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Straits Times
3 days ago
- Straits Times
Druze elder humiliated in viral video found alive, granddaughter says
Find out what's new on ST website and app. A Kurdish Syrian woman carrying an image of Sheikh Merhej Shahin, a Druze elder, on July 17, after a video appeared online of a man in military attire forcibly shaving off the 80-year-old's moustache. BEIRUT, Lebanon - The granddaughter of a Druze elder, whose humiliation at the hands of an armed man was captured in a viral video as Syrian forces entered Sweida this week, said he had been found alive following claims he was dead. The widely circulated video showed Sheikh Merhej Shahin, 80, in front of his home as a man in military attire forcibly shaved off his moustache – a grave insult in the Druze community. The family had desperately tried to contact Sheikh Shahin for hours after the video began spreading on July 15, his granddaughter, Ms Christine Shahin, told AFP, but his phone was ultimately answered by an unknown person who taunted them, saying the elder had 'met his end'. But on July 17 she said he had been found alive and well by Druze fighters in the wake of government forces' withdrawal. 'Thank God, my grandfather is now home,' she said. 'After the siege of our village was lifted, the young men found him safe and sound.' Syrian government forces on July 15 entered the majority-Druze city of Sweida, in the country's south, with the stated aim of overseeing a ceasefire after clashes between local fighters and Bedouin tribes left dozens dead. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Driverless bus in Sentosa gets green light to run without safety officer in first for S'pore World US strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites, says new report Business 5 things to know about Kuok Hui Kwong, tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter and Shangri-La Asia head honcho Asia Air India probe into Boeing 787 fuel control switches finds no issues Singapore Man charged over manufacturing DIY Kpods at Yishun home; first such case in Singapore Singapore Sex first, then you can sell my flat: Women property agents fend off indecent proposals and harassment Singapore Two women jailed for submitting fake university certificates to MOM for employment passes Singapore Fatal abuse of Myanmar maid in Bishan: Traffic Police officer sentenced to 10 years' jail However, witnesses reported that the government forces joined with the Bedouin in attacking Druze fighters and civilians in a bloody rampage through the city. Late on July 16, the central government announced it was pulling out its troops after striking an accord for a ceasefire with local representatives. The video of Sheikh Merhej Shahin's mistreatment had sparked widespread anger in the Druze heartland. According to his family, the octogenarian had been in the hands of armed groups after the video was filmed, though the exact circumstances were still unknown due to difficulties with communications. AFP
Kuwait Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Syria rejects federalism, urges Kurds to join army
DAMASCUS: Syria reiterated its rejection of federalism on Wednesday following a meeting with a Kurdish military official, calling on Kurdish forces to join the ranks of government forces. Mazloum Abdi of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) -- the Kurdish administration's de facto army—and interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa first struck an accord for integration in March with US backing, but its implementation has been held up by differences between the two parties. Abdi met with Syria's leader in Damascus on Wednesday in the presence of a US envoy to discuss stalled efforts to integrate the country's autonomous Kurdish administration into the Syrian state. The Kurds, who control vast swathes of territory in Syria's north, including oil and gas fields, have demanded a decentralized system of governance, which the new Islamist authorities in Damascus have rejected. A Kurdish Syrian official said, on condition of anonymity, that a meeting took place on Wednesday between Abdi and Sharaa. The official added that Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, also attended. The delegations were expected to discuss 'the relationship between the autonomous (Kurdish) administration and the government in Damascus, as well as economic and military issues', the official said. A Syrian government source told the official Alekhbariah television channel on Wednesday that Damascus remained committed to 'the principle of 'One Syria, One Army, One Government', and categorically rejects any form of division or federalization'. 'The Syrian army is the national institution that unites all children of the homeland, and the state welcomes the integration of Syrian fighters from the SDF into its ranks within the approved constitutional and legal frameworks,' the source said. The source also warned that any delays in implementing integration risked hindering efforts to 'restore security and stability to all regions'. The US-backed SDF spearheaded the offensive that ultimately led to the territorial defeat of the Islamic State group in Syria. In an interview with Kurdish channel Kurdistan 24, Barrack said that while he recognized the SDF's role in the fight against the IS group, it had to accept the 'reality' that 'the only future path for them is Damascus'. Sharaa, whose forces led the offensive that toppled former Syrian leader Bashar Al-Assad after more than 13 years of civil war, has called for the dissolution of all armed groups in Syria. In an interview in May, Abdi emphasized the need for a 'decentralized Syria where all its components live with their full rights', an outcome he accused Syria's new authorities of opposing. The same month, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani warned that delaying the integration of the autonomous Kurdish administration could 'open the door to foreign interference, and fuel separatist tendencies'.— AFP
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Kurdish military chief meets with Syrian leader, US envoy
DAMASCUS: A Kurdish military commander met with Syria's leader in Damascus on Wednesday in the presence of a US envoy to discuss stalled efforts to integrate the country's autonomous Kurdish administration into the Syrian state. Mazloum Abdi of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) -- the Kurdish administration's de facto army -- and interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa first struck an accord for integration in March with US backing, but its implementation has been held up by differences between the two parties. The Kurds, who control vast swathes of territory in Syria's north, including oil and gas fields, have demanded a decentralised system of governance, which the new Islamist authorities in Damascus have rejected. 'A meeting is taking place between a delegation led by the chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, and the Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa,' a Kurdish Syrian official said on condition of anonymity. The official added that Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, was also attending. The delegations were expected to discuss 'the relationship between the autonomous administration and the government in Damascus, as well as economic and military issues', the official said. The powerful US-backed SDF spearheaded the offensive that ultimately led to the territorial defeat of the Islamic State group in Syria. Sharaa, whose forces led the offensive that toppled former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad after more than 13 years of civil war, has called for the dissolution of all militant groups in Syria. In an interview in May, Abdi emphasised the need for a 'decentralised Syria where all its components live with their full rights', an outcome he accused Syria's new authorities of opposing. The same month, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani warned that delaying the integration of the autonomous Kurdish administration could 'open the door to foreign interference, and fuel separatist tendencies'. – AFP
Voice of America
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Voice of America
Syrian minister makes first trip to EU as powers look to aid transition
Syria's foreign minister will attend an international conference in Paris on Thursday as regional and Western powers seek to shield the country during its fragile transition amid ongoing instability across the region. Asaad Hassan al-Shibani is leading a delegation for a first trip to the European Union since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad and days after President Emmanuel Macron invited Syria's U.N.-sanctioned President Ahmed al-Sharaa to France. "This Paris meeting, in a way, is to help create a protective bubble around the Syria crisis, to give them time to resolve it by dissuading the bad losers from destabilizing the country," a French official said. Regional ministers, including from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Lebanon, will be joined with Western partners, although the United States will have merely a low-level diplomatic presence. The meeting aims to coordinate efforts to bring a peaceful transition, ensuring the country's sovereignty and security, mobilize Syria's main neighbors and partners to coordinate aid and economic support, the French foreign ministry said. It will also discuss transitional justice and the fight against impunity. The conference does not aim to raise funds, which will be left to an annual pledging conference in Brussels in March, but issues such as the lifting of sanctions would be discussed. The EU has moved forward in lifting some sanctions, although that still remains blocked amid opposition from Cyprus and Greece amid concerns over maritime delimitation talks between Syria and Turkey and assurances that sanctions could be restored quickly, two diplomats said. They said they were hopeful a compromise could be reached this month. Ahead of the meeting, main international donors will also take stock of the humanitarian situation, notably in northeastern Syria, where the impact of U.S. aid cuts has had a "terrifying" impact, according to a European official. Officials also said the subject of Western-backed Kurdish Syrian forces, the central government and Turkey, which deems part of those forces as terrorist groups, would also be discussed. A Turkish diplomatic source said Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz, who will attend the meeting, would "draw attention to the threats Syria is facing, namely the separatist terrorist organization, and emphasize our country's determination regarding the total clearance of the country from terror elements."
