Latest news with #MarhafAbuQasra
Shafaq News
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Despite retreat: Russia keeps key assets at Syria's Qamishli Airport
Shafaq News/ Six months after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime, Russian forces continue to maintain a strategic presence at Qamishli International Airport in northeast Syria, according to security sources. Despite withdrawing from multiple positions across northern Hasakah, Russian units remain stationed at the airport and two nearby locations, while more than 100 vehicles were reportedly relocated to the Hmeimim Airbase near Latakia during the retreat. While cross-border patrols with Turkish forces have been suspended, Russia retains helicopters, radar systems, and command infrastructure at the Qamishli site. A well-informed Syrian source, who previously worked with Russian forces in the Al-Hasakah province, confirmed that over 80% of personnel previously deployed in coordination with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have pulled out. 'The future of Russia's presence depends entirely on how ties evolve with Syria's transitional government,' he added. Notably, Syria has expressed no objection to the continued Russian military presence, according to Russia's ambassador to Iraq, a position confirmed by Syria's Defense Minister Marhaf Abu Qasra. 'In politics, there are no permanent enemies,' the minister remarked.
The National
18-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Syria's remaining armed rebel groups given 10 days to join state forces
Armed groups in Syria who have not joined state ranks have been given 10 days to do so by Defence Minister Marhaf Abu Qasra or face 'appropriate measures', as the government pushes for unity. Mr Abu Qasra said on Saturday that all the major armed factions had been integrated into the Defence Ministry, but he urged remaining smaller groups to fall in line. 'We stress the necessity for the remaining small military groups to join the ministry within a maximum period of 10 days from the date of this announcement, in order to complete the unification and organisation efforts,' said a statement carried by state news agency Sana. 'Any delay in this regard will require appropriate measures in accordance with the laws in force.' The statement did not identify which groups had still not submitted to state authority or say what action would be taken against those failing to do so. 'We extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the commanders and soldiers of the military units for their fruitful co-operation and high commitment,' it said. Syria's new government under President Ahmad Al Shara is attempting to integrate the armed groups following 13 years of civil war and fragmentation during the rule of former president Bashar Al Assad, who was toppled by rebels led by Mr Al Shara last year. Factions that agreed to dissolve have been integrated into the defence ministry, while the government has launched a recruitment drive for a new army and security forces. Armed groups from Deraa in the south, as well as Turkey-backed factions in the north and Islamist groups, are among those to have joined the ministry. In March, the new government struck a deal with Kurdish-led forces in the north-east to integrate their civil and military institutions into the central authorities. The agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces is yet to be implemented. Many of the armed groups have kept their weapons and remain deployed in areas they previously controlled. Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, the rebel umbrella group formerly led by Mr Al Shara in ousting Mr Al Assad, remains the dominant armed force, along Islamist groups aligned with it, especially in their original stronghold of Idlib in the north-west and in Damascus. Previously known as Al Nusra Front, it maintained links with Al Qaeda until 2016. Several western states still label Hayat Tahrir as a terrorist organisation. Mr Al Shara is seeking national unity while also attempting to ensure protection for minorities, which has been a key demand from foreign powers alongside their pledges to support Syria's postwar recovery. The Syrian economy is in tatters and in need of international funding for reconstruction. Last week, US President Donald Trump said he would be lifting sanctions that were imposed on Syria during the Assad era, in a major boost for Mr Al Shara. The announcement followed a meeting between the two men during a tour of the Gulf by Mr Trump.
Al Arabiya
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Lebanese defense minister to visit Syria on Wednesday: Official
Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Menassa will visit Syria on Wednesday to discuss recent tensions along the border between the two countries, a Lebanese official said. 'The defense minister will head a security delegation to Damascus to meet with his counterpart, Marhaf Abu Qasra,' the official told AFP on Monday on condition of anonymity. The aim of the visit was to 'discuss ways to manage the situation at the border, strengthen bilateral coordination and prevent cross-border aggression,' the source said. Ten people were killed in clashes that broke out along the fronter in mid-March. Damascus accused Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group once allied with deposed president Bashar al-Assad, of abducting and killing three Syrian soldiers, which the Iran-backed movement strongly denied. Subsequently, seven Lebanese were killed in air strikes from Syria, according to Lebanese authorities. A Lebanese security source told AFP that Syrian forces shelled the border area after three Syrian soldiers were killed by armed Lebanese smugglers. Both countries later announced they had reached a ceasefire agreement. Syria shares a 330-kilometer (205-mile) border with Lebanon, with no official demarcation. In February, Syrian authorities announced the launch of a security campaign in the border province of Homs aimed at shutting down routes used for arms and goods smuggling. Hezbollah, which fought alongside al-Assad's forces during the Syrian war, has long exerted influence over large parts of the Lebanese-Syrian border. The group was massively weakened in its war with Israel late last year.
Al-Ahram Weekly
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Lebanese defence minister to visit Syria: official - Region
Lebanese Defence Minister Michel Menassa will visit Syria on Wednesday to discuss recent tensions along the border between the two countries, a Lebanese official said. . "The defence minister will head a security delegation to Damascus to meet with his counterpart, Marhaf Abu Qasra," the official told AFP on Monday on condition of anonymity. The aim of the visit was to "discuss ways to manage the situation at the border, strengthen bilateral coordination and prevent cross-border aggression", the source said. Ten people were killed in clashes that broke out along the fronter in mid-March. Damascus claimed Hezbollah, the Lebanese group once allied with president Bashar al-Assad, abducting and killing three Syrian soldiers, which the movement strongly denied. Subsequently, seven Lebanese were killed in air strikes from Syria, according to Lebanese authorities. A Lebanese security source told AFP that Syrian forces shelled the border area after three Syrian soldiers were killed by armed Lebanese smugglers. Both countries later announced they had reached a ceasefire agreement. Syria shares a 330-kilometre (205-mile) border with Lebanon, with no official demarcation. In February, Syrian authorities announced the launch of a security campaign in the border province of Homs aimed at shutting down routes used for arms and goods smuggling. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
MTV Lebanon
18-03-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Photo: Lebanese Army Prepares to Enter Border Town
The Lebanese Army is preparing to enter the neighborhoods of Hawsh al-Sayyid Ali from the Lebanese side, following the incursion of Syrian army and General Security forces. This move comes as part of an agreement between the intelligence agencies of both countries, following a call between Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Menassa and his Syrian counterpart Marhaf Abu Qasra, which resulted in a ceasefire and the withdrawal of armed fighters from both sides.
