Latest news with #IslamicResistance
Al Mayadeen
6 days ago
- Business
- Al Mayadeen
Barrack defends Syria comments, claims they are no threat to Lebanon
After issuing pointed threats to Lebanon if it does not fully disarm the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon (Hezbollah), the US Special Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, has defended his recent statements in an X post. His comments, made in an interview for The National on Friday, reflect escalating US pressure on Lebanon to dismantle its national Resistance group or be met with collapse. "You have 'Israel' on one side, you have Iran on the other, and now you have Syria manifesting itself so quickly that if Lebanon doesn't move, it's going to be Bilad Al Sham again," Barrack said, invoking the historic name for Greater Syria, adding that "Syrians say Lebanon is our beach resort. So we need to move." In language criticized by observers as condescending and overtly interventionist, Barrack positioned the "disarmament" of the Resistance not as a domestic Lebanese decision, but as a prerequisite for US and Gulf financial aid. Barrack claimed that the United States, alongside Saudi Arabia and Qatar, is prepared to support Lebanon financially, but only if Beirut agrees to a sweeping deal that includes "Hezbollah's full disarmament" and implementation of economic reforms dictated by external parties. Barrack addressed recent remarks that praised Syria's developments in light of sanctions being lifted by the United States, emphasizing that his comments were intended to highlight Syria's significant progress and were not a threat to Lebanon. My comments yesterday praised Syria's impressive strides, not a threat to Lebanon. I observed the reality that Syria is moving at light speed to seize the historic opportunity presented by @POTUS's lifting of sanctions: investment from Türkiye and the Gulf, diplomatic outreach to…Barrack further claimed in his X post that Syria's leadership seeks peaceful coexistence and mutual prosperity with Lebanon. "I can assure that Syria's leaders only want co-existence and mutual prosperity with Lebanon, and the United States is committed to supporting that relationship between two equal and sovereign neighbors enjoying peace and prosperity," he wrote. "Syria is moving at light speed to seize the historic opportunity presented by @POTUS's lifting of sanctions," Barrack added, pointing to increased investments from Türkiye and Gulf countries, as well as Syria's diplomatic outreach to its neighboring nations, signaling a new era of regional cooperation.
Al Mayadeen
6 days ago
- Politics
- Al Mayadeen
'Disarm or collapse'; US issues ultimatum to Lebanon: The National
The US Special Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, has issued a series of pointed threats to Lebanon, declaring that the country faces existential risks, including collapse or foreign domination, if it does not fully disarm the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon (Hezbollah). His comments, made in an interview with The National on Friday, reflect escalating US pressure on Lebanon to dismantle its national resistance. "You have 'Israel' on one side, you have Iran on the other, and now you have Syria manifesting itself so quickly that if Lebanon doesn't move, it's going to be Bilad Al Sham again," Barrack said, invoking the historic name for Greater Syria, adding that "Syrians say Lebanon is our beach resort. So we need to move." In language criticized by observers as condescending and overtly interventionist, Barrack positioned the "disarmament" of the Resistance not as a domestic Lebanese decision, but as a prerequisite for US and Gulf financial aid. Barrack claimed that the United States, alongside Saudi Arabia and Qatar, is prepared to support Lebanon financially, but only if Beirut agrees to a sweeping deal that includes "Hezbollah's full disarmament" and implementation of economic reforms dictated by external parties. Last month, he submitted a proposal to Lebanese leaders tying any future reconstruction funds and a halt to Israeli military aggression to the dismantling of the Resistance's military infrastructure. The plan has been viewed by critics as an attempt to weaponize Lebanon's economic collapse to force political and military concessions. While the Resistance has withdrawn its resistance fighters from the front lines in southern Lebanon following a US-brokered ceasefire in November, "Israel" continues to demand the group's complete disarmament across the country, effectively eliminating Lebanon's ability to maintain a deterrent force. Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation forces continue to violate the ceasefire, persisting in their attacks by targeting villages and towns in South Lebanon and the Bekaa region, as well as the Southern Suburb of Beirut, while still occupying five strategic points in the south. On that note, earlier today, a person was martyred on Saturday after an Israeli drone strike hit a residential home in al-Khiam in southern Lebanon, according to a statement from the Lebanese Ministry of Health. In response, Lebanese officials submitted a seven-page document calling for the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied Lebanese territories, including the Shebaa Farms, reaffirming the state's sovereignty over arms. However, the document stopped short of endorsing a full national disarmament. Barrack acknowledged the reply but maintained the US would continue pushing for more: "There are issues that we have to arm wrestle with each other over to come to a final conclusion." He also criticized what he perceives as Lebanon's history of 'unfulfilled international agreements', saying: "We have an agreement … it was a great agreement. The problem is, nobody followed it." Additionally, Barrack dismissed Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's "reluctance to publicly commit to disarmament timelines", attributing it to fear of domestic instability, alleging, "He doesn't want to start a civil war." Barrack portrayed the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as a potential enforcement mechanism for a disarmament plan but noted they are currently "underfunded and ill-equipped". "We don't have the soldiers on the ground for the LAF to be able to do that yet, because they don't have the money. They're using equipment that's 60 years old," he remarked. Barrack suggested that Hezbollah could hand over its heavy weapons, drones, rockets, and missile systems to international depots monitored by the US, France, "Israel," and the LAF. However, he stressed that the Lebanese army cannot enforce such a plan on its own. Barrack openly lamented what he labeled as the lack of Gulf support for the LAF, alleging donor fatigue due to previous corruption scandals. "Why do the Gulf partners not want to do that? Because they've given so much money to Lebanon in the past, that's gone to the corrupt leaders. So they're saying, 'Yeah, we're done,'" he said. Despite recognizing corruption as a major challenge, Barrack emphasized that dismantling Hezbollah and restructuring Lebanon's internal power dynamics must remain the top priority. "We need to help bolster the LAF," he concluded, adding, "We can do it hand-in-hand with the Gulf countries, hand-in-hand with UNIFIL, as we redefine what their role is on a continued basis." These threats stand in stark contrast to Tom Barrack's earlier statements this week. The US Special Envoy to Syria had expressed optimism for peace and prosperity in Lebanon following Beirut's response to Washington's proposal on the exclusive possession of weapons. Barrack's two-day visit to Beirut aimed to secure Lebanon's reply to the US proposal, submitted on June 19, which calls for the "disarmament of all non-state actors, primarily Hezbollah, in exchange for "Israel's" withdrawal from remaining southern border posts, UN-mediated prisoner exchanges, and international reconstruction assistance". After meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Barrack said: "The Lebanese people now have a real opportunity as the region undergoes shifts and transformations," adding that he was 'largely satisfied' with the Lebanese response, describing it as 'within the scope' of what Washington is trying to achieve. He further noted that Lebanon would not be required to adhere to a rigid timeline, as long as it continues to work toward finalizing the agreement's terms. 'We just had an incredibly productive and important meeting,' Barrack said, claiming that in the past, similar opportunities were unattainable. He also asserted that 'Israel' is seeking peace with Lebanon. Regarding ongoing violations of the ceasefire, Barrack stated that the United States bears no responsibility for enforcing the agreement in Lebanon, noting that a designated team has been tasked with monitoring the truce in coordination with UNIFIL. When asked whether the US would seek to "dissolve Hezbollah" as a political party, Barrack responded: 'Do you think the US or France will come to dissolve Hezbollah, a political party in Lebanon? This is a purely Lebanese matter, and it's up to the Lebanese people to address it.' Earlier, on June 6, informed sources told Al Mayadeen that Lebanon had not yet finalized its internal deliberations on the US proposal calling for the disarmament of the Lebanese Islamic Resistance. According to those sources, the Lebanese response would reflect a unified national stance based on consultations among the country's top political leaders.
The National
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Iran-backed armed group in Iraq vows to attack US targets
A Tehran-backed armed faction in Iraq has said it will enter the war between Israel and Iran, in the first reaction from Iraqi militant groups after the US strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure. President Donald Trump on Saturday said the US military had bombed three nuclear sites in Iran, "completely and totally obliterating" Tehran's enrichment capacity. It ended days of speculation about whether Washington would become directly involved in Israel's war against Iran. Mr Trump said any retaliation by Iran against the US would be met with overwhelming force. 'America has left us no other option other than the war,' Sheikh Mohammed Al Tamimi, leader of the True Promise Corps, told The National. 'In the coming hours, there will be a response that will heal the hearts with God's help,' he warned without elaborating. 'From now on, American and Israeli interests everywhere are targets for us." Fears are growing in Iraq over a possible intervention by Iran-backed armed factions, who have threatened Washington's interests in the region if it were to join Israel in its war against Iran. the True Promise Corps is part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella for several influential Tehran-allied armed groups in Iraq. Asked whether this position represents other groups, Mr Al Tamimi said he spoke on behalf of the True Promise Corps only. There has been no reaction from other groups operating under the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.
Khaleej Times
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Hamas condemns 'blatant US aggression' against Iran
[Editor's Note: Follow our live blog for real-time updates on the latest developments in the Israel-Iran conflict.] Palestinian group Hamas condemned "blatant US aggression" against Iran after President Donald Trump said American warplanes bombed Tehran's main nuclear enrichment facilities. "The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) condemns in the strongest terms the blatant US aggression against the territory and sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the group said in a statement issued after Trump announced the US had joined Israel's bombing campaign against Iran. "This brutal aggression is a dangerous escalation," the Hamas statement added, calling the attack "a flagrant violation of international law, and a direct threat to international peace and security".
Saba Yemen
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Hezbollah Secretary-General: We Stand with Iran
Beirut – Saba: Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem affirmed, "We in Hezbollah and the Islamic Resistance are not neutral between Iran's legitimate rights and independence and the falsehood of America and its aggression, along with the cancerous tumor of Israel and the arrogant powers." He added in a statement, "We stand with Iran in confronting this global injustice, because we stand with our independence, the liberation of our land, and the freedom of our decisions and choices. We are not neutral. Therefore, we express our position alongside Iran, its leadership, and its people, and we act as we see fit in confronting this brutal Israeli-American aggression." Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
