Latest news with #Asaadal-Shibani
Roya News
an hour ago
- Politics
- Roya News
Syrian, "Israeli" ministers to hold second meeting in Baku: Sources
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and "Israeli" Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer are scheduled to hold a second round of talks in Baku on Thursday, a diplomatic source told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Wednesday. According to the source, the meeting will focus on 'security issues, particularly in southern Syria,' and will come ahead of al-Shibani's visit to Moscow, also planned for Thursday. This meeting follows an unprecedented round of US-brokered talks in Paris last week between the two ministers. A senior diplomatic source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the talks were facilitated by an American envoy. Tensions have been escalating in southern Syria since July 13, when clashes erupted in the Druze-majority province of Suwayda between local armed groups and Bedouin fighters. The violence quickly intensified, drawing in government forces and tribal militias. During the unrest, "Israel" launched airstrikes targeting government sites in Damascus and military positions in Suwayda. The American envoy and Syrian foreign minister are also expected to meet with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot in Paris on Friday morning, according to a French Foreign Ministry source. Since the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad in December, Syria's transitional government has stated that it seeks to avoid conflicts with neighboring countries. A previous Syrian-"Israeli" meeting reportedly took place in Baku on July 12, on the sidelines of a visit by Syria's transitional president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, to Azerbaijan, according to a diplomatic source in Damascus familiar with the discussions.
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Syria's FM heads to Moscow in first post-Assad visit
Shafaq News – Damascus Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani will visit Moscow for the first time since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad's regime, a Russian media outlet revealed on Wednesday. Syrian sources told Russia Today that al-Shibani is expected to meet several senior Russian officials during the visit, though it remains unclear whether a meeting with President Vladimir Putin is on the agenda. Following the collapse of the al-Assad government, Russia's Foreign Ministry announced that 'al-Assad left Syria and ordered a peaceful transfer of power,' adding that al-Assad and his family had arrived in Moscow, where they were granted asylum on humanitarian grounds. At the time, while initial signs suggested limited Russian troop withdrawals, Moscow has maintained control over its key strategic assets, including the Hmeimim airbase and the Tartus naval facility. The new Syrian leadership has expressed interest in preserving strategic ties, prompting Russia to engage through renewed diplomatic channels.
Shafaq News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
New truce violation in Suwayda
Armed groups from local tribes attacked Syrian government checkpoints in southeastern Suwayda on Friday, resulting in injuries on both sides, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The incident marks a fresh security breach and comes just hours after Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani met in Paris with Israeli Security Minister and US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack. Earlier, Sources familiar with the talks told Shafaq News that the meeting aimed to explore new arrangements for stabilizing southern Syria, particularly Suwayda. According to those sources, the parties reached preliminary understandings that included maintaining a ceasefire between tribal factions and government forces, halting all armed movements against the Syrian army, and establishing a joint security coordination mechanism to prevent extremist elements from infiltrating through Suwayda toward the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Meanwhile, Local sources told Shafaq News that rising tensions continue in several villages, with concerns mounting over the potential for wider clashes unless tribal and official mediation efforts succeed in containing the situation.
Shafaq News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Syria stability: US, France, Syria unveil joint roadmap
Shafaq News – Paris Syria, France, and the United States announced on Friday a joint roadmap to stabilize Syria following a high-level trilateral meeting held in Paris. The meeting brought together Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, and US Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack. According to a joint statement, the three parties agreed on the urgent need to engage in substantive efforts to advance the political transition process in Syria, 'in a way that ensures the country's unity, stability, and full sovereignty.' Emphasizing a shared commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and enhancing the capacity of Syria's official institutions to respond to current security challenges, the statement expressed support for the Syrian government in leading the transition process, 'in line with national interests and efforts to strengthen social cohesion, particularly in areas where the social fabric is fragile, such as northeastern Syria and Suwayda province.' The statement also confirmed an agreement to hold a round of consultations between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Paris 'as soon as possible,' aimed at fully implementing the provisions of the March 10 agreement. The three countries further expressed full support for accountability efforts targeting perpetrators of violence and violations, welcoming 'transparent reports issued by independent bodies, particularly the latest report by the National Independent Committee tasked with investigating the events in Syria's coastal region.' Stressing the importance of 'neighboring countries refraining from posing any threat to Syria's stability,' the statement vowed Syria's commitment to 'not undermining the security of its neighbors,' to maintain regional stability and balance.
Shafaq News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Damascus–SDF talks postponed: Disputes deepening
Shafaq News – Damascus A planned meeting in Paris between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has been postponed indefinitely amid escalating disagreements, sources told Shafaq News on Thursday. Originally scheduled for July 25, the meeting was expected to bring together SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, and delegations from both sides, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and US Special Envoy Tom Barrack. Sources said Damascus withdrew over what it described as 'non-negotiable demands' by the SDF—namely its refusal to disarm or join the Syrian army as an independent entity. Syrian state-affiliated media cited a government source reaffirming Damascus' position. 'The Syrian state will not accept any rhetoric based on threats or preconditions that violate the unity of the state and its sovereign institutions,' the source said. The government emphasized that dialogue must proceed 'under the banner of national unity and without foreign interference,' firmly rejecting the existence of parallel armed structures. It also denounced attempts to exploit recent unrest in Suwayda or coastal regions to challenge state legitimacy. Behind the scenes, Turkish pressure is also believed to have played a role in Damascus' decision, with Ankara reportedly opposing EU or US mediation with Kurdish-led factions. Meanwhile, in a televised interview, SDF Media Head Farhad Shami declared, 'Disarmament is a red line,' stressing that the SDF engages with Damascus as a "peer, not a subordinate." Shami added that Barrack had requested SDF assistance in calming tensions in Suwayda and hinted at expanded anti-ISIS operations in coordination with the Global Coalition, including areas outside SDF control. Earlier, a senior Syrian Kurdish official told Shafaq News that last month's meetings in Damascus stalled due to the regime's rejection of any decentralized or federal model. The SDF also objected to the government's draft constitutional declaration, calling for amendments to ensure Kurdish representation, political pluralism, and civil rights. Back in March, transitional Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi signed a preliminary agreement to integrate northeast Syria's civil and military institutions into the Syrian state. The deal recognized Kurds as an essential component of Syria and promised protections for their constitutional rights.
