Latest news with #Asaadal-Shaibani
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Turkiye: Israeli strikes on Damascus 'act of sabotage'
ISTANBUL: Turkiye on Wednesday condemned Israel's strikes on Syrian army headquarters in Damascus, saying they undermine stability in the war-torn country and must stop. "Israel's attacks on Damascus, following its military interventions in the south of Syria, constitute an act of sabotage against Syria's efforts to secure peace, stability, and security," the foreign ministry said in a statement. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told his Syrian counterpart, Asaad al-Shaibani, that Israel's strikes in southern Syria and Damascus were "alarming", a Turkish diplomatic source said. Israel bombed the Syrian army headquarters in Damascus on Wednesday after warning the government to leave the Druze minority alone in its Sweida heartland. Israel has presented itself as a defender of the Druze, although some analysts say that is a pretext for pursuing its own military goal of keeping Syrian government forces as far from the border as possible.--AFP
Vancouver Sun
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Syria says willing to return to 1974 border deal with Israel
Syria's new governing authority on Friday claimed a willingness to work with the United States to reimplement the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel, which created a U.N.-monitored buffer zone separating the two countries. After a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani expressed Damascus's 'aspiration to cooperate with the United States to return to the 1974 disengagement agreement.' Rubio released a statement saying the two men discussed 'matters of shared concern, including countering terrorism, Iran, Israel-Syria relations and destroying any remnants of the Assad regime's chemical weapons program.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Thomas J. Barrack Jr., U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, told The New York Times on Thursday that Israel and Syria were engaged in 'meaningful' talks to restore calm to their shared border area. On Monday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said that Jerusalem is committed to expanding the Abraham Accords and is 'interested in adding countries such as Syria and Lebanon, our neighbors, to the circle of peace and normalization.' Sa'ar also reaffirmed the Jewish state's positions, emphasizing that 'Israel applied its law to the Golan Heights over 40 years ago. 'In any peace agreement—the Golan will remain part of the State of Israel,' he said. Also on Monday, the United Nations Security Council unanimously renewed the mandate for the peacekeeping mission along the Israel-Syria border. The 15-member council approved a six-month extension for the U.N. Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which was established in conjunction with the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria, forged in the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War. Following the overthrow of the Bashar Assad regime in December by Sunni jihadists, Israel took control of portions of the Syrian side of the Golan Heights. The move was aimed at creating a security buffer to protect Israeli communities from hostile elements operating in the power vacuum. Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir conducted a field tour and situational assessment in Syria on Tuesday, stressing the importance of readiness, particularly in the Golan, which he described as a 'forward defense zone' for Israel. 'We must maintain a high level of alertness and keep our eyes open at all times … carrying out proactive operations to prevent threats. We will strike wherever necessary against any real or emerging danger. We continue to target terrorist organizations, including Hezbollah,' Zamir said. The next day, the IDF announced that troops had apprehended members of an Iranian-backed terrorist cell during an overnight operation in southern Syria. On Sunday, the military said that soldiers operating in the same region had arrested several suspected terrorists during raids on weapons caches. According to the IDF, soldiers from the 210th 'Bashan' Division are actively deployed in southern Syria, with the mission of neutralizing any threat to Israeli citizens. The division's area of operations extends from the summit of Mount Hermon—referred to as its 'crown'—down to the tripoint border where Syria, Jordan and Israel meet. During a visit to the Syrian Hermon in January, Defense Minister Israel Katz declared: 'The IDF will remain at the summit of the Hermon and the security zone indefinitely to ensure the security of the communities of the Golan Heights and the north, as well as all the residents of Israel.' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that he will not permit forces loyal to Syrian leader al-Sharaa to deploy in the area south of Damascus. On June 3, Syrian terrorists fired two rockets at the Israeli side of the Golan Heights. Both projectiles hit open areas, causing no injuries or damage. In response, Katz stated that Jerusalem views al-Sharaa as 'directly responsible for any threat and firing toward the State of Israel,' and warned that a 'full response will come soon.' However, Barrack cautioned that this could take time because new Syrian leader Ahmed al-Shara, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani—a former Al-Qaeda terrorist—could face resistance at home. 'He cannot be seen by his own people as being forced or coerced into the Abraham Accords,' said Barrack, referring to the agreements that normalized Israel's relations with four Arab countries: the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco. 'So, he has to work slowly,' Barrack said of al-Sharaa. During a visit to the Syrian Hermon in January, Defense Minister Israel Katz declared: 'The IDF will remain at the summit of the Hermon and the security zone indefinitely to ensure the security of the communities of the Golan Heights and the north, as well as all the residents of Israel.' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that he will not permit forces loyal to Syrian leader al-Sharaa to deploy in the area south of Damascus. On June 3, Syrian terrorists fired two rockets at the Israeli side of the Golan Heights. Both projectiles hit open areas, causing no injuries or damage. In response, Katz stated that Jerusalem views al-Sharaa as 'directly responsible for any threat and firing toward the State of Israel,' and warned that a 'full response will come soon.' Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Daily Tribune
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Syria ready to work with US to return to 1974 disengagement deal with Israel
Syria said yesterday it was willing to cooperate with the United States to reimplement the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel, which created a UN-patrolled buffer zone separating the two countries' forces. In a statement after a phone call with his US counterpart Marco Rubio, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani expressed Damascus's "aspiration to cooperate with the United States to return to the 1974 disengagement agreement". Washington has been driving diplomatic efforts towards a normalisation deal between Syria and Israel, with envoy Thomas Barrack saying last week that peace between the two was now needed. Speaking to The New York Times, Barrack confirmed this week that Syria and Israel were engaging in "meaningful" US-brokered talks to end their conflict. Following the toppling of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad in December, Israel carried out hundreds of strikes on Syria and deployed its troops into the Golan Heights buffer zone, which the UN considered a violation of the agreement. Israel has also launched hundreds of air strikes on military targets in Syria and carried out incursions deeper into the country's south. Syria's new authorities refrained from responding to the attacks and admitted to holding indirect talks with Israel to reduce tensions.
Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Syria ready to work with US to return to 1974 disengagement deal with Israel
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani raising the new Syrian flag at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in April 2025. DAMASCUS - Syria said on July 4 it was willing to cooperate with the United States to reimplement the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel, which created a UN-patrolled buffer zone separating the two countries' forces. In a statement after a phone call with his US counterpart, Mr Marco Rubio, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani expressed Damascus' 'aspiration to cooperate with the United States to return to the 1974 disengagement agreement'. Washington has been driving diplomatic efforts towards a normalisation deal between Syria and Israel, with envoy Thomas Barrack saying last week that peace between the two was now needed. Speaking to The New York Times, Mr Barrack confirmed this week that Syria and Israel were engaging in 'meaningful' US-brokered talks to end their conflict. Following the toppling of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad in December, Israel carried out hundreds of strikes on Syria and deployed its troops into the Golan Heights buffer zone, which the UN considered a violation of the agreement. Israel has also launched hundreds of air strikes on military targets in Syria and carried out incursions deeper into the country's south. Syria's new authorities refrained from responding to the attacks and admitted to holding indirect talks with Israel to reduce tensions. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore PAP has begun search for new candidates; PM Wong hopes to deploy them earlier ahead of next GE Singapore 20 retired MPs spoke up on many issues in Parliament, helped successors prepare for new role: PM Wong Singapore $3b money laundering case: 9 financial institutions handed $27.45m in MAS penalties over breaches Singapore Banks tighten vigilance and processes following $3b money laundering case Asia JB petrol station shooting: Dead man with bullet wounds dumped at hospital Singapore Trilateral work group formed to address allegations of foreigners illegally taking on platform work Singapore Power distribution system in renewal project may be linked to Bukit Panjang LRT disruption: SMRT Singapore Rise in number of scam e-mails claiming to be from Cardinal William Goh: Catholic Church The two countries have no official diplomatic relations, with Syria not recognising Israel and the two nations technically at war since 1948. 'Iranian threat' Israel conquered around two-thirds of the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, before annexing it in 1981 in a move not recognised by any country other than the United States. A year after the 1973 war, the two reached an agreement on a disengagement line. As part of the deal, an 80km-long United Nations-patrolled buffer zone was created to the east of Israeli-occupied territory, separating it from the Syrian-controlled side. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on June 30 that his country had an 'interest' in normalising ties with Syria and neighbouring Lebanon. He added, however, that the Golan Heights 'will remain part of the State of Israel' under any future peace agreement. Syrian state media reported on July 2 that 'statements concerning signing a peace agreement with the Israeli occupation at this time are considered premature'. During the call with Mr Rubio, Mr Shaibani received a formal invitation 'to visit Washington as soon as possible', according to the foreign ministry's statement. The two men also discussed Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa's participation in the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, which the UN did not confirm. Mr Shaibani previously visited the UN headquarters in New York in April, where he raised Syria's new flag. He and Mr Rubio talked about 'the Iranian threat in Syria', with Damascus expressing 'its growing concern over Iran's attempts to interfere in Syrian affairs, especially following the strikes that recently targeted Tehran', referring to June's Iran-Israel war. Tehran used to enjoy significant political and military influence in Syria and provided key support for Mr Assad during the Syrian civil war that erupted in 2011. AFP
Nahar Net
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Syria says ready to work with US to return to 1974 disengagement deal with Israel
by Naharnet Newsdesk 04 July 2025, 14:45 Syrian foreign minister Asaad al-Shaibani said on Friday that Damascus was willing to cooperate with Washington to reimplement the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel. In a statement following a phone call with his American counterpart Marco Rubio, Shaibani said he expressed Syria's "aspiration to cooperate with the United States to return to the 1974 disengagement agreement". Syria and Israel have technically been in a state of war since 1948.
