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Middle East Eye
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Syria in direct, face-to-face deconfliction talks with Israel: Report
Syria and Israel have engaged in direct, face-to-face talks in recent weeks aimed at preventing another flareup along their shared border, Reuters reported on Tuesday. The news agency cited five sources that it said wished to remain anonymous for the story. Syria and Israel have been foes since Israel's inception, but more so since Israel occupied the Syrian Golan Heights in 1967, in contravention of international law. The United Nations - and much of the world, save for the US - considers the Golan illegally occupied. The reported meetings, which build on previously confirmed backchannel talks, mark a shift for the new Syrian government under former Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. He has made overtures to Israel's western allies as he seeks foreign aid and investment to rebuild the country. Syria's former president, Bashar al-Assad, fled to Moscow as HTS-led groups were welcomed by the public into Damascus in December. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Reuters said that senior Syrian security official Ahmad al-Dalati, the current governor of the province of Quneitra, which borders the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, is leading the discussions. Dalati had also recently been in charge of security in the southern province of Sweida, home to Syria's Druze minority. There still was no knowledge of who led the talks on the Israeli side, Reuters noted, but at least two sources said that normalisation of ties between Syria and Israel wasn't necessarily on the table - rather, it was a discussion to achieve broader political understandings. US opens up to the new Syria In a surprise move earlier this month, US President Donald Trump announced the lifting of all sanctions on Syria during a trip to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Syria had been consistently under some measure of US sanctions for decades. "I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness," Trump said to applause and a standing ovation during a speech in the Saudi capital. "Oh, what I do for the crown prince," he said, as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, seated in the front row, crossed his arms over his chest in an expression of gratitude. If Trump follows through on his pledge in full, it would mark the first time Syria has not been under US sanctions since 1979, when the US labelled Damascus a state sponsor of terrorism under the government of Hafez al-Assad, father of Bashar. 'Show us something special': Trump announces lifting Syria sanctions Read More » "We are taking them all off," he added, referring to the full raft of sanctions. "There is a new government that will hopefully succeed," Trump said. "I say good luck, Syria. Show us something special." Trump also met with Sharaa in Riyadh and said he was impressed by the leader, a former al-Qaeda fighter who fought against US forces in Iraq. The US president later suggested that he hoped for Israel and Syria to normalise, but it was unclear whether that was a precondition for Syria to receive the necessary waivers that would allow it to conduct business internationally. What Sharaa has done so far, however, is arrest members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) who live in Syria. PIJ participated with Hamas in the attacks on southern Israel on 7 October 2023. Sharaa's only public comments on Israel have been that his position is a return to the terms of a 1974 ceasefire agreement, which created a UN buffer zone in the Golan Heights. He has said that Syria will not be a threat to any of its neighbours. Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who recently met his Syrian counterpart in Turkey, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Israel is at a critical point in discussions with Syrian officials. "We've had conversations with them about this, what we view as an opportunity for Israel, if, in fact, Syria is stable and has in it a government that has no interest... in fighting a war," Rubio told lawmakers. He said there have been some assurances from Damascus. "Obviously, you have to prove it, but they have said this is a nationalist project. They are seeking to build a nation. They're not viewing themselves as a launch pad for revolution. They're not viewing themselves as a launch pad for attacks against Israel."
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Business Standard
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
From terrorist to Trump's ally: Who is Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa?
Once hunted by the US with a $10 million bounty, Syria's interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa now shakes hands with Donald Trump in a rare and dramatic diplomatic U-turn Nandini Singh New Delhi In a moment that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday shook hands with Syria's interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, during a high-stakes summit in Riyadh — the first face-to-face encounter between leaders of the US and Syria in more than a quarter-century, according to the Associated Press. But behind the smiles and diplomatic optics lies a story filled with conflict, controversy, and transformation. Syria's interim president, now recognised by the White House, once carried a $10 million bounty by the US government. Earlier known to intelligence agencies as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, he is a former jihadist with ties to al-Qaida and the Iraqi insurgency, CNN reported. How a jihadist commander became Syria's interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa is Syria's new interim president, but he wasn't always a political figure. Once a top commander within militant networks during the Iraq War, al-Sharaa was part of insurgent groups that targeted US forces. His real name only came to prominence after years of operating under aliases, most notably as the head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) — a powerful Islamist rebel faction. Captured and imprisoned by US forces during the 2000s, al-Sharaa later resurfaced in Syria's chaotic civil war landscape. Over the years, he evolved from a field commander to a political leader, eventually becoming the face of the opposition that toppled Bashar al-Assad's regime earlier this year. How al-Sharaa rose to power after Assad's fall In January, his HTS-led coalition launched a surprise offensive that dismantled Assad's long-standing grip on power. The operation not only marked the end of nearly five decades of Assad family rule but also catapulted al-Sharaa to Syria's highest office. Backed by Gulf powers who view him as a counterweight to Iranian influence, al-Sharaa quickly gained legitimacy. Turkey, a longtime supporter of Syrian rebel factions, facilitated his visit to Riyadh. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan even joined the Trump-al-Sharaa meeting via phone call. Trump-al-Sharaa summit: What was discussed? The meeting itself lasted just over 30 minutes — but it was historic. Not since 2000, when Hafez al-Assad met then-President Bill Clinton, has a Syrian leader engaged directly with an American president. President Trump announced the end of crippling US sanctions on Syria immediately following the meeting. 'I am ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria to give them a fresh start,' Trump said. 'It gives them a chance for greatness. The sanctions were really crippling, very powerful.' According to the Associated Press, the White House is framing the move as a bold step toward regional stability — although it's already causing discomfort among US allies. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump asked al-Sharaa to expel foreign militants, assume control over ISIS detention centers from Kurdish-led forces, and consider diplomatic recognition of Israel — a significant challenge for a leader with Islamist roots. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman praised Trump's decision, calling it a step toward 'alleviating the suffering' of the Syrian people. 'We commend the decision made yesterday by President Trump to lift the sanctions on the brotherly Syrian Arab Republic,' said the Crown Prince. How the world reacted to the Trump-Sharaa meeting In Syria, celebrations erupted across the capital. Fireworks lit up Damascus' Umayyad Square as crowds waved Syrian flags and chanted slogans of unity. State-run SANA broadcast live scenes of public jubilation, while government officials called Trump's move a 'pivotal turning point' for national recovery. But not everyone is cheering. In Israel, alarm bells are ringing. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly warned Trump against normalising relations with a figure tied to terrorist groups, cautioning that Syria could again become a launchpad for attacks — as seen in the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault on Israel. The skepticism isn't limited to Jerusalem. Western security agencies remain cautious, noting that while HTS has attempted to rebrand, its extremist roots and track record remain a concern. The group is still seen by many as a potential threat disguised under a new political banner.
Epoch Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Syrian Leader Visits Paris for Talks With Macron in 1st Official Trip to Europe
Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa headed to Paris on May 7 in his first trip to Europe since his predecessor, Bashar al-Assad, was ousted in a rebel offensive late last year. In Paris, al-Sharaa will meet French President Emmanuel Macron, with whom he is expected to discuss a range of issues pertaining to strife-torn Syria. Issues on the agenda will likely include means of ensuring the country's security and sovereignty, and ensuring the safety of Syrian minority groups that have recently come under threat. Macron and al-Sharaa are also expected to discuss joint efforts against the ISIS terrorist group, along with sought-after Western aid and support for Syria's post-Assad regime. Last December, Assad was toppled by a Turkey-backed rebel offensive led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, an offshoot of the al-Qaeda terrorist group. An internationally designated terrorist group, HTS now leads Syria's interim government, while its leader, al-Sharaa, currently serves as the country's interim leader. Related Stories 4/19/2025 3/16/2025 Due to his previous ties with al-Qaeda, al-Sharaa remains on a terrorism sanctions list, but was granted an exemption by the United Nations in order to visit the French capital. Al-Sharaa's visit to Paris could provide a diplomatic boost for his HTS-led interim government, which has yet to be formally recognized by the White House. Washington has also thus far refrained from lifting U.S. sanctions on Damascus, which were initially imposed when Syria was ruled by Assad. Shortly before al-Sharaa's arrival, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Paris would judge the Syrian leader and his nascent government on their actions. 'We are not writing a blank check,' Barrot said in televised remarks, adding that France expected Damascus to both ensure the safety of Syrian minority groups and assist in the ongoing fight against ISIS. 'If Syria were to collapse today, it would be like rolling out a red carpet for Islamic State [ISIS].' Sanctions Relief, Possible US Withdrawal Paris welcomed Assad's ouster last December and has since made efforts to foster diplomatic ties with al-Sharaa's interim government. Last month, Paris appointed a charge d'affaires in Damascus and a small team of diplomats as the first step toward reopening its embassy in the Syrian capital. Syria's HTS-led security forces deploy in an area near Damascus following the eruption of sectarian violence, in Syria on April 30, 2025. Bakr Alkasem/AFP via Getty Images Along with other Western capitals, Paris cut ties with Damascus in 2012 amid mounting violence between the Assad government and rebel groups, several of which enjoyed foreign backing. In the years that followed, Syria was rocked by internal conflict and foreign intervention, during which time Washington, Brussels, and London imposed harsh sanctions on Damascus. Since the collapse of Assad's army and regime six months ago, the European Union has lifted some of its sanctions on Syria, while others are due to expire on June 1. The World Bank has estimated the cost of rebuilding the country at more than $250 billion, leaving the new Syrian regime in dire need of sanctions relief. Post-Assad Syria remains beset by a host of challenges, including territorial encroachments by neighboring Israel and repeated Israeli airstrikes on the country's Assad-era military infrastructure. Meanwhile, hundreds of U.S. troops remain stationed in the country's northeast, where they work alongside local Kurdish militias as part of an international coalition against ISIS. Last month, U.S. officials appeared to suggest that the Trump administration was mulling a partial withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria in the months ahead. 'This deliberate and conditions-based process will bring the U.S. footprint in Syria down to less than a thousand U.S. forces in the coming months,' Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement on April 18. Reuters contributed to this report.
The National
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Syria Druze spiritual leader calls for international intervention after 'genocidal campaign' against community
Syrian Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat Al Hijri on Thursday condemned a "genocidal campaign" against his people and called for "international forces to maintain peace and prevent the continuation of these crimes". He spoke after three days of deadly sectarian clashes in Jaramana and Sahnaya, suburbs of the capital Damascus, in which 73 people died, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor. In a statement, Mr Al Hijri said: "Seeking international protection is a legitimate right for people who have been wiped out by massacres.' He asked for the international community to "see this disregard" and not turn a blind eye to what is happening to the community. "We do not need words, but actions," he said. "We are not advocates of secession, and we will not be," he said. "Rather, we advocate actual participation and the establishment of a democratic federal state that preserves our dignity, guarantees the freedom of the nation and the citizen, and maintains security.' Sectarian violence broke out between Syrian security forces, fighters aligned with them, and local Druze fighters. The death toll from the violence included 30 members of the security forces, 15 fighters from the Druze minority and one civilian. In the southern Suweida province, 27 Druze gunmen were killed, 23 of them in an "ambush" on the Suweida-Damascus road on Wednesday, the UK-based monitor, which relies on a network of sources in Syria, said. The fighters were killed in "an ambush carried out by forces affiliated with the ministries of interior and defence and gunmen allied with them," as a convoy of armed Druze men was heading from Suweida Governorate to the town of Sahnaya in the Damascus countryside, the Observatory reported. The violence was sparked by an audio recording which circulated on social media, allegedly of a Druze citizen and deemed blasphemous. The Syrian authorities later said the recording was fake. A truce agreement was reached on Wednesday in Jaramana and Sahnaya following meetings between Druze representatives and government officials. Syrian authorities announced the deployment of their forces in Sahnaya to ensure security, accusing "outlaw groups" of instigating the clashes. However, Mr Al Hijri said: "We no longer trust an entity pretending to be a government ... because the government does not kill its people through its extremist militias ... and then claim they were unruly elements after the massacres. The government [should] protect its people." A Druze fighter in Ashrafiyet Sahnaya told The National this week that the community is "living in fear". "The state forces didn't intervene," he said. "We're isolated and left to defend ourselves. There have been dozens killed in the last days, it's the worst in Damascus since the war.' The sectarian violence has threatened to ignite broader unrest across Syria. It follows escalating tensions that began with a scuffle in Homs and then developed into a full-blown crisis for the HTS-led government of Ahmad Al Shara as he tries to restore order and project an image of unity and inclusion domestically and to the international community, following 14 gruelling years of civil war. Israel on Wednesday carried out a strike in Syria against what it called "an extremist group" that attacked members of the Druze community, following through on a promise to defend the minority group. A Syrian Foreign Ministry statement rejected "all forms of foreign intervention" in Syria's internal affairs, without mentioning Israel, and declared Syria's commitment to protecting all Syrian groups "including the noble Druze sect". It marks the first time Israel has announced a military strike in support of Syrian Druze since Bashar Al Assad was toppled, and reflects its deep mistrust of the new authorities. The last sectarian killings took place in Syria's coastal area in March, where the Observatory said security forces and allied groups killed more than 1,700 civilians, mostly Alawites. It was the worst bloodshed since the removal in December of Mr Al Assad, who is an Alawite. – With reporting from agencies
Al Jazeera
24-04-2025
- Business
- Al Jazeera
UK lifts sanctions on dozen Syrian government bodies
The United Kingdom has removed its sanctions on 12 Syrian government entities, including the Ministries of Defence and Interior and the General Intelligence Directorate. The move on Thursday was made four months after the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) armed group led opposition groups in ousting President Bashar al-Assad following more than 13 years of war. The entities removed from the sanctions list will no longer be subject to asset freezes, read the notice posted by the UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation in London. Those targeted by the sanctions were 'involved in repressing the civilian population in Syria' or had been 'involved in supporting or benefitting from the Syrian regime' of al-Assad, according to the notice, which did not give an explanation for the delisting. In March, the British government unfroze the assets of the Central Bank of Syria and 23 other entities, including banks and oil companies. However, it has stressed that sanctions on members of the al-Assad regime would remain in place. The new HTS-led Syrian government is trying to persuade Western capitals that crippling international sanctions should be lifted. Speaking at a televised event with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said at the beginning of this year: 'We inherited a lot of problems from the Assad regime, … but removing economic sanctions is key for the stability of Syria.' Some countries, including the United States, have said they will wait to see how the new authorities exercise their power and ensure human rights before lifting sanctions, opting instead for targeted and temporary exemptions. Last week, a visiting United Nations official called on Syria's authorities to begin the process of economic recovery without waiting for Western sanctions to be lifted. 'Waiting for sanctions to be lifted leads nowhere,' Abdallah Al Dardari, the regional chief for Arab states at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), told the AFP news agency in an interview in Damascus. A February UNDP report estimated that at current growth rates, Syria would need more than 50 years to return to the economic level it had before the war, and it called for massive investment to accelerate the process. The UN study said nine out of 10 Syrians now live in poverty, one-quarter are jobless and Syria's GDP 'has shrunk to less than half of its value' in 2011, the year the war began. Syria's Human Development Index score, which factors in life expectancy, education and standard of living, has fallen to its worst level since it was first included in the index in 1990, meaning the war erased decades of development. The UNDP report estimated Syria's 'lost GDP' during the 2011-2024 war to be about $800bn.
