakes world of a leading international hotel chain, serving as its youngest general manager. He learned the intricacies of offering guest comfort, orchestrating luxury, and managing operations on a grand scale. It was during a rare trip to Wadi Tiwi that everything shifted. The quiet beauty of this secluded valley, with its verdant plantations, ancient falaj water channels, and dramatic mountain backdrops, captivated him in a way no hotel lobby ever had. He found himself wandering through the old, abandoned orchards, struck by their silent resilience and the stories embedded in the soil. The wadi, with its intricate water systems and humble farms, seemed to pulse with history and life—waiting to be rediscovered. How this inn in Wadi Tiwi is bringing Oman's heritage to life Asaad recognised that Wadi Tiwi was more than just a picturesque escape; it embodied the essence of Oman's identity—its history, its connection to nature, its stories that span generations. He saw in the overlooked farm the potential to breathe new life into the old roots, to create something authentic that honour the land. This wasn't about building another luxury retreat with imported décor and cookie-cutter finishes. No, his ambition was far richer: to craft a space where the landscape itself—its soil, water, and traditional crafts—would be the core experience. How this inn in Wadi Tiwi is bringing Oman's heritage to life Leaving behind the corporate world, Asaad embarked on a journey that was as much about personal rediscovery as it was about community transformation. He purchased the small, neglected farm that once supplied Wadi Tiwi with fruits and vegetables, envisioning it not merely as a business, but as a testament to the spirit of Oman. His goal was to preserve and showcase the ingenuity of traditional building methods—local Omani stone, sidr wood, handcrafted touches—imparting a sense of place that fierce modernity often erodes. How this inn in Wadi Tiwi is bringing Oman's heritage to life The challenges were numerous. Infrastructure was minimal, utilities had to be introduced from scratch, and restoring the old farmhouses and gardens required patience and dedication. Asaad didn't seek fast results; instead, he wanted to nurture a genuine sense of place. Every stone laid, every timber chosen, was deliberate—designed to reflect the valley's character and to foster harmony between tradition and modern comfort. It took sometime but when it finally came together, the Nomad Inn in Tiwi was born. How this inn in Wadi Tiwi is bringing Oman's heritage to life Perhaps the most mesmerising element of Asaad's vision was the embrace of Wadi Tiwi's ancient falaj watercourse. Rather than conceal it behind walls, he made it the heart of the inn's design. Guests wake up to the gentle sound of water flowing past their rooms. They walk beside it during the day, sipping coffee in its shade, or drift to sleep listening to its soft murmur at night. Here, the water is not just a utilitarian feature, but a symbol—a reminder of Oman's enduring ingenuity and resilience. How this inn in Wadi Tiwi is bringing Oman's heritage to life The guest experience is crafted carefully to foster connection. Rooms are inspired by traditional mud-built houses, yet equipped with the comforts travellers seek today. Bespoke names and stories are tied to each private retreat, inviting guests to step into the narrative of the valley. The inn also offers traditional breakfast options prepared by local women from Tiwi village, alongside herbal teas by the falaj, guided walks to ancient caves, and workshops demonstrating age-old crafts like date palm weaving. Buoyed by the success of the first project, Asaad is expanding his vision. A second lodge is already taking shape at Hillar Al Hisn, with plans for multiple new units. This expansion isn't just about increasing capacity; it's about deepening the connection between visitors, the land, and the community. Asaad's aim is to create a network of spaces that celebrate the enduring spirit of Oman's heritage—spaces that invite guests to explore, learn, and heal their sense of place. With each new lodge, the core principles remain unchanged: authentic storytelling, sustainable practices, and a heartfelt respect for the environment and its people. Asaad sees his project as a mirror to Oman itself—a country proud of its ancient traditions but also capable of innovative stewardship. His work in Wadi Tiwi reflects a desire to show the world that true luxury isn't defined solely by opulence, but by meaningful engagement with people and place. Guests come seeking more than just a scenic backdrop; they seek stories, connection, and a chance to become part of something larger than themselves.
RNZ News
04-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Weightlifting: 'We've made some big strides in cleaning it up'
Man Asaad of Syria competes in the 102kg category of the Men's Weightlifting at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Photo: Simon Stacpoole / After many years of being under a cloud of suspicion weightlifting's governing body believes it's in a better place, and young Kiwi lifters are hoping to benefit from it in the next few years. For decades the sport internationally was plagued by a doping culture. More than 30 weightlifters who competed at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic games were subsequently disqualified and stripped of their medals. There was also corruption within the world governing body. An investigation by Canadian law professor Richard McLaren released in 2020 said failed doping tests were covered up by the International Weightlifting Federation and that almost $20 million in finances were unaccounted for. Weightlifting New Zealand president Simon Kent, who has just returned from an IWF Congress, believes the sport is now in a far better place. Weightlifting wasn't initially on the LA2028 Olympic programme because of the concerns the IOC had with governance and doping. However last year it was confirmed it would remain on the programme. "A lot of good work has been done in the last four years to clean things up," Kent told RNZ. "There's a real desire now to try and take the sport forward. "We've made some really big strides in cleaning the thing up from a governance and doping standpoint so the next step is to be really innovative and showcase that this is a sport that is exciting to watch." No Olympics would have meant a huge funding cut for weightlifting in New Zealand. David Liti of New Zealand lifts during the Oceania Weightlifting Championships, 2024. Photo: Andrew Skinner/ The second piece of good news came not long after with the announcement that the sport would also be a part of the reduced programme for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Last month New Zealand recorded it's best ever result in a world championships securing five medals at the IWF Junior and Youth World Championships in Peru. Seven athletes took part, six females and one male and Kent believes some of those could put their hands up for Commonwealth Games selection. Olivia Selemaia claimed silver breaking New Zealand and Oceania senior/junior records in the 71kg class. A lifter has to compete in two of four assigned competitions over the next ten months to be eligible and lift a total weight that ranks them in the top eight in the Commonwealth to get to Glasgow. Former Commonwealth Games gold and silver medalist David Liti, along with Selemia shouldn't have any problems achieving that, but Kent is optimistic that at least another four can make the team. He said Glasgow was another great opportunity for them. Weightlifting ticked many of the boxes that made it easy to fit into a reduced games programme. It is indoors, it is strong in the Commonwealth, the host nations do well in it and every session is completed in less than two hours. "We're really stoked that we're one of the ten sports," Kent said. "We're on the programme and we're seeing it as a real opportunity." "It is unfortunate that hockey, rugby sevens and the likes are not there, but this is a chance for weightlifting to really showcase what we're about. "It's only been David (Liti) that has been on the podium at recent Comm Games but a lot of work has gone into developing our juniors so that hopefully we can turn up in Glasgow with a few others." Liti will compete at the Pacific Mini Games in Palau later this month.
