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Al-Ahram Weekly
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Minimum engagement with Syria
Egypt had already translated its justified concerns about Syria's new rulers into a coherent policy of minimum engagement before the present round of regional and international pressures, writes Amr Hamzawy While several Arab governments have opted to open channels with the government of Interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa (formerly known as Abu Mohamed Al-Jolani) and Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) in Syria, Egypt has upheld a distinct and more cautious position and one that, in retrospect, has proven prudent. Cairo voiced early reservations regarding the ideological backgrounds and political orientations of Syria's new rulers, who have emerged from extremist takfiri movements with violent histories and past affiliations with terrorist organisations such as Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) group. Prior to their ascent to power, these actors were implicated in criminal activities and systematic human rights violations in the areas under their control, a fact well documented by both domestic and international human rights organisations. Egypt has remained unconvinced by Al-Sharaa's new media discourse, which emphasises the values of citizenship, coexistence, and tolerance among Syria's diverse communities. Instead, the evidence indicates a clear tendency by Al-Sharaa and HTS to monopolise power, resist power-sharing arrangements, and reduce nation-building and the construction of a new social contract to superficial and performative gestures. The so-called 'National Dialogue Conference' held in Damascus in February this year was widely criticised by Syrian democratic forces for its procedures and content. Likewise, the Constitutional Document issued in March postponed presidential and parliamentary elections in Syria for several years, effectively consolidating the current government as a de facto authority. Further indications of HTS's monopolistic approach have included efforts to assert unilateral control over the machinery of the state by appointing its members to leadership roles across ministries and key institutions, as well as integrating foreign fighters into Syria's military and security apparatus. The phenomenon of foreign fighters, common to groups like Al-Qaeda, IS, and HTS, has further compounded the risks of institutionalised extremism. Egypt's reservations were therefore well-founded, and its refusal to rush into an engagement with Syria's new leadership was a calculated and rational stance. Adding to Cairo's initial concerns was the documented relationship between HTS and certain regional actors whose broader Middle East policies have involved supporting extremist religious factions and militias. These policies often run counter to Egypt's conception of national and regional security, one grounded in the imperative to combat religious extremism, eliminate its sources, and confront the violence and terrorism it generates. Egypt's scepticism was further reinforced by the new Syrian leadership's silence in the face of repeated Israeli attacks on Syria's military infrastructure and capabilities, as well as the incursions of Israeli forces into southern Syrian territories beyond the Occupied Golan Heights and the demilitarised zone. More troubling still was the framing by Israel's far-right government of its role as the 'protector' of Syria's southern Druze population. The situation escalated in March with the outbreak of clashes in coastal regions of Syria that saw widespread violations and atrocities committed by remnants of the former Al-Assad regime and, more extensively and systematically, by extremist elements affiliated with or allied to HTS. These attacks targeted Alawite civilians in the provinces of Latakia, Tartus, and Hama. They revealed, on the one hand, what can be described as the 'IS-like character' of HTS, unleashing sectarian violence and indiscriminate killings while ignoring the fundamental shift in its identity from a militant group to a governing authority in a diverse nation-state. On the other hand, they also exposed the catastrophic consequences of HTS's rapid consolidation of control over the military and security institutions in Syria, which were then used as instruments of repression against Alawite communities. While these coastal clashes and the sectarian violence shocked some regional and international actors who had rushed to embrace Al-Sharaa and had been eager for photo opportunities with him at the People's Palace in Damascus, Cairo's deepening concerns led it to publicly articulate principled positions. These included a commitment to equal citizenship for all Syrians, a firm rejection of sectarian crimes and violations that threaten coexistence and drag a fellow Arab nation into civil strife, and a call for a consensual process to build Syria's new state and a fair social contract between it and its citizens. As international and regional pressure mounted on Al-Sharaa in the aftermath of the coastal clashes demanding investigations and accountability for the crimes that had been committed, Egypt had already translated its justified concerns into a coherent policy of minimum engagement with Syria's new rulers. Importantly, this policy of minimum engagement has not prevented Egypt from continuing to condemn Israeli assaults on Syria or from responding positively to developments that genuinely serve the interests of the Syrian people, such as the decision by US President Donald Trump to lift the sanctions on the country. Statements from Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in recent weeks have expressed this dual approach amid unprecedented Israeli attacks on Damascus and southern Syria, near-civil conflict between Druze and Bedouin populations in and around Suwayda (echoing the coastal clashes), and a dangerous security deterioration across Syria. These events have been accompanied by growing separatist sentiments in the east (among the Kurds), the south (among the Druze), and the west (among the Alawites) of the country, as well as mounting public scepticism about HTS's ability, or even willingness, to transcend its militant, jihadist origins and transform itself into a legitimate governing body for a country with such a complex national and societal fabric. Egypt's policy of minimum engagement, then, is not merely a diplomatic posture but instead is a direct response to a set of grave concerns: the extremist ideological foundations and exclusionary political ambitions of HTS; the trajectory of events in Syria that has exposed the group's limited commitment to citizenship, coexistence, and national reconciliation; and the broader implications of this instability for Syria's future and Egypt's national security in a comprehensive sense. The writer is a political scientist and former MP. He is currently director of the Middle East Programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, DC. * A version of this article appears in print in the 6 August, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Saba Yemen
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
SM blesses declared 4th stage of siege on Israel
Sana'a - Saba: The Southern Movement component, participating in the National Dialogue Conference that signed the Peace and Partnership Agreement, congratulated the Yemeni Armed Forces on the commencement of the fourth phase of the naval blockade of the Zionist enemy's ports. The General Secretariat of the Southern Movement component indicated in a statement received by the Yemeni News Agency (Saba), that the Armed Forces' announcement confirms the sincerity, steadfastness, and continued position of the Republic of Yemen in supporting and backing Gaza, its free people, and its resistance. This is a clear and explicit message to the enemies of the nation that Yemen's escalatory options in supporting Gaza are well-thought-out and multiple. It stated that the enemies of the nation—the Zionists, the Americans, and those who orbit around them—have no choice but to halt their aggression and lift the blockade on Gaza if they want to survive, save face, and avoid the bitterness and defeat of escalatory options and the fierce Yemeni might that supports and backs Gaza. The statement praised the qualitative military operations of the Yemeni Armed Forces targeting the depth of the Zionist enemy in the occupied Palestinian territories and the success of the air and sea blockade imposed on its seaports and airports. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Saba Yemen
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Southern Movement Appreciates Content of Revolution Leader's Speech on Anniversary of Hijra
Sana'a (Saba) – The Southern Movement's component, participating in the National Dialogue Conference that signed the Peace and Partnership Agreement, praised the content of the speech of the Revolution Leader, Sayyeda Abdulmalik Badr al-Din al-Houthi, on the anniversary of the Prophet's Hijra. In a statement received by the Yemeni News Agency (Saba), the movement's component congratulated the Islamic Republic of Iran, its leadership, government, and people, and the entire nation, on the historic victory over the temporary and fleeting Zionist enemy entity, its American enemy partner, and those who orbit around them. Whatsapp Telegram Email
Saba Yemen
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Southern Movement Component condemns U.S. aggression on Iran
Sana'a - Saba: The General Secretariat of the Southern Movement component, a participant in the National Dialogue Conference and a signatory to the "Peace and Partnership Agreement," condemned the brutal American-Zionist terrorist aggression and their allies against the Islamic Republic of Iran. In a statement received by the Yemeni News Agency (Saba), the Secretariat stated that this aggression constitutes a blatant violation of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. It further demonstrates the enemies' disregard for the will of free nations whose countries are members of this international organization, which has been hijacked by the axis of evil, terrorism, arrogance, and aggression led by the U.S. and its allies. The statement noted that this aggression was accompanied by a campaign of deception and lies in the Security Council regarding Iran's peaceful nuclear program and the legitimate rights of the Iranian people to benefit from it for civilian and technological purposes. These same aggressive and terrorist states strongly support the Zionist entity's terrorism, genocide, and violations, including the killing of unarmed Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. The statement added, "This aggression recalls the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, which was based on similar false pretexts, deception, and lies. This is the consistent approach of the American enemy in justifying its crimes and aggressive behavior against nations and peoples. It reaffirms that free peoples, especially those of our nation, must confront and wage a decisive battle not only against forces of aggression and arrogance but also to protect international law based on respect for state sovereignty and the will of peoples." It continued, "This American-Zionist aggression against Iran—which we consider an aggression against the entire nation—is a clear act of state terrorism. Therefore, its perpetrators and all those who supported this criminal act must be pursued and held accountable. This unjust aggression aims to violate Iran's sovereignty, plunder its lands , seas, and destroy its resources, all to preserve the temporary existence of the Zionist entity and advance its expansionist schemes in the region." The statement emphasized that "the enemies of the nation are deluded if they believe this aggression can divert the axis of resistance from its Islamic and national role in supporting the Palestinian people in Gaza, defending the nation's sanctities, and countering the Zionist entity's crimes." The Southern Movement component affirmed that "the Islamic Republic has the full right to respond and confront this aggression by all available means," warning of its regional and international repercussions. It held the American-British-Zionist enemy and their allies responsible for the consequences of this aggressive adventure, calling on the free peoples of the nation to break their silence and act to counter these hostile schemes. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (Local)
Saba Yemen
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Southern Movement condemns Zionist aggression against Iran
Sana'a - Saba: The General Secretariat of the Southern Movement, a participant in the National Dialogue Conference and signatory of the Peace and Partnership Agreement, condemned on Saturday the brutal Zionist-American aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran. In a statement, the Southern Movement affirmed full support for Iran in confronting the Zionist aggression and its right to defend its land and people. It also welcomed the Iranian response that targeted the "heart of the temporary entity." The Secretariat expressed sincere condolences to Iran's leadership, government, people, and the families of the martyrs of this "brutal and cowardly aggression." It further praised Iran's positive and honorable positions towards Yemen and its people, and all issues of the nation, particularly the Palestinian cause. Facebook Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (Local)
