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Al Arabiya
a day ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Syria's new phase: Cracks in allied agendas and Russia's cautious return
Syria has entered a new phase. The 'honeymoon' that prevailed since the fall of the regime at the end of last year has ended. Many developments point to this, including: the 'unity conference' in Hasakah east of the Euphrates, the French–Turkish rivalry over the 'Kurdish file,' the Amman talks on the 'Druze file,' and the cautious return of the Russian role. It would not have been possible for the unity conference – hosted by the Autonomous Administration in northeastern Syria – to be held without French support and no American objection, since the military and special forces of both countries are present east of the Euphrates as part of the international coalition. The participation of Druze sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri and the head of the 'Alawite Council' Ghazal Ghazal, through recorded video statements in the conference, cannot be considered a mere coincidence; rather, it marks the beginning of forming an 'alliance of minorities' opposing the position of the government and the 'Sunni majority.' There is thus a push toward a decentralized system in Syria, which was evident in the final statement of the conference supporting the principle of decentralization, the drafting of a new constitution, and the formation of a new army in the country. This trend was reinforced by subsequent steps, as the three main Druze authorities took measures to unify their position: Sheikhs Hammoud al-Hanawi and Yusuf al-Jarbou issued a recorded statement echoing al-Hijri's positions, openly criticizing the government's conduct, calling for an international investigation, and commending the stances of several countries, including Israel. The additional step that followed the 'unity conference' was the start of Jordan and the US arranging a ministerial-level negotiation track in Amman between the government and Druze authorities, with the participation of officials from several countries. In reality, this track reflects a desire to create a regional process to replace the Paris international track in dealing with two complex issues: the Kurdish file and the Druze file. Paris had previously hosted Syrian–Israeli talks to discuss the future of the southern provinces bordering Jordan, where Tel Aviv presented a list of demands that included the withdrawal of all heavy and medium weapons from the south, allowing the establishment of local councils and autonomous administrations in the provinces of Sweida, Daraa, and Quneitra, under Israeli air cover. Paris had also hosted Syrian–American–French talks addressing the Kurdish file and implementing the agreement reached between President Ahmad al-Sharaa and the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, on March 10. All available information indicates that the message delivered by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during his meeting with al-Sharaa in Damascus a few days ago aimed to freeze the Paris track. The 'unity conference' came to reinforce the desire to dismantle the French track, given that Ankara considers Paris 'biased toward the Kurds' while Paris sees Ankara as biased toward al-Sharaa's government. The result was that the Syrian government officially announced it was freezing negotiations with the Kurds in Paris. The French–Turkish rivalry over the Kurds and the Turkish–Israeli rivalry over the Druze file and southern arrangements are indicators of emerging cracks within the 'alliance of allies' of the Syrian government. The months of unified collective support by Arab, regional, and Western states for Damascus's position have ended, and a new phase has begun: the conflict between foreign agendas in Syria. Another development now further complicating the scene is the sign of a Russian return to Syria. The visits to Moscow by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, Defense Minister Marhaf Abu Qasra, and Intelligence Chief Hussein Salama – where they met President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials – mark the beginnings of a new relationship between Damascus and Moscow. This involves key issues: resuming Russian arms supplies to Syria, joint management of the Hmeimim and Tartus bases, economic relations, Russian patrols in various areas of Syria, and the fate of Bashar al-Assad and senior regime officials currently in Moscow. It is most likely that Damascus, which had received 'unlimited Western support' over the past seven months, has begun to see a change in the tone, demands, and actions of Western countries following the events in the coastal region and Sweida, along with the continued Israeli strikes and incursions. It now seeks to reach out to Russia for specific objectives: creating an eastern counterbalance to the West, containing Israeli movements, ensuring stability in Syria's coastal region, and maintaining military balance on the ground by operating Qamishli Airport and conducting patrols in northeastern Syria. Turkey is unlikely to be far from this rapprochement between Moscow and the new Syria. Will the US and European countries allow Russia, already engaged in Ukraine, to return to Syria? Will Damascus accept decentralized administrations? Will coordination between the 'components' move from political to military? How will Damascus respond to the changing landscape, demands, and rhetoric? What will be the nature of the relationship between the militarily involved parties – the US, Turkey, Russia, and Israel?
See - Sada Elbalad
3 days ago
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Syria Withdraws from Paris Talks with Kurds
Israa Farhan The Syrian government has announced it will not take part in any further negotiations with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), including upcoming meetings in Paris, following a major conference hosted by the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration in north-east Syria. Damascus described the gathering as a blow to ongoing dialogue efforts. The conference, held on Friday in the city of Hasakah, featured speeches via video link from Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, a prominent Druze spiritual leader of the town of Sweida, and Sheikh Ghazal al-Ghazal, head of Syria's Alawite Islamic Council. In its closing statement, the meeting called for a comprehensive Syrian national conference that would bring together a broad range of national and democratic forces. In a statement carried by the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the government said the event, which brought together Kurdish figures alongside representatives from the Alawite and Druze minorities, undermined the dialogue process. Damascus stressed that it would not attend any planned meetings in Paris and would refuse to negotiate with any party it sees as attempting to revive what it called the 'era of the former regime' under any pretext. The Syrian government strongly condemned the hosting of what it termed separatist figures involved in hostile actions, labelling the move a clear violation of the 10 March agreement. It held the SDF and its leadership fully responsible for the consequences of this path. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Arts & Culture Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results
Shafaq News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Unity Conference in Northeast Syria calls for decentralized, inclusive governance
Shafaq News – Hasakah (Updated at 15:46) The Unity of Stance Conference for the communities of northern and eastern Syria convened on Friday at the Cultural Center in Al-Hasakah under the slogan 'Together for Diversity that Strengthens Our Unity, and Partnership that Builds Our Future.' More than 400 participants took part, including representatives from the Kurdish-run Autonomous Administration, political, military, and security institutions, and figures from various ethnic and religious communities such as Kurds, Arabs, Syriac-Assyrians, Turkmen, Armenians, and Circassians. Ilham Ahmed, head of the Autonomous Administration's Foreign Relations Department, said political pluralism is vital for building a modern, inclusive Syria. She warned that unilateral approaches would deepen the crisis and stressed the need for full representation of the region's communities in any constitutional or negotiation process, with guarantees for women's rights and active political participation. In a recorded address, Ghazal Ghazal, head of the Supreme Alawite Islamic Council in Syria and the diaspora, called for a civil, secular, pluralistic, and decentralized state. He rejected the idea of a religious government, urging unity against 'extremist' discourse, an end to violence, and the launch of a national reconciliation process to restore trust and turn differences into a source of strength. Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, spiritual leader of the Druze community, voiced support for the conference's goals, describing unity among Syria's communities as a necessary response to years of war and affirming that diversity is a national asset. According to Shafaq News Correspondent, the participants discussed the agreement signed in March between Syrian transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), to integrate all civilian and military institutions of the Autonomous Administration into the Syrian state. They also referred to the recent Kurdish 'Unity of Stance' conference, affirming both as steps toward a broader national consensus." In its final statement, the conference described recent acts of violence in the coastal region, Suwayda, and against Christian communities as 'crimes against humanity,' calling for an impartial and transparent investigation to identify those responsible. It urged the drafting of a democratic constitution that enshrines diversity and establishes a decentralized state guaranteeing genuine participation for all components, and called for a broad Syrian national conference to bring together all national and democratic forces to forge a shared national identity.
Shafaq News
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq repatriates over 800 citizens from Syria's al-Hol camp
Shafaq News – Baghdad/Damascus On Thursday, Iraq repatriated more than 800 of its citizens from Syria's al-Hol camp in the latest phase of a coordinated return effort, according to a senior camp official. Shukri al-Hajji, Head of the camp's Departure Office, told Shafaq News that the group included 233 families totaling 812 people, transferred under heavy protection by the Global Coalition, noting that returns are coordinated between the Iraqi government and the Autonomous Administration in northeast Syria. This marks the 11th repatriation of the year and the 28th since Iraq began retrieving its nationals from the facility in 2021. Earlier waves saw 935 returns in June and 865 in April, bringing the total number of repatriated Iraqis to 15,000. Of those, 10,000 have been reintegrated into their home communities, while around 5,000 remain in rehabilitation programs at al-Jadaa camp near Mosul. Returnees are temporarily housed and processed at al-Jadaa before rejoining society. However, the program has faced opposition in areas like Nineveh, where some residents have raised concerns over the return of families linked to ISIS.
Asharq Al-Awsat
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
SDF Offers Tribes in Syria's Deir Ezzor Role in Talks, Right to Name Governor
Arab tribal leaders, who took part in recent meetings with the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Autonomous Administration in northeast Syria, said they were offered a greater role in governing Deir Ezzor province and a seat at the table in any future talks with the Damascus government, according to tribal sources. The meetings, held at the US-led coalition's base in al-Shaddadi, south of Hasakah, were led by SDF commander Mazloum Abdi and senior officials from the Kurdish-led administration. Discussions centered on the latest international efforts to revive dialogue with Damascus, including Abdi's talks with the French foreign minister and US Syria envoy in Paris, as well as earlier meetings in Amman. At the heart of the discussions was a March 1 agreement between Abdi and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa that envisages integrating the SDF and local governing bodies into Syrian state institutions by the end of the year. Tribal sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that leaders were presented with a proposal consisting of three main elements: first, a formal role for Arab tribes in upcoming negotiations with Damascus; second, a 50% quota for tribal figures from eastern, northern, and western Deir Ezzor - areas under SDF influence - in a newly structured provincial council, with nominees selected in coordination between tribal elders and the SDF. The third clause would give Arab tribes the authority to name the governor of Deir Ezzor, replacing the current system of presidential appointment. In a statement following the meeting, the SDF said Abdi had assured Deir Ezzor residents that local civilian and military bodies would have a say in any future settlement with the Syrian government, emphasizing that the SDF remained the 'guarantor of stability and security' and would continue its mission without hesitation. Abdi also reportedly clarified that the handover of Deir Ezzor's institutions, civilian and military alike, to the government would be limited to those that operated in SDF-controlled areas prior to the fall of the former regime at the end of last year. Similar arrangements would later extend to the cities of Raqqa and Hasakah. According to the sources, Abdi stressed that the SDF had no intention of surrendering territory or dismantling the Autonomous Administration. Instead, any rapprochement with Damascus would be based on mutual understandings and a comprehensive integration process acceptable to both sides. Committees from both the SDF and the administration are expected to meet with government officials in the coming days to push forward with the plan. During the transitional phase, local councils and security agencies under the Autonomous Administration in Deir Ezzor will continue operating normally, with a view to developing a new, participatory administrative system at the provincial level. Observers say Abdi's remarks point to a possible breakthrough in efforts to incorporate the SDF as a unified bloc within the Syrian Ministry of Defense, alongside the integration of administrative institutions into the broader state framework. These understandings remain in their early stages, however, and a final deal is yet to be reached. A planned follow-up meeting in Paris on July 25 between Syrian government officials and an Autonomous Administration delegation was postponed at the request of Damascus, which informed the SDF through the US-led coalition that a new date would be set soon. Meanwhile, for the third consecutive day, unknown gunmen have targeted SDF positions in Deir Ezzor countryside, despite the presence of coalition forces. On Monday, two assailants on a motorcycle fired at an SDF military vehicle near the town of al-Sour in northern Deir Ezzor, causing material damage but no casualties, according to an SDF military source and local residents. A similar attack on Sunday struck an SDF outpost in the nearby village of Ruwaished, leading to a brief exchange of fire but no injuries. On Saturday, the SDF reported one of its fighters was killed and another wounded when gunmen believed to be ISIS sympathizers attacked a vehicle in the village of al-Zar, east of Deir Ezzor.
