Latest news with #MinistriesofDefenseandInterior
Ya Libnan
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
Russia's Hmeimim airbase in Syria is under attack. Moscow calls attack ethnic cleansing
Russia's Hmeimim airbase in Syria is under attack reportedly by an armed group likely affiliated with the Ministries of Defense and Interior Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that Moscow is deeply concerned by what he said was ethnic cleansing being carried out by 'radical militant groups' in Syria. The comments came as Syrian sources and Russian social media channels reported an apparent attack on one of the two military bases Moscow maintains in Syria. 'Radical militant groups are carrying out real ethnic cleansing, mass killings of people based on their nationality and religion,' Lavrov said, according to a transcript of his comments published on the Foreign Ministry website. There was no indication as to what groups he was referring to in his speech to a reception to mark the last day of the Easter period for Orthodox Christians. Russia, which maintains two military bases in Syria, was a key backer of the government of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, who is now in Russia, where he was given asylum. A March outbreak of sectarian violence in Syria's coastal northwest, which was an Assad stronghold, left hundreds of members of the former leader's Alawite sect dead. Russia has attempted to maintain ties with Syria's new authorities, who have said that they may yet allow Moscow to retain use of the Hmeimim airbase and Tartus naval base. Security tensions raging The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 'security tensions are raging around the Russian Hmeimim airbase near the city of Jableh, following an attack launched by an armed group likely affiliated with the Ministries of Defense and Interior on the base. There is information that the group shot down a drone flying over the area, coinciding with the outbreak of clashes and the hearing of heavy gunfire in the area.' In the same context, the area surrounding the airport is witnessing a widespread security alert, including the establishment of checkpoints and thorough inspections, amid anticipation and caution against any potential escalation. On April 24, the Syrian Observatory monitored Russian air defenses shooting down two drones while engaging a group of targets in the skies over Jableh, coinciding with a mobilization of Russian forces in Syrian positions. Reuters/ El Nashra
Asharq Al-Awsat
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Syrian Government Intensifies Security Measures in Druze Areas Near Damascus
The Syrian government is stepping up its security operations in Druze-majority towns in southern Syria, aiming to stabilize volatile areas in both rural Suwayda and the Damascus suburbs following recent sectarian unrest. Despite a newly brokered ceasefire, community leaders report that tensions remain in the districts of Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya. Government forces continue to expand their presence in Al-Surah, a town in northern Suwayda, in an effort to push back armed groups operating outside state control. The campaign comes amid fears of renewed violence, particularly after clashes earlier this week that were sparked by the leak of an audio recording allegedly featuring a Druze cleric making offensive comments about Islam. The recording ignited two days of violent confrontations, starting in Jaramana on Tuesday and spreading to Sahnaya and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, resulting in multiple casualties. On Wednesday evening, a high-level meeting in Damascus brought together the governors of Suwayda, Rural Damascus, and Quneitra, alongside prominent Druze clerics and community leaders. According to Bassem Abu Fakhr, spokesperson for the 'Men of Dignity' movement led by Sheikh Yahya Al-Hajjar, the meeting led to a ceasefire agreement and a plan to regulate arms in the region. Under the agreement, only personnel from the Ministries of Defense and Interior will be authorized to carry weapons. Abu Fakhr told Asharq Al-Awsat that the deal also authorizes General Security forces to enter Ashrafiyat Sahnaya and assume control, with assurances that civilians would be protected from attacks by any group. A joint oversight committee was established to monitor compliance with the agreement's terms. In a statement published on its Telegram channel, the Suwayda Governorate confirmed the preliminary ceasefire and emphasized the importance of a cooperative approach to halt bloodshed and restore calm. Security officials also declared the conclusion of a military operation in Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, with security chief Hossam Al-Tahan reporting that government forces had entered all neighborhoods and begun efforts to restore order. Despite these moves, local residents report that tensions are far from resolved. In Jaramana, civil society representative Rabih Munzer described the atmosphere as 'tense' and said that checkpoints at the city's entrances are now manned by local General Security forces. He noted that the recent agreement has yet to be enacted, and a previous deal signed in March remains unimplemented. Responding to calls from Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri for the deployment of international peacekeeping forces in Syria, Munzer stated: 'We are responsible for our own words—not the words of others.' He also warned of continued provocations by armed groups surrounding the city, including sniper fire and sporadic gunshots targeting civilians. Further south in Al-Surah, security deployments continue under the supervision of the Suwayda Governor and the commander of the Syrian Army's 40th Division. State-run media released images of security forces in the area, including photos of the governor overseeing the operation to pave the way for displaced residents to return safely. However, Abu Fakhr warned that several villages—Kanaker, Ara, Sass, Al-Surah, and Dama—remain under threat from what he described as jihadist groups.
Al Bawaba
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Deadly ambush kills 23 Druze fighters near Damascus
Published May 1st, 2025 - 01:08 GMT ALBAWABA - On Thursday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that 23 Druze rebels were killed in a road attack between Suwayda and Darara A. Also Read Lebanese PM visits Damascus to reset ties with Syria The rebels were going from Suwayda to Sahnaya, a town near Damascus. They were said to be going there to help armed groups in the area. Syrian troops from the Ministries of Defense and Interior, along with partner groups, set up a trap for their vehicle. The first death toll was raised when more bodies were found. In a different event, four more Druze rebels were killed when they fought with government troops in Al-Surah town. Suwayda 24 in the area called it a "treacherous ambush" and reported that many Druze people died while driving on the road. At the same time, things have been getting worse in Sahnaya, where 15 Syrian security officers were killed in fighting overnight. Major security actions were started by the Syrian government in the nearby town of Ashrafiyat Sahnaya. Armed men were arrested, and residents were told to stay a bad sign that Israeli bombs hit the area on Wednesday, making things even worse. Reports say that these strikes hurt people and made a lot of people leave their homes. As things got worse, Hikmat Al-Hijri, the top religious leader of the Druze in Syria, begged the world to protect them. "We no longer trust this government," he told us. "It has become normal to kill people. The world needs to do something now. Al-Hijri said that Syria doesn't need more probes, but needs help right away to stop the killing. He warned, "We have seen this same tragedy before," referring to other killings in Syria. At the end, he begged for an end to the fighting, saying that innocent people were paying the price even though they wanted peace. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Shafaq News
24-04-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Policy shift: UK removes sanctions on +10 Syrian institutions
Shafaq News/ On Thursday, the United Kingdom announced the lifting of asset freezes on over 10 Syrian entities, including key ministries and intelligence agencies. An official UK Treasury notice confirmed that financial sanctions no longer apply to the Syrian Ministries of Defense and Interior, the General Intelligence Directorate, and several other institutions previously targeted for their role in al-Assad regime's security operations. 'The government has eased specific sanctions to support the Syrian people in rebuilding their country and economy,' the statement read, adding that London will continue to assess Syria's transitional authorities based on actions rather than promises. The notice offered no detailed rationale for the delisting, which comes amid a broader reexamination of Western policy toward Damascus after more than a decade of conflict. In March, the UK also removed sanctions on Syria's central bank, select oil companies, and state-run financial institutions. While easing some restrictions, British authorities reaffirmed that measures targeting figures within al-Assad regime remain in place.
Al Bawaba
24-04-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
UK removes sanctions on Syrian Ministries of Defense and Interior
Published April 24th, 2025 - 09:51 GMT ALBAWABA - The British government announced on Thursday the release of assets belonging to the Syrian Ministries of Defense and Interior and a number of intelligence agencies, and the lifting of British sanctions imposed against them. The UK Treasury posted a list of 12 Syrian entities on its official website that had their sanctions lifted. The list included two ministries in addition to the General Intelligence Directorate and several other security agencies, but did not provide a detailed explanation for the decision. The decision comes months after March's decision to lift the asset freeze on the Central Bank of Syria and 23 financial and oil institutions. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
