Latest news with #GeneralSecurity
Daily News Egypt
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Ceasefire takes effect in Syria's Suweida amid security deployments, fears of collapse
A comprehensive ceasefire came into effect on Saturday in Syria's Suweida province after an unprecedented wave of violence that left hundreds dead and injured. The Syrian government announced the deployment of security forces across flashpoint areas, warning that any breach of the agreement would face legal consequences, amid rising international concern over civilian protection. In an official statement, the Syrian presidency declared an immediate and full ceasefire, urging all parties to halt combat operations and ensure unhindered humanitarian access. The statement stressed that violations would be considered an affront to national sovereignty and would be dealt with firmly. Meanwhile, the spiritual leadership of the Druze community, led by Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri, announced an agreement brokered by 'guarantor states' with the government. The deal includes deploying General Security checkpoints outside Suweida's administrative borders and guarantees safe passage for remaining Bedouin tribal members. Interior Ministry spokesman Nour Al-Din Baba confirmed that General Security forces had begun redeployment, focusing on rural areas previously under Bedouin tribal control. Although some forces temporarily withdrew after clashes, gradual deployment has resumed. A Syrian security source said the agreement's implementation should be completed within 48 hours. This includes exchanging detainees, opening humanitarian corridors between Suweida and neighbouring Daraa, and evacuating trapped civilians. Security forces will remain stationed outside urban centres to avoid direct confrontation, with plans to extend deployment into the western and northern countryside. The Syrian Defence Ministry had earlier set a deadline for tribal fighters to surrender heavy weapons captured from local militias and withdraw from contested zones. In response, the 'Southern Tribes Coalition' pledged full compliance with the ceasefire, calling for detainee releases and the return of displaced residents. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that at least 321 people—including six children and nine women—have been killed and over 436 wounded since violence erupted on 13 July. The casualties include civilians, tribal fighters, local armed factions, and government security personnel. US Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barak announced that Syria and Israel had reached a ceasefire deal backed by the United States, Turkey, Jordan, and other neighbouring countries. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Barak said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara had endorsed the agreement. He urged Druze, Bedouin, and Sunni communities to lay down arms and work towards a unified Syrian identity. While Damascus and Tel Aviv have yet to comment, Washington has stepped up diplomatic efforts to calm tensions. The European Union welcomed the truce but voiced 'shock' over the scale of sectarian violence, urging inclusive dialogue and accountability for violations of international law. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called on Syrian authorities to uphold justice and accountability, insisting the bloodshed must end and civilian protection must remain paramount under international law. On the humanitarian front, Syrian Social Affairs Minister Hind Qabawat confirmed that aid convoys carrying medical and food supplies are ready to move into Suweida as soon as security conditions allow, coordinated with international agencies. The Ministry of Information detailed a three-phase plan for the ceasefire: de-escalation between armed groups and tribal fighters; delivery of humanitarian aid and basic services; and finally, reactivation of government institutions and full deployment of internal security forces across the province. Locally, Sheikh Laith Wahid Al-Balaous, son of late Druze leader Wahid Al-Balaous, condemned the violence, accusing those dragging the Druze into external conflicts of serving foreign agendas. He called for national unity, an immediate investigation into civilian abuses, and concrete guarantees to prevent further violations. Although initial steps are under way, the fragile security situation and continued Israeli threats leave the ceasefire at risk. The coming days will test whether all parties can honour their commitments and prevent a return to bloodshed in southern Syria.
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Netanyahu: Syrian regime crossed two red lines
Shafaq News – Suwayda Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on Thursday that the ceasefire in Syria's Suwayda province and the withdrawal of Syrian General Security forces were direct results of 'strong Israeli operations.' In a televised speech, Netanyahu stated that Israel has adopted a clear policy on Syria, maintaining a demilitarized zone from the Golan Heights to Jabal al-Druze, the mountainous area in southern Syria predominantly inhabited by Druze communities. He accused the Syrian regime of violating two 'red lines', the demilitarized status of the area and the alleged targeting of Druze civilians. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel would not allow the Syrian army to advance into southern Damascus or take actions against the Druze population. His speech came amid social media activists circulating videos reportedly showing an Israeli ground force — consisting of over 15 armored vehicles and military transports — entering southern rural Damascus from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Local sources claimed the force reached the town of Qatana, located about 10 kilometers from central Damascus. Separately, local media outlets reported that another Israeli military unit entered an area west of the town of al-Rafid in Quneitra governorate, further indicating expanded Israeli activity near the Syrian capital.
LBCI
4 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
From Sweida to Damascus: Israel leverages Syrian chaos to redraw border realities
Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Mariella Succar Israel is treating the clashes in Sweida, Syria, as a gift handed to it on a silver platter. Its primary goal remains preventing any armed group from approaching its border and establishing a buffer zone along the frontier with Syria. To achieve this, Israel is reportedly seeking to inflame tensions between the Druze community and Damascus' General Security forces. Images of Israeli Druze crossing into Syria under military protection to join the fighting, alongside intensified Israeli strikes on General Security fighters, highlight Tel Aviv's intentions. Within less than 24 hours, Israel began executing what appears to be a pre-prepared plan: it deployed reinforced troops along the border, ramped up airstrikes on regime positions in the conflict zones, and even targeted the Ministry of Defense in central Damascus—all under the pretext of protecting the Druze minority. Security officials monitoring the situation on the ground say Israel was initially slow to confront regime forces, allowing them to reach Druze-populated areas near the border. However, they add that Israel still has the capacity to prevent any breach of its frontier. Israel has effectively launched a campaign in Syria to prevent another October 7 scenario. The border is on high alert, with defense systems prepared to intercept any missiles or drones, and military supplies being increased. Meanwhile, Israeli Druze are protesting and calling for all borders to be opened so they can defend their community members inside Syria. The situation in southern Syria is highly volatile, and the ongoing fighting there is expected to benefit Israel's aim of establishing the buffer zone it seeks. Everything else, for Israel, is secondary.
MTV Lebanon
5 days ago
- Business
- MTV Lebanon
16 Jul 2025 14:11 PM Salam: We are Completely Committed to the Ministerial Statement
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam addressed Parliament, reaffirming his government's priorities and outlining key areas of focus during its short mandate. "This government's lifespan is only a few months," Salam said, emphasizing a strong commitment to reform and recovery. "There will be no turning back from what was stated in the ministerial statement." He highlighted the government's determination to stop Israeli aggressions and extend state sovereignty both north and south of the Litani River. On the refugee file, Salam stated that thousands of Syrian refugees are returning daily. He added that Syrian labor is being regulated and that 120,000 refugees have been removed from the General Security records. Regarding Lebanon's financial sector, he noted that the government has made depositors' rights an absolute priority and has prepared comprehensive draft laws to present to Parliament. He also addressed the energy sector, confirming that the government has decided to stop accumulating debt related to fuel. The Ministry of Energy, he said, is working on two parallel tracks aimed at establishing gas-powered plants. As for waste management, Salam noted that multiple solutions already exist but require substantial funding. He also reaffirmed that media freedom remains protected, with no journalist detained since the government's formation. Watch the attached video for Salam's full statement.
LeMonde
5 days ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
Syrian army enters Druze stronghold of Sweida
The sandstorm-wracked villages located on the outskirts of the Sweida governorate seemed deserted. On the road connecting Damascus to the southern Syrian province, where the Druze religious minority make up the majority of the population, artillery fire rang out at regular intervals. With their faces hidden behind scarves and Kalashnikovs slung over their shoulders, Bedouin tribal fighters sped by on motorcycles, or in the backs of pickup trucks, toward conflict zones where, late in the afternoon on Monday, July 14, Druze militia groups fought Syrian government forces. Members of the General Security Service – the new Syrian police – who, that morning, had taken control of the checkpoint defining the start of Sweida governorate, located at the hamlet of as-Sawara al-Kubra, let the Bedouin fighters through. Only Bedouins from the local area, who arrived in empty pickup trucks in hopes of looting the abandoned villages, were discouraged from getting any closer by warning shots. The police officers lined the belongings they had confiscated from looters up along the side of the road: a refrigerator, some furniture, a computer tower unit, some copper wire and clothing. Moheib al-Bitar and Tourfa Nawakil, two Christian men in their sixties from the hamlet of as-Sawara al-Kubra, searched through the line-up to find objects that had belonged to them. "The 30 Druze families from the village have fled. Only seven Christian families are left here. Fortunately, the General Security deployed to secure the village. The Bedouins looted, burned houses, and killed five Druze," said al-Bitar.
