Latest news with #Basharal-Assad
Rudaw Net
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Five Kurdish security forces killed by ISIS in northeast Syria: War monitor
Also in Syria Deadly violence in Suwayda draws UN, Kurdish reactions At least 30 dead in Syria's Suwayda clashes Bedouin, Druze clashes kill 21, injure dozens in south Syria: War monitor Rojava administration reiterates call for 'decentralized' Syria, constitutional overhaul A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Five members of the Kurdish-led internal security forces (Asayish) were killed in northeast Syria (Rojava) in an attack carried out by Islamic State (ISIS) militants, a war monitor reported on Monday, adding that the incident underscores a surge in ISIS activity targeting both civilians and security forces in Kurdish-controlled areas. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the five Asayish members 'were killed in Hasaka province when ISIS cells attacked their security checkpoint on the al-Dashisha road in southern Hasaka countryside. 'The assailants fled to an unknown location,' SOHR added. The UK-based war monitor characterized the attack as part of a broader ISIS campaign aimed at 'reorganizing its ranks and creating a state of chaos.' Since the beginning of 2025, SOHR says it has 'documented 126 ISIS operations' in areas administered by the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES). 'These operations included armed assaults, targeted killings and bombings,' resulting in the deaths of 51 individuals - 34 fighters from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), nine civilians, and eight ISIS members. The US-backed SDF was instrumental in defeating ISIS in 2019 and capturing thousands of the group's fighters. The force continues to operate in coordination with hundreds of US troops as part of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Both the SDF and Asayish are also primarily responsible for securing the Roj and al-Hol camps in Rojava. These camps house thousands of individuals suspected of ISIS ties and are widely viewed as potential breeding grounds for extremist ideology. Since its defeat in 2019, ISIS has been trying to regain its strength, particularly after a coalition of opposition groups led by the now-dissolved Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on December 8 toppled the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. SDF chief Mazloum Abdi has repeatedly warned of the growing threat posed by ISIS. In mid- January, he urged the 'need to intensify efforts to continue the fight against ISIS if we don't want to see it make a comeback.' SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi has consistently warned of the growing ISIS threat. In mid-January, he emphasized 'the urgent need to intensify efforts in the ongoing fight against ISIS, if we don't want to see it make a comeback.'
Scoop
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
World News In Brief: Inter-Ethnic Violence In Syria, Indigenous Peoples' Rights, Global Information Security
14 July 2025 The violence erupted two days after a Druze merchant was abducted on the highway to Damascus. The incident marks the latest episode of sectarian bloodshed in Syria, where fears among minority groups have surged since Islamist rebels toppled former dictator Bashar al-Assad in December and installed a new caretaker Government, which is gaining increasing international recognition. Those targeted include the Druze sect, an offshoot of Shia Islam. UN voices 'deep concern' On Monday, UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Najat Rochdi, expressed 'deep concern' over these reports and urged authorities and stakeholders to 'take immediate steps to protect civilians, restore calm and prevent incitement.' She also underscored the need for inclusion, trust-building and meaningful dialogue to advance a credible and inclusive political transition in Syria. UN human rights chief says 'wisdom' of Indigenous Peoples needed in climate change, digital policy upgrades The UN human rights chief spoke at a high-level political forum on the rights of Indigenous Peoples on Monday. Underscoring how crucial such forums are to advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples, Volker Türk highlighted developments in Colombia, Finland and Guatemala that have given them more self-determination. But despite these advances, violations against Indigenous Peoples' rights continue. Many still lack formal land recognition, while mining activity, deforestation and large-scale agricultural development often cause environmental destruction. Indigenous Peoples also experience immense discrimination and face the brunt of climate chaos, Mr. Türk stressed. Toll on activists Furthermore, data from the human rights office reveals that 26 per cent of rights activists killed in 2023 and 2024 were Indigenous, largely in the Americas. Additionally, states are using AI in ways that harm Indigenous Peoples through surveillance, data exploitation and exclusion from decision-making. Türk thus called for human rights-based approaches that uphold Indigenous data sovereignty and self-determination. The High Commissioner also called for future policies on climate, digital technologies and other areas to 'reflect the wisdom and experience of Indigenous Peoples.' 'This is not only essential to respect and fulfil the human rights of Indigenous Peoples,' he concluded. 'There is growing recognition that the ideas and approaches of Indigenous Peoples hold important lessons for all of us.' Guterres welcomes step forward in securing digital technology worldwide The UN chief Antonio Guterres on Monday, welcomed the adoption by consensus of the UN Open Ended Working Group on Information and Communication Technologies. It was established in 2020 with a five-year mandate to promote regular institutional dialogue and initiatives focused on keeping digital technologies safe and secure. The Secretary-General welcomed the Final Report of 10 July, which summed up the past five years of negotiations, said a statement issued by his Spokesperson. It reflects shared views on current and emerging threats, responsible government policies, international law, norms and efforts such as confidence-building and capacity development. Call for cooperation It also establishes a permanent mechanism to continue discussions about responsible State behaviour in the use of information and communications technologies, which the Secretary General particularly appreciated. 'The Secretary-General now calls upon all States to work together through the Global Mechanism to tackle digital risks and ensure these technologies are leveraged for good,' the statement said. The Secretary General congratulated the group on its accomplishments, saying the consensus adoption 'demonstrates that even in the most challenging international security environment, collective action is still possible.'
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Almost 100 killed as Syria sectarian clashes rage
Syrian government forces were advancing towards the southern city of Sweida on Monday amid clashes in the region between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes that have killed nearly 100 people, according to a war monitor. As the violence escalated, Israel -- which had previously warned that it would intervene in Syria to protect the Druze -- said it struck "several tanks" in the area, citing security concerns. The fighting underscores the challenges facing interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, whose Islamist forces ousted president Bashar al-Assad in December after nearly 14 years of civil war. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor raised its death toll to 99 killed since fighting erupted Sunday, including 60 Druze, four of them civilians, 18 Bedouin fighters, 14 security personnel and seven unidentified people in military uniforms. Syrian forces on Monday took control of the Druze village of Al-Mazraa, where Bedouin fighters were also located, an AFP correspondent said. A commander, Ezzeddine al-Shamayer, told AFP the forces "are heading toward Sweida" city. In a statement, the interior ministry declared that "army and internal security forces have moved closer to the centre" of Sweida. Israel, which has attacked Syria in the past months under the pretext of protecting the Druze, said it hit several tanks heading towards Sweida. The strikes were "a clear warning to the Syrian regime -- we will not allow harm to be done to the Druze in Syria", Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz posted on X. Druze spiritual leaders called for calm and urged Damascus to intervene. But Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, one of the three Druze spiritual leaders in Sweida, expressed his "rejection of the entry" of general security forces into the province, demanding "international protection". Syria's pre-war Druze population was estimated at around 700,000, many of them concentrated in Sweida province. The Druze, followers of an esoteric religion that split from Shiite Islam, are mainly found in Syria, Lebanon and Israel. Following deadly clashes with government forces in April and May, local and religious leaders reached an agreement with Damascus under which Druze fighters have been providing security in the province since May. The streets of Sweida were deserted, with an AFP photographer reporting gunfire during funerals. "We lived in a state of extreme terror -- the shells were falling randomly," said Abu Taym, a 51-year-old father in Sweida. "Traffic on the streets is paralysed, and most shops are closed." "We fear a repeat of the coastal scenario," said Amal, 46, referring to the March massacres of over 1,700 mostly Alawite civilians in Syria's coast, where groups affiliated with the government were blamed for most of the killings. "We are not against the state, but we are against surrendering our weapons without a state that treats everyone the same," she added, noting that she and her family escaped Sweida to a nearby village. In a post on X, Syrian Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra urged his troops to "protect your fellow citizens" from "outlaw gangs" and "restore stability to Sweida".
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Attacks on Syria forces amid sectarian clashes kills 16
Sixteen members of Syria's security forces have been killed in the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, the defence ministry says, after they deployed to quell deadly sectarian clashes that local media reported had resumed. Sunday's fighting between Druze militiamen and Bedouin tribal fighters was the first time that sectarian violence erupted inside the city of Sweida itself, following months of tensions in the broader province. In a statement to Reuters, the defence ministry said "outlawed groups," which it did not identify further, had attacked a number of its units at dawn. It said its forces responded to the attack and had pursued those groups that refused to halt hostilities and continued to target security forces. The fighting on Sunday left 30 people dead and prompted Syria's security forces to deploy units to the city to restore calm and guarantee safe passage for civilians looking to leave, the defence ministry said in an earlier statement. But intense clashes broke out again on Monday, local news outlet Sweida24 reported. Another security source said that Syrian troops would aim to exert state control over the whole province to prevent any more violence but that this could take several days. It marked the latest episode of sectarian bloodshed in Syria, where fears among minority groups have surged since jihadist-led rebels toppled president Bashar al-Assad in December, installing their own government and security forces. Sunni Muslim Arab rebel groups which fought Assad during the war agreed in December to dissolve into the defence ministry but efforts to integrate armed factions from minority groups - including Druze and Kurds - have largely stalled. In southern Syria, efforts have been further complicated by Israel's stated policy that it would not allow Syria's new army to deploy south of Damascus and that Sweida and neighbouring provinces should make up a demilitarised zone. Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab said in a written statement carried on state media that the "absence of state institutions, especially military and security institutions, is a major cause of the ongoing tensions in Sweida and its countryside". Sunday's violence erupted after a wave of kidnappings, including the abduction of a Druze merchant on Friday on the highway linking Damascus to Sweida, witnesses said.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Syria signs $800m Tartous port deal with UAE firm DP World
Syria has finalised an $800m agreement with Dubai-based DP World to redevelop its Tartous port in a bid to speed up post-war reconstruction. State news agency SANA said the deal was signed in Damascus on Sunday between DP World and the General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, in the presence of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Syrian officials described the deal as a key step towards modernising the country's logistics infrastructure. 'This strategic move will bolster our port operations and logistics services,' SANA quoted an unnamed official as saying. Since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad in December, Syria's new leadership has been pushing to re-establish economic ties with international companies and bring the war-torn country back into the global market. Speaking after the signing, DP World CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said Syria's economic potential remained strong, noting the Tartous port could play a central role in reviving local industry. 'Syria possesses valuable assets,' he said, 'and Tartous is an essential hub for trade and exports. We aim to transform it into one of the world's leading ports.'DP World manages dozens of port facilities across Europe, Africa and Asia and has been expanding its reach in the Middle East. Qutaiba Badawi, who heads Syria's port authority, said the agreement marked more than just a commercial venture. 'We are laying the groundwork for a new era of maritime development, positioning Syria again on the international economic stage,' he said. The Tartous deal follows several high-profile contracts signed in recent months. In May, Damascus entered a 30-year agreement with French shipping company CMA CGM to operate Latakia port. That same month, Syria inked a $7bn energy deal with a coalition of Qatari, Turkish, and US firms to revive the country's power sector. Earlier this month, the United States said it will revoke its designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham as a 'foreign terrorist organization' as Washington softens its approach to post-war Syria. Last month, US President Donald Trump issued an executive order lifting several longstanding sanctions on Syria, which Washington said would support the country's reconstruction. The US Treasury noted the decision would ease restrictions on companies considered vital to Syria's rebuilding and governance. Western sanctions had hampered reconstruction efforts for years, further crippling an economy already shattered by more than a decade of civil war and human rights abuses under al-Assad's rule.
