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The Hindu
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Syria's new authorities set up committee to probe attacks on civilians in recent sectarian violence
Syria's new authorities have set up a committee tasked with investigating attacks on civilians during recent sectarian violence in the country's south, officials said Thursday (July 30, 2025). The fighting in Sweida province earlier in July killed hundreds of people, displaced tens of thousands, and threatened to unravel Syria's fragile postwar transition. Editorial | Sectarian wounds: On the violence in Syria It was sparked by tit-for-tat kidnappings between armed Bedouin clans, mostly Sunni, and fighters with the Druze religious minority, an offshoot of Shiite Islam. Syrian government forces intervened to end the fighting, but effectively sided with the clans. Disturbing videos and reports soon surfaced of Druze civilians being humiliated and killed in public, sometimes accompanied by sectarian slurs. Druze groups later launched revenge attacks on Bedouin communities. Syria's Justice Ministry said the committee would work to uncover the 'circumstances that led to the events in Sweida', investigate attacks and refer those implicated in them to the judiciary, state-run news agency SANA reported. The committee is to submit a final report within three months. A similar committee was formed in March, when sectarian violence on Syria's coast killed hundreds of civilians from the Alawite religious minority, also a Shiite offshoot. Attacks by armed groups affiliated with former President Bashar Assad, a member of the Alawite minority, prompted Damascus to send security forces, which descended on the coast from other areas of the country, joined by thousands of armed civilians. Also read: With one hand on gun and the other on a camera, Syrian attackers killed Druze That committee found there had been 'widespread, serious violations against civilians,' including by members of Syria's new security forces and that more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians, were killed. Its four-month investigation identified 300 people suspected of crimes, including murder, robbery, torture and looting and burning of homes and businesses. The suspects were referred for prosecution, the committee said but did not disclose how many were members of the security forces. The outbreaks of violence have left Syria's religious and ethnic minorities increasingly suspicious of the country's new authorities, led by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who previously led the Islamist insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
Winnipeg Free Press
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Syria's new rulers set up a committee to probe attacks on civilians in recent sectarian violence
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria's new authorities have set up a committee tasked with investigating attacks on civilians during recent sectarian violence in the country's south, officials said Thursday. The fighting in Sweida province earlier in July killed hundreds of people, displaced tens of thousands, and threatened to unravel Syria's fragile postwar transition. It was sparked by tit-for-tat kidnappings between armed Bedouin clans, mostly Sunni, and fighters with the Druze religious minority, an offshoot of Shiite Islam. Syrian government forces intervened to end the fighting, but effectively sided with the clans. Disturbing videos and reports soon surfaced of Druze civilians being humiliated and killed in public, sometimes accompanied by sectarian slurs. Druze groups later launched revenge attacks on Bedouin communities. Syria's Justice Ministry said the committee would work to uncover the 'circumstances that led to the events in Sweida,' investigate attacks and refer those implicated in them to the judiciary, state-run news agency SANA reported. The committee is to submit a final report within three months. A similar committee was formed in March, when sectarian violence on Syria's coast killed hundreds of civilians from the Alawite religious minority, also a Shiite offshoot. Attacks by armed groups affiliated with former President Bashar Assad, a member of the Alawite minority, prompted Damascus to send security forces, which descended on the coast from other areas of the country, joined by thousands of armed civilians. That committee found there had been 'widespread, serious violations against civilians,' including by members of Syria's new security forces and that more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians, were killed. Its four-month investigation identified 300 people suspected of crimes, including murder, robbery, torture and looting and burning of homes and businesses. The suspects were referred for prosecution, the committee said but did not disclose how many were members of the security forces. The outbreaks of violence have left Syria's religious and ethnic minorities increasingly suspicious of the country's new authorities, led by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who previously led the Islamist insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
Hamilton Spectator
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Syria's new rulers set up a committee to probe attacks on civilians in recent sectarian violence
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria's new authorities have set up a committee tasked with investigating attacks on civilians during recent sectarian violence in the country's south, officials said Thursday. The fighting in Sweida province earlier in July killed hundreds of people, displaced tens of thousands, and threatened to unravel Syria's fragile postwar transition . It was sparked by tit-for-tat kidnappings between armed Bedouin clans, mostly Sunni, and fighters with the Druze religious minority, an offshoot of Shiite Islam. Syrian government forces intervened to end the fighting, but effectively sided with the clans. Disturbing videos and reports soon surfaced of Druze civilians being humiliated and killed in public, sometimes accompanied by sectarian slurs. Druze groups later launched revenge attacks on Bedouin communities. Syria's Justice Ministry said the committee would work to uncover the 'circumstances that led to the events in Sweida,' investigate attacks and refer those implicated in them to the judiciary, state-run news agency SANA reported. The committee is to submit a final report within three months. A similar committee was formed in March , when sectarian violence on Syria's coast killed hundreds of civilians from the Alawite religious minority, also a Shiite offshoot. Attacks by armed groups affiliated with former President Bashar Assad, a member of the Alawite minority, prompted Damascus to send security forces, which descended on the coast from other areas of the country, joined by thousands of armed civilians. That committee found there had been 'widespread, serious violations against civilians,' including by members of Syria's new security forces and that more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians, were killed. Its four-month investigation identified 300 people suspected of crimes, including murder, robbery, torture and looting and burning of homes and businesses. The suspects were referred for prosecution, the committee said but did not disclose how many were members of the security forces. The outbreaks of violence have left Syria's religious and ethnic minorities increasingly suspicious of the country's new authorities, led by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa , who previously led the Islamist insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Novaya Gazeta Europe
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Novaya Gazeta Europe
Russian Justice Ministry adds Alexey Navalny's memoir to list of extremist materials — Novaya Gazeta Europe
Alexey Navalny's memoir Patriot is on display at a bookstore in New York, 22 October 2024. Photo: EPA/SARAH YENESEL The Russian Justice Ministry has added Alexey Navalny's internationally best-selling memoir Patriot to a list of 'extremist materials', effectively banning the book and removing it from all but a handful of libraries. The updated list now includes the Russian edition of the book, which was published posthumously by the Lithuanian publishing house One Book Publishing in 2024. According to the ministry, Patriot was recognised as an extremist text in June by a court in northwestern Russia's Leningrad region. However, no public statement on the book being banned in Russia had previously been issued. Ivan Zhdanov, the director of the Anti-Corruption Foundation, which Navalny founded, said that Navalny's book being added to the register of extremist materials was 'only to be expected of Putin' on Wednesday, adding that there was nevertheless still 'no criminal liability for reading the book' and saying he was 'sure that even more people will read it now'.
Asahi Shimbun
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
Justice minister voices concerns over illegal Turkish residents
Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki with Oguzhan Ertugrul, the Turkish ambassador to Japan, on July 30 (Yuki Nikaido) Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki expressed 'grave concern' over illegal Turkish residents in Japan and called on the country's ambassador to help resolve the matter. During a meeting at the Justice Ministry on July 30, Suzuki told Ambassador Oguzhan Ertugrul that the number of Turkish overstayers relative to legal residents is high compared with other nationalities. While acknowledging historically friendly relations between Japan and Turkey, Suzuki requested help in addressing the issue, saying, 'We are taking strict measures against illegal residency in response to growing public anxiety.' Ertugrul said Turkey has been encouraging its citizens already in or planning to stay in Japan to adhere to Japanese laws and social customs. It is highly unusual for a justice minister to directly raise immigration and residency management issues with the ambassador of a specific country and make the exchange public. The meeting was requested by the Turkish Embassy as part of a courtesy call by Ertugrul, who took office at the end of last year, according to the ministry. It was originally scheduled for March. Only the beginning of the meeting was open to the media. There were about 7,700 legal Turkish residents in Japan as of the end of December, according to the Justice Ministry. In addition, 1,372 Turkish nationals were illegally staying in the country as of Jan. 1, making Turkey the country with the 10th largest number of overstayers. With a ratio of roughly one overstayer against five legal residents, Turkey tops the list of the 10 countries and regions with the largest numbers of overstayers, ministry officials said. Thailand, which had the second largest number of overstayers, had a similar ratio, with 11,337 overstayers against about 65,400 legal residents. Suzuki announced in May that Japan would not tolerate overstayers by implementing a 'zero illegal residents' program. The plan calls for strict pre-entry screening, accelerated refugee recognition procedures and deportation of individuals applying for refugee status three or more times. Those with serious criminal records also face deportation. Speaking at the Japan National Press Club on July 30, Suzuki said the issues concerning refugees and immigrants could lead to social division and political turmoil in Japan, as has been the case in Europe. 'In the Upper House election, debates over foreigners received significant attention and unverified information spread over social media and elsewhere, raising public anxiety,' he said. Suzuki said Japan must promote a free and open society, given its shrinking population. 'If the public feels anxiety or unfairness, we cannot gain their support,' he said, emphasizing the importance of realizing a society where Japanese live in 'orderly coexistence' with foreigners, a goal advocated by the government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. In a development concerning Turkish residents in Japan, Saitama Governor Motohiro Ono suggested on July 28 that the central government temporarily suspend the mutual visa waiver agreement between Japan and Turkey. Kurds with Turkish nationality, many of whom are seeking refugee status, have formed large communities in and around the cities of Kawaguchi and Warabi in the prefecture. Ono said prefectural residents have expressed concerns about the large number of Turkish nationals repeatedly applying for refugee status. Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya told The Asahi Shimbun on July 30 that the government is enhancing dialogue and cooperation with Turkey to prevent crimes and address concerns over immigration and residency management. He said suspending the mutual visa waiver agreement will have a negative impact on relations with Turkey, in politics, economy, culture, tourism and other areas, by stalling corporate activities and slowing people-to-people exchanges. 'We do not believe the situation warrants immediate suspension,' Iwaya said. 'We will continue to engage in thorough discussions with Turkey.' Kurds of Turkish nationality have settled in Saitama Prefecture since around 1990, and the current population is estimated at several thousand. Denied refugee status, many Kurds have been provisionally released from detention at immigration facilities. Since around 2023, discriminatory and prejudiced rhetoric against Kurds in Japan has rapidly spread, particularly on social media. (This article was written by Yuki Nikaido, Azusa Kato and Akira Nemoto in Istanbul.)
