Latest news with #Daraa
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 days ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
First Eid Adha Prayer Performed in Post-Assad Damascus
Syria celebrated Eid al-Adha on Friday for the first time since the ouster of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, ministers, military commanders, religious officials and members of the public performed Eid prayers at the presidential palace in Damascus. In a message to the people on Eid, Sharaa stressed that Syria was recovering after 14 years of war and suffering. State news agency SANA said tens of thousands of people flocked to Damascus' squares to perform the prayer. People from across Syria were eager to perform the Eid prayer at the Umayyad Mosque for the first time since Assad's ouster. Damascus Governor Maher Marwan said the country was recovering on several levels 'thanks to the unity and patience of its people.' Sharaa later headed to the southern province of Daraa, his first since assuming his post. He was warmly welcomed by the locals, who showed up in droves to receive him. Meanwhile, the country's Supreme Fatwa Council issued a fatwa, or religious edict, banning extrajudicial acts of revenge. It stressed that justice can only be achieved through the relevant authorities. This will achieve societal security and justice. The council made the announcement after it received several complaints about individual acts of vengeance. US special envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack was quick to hail the fatwa, saying: 'Great first steps for a new Syrian government marching toward a new Syria.' The council also called for speeding up judicial procedures against suspects, the adoption of effective laws and keeping figures connected to the ousted regime away from the judiciary. Achieving justice and ending oppression are among the foundations of civil peace, it declared. It warned that individual calls for vengeance are in violation of Sharia law and will only stoke chaos and strife, and threaten social unity.
The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Syria's interim President Al Sharaa makes first visit to Daraa, birthplace of country's uprising
Syria 's interim President, Ahmad Al Shara, made a symbolic visit on Friday to the southern city of Daraa – the cradle of the country's uprising, for the first time since longtime ruler Bashar Al Assad was ousted almost six months ago. State news agency Sana published video showing a cheering crowd greeting Mr Al Shara, who was seen waving and shaking hands with people during the visit, which came on the Muslim holiday of Eid Al Adha. Mr Al Shara and Interior Minister Anas Khattab visited Daraa's historic Omari mosque during the trip, the presidency said in a statement, releasing images of the visit showing the leader among the crowd. The mosque was one of the central locations where demonstrators gathered in 2011 before local security stormed the area. Sana also said Mr Shara met with local civil and military officials, as well as a delegation from the Christian minority. Provincial governor Anwar Al Zoabi said in a statement that the visit was 'an important milestone in the course of national recovery'. In 2011, protests erupted after the arrest and torture in Daraa of a group of schoolboys who had spray-painted anti-government graffiti. This sparked mass demonstrations against the Assad government. The regime's violent response to the peaceful protests was a key catalyst that transformed local protests into a nationwide uprising. On December 6, as Mr Al Shara's Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al Sham led a lightning offensive on Damascus from the country's north-west, a coalition of armed groups from Daraa province was formed to help remove Mr Al Assad. He was toppled two days later.
LBCI
2 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Syria's interim president visits Daraa, first trip since Assad's ouster
Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa yesterday visited the southern city of Daraa, the cradle of the country's uprising, for the first time since ousting longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad almost six months ago. State news agency SANA published footage showing a cheering crowd greeting Sharaa, who was seen waving and shaking hands with people during the visit, which came on the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab visited Daraa's historic Omari mosque during the trip, the presidency said in a statement, releasing images of the visit showing the leader among the crowd. SANA also said he met with local civil and military officials, as well as a delegation from the Christian minority. AFP
Al Arabiya
2 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Syrian leader makes first visit to cradle of country's uprising
Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday visited the southern city of Daraa, the cradle of the country's uprising, for the first time since ousting longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad almost six months ago. State news agency SANA published footage showing a cheering crowd greeting al-Sharaa, who was seen waving and shaking hands with people during the visit, which came on the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. Al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab visited Daraa's historic Omari Mosque during the trip, the presidency said in a statement, releasing images of the visit showing the leader among the crowd. SANA also said he met with local civil and military officials, as well as a delegation from the Christian minority. Provincial governor Anwar al-Zoabi said in a statement that the visit was 'an important milestone in the course of national recovery.' In 2011, young boys who had scrawled graffiti against al-Assad were detained in Daraa, sparking nationwide protests. After the war erupted following the brutal repression of protests, Syrian opposition forces seized control of Daraa and held on until 2018, when the city returned to al-Assad under a deal mediated by Russia that allowed former fighters to keep their light weapons. On December 6, as al-Sharaa's group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led a lightning offensive on Damascus from the country's northwest, a coalition of armed groups from Daraa province was formed to help oust al-Assad, who was toppled two days later. The province was plagued by unrest in recent years.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Syria's interim president visits Daraa, first trip since Assad's ouster
DAMASCUS, June 7 — Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa yesterday visited the southern city of Daraa, the cradle of the country's uprising, for the first time since ousting longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad almost six months ago. State news agency SANA published footage showing a cheering crowd greeting Sharaa, who was seen waving and shaking hands with people during the visit, which came on the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab visited Daraa's historic Omari mosque during the trip, the presidency said in a statement, releasing images of the visit showing the leader among the crowd. SANA also said he met with local civil and military officials, as well as a delegation from the Christian minority. Provincial governor Anwar al-Zoabi said in a statement that the visit was 'an important milestone in the course of national recovery'. In 2011, young boys who had scrawled graffiti against Assad were detained in Daraa, sparking nationwide protests. After the war erupted following the brutal repression of protests, rebels seized control of Daraa and hung on until 2018, when the city returned to Assad under a deal mediated by Russia that allowed former fighters to keep their light weapons. On December 6, as Sharaa's Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led a lightning offensive on Damascus from the country's northwest, a coalition of armed groups from Daraa province was formed to help oust Assad, who was toppled two days later. The province was plagued by unrest in recent years. — AFP
